New Interdisciplinary Simulation Lab Puts Gannon on the Map

Submitted by: Dr. Kathleen T. Patterson,
Assistant Professor and Director, Villa Maria School of Nursing


There are exciting things happening in the small western corner of Pennsylvania. The Morosky Academic Center at Gannon University in Erie was the newest building that opened during the 2008-09 academic year. It is home to the College of Health Professions and Sciences and includes the Villa Maria School of Nursing—the oldest BSN nursing program in Western Pennsylvania. It also houses the Schools of Physician Assistant, Respiratory Care, Sport and Exercise Science, Radiologic Sciences, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Each specialty area is equipped with its own classroom space, faculty offices and laboratories.

The shining gem in the new building is the state-of-the-art Patient Simulation Center, which is as impressive as it is technologically complete. It includes an eight-bed mock hospital unit with eight moderate-level simulation “manikins” and two IV simulation computer programs. These “patients” are all “fluid friendly” and can be programmed to have changes in breathing patterns and blood pressure readings.

In a separate ICU area, there are two high-fidelity adult simulation manikins that can be programmed for more critical changes related to trauma or intensive care anomalies. These manikins simulate breathing and can be programmed to talk and have severe metabolic imbalances. There is also an infant simulator that can be programmed much like the ICU patients. In addition, a separate room is available for a birthing manikin and an ICU neonatal area. All of the simulation areas are equipped with cameras to videotape scenarios that are conducted by students. In addition, there are two debriefing rooms in the sim lab and a technologically advanced classroom space that seats 50 students.

The intent of this center is to have interdisciplinary simulation and management by several professions, mirroring the “real life” expectations in the hospital. “This space and equipment allows our students to feel more confident in the hospitals caring for their patients. Here at Gannon, we encourage the spirit of collegiality and inclusiveness and want the health professions to interact together towards the goal of holistic patient care,” noted Dr. Carolynn Masters, Dean of the College of Health Professions and Sciences. One parent commented at orientation, “We have looked at several schools in Pennsylvania and this is by far the most impressive center we have seen.”

The Villa Maria School of Nursing has a 4-year BSN program, an RN to BSN and an RN to MSN option, School Nurse Certification, and Master’s programs in Family Nurse Practitioner, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Administration and Nurse Anesthesia. The School has been honored by the State Board of Nursing for its impressive NCLEX first-time pass rate of between 95 and 100% over the past five years. Course work reflects the goal of preparing a nurse who is well-rounded; a nurse with an understanding of the physical, emotional and spiritual self of patients and families. In addition, liberal arts coursework supports Gannon’s local and global mission of service learning. Visit www.gannon.edu/nursing for more information.

Mansfield University’s Online MSN Program Offers Flexibility and Balance

By Susan Lanzara, MSN RN, C
Nursing Instructor
Mansfield University


The Master of Science program at Mansfield University is designed for professional nurses who seek an advanced nursing degree while maintaining current employment. Students may choose either the educator or leadership/administrator track. The program builds on knowledge acquired in a Bachelor’s program. It provides additional knowledge to prepare graduates for roles in nursing education, staff development or leadership roles in health care organizations.

In the nurse educator track the learner will integrate perspectives from nursing science, education and evaluation to design, implement and evaluate nursing curricula. Other areas of study specific to this track are design, implementation and evaluation of teaching strategies for classroom and clinical areas. In the nurse leader/administrator track courses are geared to provide the learner with knowledge of strategic planning in health care organizations and nursing services. Also emphasized is the management of fiscal and technological resources to improve patient care. The impact of public policy on the health of clients and healthcare organizations is analyzed.

So, why Mansfield? The Master of Science program is offered online. The program is designed to give you the flexibility you need to balance work, family and coursework. Ideally, learners take two courses for six semesters to complete the program in two calendar years. However, you may take courses at a pace that meets your individual needs. Our online nursing faculty team is made up of caring and supportive members who combine strong academic qualifications with extensive real world practical experience. Our team has a broad range of research interests which include nursing education, evaluation research, clinical expertise and rural health. Here is what some of our graduates have to say about our program: “I like the online format, it gives me the flexibility I need to juggle career, family and school”, “The Professors are available. They don’t just disappear halfway through the semester.”, “The two different tracks allows you to pick the focus, either leadership or education that you are interested in.” These are just some of the reasons our learners give for choosing our program. Join our online community of learners in the Mansfield University MSN program and further your nursing career.

For more information please visit us at our link, below left.

How Nursing Online Continuing Education Can Put $10,000 in Your Pocket

A recent survey revealed that nurses having certifications had an annual full-time income averaging to almost 10,000 dollars higher compared those who are not certified.

In fact, so to maintain certification or licensure, nurses are required to finish courses in nursing continuing education units also referred as CEUs.
CEUs or nursing continuing education are essential to comply with certain States' licensing re-certification and renewal requirements, because a number of States in the U.S. have compulsory yearly requirements on nursing continuing education.

Nursing continuing education is generally offered thru workshops, seminars, conferences, finishing a certificate program or completing a learning module online.

But nurses do pursue continuing education for the primary reason of keeping themselves well educated and informed as well as to keep current their nursing expertise and skills.

Nursing continuing education will:

1. Impart training opportunities in a short period which are not a part of a degree academic program.

2. Foster growth and continued proficiency of nursing capabilities.

3. Concentrate on fields of specialization and expertise (chemotherapy, diabetes, domestic violence, etc.) that promote professional advancement.

4. Show employers that personal development and education are important.

Get it online

Many nursing continuing education programs are obtainable online which makes completing CEUs easier for most individuals.

With today’s online advancements like teleconferencing, it is probable not only to go away with your degree but also from the encounter, gain greater knowledge as well as comfort with online technology.

Most universities include online continuing education that provides highly skilled instructors to effectively assist you in learning a range of subjects.

Likewise, many companies today provide in-house workshops and seminars for their employers.

Several nursing continuing education are available via correspondence courses which arrive at either your email or mailbox. Depending upon the nursing continuing education program that you select, expect to shell out less than 100 dollars or more than 1000 dollars.

Remember that it is significant to verify the courses provided by the facility you have chosen are recognized and accepted by your company.

Kinds of nursing continuing education

You can locate courses on almost any facet of nursing. When you specialize you can select CEUs that directly are associated to your area.

This option permits you to study about fields wherein you are really not familiar with, and desire additional knowledge on specific nursing fields.

However, note that several States necessitate that you finish certain CEUs. So before you select programs of your interest only, confirm with your area or state in order to find out if you are required to complete first a nursing mandatory program.

CEU program accreditation

When selecting CEU online options, decide on an accredited provider. Likewise, you need to make certain that you are aware what is needed to earn your CEUs. Several online program providers grant CEUs without any charges, however before you select one these options, make sure that the module meets your requirements.

Do your research before enrolling in any type of nursing continuing education provider. Inspect their website and if possible, call so that you can ask questions and they can readily answer all your questions.

Nursing continuing education permits you to successfully stay competitive as well as be ahead on the most modern technologies in nursing in order for you to efficiently serve your patients to your best ability.

Nursing Certifications and Expanding Your Career

By Cynthia Andrews


If you are a registered nurse, you already hold the key to unlock an almost unlimited number of career opportunities.

The only thing you have to do is choose the door to walk through. There is little risk here, if you feel like you have traveled down the wrong path you can simply choose another door. This is what it’s like to obtain advanced nursing certifications. You have the ability to choose a career path that suites you, but you can always gain additional certifications and change your career track.

With a nursing certification there is no limit to the things you can do throughout your career. There are many new and emerging nursing fields popping up all the time. Obtaining certification in areas such as forensic nursing, holistic nursing and genetic nursing will you allow to work in these nontraditional fields. Most of the certifications do not take a long time to obtain, so you can gain as many as you feel necessary.

Obtaining nursing certifications can easily help you advance from a registered nurse into a number of different leadership roles. Although the most common is nursing supervisor, you may gain certifications in specialties such as nurse manager or nurse administrator. These specialties help you land positions in the operational and financial management sectors within the healthcare industry. You may only be working at the hospital, but you could become one of the key leaders that ensure that the hospital runs efficiently and effectively.

When you obtain advanced nursing certifications you give yourself the opportunity to break out of the hospital and into many different types of organizations. Advanced certifications allow you to work in environments that a regular registered nurse may not be able to. For example, with fields like genetic nursing and nurse researcher, you are able to work in a laboratory setting. With specialties like legal nurse consulting, and nurse advocacy you might even find yourself in the courtroom. With ethics in nursing and nurse educator you are sure to be in the classroom.

Not only can you find yourself working in multiple types of organizations during the course of your career, but with some nursing certifications your nursing career may even be able to take you to different states or countries. International nursing gives you the tool to take your nursing knowledge to a variety of different countries. Right now, this is one of the more popular specialties, and though most choose to take their expertise to an underdeveloped nation, you can choose to go where ever you would like, as nurses are in demand all over the world.

Choosing an advanced certification such as independent nurse consulting could give you the option of starting your own business. You can choose to start a consulting business, a mobile or in home nursing business, or maybe even a case management business. The possibilities are endless. Along with the consistent boom in medical services that is forecasted to last for years to come, your chance of turning a profit sooner and staying in business longer is greater than that of the average first time entrepreneur. As the largest group of people in the country (the "baby boomers") begins to age, the need for healthcare workers and businesses will continue to grow.

Becoming certified within a particular specialty will allow you to explore other career interests, possibly writing. A number of nurses lend their knowledge to various media outlets and organizations through either full time or part time writing. Regardless of whether you choose the specialty of nurse writing or you choose to write about other medical procedures, you will find the opportunities endless, possibly allowing you to cultivate this knowledge into a career. Aside from writing articles you may choose to write for seminars, continuing education course materials, or even product reviews.

Nursing certifications allow you to expand your career by giving you options. As you can see there is no limit to the number of career paths that you can take. You can manage your career to change as you change. In this economy some may see career longevity as a great reason for gaining nursing certifications. Many nurses see the flexibility of obtaining these additional credentials as their greatest asset. You should be able to obtain certifications while still working full time. Your certifications can help you move from the hectic pace and schedule of a registered nurse to the more structured business hours and standard schedule of a consultant. Then there is the consistent demand of specialty nurses. Unlike most of those entering the workforce today, you should be able to get a job anywhere in the U.S.

Nursing certifications not only expand your career, but they give you the control of turning your career into whatever you would like it to be. Certifications such as these allow you to take your favorite part of your job and perform that service possibly for the rest of your career.

Looking for Alternative Nursing Careers

By Andri Irawan


For some nurses, the daily hospital life can be too demanding and stressful. You need to provide care to your patients eight hours a day, and this means you can get caught up dealing with other people’s problems. Also, at some point in time you can make a mistake that would take away someone’s life. That’s pretty painful, right? If you’re growing sick and tired of your traditional hospital job, you better start looking for alternative nursing careers.

There are lots of career routes out there that will pave your way out of the clinic or hospital. But it doesn’t mean you have to give up your hard-earned nursing expertise; you just have to use it in a different way.

Yes, there are numerous opportunities that require your nursing skills in alternative settings. So if you are an experienced nurse who’s not happy with your job anymore, you have no reason to fret. Remember: you are capable of more than you think. You got skills and talents so you are generally well-equipped for working out of the traditional clinical setting.

Here are some interesting career alternatives for nurses:

• Clinical Research Associate

A CRA ensures that clinical trials are done properly and without compromising the patient’s wellbeing. She also ensures accuracy of the gathered data. So if you want to be a CRA, most of your time will be spent visiting clinicians who perform such trials. You can work on different companies such as biotechnology, academic medical centers, pharmaceuticals, government agencies, the list goes on.

Clinical trial is a research study of a medical device, a drug, or a biologic treatment in humans. Pharmaceutical products, for example, undergo clinical trials to find out if they are safe and effective before they will be approved. Clinical skills are so important in this job; that’s why nurses are the most ideal candidates for such.

• Telecommuting Nursing Career

It is one of the most practical options for nurses who want t stay away from the traditional nursing jobs. You can work by telecommuting for Health Information Technology Companies, Clinical Research Centers, health organizations, medical transcription centers, and freelance sites looking for writers in the medical field.

• Nurse Contractor

Unleash the entrepreneur in you by becoming an Independent Nurse Contractor or by setting up a Nursing Agency Business. This career will not only give you financial freedom but will also make you recognize your worth. You just need to know the ins and outs of such business and voila, you can be a successful nurse entrepreneur.

• Legal Nurse Consultants

Why not use your nursing expertise and be a healthcare professional? You can take Certified Legal Nurse Consultant training and after that, you can start accepting consulters on medical-related cases. You can work for attorneys who aren’t really familiar with medical records and terminologies. Also, you can provide services to government agencies, private corporations, and even for insurance companies. Among the services you can give are researching and reviewing medical records, preparing reports on the area of illness and injury, classifying standards of care and many other services.

• Travel Nurse

A travel nursing career will surely make a difference not just in your own but in your patient’s life as well. Aside from fulfilling your traveling desires, you can also serve your patient in a way that satisfies both of you. You can work at your own pace and in different places. You just have to be careful in choosing your placement agency. Pick the one that will help make your dream a reality. Go for the agency that offers a competitive hourly rate, free housing, complete insurance plans and medical coverage, retirement plans and enticing bonuses.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to look outside your exhausting traditional role! Spread your wings for new career adventures. Alternative nursing careers are just there waiting for you.

Let Humor Keep You Well

By: Audrey Pihulyk


Our bodies are intricately designed, so that when a breakdown occurs in one area, due to stress, it can have an adverse effect on other parts of our body. Stress is the body’s reaction to a demand made upon it. Unfortunately, stress is all around us and we do not have to look far to find stressed-out people, whether at work or at home.

In these fast-paced days there are increasingly heavy demands being placed on our emotional and physical well-being. Because of these demands we at times may break down and give in to the emotions of fear and anger, resulting in rigidity of thinking and behaviour. At this stage we may begin to feel like things are out of control, precipitating paranoid thinking.

Thankfully, there is one important antidote that has been shown to provide relief from this dilemma, which if utilized wisely can restore us back to productive living. I’m speaking of humour, or more specifically, playfulness and laughter.

Dr. Kenneth Pelltier, author of Longevity: Fulfilling Our Biological Potential, travelled to Pakistan, the Sudan, Mexico and other areas to study the secrets of longevity among people who claimed to be 120 to 150 years old. His study revealed that many of these people possessed similar traits, the most striking of which were their vigour, humor and love of life. Many of us, too, have acquaintances who, though up in years, also possess the same joyful attitude as those found in Pelltier’s study. Gathering from this, therefore, we can assume that integrating humor into our everyday life experiences can contribute much to our health and long life.

Our physiological make-up as human beings has three components: the mind, the emotions and the body. The mind is the rudder that directs our emotions which in turn directs our subsequent actions. When the mind operates at or above its potential, it increases our mental flexibility, giving us the capacity to think clearly and creatively, while at the same time enabling us to block out negative emotions. This can give us a shift in perspective, enabling us to see humor in just about anything, even in mistakes and failures. To see humour in this way is helpful to those who deal with life-and-death situations, helping them stay sane and flexible even in the midst of unpleasant circumstances.

With change occurring rapidly around us, we cannot afford to be caught in mental ruts. Change and adaptation are the mode of the day. Fortunately, humor brings incongruity; that is, we get the opposite of what we expected, giving us the needed shift in perspective. Looking at potential stressful situations with a humorous eye is what it is all about. At a crowded event a quadriplegic friend of mine, while in his wheelchair, quipped, "At least I can always find a seat in a crowded auditorium."

Have you ever sat down to tackle a project and then experienced a mental block? After taking a few minutes for a break, possibly a musical interlude, looking out the window, or physically stretching your mental block disappeared and you were able to finish the task. In his book, Humor Works, Dr. John Morreall tells of how humor helped turn around the fortunes of the Xerox Company. Management decided to set up a project to be housed in a dilapidated warehouse which they named Skunk Works. The employees were instructed to leave the building in its broken-down state, to come and go as they pleased, and wear whatever they wished. All the usual office restrictions were lifted, and their only task was to be creative and innovative, and have fun at the same time. Projects were given humorous names such as "Bulldog" and "Chainsaw." The employees were relaxed, creative and productive. Amazingly, through this change of perspective, and even without the usual rules and leadership of an authoritarian boss, Skunk Works managed to succeed in saving Xerox Company millions in research dollars.

In addition to the mental and emotional benefits mentioned, humor also benefits a person’s physical being. In 1960, Dr. William Fry of Stanford Medical School began studying the physical benefits of humour. His study and others like it, show that laughter is very beneficial in reducing the levels of physical pain. He also found that laughter gives the muscles of the upper body a workout that releases six times more oxygen into the lungs than talking alone. Another benefit is the increased blood circulation which occurs through laughter. In fact, Dr. Fry stated that twenty seconds of hearty laughter gives the heart the same exercise as three minutes of hard rowing.

In his book, Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by a Patient, Norman Cousins wrote of his own journey from an illness―in which the connective tissue of his spine was disintegrating―to full recovery. By his own admission, he had made himself sick from overwork. Scrutinizing his lifestyle, he began to make some changes. One key decision he made was to let loose his laughing spirit. As he watched humorous videos and visited with humorous friends, he found that ten minutes of belly laughter brought him two hours of pain-free sleep. Gradually, through laughter and other lifestyle changes, he regained his health and became free from the devastating disease.

An incident that I experienced recently brought home the value of humor in reducing stress and maintaining optimum health. Six months ago, I encountered a number of deadlines that needed to be met in a very short time, almost impossible for even two people to meet. Nevertheless I pushed on, developing in the process a severe headache that no medication in the house could relieve. With my head pounding, as if it was about to explode, I sat on the couch, petted the family dog and watched the children play nearby. In this relaxed state I soon became detached from my problems, felt the stress lift and my headache disappear.

As we can see, it is important to disengage our minds in stressful moments from what is troubling us and allow humor and playfulness to take over. Remember, laughing about something will help you from getting stressed about it. It even states in the Bible, "A merry heart does good like a medicine," a good motto to follow indeed.



Audrey Pihulyk is Nurse Audrey, the "stress specialist" who brings stress relief through her speaking, writing and entertaining. When it comes to stress and balancing your life - Nurse Audrey has been there and done that! If you are experiencing damaging stress, check out her 2CD set: Surviving & Thriving On Stress found at: http://www.nurseaudrey.com/resources.html. While you are there read the Blogs where you will find ideas on how to balance your life more effectively.

Help Yourself and Others by Mentoring and Volunteering

By David Maillie

We see and hear about them every day - Charity runs, walks for Breast Cancer, Dinners, Golf outings, etc... These events raise needed money for research, medical expenses and expensive treatments, to provide medical care to underprivileged people, and for disaster relief among other things. These are all great endeavors, the problem is that no one person can donate to all of them and some funnel a higher percentage of funds to their recipients. The best way around this is to volunteer and give a little of your time to the cause of your choice.

As the saying goes - "If you give someone a fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach them how to fish, you feed them for a lifetime." Everyone has knowledge, abilities and experience they can pass on to help others. For instance, Habitat for Humanity provides a nice home and a better community to people who could not afford it, but are willing to put in some sweat equity. Several charities provide counselors for drug rehab, family problems and even credit counseling. Big Brother is a great organization that provides a mentor to kids of all races that need a father or extra parental figure as they don't have one. You don't have to even volunteer with a large charity, you can do it on your own.

There are thousands of nursing homes with elderly residents that would absolutely love to have someone come and talk to them for just an hour or two. Many of these nursing home residents have little or no visitors and are very lonely. The Orange County Choppers family, famous for their show on Discovery Channel, went and played bingo with the residents at a local nursing home and made a big difference in their lives. It also made them feel better helping these people. That is what happens when you volunteer - by helping others you help yourself.

It has been proven that people who donate their time and help others by volunteering have lower stress rates, lower blood pressure, and live longer. It just makes you feel good to know that you had a positive effect on someone else’s life. The 20th century prophet Edgar Cayce hinted at the meaning of life and our future has to do with helping others and becoming fulfilled and happy therefore helping ourselves in the process.

Regardless of your beliefs and choice of charity or method, volunteer and make a difference in someone’s life. Could you imagine what the world would be like if everyone volunteered just 1 hour a week? Take the time to volunteer and help others and make the world and your world a better place.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Growing Nursing Career Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

By: Erik John


With the life expectancy of the elderly increasing, the number of senior citizens unable to care for themselves, or families not being able to provide the essential care at home, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are rapidly popping up all over. Hospitals and doctors offices are seeing an increase of patients due to the new studies, infections, and diseases being discovered every day. Nursing is one of the most demanded positions in the 21st century. Nurses will always be needed.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPNs work in all areas of the healthcare field: nursing homes, sub acute rehabilitations, hospitals and doctor’s offices. In long and short term nursing facilities LPNs pass medications, evaluate residents upon admission. During routine follow-ups, LPNs determine the patient’s needs and develop care plans. They also oversee nurse’s aides. LPNs in a doctor’s office duties include making appointments, taking vital signs when a patient arrives for an appointment, being responsible for keeping medical records up to date, and additional office duties. Some LPNs work as visiting nurses for those families who chose to keep their family member at home but cannot provide necessary care that a trained medical professional can. They visit patients at their home to take vital signs and look for any changes that would need to be reported to a doctor. LPNs also teach family members how to administer medicines, prepare foods if there is a specialty diet required, and perform care on the patient when there is not a caregiver a the home.

Education for an LPN would include a one-year program with a state approved training program. This would include classroom study and clinical education. After finishing the program, students would be required to pass a licensing exam known as the NCLEX-PN.

LPN Salary for LPNs range from $28,000 to $50,000 and is determined by factors such as setting, region, and experience. Prior experience as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) or patient care associate in a hospital and/or skilled nursing facility can increase the starting salary and provide experience in the field giving that extra foot in the door when searching for an LPN position.

Job Outlook for LPNs is high as in all phases of nursing. Over the next ten years it is predicted that job opportunities will increase by at least 15%. The majority of these will be in home healthcare settings and skilled nursing facilities. Due to the growing elderly population and hospitals discharging patients before they can thrive at home, the population of people entering a skilled nursing facility, whether for short term or long term care, continues to grow. This requires the need for more licensed professionals to care for them.

Nursing Degrees - BSN or ADN

By Jeff Morrow


Nursing students are sometimes confused about what kind of nursing degree to obtain. The two choices nurses most often consider are between an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN), which usually takes two years to complete, or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Both of these nursing degrees lead to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, but there are crucial differences between them. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals.

The major differences between the two nursing degrees involve the length of time required to complete each program and the number of academic credits required. A typical ADN degree will take two years, compared to four years for the BSN - plus the time it takes to finish the prerequisites necessary to enroll in a BSN program. (This may not be a factor for individuals who already have Bachelor's degrees (BAs) from accredited institutions, since accelerated BSN programs allow them to complete all requirements in 18 to 21 months.)

While nursing instructors had previously believed that the ADN degree was likely to be phased out, the fact is that some 66 percent of current nursing graduates complete training programs resulting in the ADN or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. These Associate degrees continue to provide health care facilities with capable nurses who can manage patient care. As insufficient numbers of nurses are graduated from four-year BSN programs each year to meet the needs of the health care industry, two-year Associate degrees are expected to remain important for some time to come.

However, BSN programs prepare graduates more effectively to make critical patient care decisions and to question doctors when orders appear inappropriate. The education provided in a BSN program is more focused on critical thinking, exposing students to more people and cultures, and enhancing the skills required for nursing management. They also offer more opportunities to improve skills in patient assessment and provide a greater examination of disease pathophysiology. Nurses who have the BSN degree will also have an easier time winning faculty teaching positions and high-level administrative jobs.

In summary, ADN programs usually cost less and take less time to complete, so graduates can begin working in the field more quickly. BSN graduates have more chances to advance to higher positions in the health care industry, and they are better prepared to take an advanced nursing degree - to become a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, for example - if they decide to do so. There are many innovative choices for online nursing degrees in today's digital world. Many traditional and prestigious schools now offer their nursing degrees online.

My-nursing-career offers listings of online nursing degrees with no admissions waiting list. You can graduate in less time at about half the cost of traditional nursing schools. You can also find a complete list of nursing degrees offered throughout the United States.

Registered Nurse (RN): Fastest Growing Nursing Career Registered Nurse (RN)

By: Erik John

RNs make up the largest portion of jobs in healthcare. About sixty percent of the over two and a half million jobs are in a hospital setting. Others work in skilled nursing facilities usually with a role of manager or supervisor, in home health care, or doctors’ offices. There are other job opportunities for Registered Nurses such as occupational health, addition recovery services, hospice care, and holistic medicine.

Specialization

Working in a hospital gives a RN the chance to specialize in a particular field of medicine just as a doctor would. These opportunities include, but are not limited to: • Emergency or trauma, transplant• Rehabilitation, radiology• Psychiatric-mental health• Perianesthesia• Critical care• Ambulatory care

Focusing in the care of a specific disease, genetic disorder, or illness is an option for an RN: • HIV/AIDS and cancer • Disabled populations, such as physical, mental, or emotional• Wound nurses treat patients with openings due to traumatic injury, bedsores, diabetes, amputations, etc.

RNs also specialize in specific physiological areas and the diseases and illnesses associated with them: • Urology• Cardiovascular• Dermatology• Gastroenterology• Gynecology• Nephrology• Neuroscience• Ophthalmic• Orthopedic• Otorhinolaryngology• Respiratory

Another form of specialization a nurse might find interesting is by age population: • Neonatology - newborns• Pediatrics - children and adolescents. • Gerontology and geriatrics - adults and the elderly.

Settings

RNs who specialize may work in hospitals, rehabs, and/or doctors offices. Some registered nurses who chose not to work in typical healthcare settings work in places such as correctional facilities, camps, military, resorts, ships, and schools.

Education

RNs have three different paths to acquire licensure: • BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) offered by four-year colleges• ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) • Diploma from an approved nursing program

Most nurses obtain their RN from either the Associate or Bachelor Degree programs. The ADN takes two to three years to complete. A BSN usually takes four to five years to complete. There are accelerated programs (12 – 18 months) for those who have a bachelor’s degree in another field.

After completing the education and clinical training requirements, students must pass a national licensing examination known as the NCLEX-RN. Additional training is often needed if a specialized nursing career is to be pursued.

Registered - RN Nurse Salaries

Salary for RNs usually ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 depending on experience, work environment, and specializations. Nurses who acquire a managerial position may have the opportunity earn a higher salary similar to the salary of nurses with years of experience.

Job Outlook

Job outlook for RNs is excellent overall. Location and environment determines the amount of employment opportunities a nurse may have. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined that employment opportunities for RNs are anticipated to be the fastest growing occupation in the next ten years, including more than a half million jobs. These statistics do not account for the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will become available by those nurses retiring from their careers.

Nursing Careers: Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse

If you're interested in the Nursing profession, you might be aware that there is more than one type of nurse and designation. One is the Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN. Training to become an LPN is a one year program in most instances, involving classroom education and supervised clinical practice. Training must be acquired at a state-approved school, and graduates must pass a licensing examination, the NCLEX-PIN, to become qualified to practice. LPNs are qualified to perform a range of services in hospitals, doctor's offices, skilled nursing home facilities, and in a number of other healthcare settings.

The duties of a Licensed Practical Nurse are performed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), and encompass a variety of patient bedside care tasks, such as checking vital signs, preparing and administering injections and enemas, applying bandages and dressings, monitoring catheters, and treating pressure sores. In some states, Licensed Practical Nurses are allowed to administer medications prescribed by a physician and to start intravenous fluids. Collecting samples and performing routine laboratory tests are also among the duties of an LPN, as are monitoring and recording patient food and fluid intake. In a nursing home setting, experienced Licensed Practical Nurses can be responsible for supervising care given by Nursing Assistants, and aid in developing resident care plans.

There is a demand for Licensed Practical Nurses in a variety of settings throughout the healthcare industry. Demand for LPNs in hospital settings has declined in recent years, but has increased in many other segments of the health care industry. Among the fastest growing areas is the home health care field, due to an increase in older patients with disabling conditions that choose to be treated at home, and advanced technology that makes home care more feasible, even for more complex medical conditions. Nursing homes are next in line as far as job growth for Licensed Practical Nurses, due to a growing number of elderly and disabled persons requiring long-term care. Nursing home facilities are also seeing a significant increase in rehabilitation patients, released from the hospital before they are able to function sufficiently for self-care - another area in which LPNs are used.

Licensed Practical Nursing can be a very rewarding choice for many, as well as the fast track to job security in a profession that is increasingly in demand. Nursing care is required worldwide, ensuring that the nursing professional can practice in nearly any location of their choice. With the broad range of settings and specializations to choose from, Licensed Practical Nurses can easily find their perfect health care niche, ensuring long-term career growth and satisfaction.

Frameworks in Nursing Theory and Practical

Nursing theory is the term given to the body of wisdom that is used to support nursing practice. In their professional education, nurses will study a range of interconnected subjects which can be applied to the practice setting. This knowledge may come from experiential learning, from formal sources such as nursing research or from non-nursing sources.

Nursing theories provide a framework for nurses to systematize their nursing actions: what to ask, what to observe, what to focus on and what to think about, to develop new and validate current knowledge. They define commonalities of the variables in a stated field of inquiry, guide nursing research and actions, predict practice outcomes, and predict client response.

Nursing theories are used to describe, develop, disseminate, and use previous/present knowledge in nursing. Descriptive theory identifies properties and components of a discipline. They identify meaning and observations and describe what elements exist in that discipline. Explanatory theory identifies how the properties and components relate to each other and accounts for how the discipline functions. Predictive theories predict the relationships between the components of a phenomenon and predict under what conditions it will occur. And, Prescriptive theories address nursing therapeutics and consequences of interventions.

There are generally 4-levels of Nursing Theory: Metatheory is the most abstract and not easily tested. Grand Theory is a conceptual framework that defines broad perspectives for nursing practice. Middle Range Theory is moderately abstract and has a limited number of variables. They can be tested directly. Mid-range is very useful in nursing research and practice. Practice Theory traces the outline for practice. Objectives are set and actions are set to meet the objectives. Four steps in the development of practice theories are: factor isolating, factor relating, situation relating, and situation producing control.

In nursing, theories can also be analyzed by types which are needs, interaction, outcome, and humanistic-focused.

It is interesting to note that 90% of all nursing theories have been generated just in the last 20-years. Many schools encourage students to formulate theories of Nursing as part of their curriculum. In fact the pages of Nursing Science Quarterly are a major mouthpiece for Nursing Theory. Some still argue though that this multiplicity of theory is detrimental to the practice and undermines common vision. Others would say that the nature of the young science is sufficiently far reaching to require such tactics in order to elicit true consensus. It cannot be denied, however, that there is much vanity involved in the formulation of nursing theory.

Nursing theory is essential to the framework of nursing practice. Nursing theory information will assist in guiding individual practice and research methods.

Help Solve the Nursing Shortage: Second Degree BSN Nursing Programs

By Jeff Morrow

The changing U.S. economy and the desire of many working people to 'make a difference' after the events of September 11 have contributed to a growing interest in nursing as a career. Additionally, over one million new and replacement RNs will be needed in the United States by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In response to these factors, nursing schools are offering new ways to attract and quickly train more nurses while maintaining the quality and integrity of nursing education overall.

A popular approach is the second degree nursing program. Sometimes called accelerated nursing programs, they allow individuals who already have a baccalaureate degree (BA) from an accredited university or college in an area other than nursing to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in under four years. These programs are offered at both baccalaureate and master's degree (MA) levels.

Second degree programs accept all course units successfully completed by students in their first degree. This effectively fulfills the prerequisites of a BSN plan. Many second degree BSN programs can be finished in 12 to 18 months, while MSN programs designed for non-nursing graduates usually take three years to complete. The accelerated nature of these programs makes them especially appropriate for people who are looking to make a career change, but the pace of the programs can be challenging. They usually involve intense instruction periods and include the same number of clinical hours as those given to students in traditional programs.

Typical second degree nursing students tend to be older and more motivated, with higher academic expectations than students who enter traditional nursing programs right out of high school. Students in second degree nursing programs generally have high grade-point averages and nearly always pass their licensing exams on the first try.

Admission standards for second degree nursing programs are high and usually require a 3.0 GPA at minimum. Persons interested in such programs must make a formal application to the educational institution of their choice and meet all of its admission requirements. College transcripts are reviewed to ensure that all prerequisites for a second degree nursing program are met.

According to second degree program educators, most applicants meet the arts and social science prerequisites of their programs, while some do not meet the natural sciences requirements. To help these students, most second degree nursing programs offer these prerequisites just before the start of the accelerated program. Personal interviews with representatives of the Department of Nursing at the given educational institution are usually required as well.

Upon completion of an accelerated or second degree program, students are eligible to take the licensing exam for RNs, the NCLEX-RN, which is required by the Boards of Nursing in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

In 1990, there were 31 second degree BSN programs and just a dozen accelerated MSN programs in existence in the U.S. Today there are 205 BSN programs and 56 MSN programs.

Nursing Education - Passing the NCLEX

By Robyn Knapp

The time is going to come for every graduate nurse to sit for their state boards. To become a Registered Nurse, the graduate nurse must pass the NCLEX. This is a comprehensive examination of the skills necessary to practice nursing safely. It is important for the graduate nurse to use all of the tools available to ensure success at passing. Many schools prepare the student nurses early in their curriculum with test questions that mimic the format of the NCLEX.

This is done to familiarize the students with the type of questions that they will face when they take the NCLEX. Many schools, in addition to in class tests, are also incorporating outside resource testing. These companies offer a wide selection of computerized nursing test bank questions that measure the student's comprehension and application of practice and theory for each nursing course. The student's are required to pass these tests with an acceptable score that is decided by the school that they are attending.

Most of the time, the score that the student tries to achieve is at or above the national average. If the student's score falls below the national average, that student is then required to take the test until their score is acceptable. This can be most bothersome for many nursing students. Although these tests do not add or detract from the student's grade point average, they are mandatory for many schools. Most nursing schools will with hold the student's diploma if the student has not completed all of the necessary required tests. These questions not only help to measure the student's knowledge level in regards to the material covered, but it also acts as a tracking tool. In acting as a tracking tool, student's scores from all participating nursing schools can be compared and contrasted.

These same students are followed up until the end of the program, and then determinations regarding one schools performance over another can be interpolated. Once the student graduates from nursing school, they are further tracked by their mandatory and or voluntary participation in a four day NCLEX review seminar. These seminars are usually offered by the same testing corporation originally used by the school throughout the program and are offered at no extra expense to the student's. The performance of the student's throughout the program can then be interpolated with some degree of confidence on how well they perform on the NCLEX.

Of course all of the tracking and testing statistics can only predict outcomes. Only the student knows how much effort that they need to expend to pass their nursing courses and the state boards. Ask any nursing student, and most will concur that there is a lot of work that goes into getting through nursing school. It is important for the nursing student to look objectively at the numbers and percentages of those who pass the NCLEX. The rumor, that is supposedly based on fact, in, that all "A" and "B" students pass the NCLEX the first time, and all "C" student's fail the first time, is a false assumption, and one which can be detrimental to a "C" student's psyche. The only fact, is that the student must be the final judge of themselves, as far as knowing what they are capable of accomplishing, and not what rumor or statistics reflect.

Students should be aware that the use of outside practice resources is an acceptable and proven method to increase their chances of passing the NCLEX Nursing student's are encouraged to study not just one NCLEX study guide, but many. Using two or three NCLEX study guides as a reference is a solid strategic plan. Knowledge gained from the nursing program is of course valuable. However, a student cannot possibly remember every little detail. They would have thousands of flash cards to study, if that were the case. So, as the saying goes, "study smarter, not harder" applies.

The NCLEX is scientifically designed and percentages are assigned in respect to different content areas. The student is urged to study how the test is put together and use review material that best supports a similar format. This article will not recommend any study material, but it will impress upon student's to use up to date, current and respected sources. Nursing instructors are a good resource for suggesting resources. It is a good beginning strategy. Nursing instructor's have a lot of experience and are consistently revising their test bank material to keep current with the latest NCLEX question format.

Students are encouraged to practice online computer tests as well. Not only does familiarity with computer testing ease the student's anxiety, but it also gives the student the computer skill necessary to maneuver through the test without difficulty. Here is an example, imagine having to drive two thousand miles, and getting into a car. You know the direction to where you are going, but you never drove a car before in your life. How do you think you are going to feel getting behind that wheel, with such a long road ahead, and not being able to anticipate or know what to do when confronting unfamiliar situations?

It is the same thing with navigating the NCLEX. Knowing how to work the controls is very important, and it will save you time and energy that can be better put to use answering questions.

It is important not to go into the test thinking that luck is on your side, without having studied. Luck, may or may not be, but the fact is, most teachers will tell you, that if you didn't study, then you won't do well. The same thing can be said about the NCLEX. Study, is the key. Know what you are facing. There is so much information out there that gives the graduate nurse all the tools that they need to be successful in passing the NCLEX. Remember, it's up to you. So best wishes, on your test, and study, study, study.

Penn Nursing Science: Care to Change the World

By Dr. Afaf I. Meleis
Dean of Nursing
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in the country and second in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is dedicating to changing the world through the science of nursing. The research we perform defines the course of healthcare practice around the globe, and the students we educate gain the experience and exposure only an Ivy League education can provide at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level.

Recognized worldwide, the 18 master’s programs at Penn Nursing offer valuable opportunities to concentrate in a specific field of nursing while expanding the depth and breadth of nursing science and knowledge. The mission of Penn Nursing focuses on integrating research, education and clinical practice to create a unique academic experience in which faculty, clinicians and students engage in a culture of discovery.

Today’s nurses have more responsibility for healthcare strategies and delivery than ever before, and nurses represent our greatest opportunity to create a healthier world. At Penn Nursing, we offer scientific rigor, seasoned with compassion. We build a trajectory of research, apply it to practice, and create lasting change that improves the quality of the patient experience.

Our motto here is “care to change the world.” I hope you care to join us in our mission to do so.

For more information please visit us at our link, below left.

How To Find Scholarships To Help You With Nursing School

By Gregg Hall

Statistics show that college costs are rising dramatically. Some schools cost upwards of $30,000 per year, not including textbooks and other supplies. This is leading to a sharp decline in enrollment. Should you give up your dream of becoming a nurse? Perhaps not, there is high demand for nurses. For this reason, nursing school scholarships are easy to find.

Though there are many nursing school scholarships available to men and woman who dream of entering the field of nursing, you do have to do your research. Plan to spend a good deal of time searching for grants and scholarships online, in medical publications, local hospitals, and through university financial departments.

The best place to start searching for nursing school scholarships is at the colleges or universities where you plan to apply. Every college or university has a toll-free phone number. Call the financial department and ask for help in finding scholarships or grants that apply to your needs and financial standing.

In some cases, the institution for higher learning will only give you this information if you have been accepted. If that is the case with one or more of your choices, you may want to start your search online. Check with the federal government as they have many programs available. Many online companies will run the searches for you at no charge, use them to your advantage. Avoid companies who make you pay any fees.

Check with hospitals and medical practices in your area for any grants and nursing school scholarships that are available. They will have lists of grants, scholarships, and even work study programs. They may also be able to help you select the best area colleges and universities. Some hospitals may even agree to pay for your education if you sign a contract with them that states in exchange for your college education you will remain an employee of their hospital for a certain number of years. This is an excellent program that keeps young adults from leaving states after college.

Remember that some scholarships will be restricted to minority groups, low income families, children of labor union organizations, athletic groups, children whose parents are employees of certain businesses, foster children, and honor students. Do not become discouraged when you discover that there is not much out there that fits your needs. Keep searching because you will come across a number of suitable programs. It just takes time.

Being organized is essential when searching for nursing school scholarships and grants. Keep all necessary paperwork on hand and ready to be faxed or mailed to the financial program. Income statements, personal essays, and school transcripts are usually required additions to the application. Make sure you have them handy.

Regardless of your financial or ethnic standings, there are nursing school scholarships available. Stick with it and you can make your dreams of nursing come true.

Attention Registered Nurses- Nursing Schools Need You!

By Sara Ellis RN, BSN

Nursing

is the nation's largest health care profession, with more than 2.7 million registered nurses nationwide, and nursing students account for more than half of all health professions students in the United States. Applications to attend nursing schools continue to increase nicely but did you know that thousands of students are being turned away because of an acute shortage of Nursing Educators?

A study done by the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions indicates that by 2020, the U.S. nursing shortage will grow to more than 800,000 registered nurses. How can we put a serious dent in stemming this dangerous tide unless nurses take an active role in educating the nurses of tomorrow?

Becoming a Nurse Educator is a wonderful career step

Registered nurses ARE teachers! RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs, and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. RNs mentor and precept new graduates and new hire staff as well as develop and implement ongoing continuing education activities within clinical settings. RNs combine their clinical expertise and passion for teaching others in thousands of ways every time they work.

Nurse Educators make use of that same clinical expertise and passion for teaching to guide and shape the future of the nursing profession- one student at a time!

Do you want to be doing direct patient care when you're 63 and still waiting to be old enough to retire? I say leave bedside nursing to the younger nurses, give your sore back a rest, and turn your talents towards building the next generation of nurses instead!

Some RNs choose to advance their nursing career by moving into administrative or management positions, but the responsibilities and stress of management isn't for everyone. For those RNs who would enjoy keeping in touch with direct patient care and in shaping the future of nursing the best career path to think about is becoming a nurse educator!

Given the growing shortage of nurse educators, the career outlook is strong for nurses interested in teaching careers. Nursing schools nationwide are struggling to find new faculty to accommodate the rising interest in nursing among new students.

Career Flexibility

Most nurse educators work in colleges and universities that offer associate and baccalaureate programs in nursing, and some work as instructors for LPN courses while educators involved in clinical education also work at collaborating health care facilities. A Master's degree in nursing is typically required to become a faculty member at a university but RNs with a Bachelors degree in nursing and clinical experience are the minimum basic requirements for clinical instructors.

Nurse educators can work as full time faculty with all the benefits including tenure and retirement, or may choose to work as part time faculty while still continuing clinical employment and direct patient care. Nurse educators play a vital role in preparing and shaping future generations of nurses!

Earn an NLN accredited Master's in Nursing Education Degree While You Work

You can earn an accredited Master's Degree in Nursing with a specialization in education or in health education online while maintaining your current job by investing just a few hours of study time per week through several schools.

Don't have a BSN Degree?

There's a fully accredited RN to MS in Nursing program that allows busy nurses to take the fast track to earning their Masters in Nursing. Students earn both degrees in a fraction of the time at 1/2 the cost of traditional programs and don't have to give up their job to do it.

Make a difference today that will impact the entire profession for years to come. Become a Nurse Educator!

For Additional Information about NLN Accredited Online Nursing Degrees and programs including LPN to RN/BSN, RN - BSN Degrees, Specialty Nursing Certification in Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, and Advanced Practice Nursing visit Medi-Smart's Online Nursing School Directory.

Benefits of Continuing your Education after becoming a RN (Registered Nurse)

By Ryan Anderson

The opportunities for a RN or registered nurse are growing each day, and those who continue their education after gaining their RN license quickly learn that there is no end to their career possibilities. It is important to understand that continuing a nursing education entails an array of education, including secondary degrees, additional certifications, and specialized trainings and coursework. Though we will discuss in greater detail, continuing your nursing education and/or credentialing opens the door to a management or leadership position, the ability to change specialties, and even start your own business.

Seeking a masters or doctoral degree is one on the more traditional ways to continue your nursing education. Gaining a masters degree gives you the option of higher level nursing occupations, such as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Not to mention the ability to obtain supervisory and leadership roles. A master’s degree program goes beyond medicine and looks at the other factors that effect healthcare, like social, economic, financial, and cultural factors. These programs teach leadership and resource management, allowing nurses who obtain a master’s degree to have careers in healthcare management and administration. A doctoral degree can possibly open the door to management and administration. Doctoral degrees allow nurses to pursue research opportunities and the abilities to teach at colleges and universities. These nurses can also be found as consultants on health systems and policies.

Another way to continue your nursing education is to obtain certification in one or more nursing specialties. Within the field of nursing, there is a long list of specializations that a nurse can choose to pursue. While some fall within the traditional idea of nursing, such as pediatric nursing, others are considered more alternative career choices such as genetic nursing. The majority of these specializations do in fact have their own certification programs. The greatest benefit of continuing your nursing education through gaining additional certifications allows you to change your specialty throughout your nursing career. You can choose to stay on the cutting edge of new and emerging specialties. You could also make yourself a more attractive candidate for various healthcare organizations.

Though it may not come with the added credentialing of a degree or certification program, there is also the ability for a nurse to further his or her education by additional trainings, seminars, and other CEU courses. In the field of nursing there are numerous opportunities for additional training. The type of training that a nurse chooses to take can be determined by particular interests within the field. There is a need to stay on top of new changes within the healthcare industry, how to get a better understanding of patients, and even new advancements in medical technology and treatments. Continuing education units or CEU’s are often required in some specialties after a specific certification has been achieved.

These may be different ways to continue your nursing education, but the actual benefit of continuing this education mirrors the benefits of going into the nursing field itself. One of the key benefits is flexibility. Having additional education in a specific or general area of nursing provides you with the flexibility of changing career paths to suite your changing life. For example, as many nurse’s children are becoming school aged, they begin looking at career paths and schedules that allow them to work during the early part of the day, allowing them to be home when their children arrive home from school. Others decide to look into a more executive or administrative role as their career progresses.

Continuing your nursing education also gives you control over your future. By gaining added credentials you can ensure that you will always be in demand. You should position yourself to allow your nursing career to transition, just as you do various stages of your life. For instance, a nurse in her 30’s may feel like the daily routine of a RN would be a bit taxing physically for her in her 40’s. She could decide to obtain her master’s degree and transition into a consulting or administrative role. Furthering your nursing education doesn’t just give you the power to secure an enviable position within a healthcare organization. It could also give you the power to enter both the academic and business sides of the healthcare field. If you have the entrepreneurial spirit you can even become your own boss. Home healthcare and nurse case management are two booming businesses that with the proper certification can be started fairly easily.

Continuing your education in any field is beneficial, but few fields can offer the benefits of continuing a nursing education. Possibly the best and most practical benefit of all is that you can easily continue your nursing education while working full time. With a career in nursing, a bright future is in your hands, all you have to do is decide which path to take.

Associate Nursing Degree- A Great Way to Start Your Nursing Career

By Kris Koonar

To make a career in the medical field is very challenging. Many young girls are taking up the profession of nursing. Doctors and nurses will never get 'out of demand'. Nursing as a profession does have a brighter side. One has to be genuinely interested in becoming a nurse and as a nurse has to take care of patients with lot of patience and dedication. An associate nursing degree is the first step towards the nursing career. It trains a person to be a certified nurse without obtaining the bachelor's degree. The associate nursing degree leaves you with a good chance to stand out once you approach your bachelor's degree in nursing.

You can choose to take an associate nursing degree through a campus-based college or with the help of an online college. An online nursing degree is very convenient especially if you are working. You can complete the course without disturbing your daily schedule. If you are self-motivated and hard working you can manage to complete your degree in the shortest period. An online degree proves very beneficial as it gives you a lot of flexibility. You can finish the nursing course without disturbing your daily routine. You can continue working and giving more time for the family, you can plan your time accordingly and study for the course.

The online associate nursing degree gives you a benefit of attending the online classes any time and from any place with an Internet connection. During these online classes you can ask your questions and get your quires sorted out. Due to this advantage, online nursing degree is gaining a lot of popularity. An associate nursing degree acts as a foundation for a brighter future in the medical field.

An associate nursing degree will enable you to work in any hospital, any other nursing facility or under any doctor. When you get your higher degree, your chances of getting a better job increase due to the nursing degree. This degree will make your base strong and you have a clear and a better idea of nursing once you finish the degree.

The associate nursing degree acts like a ladder for your career graph and prepares you for the National Council of Licensure Examination for registered nurses. The associate degree has two different programs. One program is designed for those who do not have any knowledge of the medical or nursing background and the other program is for the licensed practicing nurses. The licensed practicing nurses are the ones who have a prior nursing experience.

Hundreds of nurses obtain associate nursing degree every year, due to the rise in the demand for nurses. Nurses enjoy a good salary and are able to help those in pain. A nursing degree will fetch you a job at an entry level with the salary ranging from $40,000 to $45,000 annually. Many hospitals and companies offer tuition reimbursement benefits once you become a registered nurse with the associate nursing degree. You can use this benefit when you plan to do your BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing by completing the RN-to-BSN program. BSN will boost your nursing career and help you earn more.

Hospital or Private Practice - What Nurses Need to Consider When Making This Vital Decision

By: Grant Eckert

In any career, there are a number of decisions to make. Within the nursing path, there are a number of directions you can take when you are first starting out, often resulting in different career paths and positions. The first and most vital decision you will make is whether to enter the hospital setting or the private practice setting. Both have their rewards, as well as their limitations, so this is a choice you need to spend time on making.

When You Choose the Hospital Setting

Any graduate of nursing school is probably going to be flooded with offers from hospitals and hospital type settings. And with the hiring bonuses they offer, these offers can be quite tempting. Here are the main benefits of talking to these human resources departments:

· Often unionized workplaces - Once you're into these hospitals, you're nearly guaranteed steady work for the rest of your life. Your wages will be raised yearly and your benefits will be negotiated regularly.
· Possibility of promotion or transfers - In a larger hospital setting, you will be able to change your position as your experience increases. Most hospitals will post jobs in other departments with preference given to those already in similar positions or with more years on the job.
· Variety of work - You can start out in one position and then transfer to other positions as your knowledge increases or you simply want a change of scenery and patient care.

But as with any setting in which you would choose to be a nurse, there are downsides too.

· Problems dealing with seniority in the beginning - Since seniority tends to be rewarded, as a new nurse, you might find that positions are slim and the hours are poor until you have a few years of experience.
· Fast paced setting, high patient to nurse ratio - While this can also be a benefit, the fast paced setting and high patient ratio can be exhausting for some nurses, often leading to burnout.

When You Choose the Private Practice Setting

If you're looking at joining a private practice as a nurse, you will find that there are just as many benefits as there are problems with this arrangement.

The benefits include:

· Regular hours - Because you are only working when the doctors are there, you can establish a more regular schedule. This works well for nurses with families that need their care.
· More chance for patient interaction - When you're only dealing with one patient at a time, you can feel more connected to the patients you do meet.
· Smaller patient population - This allows you to learn and to remember patients that come in regularly. You also can have less stress than in a hospital setting.

But the disadvantages to this setting are:

§ Lack of unionization in many cases - This can cause your job to be at risk for termination at any time, regardless of seniority. Your benefits will also be decided by the practice management instead of being supported by a union representative.
§ The pay can be less - While some practices pay better than others, the pay is often much less in a private setting as the revenue can be smaller.
§ There are fewer jobs - You might not be able to get into a higher position as a private practice nurse, plus the number of jobs available is fewer.

Whether you choose the hospital setting or the private practice setting, you will still be able to do what you do best - care for patients. However, most nurses find that one setting is a better fit than another. And that decision is up to you.

Flight Nursing

By Michael A. Morales

Critical Care Transport Nursing as a Career

Flight nursing, or any kind of critical care transport nursing, is a job that requires extensive knowledge and experience. These nurses are responsible for assessing the condition and needs of critically ill or wounded patients, and providing competent care for these patients while they are being transferred from the scene of an accident to the hospital. In some instances, patients are transferred from hospital emergency rooms that are not equipped to deal with the patient’s level of trauma to a facility that can meet that patient’s needs. However, in either case, the transport nurse is responsible for gathering appropriate and accurate information that can passed onto the receiving care team, and it is to be expected that the patient arrives in better, or at least the same, condition than when first picked up.

Due to the variety of skills needed when dealing with those who are critically ill or wounded, most critical care transport teams consist of pilots/drivers, paramedics, and nurses. Thus, paramedic training is not necessary for nurses who choose a career in transport or flight nursing. Critical care transport nurses are expected to bring extensive critical care nursing experience to the table, therefore, any nurse considering this career path should first pursue ICU training, certification, and experience. Most critical care transport companies, especially flight transport companies, will not even consider hiring a nurse with less than 3 years of intensive care/critical care experience. Many of the more reputable companies, particularly those that can offer better pay and benefits, will require 5 years of experience. The national average salary for flight nurses is $62,000 per year.

Obviously, this is not an entry-level job, or one that is suited to new graduates. The variety of situations a transport nurse encounters, and the critical nature of the patients’ conditions, does not allow room for error. Thus, learning on-the-job is not an option. The only training that critical care transport companies expect a nurse to need is specific flight nursing or transport nursing protocol and safety policy training. Usually, companies prefer to offer this training themselves (and usually during a paid probationary period), so they can ensure the nurse is following the company's established policies and procedures, but previous flight or transport training or experience is always a plus.

However, there are some nursing schools that offer complete flight nursing or transport nursing training programs, although acceptance to these programs usually require 2 years of intensive/critical care experience. Even if you do not choose to complete a specific transport nursing training program, there are several regular nursing school courses you can take to increase your chances of success, and of gaining employment in this highly competitive career. Recommended courses include Basic Trauma Life Support, a Trauma Nurse Core course, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, and an Intensive/Critical Care core course. In addition, consider taking the Air-Medical Crew National Standard Curriculum.

In conclusion, a career in critical care transport or flight nursing is not something to be engaged in lightly, as the necessary education and experience takes years to complete. However, many transport nurses will tell you that, although it is one of the most difficult and intense nursing jobs out there, it is also one of the most extremely rewarding experiences they could ever have.

Nursing Careers - Exciting Specializations to Consider

By Brent McNutt

There are numerous choices to consider when taking up a specialization in nursing. Specializing allows you to practice in the field that interests you most, whether it is in the psychiatric, pediatric, neuroscience, genetics, or any other medical field. Of course, getting in a specialized field will require you to take up further studies, but you can think of it as a wonderful opportunity to wear your landau scrubs free shipping and expand your horizons and advance your career, not to mention that specializing also pays significantly better than a regular nursing job. Below are only some of the most exciting fields in nursing today, which you might want to consider:

Genetics Nurse

A genetic nurse cares for patients with genetic diseases or problems such as hereditary breast cancer, Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, spinocerebellar atrophy, and neuromuscular diseases. The responsibilities of a genetic nurse include testing, screening, identifying risks, early detection, and administering treatment. Genetic nurses may work in either inpatient or outpatient facilities and may work as case managers, counselors, educators, researchers, program coordinators, and administrators. This type of specialization typically requires long-term patient and ongoing care, as well as building relationships with the patient and the family. A genetic nurse has to be able to deal with negative outcomes, handle disclosing and breaking sad news to the patient and the family, and keep private and confidential information to his or herself. To be a genetics nurse, one must be a registered nurse with a BSN, MSN and doctorate degree.

Neuroscience Nurse

A neuroscience nurse cares for patients who have a dysfunction or condition of the nervous system such as alterations in cognition, communication, consciousness, rest and sleep, mobility, sensation, and sexuality. It involves planning and implementing interventions to promote healing and support bodily functions. A neuroscience nurse also educates patients and their family regarding the particular condition and helps the patient cope and adapt to persistent neurological difficulties. Those who wish to pursue this specialization may work as a staff nurse, nurse care manager, clinical nurse specialist, head nurse, or executive. Helpful characteristics include patience, tact, people skills, understanding, flexibility, and medical-surgical assessment and related skills.

Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse primarily cares for children and adolescents. The responsibilities of a pediatric nurse go beyond disease prevention and health promotion; he or she must be prepared to respond t the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness in children. A pediatric nurse also manages mental and physical disabilities, as well as responds to chronic and acute illnesses in children. Possible roles in this field include nurse practitioners, staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, case manager, and nurse manager. To be a pediatric nurse, it helps to be empathetic, patient, flexible, and be less prone to stress, and of course, have a fondness for children.

Psychiatric Nurse

A psychiatric nurse cares for patients of all ages who suffer from mental illness or mental distress such as bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, dementia, and schizophrenia. Various roles are available for this specialization including staff nurse, therapist, counselor, case manager, or clinical nurse specialist. In this type of field, one must undergo additional training in psychological therapies and must have a lot of patience and understanding.

How Nursing School Grants Work

If you're a nursing student who is going out of your mind to find money to pay for your studies, nursing school grants would be your best choice. It is a financial assistance given by organizations or agencies to support all kinds of schools and studies.

Q. How do you apply for nursing school grants?

A. The most recognized nursing school grants program is from the U.S. Government. It is called Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Money awards or grants could be given to any qualifying student and does not need to be paid back.

1. Usage of grants

These grants could be used for long-term nursing training or for the entire four or five years of your college. Many of these nursing grants are used in the cost of the study or program. They could be used in thesis of nursing students and other medical studies.

2. Planning

By planning to acquire nursing school grants, you are ahead on everyone else. Request for a submission form and check for the deadline of the application process. Remember to complete the form with valid information. Double-check your work. Get hold of the procedures in applying for nursing school grants and follow it correctly. You should send your application sooner than the date of the deadline. By preparing earlier, you would prevent missing the deadline and qualifying for the nursing school grants. It would cause you to apply for it on the following year.

3. Eligibility

The grants would be given to any individual (attending private or public schools. or any educational organizations (whether private or public offices. that has been qualified to receive the grants. The main key to qualifying is to prove the nurse's capability on safety and health training (whether college level or professional level). The nursing school grants could be also based on the financial need of the student, the ranking of the grades, and special talents. The agency would be the one to pass the criteria for the applicants.

4. What Amount Should You Aim For?

The amount of the grants would depend on the criteria passed by the nursing student. Although there are only 208 grants provided a year, the nursing student applying for grants should be able to meet the requirements. When successfully passed, the nursing student would be given sufficient additional training for nursing practices or researches and updated techniques.

5. Procedure

The highest scoring nursing student would be given priority. Although it would still be processed by the FAFSA, once permitted the grant would be given to you. Usually, the awards are divided into two - initial and final grants.

6. Guidelines

- Make sure to get hold of a written policy that a refund will be given if your grant is not approved.

- Never give your information in particularly with credit card numbers.

- Don't believe when an agency says that they would do all the processing for you. You should be the one to sign when your signature is needed.

- Never give money to agencies that claim you owe them interest in the handling of the processing. These nursing school grants should not cost you anything.

- If you are not approved, don't give up. There is always next year to apply.

How to Receive a Nursing Scholarship

By Grant Eckert

First Things First: What is FAFSA?

The first step in receiving any sort of scholarship or financial aid for college is to complete the FAFSA. FAFSA, or free application for student aid, is a form that is filled out by every student wishing to be considered for college tuition. This is a federal form, and you only have to complete it once, unlike the past when you had to complete separate paperwork for each college you hoped to attend.

The FAFSA form will provide you with information that will determine the amount of money your family is expected to provide for your education. The difference between what your family is expected to pay and the amount of tuition at your chosen college can be covered by federally backed grants and loans. To reduce the amount that you are expected to pay further, you can apply for a variety of scholarships.

Academic Based or Need Based Scholarships

While there are a variety of scholarships available, they generally fall into two categories, academic based and need based. Academic based scholarships are determined on grades and test scores. Financial need is not a consideration. Competition for these awards is typically stiff, with many very strong candidates vying for the same scholarship. You may be required to submit an essay, or chronicle any previous volunteer work.

Need based scholarships are determined on the financial need of applicants. While grades are typically considered, the academic pressure is usually not as intense as with an academic based scholarship. Many scholarships are a combination of the two: needs based scholarships that require a high GPA, a concentration in certain subjects, community involvement, or specific career goals.

The Nursing Shortage

There is currently a nursing shortage, and the future outlook is that a shortage will remain through the immediate future. As our population lives longer and medical technology continues to grow, the need for nurses outstrips the rate in which they are completing school. This nursing shortage means that an industrious student is likely to earn enough scholarship money to pay his or her way through college and graduate debt free.

One program many hospitals have implemented is paying tuition for current nursing students. Of course, this does come with strings attached. Once the student graduates from nursing school, he or she is expected to work for the hospital for a prearranged period of time. If the nurse leaves before that time, he or she is responsible for paying back part or all of the tuition. This can be an excellent way for students who would otherwise not be able to afford college to earn a degree. Not only does the student graduate debt free, but they automatically have a job once they leave school. The years after nursing school can be spent gaining experience in a variety of hospital settings, and if they decide to move on once their obligation is fulfilled, they have a good idea of what field of nursing they are most interested in.

Financial Help for Graduate Degrees

The lack of nurses with graduate degrees indicates that it is possible for you to earn a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Anesthetist degree without the burden of taking on a significant debt. Previously, it was often difficult to weigh the benefits of returning to graduate school against the problem of expensive graduate school credit hours. With many hospitals and clinics lowering costs by employing Nurse Practitioners in place of physicians, and Nurse Anesthetists to assist the Anesthesiologist, it is very likely that the medical group that you currently work for offers tuition reimbursement. If they do not, you should speak to your supervisor or human resources personnel. They may be willing to offer tuition reimbursement on a case by case basis. If your current employer does not offer tuition reimbursement, you may want to consider moving to a different employer. Many employers will offer full tuition reimbursement or even allow you to attend school full time, with the agreement that you will work for them for a specified time once you receive your graduate degree.

Increasing Your Likelihood of Receiving a Scholarship

Whether you are looking for a needs based scholarship for an undergraduate nursing degree, or are searching for a hospital financed scholarship offer to complete your graduate degree, there are several things that you can do to improve your chances of success.

Work in your field. It does not matter if it is paid employment or volunteer work, but working in the field you plan to earn a degree in shows the decision makers that you understand the work and are less likely to switch majors or drop out.

Watch your grades and your money. No matter if you are looking for a need based or academic based scholarship, keep your grades high, even in classes that you do not think matter, and watch your money. When you receive your scholarship money be sure to buy the books and study materials that you will need to succeed. If possible, hold some money back so that you can afford a tutor before exams if you find yourself struggling.

Best Nursing Jobs - The Top Three Highest Paying Nursing Jobs

By Brent McNutt

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are more than 2.5 million practicing nurses in the country; overall, nurses make up the largest workforce in the healthcare industry. In the field of nursing, there are many different career options and types of nursing jobs to choose from. For many registered nurses, job security and level of compensation are very important considerations that affect their decision on what nursing job or career path to pursue. Because nursing can be a very taxing and demanding job, it helps to get paid a lot so that all your efforts and landau scrubs free shipping are worth it in the end. Those starting out in the nursing profession (newly graduates or less than a year of experience) will inevitably have to start at the entry-level but after a few years of experience you can set your sights to higher paying jobs and advance your nursing career.

A high-paying nursing role requires advanced education and training compared to other types of nursing roles. The top three highest paying nursing jobs (excluding management and supervisory levels) are advanced practice or clinical practice nursing.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Receiving one of the highest salaries in the nursing field, a nurse anesthetist earns an average of over $100,000 a year. To become a CRNA, you have to take further studies in addition to your nursing degree. If you are already a registered nurse, you will have to finish a graduate degree program and pass an examination to be a licensed nurse anesthetist. One of the main responsibilities of a nurse anesthetist is delivering anesthesia during surgery and works with an anesthesiologist. It is an ideal option for those who are less inclined to patient interaction (since patients will be unconscious most of the time) and are more interested in technical skills or surgery. This requires a more impersonal role in contrast to most nursing duties especially since you are unlikely to see the same patient twice in the surgical field.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

A nurse practitioner usually works under the supervision of a licensed physician and administers mid-level patient care. NPs are usually authorized and qualified to do some minor procedures and examinations, depending on the regulation imposed by the state. Some states allow NPs to practice independently of physicians while some states legally require NPs to practice under supervision. Those who are allowed to work independently may prescribe medications and provide primary care. Salaries of NP may vary from state to state but may approach the same level as CRNAs. Unlike CRNAs, NPs care for patients directly and often build long-term relationships with patients.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A clinical nurse specialist assists in specialized research, advocacy, education, and even management. It is an advanced practice that requires a Master's of Science degree in Nursing and a CNS certification for the particular field of interest (i.e. oncology, psychiatry, cardiology, etc). This type of job is ideal for those leaning towards scholarly pursuits as it requires rigorous research, critical thinking, gathering of data, and other academic engagements. The average salary for CNS is $70,000-$80,000 a year but can easily approach to over $90,000 with experience.

Nursing Master Degree: For A Better Future

By: Ekta Jain

A nursing master degree is essential to create a work force that is high on quality. Nurses deliver most of the nation’s long-term care and there is no form of health care service that does not need the assistance of nurses.

Add to this, the technological advancement in patient care and newer discoveries in medical sector that call for extra work force in the form of nurses. All this reinstates the fact that there is a huge demand for nurses not just quantitatively but qualitatively too. A nursing master degree can prepare you for the higher complexities of health care involved in this profession.

Nursing Master Degree: Preparing Future Nurse Force

Online nursing schools are there to prepare effective and capable nurse scholars who prove an asset to any organization. The curriculum of a nursing master degree program includes basic clinical skill development, introduction to research, integration of practice and theory and much more. In other words, it gives an additional depth to the knowledge you have already acquired through your associate or bachelor nursing degree. Even employers are seeking nurses who have qualification and skill to match the more complex demands of today’s patient care. Because when you are qualified and trained, you can adapt yourself in a better way.

You would not have any problem in getting an employment after acquiring a nursing master degree. The demand for nurses does not limit itself to just hospitals or private clinics. Nurses are required in a wide range of other settings as well like – public health agencies, primary care clinics, and home health care, out patient, surgicenters, health maintenance organizations, nursing homes, schools, mental health agencies and many more.

Although it is researched that employment opportunities in hospitals, the largest sector, will grow at a relatively slower pace but the opportunities in other sectors more than make up for that. These other sectors include home health care. There is a growing tendency among people to undergo complex medical treatments at home. Also even older people with functional disabilities prefer medical care at home. The technological advances in medical sector make all this possible but it also establishes the need for nursing degree professionals who are rightly qualified to perform complex medical procedures.

Then employment in nursing home is also expected to grow faster than usual due to increase in the number of elderly who would need special nursing care. The growth in long-term rehabilitation centers will also boost employment in nursing sector. You can take advantage of these job opportunities through an online nursing degree program that will prepare you to meet the growing challenges in this field.