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.

The Upcoming Nursing Shortage- How You Can be Best Positioned to Capitalize

By Stephanie Larkin

There are a variety of reasons why there is a shortage of nurses, and just as many reasons for why the shortage is expected to grow. The cost of healthcare is astronomical, and continues to get higher. One way that hospitals are dealing with the rising costs of healthcare is to increase the duties that everyone performs. Jobs that used to be handled by a physician are taken care of by nurse practitioners. In addition, nurse anesthetists do much of the work that anesthesiologists did, and registered nurses are required to perform a variety of functions, from administering medicine and taking vital signs to helping a patient to the restroom.

As a nurse's responsibilities increase, it takes more nurses to run the same size hospital. While this may not seem like a way to cut costs, every duty that can be taken from a doctor and passed to a physicians assistant, nurse, or technician is a huge savings.

Another reason that there is an increasing gap between the number of nurses available and the number that is needed is because of the aging population. As the baby boomer population ages, not only does that reduce the number of nurses due to retirement, but the aging population is at greater need for healthcare services.

A final reason that there is a nursing shortage is because of all the advancements in the healthcare industry. New treatments are helping people live longer and survive illnesses that were previously thought of as death sentences. While this is wonderful news, it creates more openings in the nursing industry as new jobs open up in different sectors of the healthcare industry.

Many nurses also choose to work outside of their main career path. Many registered nurses move from the clinical setting into writing patient brochures for pharmaceutical companies or employee wellness newsletters. There are numerous careers that are open to someone with a strong medical background but do not want the stress of working in a clinical setting.

What Can I Expect in the Future?

Education is crucial to being in the best position for the nurse shortage. If you are a registered nurse, consider getting your bachelor's degree, if you have your bachelor's, think about getting a master's in a health related field, or your nurse practitioner's license. Any advanced degree will make you a more attractive candidate when job hunting.

Also, make an effort to stay up to date on new technology and new medical advancements. No one expects you to know every new development. However, by following developments in your field, if you choose to branch into management or a side career, as a writer or training coordinator, for example, you will know what is going on in the field, and will be capable to discuss it at length. Any outside research you can conduct can demonstrate a willingness to be "self-starting" and can help set you apart from the other applicants.

As more and more nursing duties are computerized, it is important to be comfortable using new technology. Many hospitals use hand held computers to enter patient information, and a computerized approach to dispensing medication, so it is important that you remain confident that you can use these computerized systems.

As more hospitals merge and are taken over by large corporations, the work environment gradually changes. The informal tone many hospitals sought after is becoming more formal. While there is no end in sight to nurses wearing scrubs, the way that nurses deal with coworkers and supervisors could become more formal. You should polish your business skills, know how to follow the chain of command and use a professional manner when speaking with those you work with. Some informality and stress induced behavior will always be part of the hospital culture, but as more hospitals become corporate enterprises, the importance of behaving professionally increases.

Due to the shortage of nurses, there is no reason for a nurse to be unable to find the right job or be stuck in a job that he or she does not like. The best way to position yourself for a lucrative healthcare career is to invest in your own education, stay up to date on new technologies, and develop your professional skills.

A Career in Psychiatric Nursing

What is Psychiatric nursing?

Psychiatric nursing is a flexible profession, which involves the application of expertise that evolves out of a wide range of knowledge and addresses many concerns. Not all mentally challenged patients receive sufficient medical care and support from family and friends, to help in effectively conveying the illness to the medical establishment. These patients have impaired ability to process information.

Psychiatric nursing is ideal to help reorganize relationships and nursing responses. The nurse is required to be engaged and self-directed in the on-going professional development. It is the responsibility of the nurse to practice leadership within the paradigms of the profession and the community at large.

Levels of Education in Psychiatric Nursing

Clinical practice of psychiatric nursing takes place at two levels.

-Basic: At this level, registered nurses work with families, individuals, communities and groups. They diagnose the mental ability and define the nursing plan. They are also responsible for putting the plan into practice and assessing the nursing care.

-Advanced: At the advanced level, psychiatric nursing requires nurses to possess Masters Degrees in Psychiatric Nursing. They take the role of Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist. They evaluate, diagnose and treat families and individuals with psychiatric disorders and problems. These nurses work as researchers, professors with private agencies and programs and hospital administrators.

There are a number of programs available to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing. A two-year program for an associate degree in nursing, a hospital based three-year diploma in nursing and a university four-year bachelors degree in psychiatric nursing are just some of the available options. All graduates are eligible for the registered nurse license.

A degree in advanced practice registered nursing makes a person eligible to specialize in Forensics or Substance Abuse, Gero-psychiatric Nursing and Child-Adolescent Mental Health Nursing. There are few who specialize in consolation liaison, where they can counsel people who suffer from physical illnesses or suffer from psychiatric problems.

Many debates have been sparked over the relationship between the psychiatric patient and nurse. Besides the medical and education qualification, a psychiatric nurse should possess compassion and understanding, to create a bond of trust with the patient. A patient usually appreciates the efforts of a nurse who makes an attempt to understand his situation and works diligently towards improving it. The nurse is also expected to manage ethical dilemmas. This profession demands the patience to tackle all kinds of mental and emotional upheaval.

Salary

Like most other professions, the salary in of a psychiatric nurse depends on the experience and the size and location of the hospital or agency. Psychiatric mental health nurses usually earn $35,000 to $40,000 per year. Advanced practice registered nurses earn $60,000 and above. Nurse executives earn $100,000 and above. Teachers and faculty members earn approximately $65,000 and above.

Future of Psychiatric Nursing

The demand for psychiatric nurses is expected to rise in the coming years. At present, there is an increase in the number of students pursuing careers in psychiatric nursing. You can access lots of information from books and journals, easily available online.

An Introduction to Psychiatric Nursing

By Rachel Jackson


What do psychiatric nurses do?

Psychiatric nurses are nurses who specialize in the treatment of those with mental disorders. They are sometimes known as mental health nurses. Psychiatric nurses may treat patients on an in-patient or out-patient basis, and may see those suffering from depression, bipolar disorder and many other types of mental health conditions. Psychiatric nurses work with those who are seriously ill as well as those who are taking proactive steps to improve their health.

Psychiatric nurses receive specialized training to become familiar with different types of treatment therapies as well as methods of effectively dealing with what at times can be extremely challenging behavior or non-compliant patients.

What are the challenges of psychiatric nursing?

One of the largest obstacles that a psychiatric nurse must overcome is the fact that many of the patients they are responsible for may not wish to receive treatment. There are few other specialties in medicine where the patient may not wish to be well. This reluctance to receive treatment may be present whether the patient is working as an outpatient or is in a secure psychiatric facility. This general unwillingness to receive treatment complicates the treatment process.

What specialized training does the psychiatric nurse receive?

Psychiatric nurses are trained in the administration of different types of psychiatric medications. Not only must they be comfortable giving medicines both orally and through intramuscular (IM) injections, they must know what types of side effects to watch for with each type of medication.

While medication is commonly used when treating mental health patients, the psychiatric nurse must also be familiar with the different forms of therapy used as part of the treatment plan. While a physician or counselor will be in charge of any psychotherapy the patient receives, the nurse must understand the concepts of the therapy as well as the goal. Since the nurse sees the patient more than the doctor or counselor, she can be on the alert for changes of behavior or worrisome new developments that may affect the patient's recovery.

Jobs for psychiatric nurses

There are a variety of career paths for those nurses that are interested in the mental health field. While most people think automatically of working in an in-patient facility, there are many other areas where psychiatric nurses are employed. Out-patient hospitals are commonly used for those mental health patients that pose no immediate threat to themselves or others. Additionally, many psychiatric nurses work in rehabilitation hospitals, to help patients who have suffered a stroke or other health problem and need help to reclaim their life.

Psychiatric nurses also work in many community based health clinics. They may work with the public, in an office, or make home visits to those in need of mental health care. Psychiatric nurses that work in this capacity often run community based addiction programs, providing counseling for those struggling with alcohol or drug dependency. Psychiatric nurses also work with the incarcerated population, both before and after trial. Many psychiatric nurses work in retirement communities and assisted living homes. As the population ages, the incidences of dementia are increasing, and psychiatric nurses are often best trained to deal with the increasing demands of an elderly patient suffering from dementia.

Types of psychiatric nurses

Licensed practical nurses and licensed psychiatric technicians are permitted to dispense medications to psychiatric patients. They also help maintain the patient's records. A registered nurse, or a specialized registered psychiatric nurse, can perform the same duties of the LPN, and also help with assessments and provide counseling (if trained). The RN that goes on to complete their masters or doctorate degree can work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. In addition to other duties, the psychiatric nurse practitioner can provide psychiatric diagnosis and prescribe medications. In some states the psychiatric nurse practitioner can work independently, while in others they work under a physician.

Job outlook

The job outlook for psychiatric nursing, like many other types of nursing, is good. Several reasons for this are: Our aging population may increase the number of psychiatric nurses required in assisted living homes. As the cost of health care continues to increase, more insurance companies and private pay patients can make the decision to see a trained nurse rather than a more expensive doctor or counselor.

For those interested in taking on the challenge of working in this field, the career path is wide open. The job is well suited for those who enjoy a challenge, have the ability to think on their feet, and those who enjoy seeing their work directly help others. If you believe that this is the career path for you, talk to others in the field. They can give you insight on a typical day and tell you the particular challenges and rewards of working in the field of psychiatric nursing.

Hybrid Mentoring Solution to Nursing Shortage

A productive nurse mentoring program requires time, effort, and commitment - resources no registered nurse or healthcare-related organization can afford to waste these days. With web-based mentoring software, it cuts attrition in half in less than six months and streamlines the administration of nursing mentorship in direct care, education, administrative and research work environments.

Mentoring new nurses helps acclimate them to their new job roles and corporate environment. It boosts JCAHO compliance scores, nursing recruitment, nurse retention, staff nursing development, and ultimately, the quality of patient care. Also, a mentoring nursing program has a potential expense reduction of $50,000 per retained nurse (based on average turnover costs) according to a 1999 Nursing Economics financial implications analysis. In addition, a nurse mentoring program is an important criterion to attain Magnet Hospital status. Unfortunately, with the current nursing shortage, there aren't enough nurses to do patient care, let alone mentoring.

A successful mentoring program has many positive benefits and outcomes. In spite of that, it has its pitfalls. A blend of traditional face-to-face mentoring and eMentoring addresses two major issues found in mentoring situations - time constraints and distance constraints. This "hybrid" Mentoring in Healthcare Management System is "a personalized, on-demand collaborative mentoring experience that uses web-enabled technology and integrated knowledge sharing and management to quickly build knowledge, nursing skills, and capability to optimize human performance, anytime, anywhere, while providing the ability to track and measure results". Mentoring partners should use HIPAA compliant collaboration tools, such as e-mail, video conferencing, Instant Messenger and file transfer to discuss patient information, maintain patient confidentiality, and to carry out aspects of mentoring.

Hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, associations, schools and other healthcare-related organizations need customized mentoring solutions precisely tailored to their requirements. This solution would be used enterprise-wide or for a small group to automate the process of filling out forms, templates, and reports typically used to coordinate time-consuming and antiquated paper-based nursing mentoring programs. With a web-based system, after a nurse mentor or nurse preceptor completes a profile, a sophisticated matching algorithm will find a perfect match based upon such factors as skills, personality, personal information, and career background. The mentee or preceptee should choose his or her own nursing mentor or nursing preceptorship.

Best-practice mentoring guidelines need to be based on nursing research gleaned from the most respected nursing journals and nursing articles. Also, nursing staff development and training to manage and close gaps in organizational knowledge, nursing competency, and skills across an enterprise needs to be provided. Ideally, mentoring partners would be able to pick and choose from thousands of web-based staff training courses such as "JCAHO regulations", "JCAHO inspection", and other nursing contact hours.

A web-based platform needs to be easily adaptable and would also help administer a nursing preceptor program as well as a coaching, learnership, externship, internship, apprenticeship, residency, diversity, and tutoring program for nurses, new nurse graduates, nursing students, physicians, medical students, residents, pre-med students, and allied health professionals.

With a hosted, pay-as-you-go, and collaborative mentoring software solution, the system would need to be delivered on-demand from secure servers without any hardware, infrastructure or IT people necessary.

Nurse Salaries for Different Nursing Fields

By Robyn Knapp


Many new graduate nurses are readily offered jobs prior to graduation. The positions that they are offered are usually those with the title graduate nurse or GN. For the most part, new graduates are looking for employment near their home. Since the general nursing student is now in their early to late thirties, they have already established a secure family base. While jobs for graduate nurses are plentiful it helps to have some idea of how many jobs are actually offered throughout the United States. The wonderful fact of being a nurse is that they can work just about anywhere.

The following information should be helpful in getting some idea of the pay for different nursing fields. Hospital Nurse Recruiters will inform the new graduate nurse that obtaining a bachelor degree in nursing is favored. Many hospitals will offer some form of tuition reimbursement for those nurses who seek to obtain a BSN degree. Tuition reimbursement can go as high as one hundred percent to fifty percent. For nurses who work in hospitals, there is a world of opportunity to move into many different nursing specialties. As the nurse gains more experience in their field, their salary will also increase. The salaries listed below are not all inclusive, but merely present to the reader a general idea of the salary range that exists. The reader should keep in mind that each hospital will be unique in what type of salary is offered depending on the nurse’s qualifications and prior work experience.

Just as you might think, large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago hold the top spots for the number of nursing jobs available. The larger cities also have higher salaries and better benefits for their nurses. The tradeoff is longer hours and more stress in large city nursing jobs versus the small community jobs where hours are usually better and the number of patients to serve is lower.

The median expected salary for a typical Staff Nurse - RN in *Detroit**, MI*, is *$65,817*. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies.

Job Description

Staff Nurse - RN:

Evaluates, plans, implements, and documents nursing care for an assigned patient population. Assists physician during examinations and procedures. Performs various patient tests and administers medications within the scope of practice of the registered nurse. Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals and teaching patient and family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills. Requires an associate's degree and is certified as a registered nurse. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.

Registered Nurse Salaries

Staff RNs working in the United States average a median base salary of $41,642. Half of all US RN's are expected to earn between $38,792 and $44,869. Nearly 67% of nurses are employed in hospital inpatient and outpatient settings. 32% of all nurses are employed in medical offices and clinics, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, temporary help agencies, academia, and government agencies.

Learn more about nursing education at The Nursing Entrance Test Study Guide.

5 Strategies for Stress Reduction for Nurses

By: Michael Roth Dc

Do you feel as if you are being stalked by a grizzly bear? Is your system always on high alert? Do you experience headaches, body aches, digestive distress, anxiety, or sleeplessness? The common culprit behind these symptoms could be....STRESS!

What are the stressors in your life? Do you have neck or low back pain from lifting and transporting patients? Do you feel pulled in different directions, trying to meet the needs of your patients and their doctors? Are you trying to get more done in less time? "Stress" has become such a common household word that we use it to describe everything from the rush of the morning commute to the hours of homework our children complete after their mandatory club soccer practices.

Stress is harmful because stress imbalances every hormone system in your body. To achieve optimum health and an ideal body composition, you must focus on regular stress management. When you experience a stressor, there are three phases to your response: 1) the stressful event, 2) your inner appraisal of it, and 3) your body's reaction. The stress response is difficult to handle because once it begins, the mind has no control over it. Sitting in traffic or being criticized at work can trigger a stress response 'the "fight-or-flight" reaction ' that has no hope of being physically carried out, thus dissipating the hormones that create the body's call to action.

Although you may not be able to control the stressful event -- or your body's reaction to it -- your inner appraisal of it, the link between the event and your reaction, is up to you. The totally personal way in which you filter all events determines how stressful they are. Everyone has a different level of stress tolerance. What seems to create the greatest perceived threat in any given situation are these three factors: 1) lack of predictability, 2) lack of control, 3) lack of outlets for frustration.

5 Strategies to Manage Stress

1. Receive some bodywork. Massage therapy or chiropractic sessions can reduce the muscular and skeletal stress that result from tense, overwrought muscles. Caring for the physical body helps reset the emotional self as well.

2. Develop a practice of breath work. Breathing seems such a natural event; we often don't realize when our breath has become shallow and limited. When we breathe fully and deeply, expanding the air into the bottom of our lungs, we receive the full benefit of oxygenating our brain and body. Our brain is 2% of our body's weight and uses 20% of our body's oxygen! Lack of oxygen increases feelings of helplessness, fatigue, and uneasiness. Full, deep breaths help balance the nervous system.

3. Meditate. Make time once or twice a day to turn within and commune with the still small voice that is the "you" inside your physical body. Even if it is only for five minutes, turning your attention within can help reset your thoughts and feelings and refresh your perspective.

4. Exercise. Move your body! Walking, biking, swimming or dancing all get the blood moving, carrying fresh oxygen to all parts of your brain and body. The "fight or flight" response shared by humans and animals is extremely helpful when you are faced with physical danger, like that grizzly bear in the first paragraph. If the problem can be solved by "fighting," taking action to scare the bear away, or by "flight," running away so fast the bear can't harm you, the solution itself dissipates the stress and bodily functions return to normal. When stress is caused by a problem, situation, or condition that can't be solved through such a response, the impact extends for a longer period. Exercise helps dissipate the hormones that accumulate in the body when it is stressed.

5. Be here now. Keep your thoughts focused on the present moment. It is really all that you have. Fretting about past events or worrying about what may happen in the future both sap your ability to enjoy where you are right now. Reviewing the past and planning for the future are two abilities of higher reasoning that humans have that differentiate us from other mammals. Don't let circumstances take over your opportunity to see the gift that this moment brings you—that's why it's called the "present!"

Our bodies are wired for health and vitality, not for illness and disease. Health is how our bodies function, not how they feel. Health comes from the inside out. And, importantly, the choices we make play a part in our health and well-being. For more information on health and wellness, stress management, weight loss, and releasing emotional blocks that may be sabotaging your health, go to www.drmichaelroth.com or www.rothwellnesscenter.com.

Becoming a Nurse Educator is a Wonderful Career Choice

Registered nurses are teachers already! 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.

Teaching Nursing Offers Outstanding 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 a Master's in Nursing Education 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 bridge 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!