Schools in Need of More than a Dozen Nurses

Qualified RNs sought to work with students on health management, prevention and education. The rickety economy has had an impact on school health clinics, which are losing full-time nurses to hospitals and doctors’ offices offering more hours.

As a result, APS is in need of more than a dozen school nurses.

Laura Case, the district’s new director of nursing services, said the job is ideal for parents of school-age children because school nurses work when students are in school. Full-time school nurses work six-and-a-half-hour days, 183 days a year, with summers and holidays off.

While those are attractive hours, they have proved to be a detriment in attracting nurses in this weak economy because many qualified individuals need more hours and more money to make ends meet. School nurses get paid a competitive hourly rate of between $25 and $41 an hour, but they work fewer hours than those in hospitals or doctors’ offices.

If nurses can make the hours work for them, there are other advantages to working in schools, Case said.

“It’s such a positive environment in which nurses can really support student health and wellness,” she said. “School nurses are educators with a focus on prevention.”

Nurses also play an important role in the management of care for students with health issues such as diabetes, asthma and allergies.

“School nurses don’t just take temperatures and put Band-Aids on skinned knees,” Case said. “Many children rely on the school nurse to help manage health plans that allow them to focus on learning.”

Despite the shortage of school nurses, schools haven’t been without health care providers this school year, Case said. The district has used agency nurses to help fill the void. However, Case said it would be nice to have more stability in school health offices.

APS is now taking applications for school nurses. Go to the job listings on the APS website for a more detailed job description and to fill out an application.

Qualifications for school nurses include:

• A BSN or bachelor’s degree in a related health field
• Current new Mexico RN license
• Three years of full-time experience in a supervised clinical nursing setting
• Current CPR certification

Preferred areas of experience include:

• School nursing
• Pediatric, hospital or ambulatory care
• Technology dependent care/pediatric ICU
• Emergency room.

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Nursing grads struggle to find jobs, despite projected shortages

Nursing is the largest healthcare occupation, adding more than a quarter million jobs last year alone, according to government figures. So why couldn’t Candice Dyer find a nursing job?

Dyer, a June 2011 graduate of Chamberlain College of Nursing in Chicago, and several of her classmates spent upwards of five months searching for their first jobs.

“I graduated back in June and took my boards back in August,” Dyer said. “From then until October, I filled out over a hundred online applications.”

Dyer, 30, continued working as a massage therapist while filing dozens of applications each week.

“I didn’t get any calls back,” she said. And next-day emails? Those were only sent to inform her that the institutions were not hiring new grads.

The job search was draining, but Dyer continued to network and her persistence paid off in October.

“I got my first interview, and my only interview, because the person I gave a massage to used to work in H.R. at the hospital,” she said.

Dyer said she considered herself lucky that the interview led to a job in her first choice of specialties as an emergency room nurse at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.

“I was hoping to get any job and any experience,” said Dyer. “That was all I could hope for.”

The sour economy has upended projections for a U.S. nursing shortage. Baby-boomer nurses who had been expected to start retiring in large numbers are clinging to their jobs, so new grads can’t get in the door.

“They’re kind of clogging some of those vacancies right when a lot of those new R.N.s are entering the workforce,” said David Auerbach, a health economist at RAND Health, nonprofit health research arm of the RAND Corp.

Meanwhile he says, the trends show that new nursing grads in their mid-20s are the largest cohort to enter the field in several decades.

“This is an indicator of a new generation of people that is very energetic about nursing,” Auerbach said.

The log-jam is primarily confined to metropolitan areas.

Students like Dyer are fortunate to find jobs in hospital settings within the city, said Dr. Ann Solari-Twadell, director of the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program at Loyola University. Chicago and other big cities are home to elite hospitals, the places new nursing grads aspire to. These hospitals often offer one-on-one mentors, higher pay and other perks that new nurses won’t find elsewhere.

While there is a demand for nurses in many rural and suburban settings, the jobs are often outside hospital settings, making it harder to develop expertise in a specialty.

“They’re not too excited about going to places where that professional development isn’t exactly on the front burner,” Solari-Twadell said.

The nature of nursing is changing, shifting away from hospital-based primacy. Nursing programs are evolving to meet the need and to give students a realistic view of their profession’s future.

“We know that in the future we really are going to shift care to care in the home, care in the community, care in the clinics,” said Mary Chesney, director of the doctorate nursing practice program at the University of Minnesota said. “We’re trying to prepare students for that.”

Positions like Dyer’s, she said, will become fewer as the need moves to a new identity of healthcare with an aging population.

“We are trying to help our new graduates envision a world that looks different in the world where care is delivered today,” she said.

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Improving Wound Care in a Pediatric Surgical Ward

Image Courtesy of kem.edu 

Wound care management is becoming more complex for nurses due to new insights into wound healing (Hayward & Morrison, 1996, p.11) and because of the wide variety of wound dressings that are available (Wikblad & Anderson, 1995, p.312 and Miller, 1994, p.62). Erwin-Toth and Hocevar (1995, p.46) stated that there were approximately 400 brands of wound care dressings on the market to choose from and that wound care is made even more difficult because no one dressing method suits all wounds and the choice is dependent on the cause of the wound, infection, favorability and cost (Findlay, 1994, p.836). Because of these many different wound care techniques and dressings, nurses are becoming confused and nonplussed regarding wound care practice. Unfortunately, Millers (1994, p.62) research showed that in 85% of cases nurses were using inappropriate dressings, and O’Connor (1993, p.64) found in her study on wound care that nurses were having difficulty in applying their theory and knowledge to their practice.

Action Research was the strategy used for this study because it is very appropriate for nursing research. Traditional nursing research is failing nurses because so often they do not see its relevance to their practice (Greenwood, 1984, cited in Hart, 1995, p.9). Action Research is more suited to nursing, not only because of its problem solving and evaluating features, but also for its similarity to the stages of the nursing process of planning, acting, observing, reflecting and often replanting (Bellman 1996, p.130) . Action Research is also appropriate for nurses because, it does not require expert researchers; the participants define the problem themselves; both researchers and practitioners participate together in the process (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1988, pp.22-23, Hart & Bond, 1995, p.55 and Birkett, 1995, p.191); it is less structured and leaves room for possible changes; it is empowering for the participants; and reflective of their practice (Kemmis & McTaffart, pp.11-12, 50 and Titchen & Binnie, 1993, cited in Hart, 1995, p.8). Titchen and Binnie (1993, cited in Hart, 1995, p.8) also highlighted the empowering effect, and reflective practice, action research gave nurses so that they can hopefully free themselves from the medical hierarchy

The Setting and Problem

The setting of this project was a 16 bed surgical ward of a major pediatric teaching hospital. It was classified as a clean surgical ward and the case mix of patients were cardiac, ear, nose and throat (ENT), ophthalmic and the occasional others. Most of these patients were under the age of five years which made their participation in the project impossible. Because of the range of surgery performed there were many different wounds and many surgeons using different techniques in wound management even for the same procedure. This was confusing to the nursing staff and created an attitude that they did not have any say in their patients wound care.

Two issues of concern were raised by different members of the nursing staff. Firstly, the Unit Manager and Clinical Educator were concerned about the nursing staffs lack of observation and reflection on their patients wound care and the second was from the nurses regarding the many types of dressings and treatment used by different surgeons for as many different wounds--was one better than the others and for what wound? This was exacerbated even more by the introduction of yet another new dressing by one of the surgeons. From discussion on these two concerns it was decided to perform a ward audit using action research on how the nurses could improve their wound care practices and devise it so that quantitative outcomes could be compiled in the long term regarding the many types of wound management and dressings that were being used. The long term project would also be used to monitor infection rate which is required by the Health Department.

As the project was implemented as a ward audit, which did not involve patients or parents, neither financial assistance nor approval from the Hospital Ethics Committee was required.

The Planning

During the planning stage when discussions were held with senior nursing staff, the following strategies were proposed and developed:

1. A wound survey chart (See Appendix A) was devised that documented the process of observations to assess the effectiveness of wound care procedures and dressings for all the different wounds. This was formulated by two members of staff and shown to other staff for comments and suggestions for changes. For a long term project this survey chart was also shown to a member of the Hospital Research Department who made suggestions on how to improve it so data could be processed for quantitative research outcomes.
2. A research proposal was written in order to be able to inform, not only the nurses, but also the other disciplines that will be involved in the goals and objectives of the project.
3. The Head of the Surgical Department was also informed of the project and on his own reflection decided to collect data and take photos himself in his office when he saw the patients post-operatively. This information would also be made available for our project. The new dressing he was using, which he felt would promote better scarring outcomes in the future, was not removed until two weeks post-operatively so we needed his cooperation in obtaining the final outcome of the wound healing. The other surgeons and community liaison nurse were informed of the project by letter and discussion at a senior staff meeting. Out of the discussion at this meeting it was suggested that the data collected should be processed with the data they already had on the patients in their department. The same problem was raised when the Infection Control Department was informed of the project. This was our first major problem but was only relevant to the larger project in collecting data for quantitative outcomes. The facilitator would meet again with these departments to resolve this issue.
4. To provide us with a knowledge base for our decision making it was decided that the members of staff who were on relevant hospital committees, such as, infection control, product review, wound care, quality assurance, research and professional practice, would carry out literature reviews pertaining to their specific committee subject and our research project. This information they would present to the rest of the staff at following meetings or in-services. This would equip the nurses with evidence-based knowledge to obtain consensual agreement on decisions made for better practice strategies.
5. The Nurse Educator, who was reasonably familiar with the process of action research, became the facilitator and in this capacity held in-services to educate all the nurses regarding action research. This also helped to solicit more participation and inform the nurses of their role in the process.

Implementation

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Positions Available Master of Science in Nursing Cardinal Stritch University

Positions Available Master of Science in Nursing Cardinal Stritch University. Cardinal Stritch University is a private Franciscan Catholic institution of higher learning in Milwaukee, Wis. consisting of four colleges serving undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing is the only accredited Wisconsin nursing program offering all three-degree programs, ADN, BSN-C and MSN. Within the framework of Franciscan values, we provide innovative, flexible programs that integrate nursing theory and practice to meet the emerging health needs of all clients.

The Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing at Cardinal Stritch University seeks applicants for the position of MSN program chair. This full-time administrative and leadership position reports directly to the dean of the college and is responsible for the development, management and evaluation of the NLNAC accredited MSN program.
Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have a earned doctorate degree in nursing or a related field and a master’s degree in nursing
• Current RN license in Wisconsin
• Experience and expertise with curriculum development, adult education and instruction
• Three or more years experience in formal nursing education
• Experience in graduate program development, administration, assessment and accreditation
• Relevant experience in teaching graduate nursing students
• Demonstrated leadership in professional nursing
• Excellent organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy and familiarity with e-learning
• Grant writing experience

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is required prior to employment. Review of candidates continues until appointment is made. Applicants should submit letter of interest, curriculum vitae and three references with contact information by mail or email to:

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Faculty Recruitment University Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Current Faculty Positions Available

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Coordinator
• Faculty Position in International Health

Tenure and Tenure-Track Positions
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is seeking applications for a number of tenure and tenure-track positions. We invite inquiries from doctoral prepared scholars from a variety of research backgrounds and areas of specialization, particularly in (but not limited to) the following areas:

• Acute Care
• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Geriatrics and Gerontology
• Pediatric Health

As an integral part of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center at Emory University, the School of Nursing maintains and seeks to extend research leadership and collaborative relationships with Emory’s strong interdisciplinary initiatives in:

• Neuroscience
• Palliative Care
• Critical Care
• Transplant Surgery
• Cardiovascular Health
• Comprehensive Cancer Care

In addition to submitting current Curriculum Vitae, applicants should attach a cover letter of interest and accomplishments. Please submit application materials to:

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Jobs at UMMC Baltimore Cardiac Nursing

As a Cardiac Nursing professional, it’s unbelievable how much you will grow at UMMC. Every day, you’ll find new opportunities to take your skills and knowledge to the next level. No other single facility can offer you the variety of specialties…progressive technologies…invigorating pace…and opportunities for advancement. Most importantly, you’ll find a level of collaboration and camaraderie you won’t find anywhere else. Explore Baltimore Cardiac Nursing jobs at UMMC.

Why Pursue Baltimore Cardiac Nursing Jobs at UMMC?

We’re a team at UMMC. Nurses and doctors, specialists and therapists, we work shoulder-to-shoulder to give our patients the care they deserve. We take time to celebrate each other’s contributions. We treat each other with respect. We value each other’s ideas and opinions. We support each other’s growth. Together, we form a world-class team dedicated to furthering the practice of patient care. Apply for Cardiac Nursing Jobs in Baltimore with the University of Maryland Medical Center

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Practical Nursing program

The Practical Nurse program prepares the student to take the NCLEX-PN examination required for employment as an entry-level Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The Practical Nurse program includes theoretical instruction and clinical experience in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing and clinical experience in both acute and long-term care situations. Theoretical instruction of the clinical application of vocational role and function and personal, family and community health concepts, nutrition, human growth and development over the lifespan, body structure and function, interpersonal relationship skills, mental health concepts, pharmacology and administration of medications, legal aspects of practice, Health Careers Core, Basic Life Support (BLS and CPR) for health-care providers, and current issues in nursing are all components of the program. Clinical experience comprises 50% of the total program. Areas of employment for Practical Nurses include hospitals, ambulatory care settings, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, private duty, and other appropriate medical areas. The PN program has provisional approval by the Florida Board of Nursing. Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to take NCLEX-PN credentialing examination.

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Top high paying nursing specialties

Top 10 high paying nursing specialties

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
2. Nurse Researcher
3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
4. Certified Nurse Midwife
5. Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
6. Orthopedic Nurse
7. Nurse Practitioner
8. Clinical Nurse Specialist
9. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
10. Neonatal Nurse

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Nursing Home Compare check list

Nursing Home Compare. Before you make any decisions about long term care, get as much information as you can about where you might live and what help you may need. A nursing home may not be your only choice. Discharge planners and social workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies can explain your options and help arrange your care. There are also agencies in your state and community that can help with long-term care choices. Before you get started, you or your family member may have other long-term care choices like community-based services, home care, or assisted living depending on your needs and resources. For more information, see Alternatives to Nursing Homes. Otherwise, follow these steps when choosing a nursing home:

For information about community services, call your local Area Agency on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Center, and Center for Independent Living

Nursing Home Compare check list

• Step 1: Find Nursing Homes in your area. Search by name, city, county, state, or ZIP code.
• Step 2: Compare the quality of the nursing Homes you're considering using the Five-Star Quality Ratings, health inspection results, nursing home staff data, quality measures, and fire safety inspection results.
• Step 3: Visit the nursing homes you are considering or have someone visit for you. Use the Nursing Home Checklist and other resources under “Additional information” below.
• Step 4: Choose the nursing home that best meets your needs. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare practitioner, your family, friends, or others about your nursing home choices. Contact the Long-Term Ombudsman or State Survey Agency before you make a decision.

Nursing Home Compare check list

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Types Of Nursing Specialties

Types Of Nursing Specialties. Nurses are a key component of the health care system. They provide valuable services to their patients in hospitals, offices, communities, and workplaces. Nursing is a challenging and rewarding career, with a lot of room for advancement and variety. Nurses may specialize in a particular field and help treat patients with specific illnesses or needs. Types of nursing specialties determine by types of nursing degrees educational paths, by their work setting their duties in a variety of locations, by with specific segments of the population

List of nursing specialties:

Acute care nurses work with patients suffering from acute illnesses, such as heart attacks, respiratory distress, or shock, and may perform advanced diagnostic procedures. These nurses typically work in hospitals and as part of their duties, care for pre- and post- operative patients. Similarly, cardiac rehabilitation nurses work wherever patients are recovering from heart problems.

Ambulatory care nurses provide preventive care and treat patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries in physicians' offices or in clinics. Some ambulatory care nurses are involved in telehealth, providing care and advice through electronic communications media such as videoconferencing, the Internet, or by telephone.

Oncology nurses work with cancer patients in hospitals, cancer centers, hospice programs, homes, doctors’ offices, extended care facilities, and pharmaceutical companies. Within the oncology field are several areas in which nurses can specialize, such as chemotherapy, breast oncology, radiation, and more. Advanced oncology nurses have a minimum of a master’s degree. They can become further qualified by becoming an oncology certified nurse (OCN), advanced oncology certified nurse (AOCN) or a certified pediatric oncology nurse (CPON).

Psychiatric nurses care for patients with psychiatric disorders, medical issues, or substance abuse problems in hospitals and community health centers. They assess patients, create treatment plans, and manage the patients’ care.

Other nurses work with specific segments of the population, such as pediatrics, gerontology, home and nursing home health, and women’s health.

Pediatric nurses care for children from infancy to 21 years of age in hospitals, primary care facilities, and critical care facilities, among others. Their work focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosing common childhood illnesses, and treating injuries.

Gerontological nurses work with the elderly population in hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices. They specialize in implementing treatment plans for chronic illnesses and provide support for both patients and their families. Nursing home nurses also work with elderly patients, as well as some younger ones. Ailments extend from fractures to Alzheimer’s, strokes to head injuries. These nurses assess patients and develop treatment plans, as well as perform administrative duties.

Home health nurses work with a wide variety of patients, including people recovering from accidents, childbirth, or illness. Provide at-home nursing care for patients, often as follow-up care after discharge from a hospital or from a rehabilitation, long-term care, or skilled nursing facility. The nurses provide instruction for patients and family members.

Nurse practitioners who specialize in women’s health work mostly in primary care settings. They provide services for women beginning in adolescence and through old age. Women’s health needs are different from men’s, as are their responses to wellness and disease. Nurse practitioners in women’s health focus on health promotion and disease prevention. They also manage chronic health conditions affecting women.

Nurses perform their duties in a variety of locations: most common are hospitals, offices, and schools. The nurses already mentioned may work in any of these settings.

Hospital nurses can be further categorized by where in the hospital they work. Nurses are in integral part of the operating and emergency room staffs.

Critical care nurses provide care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses or injuries that require very close monitoring and extensive medication protocols and therapies. Critical care nurses often work in critical or intensive care hospital units.

ER nurses are the first ones to take care of patients when they come in with acute pain.

OR nurses care for patients both before and after surgery, assist the surgeon, chart recovery, monitor vital signs, and help manage pain. Often they are the first faces you see when you wake up after an operation.

Nurse anesthetists also work in the OR. They are RNs who have received extensive training and have passed a national exam in order to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA). They perform duties similar to the anesthesiologists, who are doctors.

It is also common for nurses to work in doctors’ offices. There, they help with examinations, administer injections, and dress wounds, to name a few duties.

Nurses are a staple of every school. They have numerous responsibilities, including health services, counseling, physical education, nutrition, staff wellness, and parent/community involvement. School nurses also have to follow individual students’ health plans. Qualifications vary widely in the school nurse field. There are nurses with LPNs through PhDs, with different licensing and certifications in between.

Nurse educator is another important job nurses can hold. These educators train students to become LPNs and RNs. They can also teach at the graduate level (master’s and PhD) to prepare nurses to become advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, nursing administrators, and other leaders in the field.

Educators who teach LPN, associate’s and bachelor’s programs, must hold a master’s degree. To teach graduate level courses, most colleges and universities require a master’s at minimum and prefer a PhD.

Two more locations in which nurses are in demand are community based programs and industrial settings.

Community health nurses work to improve the overall health of the entire community. They develop and carry out plans for immunizations, blood pressure testing, and other screening processes. These nurses, who can work in clinics, schools, retirement communities, camps, prisons, insurance companies, health departments, and homes, focus on prevention of illness, nutrition, and childcare.

Occupational nurses also called industrial nurses, work at construction sites and manufacturing companies, as well as other work settings. They attend to employees, customers, and others with injuries. They are trained to provide emergency care, prepare accident reports, and arrange for further care if needed.

Occupational nurses also focus on preventative measures to improve workplace safety by offering health counseling, exams, and inoculations. They assess the work area for potential hazards and health issues.

A relatively new discipline for nurses to pursue is in forensics and law.

Forensic nurses provide care to victims of crimes and collect DNA evidence. They can investigate aspects of a crime and often have to testify in court as to their findings. They may also work within the prison healthcare systems.

Legal nurses consult with attorneys on matters relating to health. They may review records to help determine if negligence occurred in a particular case and if disability or workers’ comp cases are genuine. These nurses familiarize the lawyers with medical terminology and may appear as expert witnesses in court.

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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), How to Become?

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is a good way to get a start in the medical services field if you don't have the time or money for a full degree program. CNA nursing is a great choice for those who love looking after other people in the health care sector. To become a Certified Nursing Assistant you need to have a real passion and be prepared to work hard. CNA course is federally mandated but state controlled, so your certification will? be for your state only. The course requirements are 50 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours in a clinical setting, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.

Nursing professions also require periodic continuing education in order to renew licenses. For a CNA, the requirement is 48 training hours every two years. Nursing assistants provide basic patient care, assisting them with exercises or moving place to place, and preparing them for treatment or examination. Nursing assistants also turn bedridden patients, change bed linens, and answer call signals. On the medical side, Nursing assistants are trained to take vital signs measurements and be observant of patient's condition and report to the supervising nurse.

The skills and duties of a CNA apply mostly to the care of elderly patients in long-term care facilities, but can also apply to short-term convalescence in a hospital setting, in conditions where the patients are stable. Although nursing assistants do not treat patients medically, they are trained to recognize emergency situations and respond appropriately, such as providing CPR and calling codes. Candidates for the CNA program must be able to work well under stress.

Basic clinical training for CNAs encompasses correct sterile procedures to prevent spread of infection and proper methods of applying and changing wound dressings as well as techniques for assisting patients with tasks they cannot do for themselves or do with difficulty. Many of the tasks are simple comfort-oriented services, but all must be done in a prescribed manner, requiring learned and practiced skill.

Routine medical skills like performing measurements of vital signs like temperature, pulse, and blood pressure are also performed by CNAs. The physical skills are learned in the clinical portion of the training, and the reasons for the procedures and interpretation of the results are taught in the classroom theory portion of the training. Continuing education not only provides a refresher for skills that are necessary but seldom used, but introduce new equipment and methods as they are developed and put into practice.

Certified Nursing Assistants fill a vital role in providing necessary patient services, enabling licensed nursing staff to care for more patients, thus helping relieve a critical shortage of medical care providers, a shortage that will become more acute as the population ages. As a Certified Nursing Assistant you have the responsibility to assist other nurses and doctors in private practices and hospitals. For anybody who loves helping and caring for other people this is a great job choice. If you are a young person anxious to start a career that can absorb classroom training, learn and follow exacting procedures, have a genuine interest in helping other people, and who can work with confidence under stress would do well to consider checking into a CNA training program. Finally, the course lasts anywhere between 6 to 12 weeks. If you think this is your dream job? Then take action right now and take the CNA training. Within a few short months, you can be earning an average of twice the minimum wage and have the satisfaction of helping others and the pride of working as a member of a highly skilled and motivated team.

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Become Registered Nurses and Enhance Your nursing career

Become Registered Nurses and Enhance Your nursing career. In order to get the best jobs in the registered nursing positions profession you have to be a registered-nurse. You can do so by obtaining a nursing diploma which takes 3 years or a bachelor's degree in nursing from a recognized school of nursing. The degree however takes 4 years to complete and can only be taken from a university that offers this course. The nursing diploma on the other hand is very popular and is usually the qualification most nurses seek since it can be acquired from a hospital.

The job of registered nursing positions is senior to that of licensed practical nurses or nursing assistant. A registered nurse is called upon to perform various tasks and these include not only the treating of patients but also attend to documenting the medical history of a patient, assist in the performance of tests, analyze results, offer advice and emotional support to the family members whenever necessary, assist in the performance of surgery, give saline and injections and hundreds of other work which needs many registered-nurses to carry out in a busy hospital.

While being employed as a registered nursing positions nurse can be very rewarding, it does have its drawbacks and any would be nurse must be quite sure that she is ready to face the enormous challenges she has ahead of her. A registered-nurses' life is definitely not a bed of roses and she will be called upon to make many sacrifices in her personal life to become a truly professional nurse.

Anyone who is employed as a registered nursing positions will have a plethora of career opportunities open to her and will never have to worry about job stability. Most registered nurses find themselves recruited to major hospitals that are always short of qualified nurses. Registered nurses are always better paid than their counterparts and can find themselves very lucratively employed soon after passing their diploma in nursing school.

Nurses who have gone through university and obtained their bachelor's degree are on an even better footing due to their training and qualifications which go much further than that of the diploma nursing certificate. Nurses with degrees can go into research or highly placed administrative positions with even more benefits. This is in view of the fact that the Bachelor's Degree course held in universities makes sure that the would be nurses are trained in leadership, communication, critical thinking etc. which makes them ideal candidates for administrative posts.

The diploma in nursing too has its advantages such as being able to apply to entry-level positions in nursing which will allow a nurse to work towards the bachelor's degree in nursing by taking advantage of the reimbursement benefits that are offered. However in view of the different rules and regulations in each state, its always better to carry out some research to find out if its necessary to get through a national licensing exam to become a registered nurse.

Having attained the highly desirable position of a registered nursing positions, if she finds that hospital work is not her calling, there are many other opportunities available as there enough and more vacancies for registered nurses to work in nursing facilities, government agencies, and employment services where the services of qualified nurses are always welcome.

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Alternative Career Options for Registered Nurses

Alternative Career Options for Registered Nurses. Thinking of alternative careers that may be more exciting, possibly expanding your horizons and allowing you to take you and your landau scrubs free shipping onto some new heights of adventures and experiences? Who says you have to be stuck in the hospital you work for, for the rest of your life? There are other options you can pursue without wasting your nursing diploma and career investment. If you dream of traveling the world, why not become a flight nurse? If you want a more thrilling and suspenseful work environment, why not become a forensic nurse? If you wish a more laid-back and glamorous job, why not a writer? And if you crave for more independence, control and power why not consider becoming an entrepreneur or consultant? These are just some of the options laid out for you in the exciting world of nursing career possibilities.

Flight Nurse

A flight nurse assists in the emergency and non-emergency air transfer of injured or ill patients, including inter-facility transport and "scene calls" for medical emergencies and trauma. The role of the flight nurse is to provide patient care, and to be a trainer, educator, administrator, and researcher. This type of work is very challenging and involves working with diverse types of medical professional and patients. It is also physically demanding with a high level of acuity. To qualify, one must be a registered nurse with certification in Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and, typically, Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS). Potential employers include private and public transport companies, trauma centers, and the military.

Forensic Nurse

A forensic nurse works together with law enforcement officials and is involved in the investigation and treatment of victims of child and spousal abuse, sexual assault, trauma, unexplained accidental death, as well as the investigation of the perpetrators of relevant criminal activities. This is a fairly new and challenging job that requires investigative and counseling skills. Possible employers include correctional institutions, acute healthcare facilities, county prosecutor, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.

Medical Writer

A medical writer (or editor) writes, edits, and proofreads technical materials used for medical research, training and education, communication, sales and marketing, and others. Possible positions for this field include medical writer, medical proofreader, medical copy editor, medical researcher, medical editor, editorial assistant, and managing editor. For those nurses who have secretly dreamt of writing, this is a great opportunity to work flexible hours and combine medical knowledge and experience with writing skills. You can let your hair down and do away with your landau scrubs free shipping! Possible employers for this field include pharmaceutical companies, medical publications, general interest publications, and freelance (self-employment), and not-for-profit organizations.

Entrepreneur or Consultant

For those who are willing to take the risk, becoming an entrepreneur-that is, starting your own business-can be very rewarding. Being your own boss requires independence of mind and a lot of creativity. Nurses turned entrepreneurs or consultants can work in almost any aspect of the healthcare industry, and even starting their own private practice.

http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/nursing-career-alternative-career-options-for-registered-nurses-803733.html

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Careers In Nursing, How To Become A Registered Nurse (RN)

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN). Adventure, life-and-death challenges, independence, good pay, and the flexibility to choose from thousands of career options. That's "Today's Nurse." Opportunities for nurses have never been better and the demand for nurses has never been higher! "Nurses are people of compassion and courage," the Governor stated. "Their profession is a labor of love and without them we simply could not deliver quality care for patients."

How to become a nurse and why it may be the perfect career for you

How to Become a Nurse, A step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse

·         Registered Nurse (RN) - RNs go to college for 2-4 years and independently perform a wide range of complex health care in many types of settings. Qualified RNs may overlap the practice of medicine and perform more advanced activities such as in the case of nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists.

·         Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) - LVNs go to school for about one year and typically perform tasks under the supervision of the RN. Although the activities of the LVN are not as complex as those of the RN, they provide clinical care that has a direct impact on the patient's return to health. 

How to Become an RN Registered Nurse

1. Take college prep classes in high school

·         You need a high school diploma to become a registered nurse (RN).

·         Take the following classes in high school, and you will have a head start on your nursing class prerequisites at college:

o    English - 4 years

o    Math - 3-4 years (including algebra and geometry)

o    Science - 2-4 years (including biology and chemistry; physics and computer science are recommended)

o    Social Studies - 3-4 years

o    Foreign Language - 2 years, recommended, but not required

·         Check out nursing prerequisites at colleges you are considering.

·         Individual nursing schools vary in their nursing course prerequisites. If you did not take the required courses in high school, you may be able to make them up at college. But the more prerequisites you take in high school, the more quickly you can become an registered nurse. Talk to your high school guidance counselor, and check out the website's of the California nursing schools you are considering.

2. Choose the type of nursing school you want to attend

In California, there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs, and two alternative routes to become a registered nurse:

·         Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Takes 2-3 years. Offered at many community colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings.

·         Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Takes 4 years. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree. Offered at many California State Universities and some private colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions.

·         Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing - Designed for adults who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and wish to become registered nurses. Takes 1-2 years depending on how many nursing course prerequisites you have already completed. Graduate receives a masters degree.

·         LVN 30 Unit Option - Designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become registered nurses. Takes approximately 18-24 months. No degree is granted upon completion. Most other states do not recognize California's LVN 30 Unit Option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs. Some LVNs prefer to complete an ADN program in order to obtain a degree and to have the flexibility to get an RN license in other states. Most ADN programs will give LVNs credit for some of the coursework they completed to become an LVN.

·         Military Corpsmen - California law permits military corpsmen to take the national exam for RN licensure if they have completed RN level education and clinical experience.

3. Select a college and apply for admission

·         Visit the website and campuses of the colleges in the geographic areas of interest to you. You can choose from nearly 100 California Nursing Schools.

·         Find out which entry exams are required at the colleges you are considering. Many require:

o    SAT or ACT

o    National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam

·         Find out how far in advance to apply by checking the school's website or contacting them.

·         Apply at more than one college to give yourself options. Some colleges have limited space for nursing students.

4. Apply for financial aid

Opportunities abound for scholarships, loans, and loan forgiveness programs. Please visit the Financial Aid Information section of our website for more information.

5. Obtain an RN license

To practice as an RN in California, you must be licensed by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). You must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check, and pass the national licensing examination. To apply for licensure:

·         Obtain an application package and detailed instructions online at the BRN website or by contacting the BRN.

·         Send your application to the BRN at least 6-8 weeks before graduation.

·         Have your school send the BRN your transcripts.

·         Complete a fingerprint background check.

·         Apply for an Interim Permit if you wish to work in a supervised nursing capacity while awaiting your application process.

·         Take and pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The exam is computerized and given continuously 6 days a week. (New graduates are advised to take the exam soon after graduation because research has shown that there is a higher success rate for early test takers compared with those who wait several months.)

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