Pages

Banner 468

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Exploring Careers - Registered Nurse and Nurse Management

0 comments
 

The individuals that answer your call button at the hospital or the emergency room professional that takes your vitals has completed training in the field of nursing. A wide range of professions is found within the field of nursing that range from registered nurses to head nurses (or managers) at a health care facility. A positive attitude, willingness to help others, and careful medical attention are requirements for those interested in pursuing a nursing career.



A Registered Nurse (Staff Nurse) analyzes, plans, executes, and writes down all of the nursing care regimens for an assigned group of patients within a facility. During examinations and certain procedures, staff nurses are expected to provide assistance. Depending on their job description, they may administer tests or give out medication. A certification is necessary in order to become a registered nurse, as well as an associate's degree. The average salary for a staff nurse is between $48,499 and $68,424.



A Registered Nurse for the Emergency Room is responsible for providing care for people who need emergency attention. The patient flow of an emergency care system is often determined by the experience and judgment of an emergency room registered nurse, as they play a role in establishing priority based upon a variety of needs. They will assess both physical and psychological factors. In order to gain employment as a registered nurse in an emergency room setting, an associates degree, certification, and at least two years of clinical experience is required. Typical yearly salaries are found between $48,842 and $70,223.



An Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse is assigned to the ICU floor where patients with special recuperative needs usually reside. This type of job involves constant evaluations and assessments, as well as knowledge of the total intensive care nursing process. An associates degree, certification, and at least two years of clinical experience are required for this position. ICU nurses usually make between $49,317 and $69,899.



A Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse (also referred to as a Coronary Care Nurse) is assigned to the CCU floor, where patients are in dire need of attention, as their prognosis depends on consistent, managed care. Nurses, who work on this floor, possess an associates degree and have completed at least two years of clinical experience. The average yearly salary for a CCU Nurse is between $49,671 and $71,578.



Registered nurses assigned to an operating room are in charge of nursing care for patients undergoing surgery and other invasive procedures. Some will find themselves alternating between the role of a scrub and a circulating nurse. This particular nursing title earns between $51,389 and $72,210 on a yearly basis.



As for nursing positions in management, one may pursue a career as a Charge Nurse, who guides an entire nursing unit during an assigned shift. Knowledge of emergency procedures is necessary. An associates degree and more than five years of clinical experience is required for one to take a position in this field. A typical salary is seen between $50,420 and $79,387.



A higher position in management is that of a Head Nurse (also referred to as a Nurse or Nursing Manager), who is in charge of not only planning and establishing nursing policies within a unit, but also serves as head of recruitment, selection, and training of clinical staff. This position of Head Nurse is set aside for a registered nurse that possesses at least five years of clinical experience in a related field. A Nursing Manager will also supervise nurses and clinical technicians, who then usually report to head management. The yearly pay for this position is seen between $68,140 and $97,497.



A Chief Nurse Anesthetist is in charge of managing and scheduling nurse anesthetists for the arrangement and secure procedures regarding anesthesia equipment. They are also expected to take a role in instructing students and holding demonstrations for interested parties. Conducting and preparing reports dealing with the data of specific anesthesia, drugs and techniques is also a requirement, as it is important to also note possible patient reactions. In order to be considered for this type of job, a master's degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, professional certification, and at least seven years of experience is required. This job usually pays on the average of between $138,162 and $187,635 on a yearly basis.



Typical Nursing Courses



When considering a career in nursing, you may consider the courses that a student may encounter when pursuing a job in this particular field. Typically, a nursing student will take classes, such as General Chemistry, General Psychology, General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, General Education Natural Sciences (such as Sociology or Anthropology), Mathematics, and English Composition. Additional courses or training may include Fundamentals of Nursing, Pharmacology, Adult Nursing, Family Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing.
Readmore...

Know All That It Takes To Earn An Online Associate Nursing Degree Program

0 comments
 

Earning an online associate nursing degree program can be a matter of few months or even a year or two, and depends entirely on your self motivation and level of self discipline to complete the course work. Today, there is a high demand for trained nurses having online nursing degree as they are very necessary to get the right job you always dream of.



Skills of Perfection:



Today online associate nursing degree programs are quite extensive and spread over a number of disciplines. But over the years it is the online associate nursing degree program that has gained popularity. Health care sector will always remain one of the growing businesses in any economy. So, the demand for health care professionals will always be there, as they are needed in every step to take care of one of the most sophisticated and critical care units. The advantage of earning your online associate nursing degree program at home no doubt increases its demand more.



Choosing a right online nursing degree program is very much necessary for becoming a successful nurse. It is the number of hours you spend on your online associate nursing degree program that make the learning and earning a degree valuable. Online nursing schools give you a number of options that you can choose from while undertaking an online associate nursing degree program. Because of the flexible schedule of coursework and low fee structure, online associate nursing degree program are becoming one of the most viable option for housewives and women belonging to any age group.



Try to go for a recognized and standard school for your nursing program, even though they have a high fee structure. An online associate nursing degree program from a reputed university will no doubt increase your demand among your potential employers. There are many software programs that need to be purchased. Keeping into consideration the cost factor, you should choose an institution that offers you both, a good online associate nursing degree program and a manageable fee structure. Time is also a major consideration when you enroll for an online associate nursing degree program. Choose a coursework that does not hamper your personal and professional responsibilities. Make sure that you have enough time for other programs to which you are committed. Always review certain rules and regulation that are required for the attainment for online associate nursing degree program.
Readmore...
Friday, March 9, 2012

Nursing Can Be a Lucrative and Fulfilling Career Choice

0 comments
 

So you've decided to pursue a career in nursing. The profession has changed mightily since the days of white stockings, thermometers and a good bedside attitude. As times have progressed, so have the number of nursing specialties. It is become a virtual alphabet soup with abbreviations such as LPN's, RN's and many others. Deciding what kind of nurse you'll be even effects your decision when attending an online university.



Even something as simple as the Wikipedia lists 80 different types of nursing specialties. All of them define the profession as focused on assisting individuals, families, and communities in attaining, maintaining, and recovering optimal health and functioning. Modern definitions of nursing define it as a science and an art that focuses on promoting quality of life as defined by persons and families, throughout their life experiences from birth to care at the end of life.



Critical to all this is certification. While Registered Nurses (RN's) don't need a specific kind of certification, you will need some kind to work in just about any magnet hospital or decent research facility. Certification means a nurse is an expert in a certain field, ranging from surgical to home health care. It is another important decision one must consider when entering the field.



The broadest category is the Registered Nurse (RN). They are loosely defined as advocates for the care of the sick and maintenance of their health. From there, an RN's responsibilities/powers are defined by each U.S. state's Nurse's Practicing Act (NPA). It takes a minimum of three years to get an RN diploma. The national average for salary is about $60,000.



Another main category is the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). They are often found working under the supervision of physicians in clinics and hospitals, or in private home health care. Education and training is vocational-based, hospital-based, or college-based, and can vary from 9 month to 3 years in time for certain specialties and require an associate degree in practical nursing. The average salary here is about $34,000.



Below the LPN is the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The Nursing Assistant still holds a high level of ability, but without qualification is unable to often perform some tasks due to issues of liability and legality. They provide the bulk of the grunt work in a hospital setting, depending again on the NPA. The CNA's salary is the widest ranging, usually starting at just short of $20,000 and into the 30's.



From here the nursing field diversifies into a number of different specialties, and can range anywhere from social work and cruise nurses to setting up their own offices as nurse practitioners. Salaries and certification can be as wide ranging as the specialty.
Readmore...

Online Nursing Degree - Learn While You Earn

0 comments
 

The great thing about securing online nursing degree is that you are in a position to pursue your training without leaving your present job and more so immediately after earning online associate nursing degree.



The availability of online degree courses in nursing makes it easiest way to gain the requisite qualification for furthering your career prospects in nursing. Earning your nursing degree online in a way is easy as you can obtain your advanced nursing degree as per your convenience from your home or at work if you have any spare time as such it is up to you- it is all online. You will enjoy the convenience of attending class online anytime day or night. Thus you will be in full control of your education. You can take or attend all your classes without staying at campus. You will enjoy the convenience of attending class online anytime day or night and in fact you are you are in control of your education.



The versatility of online degree programme in nursing provides you with a new learning experience by choosing your study hours to your convenience .The online students can be from different places and therefore never meet but can interact with each other online in order to participate in group discussions, projects, workshops. The students pursuing degree in nursing from online nursing school need not wait for textbooks to be published as they are in position to access the latest research projects for completing their assignments.



The online nursing degree program in fact is a blend of theory and advance clinical practices that will certainly make you to understand the nuances of nursing in a better way. On earning online nursing degree you can help your patients more effectively and play a vital role in developing your health unit where you are presently working.
Readmore...
Thursday, March 8, 2012

Online Associate Nursing Degree - Online Nursing Courses

0 comments
 

Hospitals, large or small, hire maximum number of nurses and have diverse working titles for them. Depending on the nurse's qualification, he or she can choose to work in the field of her specialization or even manage the central responsibilities.



Various Nursing Courses Explained



There are a series of courses to become a nurse to a specialized nurse. The foremost course required to start a nursing career is the practical nurse course or the PN course. This course has duration of one year and it makes you a licensed practical nurse or LPN. Next comes the online associate nursing degree or ADN. This program has duration of two or three years, as the duration can vary from one institute to another.



To become a registered nurse or RN, you have to undertake the nursing degree like the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) diploma, after doing online associate nursing degree. The duration of the BSN program is four years. The syllabus consists of nursing administration and management training in various environments. Advanced academic qualification and practical knowledge will give you improved chances to progress in your career. The more your qualifications, the better will be your position, and the better your position; the more will be your salary.



The topmost nursing course is the doctorate in nursing. During the course of these programs, the students can choose their field of specialization, such as hospital nurse, labor room nurse, surgery specialist, dialysis nurse or outpatient nurse. Besides hospitals, nurses with online nursing continuing education degree are also employed in business houses, insurance companies and community health divisions. With a growing population of old people, a large number of nurses are also employed at homes for care of old patients. This facilitates the use of complex medical machines, at home, for their care. Well-qualified nurses can also run their own nursing business.



In addition, here are some nursing facts. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nurses is likely to rise by 36% in the next four years. Students possessing an online associate nursing degree constitute a majority of all medical students or students pursuing any health profession. Nurses are the main source of providing care to the patients in a hospital and the major sole element of hospital personnel.
Readmore...

What Are the Highest Paying Nursing Jobs?

0 comments
 

In general, the highest paying nursing jobs will belong to those who have chosen to specialize in a particular type of nursing and will often require education in addition to the usual Bachelor Degree in nursing which is required for an RN.



The top paying nursing jobs are those of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, the Nurse Researcher, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and the Certified Nurse Midwife. The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) pays on average $135,000 a year. However, there are rigorous training requirements including an RN degree from a four-year school, a year in acute care setting experience and then the program itself, which can last from 2 to 3 years.



The lowest paid of the highest paying nursing jobs is that of a certified nurse midwife, which on average pays around $86,000 a year. Entry into this demanding program requires the applicant to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school. The nurse midwifery program will award the successful graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing and after passing a state exam, they are qualified to practice as midwives.



The nursing situation is tight in the US as well as all over the globe. That means that sometimes hospitals or other facilities may end up short staffed for greater or shorter periods. This brings in the possibility of working as a travel nurse.



The highest paying travel nursing jobs are much like regular nursing jobs and the highest pays go to the nurse who specializes. Critical care nurses are in high demand among travel nursing companies. Nurses often work through a travel nursing service. In order to command the highest salaries it may be necessary for a nurse to sign up with several companies. In demand, nursing specialties may also negotiate salaries, and benefits with the nursing service.



It is an inescapable conclusion that even in the high demand field of nursing, the more education and specialization, the higher paid the position usually is. Not all specializations will necessarily require a commitment to a Master Nursing Degree program, an RN with 1750 hours of acute or critical bedside care experience and a current license may be eligible to take the Critical Care RN examination, which can give the nurse a higher salary potential and put them in demand as travel nurses.



Many nurses will begin with an associate degree in Nursing, which is 2 years, but for the highest paying nursing jobs a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and some certification and advanced education will be required.



Such responsible and high paying nursing positions as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist will have the nurse performing procedures that in the past were only the province of doctors or anesthetists and of course, they are compensated by way of some of the highest paying nursing jobs salaries for the increased responsibilities.



Travel nursing jobs for the specialist can provide the nurse the opportunity for travel, some of the highest pay in the nursing field and such benefits as top salaries, housing benefits and per diem expenses in some cases. For the qualified nurse who wants to travel at the expense of the company this can be the ideal position and provide the highest paying job salaries in nursing.
Readmore...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Work Full-Time While You Get Your Nursing Degree - We Show You How!

0 comments
 

Many people who want to go to nursing school have simply given up on the idea because they can't afford to quit work and dedicate a minimum of two years of their life, full-time, to their education. Two years is a LONG time to give up a salary.



And that's just for people who want to get an Associate's Degree! The traditional Bachelor's of Science in Nursing is a four year degree.



That's fine for recent high school graduates whose parents will foot the entire bill, or people who have a spouse who is working and can support them for the entire length of their schooling, or for people who don't mind graduating from school with massive debt.



For everyone else who doesn't fit into that category, here is the best way to go:



Start out by attending a part-time evening LPN degree program. This will generally be an 18 month program. Full-time LPN programs generally take 12 months, but they are much more intense, and it will be very hard to work even part-time during such a program.



Once you have a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse, you can then take any pre-requisite courses that you will need before you can be accepted into an LPN to RN bridge program. There are usually about eight classes required. They include college level algebra, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, psychology, nutrition, and human growth and development. You may already have taken some of these classes. Either way, you can take them a couple at a time online or at a local community college while you work full-time.



And then, you can apply to an online LPN to RN bridge program, and continue working while you get your Associate's Degree in Nursing. This will take about a year to a year and a half - but the good news is you will be working the whole time you're in school. AND - it is very likely that your employer will help pay for some or all of your continuing healthcare education, especially if your employer is a hospital or other large healthcare facility.



So there you have it - the traditional nursing school model is not the only option for aspiring nurses any more. There are lots of paths to a nursing degree, and we just showed you one which will allow you to hold down a full time job without flunking out of nursing school!
Readmore...

Releted Post