January 29, 2010

• Nursing Continuing Education

  Being a nurse has long been considered to be the noblest of professions. In fact, even to this day, people from certain ethnic groups or communities look at nursing as the only viable career option. Apart form the tremendous satisfaction it brings from the sheer act of caring for and nursing people to good health, nursing is slowly but surely becoming a lucrative profession. Most nurses today in American hospital and private nursing homes earn reasonably good salaries. And hospitals continue to recruit scores of nurses from all over the world to cater to the demand for qualified nurses.

  Read more on Nursing Continuing Education…

October 3, 2009

• Evaluating Nursing Transcripts

  Over the course of 4 years, I met with hundreds and hundreds of LPNs, LVNs, ASNs, and BSN nurses.  All of them interested in moving forward in their career and earning a higher level nursing degree.  One of the most crucial points of meeting these nurses is when the transcripts came out.

  Read more on Evaluating Nursing Transcripts…

September 28, 2009

• Putting Off Your Nursing Degree

  It has been 5 years since I worked with the College Network, recruiting nurses to go back to school to get their ASN, BSN, or MSN.  I was always amazed at the number of nurses who said "No" to going back to school. Most of the excuses I heard were something like this:

  Read more on Putting Off Your Nursing Degree…

May 14, 2009

• Become A Nurse Quicker

  Choosing a new career is fairly common is most folk's minds. Those individuals who do act on the desire to learn a new career is much smaller, but it does not need to be. Most people assume changing to a new career will take longer then may actually be the case. This may be true even if someone already holds a degree in a different field. In fact if someone already has a degree is may be easier to change even though the career fields are completely different.

  You may think this would not apply to specialty fields of study, but it can. Yes you will still need to learn the details to ensure you understand what you need to understand, but maybe you can bypass some or many of the courses that are not really applicable to the career of interest. This may be even more doing in fields where there is more demand then supply.

  For example most realize there is huge demand for registered nurses and it is expected to increase in the coming years. One reason this is expected is due to the aging baby boomer population who will need more care and who are going to be retiring. If nursing is a career you have considered but have a degree in a different field maybe you did not want to return to school because you thought it would take to long. Does this sound like you?

  Well there are programs geared toward people who already have a degree in a non medical field but would like to transition to a medical or nursing career. To allow for acceleration many of these are nursing schools with a program specially designed towards someone who holds a non-nursing degree. The others are geared towards some who already work in a lower level nursing field and wish to earn their BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree) at a quicker pace.

  Therefore do not give up your dreams of becoming a nurse just because you decided years ago to earn a degree in a different field. Take the time now to learn about your options from the different nursing schools who offer programs at a faster pace then more traditional ones.

  you have looked into a few different schools by searching online make sure to contact them all to learn as much as you can about the different programs of study. All schools have different requirements and expectations, plus they all offer something a little different from each other. Therefore it is important to check out several prior to making After.

  Read more on Become A Nurse Quicker…

April 25, 2009

• How Many Licensed Practical Nurses Advance Their Careers

  In these hard economic times most people who have a job are grateful and hope they can keep it. Of course many people would like to increase their salary as well, but that is kind of on the back burner at the moment for many folks. However there are some careers where just a little (relatively speaking) investment of time (and money) spent getting some additional education may add up to a big increase in pay.

  Read more on How Many Licensed Practical Nurses Advance Their Careers…

February 15, 2009

• The Growth Of Online Degree Programs – AA, BA, MA Degrees Online

  Students have lots of college options. Instead of having to enroll in a college or university, sometimes outside of your home area, students have the option of attending higher education classes online. With the ease of attending online college or university courses, it's no wonder there has been growth of online degree programs. There are other reasons for this growth as well.

  Read more on The Growth Of Online Degree Programs – AA, BA, MA Degrees Online…

February 12, 2009

• Nursing Degree Online – Reasons To Obtain An Online Nursing Degree

  An online nursing degree is a reality today yet many people are still unaware that one can "earn their stripes" online. Nursing is considered very much a hands on job and while their is a good degree of practical involved, there is also plenty of theory.

  Read more on Nursing Degree Online – Reasons To Obtain An Online Nursing Degree…

December 29, 2008

• Tips On How To Become An RN Quickly

  It looks like 2008 is going to end poorly with respect to the economy and jobs. If you follow the news it almost sounds like there are no jobs out there, but there are if you know where to look. One such place is in health care where shortages are common. This may be due to not enough people having the proper education to qualify for a position and also due to people retiring who currently work in the field.

  There are different ways to become an RN. A shorter way to become an RN is to complete either a nursing diploma program or an associate’s degree in nursing program. Both of these options can allow someone to become an RN. Another option is to pursue a four year bachelor’s in nursing degree. Which one you choose will likely depend on your time frame and career goals.

  If you need to start working sooner rather then later then the shorter diploma or associate degree option may be best. If you only have a goal to be a nurse and not go into management then this option may be a great choice. If you later decide to get a bachelors degree you can find many transition programs. A common one is an RN to BSN Online degree many nurses are completing.

  If you have the time and know for sure you want more career opportunities then earning your BSN (four year) degree from the start may be a great idea for you. This will give you an opportunity to go into management and other career opportunities those with a lesser degree may not have.

  Whatever choice you decide a key thing to do now is to compare all your options. This includes nursing schools and type of programs. Once that is done you can start applying for different schools.

  Remember that all the schools will have different requirements to be accepted into their programs. In many cases you to get accepted into a nursing school you will need to take and do well on the nursing entrance test (NET) or other test. To prepare for a test one would be wise to good nursing study guides to help them do well. So to start the new year of 2009 off to a great start, you would be wise to take the time now to gather some information to help you make a good career decision.

  Read more on Tips On How To Become An RN Quickly…

• Licensed Practical Nursing Career Changes To Make More Money

  There are a lot of folks around the United States who decided at some point in their lives to become either an LPN (licensed practice nurse) or an LVN. The two are very similar and which one a person is may depend on where they live. Many of them probably thought maybe they should go to school to become an RN (registered nurse) but for one reason or another they choose to become and LPN/LVN. That is all fine and good, but now they are thinking there career options. Should they complete one of those lpn to rn nursing programs some of their co-workers are talking about? Would it be worth it?

  That is a great question and what only each person can answer themselves. Everyone is different and has different plans in live. Whether it is career related or not, each person has to decide for themselves what is most important to them.

  If you are currently employed as an LPN/LVN and want more money or more responsibility then maybe you should really consider it if you plan to stay in nursing. If you do not plan to stay in nursing then obviously you should decide on something else. But if you do there are several questions to need to consider.

  First off will it benefit you relatively quickly? Will you be able to get a new job where you are currently working? Will your current employer pay for you to go to school? If not how will you pay for it? Is financial aid available and do you qualify? These are all excellent question you need to thinking about, writing down and researching to help you decide.

  Another great question to consider is do you want to go to a more traditional campus based college or university? Or would an lpn to rn online option be a better choice for you at this point in your life? This brings up some more questions, such as why online? One big reason is flexibility to work at your own pace which can be very important if you work fulltime and/or have a family to take care of. One thing you do want to do is act now as far as gathering information goes. Do not wait as time moves quickly. You do not need to make a decision now, but you can begin to gather the information now so you are prepared when the time comes.

  Read more on Licensed Practical Nursing Career Changes To Make More Money…

December 15, 2008

• How To Advance Your Nursing Career In Texas

  What are your options if you live in Texas and are currently working as a registered nurse and you wish to advance your career? First off if you only have a diploma in nursing or an associates degree then you are prime to earn your BSN degree in nursing. It is likely obvious to check out some of the many different rn to bsn programs in Texas but what if you live somewhere that does not have a school nearby with that type of a program? Everyone knows Texas is a big state, so there is a good chance many workings RNs outside the major cities fall into that category.

  Read more on How To Advance Your Nursing Career In Texas…

September 16, 2008

• More Information About LPN BSN Schools

  Diploma Nurse to BSN – A Good Idea?

  The diploma nurse and the associate-degree nurse (ASN) receive essentially the same education. Diploma nurses get their professional entry-level training at a hospital-based nursing school, after which they may take the NCLEX-RN examination and apply for a license as a Registered Nurse (RN). Both diploma programs and ASN programs take about two years. While the number of nursing schools based in hospitals has decreased, but they do still exist. Some require applicants to complete their non-nursing educational prerequisites at other schools before admission.

  The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is also an entry-level nursing degree, and it can usually be earned at a community college. Students who complete the ADN courses may also take the NCLEX-RN license examination. Recently, some hospital-based nursing programs have changed their course offerings to provide the ADN instead of the diploma.

  The debate about whether a diploma or ADN nurse should go for the BSN degree has been going on since professional authorities suggested the BSN as a prerequisite for professional nursing practice in 1923. Diploma nurses and ADNs have always been very proud of their accomplishments and skills and often state that they know more about actual patient care and clinical procedures than any new BSN graduate!

  However, the professional landscape for nurses has changed. The health care field is becoming more complex and technology-oriented, and there is a trend toward placing more responsibility on the shoulders of nurses. Health care is moving from a primarily hospital-centered inpatient institution to a system focused increasingly on primary and preventive care in the community. Particularly at the entry level, a nurse needs more skills in community-based primary care, health promotion, and coordinate, cost-effective patient care.

  This means that nurses must be able to function professionally both in and beyond the hospital setting. They may need to practice their profession in many different facilities, make more clinical decisions, handle case management, supervised unlicensed health care aides, and educate patients about complicated health issues. Modern nurses need to be more confident about their abilities and more independent in their decision-making than nurses in the past.

  As a result, nurses who have earned the BSN degree are better prepared to meet the needs of the modern nursing profession. The major difference between the diploma nurse or ADN and a BSN is the latter's focus on leadership and management education and on community-based nursing. BSN degree programs prepare students to handle health promotion, prevention of disease, disease management, and patient education. As the health care field moves further and further into these areas, the demand for professionals with the BSN degree increases.

  The BSN degree provides nurses with many more career advancement opportunities – and higher pay – than the diploma or ADN degrees. The health care industry faces a growing demand for nurses on the front lines of primary care, managed care, and cost-effective care. While every diploma nurse or ADN need not pursue the BSN degree – and at the initial stages of a nursing career, the benefits of the BSN may not be apparent – more education will lead to more responsibility, higher standing in the profession, and more opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries. Some states are already requiring a BSN degree for all new hires, and some industry observers believe that the diploma and ADN programs will eventually disappear altogether.

  It's possible for working nurses to earn a BSN degree without taking time away from their current jobs or sacrificing their regular income by enrolling in accredited online RN-to-BSN programs. And often, a current employer may provide education benefits that can be applied to cover the costs of these programs. Many four-year nursing school programs offer "fast-track" programs that allow practicing nurses with the diploma or ADN to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about two years.

  Practicing nurses must adapt to changes in the health care industry, and the best way to prepare for future changes is to obtain additional skills and more education.

  Read more on More Information About LPN BSN Schools…

February 15, 2008

• Have You Heard of The College Network

  If you're in the field of nursing, there's a decent chance you've heard of the College Network.  I am in now way affiliated with them, but it may be worth your time to check it out.  Why?  Because they represent many different types of degrees and many different universities.

  Read more on Have You Heard of The College Network…

February 11, 2008

• Advice for Online Nursing Degrees – Part 2

  Let's continue with part 2 of our nursing degree advice.  These are tips you need to check into before enrolling into a nursing degree program.  In case you missed part one, here is the link:  Nursing Degree Advice – Part 1

  Read more on Advice for Online Nursing Degrees – Part 2…

February 5, 2008

• Advice for Online Nursing Degrees – Part 1

  For nearly six years, I worked with distance learning degrees for nurses.  We enrolled nurses into ASN programs through Regents College (Excelsior College), BSN programs through Regis University, and even MSN degrees.  While it may all sound glamorous to get an online degree in nursing, there are some things you need to know first.  This is part 1 in a series on advice from a former recruiter for nursing degrees.

  Read more on Advice for Online Nursing Degrees – Part 1…