Showing posts with label Nursing Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nursing Career. Show all posts

Friday, 21 February 2020

Taking Your Nursing Career to the Next Level With Continuing Education

Choosing to become a nurse is not only about having a rewarding career. Most of the time, the job entails caring for patients and doing your best to help improve their lives. While you could eventually get swept up by daily routines, it is also essential to begin prioritizing your career and how you can move forward and maximize your potential.

Since education brought you this far, continuing education will also be your ticket to more opportunities in the field of nursing. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry will grow by 18% until 2026. This is excellent news because it means that there will be more jobs available for nurses.

Career flexibility through education
The field of nursing opens doors to a variety of professionals with different educational backgrounds. If you are looking for continuing education, there are also several paths you can take. For example, you can begin by earning a certificate in skills such as nurse leadership, similar to what is offered on this website. A certificate program can be your entry point in determining which direction you wish to take in your career.

Another approach is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing. What’s great about furthering your education is that most institutions offer the option of online or in-person programs where you can choose which fits best with your current work and family life.

In choosing a course or educational program, it is also essential that you determine whether it has the right accreditation. You also need to look carefully at the curriculum to ensure that you earn knowledge and skills in subjects that are relevant to your intended career path.

What are the benefits of continuing education for nurses?
There are some nurses that indeed succeed in their careers with only a bachelor’s degree. But, if you want to increase your chances of pursuing other opportunities, continuing education is an excellent starting point. Some of the benefits are:

• Higher pay
Getting a master’s degree and completing certificate programs will qualify you for better pay.

• Advancing your professional career
There is no doubt that doors will open after you pursue continuing education. Some medical centers also require practicing nurses to further their knowledge and skills in a specific area. If you are also eyeing a leadership position, you will have better chances of getting promoted if you have the right credentials.

• Flexibility in choosing a career path
If you are looking to get promoted, continuing education will provide you with more flexibility in pursuing a satisfying career path in the healthcare industry. For example, there are courses tailored for nurses who eventually want to become educators themselves. Whatever you envision for your future, the best approach is to acquire the skills and education to qualify.
The healthcare industry is a vast field. For nurses, there are many jobs and career paths available. If you want to take your career to the next level, the first step is furthering your educational qualifications.

 To learn more please visit World Nursing Congress 2020  

Monday, 9 December 2019

What is a CNA?

What is a CNA?


There’s no shame in being a little confused about what a CNA actually is—the healthcare field can be a maze of confusing or tricky acronyms for job titles and credentials. As we mentioned before, a CNA is a certified nursing assistant. This common entry-level role is responsible for a variety of basic patient care tasks—things like moving, feeding and bathing patients—and play an important role in ensuring healthcare facilities run smoothly.

It’s important to note that not all nursing assistants or nursing aides are certified—"CNA" is often used as a broad catchall term for this role. Depending on requirements that may vary by state, nursing assistants can also be registered (RNA), licensed (LNA) or state tested and approved (STNA).

What does a CNA do?

Wendie Howland spent a gap year working as a CNA in a geriatric ward. Today she is a legal nurse consultant and life care planner with Howland Health Consulting. “The advantages were almost intuitive,” Howland says. “I got very familiar and comfortable with patient handling, bathing, mobility issues, feeding, taking vital signs, and doing simple treatments.”

As a nursing assistant, you will provide some of the most personal care a patient receives. It may not be the most glamorous work, but that’s the reality of working in healthcare—it’s not always pretty. If you can give dignified care to patients, many of whom are struggling with basic self care tasks, you will be well prepared to make the most of this job.

Howland notes that these tasks cannot be seen as the “be-all, end-all of patient care.” However, she says, students and CNAs who recognize this will be in a better place to learn the “real skills in nursing — assessment, planning and implementation, and delegation.” Not only is this a great way to develop your healthcare skills, but it is an opportunity to provide both patients and other nurses with the support they need.

You can expect to gain experience in medical technology for taking vitals, charting, communicating patient needs to nurses, and perhaps most importantly, caring for patients when they cannot care for themselves.

Where do CNAs work?

Nursing homes or long-term care facilities are some of the most common places for nursing assistants to work. Working with older patients can be challenging—ailments like dementia are common in this population and overall loss of function among geriatric patients means they’ll need thoughtful care and assistant. For those considering a nursing career further down the line, this can be an excellent way to gauge if working with geriatric populations is a good fit for you.

Nursing assistants are also eligible to work with some patients in their own homes—typically through a home health agency. This will allow you to develop deeper relationships as you will be matched with one patient at a time.

Finally, if you want exposure to other medical professions, working in a hospital will give you a chance to see other nurses and doctors in action. However, hospitals may prefer experienced nursing assistants, so most choose to start at a nursing home or in personal care and then transfer to hospital work.

How do I become a nursing assistant?

One of the most attractive things about this career option is that you don’t need a college education to apply for a nursing assistant training program. In most states, you will simply need to be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a few screenings.

That makes nursing assistant training ideal for high school grads who want to see if healthcare suits them before they invest in undergraduate education. It’s also a good option if you just want to gain some hands-on life experience and build your interpersonal skills.

No matter your motivation, you’ll need to complete a nursing assistant training program and then you’ll take your state’s CNA exam. Though the requirements will vary from state to state, it will be some combination of written and skills testing. In Minnesota, for example, aspiring nursing assistants will need to pass a multiple choice exam and demonstrate five skills including catheter care and sanitary practices.

What is the career outlook & salary for a CNA?

If you’re considering nursing assistant training, you naturally want to know if employment of this position is growing. The good news is that employment of nursing assistants is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow 9 percent by 2028, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.1

In addition to job stability, the BLS reports the median annual wage for nursing assistants was $28,540 in 2018.1 This may not sound like a lot, but keep in mind nursing assistant training programs can be completed quickly—a matter of weeks, not years—and can lead to valuable healthcare experience and career clarity.

Is CNA training right for you?

Becoming a nursing assistant is the first step into the field for many nurses and healthcare professionals. If you’re intrigued by the field but aren’t ready to commit to a long-term program, getting started as a nursing assistant can be the perfect way for you to get your foot in the door. CNA training offers a great opportunity to gain experience and see what you think of the healthcare world, all while developing your skills and earning a living.

If you’ve never been one to shy away from a hard task, no matter how messy or personal—if you can see a person for more than their needs, you are already on your way to becoming an outstanding CNA. All that’s left is to find the right program.

Your first step into the nursing world

Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is a CNA?” you probably have a good idea if this option is the route you'd like to take into the healthcare field. This entry-level role is an excellent way for you to build healthcare experience and get a feel for the field prior to committing to a longer-term program. Need help keeping nursing-related credentials straight as you map out your education options? Our article, "A Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Different Levels of Nursing Credentials" can help you get a better understanding of the potential paths ahead of you. 

Thursday, 21 March 2019

Nursing Conferences 2019

Nursing Conferences 2019

Nursing Career Guides and Resources
Find out more about how to become a registered nurse, and what the career is all about to decide if it’s the right career for you.
 
A look at nurse practitioner careers, including the highest-paying specialties, educational paths, and how NPs are changing the health care field.
 
LPNs and LVNs are a vital part of the healthcare system and can offer a quick, rewarding path to starting your nursing career.
 
Certified Nursing Assistants are an integral part of the healthcare system. Being a CNA is also a great launchpad for a nursing career. Find out what CNAs do and what advancement opportunities are available.
 
The Healthcare Leaders Scholarship is offered to students entering or currently pursuing an educational program related to nursing or medicine.
 
A nursing recruiter's guide to writing your resume with easy-to-follow, actionable advice for a targeted, engaging resume. Includes worksheets and resume templates.
 
Interviewing for a nursing job isn't the same as doing so for any other job. With expert advice, helpful exercises, and useful checklists, you'll have everything you need to ace your next interview.
 
The ultimate guide to Continuing Nursing Education for specific CEU requirements, finding approved programs, and the best professional development opportunities.
 
CNMs are an important part of women's health. Find out what it's like being a Certified Nurse Midwife and the steps it takes to get there.
 
Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts at diagnosing and treating illnesses for specific patient populations, settings, health conditions, or care type. Discover the education requirements, salary, and job description of this exciting career path.
 
Dermatology nurses work specifically in the treatment of patients with diseases, wounds, injuries, and other skin conditions. Find out what dermatology nursing is all about including salary, job description, and career path.
 
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) provides services for individuals and families throughout the lifespan. This can be especially rewarding for those who enjoy developing long-term relationships and getting to know people over time.
 
Forensic nursing is a key component to the healthcare and legal systems in the US. Find out the salary, education, and certification requirements for this unique career path.
 
Labor and Delivery nursing is one of the most important specialties in the field. Explore what it's like to work in L&D, how much you can earn, and the education path to get there.
 
Legal Nurse Consultants provide valuable expertise to attorneys about medical issues. Find out how much LNCs make, the job description, and how you can become one.
 
Being a nurse in the armed forces is both heroic and rewarding. Find out the requirements to become one as well as the salary and benefits that go along with it.
 
NICU nurses care for the smallest patients - newborn infants. Learn about the different Levels within the unit along with education requirements, salaries, and job outlook.
 
A career in nurse administration carries a great deal of responsibility but can be extremely rewarding. Find out the education requirements, salary and job outlook for this exciting specialty.
 
If you're a Registered Nurse (RN) looking for more autonomy working with patients in an operating room, intensive care unit, or surgical facility, then becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) might be the perfect job for you.
 
Oncology nurses are in one of the most important segments of the nursing industry, as cancer becomes more prevalent in society. Explore career opportunities, and job outlook.
 
Pediatric nursing brings special challenges and unique rewards. Find out more about this high-demand specialty, what it takes to become one, and how to get started.
 
Peri-Operative or Surgical Nursing provides many opportunities to make a difference. Explore the education path, certification requirements, salary, and job outlook for this important specialty.
 
Psych nurses play a vital role in improving the health and lives of patients, families, and communities. Find out more about this versatile career path including work settings, skills, and patient populations.
 

Trauma Nurse Guide

Trauma nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare. Find out the education requirements, salary range, and job outlook for this important nursing specialty.
 

PACU Nurse Guide

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit or PACU nurses treat patients in their most vulnerable states - before and after surgery. Find out what it takes to enter this high-demand, high-salary field.
 

Arizona Nursing Resources

The Grand Canyon state always needs qualified nurses. Find out everything you need to know about nursing in Arizona.
 

California Nursing Resources

With high job demand, top salaries, and staffing ratios, California is one of the best places to be a nurse. Find out everything you need to know about nursing in the Golden State.
 

Colorado Nursing Resources

The Centennial State offers great opportunities for nurses. Learn about licensing, salaries, and the best hospitals in Colorado.
 

Florida Nursing Resources

The Sunshine state is calling. Find everything you need to know about being a nurse in Florida.
 

Georgia Nursing Resources

Soak up some southern hospitality and great nursing opportunities in the Peach State.
 

Kentucky Nursing Resources

Kentucky has some of the best nursing schools in the country, and because of that, some of the best nurses. Find out everything you need to know about being a nurse in the Bluegrass State.
 
Make you mark in the historic state of Massachusetts. You find everything you need to know about being a nurse in the Bay State.
 

Michigan Nursing Resources

The Wolverine State offers great opportunities for nurses. Learn about licensing, salaries, and the best hospitals in Michigan.
 
The Tar Heel state is a great place to spend your nursing career. Find everything you need to know about being a nurse in NC.
 

Ohio Nursing Resources

With some of the nation's best hospitals and excellent salary and benefits, the Buckeye State is a great place for nurses to spend their career.
 

Travel Nurse Guide

Travel nurses receive high pay, housing, and meal stipends. Better yet, they don't have to deal with hospital politics and they get to adventure somewhere new every 3-months. Learn more about this exciting career.
 
Plastic surgery nurses work alongside the physicians before, during, and after cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. Find out about this specialty and the steps it takes to get there.
 

School Nurse Guide

School nurses are a vital part of the educational system. This guide will take a closer look at all aspects of school nurses and help guide those who are interested in following this nursing path.
 

Wound Care Guide

Nurses who decide to become certified in wound care have committed to entering a specialty, one that has increased in demand as the needs of our population increases. Read on to learn about this important branch of nursing!
 

Cath/Lab Guide

During cardiac catheterizations, specially trained nurses assist the medical team and perform in distinct roles. This Career Guide will help those interested in entering this field of nursing.