The Nurse Knot
       ...Nurses holding it all together

Articles (Always in progress)

LPN to BSN Online Programs

If you're already an LPN and you want to get your RN license, there are hundreds of schools out there that will offer you that opportunity. The benefit of online programs is there are not waiting lists and usually you can start immediately, earn your degree in half the time and at half the cost of traditional programs. You can learn at your own pace because there is no classroom attendance. You can earn your 100% online. Complete your nursing courses (generally 40 hours) online with many schools and you can do clinicals locally. There is need to travel out of state.

The Emergence of the Traveling Nurse

With the increased need for expanded health care services in the United States, new opportunities for those in the nursing profession are being developed each year. One of the most intriguing new avenues for nurses involves the rapidly growing numbers of so-called traveling nurses who serve for short periods of time in hospitals and clinics across the country. Though travel nursing is not an entirely new option for nurses, the lengths to which this practice is being used to meet health care facilities' nurse staffing needs represents the beginning of a new paradigm for the health care industry. It remains to be seen whether the trend is a temporary phenomenon designed as a short-term fix for the nursing shortage or a sign of things to come.

Travel nursing is not a specialty form of nursing service, but it is a special way of providing general nursing services. By traveling from city to city and hospital to hospital - often for periods of time that amount to no more than a few months - the travel nurse provides a crucial service for personnel-strapped medical facilities. The typical travel nurse accepts an assignment to work in a specified area for anywhere from two months to a year, and many of these wandering professionals eventually enjoy a particular location and assignment so much that they accept a permanent assignment with the hospital they are visiting.

For anyone wishing to see diverse areas of the country and experience a variety of working environments, a career in travel nursing is extremely attractive. In addition, travel nurses often enjoy slightly higher salaries than many of their settled counterparts - without the need for additional education or training. Better yet, nurses who travel frequently benefit from expanded nursing skill sets and are able to obtain experience in different nursing disciplines. If and when these nurses eventually decide to settle in one location, the expanded skills they learned in their travels enable them to command higher salaries than the average registered nurse.


Most travel nursing is organized by various travel companies. The advantages of being contractually bound to a travel company primarily rest in their long-standing relationships with various health care providers. Those relationships enable travel companies access to a wider variety of assignments from which the nurse can choose. The best travel companies offer tremendous benefit and incentive packages as well, and allow the travel nurse to choose his or her assignments.

Travel nursing has other advantages as well. Because many of the most prestigious medical facilities avail themselves of this service, being a travel nurse  can mean an opportunity to work - even for a short time - in a high profile nursing job
. Travel nursing is also an effective way for nurses to scout new job opportunities prior to making a commitment to move to a new area. For those who just yearn for new experiences, travel nursing allows an opportunity to work in a wide variety of climates and city types - from large facilities in major cities to small clinics in rural areas.

What Do Nurse Practitioner Jobs Entail?

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have obtained a master's degree or a doctoral degree, along with training in an area of specialty, in the field of nursing. These areas include women's health, pediatrics, adult health, emergency medicine, occupational health and many more.

Normally nurses are certified by a national board such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and are also licensed by the particular state in which they choose to practice. Practitioners are able to administer a wide variety of heath care
services to any patient regardless of his or her age. As a result a practitioner can act as the health care provider of a patient.

Based on the fact that practitioner jobs are regulated by the state, the care administered by nurse practitioners may vary from state to state. Nevertheless all nurse practitioners jobs are centred on providing the patient with individualized care. It is the duty of the practitioner to assist patients in preventing illnesses, recover from ailments and become knowledgeable of their health status. Below are the general descriptions for the job:

  Provide treatment and general health care to patients at various medical facilities as.

  Order, interpret and evaluate different diagnostic tests such as x-rays, lab tests, and EKGs, in order to determine the clinical problems of a patient and his or her health care needs.

  Document physical findings and come up with a diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms of the patient.


   Work in conjunction with doctors and different health professional to design a comprehensive health care plan for patients.

   Produce goals and health care plan for different patients to the doctor for periodic review and evaluation.

   Recommend or prescribe drugs or other methods of treatment such as inhalation therapy, physical therapy or other therapeutic methods.

   Provide referral to patients of medical practitioners for consultation or specialized health treatment.

   Provide family planning and prenatal care services.

Jobs are normally available at health centres, community clinics, hospital clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, nursing schools, physician offices, private offices, public health departments, walk-in clinics, veteran administration facilities, college/school clinics, public health departments, physician offices, nursing practitioner offices and health maintenance organizations. Nurse practitioner jobs may even include an independent practice in states where this is permitted.

Working towards becoming a nurse practitioner is an excellent choice. Based on the increase in health clinics and the need for primary-care doctors, many nurse practitioner jobs and opportunity exists and are continuously arising. The many areas of specialization mentioned above are an indication of the many opportunities that are available in seeking nurse practitioner jobs. Not to mention, this field in the medical industry is a very lucrative one. As a matter of fact it is considered as one the top paying jobs, with the average nurse practitioner receiving a salary of approximately 90,000.

This should be enough motivation consider some nurse practitioner jobs. The only drawbacks in this area are you must be a licensed registered nurse, acquire at least a master's degree and certification in order to be eligible for this lucrative position. On the other hand, it is very rewarding so you should consider it.
 

Nursing As A Profession

Nursing is a highly regarded profession with high standards of honesty and ethics amongst various other professions. Nursing has emerged as the largest health care occupation with over 2.7 million jobs. With over 100,000 vacant positions and a ever-growing need for health care workers, the career outlook is excellent for the nursing field. National Center for Workforce Analysis, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts a shortage of 808,416 nurses by the year 2020. Such an analysis and prediction is backed by very strong reasoning and findings. Advancement in technology and medical field has resulted in an increased life span. Elderly population is now living longer and more of them will require care and nursing. With more elderly people in need of such care, demands rise for nursing force that can meet such needs. Also, the need for more skilled nurses is growing. With insurance companies stepping into the medical field to reduce the cost of health care expenditure, demand for nurses, outside the hospital setting has also risen. Not to forget that the current nursing workforce is aging and many are expected to retire over next 10-15 years only to create a void, adding to the shortage further. So, nurses with a BSN degree can expect a securer career and better job prospects.

Nurses blend knowledge of science and technology with the art of care and compassion. Nursing provides opportunity to save and improve lives, care for the sick and debilitated, educate patients and people towards achieving good health and above all, the feeling of helping someone in their hour of illness and need. There is no greater service than caring for the sick and needy. Nurses are required to deliver basic duties, which includes but is not limited to providing treatment, health education, emotional support, record maintenance, operating medical equipment in addition to counseling patient and their family about the management of their illness. Registered Nurses (RNs) also run general health screening and immunization clinics, organize public seminars, motivate blood donation drives, etc. Three out of five nurses in the United States work in hospitals. Most of the others work in clinics, home health, extended care settings, schools, colleges, universities, the public health services, and nonprofit agencies throughout the United States and many other countries. Nursing can be a challenging job with continuous exposure to grief and suffering, stress, work pressures, little or excessive patient contact and occupational hazards including but not limited to infectious diseases, radiation exposure, accidental needle sticks, chemicals, anesthesia, back injury and emotional stress. Role autonomy and independence, innovativeness, technical knowledge, and teamwork are characteristics of this job, in addition to personal satisfaction and professional rewards.

The nursing schools are a gateway to this profession and almost all of them require a high school diploma in addition to sound academic standing in English, Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology with a GPA score of atleast 3. Computer experience is an asset. Leadership and organization skills are vital to this profession. Most schools shall still require you to clear the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission exam besides the SAT exam. Over 1,500 nursing programs in the US provide three different educational paths towards becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program offered at colleges and universities. An associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year program offered at many community and junior colleges. Some hospital schools of nursing and universities offer an ADN degrees. Hospital Diploma is a two to three year program based in hospital settings. Many diploma schools are affiliated with junior colleges where students take basic science and English requirements. Opportunities are maximum with a BSN degree. BSN is a requirement for obtaining a master's degree or becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognizes the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for a professional nursing practice. Even though graduates can begin practice as an RN with an ADN or diploma, the BSN degree is a must for nurses seeking to assume roles as case-managers or supervisors or move across employment settings. Tuition fee depends on your college and state of residence, but financial aids and scholarships are available to take care of such needs. There are technical and vocational schools as well, which provide one-year course towards becoming a Practical Nurse or a Vocational Nurse. Once graduated, the next important thing is to obtain license for practice in the State of your preference. Eighteen states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement (NCLA) which permits a licensed nurse to practice in any of the other seventeen states, if they have obtained license to practice in one of the states. License can be obtained by passing national licensing exam NCLEX-RN for becoming a Registered Nurse and NCLEX-PN for becoming Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) as in Texas, California. LPN and LCN provide care for sick, injured and disabled under direct supervision of physicians and RNs.







RNs may work as a staff nurse or become APNs. Also exisins are a few positions involving little or no direct patient contact. Such positions include Case Managers, Forensic Managers (applying knowledge of nursing for legal enforcement, like treating and investigating a victim of assault or abuse and similar), Infection Control Nurses, Legal Nurse Consultants (assist lawyers in medical cases by interviewing patient, organizing records, and educating lawyers about medical conditions), Nurse Administrators, Nurse Informatics, Health Care Consultants, Public Policy Advisors, Medical editors and writers.

Career and job prospects are bright as mentioned above and with increasing demand and difficulty to hold up nurses in hospitals, many hospitals and corporate sectors have now started offering incentives like signing bonuses, subsidized training, open shift bidding. Open shift bidding is an emerging concept where nurses can find vacant shifts at premium wages and bid for same online. This also reduces mandatory overtime that many nurses have to do otherwise. Many employers now provide family friendly work schedules and flexibility, again an indication of demand in such places.

RNs are earning anywhere from $37,300 to greater than $74,760 depending upon qualifications and experience, besides job locations. Median salary can be appreciated as $52,330 annually. Entry level RN can earn from $30,000 to $45,000 annually. All this comes with benefit packages including health insurance, holiday pay, college tuition reimbursement, childcare, pension plans and much more. Expected shortage of nurses over coming years is going to tilt the situation more in the favor of nurses and they can look forward to a securer future with brighter prospects and rewards.

Becoming a nurse is not just about money but dedicating your life to service mankind, caring for the sick and to be able to support them and their family in difficult times. The potential is enormous and specialization options aplenty. Nursing as a profession is full of personal satisfaction and professional rewards.



NEW!

An Inside Look at Prison Nurses

Job Qualifications

The basic requirements for becoming a correctional facility nurse differ depending on the state and the facility hiring. While there are many LPN jobs in corrections, most positions require that a nurse hold an RN/BSN degree from an accredited university and have at least one to two years of previous experience as an RN.

Also, the majority of facilities prefer nurses to be certified by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care as a correctional nurse. To be eligible, you've got to possess a valid RN, LPN or LVN license and have at least one year of experience in a correctional nursing position.

Key Points for Job Seekers

Correctional systems in every state offer some job opportunities for qualified nurses. The South, followed by the West, have the highest percent of their overall population within institutions. Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Delaware and Alabama have the highest incarceration rates.

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care
is a good source of additional information. This agency offers a specific certification for nurses working in correctional facilities. 

Correctional nurses often get significant autonomy, earn higher salaries and reach supervisory levels faster than they would in other practice settings. Depending on the specifics of the position, salaries range from around $40,000 to well over $70,000. Nurses in Federal and many state facilities also have excellent job security and exceptional benefits, including full retirement with 20 years of service.

A Caveat

Prisoners are often abusive, physically dangerous and emotionally and physically unhealthy, with a higher-than-average occurrence of rare and chronic illnesses. For example, the incidence of confirmed AIDS cases in prison is 2.5 times that of the general population. You'll work amidst the nearly constant presence of guards, which can make it difficult to establish trust and confidential relationships with your patients.

For more information, please refer to Correctional Nurse.com

Nurses Make Terrible Patients

Knowledge of the healthcare system and the workings of medical offices and hospitals afford us some comfort when we become patients. However, this role reversal requires us to abandon our medical authority, emotional detachment, and our control, whether real or imagined. As patients, the risks of illness, diagnostic tests and management options are often unconsciously linked to our emotional memory; triggering anxiety. We commonly fear the three “D’s” — dependency, disability and dying — with greater intensity than others.

So the next time you become a patient in the ER or on the floor, remember what you go through when you're working. Don't be demanding and don't expect to have personal care just because you're a healthcare provider. You shouldn't expect or demand special treatment. Don't be upset when you ring your bell and no one come right away. You know the whole story, it isn't necessary to go into detail. Just remember one your bad days or the problem patients and you'll know how to act the next time you are a patient.

Getting Rid of Stretch Marks: Stretch Mark Removal


Stretch marks will look red or purple at their early stages (since in some cases the tears have caused bleeding in the tissue) which will gradually turn lighter: white or silvery. For some women, their marks may already appear silvery in the beginning. There are creams that can be applied to lessen the appearance of stretch marks.

It is vital that proper timing is followed in treating stretch marks. Make sure that you apply these topical treatments at the onset of their appearance: when they are reddish or purplish since they are easier to treat then.

Maintaining a healthy diet and a toned body can always help lessen the indentations in the marks. Make sure you develop a good exercise routine as soon as is it is safe to do so after pregnancy.

Other procedures such as laser technology and even surgery are also available to either reduce the appearance of stretch marks or get rid of them altogether. Make sure you consult with your doctor with what is the best option for you.

Nursing career is full of opportunities for those who want to specialize and pursue higher education. A few popular specialties are AIDS Care Nurse, Ambulatory Care Nurse, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, Case Management, Correctional Nurse, Enterostomal Therapy Nurse, Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Nurse, Genetics Nurse, Infection Control Nurse, Intravenous Therapy Nurse, long-term Care Nurse, Managed Care Nurse, Nephrology Nurse and more, the list does not end here. Most of the specialties do welcome RNs with a BSN degree only. In addition, there is increasing demand for APNs. APNs are primary health care practitioners, working independently or in collaboration with physicians. In most states, they are permitted to prescribe medications. The four specializations for APNs include Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) providing expert consultation in any of the above mentioned specialties; Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) administer anesthesia and monitor patient's vital signs during surgery in addition to providing post-anesthesia care; Nurse Midwives (CNM) provide primary care to females covering aspects like family planning, prenatal care, neonatal care and assist delivery; and Nurse Practitioners (NP) who provide basic preventive health care to patient. NPs are primary as well as specialty care providers in medically underserved areas. APNs are lower cost primary care providers in comparison to physicians.

Advanced degrees available to nurses are masters (MSN), doctoral degree (Ph.D., EdD, DNS) and post-doctoral programmes. Doctoral degrees can provide placements as a senior policy analyst, researcher, health system executive and as a nursing school dean.


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