What Major To Be A Nurse

A Look At The Nursing Profession

Ever since I was very little my mom has been taking care of me. As a nurse she had so much passion for taking care of people. I do not think my mother ever turned down someone who was in need of her services. I still remember to this day, family members from both sides of the family calling my mom when they felt ill or had some kind of injury. She loved helping people and people loved being helped by her. I feel like a person is born with the characteristics of becoming a great nurse. It is that want to help a person which is what makes someone a great nurse. I want to be a nurse because like my mother I love to help people and to just be around people in general. I do not think anything is more rewarding then helping someone in crisis. Most people become so appreciative of your services because as a nurse you really are putting someone else before yourself and that person you are helping becomes so appreciative of you for doing that. However sometimes patients that you will have will not be as appreciative of your services as others and that is when as a nurse one needs to reflect on how even though they might not have appreciated you now, sooner later they will realize what you as a nurse has done for them. That is why I choose nursing as a career I want to pursue.

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Opportunities For Lpn Career Advancement

While working as an LPN can be a lucrative and fulfilling career, it doesnt provide the same opportunities for upward mobility as other, more advanced, nursing degrees. That being said, there are some certifications that can demonstrate extensive knowledge in a certain area and allow you to offer specialized skills. For example, LPNs can earn:

• Patient counseling certification
• Advanced life support certification
• Long-term and hospice care certification

For those interested in beginning an LPN program, there are plenty of options. Chances are that your local community college and/or vocational school offers accredited LPN programs. This means that you can earn a valuable certification while paying affordable tuition fees.

When choosing the best program for you, look for those that have been accredited, which means that they have been able to meet and maintain a certain standard of instruction and educational excellence. While you dont have to enroll in an accredited program, it will help you down the road as you look to apply for jobs and further your education.

• Online: No
• Program Length: 3 semesters

• In-State Program Cost: $8,138.88 Out-of-State Program Cost: $20,972.16
• Online: Hybrid
• Program Length: 21 months

• Online: No
• Program Length: 15 months

• Online: Hybrid
• Program Length: 15 months

• In-State Program Cost: $5,173 Out-of-State Program Cost: $14,312
• Online: No
• Program Length: 15 months

• Online: No
• Program Length: 3 semesters

A Minor Change Of Course

Megan Labudde completed her undergraduate biology degree knowing that she wanted to end up in the medical field she just wasnt sure what her exact role would be. During her first stint in college, nursing wasnt stressed as a career option for biology majors, so she contemplated other paths like becoming a doctor or physician assistant. Upon graduation, Labudde says she was still weighing her options.

I knew I wanted to do something medical, but I just didnt know what, Labudde says.

In the meantime she opted to get as much relevant experience as she could by working at a residential home for individuals with disabilities and memory disorders. In this role, she found inspiration by observing the nurse she worked with as she interacted with patients. Labudde says she was impressed with the nurses in-depth knowledge of the patients health issues and needs, how she treated the residents and communicated with the doctor. The more she observed the nurses role, the more she could see herself as a nurse.

I feel like its such a cool thing to be able to care for patients when they are at their most vulnerable, Labudde says. Its such a privilege to be able to be a part of their journey in healing.

You need to know what youre giving your patient because you are the last line of defense, Labudde says.

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Required Skills Or Personality Type

The particular skills required for nursing and healthcare often depends on the specialization, but there are some particular skill sets that cross over, including nursing and administration:

• Organization
• Attention to Detail
• Analytical Thinking

Nursing, in particular, is an extremely demanding job, with long hours and highly stressful settings. Nurses experience emotional and even traumatizing situations daily, and must have strong nerves and coping mechanisms. A good nurse needs:

• Patience
• Calm in Emergencies
• Emotional Intelligence

When we say good bedside manner, this is what we mean a nurse who makes patients feel they are protected, cared-for, and safe. Not everyone can do it, and that makes those who can all the more valuable.

What Can I Expect To Earn As An Rn

Your pay as an RN depends on a number of things: where you live, what specialty you choose, and your experience, to name a new. Demand for RNs can also affect your salary: healthcare facilities in rural or remote regions may offer bonuses to nurses willing to relocate. Nationwide, RNs are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the profession is expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030 about as fast as average for all occupations.

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What Are The Reasons For Choosing Nursing As A Career

There are a variety of reasons for choosing nursing as a career. However, most nurses choose to work in the profession to help others live better lives. Whether you work in a hospital, clinic, missionary clinic overseas, administration, or correctional facility, the underlying reason most nurses choose the profession is to make life better for other people.

Where Can I Go From Adn

If you want to continue your education and earn additional credentials, you can earn your Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or even a Master of Science Degree in Nursing , both build off the registered nursing degree.

Those that have their BSN have even more opportunities available to them and a new goal by the American Nursing Association is that 80% of all nurses will have their BSN by 2020. There are many benefits for those that pursue their bachelors degree. In order to become an administrator and out of clinical care, you must have at least a BSN. Having a BSN shows that you have had in-depth communication, leadership and critical thinking skills.

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Qualities That Make A Good Nurse

Few careers are as personally rewarding as nursing. Professional respect, flexible job opportunities, advancement potential and the chance to make a difference in peoples lives are just some of what it offers. Its important for students to recognize that like any field, healthcare has its share of challenges. The work is exceptionally gratifying, but it can also be demanding. To be both successful and happy in nursing, it helps to have certain personal characteristics and attributes. Heres a closer look at the qualities that make a good nurse.

How Much Can You Make As A Nurse Anesthetist

Loving what you do for a living is important. Being acknowledged and paid well for your specialized knowledge and training is an added bonus.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for nurse anesthetists in 2019 was $189,190 per year.* Of course, your pay will depend on what state you work in and the type of facility where you are employed, but no matter where you live, becoming a CRNA can be a very lucrative career choice. Learn everything you need to know about how much a nurse anesthetist makes.

There are many different kinds of nurses and anesthesiology represents one of the higher paying specialties in the nursing profession. The cost of a graduate-level education can be a deterrent for some students, but in the case of CRNAs the return on your investment can be substantial.

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Three What Is The Difference Between An Lpn And An Lvn

If you have been doing your research and come across the term Licensed Vocational Nurses you are probably wondering how this title differs from an LPN. The truth is, they are basically the same. The main difference is that the term LVN is used in California and Texas, so if you live in one of these states, you will need to look for LVN programs.

Otherwise, both positions require the same certification and licensing process, offer the same pay, and come with similar responsibilities. The exact details of each position can vary according to how different hospitals and facilities delegate tasks, but for all intents and purposes, LPNs and LVNs occupy the same positions.

Nurses Have A High Level Of Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction and career satisfaction are different. The first measures satisfaction with a specific job, while the second measures satisfaction with your career choice. The 2019 American Mobile Nurses Healthcare survey found that 81% of nurses were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their career choice.

When asked if they would encourage others to become a nurse, 70% said “yes.” The survey also found that supporting professional development was tied to job satisfaction. When employers supported nursing professional development, 52% were extremely satisfied with their jobs. When employers did not support professional development, only 7% were extremely satisfied.

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Everything You Should Know About Psychiatric Nursing

By Hannah Meinke on 09/30/2019

Psychiatric nursing is unlike any other kind of nursing. You cannot fix depression like you fix a broken leg, and the rest, ice, elevation and compression method isnt going to do much for recurring panic attacks. But as a psychiatric nurse, you can offer the understanding and empathy a patient needs to begin healing.

Mental illness is arguably one of the most challenging illnesses to treat. Its tough to detect for many and while attitudes are shifting, some still attach a stigma to seeking treatment. Add in the fact that there is not always a clear, uniform path to recovery, and its easy to see how psychiatric nursing can bring some unique challengesand rewarding moments.

In this article, well dive into the details of psychiatric nursing. This includes a look at the different roles within psychiatric nursing, what their duties are, where they work, the types of illnesses they commonly treat and which skills are essential in order to thrive in this nursing specialization.

Finding A Clearer Path

Samantha Schulenburgs journey began after she graduated with a bachelors degree in health science. Though she knew she wanted to work in the healthcare field, Schulenburg struggled with figuring out how to apply her education. After asking friends, family and the nurses in her life for their input about pursuing a nursing degree, she says she received enough variations of, Duh, Sam! Youd make a fantastic nurse! to finally commit.

I decided that nursing was a career that closely aligned with the goals I had in lifeto love and serve the people that needed it most, Schulenburg says.

Instead of starting over at square one, Schulenburgs next step was to enroll in the Rasmussen University Accelerated BSN program where her previous degree satisfied many prerequisites and enables her to complete her program comparatively quickly.

Though Schulenburg says she initially felt unprepared to become a nurse, shes grown exponentially in her knowledge every quarter. I felt like I knew literally nothing but I have learned so much about how best to care for people.

Though the fast-paced A-BSN program has been challenging, when it gets tough, Schulenburg says she reminds herself that shes working toward a career thats bigger than she is.

I want to be a nurse because I saw the opportunity to use my unique skills and talents in a way that makes a difference in peoples lives on a daily basis, she says.

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Credentials To Become A Travel Nurse

Along with a nursing license in the appropriate state, you will need the basic certifications of Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support to sign on with a travel nursing agency.

If you know you plan on specializing in a specific unit, you may also want to be sure that you have credentials in that specialty for instance, a CCRN certification for critical care, or NRP for labor and delivery and postpartum care. Most travel nursing agencies require nurses to obtain and maintain all of their certifications at their own expense, so its to your advantage to do some research ahead of time.

Which Is The Right Nursing Degree For You

Many nurses begin their careers with an Associate Degree in Nursing, as it one of the entry-level positions for those in the nursing field. Some nursing schools that offer year round courses and accelerated education enables you to earn your degree in as little as 18 months.

As a licensed RN your job profile is very broad. You will attend to patients during diagnosis, recuperation, and recovery phases. You may be responsible for explaining diagnoses and tests as well as conduct tests and administer medication. Perhaps the most important part of being a nurse is being companionate to patients and their families and help them understand their health implications.

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What Can You Do With A College Degree In Nursing

As you consider different types of nursing degrees, you may wonder about potential nursing major salary, job growth, employment and more. The table below uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide details on mean annual wages, projected job grown and total employment for popular nursing fields. Just keep in mind that once a nursing degree program is completed, nurses must take the National Council Licensure Examination in order to become certified as either a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

What Is A Registered Nurse

A licensed RN has completed the educational requirementseither an associate in nursing degree or a bachelor’s in nursing degreeclinical nursing requirements, and has passed the NCLEX-RN to earn licensure in their state.

RNs provide round-the-clock direct care to patients in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and residential care facilities. Their job consists of recognizing abnormalities, assessing patients, and administering medication while maintaining communication with a team of healthcare professionals. They can gain specialized training in oncology, acute and critical care, gerontology, or pediatrics.

After earning a graduate nursing degree, RNs can advance to become clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists. Learn more general information about what RNs do and where they work in our registered nurse career overview.

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Certificate And Diploma Programs In Nursing

Certificate programs in nursing are, generally speaking, focused on teaching students the basics in nursing and helping them to enter the workforce as quickly as possible.

Factors prospective students should consider

Skills necessary for certified nursing assistant programs usually take just a few months to complete, while licensed practical or licensed vocational nursing programs regularly require a full year of education. Both programs are likely to include some type of hands-on training component.

Type of courses and clinical experiences offered

Undergraduate certificate or diploma courses in a nursing program may include:

• Medical terminology

• Leadership in healthcare

Skills students can learn

A nursing major at the doctoral level should help you to learn how to improve patient outcomes, strengthen your advanced nursing practice and contribute to the better delivery of healthcare.

Jobs related to this degree

A nursing degree at this advanced level can open up new employment opportunities for you, such as director of nursing, nursing school professor, DNP program director or online faculty member.

Where Can You Work

Demand for nurse anesthetists continues to grow across the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.* Once you become a licensed CRNA, youll be needed in many different healthcare environments:

• Medical and surgical hospitals
• Offices of dentists, plastic surgeons, pain management specialists, and other medical professionals
• U.S. military facilities

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Why Should I Become A Nurse

This article has made it clear that there are many differences among different types of nursing, and there are different educational and professional options for you to choose. The answer to this question, surprisingly, is uniform across the entire field. No matter what, as a nurse, you are helping people. You are meeting people from all ages and all walks of life, caring for them, and making their lives easier. If thats what youre passionate about, you should strongly consider becoming a nurse.

Six Career Outlook For Lpns/lvns

One reason that becoming an LPN is an attractive career option is that the profession is forecasted to experience double-digit growth over the next few years. Some experts put the growth rate at as high as 25%.

That means that LPNs will be in demand and able to command higher salaries as healthcare facilities try to fill positions. This tremendous growth is due largely to an aging population that requires medical attention as they live longer, yet experience more chronic health problems.

For those who want to start building a fulfilling career without having to complete extensive schooling, becoming an LPN offers a practical solution.

Instead of acquiring lots of student loan debt, nurses can quickly complete a degree and start earning money. Once they begin working, they can choose to further their education and take on additional responsibilities in order to earn more money and have access to additional professional opportunities.

While there is a $20,000+ difference between the median starting pay of an LPN and an RN, some people find that working as an LPN is more fulfilling because they are able to interact with patients and their families and offer important care that provides comfort during vulnerable and stressful times.

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