Caregivers and Nurses

Can You Get an Online Nursing Degree?

rburkholder — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:19:59 +0000

Nursing is one of the hottest careers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics nursing jobs are expected to increase by 30% in the next decade. A career as a Registered Nurse is not only one that is in high demand, but is very rewarding. There are many on campus programs you can attend to become a Registered Nurse, but if you’re trying to juggle a job and a family you may not have the time to attend an on campus program. Can you get an online nursing degree?

Well the answer is yes and no. Right now there aren’t any completely online programs to become a Registered Nurse, but if you are already an RN, there are many programs for you to earn your bachelor or graduate degree. If you don’t have your RN license, you could complete your basic classes online and get credit for them through an on campus RN program. This will help you graduate faster and be on track to a great career.

Online nursing classes are just as rigorous as on campus classes, so be sure you have the time and commitment when you enroll. As a Registered Nurse you will have several options for specialization. You could specialize in neonatal care, hospice, operating room, pediatric, dialysis, critical care, and many more. If you’re interested in specialization be sure to check and see if the school you’re interested in offers it.

Schools That Offer Online Nursing Programs

Many schools offer online RN to BSN and graduate degrees. Here are a few of the schools you can attend online to earn your nursing degree:

Post University offers RN to BSN degrees completely online. You must hold your Registered Nurse license to enroll in their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Walden University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Liberty University has an online RN to BSN program which is completely online. You must have your RN license to enroll in this program.
Baker College offers an RN to BSN program which was introduced in 2009. The school also offers an associates degree in nursing which you can use toward your BSN.

There are several more schools offering associate, bachelor and graduate level classes in nursing online. Nurses are in high demand and by furthering your education you not only make yourself more attractive to potential employers, but you will make more money. If you love nursing, consider going back to school to earn your degree.

Career Opportunities with the Adventist Health System

rburkholder — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:20:12 +0000

As a caregiver or nurse you want a career that offers you opportunities, fulfillment and a good salary. The medical field is the fastest growing job sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This trend is expected to continue throughout the next decade. As a nurse and caregiver, you will be responsible for the hands-on care of patients whether they are in the hospital, nursing home, at home, or at another healthcare facility. You can work with adults, children, the elderly or adults and children with special needs. The medical field offers you many opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives.

If you’re considering a career in the medical field, or you’re already a medical professional, you may want to consider working for a health care system. One of the largest is the Adventist Health System. The Adventist Health System has facilities in 12 states across theUnited States. It is a faith based system of health care which puts the emphasis on treating the entire patient’s needs from physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is this faith based commitment to patient care that makes the Adventist Health System different from others.

Florida Hospital Zephyhills

I have personal experience with the local Adventist hospital. Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is located not far from my home and is my hospital of choice. My husband worked there as a CNA in the 90’s and I have been to the ER and admitted there several times. (I have a-fib which sometimes doesn’t straighten out on its own.) The nurses and caregivers at this hospital have always given me and my family the best care both physically and emotionally.

One of the most impressive things about the Adventist Health System is the many opportunities they offer to medical professionals. If you search their job page you can find several positions in patient care, support and facilities management to choose from. They also offer educational opportunities in exchange for service in one of their facilities for a specified amount of time. Several of the nurses in the Zephyrhills hospital come from thePhilippines on their work/study program. It is the largest Protestant health care system in theUS with over 55,000 employees helping 4 million patients annually. As you can see the Adventist Health System offers medical professionals and others several career opportunities and a chance to help make a positive difference in patients’ lives.

Medical Assistants are Filling in the Gaps of Healthcare

rburkholder — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:14:26 +0000

Medical assistant training gives you the skills to help fill in the gaps of the growing demand for quality healthcare. Medical assistants do more than just check patients into a doctor’s office and take their vitals. Medical assistants with specialized training can draw blood, take x-rays, perform basic laboratory tests, collect samples, and manage personnel in offices. It can take from one year to two years to obtain your medical assistant training. Your training will include laboratory techniques, first aid, pharmaceutical principles, diagnostic and clinical procedures, anatomy, medical records, and transcription. After graduation you may choose to become certified. The American Association of Medical Assistants provides training materials and oversees the exam to become a certified medical assistant. Certification allows you to work in any state in the country and helps you command a higher salary.

Many of the duties performed by medical assistants today were once only done by LPN’s. Under the supervision of an RN a medical assistant can administer medication in a hospital or long term care facility, and can draw blood in offices and clinics. In the doctor’s office, many medical assistants act as medical records and coding specialists. These positions are vital so that patient records are kept current and insurance billing runs smoothly. You can find medical assistants in all types of offices including general practioners, pediatric, dentists, chiropractors, and many other offices. Demand for medical assistants is expected to grow at an accelerated rate (an increase of 34%) throughout 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The salaries for medical assistants are very competitive. Most work in doctor’s offices and clinics and in May of 2008 made an average of $28,710. In a hospital during this time the average salary was $29,720. Your salary may be higher or lower depending on the area in which you work, the amount of experience you have, and if you have any specializations. The top paying states include Alaska, Hawaii, and California.

Today medical assistants are taking their places as vital and necessary members of the medical community. Medical assistants with specialized training have many career options open to them. If you like to work in a clinical or hospital setting, you may consider becoming a medical assistant.

Registered Nurses – Where the Jobs are How Much You can Expect to be Paid

rburkholder — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:18:00 +0000

Registered Nurses are in high demand throughout the United States. Salaries vary from state to state and so do job opportunities. In states with a high percentage of older people, like Florida, there is a shortage of qualified Registered Nurses to fill job opportunities. In these states you can expect to command a higher salary. As a Registered Nurse you will be in charge of a patient’s day to day care, administer medications, supervise other nurses and caregivers, teach, work at a school, hospital, nursing home or doctor’s office. Many nurses go on to earn advanced degrees or specialize. Nurse Practitioners are an upcoming career path. Nurse Practitioners earn an advanced degree and can perform many of the same duties as a physician.

Nursing Pin

If you’re considering entering the nursing field, you may want to know where the jobs are as well as how much you can expect to make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing jobs are expected to be in demand throughout 2018. The medical field as a whole is expected to grow at a greater than average rate for the same time period. Over 2.6 million nurses work in the United Statesand in May 2010 the median salary was $67,720.

Top Employers for Registered Nurses

Hospitals
Doctor’s Offices
Home Health Care Services
Nursing Care Facilities
Outpatient Care Centers

States with the Most Jobs for Registered Nurses

California
Texas
New York
Florida
Pennsylvania

Top Paying States for Registered Nurses

California – $87,480
Massachusetts – $84,990
Hawaii – $82,130
Alaska – $79,350
Maryland – $76,450

Traveling Nurses

Traveling nurses work all over the country.

Another career option for Registered Nurses is as a traveling nurse. According to the Traveling Nurse Databank, you can expect to make $80,000 to $90,000 annually. This would be a good career choice if you don’t like to be tied down and want to see the country. Most traveling nurse assignments last from three months to a year. As a traveling nurse you would work for an agency and get your assignments from them. Many nurses who choose this career path enjoy free housing, reimbursement for travel expenses, and free healthcare.

As a nurse you will have the chance to care for the ill and elderly. You may even go on to teach and share your knowledge. A career as a Registered Nurse will not only give you a very decent salary, but rewards that money can’t cover. It is an interesting and very rewarding career.

Palliative Care Nurses Fill a Special Need

rburkholder — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:39:15 +0000

Palliative care is a fairly new concept. It is a holistic approach to patient care provided when a person is facing a long term or life threatening illness. The patient’s family is involved in the care plan and the palliative team not only keeps the patient as comfortable as possible, but the needs and feelings of the patient’s loved ones are also a primary concern. Caregivers include a team of nurses, social workers, medical assistants, a Chaplin, volunteers and medical doctors. These caregivers and nurses work together to assess and deliver personalized care to the patient and their loved ones.

It takes a special type of person to be involved with palliative care. In order to be a palliative nurse you must have excellent assessment skills, be able to handle working with gravely ill patients, and understand the grief and pain loved ones are going through. A strong sense of compassion is necessary to work in palliative care. Many palliative care nurses find this career path very rewarding and fulfilling. In 1986 the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) was formed to help establish a network of support for palliative and hospice nurses. HPNA offers certification and scholarships for nurses specializing in this area. Membership is also open to student nurses to help them get started in this important field of nursing.

From a personal viewpoint I know how special this type of nurse is. My husband was under palliative care as was my mother at the end of their lives. Not only did my loved ones receive excellent and compassionate care, but I was included in all of the decisions and care plans for both of them. I do believe that this type of care is important and makes a huge difference in the care of the gravely ill. The care and compassion the nurses and the rest of the teams showed my loved ones and myself will always be remembered.

Palliative nurses are RNs and generally have specialized training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports RNs can expect to make over $59,000 per year. This may be higher or lower depending on the area of the country you work in and the level of education you have. Nursing is a noble profession and if you choose to dedicate your life to the care of others, you will be rewarded with the knowledge that you made a difference in a person’s life at their more vulnerable time. Nurses and caregivers can add to the quality of life and help the family deal with the reality of a life ending and life threatening illness of a loved one.

Nursing – Not Just for Women Anymore

rburkholder — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:10:55 +0000

My mother is a retired RN, my mother’s best friend was an RN, my aunt was an RN and back in their day there were almost no male nurses. A male nurse was a rarity only a decade ago. When my late husband was a CNA he faced subtle discrimination because he was a man. Thankfully those days are almost behind us. Now there are many more men working as nurses and caregivers. Once thought only to be a job for a woman, male nurses and caregivers are making a mark on the medical world, and it is a caring and talented mark.

Speaking from personal experience I was a bit uncomfortable with the first male nurse I had when I was in the hospital a few years ago, but I found him to be gentle, caring and a really great caregiver. It is good to see the stereotypes being broken down so more men can enter the medical field as nurses and caregivers. There are 20% more men entering nursing school this decade than the last one, and this number is expected to increase according to Minority Nurse. The American Assembly of Men in Nursing (AAMN) Award has been granted to these schools since 2004:

DukeUniversity
LouisianaStateUniversityScience Program
SamuelMerrittUniversity
UniversityofPennsylvania
MontereyPeninsulaCollege
ExcelsiorCollege
UniversityofPortland
OhioStateUniversity
UniversityofTexasatAustin
EastCarolinaUniversity

The AAMN is dedicated to help increase the men in this important career field by sponsoring nursing scholarships for men who want to become a Registered Nurse. In 2010 the awarded two $500 scholarships for nursing school to winners of their essay competition. Since 2004 the AAMN has awarded over $1,000 in scholarships.

In an independent study done by the Bernard Hodes Group, the top two reasons men became nurses in 2005 were to help people and to make a difference in society. In this study 44% of the respondents went into nursing after another career. Many of the men who enter nursing school are in their mid-30’s and 40’s. Nursing is not just for women anymore. It is a field that is slowly welcoming men and the caring and experience they can bring to patient care. If you want to make a positive impact on someone’s life and have a rewarding career, you may want to consider becoming a nurse or caretaker.

Certified Nursing Assistants are in High Demand

rburkholder — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:16:36 +0000

Careers in the medical field give you an opportunity to care for and help people in their time of need. A career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is one of the hot careers in high demand. With the aging population the demand for qualified CNA’s will increase in the next 10 years. As a CNA you will have hands on care with patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes. Many CNA’s do home health care and enjoy caring for people in their own home. No matter which career path you take, a career as a CNA will be rewarding and well paying.

Education

Certified Nursing Assistant courses vary in length according to the state you live in. Some states offer medical scholarships for qualified students that may pay for your entire training program. For example inFloridayou can complete your CNA training in just two weeks. InIllinoiseach school has a different hourly requirement for training. How long you have to go to school depends on the state you live in, but it is generally a very short time. After you complete your classroom training you will be required to go through a clinical period working in a health care facility. If you want to take online classes to become a CNA, your classroom training will be online and the clinical portion in a healthcare facility.

Job Description and Salary

As a CNA you will be responsible for patient care and hygiene. A typical day will include helping patients with the baths, going to the bathroom, changing their sheets, helping them dress and tending to their basic needs. On a personal note, my late husband was a CNA for many years and he really enjoyed taking care of his residents in a local nursing home. My daughter went through CNA training and loved her clinicals. It is very rewarding to help someone do things they can no longer do, or are having difficulty with while they recuperate. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics you can expect to make between $8.50 and $14.00 an hour. Many jobs offer you benefits such as health insurance and retirement. If you’re looking for a career that really makes a difference, consider becoming a CNA.

Caregivers and Nurses Provide a Personal Touch in Patient Care

rburkholder — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:04:53 +0000

Doctors are usually thought of as the primary source of patient care, but caregivers and nurses provide the day to day, hands on care that patients need. The doctor may see a patient for a few minutes each day, look over their chart and give orders on the care the person is to receive, but it is the nurses and other caregivers who carry out these orders. They also listen to a patient who is upset, hold the person’s hand, cheer them up, talk to the relatives, and give the all important human and personal touch people need to become well.

Much More Than a Job

I know from personal experience since my mother is a retired RN that the nurses who make the most difference are caring people who put the patient’s needs first. My husband was a Certified Nurses Assistant for many years and he really cared for his residents and patients he cared for. He rejoiced when they went home well and grieved when they passed away. The decision to become a nurse or caregiver is one that will provide you with more than a job. You will have a career that makes a difference in people’s lives. It is this caring heart that is one of the prerequisites for nursing and care giving.

For example I was in the hospital a few years ago for a massive infection. While there they found out I was seriously anemic. The doctors came and went, but it was my nurses and aides that held my hand as I cried because I was scared. I had never received a blood transfusion before and the papers they gave me to sign listed all sorts of horrible things that could go wrong. They took the time to really listen to me and care about how I felt and answered all of my questions and concerns. All of them made me feel like I was their only patient although I knew they had an entire floor of sick people to care for. I will never forget their kindness and care they gave me.

Make a Real Difference

Nurses and caregivers in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities and home health care can make a real difference in a person’s life. The hours may be long and the pay in some parts of the country is lacking, but the satisfaction you will get from caring for people in their time of need will outweigh any negative aspects of the job. If you want to have this kind of impact on lives, you may consider a career as a nurse or caregiver.