Medical

How New HIPAA Regulations Affect Nurses

How New HIPAA Regulations Affect Nurses

Mar 22, 2015 | 9:00 am

If you’re new to this topic, HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1996. A large part of the law developed privacy rules in regards to health records and data security for patients in health care settings. While the law is important to patients and health care workers alike, HIPAA for nurses has had career changing effects. The Effect of HIPPA for Nurses At the time it passed, many nurses already felt overloaded and realized this meant more paperwork and procedural changes. According to The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, nurses... Read more...

How Many Hours Do Nurses Work?

How Many Hours Do Nurses Work?

Mar 22, 2015 | 8:00 am

When people consider a career in nursing, one of the first questions they ask is, “How many hours do nurses work?” Of course the answer changes depending on whether nurses work full-time or part-time hours, the amount of overtime they pursue and their position requirements. Nursing Hours and Shifts In most cases, full-time nurses are scheduled to work between 36 and 40 hours per week, but how they arrange those hours can vary. For example, American Journal of Nursing notes that the 12-hour shift is largely replacing the 8-hour shift in nursing, especially in the hospital setting. While this may... Read more...

Why Is Nursing Right for Me?

Why Is Nursing Right for Me?

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:00 pm

If you’ve considered a career in health care, you probably asked the question, Is nursing right for me? Let’s take a look at what attributes make a nurse successful, and find out if you have what it takes. As one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, the nursing field continually pursues applicants who have what it takes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the most important qualities for a nurse include: •Critical-thinking skills •Ability to show compassion •Detail-oriented personality •Emotional stability •Organizational skills •Physical stamina •Communication skills Is Nursing Right for Me… Yes or... Read more...

The Anatomy of a Nursing Student’s Life

The Anatomy of a Nursing Student’s Life

Mar 21, 2015 | 11:00 am

You want to become a nurse, but first you must spend that critical time learning, training and gaining supervised clinical experience. The life of a nursing student can get intense, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the reward is great: Nursing is one of the fastest growing fields in the nation, offering staff flexible schedules, educational benefits, childcare, bonuses—and more importantly, the ability to touch lives. So what does the life of a nursing student look like? This roadmap provides an overview, starting from the time before nursing school starts. Pre-Nursing Student Status Even before applying to nursing... Read more...

Top 5 Myths About Nursing

Top 5 Myths About Nursing

Mar 21, 2015 | 10:00 am

It goes without saying that nurses no longer wear all-white uniforms, and they certainly aren’t just doctor’s helpers. These and other myths about nursing abound, but it’s important to know that nursing is a career all of its own, requiring knowledge of medical care and treatments that make it the time-honored profession it is today. Myth #1: It’s easy to get a nursing job Despite the much discussed nursing shortage (the one that just ended and the one on its way) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projected 19 percent employment growth rate for registered nurses (RNs) between 2012 and... Read more...

List of Nursing Advice for Students Considering This Field

List of Nursing Advice for Students Considering This Field

Mar 21, 2015 | 9:00 am

Interested in becoming a nurse? If so, you might want a heads up about certain aspects of the job. Let’s take a look at nursing advice from around the Web to see what some of the top nursing field experts have to say. 1. Have what it takes… literally The Bureau of Labor Statistics totes nursing as one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, but if you’ve ever wondered if it matches your personality, examine their list of important must-have nursing qualities: critical thinking, compassion, detail-oriented, emotionally stable, organized, physical stamina and finally… good communication skills. 2.... Read more...

The Perks of Nursing as a Second Career

The Perks of Nursing as a Second Career

Mar 21, 2015 | 8:00 am

Besides the fact that nursing is a booming career in healthcare field right now—the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts faster-than-average-job-growth-for-RNs between 2012 and 2022—there are plenty more perks of nursing as a second career. Let’s take a look at five of the most popular that have today’s career-change nurses glad they took the plunge. A Position with Purpose Nursing is often described as a rewarding career—both emotionally and financially—but when a first career didn’t feel particularly fulfilling, nursing as a second career can feel more like a life lived with purpose rather than just a job. In a 2011... Read more...

Top 5 Reasons to Get Your BSN

Top 5 Reasons to Get Your BSN

Mar 20, 2015 | 11:00 am

With several roads leading to RN status, some nurses wonder if they should get a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Despite the time commitment required, clear benefits do exist: a nursing BSN is becoming more encouraged by employers and the nursing community in general. Read on to find out the top reasons to get your BSN. Hiring Trend: Employers Want Nurses with a BSN Surveys show that employers have a preference for hiring new nurses with a bachelor’s degree. This affects undergrad nurses and career changers alike, and as a result, accelerated BSN nursing programs are popping up... Read more...

What are My Career Options as a Nurse?

What are My Career Options as a Nurse?

Mar 20, 2015 | 10:00 am

With continuing education, a nursing career has the potential to soar. Whether you choose to work as an entry-level staff nurse or become a nurse practitioner, your degree level and experience can help lead the way. Let’s take a look at the most common nursing careers and what it takes to get to the next level. Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse Careers Also called LPN or LVN, this nursing career begins with a little over one year of training in a vocational school, community college or hospital. After graduating and passing the NCLEX-PN national licensure exam, nurses can pursue work... Read more...

What is the Career Path of a Nurse?

What is the Career Path of a Nurse?

Mar 20, 2015 | 9:00 am

Regardless of the type of nurse you become or the medical specialty you choose, the first step to a successful nursing career path is getting the right education. While future LVNs or LPNs may attend a one-year program, and future RNs may choose among diploma programs, associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees, all nurses start by passing the state licensure exam after graduation. From this point, a true nursing career path emerges. It will probably look a little different for each nurse, but it seems most nurses’ career paths start out by getting a foot in the door at a nearby... Read more...