Jobs available in the Nursing Field

June 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
328th CSH Nurse Charts Data in MC4 During 2007... 

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In the years 2014 there is expected to be an explosion in the field of nursing. The baby boomer generation will start to retire opening opportunities up as registered nurses but there are several other types of nursing jobs.The hospitals are fiercely trying to compete to get registered nurses.Over the next 10 to 20 years there is expected to be a growth.This article is going to tell you about just a few of them.

The largest percent of health care workers in the United States is made up by registered nurses. The registered nurse is typically the first contact that the patient and their families will have. They are also the primary contact between the patient and the health care world. That is both at the bedside and the settings that are outpatient. A registered nurse will perform evaluations of the patient and track their vitals. The registered nurse will also perform any medical procedures such as IVs and administering medicine to the patient. They are very important to a doctor because they know the status of a patient.

A nurse aide or assistant will perform their duties under the medical staff or nurses supervision. Their duties include answering patient requests, message delivery, and serving meals. They are also there to help the patients eat, shower, and dress themselves. They may also perform vitals, skin care, and assist in cleaning the patients room. A nursing aide can be important to the nursing staff in reporting any changes in a patients behavior indicating failing health.

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The Attributes of a High Quality Nurse

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Czech nursing students. 

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Not all nurses are created alike. Anyone who has spent time in a hospital knows that nurses vary one from another. In addition to a solid background and understanding of the sciences, the mark of a high quality nurse includes compassion, close attention to detail and a decisive demeanor.

An Understanding of Healing

First and foremost, a nurse must have a solid understanding of human physiology. Additionally, a deep interest in the connection between the body, mind and the environment allows a nurse to use a more intuitive and holistic approach in helping patients.

The Importance of Decisiveness

Decisiveness is of utmost importance in the nursing field. A high quality nurse quickly reviews and understands important information and acts upon it. This may involve administering procedures or immediately calling on doctors to address an urgent matter. Any delay or uncertainty can mean the difference between life and death in certain cases.

Wisdom and Intuition

Strong intuition is an important quality for a successful nurse. In emergencies and with particular illnesses, a nurse may not have the luxury of time and information to make important decisions. Intuition allows an experienced nurse to make wise decisions that will benefit the patient. This intuition is generally derived from years of study and experience in the nursing field.

Compassion and Hope

Hope is an important part of the healing process for a patient, making compassion an important quality in a nurse. A compassionate nurse instills positive feelings in a patient and makes a possibly dark time in an ill person’s life more bearable.

 

 

 

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Causes of Nursing Home Neglect

May 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When an elderly loved one is placed in a nursing home, a bond of trust exists between the person whose loved one is receiving care and the institution providing the care. This bond of trust is sometimes broken.

Nursing home neglect can lead to fear, discomfort, injury or even death. When looking for the nursing home that is right for your loved one, it is imperative to get the proper assurance from the care providers that your loved one will be safe and respected.

In February, 2011 neglect at a Santa Monica nursing home lead to the choking death of a resident. Sadly, many similar cases exist.  The best elder abuse attorney Los Angeles can provide justice, however nothing can replace the loss of a loved one.

Two common causes of nursing home neglect include stress and lack of education.

Caregiver Stress

Stress can cause caregivers to lash out emotionally, verbally and physically. Familiarize yourself with the working conditions of the facility. Are employees given adequate time off? How are their working conditions? Ask nurses and aides how they feel about the facility and if they have the resources they need to properly administer care. Care-giving is stressful – you want to be assured that the nursing home is doing everything it can to relieve employee stress.

Lack of Education

While some neglect is intentional, much may be accidental and the result of a lack of education or improper training. Ask detailed questions of the facility managers to ensure that all employees, including orderlies and assistants, have received proper training and take advantage of continuing education opportunities.

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Discussing an Uncomfortable Matter

April 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are many topics that are not comfortable to talk about. When it comes to a marriage, money may bring about uncomfortable feelings, and even children might cause tension, but there might be no more uncomfortable topic for a man than impotence.

If you are a man that suffers from this unfortunate problem, then you should know that there are ways to deal with this and bring it up to your partner. You can start by setting the conversation at a time when intimacy isn’t expected so as to relieve the pressure from the moment. You can try talking to your partner in a semi-public setting where you might not feel so isolated. The important thing is to understand that they might feel as if they are part of the problem, but it’s up to you to assure them they are far from the issue.

Of course, once you have voiced your troubles, you should consider seeking different treatment options for it. In addition to making the decision to buy cialis, you can also try a change in lifestyle. Sometimes it’s the diet, or the lack thereof, that can impact your impotence. You can also try doing your best to quit smoking or limit your alcohol consumption. These things are often helpful.

In many cases, combinations of methods are necessary in order to relieve the effects of impotence. You must know that while it’s not a pleasant occurrence, it happens to many men and can be treated if you, the patient, are committed to solving the problem.

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Using Online Study to Advance a Nursing Career

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Even registered nurses are not limited in terms of how far they can go in their careers. Continuing education and degree programs are available for nurses to further their education, and with the forever advancing world of the Internet, there are even online RN to BSN programs available to expedite this process. Bachelor of Science programs are available to those who have completed specific educational requirements and who have been previously licensed.

In online RN to BSN programs, knowledge is gained in various forms of nursing. Teaching and training skills are taught as well, in addition to management skills. Taking on these capabilities provides a broader scope of experience for career advancement. Employers also view prospects with broader education and experience more favorably, so it may be easier to get a job.

The job outlook for registered nurses is quite optimistic as well. Employment is expected to expand by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Online RN to BSN programs not only strengthen the chances of finding a job in a competitive market, but they also open the door for higher salaries. On the low end, nurses earned under $43,400 in 2008, while the top tier earned over $92,000 a year. That is quite a large spread, and the more education one obtains, the better the chances are that a registered nurse can gain more responsibilities and earn a higher salary.

The online RN to BSN programs are beneficial because they also allow someone to continue their current jobs and responsibilities while studying at their own pace. For people living in rural areas that don’t have easy access to schools offering these programs, an online study program provides the necessary training as long as there is access to the Internet. Get online and improve yourself, it could improve your quality of life as well.

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Nursing job prospects in the next decade

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Registered nurses are the largest occupation in the health care industry, holding about 2.6 million jobs in 2008. Hospitals are the major employer, making up 60 percent of nursing jobs. About 8 percent of nurses work in physicians’ offices; 5 percent work in home health care; 5 percent work in nursing homes; and about 3 percent work for employment agencies. The rest work mostly in government, social assistance and schools.

The future looks excellent for job opportunities for registered nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that about 581,500 new jobs will be created for nurses by the year 2018. Hundreds of thousands of additional job openings will result from experienced nurses leaving the profession during that same time.

The growth rate of employment is expected to be much faster than average for all occupations, as much as 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. Technological advances in patient care and an increased emphasis on preventive care are the driving factors.

Jobs in physicians’ offices are projected to grow by 48 percent over the decade in question. There may be more competition for these jobs, though, because the working hours and environments are generally preferable to those in a hospital setting.

In-hospital jobs will still see significant growth (17 percent), but not as much, partly due to more procedures being done in outpatient facilities. The aging population will also require more nurses in long-term care facilities and in home health care.

In some parts of the country, employers in 2008 were reporting it was difficult for them to attract and retain enough RNs, mostly because of an aging work force and not enough younger workers available.

RNs with a bachelor’s degree will generally have better job prospects than those without a BSN. The advanced practice specialties (nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives) will see a high demand in the coming years, especially in rural area and inner cities.

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Higher Education in Health Services

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For those who work in health care, sometimes it can be hard to pin down exactly what drew us to our jobs, because there are so many perks. We find our jobs satisfying not just because of the excellent pay, or the fact that our jobs are easier to find (even in a recession) than most others–the ability to help people every day is often what gets us out of bed in the morning. However, sometimes it isn’t enough–sometimes, for whatever reason, the time comes to further our education and look for a new job. If you’re looking to further your education and you know you want to keep working in healthcare professions, it’s possible that a Masters in health services would be the best decision you ever made.

The types of jobs you can find with a Master’s degree in health services are highly variable. Salaries range from the mid five figures (if you’re planning on working for nonprofits) and well up into the six figures for, say, an experienced hospital administrator. Of course, not all the jobs you can find with a degree like this are in hospitals. You may find yourself working on the business development end of clinics or nursing homes. Or, you may find yourself managing a medical supply company. If you’re interested in the stability and great benefits that usually come with government jobs, rest assured that various government agencies (and even some political groups focused on health care policy) have use for individuals with an advanced degree in health services. Other degrees might lead you to a career like being a physician’s assistant; this job had an average income over eighty thousand dollars in 2008. The health care field is rich and varied, and the rewards are many. The only question is which career path would be right for you.

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Switching careers to nursing

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Not many people are so absolutely certain of the job they want early enough in life that the map of their education and career path is a straight shot to their goal. Most of us have a broader target. Some are satisfied to head in a general direction and others are so lost they have no idea which way is up.

But no matter where you are in your career trajectory, there’s always an opportunity to change course. If you’re interested in pursuing nursing, but your experience and degree lie in a different field, programs exist to help you build on your previous education without having to repeat it.

If you’re good at math and science, like working in an intense atmosphere and enjoy working with people, nursing might be an option for you, even if you’re 40 or older. The March 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses found that the average age of nursing program graduates was 30.5, and it’s increasing every year.

You can find post-baccalaureate, second degree or accelerated degree programs at nursing schools across the country. Post-bac programs (BA-to-BSN or BS-to-BSN) allow people to expedite their progress to begin their nursing career within one to two years of starting their nursing education.

As in many fields, second-career nursing students tend to have energy and focus that younger students may lack. They often do better academically as older students than they did in their previous schooling.

It’s not difficult to get into accelerated degree programs. Nursing school enrollment is just beginning to go up after a long period of decline, and the nationwide shortage of nurses doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon. Nursing schools and health care providers are actively recruiting nontraditional nursing students, which includes those starting their second career.

AllNursingSchools.com has a school finder that lets you search by education level and state or zip code. Contact school administrators for admission requirements.

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What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?

January 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The medical and legal arenas often overlap – and when they do, attorneys need experts who can help them with their health care-related cases. Often, they turn to Legal Nurse Consultants for assistance and direction.

Legal nurse consulting has been recognized as a specialty nursing practice since the late 1980s. LNCs assist with legal research, communication, case preparation and litigation regarding health care.

LNCs often start their careers as nurses in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers. They may be approached by an attorney about the medical aspects of a case and may be asked to review medical records or provide explanations of procedures. Some begin the transition from clinical nursing to the medical-legal field by starting to work part-time for a legal firm.

Areas of support LNCs can provide to attorneys include personal injury, medical negligence, product liability, toxic torts, risk management, workers’ compensation and fraud and abuse.

LNCs use their clinical experience to interpret medical records and documents. They can utilize their nursing background and knowledge of health care standards to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a case. They also have a network of medical and professional contacts and resources.

Most LNCs have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing or another health-related field. Some practice as independent consultants; others are employed by insurance companies, law firms and other institutions in a variety of roles.

The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers an extensive online course for RNs interested in becoming legal nurse consultants. The association also offers a certification process (LNCC).

Is legal nurse consulting right for you? The AALNC has an online self-assessment tool that lets you determine how suited you are for the profession of legal nurse consulting.

They also offer a free webinar that provides information about the profession, the education process and the work environment to anyone interested. Check the AALNC’s website to find out when the next webinar will be presented.

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An intro to the National Institute for Nursing Research

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the focal point for medical research. It’s one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service which, in turn, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) is one of 27 institutes comprising the NIH.

NINR conducts clinical research and training on health and illness across the lifespan. Its research focus covers health promotion and disease prevention, quality of life, health disparities and end-of-life care. The ultimate goal of the institute’s research is its dissemination into clinical practice and into the daily lives of individuals and families.

The National Institute for Nursing Research’s mission is “to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, communities and populations.” NINR is the leading institute at NIH on research on the important emerging field of end-of-life and palliative care.

At its campus in Bethesda, Md., NINR’s Intramural Research Program conducts research to understand the biological causes of a range of symptoms and how patients respond to different types of treatment.

The Office of Extramural Programs oversees the funding activities of NINR for research that occurs in institutions across the country and internationally. Grants, awards and fellowships are available for programs and individuals so that there will be an adequate pool of well-trained nurse scientists to meet future research needs.

Research programs range from strictly biological, as in a study on how genetics influences functional outcomes after traumatic brain injury, to economic and social-oriented cases, such as a study investigating the relationship of community-based nurse care coordination to costs in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Other recent research accomplishments from the community of NINR-supported scientists across the U.S. cover the fields of understanding and managing pain, wound care, chronic disease management, sleep and fatigue, self-management of chronic disease and complementary and alternative medicine.

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