Bob Said:

How do I become a maternity nurse?

We Answered:

You will need to enroll in a 2 or 4 year course of study to become an RN. This cannot be done online, because you will have clinical classes as well. Once you complete that, you will take an exam given by your state to be certified as an RN. After that it is a matter of getting a job in a maternity setting. You could try to get a job as an aide in the maternity department while going to school...this would give you some exposure to what goes on and then might open the door to a job once you are an RN. Speak to some ob/gyn offices in Austin about openings as an aide. Good luck.

Lorraine Said:

anyone here a nurse? is a nurse salary enough to live on?

We Answered:

As a regular staff nurse doing direct patient care, you could make anywhere from $25-$35 per hour as a new graduate working in a hospital. A bit less per hour if you live in rural areas, or work in a clinic or nursing home. Many nurses work only part time because the wage is good and many places offer full benefits packages with as little as half-time status in some cases.

If you are single with no dependents and you can't support yourself on a nurse's salary, you're doing something drastically wrong with your budgeting. I work part time (about 24-28 hours per week), own a home, have kids, and am essentially the main income of the household as my hubby is self-employed and business has been terrible with this weak economy. We aren't well-off, but we do make ends meet.

Rosemary Said:

staff nurse how much ielts score required in each module to work in NZ. what is the career web site for nurse?

We Answered:

sites:
www.passports.govt.nz/ www.passports.govt.nz/
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?I…

Daniel Said:

Should I become a nurse?

We Answered:

Data released by the U.S. Department of Labor point to a faster than average growth in the demand for nurses. This growth is brought about by changes in the population, such as a growing number of elderly people, and by structural changes in health care delivery.

New technology, advances in treatment programs, as well as pressure from insurance providers are moving many health care services into physicians offices, community health centers, and even the home.

Nurses today are assuming greater responsibility for health care delivery, and employers are seeking a better-educated nursing workforce. The traditional hospital setting will continue to employ many nurses, but there is also a growing demand for nurses in non-traditional health care settings.

How do I become an RN?
There are several basic nursing programs that prepare students for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX -RN), all of which include theory and clinical experience in nursing.

Registered nurses must graduate from an approved school of nursing and then pass a rigorous national licensing examination (NCLEX). The path to this exam leads through one of three educational areas: hospital-based diploma programs, associate of nursing degree programs, and bachelor of nursing degree programs. Each prepares the student for the licensing exam and includes hands-on clinical practice, and courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, psychology, and nutrition. It is important for students to discuss their nursing career goals with their guidance counselor before choosing a nursing education program.

Hospital-Based Diploma Programs
Diploma schools of nursing, typically associated with hospitals, provide the core science support courses, nursing theory and clinical practice. These programs generally take two to three years to complete. Successful students receive a diploma from their school.

Associate Degree Programs
Two-year associate degree programs (ADN), often offered through community colleges, provide a general studies curriculum, nursing theory, and clinical practice opportunities. Graduates are prepared to practice in a number of institutional and community settings.

Bachelor of Science Programs
College bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs are four-year programs that combine nursing theory and clinical practice with a traditional liberal arts education. Communication and critical thinking skills are refined. More and more, nursing job descriptions state “BSN preferred”.

Continuing Education
Opportunities for degree completion are offered by colleges and universities for the associate degree and diploma RN graduates to complete their bachelor of science degree. They are called RN-BSN Completion Programs and are tailored to the working professional.

Beyond the bachelors degree program, nurses with masters and doctoral degrees hold positions in advance practice, institutional administration, college and university professors, health policy consultants, and researchers.

Expected Salary?
Nursing salaries are influenced by the region of the country, the setting in which the nurse is employed, and the nurse’s specialty. According to a survey by RN magazine, in 1999, registered nurses in the Mid-Atlantic States earned an average of $23.20 per hour; registered nurses on the West Coast averaged $27.35 per hour. The average annual salary for a hospital registered nurse is $40,150; the average salary for registered nurses working in a school setting is $40,065; physician’s office registered nurses average $35,160.

At its core, nursing remains a helping profession. Nurses work closely with individuals and their families during exciting times, such as the birth of children, and hard times, such as the death of a family member. Throughout the life cycle in multiple settings, nurses provide compassionate, competent care and are the backbone of the health care system.

Provided by Karen Thacker, RN, MSN, Dean of Professional Programs, Alvernia College.
PRE-GRADUATION
PREP LIST



profiles | articles | search by keyword | campus tour calendar | request form
return to top | home | about | contactThe High School Graduate
is a product of Spindle Publishing Company, Inc.


Nursing is an exciting and challenging career choice. It offers men and women an abundant and expanding choice of practice specialties and settings.

Nursing challenges you to develop your:

Critical thinking skills
Decision making skills
Teamwork & team building skills
Creativity
Communication skills
Educational preparation
Mastery of technical skills & procedures
Humanity

In return, as a nurse you gain the opportunity to make a difference in the life of every person you meet.

There is a tremendous need for nurses in all practice settings.

Few careers offer so much!

There are several ways to begin your career in nursing. First, you must choose a career entry point - Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse. Geographic location, previous work experience, educational credentials, shift and work schedules, and specific duties all affect salary levels. Check with individual employers to learn more about a particular position and their compensation packages.

Nursing Assistant (NA) - Nursing Assistants help patients with basic care activities such as bathing, and dressing, feeding patients or serving meals and walking. They work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. Nursing Assistant positions require the least amount of formal training. Nursing Assistants have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and expand their employment options by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, CNA. To become certified, you must successfully complete a 75-hour CNA training course and pass a competency exam. Search the MCN School of Nursing Program Database or visit: www.longtermcarecareers.org/train.php for more information on CNA Training programs.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - LPNs are licensed by the Masachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The LPN participates in direct and indirect nursing care, health maintenance, teaching, counseling, collaborative planning, and rehabilitation to the extent of his or her experience. To become an LPN you must complete a one-year LPN program at a community college or a vocational school, and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Search the MCN School of Nursing Program Database to find LPN programs.

Registered Nurse (RN) - RNs are licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. RNs develop, implement, evaluate, and modify plans of care for individuals, families, and communities including the coordination and management of resources for care delivery. RNs work to support a restoration of health or provide comfort and death with dignity for their patients. You must decide which kind of nursing program you want to attend - a two-year Associate Degree Program or a four-year Bachelor Degree Program, (BSN). Either program allows you to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The BSN degree allows you greater career flexibility and upward mobility. Search the MCN School of Nursing Program Database to find RN programs.

Search the MCN School of Nursing Program Database to find the nursing program that fits your needs. Visit the MCN Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more about nursing in Massachusetts.

Practice Settings for Nurses
While the career possibilities for nurses are almost endless, most nursing positions are in one of the following categories:

Hospital Care
Home Care
Long-term Care
Occupational Health
Public Health
Other

Career Changers- Do you have a college degree in a field other than nursing? Are you dissatisfied with your current career choice? Have you become aware of the excitement and benefits of a career in nursing? Becoming a nurse is an excellent second career choice. Explore the options nursing offers you.


-Hope this helped out!
-V<3

Michelle Said:

What are the differences, career wise, between an RN and BSN?

We Answered:

The difference between a Nurse with an Associate Degree and a nurse with a Bachelor Degree is with Associate you have more Clinical and Bachelor is more Theory. Bachelor degree helps if you want to be in management position.

Yes you will have the same job with the same pay. It will take about a year or 2 to get from a AD to BSN.

What I am doing is I am going for my Associate degree first. Then get my foot in the door with employment. Go back for BSN. You can go to classes online for BSN.


Here is some useful information

Staff Nurse- Pool, which is a floater nurse. Degree type ( associate or bachelor) They make on the low end $44-000- 60,000( Depending on area you live)

Staff Nurse- in a specific area. A nurse that is stationed in a specific area, example L&D( labor and delivery), ICU, ER, Med/Surg .( Degree type, Associate or bachelor) They make $50,000-$62,000 ( Depending on area you live)

Staff Nurse- Operating Room and Recovery Room.- ( Degree type associate or bachelor) These nurses make a little more but you have to be in the ICU area or any Critical care area for at least a year before moving to this area. They make $65,000-70,000 ( Depending on area you live)

Charge Nurse- A manager in a specific area.( You can get this position with an associate and several years of experience, or a bachelor) They make around $65,000-70,000 a year.

Head Nurse- A head nurse in a Specific area.( Degree type, Bachelor or Master) They make around $90,000 a year.

Kimberly Said:

What is the difference between Practical Nurse an RN?

We Answered:

Note to Makin: LPNs CAN give medications!

Okay, to answer your question, LPNs are considered to be a "bedside nurse" where RNs are the "administrative nurse". LPNs have less training and are under the supervision of an RN and their scope of practice is smaller. Some people think LPNs aren't "real" nurses, which is a crock of $hit.
My advice is this: get into whatever state approved nursing program that will take you because competition can be ferocious. If you get accepted to an LPN program and not an RN program, go for the LPN and bridge to RN after you become an LPN. Also, if you need a career, any sort of career, under your belt ASAP (like me), go for the LPN program since you'll be making decent money after you graduate and pass the NCLEX-PN and bridge to RN while your working as an LPN.

Misty Said:

What is a good nursing career for me?

We Answered:

It doesn't really sound like this is the field for you. Most of the characters on Scrubs are resident's i.e. doctors to be. The only nurse is Carla. Scrubs isn't terribly realistic. I love that show but I've been watching it for years and can't for the life of me figure out what unit of the hospital they even work in. They deal with oncology, cardiac issues, hospice, maternity stuff, but it's not an ER so I don't even know if it's based on any real hospital unit.
There isn't really a field of nursing exempt from blood, guts, wounds or death. Maybe you could be a medical assistant in a doctors office. To the best of my knowledge they don't deal with the less pleasant aspects of patient care, but they are there to chat with and assist doctors. Like someone else said you could also work as a radiological technician, or phlebotomist. The only courses in high school you'll have to worry about are the bio, chem, and algebra. If you go to community college they'll want at least c's in all those classes or you'll have to take them again at the cc. Otherwise you'll just want to do the best you can and try to get into the best school you can if you chose to pursue nursing.