Nursing Students | RNBuilder Nursing Blog

How to Afford Nursing School

on June 13, 2011

in Nursing Scholarships

. 1 Comment

i_nurses_4 The National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) is an organization created to improve nursing education and support nursing students as they begin their entrance into the nursing profession. This takes the shape of a nursing journal released five times annually, career workshops, employment resources, NCLEX study resources, and nursing scholarships.

There are currently over 56,000 members in the NSNA. It was founded in 1952 to foster the professional growth of students enrolled in all types of nursing programs (from Associate degree and diploma programs to post-graduate work). Since then, additional services have helped to launch the organization into the national spotlight, and even those who don’t qualify for or are granted the scholarships can benefit from membership and the opportunities in educational development.

National Student Nurses Association Scholarships

The NSNA scholarships are among the best opportunities in the country for nursing students to get access to financial support. Few foundations focus as much on nursing as the NSNA, and $125,000 in awards are offered in increments of $1,000 and $2,500 each year.

In order to apply for the scholarships, individuals must be U.S. citizens (or students with alien registration numbers) currently enrolled in a state-approved nursing program. Graduate-level scholarships are only offered if it is the student’s first degree in nursing (such as going from an undergraduate degree in biology to a graduate degree in nursing).

The scholarship board looks at factors like academics, financial need, and the student’s involvement in community activities, volunteering, and nursing-related issues.

National Student Nurses Association Annual Convention

Nursing students can also take advantage of the annual convention put out by the NSNA. Students can obtain career counseling advice, attend workshops on certification opportunities, attend job recruitment fairs, learn about and participate in nursing advocacy at the legislative level, and even learn more about becoming a part of the NSNA leadership board.

The location, times, and costs of attendance vary. The convention typically takes place in the spring and you can book hotels and even flights through their package options.

To Learn More about the National Student Nurses Association

If you’d like to learn more about the organization and how you can get involved, visit the NSNA on the web at http://www.nsna.org/. Many of the features are Internet-based only, so even if you can’t travel to the conventions or participate in live courses, you can still benefit from the services and resources offered here.

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Military Nursing Scholarships

Nursing School Requirements: Update Your Immunizations

Published

on June 8, 2011

What is Infectious Disease Nursing?

. 1 Comment

i_nurse_female_needle Nurses work on the front line of health care—and their health is often at risk as a result. Whether it’s due to the potential for bloodborne or airborne illnesses that come with working so closely with those who are sick, or if it has more to do with the long hours that put a necessary strain on the body, nurses have a higher risk for illness than many other types of professionals.

Nursing students are just as much at risk, especially once you near the end of your education and start doing clinicals, where hands-on care and patient interaction are the focus of everything you do. That’s why nursing schools are among the most strict when it comes to keeping student records and immunizations up to date. In fact, more and more schools (and employers) are requiring annual vaccines for the flu and other common maladies.

Nursing Students and Proof of Immunization

Most of the immunizations needed for nursing school are similar to those needed for any college-level education. Although exceptions may be provided in extreme cases, most nursing students should expect to regularly update their immunization records in order to keep themselves (and their families) safe and healthy.

Basic immunizations include:

Tetanus
Rubella
Rubeola
Mumps
Meningitis
Pertussis
Chickenpox
Tuberculosis (skin test)
Hepatitis B

Most nursing students will also be asked to get an annual flu vaccine. In recent years, nursing and medical staff have reduced their rates of flu immunizations by almost 50 percent, even in the face of particularly virulent strains like H1N1.

This is a statistic that worries many health care employers. That’s because in addition to safeguarding their own health, nursing students and nursing professionals are expected to be advocates for the immunization process. In recent years, there has been quite a bit of contention over the safety of immunizations, and the result has been outbreaks of long-suppressed illnesses in schools and health care facilities.

Different nursing programs and schools will have different immunization policies, so it’s important to check with the admissions office before you apply. Although most students will already have all the traditional immunizations up to date, bi-annual tuberculosis tests and annual flu shots might require that you visit your health care provider before you take your first class.

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Nursing Job Descriptions

Getting a Nursing Degree through a Faith-Based Program

Published

on June 3, 2011

Working With Patient’s Families

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i_student_3 There are thousands of different nursing schools and nursing programs around the United States. From public universities to small, independent vocational training centers, you can get all the training you need in just two to four years.

When it comes to choosing the right college for you, however, there are more than just considerations of degree type and the length of the program. Many private schools offer faith-based learning (typically in a Christian or Catholic setting) in which nursing and religious studies are mixed. In some schools this takes the form of one or two prerequisite classes in religion; in others, there might be a more in-depth approach to nursing with an overarching faith-based design. Depending on your personal beliefs and what you want out of your career, these schools might be right for you.

Benefits of a Faith-Based Nursing Program

The truth is that many of today’s hospitals and nursing homes are run by religious organizations. Although it is becoming increasingly more common for big businesses to own and operate hospitals, many health care centers have their roots in religious organizations or a mission that takes faith into account. These hospitals aren’t likely to turn you away from employment if you didn’t attend a religious college, but being taught in the same tradition (in which spirituality and caregiving are intertwined) can help you be more comfortable in that particular corporate culture.

The classes you take are likely to be very similar to those of a non-religious nursing school, and you will be held to the same academic and professional requirements (including passing the nursing licensure exam and graduating from an accredited school), so the level of education is the same no matter where you go. Coursework that might be a little different includes:

World religions
Healing words
Public advocacy
Ethics
Health ministry
Home visits
Hospice and end-of-life care

In fact, you are more likely to find that a nursing program in a faith-based school has less to do with one particular religion and more to do with human spirituality as a whole. Tolerance for other religions, honoring individual beliefs, and connecting individuals and families with religious services in their area are all part of the faith-based nursing approach.

Where to Find a Faith-Based Nursing Program

These programs are more prevalent than you might think. Many of the top schools associated with great nursing are actually built on religious traditions, and even though faith might not be at the forefront of all that you learn, you could incorporate school resources with your own approach to nursing school. For example, Emory University and Loyola University, whose nursing programs consistently rank in the top 30 for the nation, are both faith-based organizations.

Religion and nursing tend to go hand-in-hand, since you must deal with life and death every day. No matter what your personal beliefs, you should be able to find great personal and professional opportunities at a faith-based nursing school. As long as the school is accredited and has a good reputation, you should have no fears about adding it to your list of possibilities.

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Switching Nursing Schools Halfway through a Program

Published

on May 11, 2011

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i_student_1 Because going to nursing school is such a large time investment, ranging from two to six years in all, it can be difficult to organize your life around your school schedule. After all, what happens if your spouse is transferred to a new city for work? What if your family needs you back at home? What if you simply can’t afford a more expensive educational option in one city, but still want to keep pursuing your nursing degree somewhere else?

Although most schools discourage it, you can transfer your nursing credits from one school to another—provided you are going moving to and from nursing schools that have regional accreditation. Vocational schools and those with national accreditation may vary in how well their credits transfer, so if you know that moving is a possibility, you may want to choose a regionally accredited school right from the start.

The Admissions Process

Although it will be easier to transfer to a new college than to apply to and be admitted to college for the first time, you still have to go through the admissions process and possibly even face the chance that you might not get in.

Your first step will be to talk with the school you would like to transfer to about their specific requirements. In addition to filling out an application (and possibly including letters of reference, paying the application fee, and writing a nursing essay), you will need to ask about their individual credit transfer policy and have your official transcripts sent over.

There may be restrictions regarding what types of credits can be moved. Factors might include GPA, core curriculum requirements, and the usefulness of the class as a whole. For example, a course in nursing ethics might not move seamlessly from one school to another since the two schools might focus on different aspects (especially if you’re considering schools with a religious mission or focus). Be prepared to duplicate classes or even lose several of the credits you’ve already acquired. Although you may be able to contest the school’s policies or test out of certain classes, this is a common occurrence for transferring students.

Other Transfer Options

You may want to consider long-distance or online courses in place of a school transfer. Chances are, your existing school wants to see you stick around and finish out your program with them. If they have an online nursing program or are willing to work with you for the last few credits, be sure and explore these options. This is especially true if you’re nearing a milestone. For example, if you are close to getting your LPN license, do what you can to finish it. That way, you can enter an LPN-to-RN program at your new school without necessarily worrying about which credits will transfer.

Nursing school takes time, money, and quite a bit of hard work. If you find yourself facing a move or change of venue, do what you can to hold on to as much of that hard work. Your admissions counselors (at both schools) should be able to help you make the transition.

What to Expect from Online Nursing Courses

Published

on May 9, 2011

Pros and Cons of Online Nursing Schools

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i_nursing_student One of the best nursing school options for working professionals, busy parents, and students who are looking for a little more flexibility out of their education is the online nursing course.

The online learning format, which allows you to take at least part of your classes from the comfort of your own home, is a growing trend in the college community. It not only allows students to work at their own pace and according to their own schedule, but it also means that you can access great schools and teachers from a long distance.

In the nursing field, this means you can either take a large number of core classes to work toward a nursing degree or even complete an entire graduate degree that builds on top of an existing nursing degree or license.

The Online Learning Format

Of course, learning at home or at work from your computer is a very different experience than sitting in a classroom or lecture hall. Depending on your learning style and how well you work as a self-motivator, this may or may not be the program for you. Here’s how the online nursing courses differ from more traditional options.

Internet access is a must: In most cases, the online nursing class will be hosted either through the school’s website or on a website of its own. This will become an interactive place where assignments are posted, discussions held, and chat sessions set up. In order to participate, you will need regular and reliable access to the Internet.

No face-to-face interaction: When you take a class in person, you are able to see and talk to your instructor on an almost daily basis. From lectures and question-and-answer sessions to after-class office hours, you can get the personalized attention you need to do your best in class. In the online learning format, your only access to the instructor is via email or through online discussion boards. For some people, this works great, since you post your question in the early hours of the morning, get back to your daily life, and return home to find the answers you need. For others, it might be a struggle. It’s up to you to know how you learn best.

Reading lectures vs. hearing lectures: In a traditional classroom setting, your learning comes from a combination of lectures and textbook reading. Unless you have a video classroom setup for your course, the online work will be almost all textbook and self-directed reading. Although your instructor may create great notes and lecture outlines, you will need to do most of the learning on your own.

Clinicals must still be completed: Regardless of which school you attend, clinical experience will be part of your nursing education. For online programs, this may mean that you have to work with a local affiliated medical facility or even commute to the school’s facilities a few days a week. There is no better way to learn nursing than through hands-on training, so this component remains the same.

Tests and homework still apply: You will most likely have assignments and papers with regular due dates, as well as tests that may occur either on your own time or during a designated online session. You will be responsible for completing all of the work just as you would in a regular classroom setting.

Regardless of what type of nursing school format you choose, make sure you go through the same process of research and selection. Many great online nursing schools carry the same accreditation and reputation as more traditional schools, but with greater flexibility and different costs. Take your time to find the right school, and you could be graduating with your nursing degree in as little as two to four years.

Find an Online Nursing Program in Your City

What Factors Influence Nursing Salary?

Published

on May 4, 2011

in Nursing Career

. 0 Comments

i_nurse_pediatrics One of the common themes of any discussion of the nursing career is that the field is one of the most stable and fastest-growing in the entire country. Job outlooks over the next ten years will only continue to increase, and nursing salaries are expected to increase right alongside them.

However, that doesn’t mean that what one nurse earns working as an RN in New York is going to be the same as a BSN in Ohio. There are many different factors that influence nursing salaries, and your annual pay will be dependent on all of them.

Level of Education: LPNs make less than RNs, and NPs make even more than them both. An RN with a Bachelor’s degree can typically command higher rates than an RN with an Associate degree. Depending on your degree and your license, the amount of money offered to you will vary.

Experience: Most health care settings work on a seniority-type scale. The longer you work for the organization, and the more experience you have, the higher rate of pay you can command. This is especially true if you move into a managerial or supervisory role.

Unionization: In many states and hospitals, nurses cannot work unless they join the local nurses union. In most cases, being part of a union means higher rates of pay (though you will have to pay annual or monthly union dues in return). In a union setting, you can also command much higher rates of pay for work done overtime.

Your Shift: In a hospital setting, nurses who work graveyard shifts (11pm to 7am) tend to make more than those who work swing shifts (3pm to 11pm), who, in turn, make more than those who work day shifts (7am to 3pm). Although this isn’t written in stone, most employers change the rate of pay depending on the desirability of the hours worked.

Employer: Nurses in a hospital setting tend to earn the most money, followed by those who work in doctors’ offices. Nursing home and home health care tend to provide the lowest salaries of all. Other opportunities, like working for a government entity or as a travel nurse, can also provide different pay rates.

Types of Nursing: Specialized work typically commands a higher rate of pay. For example, if you work in an emergency room or operating room, the high stress and increased skills mean you can earn more each year. Advanced specialties in fields like orthopedics or pediatrics can also help you move up the ranks.

Location: Perhaps nothing influences nursing salary so much as where you live—and for good reason. Cost-of-living expenses in larger metropolitan centers are much higher than what you would expect in smaller cities. For example, an RN in New York can expect between $54,000 and $76,000 per year, while the same professional will get between $45,000 and $65,000 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Getting a nursing degree is a great career move—regardless of where you live or what your specialty. However, if increasing your pay is a priority, there are plenty of advancements and opportunities you can take advantage of.

Nursing Shift Types

What is the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission?

Published

on May 2, 2011

. 0 Comments

i_nurses_3 If you are a prospective student looking for the the right nursing school, you should become familiar with the various accrediting organizations. These groups, which range in background and mission, are your source for finding schools that meet national standards in education and allow graduates to sit for the NCLEX exam.

Of these accrediting organizations, one of the most important is the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. This national organization is devoted to promoting excellence in nursing education. The organization looks at individual nursing instructors, providing opportunities for them to build their skills and network with others in the field, as well as offers accreditation for NCLEX readiness.

What Does the NLNAC Do?

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) is responsible for accrediting specialized nursing education programs, including:

Clinical Doctorates
Master’s Programs
Bachelor’s Programs
Associate Programs
Nursing Diplomas
Practical Nursing Programs

In this capacity, the NLNAC is a great source for finding programs that will train nurses to sit for the NCLEX exam and to enter the field of nursing once they successfully graduate and get licensed.

NLNAC is also important in ensuring that nursing schools are eligible to receive federal funding via student grants or loans; for example, unless a nursing program is recognized by the NLNAC or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, you may not be able to use FAFSA to help pay for your education.

The NLNAC goes one step further, as well, by offering assistance to students beyond the financial level. Schools can turn to the NLNAC for help with student counseling and recruitment, while students can learn more about transferring their credits from one school to another.

Why NLNAC Accreditation Matters

The primary difference between the NLNAC and other accrediting bodies is that the NLNAC is more comprehensive when it comes to LPN, Diploma, and Certificate programs. It is the primary seal of approval for these lower-level nursing degrees, and you should always look for it if you are considering a degree at the Associate or Diploma level.

If you are considering a higher-level nursing program, it isn’t necessary for the NLNAC to be involved, but you should look for other accrediting credentials (especially the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) to be sure it meets the national requirements for nursing education.

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How to Afford Nursing School

When Not to Pay Attention to Nursing School Rankings

Published

on April 25, 2011

Top-Ranked Nursing Schools in the U.S.

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i_student_2 One of the things most experts tell you to consider when choosing a nursing school is to look at the nursing school rankings. These ranking lists quantify each school based on its facilities, faculty, student-teacher ratio, average GPA, employer feedback, and student feedback, so that prospective students can make more informed choices when selecting the right program for them.

Although there are dozens of different nursing school ranking lists put out by varying organizations, the top two are the ones put out by the U.S. News and World Report and the National Institute of Health. And while these lists can be a very good guide for those caught between two choices or simply exploring their options, it is important to look beyond the numbers to find the right fit.

Facilities: Where the nursing school is located and the level of technology available to them are important factors. After all, going to a school affiliated with a major research hospital or that has the latest in computer programs is going to give you a competitive advantage. However, the way these are ranked might have more to do with the amount of research money the nursing school has at its disposal rather than a focused look on how that money is spent.

Faculty: The rankings for faculty typically have less to do with the quality of the teachers and more to do with their credentials. The number of Ph.D’s on staff or the cumulative amount of research they’ve contributed to the field might count more than how much time the teachers have available for office hours or how willing they are to provide one-on-one assistance. You may want to find a nursing school that has the kind of faculty you will learn from best.

Student-Teacher Ratio: Class size is an important factor, and in almost all cases, the lower the number of students in class, the better your chances for success. However, small classes can be found in many different nursing schools, some of which aren’t part of the regular lineup of top-ranked nursing schools.

Average GPA: In theory, the higher the average GPA, the better the nursing program, right? After all, students who are succeeding in their programs are probably learning more, learning faster, and looking forward to a brighter future. Beware, though, of programs that simply don’t grade on a very difficult scale. It’s easy to give everyone a 4.0 to boost ratings; it doesn’t necessarily mean all the students earned it.

Employer Feedback: Employer feedback is a bit tricky when it comes to selecting a nursing school. On the one hand, of course you want to attend a program that employers recognize and value; it will boost your chances of post-graduation employment. On the other hand, you have to ask yourself if employers hire nurses from the program because they are the best, or because they have an affiliation with the school. A little research and a few questions should set the record straight.

Student Feedback: Student feedback is a great way to find a good nursing school, regardless of rankings. There is perhaps no better way of determining if the program is a good one than talking to present and past students.

Although these are the factors that nursing school rankings are based on, there are additional considerations. These include things like accreditation, program length, graduation rate, cost, and location. Be sure and look at all the factors before you make a decision—even if the nursing school always hits the top five list.

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How to Apply for Nursing School

How to Set Up a Nursing School Visit

Published

on April 4, 2011

. 0 Comments

i_student_1 One of the best pieces of advice for potential nursing students is to visit the schools you’re interested in to determine if they’re the right choice for you. Once you have narrowed down your nursing school options to two or three of your favorites, it’s time to set up the campus visits.

Depending on where you live, this could be an easy task or a fairly large undertaking. After all, if you’re looking at a school halfway across the country, there will be a big time and money investment in looking at the nursing school first-hand. However, since you might be moving your entire life that direction, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re 100 percent on board with the plan.

Visiting local schools is just as important. The only way to know for sure if the nursing school is right for you is to take a look—both formally and informally—at the program.

Formal Tours

Almost all schools, whether they are four-year universities or private nursing schools with an annual enrollment of just a few hundred students, provide a formal look at the program you are considering. These guided tours take a group of potential students through the campus and into the facilities to learn all about the school and what it has to offer. From taking a peek at the lab equipment to checking out the dorm rooms and dining facilities, these tours are intended to show you what life at that school is all about.

During these formal tours, you typically have a chance to ask all the questions you have about the general school setting. Things like student life, study halls, local amenities, and even the city as a whole are openly discussed, and you may have the chance to talk with other students, faculty members, and administrative staff. You might also be able to set up a classroom visit at this time, in which you sit in on a class to see if the lecture or hands-on format is right for you.

These tours are almost always set up through the admissions office, and you may need to book as early as a month in advance. If timed correctly, you could join a group of other potential students and parents as they all ask the same questions and make this important decision.

Informal Tours

You don’t always have to make a formal appointment to see the nursing school you’ve been considering. Many schools offer an “open campus” type of policy, and you are free to visit the facilities whenever you want. While you probably won’t be able to sit in on a class or have one-on-one talks with professors during this time, you can get a feel for the overall atmosphere of the place.

This can be a great compliment to a formal visit. Because guided tours are created with the intention of boosting enrollment, stepping away to draw your own conclusions can be a great way to build a more accurate picture.

Choosing the Right Nursing School

There are hundreds of nursing schools in the United States, and all of them have both pros and cons. By taking the time to make the right decision and looking carefully at all aspects of the program, you will be better equipped to make changes in your life and see your education through to the end—and be that much closer to a great new nursing career!

Related Topics:

Top Ranked Nursing Schools in the United States

Find a Nursing School to Tour in Your City

Nursing School Courses: What is Bioethics?

Published

on March 23, 2011

Modern Day Ethics Issues in Nursing

. 0 Comments

i_nurses_3 As you go through your two (or four) years of nursing school, you’ll most likely find a bioethics or medical ethics class on your course list. Rapidly becoming a requirement for both nursing schools and students alike, this is the time in which you’ll learn about the rights and responsibilities of being a nurse as it relates to general human morality.

What is the Difference Between Bioethics and Medical Ethics?

In the medical community, bioethics is the study of how biological research (and the applications of that research) has an impact on human beings. This field asks questions like:

When is it acceptable to use human test subjects in a medical study?
How much culpability do medical professionals have on the outcome of a patient’s treatment?
Are procedures like in-vitro fertilization and gene studies hurting or helping our society?

The list can go on, but the overall takeaway is this: where does the line between research and human rights lie?

Medical ethics, on the other hand, has more to do with how medical professionals treat each patient who crosses their path. Moral issues like racial and sexual equality in care giving, human rights in end-of-life care, and personal freedoms in a nursing home setting all play a role.

Which Course Will I Take in Nursing School?

Depending on your nursing school and the program you’re in, you may take one or both of these courses (and some schools will combine them into one). And the reasons why these courses are required make sense: nursing is an inherently compassionate field.

Although there is a strong scientific component to everything you do, the nurse is essentially the bridge between the doctors and the families. This means that in addition to providing care and dispensing medicine, you are an advocate for fair treatment and, oftentimes, the person closest to the patient and his or her family in the medical community.

This training is also required in order for you to be licensed and insured as a nursing professional. Almost all nurses have some sort of malpractice insurance (either independently or through your employer) to protect against lawsuits. Having an ethics course means that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a member of the health care team, and you will be better equipped to deal with situations in which morality comes into play.

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