One of the most common questions I get is how to find an online nursing program. If you already have your LPN/LVN or RN and are looking for a BSN or MSN program, there is a comprehensive list (and links) available from our sponsor, eLearners.com (see their ad at the top of the right hand column). However, for those of you who have no nursing education, an online program is NOT an option. Why? Well you simply cannot learn how to become a nurse without hands-on clinical experiences and that you cannot get from the Internet. All students have an option to take some of the general education courses such…
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Some Must Read Blog Posts for Nurses
Mother Jones RN over at Nurse Ratched’s Place has a very interesting blog post for this episode of Change of Shift. Check out those uniforms and nursing caps from some “old school nurses” as she relates our nursing predecessors to the challenges we face today as nurses. It’s a great blog post!! Be sure to read the linked blogs as well. Many thanks to Jana at Reality RN for asking me to guest blog!! (Staying When All You Want to Do is Quit.) I hope it’s a timely piece for those of you just entering the profession. It’s going to to take you about a year to get comfortable in…
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Attention New High School Seniors
School may be out and all you can think about is hitting the beach, but if you’re a high school student who is thinking about a career in nursing, there are some things you should be thinking about while you’re enjoying the summer sun. Most nursing programs have waiting lists. Did you know that? Well you do now. There are some that don’t but they may not be nearby or where you have always dreamed of going to college. So you’re going to have to do some investigating and serious thinking about your plans. You might have to go somewhere else or you may have to plan on an extra…
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Preparing for the NCLEX
Now that school is over and graduation is or will soon be behind you, it’s time think about that dreaded NCLEX! Many recent grads report phenomena such as waking suddenly from a sound sleep with a panic that they have forgotten everything they learned in nursing school. BREATHE!!!!! It’s all still there. You have graduated. Therefore you must have passed. Calm down and relax, you will pass your NCLEX too!!! Many programs have students taking practice NCLEX exams all throughout the program to prepare students and ensure a high passing rate. How did you do on these? Take moment to regroup and figure out a plan. You just need to…
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Safe Staffing Poll Results
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has compiled the results form it’s Safe Staffing Saves Lives survey. The results are unfortunately not surprising ad nurses are encouraged to continue to contact their legislators to support the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007. Over 10,000 nurses took part in the Safe Staffing survey. Here are just a few of the results: 73% of responders report that they believe that staffing is not sufficient on their shift or in their unit. 59.8% say they know someone who has left nursing because of fears about safe staffing. 48.2% said they would not be confidnet about having a loved one care for at their…