The shortage of nurses will not diminish due to the current recession. In fact, career opportunities for nurses will continue to rise. For many who have been laid off or face layoffs in the near future, the prospect of becoming nurses is offering hope in an otherwise dismal economic future. This offers a shred of hope to the nursing workforce which is being challenged by growing shortages. Obstacles remain unchanged however. Nursing programs in most areas of the country are still impacted and long waiting lists will become longer. This does not have to be a barrier to hope for those looking for future stable employment opportunities nor to the…
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Eldercare – An Area of Need
A guest post by Kelly Kilpatrick As the economy tightens up, jobs in the nursing profession are becoming more and more sought after. One nursing specialty that continues to grow as the years pass, however, is geriatric nursing. Also referred to as eldercare, geriatric nursing refers to the care of elderly people who need assistance in a variety of ways. A Growing FieldThe United States’ population grew exponentially from the 1940’s to the 1960’s; this generation, known as the Baby Boomer generation, is now starting to age and many people that fall into this age group are in need of care. Naturally, as the years progress, more and more people…
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Having a Boring Student Rotation?
So you’re bored with your Post Partum rotation. Well let this be your first lesson that nursing is not about YOU; it’s about the patients and the excellent level of care you are giving them! This rotation may not give you the adrenalin surge that you get in the ER or the ICU, but these patients are just as important. They need your help, understanding, education and caring. So rise to the occasion and meet this challenge. Not every patient will present you with a specific set of tasks or procedures to perform. You need to figure out what kind of care they need. If nothing else… where are their…
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What If Nursing Isn’t For Me???
If we are to be honest about the nursing profession, it is not for everyone. There are times when nursing students realize that nursing is just not for them. Nursing is one of the most demanding professions both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately many times nurses burnout and in order to maintain their own sanity, they leave nursing. But what do you do with all of that education? And how do you compete in the job market today? There are many alternatives in the allied health science field to consider. In a job market much different than in years past, new graduates are fighting to find employment at all, let alone…
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Research Online Programs Carefully
When looking for an online nursing education program you need to do some research. Of course it needs to be an accredited program. There are several accrediting agencies such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Some online programs require on-campus attendance as well as completing online courses. Others have cooperative agreements with clinical facilities and preceptors for you to complete clinical components. Others allow you to find your own qualified preceptor who is then approved by the school to supervise your clinical practicum. Other considerations include whether you can take a…