How Technology Factors Into Nursing

The medical field, like nearly every other professional discipline today, is being continuously affected and enhanced by the development of new technology. Technology is making the study and practice of medicine easier, faster, more accurate and more relevant for medical professionals, their patients and loved ones.

Whether a medical student is enrolled in a traditional brick-and-mortar institution or is jumping on the technological bandwagon right from the start by enrolling in an online masters degree in education with an eye towards a career in medicine, technology is involved of every step of the process today for becoming a medical professional. Continue Reading

Grants Given to Nine States for Building a Better Educated Nursing Workforce

For future nurses in certain states, more money is coming to improve the quality of their educations and better prepare them for nursing careers.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently announced nine states that have been chosen to receive two-year, $300,000 grants through its new program, Academic Progression in Nursing (APIN). APIN will advance state and regional strategies aimed at creating a more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce. It is run by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) on behalf of the Tri-Council for Nursing, consisting of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing, American Nurses Association, and AONE, which is leading the $4.3 million, Phase I two-year initiative.  RWJF will support an additional two years of work at the close of Phase I, to help states that have met or exceeded their benchmarks continue to make progress. Continue Reading

Nursing Resume Tips – How to Write a Nursing Resume

The healthcare industry is booming right now and it’s expected to grow exponentially over the next few decades.  According to government sources, healthcare spending in the U.S. is projected to grow to $4.1 trillion within the next six years and will account for over 20% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  A fortunate side-effect of this projection is that the medical industry will also create over $3 million new jobs by 2020, so it’s certainly a good time to consider a career as a nurse, medical assistant, or other healthcare professional. Continue Reading

How Nursing Has Changed Through the Years

Ever since the dawn of modern medical care, nurses have played an important role. In fact, the ever-increasing demand for nurses indicates that their role is more important, now than ever. And as nurses have increased in importance, their role has changed considerably. From minor considerations like their appearance, to major changes like evolving technology, nursing has made some prominent strides in the past 50 years.

Uniform Changes

These days, the only time you’ll see a nurse in a starched white uniform with white stockings and a cap is on Halloween, when kids come trick-or-treating. Nurse uniforms and dress codes have changed considerably since the 1960s and earlier, when nurses were expected to wear dresses, caps and capes – and absolutely no jewelry or cosmetics. Today’s nurses wear more functional scrubs and most healthcare facilities have relaxed the rules about cosmetics and jewelry. Continue Reading

Five Versatile Degrees Worth Pursuing

Are you college bound, but stuck without a major?

Choosing a college degree path is just one of the many decisions students will have to make in the next couple of months.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 36% of workers with college degrees said they wish they had chose a different major in college. That said, choosing the right major can make a world of difference.

Take a look at five versatile degrees you might be interested in from the following infographic.

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How Mentoring Can Influence the Nursing Profession

If you are an entry level nurse, it might be wise to find someone who can help guide your career: a mentor.  Who knows, by learning from a more experienced nurse, one day you could become a mentor and impact another person entering the field.

There is a saying in the nursing profession that “nurses eat their young” – referring to a certain way veteran nurses are said to treat colleagues (and sometimes, new nursing graduates). Often called horizontal bullying, it can take many forms: verbal insults, a condescending attitude, unwarranted criticism, gossiping or spreading rumors or withholding information in a way that sets someone up to fail.

This kind of bullying occurs in all professions and industries, but it’s especially troubling when it occurs among nurses.

A nurse is someone who has devoted his or her life to caring for other people’s physical, mental, social, spiritual and emotional health. Nurses not only take care of their patients, but also take care of their co-workers.

“Nursing is like a club and all nurses want to be recognized as being an accepted member,” says Joy Green-Hadden, DNP, APRN, assistant dean for graduate studies at American Sentinel University. “When a nurse is bullied, one may wonder why they spent all those years studying and question whether it is time to get out of nursing, even at a time when we are facing a nursing shortage. Continue Reading

Need More Nursing Knowledge? Go Back to School

If you are a nurse who wants to continue with your education and potentially create more opportunities for yourself, then going back to school is a good idea.

Pop quizzes, heavy books and all-nighters – for nurses who want to return to school and get advanced degrees, the glories of the old college days have been replaced by a new online adult learning model. In fact, for nurses who are thinking of going back to school, earning a degree today is much less intimidating and a lot more flexible than most think. Continue Reading

What Makes Your Nursing Resume Stand Out From the Pack?

If you’re just getting your start in nursing or are a seasoned professional looking to switch jobs for the first time in years, the idea of facing competition in your job search can be quite intimidating. Fortunately, you can use your resume as a leveraging tool to give you the advantage you need.

Nurses are undoubtedly highly sought after and valued for their expertise within the health care industry, but this doesn’t mean the field isn’t competitive. What will you need to do to ensure your resume stands out from the pack? Continue Reading