Aesthetic Nurse Training

Aesthetic nurse training focuses on cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery. These nurses assist plastic surgeons and dermatologists in performing minor procedures.

These include:

–        Injections of botlinum toxin and dermal fillers, like Botox, Restylane, or collagen.

–        Chemical skin peels.

–        Microdermabrasion.

–        Laser skin treatments, like hair removal and facial resurfacing.

–        Face lifts.

–        Fat grafting.

–        Sclerotherapy.

In addition, they also assist with other duties, like:

–        Assessing patients for signs of aging.

–        Providing post-operative care and instructions.

–        Filling out patient charts and records.

–        Maintaining OSHA and HIPAA compliance.

Aesthetic nurses are expected to perform all of the duties of regular nurses when it comes to patient interaction and care, in addition to having extensive knowledge of laser safety, concentrated acids, and plastic surgery patient aftercare.

Some aesthetic nurses will end up in operating rooms, assisting with fat grafts and implants. Others may end up in a small office, assisting with laser procedures. The sheer number of different dermatological and cosmetic procedures out there means that cosmetic nurses need to be well-rounded.

Aesthetic Nurse Training – What it Takes

Aesthetic nurses are, above all, nurses. They are held to a scope of practice just like other nurses are, and are governed by their state’s Board of Nursing. As a result, training requirements for aesthetic nurses can vary from state to state. In most states, aesthetic nurses are required to be registered nurses or advanced practice registered nurses before they are allowed to handle laser procedures, injections, or chemical peels. In other states, some of the duties of an aesthetic nurse can be handled by an aesthetician, a skin care specialist with absolutely no nursing training. In still other states, only a physician may perform procedures like dermal filler injections or deep sclerotherapy.

In general, after becoming an RN or APRN, nurses who choose to become aesthetic professionals can enroll in special aesthetic nurse training programs. These are designed to teach nurses the specifics of laser physics and safety, chemical peels, and injectables like collagen. Some aesthetic nurses are able to obtain hands-on instruction from doctors in the field, but many states are in the process of revising their educational and certification requirements for aesthetic nurses, including insisting on formal education programs. Because state regulations can vary so much, it’s best that you contact your state’s Board of Nursing in order to get an accurate overview of educational, examination, and certification requirements for asethetic nurses in your area.

Aesthetic Nurse Salaries

Aesthetic nurses can make anywhere from $12 to over $40 an hour, depending on their level of education, the kind of services and products they are certified to use, and the practice they work for. Nurses who provide support to plastic surgeons in busy, urban areas generally command the highest salaries, while those working for dermatologists or spas in quiet, small towns generally end up on the lower end of the spectrum. Similarly, nurses in states that allow aestheticians to handle some of their scope of practice generally earn less than nurses in states that require aesthetic nurses to be RNs or APRNs.

Why You Should Become an Aesthetic Nurse

The field of aesthetic nursing provides a lot of unique opportunities for nurses. There aren’t really any other medical fields where nurses will be able to handle things like powerful lasers and potent skin peels, or where they can help people feel beautiful. If you enjoy nursing, but would like to enter a field that poses a different kind of challenge than being a hospital staff nurse does, then asethetic nurse training may be able to help you.

Some advanced practice nurses end up becoming entrepreneurs, opening up their own spas and offices. If you want to remain a nurse, and turn your medical education into a business opportunity, then aesthetic nursing might be the perfect field for you.

Aesthetic nurse training is about more than helping rich people look younger- it’s also about helping people with scars and other disfigurements recapture their lost self-esteem. As a nurse, you can help people feel better. As an aesthetic nurse, you’ll be able to help people look as good as they feel.

Online Nursing Continuing Education

Whether your goal is to get contact hours for the renewal of your registered Nurse (RN) license, or you just want to keep abreast with new developments in the nursing field, continuing education is the way. A CEU is a continuing education unit and these units can be used to meet the requirements of nurses who need to refresh their nursing skills after long periods of inactivity.

With the medical field gaining a lot of momentum in terms of ethics, practice, technology, it would be challenging if nurses were not updated on each and every new development. Continuing education ensures the board of nursing that the current nurses are able to deal with diverse cases of health needs

What to Look for in Online Nursing CE Courses

While enrolling for contact hours is an assurance of your ability to renew your license, you must ensure the provision of your contact hours is approved to offer nursing continuing education. It would be very sad to have rest assured that you have met your state’s requirement for contact hours, only to realize the CEUs you took are not recognized.

To be on the safe side with online CEUs, RN and other nursing personnel like Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) nurses must ensure that the institution or agency is accredited to do so. The American Nurses Credentialing Centre is the accrediting body for all CEU providers.

Options for Nurses Taking Online Nursing CEUs

The best option depends on what the nurse intends to do with the CEU. As mentioned earlier, if the CE courses are for license renewal contact hours, nurses must find accredited agents. If on the other hand the CEUs are meant to broaden your general nursing skills, it is not very necessary to look for expensive CEs. However, the certificate option is always recommended but not mandatory for such RNs.

In terms of payment, nurses should do a lot of research on the best fees from accredited agencies. Some agencies offer options for nurses to subscribe annually. During the active subscription period, the nurse may take an unlimited number of continuing education tests.

Other agencies offer a set of CEUs for a given price while others still, charge the nurses per Unit test taken. As a usual observation, it is economical to subscribe for the annual fee. However, this also depends on the number of CEUs to take for that particular period. If taking the necessary CEUs costs less than the subscription, it makes economic sense to pay per unit.

Advantages of Online CE Course over On-site Courses

• As usual, taking courses online is the best option for the busy nurse who, as matter of fact, cannot spare time to attend annual conferences or workshops. Online continuing education allows the nurse to take the courses at their convenience and pace.
• For most online CEs providers, certificates are available as soon as the nurse finishes the test and attains the pass mark. This means that CE certificates can be printed instantly after passing an online test. This is of great advantage if CE was a requirement towards getting a new job.
• Economically, online nursing CEs are cheaper when compared to physical attendance courses. You do not have to leave home or the workplace with a bundle of amenities to use at the conference center. It will also save you from incurring extra travel or boarding expenses.
• It is also possible to get free continuing education courses as a bonus for your subscription or other purchases of CEs. Most online agencies offer once-in-a-while free courses, hence an added advantage to the nurse.

Beware of Fraudulent Online Continuing Education Agencies

As a nurse, it is your sole responsibility to ensure you get the value of your money. It is advisable that nurses ensure the payment methods for online CEUs are transparent, secure, and safe. By this means, you should never use your credit card information for non-trustworthy sites. It is your responsibility to verify that the billing is only done once with no hidden or future billing.

If the case you do not get satisfied with the courses, the online agency must be in a position to refund back your fee as long as they have provided for that on their terms and conditions page.

Nurse Practitioner Pharmacology Continuing Education

Nurse practitioners have higher responsibilities in the health care ranks. This includes senior mandates like those of carrying out diagnosis and giving prescriptions to patients. To be competent in their areas of practice, they must keep abreast with changing trends and developments in the areas of pharmaceutical drug treatments and other medications.

Usually with time, some drugs are banned out of the market while other times, novel drugs with better efficacy are introduced in the market. It is the responsibility of nurse’s practitioners to learn all the new pharmacological trends prevailing in the market. This updates are now easily available through pursuing nurse’s practitioner pharmacology continuing education courses.

Aspects of Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of what happens to drugs when they get into the body. It includes the study of absorption of drugs, their metabolism and ultimate excretion from the body. Pharmacology also includes the study of how ingested drugs are distributed in the body and how they function in elimination of diseases. It also tries to expound on how drugs are delivered to the target organs or systems in the body.

Samples of Pharmacology Continuing Education Courses for Nurse Practitioners

There are numerous pharmacology CEs available for various disease classes or sub groups of patients. Nurse Practitioners should therefore look for CEs that suit their current practice and what specialty of nursing they handle. Below are the most essential pharmacology continuing education units from the various pharmacological approaches:

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics CEUs

i)        Drug Administration , Absorption and distribution

This pharmacology CE unit covers the areas of how drugs are administered and the various routes they should be administrated through. These include drug admin routes like IV, ID, IM or oral admin. It also includes training on specific drug absorption and their ultimate bioavailability in the blood system. In bioavailability, NPs are informed of how much of the drugs reaches the blood system and how long it stays there. The course also includes studies on drug elimination/excretion routes and toxicity of remnant residues.

ii)      Drug Metabolism CE

In drug metabolism, nurse practitioners are informed of what happens to the drug after it is absorbed in the body. It covers deep study of drugs kinetics and what aspects of the body are affected after drugs ingestion. Kinetics involves effects of drugs to functionality and production of enzymes, hormones, body fluids and other biological pathways.

 Respiratory System Drugs

This category of pharmacology CE targets nurse practitioners who deal with respiratory disorders patients like chronic asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis, coughs, TB among others. The course aims at teaching the NP on how their patients should manage their chronic respiratory conditions.  Knowledge is given on what conditions the patient should avoid to keep away acute attacks. Intervention measures like use of inhalers and lung unblockers are also taught.

Insulin and Diabetes Mellitus Pharmacology CEUs

They cover major aspects of diabetes treatment measures using insulin. NPs who deal with geriatric patients and other susceptible groups are the more suitable for this CE course. New developments on both type I and ii diabetes are taught.

Proteins Synthesis Inhibitors/ Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the most widely used of all drugs classes. NPs from all nursing specialties must therefore learn the use of all antibiotics and any new changes.  Antibiotics function by blocking protein synthesis of many microbial organisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Apparently, there is an increased observation of antibiotic resistance among patients. This leads to many antibiotics being banned from use after resistance is noticed. NPs must be kept abreast with all new antibiotics recommend for various drugs and those whose use have been banned.

Hormone Replacement Therapies

Hormones are the sole regulators of body functions and systems. Hormone study is therefore vital in helping NPs decide the type of therapy most suitable for patients. Specific areas covered include hormone replacement or down regulation therapies,

Toxicology Studies

Toxicology is taught to NPs so that they can assess the effect of drugs after use by patients. The study aims at informing the nurse practitioner on what interventions should be done in case of drug overdose, poisoning, under dose or timely accumulation of drugs in the body system.

Other vital pharmacology continuing education units recommend for nurse practitioners include:

• Top Nurse Specialty prescriptions
• Prescribing controlled substances
• Drug-Receptors Interactions
• Adrenergic agonist drugs
• Antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial drugs mechanisms
• Antidiuretic and diuretics
• Cholinergic drugs mechanisms
• Anxiolytics and Hypnotics Drugs
• Anti-arrhythmic drugs
• Gastrointestinal and antiemetic drugs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs –NSAIDS,SAIDS and anti-rheumatics
• Antidepressants

Certified Nurse Assistant Training Programs

What do Certified Nurse Assistant Training Programs Encompass?
A certified nurse assistant, also referred to as a CNA is a health professional who has received training on providing daily care to patients. They are health care assistants who work under the supervision of senior medical personnel like doctors, specialist nurses and RNs to help patients with routine living chores while in hospital. For clarity, some states use terms like Nurse Aide, Personal Care Technician, Orderly to refer to the Assistant Nurse.

Since certified nurse assistants spend relatively more time with patients than any other medical staff, they are relied upon by doctors and RNs to report on patients’ proceedings and response to treatment. They provide key information on patients’ trends by submitting vital signs regarding the patients to senior medical staff.

What is the Eligibility for Admission into Certified Nurse Assistant Training programs?

Becoming a CNA is quite simple because the requirements are not exaggerated. You will need a high school diploma and you will have an easy time if you were good in sciences. Some training schools may also ask for a GED instead of a high school diploma.

It is also quite common for some states to ask for a clean criminal and drug abuse record. If there are state-specific requirements to enroll for assistant nurse training programs, they can be provided by your states Nurse Aide Registry.

The Curriculum of CNA Trainees

The curriculum of CNAs is not quite a hassle and it is easy to learn the concepts. Generally, student nurses are trained on how to feed, groom and maintain the hygiene of their patients. Since CNAs have more contact with the patients, they must be trained to create good rapports with their patients.  Just like any other medical profession, you must learn a bit of anatomy and physiology.

Other code of ethics of the healthcare are also taught which include patient privacy, medical law, displaying patient dignity and being respectful.

In addition to the theory part, there are practical lessons where the student has to meet the real patients. This is meant to access your ability to carry out your nurse- aide roles under the supervision of a RN.

Training duration for CNA Programs

Although this may as well differ among states, the average time required to complete a nurse assistant training program is six months with some programs running for as short  as two weeks or as long as nine months.

Like other minor nursing careers, CNAs can get their training in community colleges, vocational schools and hospital settings. Some hospitals are also willing to offer free training to aspiring assistant nurses and even paying for their certification. Other non-governmental organizations like the American Red cross may also train Assistant nurses who wish to work as volunteers.

State Certification for Nurse Aides

It is good to distinguish at this point that assistant nurses is the term used to refer to nurse aides who have graduated or are practicing without certification. But they gain a new title upon certification to be known as Certified Nurses Assistants.

The state certification exam is a two-part test; a written multiple choice test and a practical skills test. The practical part assess your mastery on three to five nurse assisting skills like infection control, hygiene, nutrition, dignity towards patient, privacy, monitoring of vital signs among others.

Requesting for Certified Nurse Assistant Reciprocity

Ordinarily, CNAs cannot work in other states outside of which they have been certified. However if a CNA wishes to shift and work in another state, they must to request reciprocity; which means that you will be requesting the new state to accept you a certified Nurse assistant.

In this case, you will have to apply for enrollment by reciprocity from your states Nurse Aide Registry. A little explanation concerning your reasons for moving may be required and if it is validated, you will be allowed to work in the new state. This process can be done directly in the new state or by the assistance of your current state depending on urgency.

Careers with a Nursing Degree

Nursing, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics is the largest occupation in the health care profession.  It holds close to 3 million employees and the numbers are said to be rising with the retiring of many baby boomers and the constant need of nursing personnel for a growing and aging population.

According to the occupation outlook handbook, the nursing profession is projected to have the highest rate of increase in the number of employees in the future years. The major nursing employers with a nursing degree are hospitals. Hospitals hold over 60 percent of all nursing careers with the 40 percent being spread out among home based care centers, nursing care facilities, occupational health and offices of physicians.

The easiest way to categorize nursing careers is by the work setting/ environment, by population involved in the care or by the conditions the nurses handle. In either way, all nursing careers revolve around the hospitals, physicians’ offices, home care/ hospice or occupational nursing.

Nursing Careers in Public and Private Hospitals

Hospitals, both private and public have been shown to be the largest employers of graduates with a nursing degree. Hospitals have a wide of range of nursing needs that requires to be filed by different types of nurses.

Actually, everyone takes their nursing degree with the perspective of a hospital setting. Hospitals will employ nurses to fill the following departments:

• Pediatrics department

This is the hospital section that deals with health care of infants and children. Here, nurses work under the supervision of senior pediatric doctors. This career needs a lot of patience as kids are a delicate group of patients to deal with.

• Psychiatry department

A nursing career in the psychiatry department will involve taking care of mentally challenged patients. It will involve calming the patients, counseling to depressed patients and administering psychiatric medication.

• Emergency and theatre departments

This career line takes-in perioperative nurses, surgery nurses and nurse anesthetists. Their work involves taking care of critically ill patients; those undergoing surgery and those under intensive care units.

• Maternity and neonatal departments

Nurses who have nursing degrees in midwifery and neonatal care will most likely find employment in maternity departments. Their roles will be taking care of infants and helping mothers-to-be through labor, birthing and postpartum care. Certified nurse midwives are the best fit for this career line.

Nursing Careers in Home-Based Care Centers

The careers in this bracket include those that take care of the elderly, terminally/ chronically ill and physically or mentally challenged/disabled. Nurses here work as nutritional nurses, basic care providers and counselors. The common nursing degrees in use at these places include RNs having specialties in mental health, gerontology, palliative care and hospice nursing.

Careers in Occupational Nursing

These are nurses who are aligned to the care of special groups of persons who are at higher health risks because of the nature of their work. Occupational nurses work in chemical industries, manufacturing industries, mining companies etc.

Here, the specialties of nursing degrees needed include dermatologists, respiratory care nurses, nephrologists and cardiac nurses. They are specialized to take handle any complications arising among employees inherent from the work involved.

New Nursing Careers

Another emerging occupational nursing career is forensic nursing. Nurses who have taken forensics are finding employment opportunities in investigation police departments. They play an important role in biological sample collection, sampling, testing and analysis; which is important in providing evidence in crime scenes.

Legal nursing also opens great career opportunities for nurses who want to practice outside the normal nursing duties. Legal nurses play a vital role in litigation processes, as witnesses in trial and as interpreters of medical ethics and malpractices in cases involving medical evidence.

Nursing Jobs at Physician Offices

Nurses who work in physician offices have roles of general ambulatory care/ outpatient care, family health and family planning advisors. They work under the supervision of their employers: the physicians.

Community Nursing Employment Opportunities

These are nursing careers that revolve around marginalized groups and the rural settings. Such nursing jobs are available through NGOs and other charitable organizations. The work setting of community nurses involves going around places and offering mobile health care services to the targeted communities. Good providers of these nursing careers include the Red Cross, United Nations among others.

Salary Margins for Nursing Careers

The salary range of all nursing careers varies depending on state, level of education and years of experience in nursing practice. But the average nursing salaries falls between $35000 and $95000 for the lowest and highest paid nurses respectively.

Cardiac Nurse Specialist Education and Training

A cardiovascular nurse is a Registered nurse who tends to patients with heart related ailments.  They specifically take care and aid patients suffering from angina, heart diseases, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure.

They are also involved in patient education on preventable heart complications and heart attacks. Theses nurses are also trained to rehabilitate post- surgery heart patients and how they can change their lifestyle habits for better management of their conditions.

Although it may sound impressive, Cardiac Nurse Specialist education and training takes commitment and dedication. Only those with those ingredients can usually successfully qualify.

Minimum Requirements for Cardiovascular Nurse Education

Prior to taking a specialty, cardiac nurses are usually Registered nurses who have taken advancement in their education. To practice as a cardiac nurse specialist, you must have earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in cardiovascular nursing concepts.

RNs that already have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing usually have a direct entry to a MSN. Those RNs who only have an Associate of Science in nursing degree must consider upgrading their education levels to a BSN before enrolling for a specialist nurse training in cardiology.

Cardiac Nurse Specialist Courses

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in cardiology has a curriculum that covers topics inherent from cardiac nursing concepts. Like every nurse specialist, you will earn credentials to become an advanced practice RN. The key courses covered as part of the cardiovascular nurse specialist curriculum are:

• Cardiovascular diseases

Nurse trainees are made aware of the different types of cardiac ailments and their preferences to different subsets of patients e.g. the elderly, children and the middle aged.

• Cardiac abnormalities

Future cardiac nurses are taught how to monitor and give projections on the health of cardiac patients. They are trained to learn at what situation cardiac patients are more likely to develop complications.

• Differential diagnosis in cardiac care

Here, nurses are trained on how to accurately diagnose suspected cases of heart ailments. Correct diagnosis is the key to saving lives in cardiac nursing.

• Health risk assessment in cardiac care

Students must learn to predict what conditions puts cardiac patients at higher risks of developing new cases heart attacks. Students are equipped with skills of advising patients to avoid health risks that would make their conditions acute.

• Family education on lifestyle changes

Many cardiac complications like atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure are inherent from lifestyle eating habits and poor nutrition. Students are therefore trained on public health education that would help patients and their families reduce chances of developing heart complications. Good nutrition devoid of bad saturated fatty acids and excessive cholesterol helps mitigate atherosclerosis; a big contributor to congestive heart failure

• Postoperative cardiac patient care

Post-operative rehabilitation is important in the healing process of cardiac patients. Students must learn methods of calming cardiac patients to prevent further shock and heart attack. They are taught patient psychology and how to counsel patients

• Monitoring of vascular readings

Many heart patients are kept under critical care; where respiration is supported by medical equipment. As such, cardiac nurses must learn to monitor vital signs like heartbeat and reading heart supportive machines. Any deviation from the norm should be reported to the doctors in charge

• Critical care and resuscitation techniques

Cardiac patients are prone to acute heart failure and heart attacks. This is a very critical situation and the student nurse must be in the position to give the breath of life when possible. Resuscitation techniques and heart shock-up are therefore key elements of cardiac nurse training

• Clinical practicum

This is part and parcel of every nursing degree program and cardiac nurses are no exception. Most states require a minimum of 600 hours of direct patient-student interaction. However, this requirement differs among any given states.

Duration of Study for Cardiovascular Nurse Specialists

Just like any other specialist nurses, cardiac nurse specialists take a minimum of two years of graduate studies but duration may also differ depending on the training program chosen. Full time programs take less time as compared to part time study programs

The Certification of Cardiac nurses

Cardiac nurse graduates must sit and pass the cardiac nursing specialist exam. This exam is facilitated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center upon which, successful nurses are obtain a license to practice. This license however, must be renewed every five years or according to your states guidelines.

Accredited Online Nursing Degree Programs

The nursing field, like many other professions, have taken the huge step of technological advancement to enable nursing students earn degrees right from their homes or in their offices.  It is easier than ever before to enroll for distance learning in various nursing degree programs without ever appearing in a physical classroom.

However, you must be able to separate the wheat from the chaff by looking for accredited online nursing degree programs from accredited online nursing schools.

While almost all nursing degree programs may be completed online, there is an observed increase in the number of students who take given nursing degrees online while the preference is low on other degrees. Below are nursing degrees that can be completed online:

Licensed Practice Nurse Programs

These are not entirely at degree level- but are nursing accreditations that allow one to practice in the medical field. They are usually offered by community colleges, vocational centers and middle level colleges. Almost any nursing school is able to offer accredited online LPN programs. It is one of the most common online nursing programs because it involves a shorter course curriculum and practical sessions as compared to longer nursing degrees.

Students can take theory classes online and get affiliated with the institutions’ hospital of choice to enable them take clinical practical classes at an accessible location.

Associate of Science in Nursing Degree

The common trend to earn an ASN degree online is via the LPN to RN programs. Many online nursing schools record huge enrollment for this degree mode probably because of the duration of study. Students who take this degree program online are usually in the interest of having to complete a nursing degree fast to get into employment.

The online degree program in ASN can take as short as 18 months to complete as compared to traditional physical classes that go for about two years. Just like the case of LPNs, students can arrange practical assessment at a nearby clinical setting so as to complete the requirements to graduate.

Certified Nurse Assistant

Similarly, this is a short nursing program that has high preferences of online study mode. Students who enroll for this online nursing program are usually immediate graduates who want some vocational training in the medical field and would want to have nursing as their major career line. Community colleges, NGOs and vocational centers are popular in offering this nursing program.

Online Paramedic to RN programs

This is for emergency medical technicians who wish to become registered nurses. Students who are already paramedics receive exemption in some credits and therefore take a shorter time to complete their nurse training.

Overall, the shorter nurse training programs have great preference of online study modes as compared to BSN, MSN or Doctor of Nursing. The shift in preference can be explained by the work-load involved or maybe the hours needed for practical clinical rounds. For BSN or MSN who have to take over 200hours of practical sessions, it would prove difficult to have an online study mode.

However, this does not mean there are no online nursing degrees for BSN, MSN or Doctorates: quite a number of online nursing schools offer these options for students to choose from.

Be on the Look-out; Do Not Fall Prey for Unaccredited Online Nursing Degree Programs

Time and resources are precious investments and should, at no cost be sacrificed with anything. This is a principle that should be well applied by any student who wishes to enroll for an online nursing degree program. It would be beyond contemplation to pay fat fees checks and invest three years or more; in the name of studying, only to realize you are equal to someone who have never entered a nursing class. This is the embarrassment of enrolling for unaccredited online nursing degree program.

Ensure Accreditation for Online Nursing Degrees

Before enrolling with any self-proclaimed online nursing school, check that their online nursing degrees are accredited to ensure you have nothing to lose but only a valid-recognizable certificate at the end of the study program.

You must therefore, ensure the online degree program and the school you enroll with is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Universities in Texas with Nursing Programs

Texans who want to go in to nursing should know that the schools that offer the programs in Texas must be approved by the state board of nursing in order for the nurses to be able to take the certification exam and practice nursing in the state.

Some of the top schools in the state for nursing degrees are described below to help you choose the one that is right for you.

Due to the location of Texas and the number of non-English speaking residents, many schools offer course in Spanish and some may even have foreign language requirements that you should find out about before you apply.

Texas Schools for Nursing Degrees

Texas offers many opportunities for students who wish to go into nursing, including those listed below:

• The University Of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: This nursing school is ranked among the top 5% of nursing schools in the U.S. for graduate programs and is 19^th out of 395 masters programs. The UTHealth School of Nursing is part of a large, academic health center that is made up of six schools, a psychiatric hospital and two major health institutes. UTHealth was the first school in Texas to offer the DNP degree and an accelerated BSN program. The school is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston TX. This location gives you the opportunity to be part of a cutting edge medical facility with excellent clinical opportunities and simulation labs. The school offers programs for undergraduate students as well as graduate students and doctoral students. Other University of Texas campus locations with nursing programs include: University of Texas – Arlington, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Brownsville, University of Texas San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

• Texas A&M Health Science Center: Currently this nursing program offers three programs for the BS degree; however, the school will offer graduate and post graduate programs in the future. Graduates from the Texas A&M program currently rank first in the state for scores on the NCLEX-RN exam. Students experience excellence in teaching innovations such as the emergency preparation and disaster planning and preparedness that have recently been added. The school is located in Bryan, Texas on the A&M campus.  Texas A&M also has programs at Round Rock, Laredo, Corpus Christi and Bryan.
• Baylor University School of Nursing: The Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University offers BS, MS and Doctoral programs in nursing in Dallas, Texas. Students learn nursing and advanced nursing at a college that has a century old history of graduating some of the top nurses in the state. Baylor is a faith-based university that offers students an education that meets not only their educational needs but also their spiritual needs. Clinical studies are conducted at the Baylor University Medical Center and other medical facilities located throughout the Dallas Fort-Worth area. The nursing program is completed in four years, which includes the time needed for the pre-requisite classes. The school offers some classes through distance learning to allow some flexibility for students. Students are encourage to enter the program full time and if necessary switch to part time rather than vice versa due to the difficulty in transitioning from part time to full time.

These are two of the larger nursing programs in the state. Other universities and schools with nursing programs include:

• Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing in Abilene
• Lamar University College of University – Beaumont
• Tarleton State University – Stephenville
• Stephen F. Austin State University – Nacogdoches
• Southwestern Adventist University Program – Keene
• Texas Women’s University Nursing Program at Denton, Dallas and Houston
• Houston Baptist University – Houston
• Midwestern State University- Wichita Falls

As shown here, there are many different Universities in Texas with nursing programs that you can choose when looking for a school to get your education started. Some of the larger schools, like Texas A&M and the University of Texas offer many different campus options to choose from which gives you many more opportunities and a lot more flexibility should you decide to relocate in the state. You can find a quality education and become a vital part of the nursing force in Texas with a little research and investigation into your choices.

Universities in California with Nursing Programs

If you live in California and want to pursue a nursing career, it is important that you choose nursing schools that are accredited by the State Board of Registered Nursing so that you will be able to become certified and practice in the state.

There are many accredited schools in the state that you can choose from, including those detailed below.

California Nursing Programs

California State University: This California University is one of the best in the state. Student’s can graduate in as little as 3 years. The school has a waiting list due to it being one of the best available. This long waiting list makes it very important that prospective students have high scores on the TEAS test in order to be considered and be granted an interview with the teaching staff that will ultimately be a determining factor in admissions. 18 of the 23 campuses offer BS programs in nursing and 12 offer MS programs in nursing which gives California residents many locations to choose from in order to get a nursing degree.

UCLA School of Nursing: The UCLA School of Nursing offers programs that start at the BS level and go through PhD level and Post Master Certificates. The school is located in Los Angeles and was founded in 1919. ­­ Students can complete their clinical work as several facilities including the UCLA medical center, the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and more than 200 other medical facilities across the state. Fees range from $7000 per year for undergraduate students who live in the state to $25,000 per year for out-of-state students. Financial aid is typically the form of payment and the school’s financial aid office will help student’s find the aid that is available. The UCLA School of Nursing also offers a Pre-Licensure Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse program for people who hold a degree in a non-nursing field and wish to transition to nursing.

Samuel Merritt University: This fully accredited health university’s school of nursing has been educating nurses for over 100 years. The school is a private university located in Oakland, California that offers the following nursing programs:

• Entry Level Master of Science Nursing with a focus on either Case Management or Family Nurse Practitioner;
• Post Professional Master of Science in Nursing  in Case Management, Certified Nurse Anesthetist, or Family Nurse Practitioner;
• Doctor of Nursing Practice;
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Samuel Merritt is recognized as one of California’s largest graduators of registered nurses in the state. The school is known for its small class size which allows for more personalized instruction.

San Diego State University School of Nursing: San Diego State University School of Nursing is an accredited nursing school that offers students in the nursing program an excellent education with degrees in all levels of education. The school has a media lab, a fundamental skills lab with ten beds, assessment labs that simulate real world experience and the Sharp Healthcare Human Patient Simulator that allows students to simulate real life experiences without endangering real lives. Clinical rotations are located throughout the San Diego area.

San Jose State University School of Nursing: Located in San Jose, California, the Valley Foundation School of Nursing provides nursing students with a range of programs from the general BS in nursing all the way through PhD programs in nursing. Students may choose from full-time and part-time programs in order to complete their degree. Students had a 92% pass first-time pass rate for the most recent NCLEX-RN, a testament to the education received at the school. Students practice their clinical work in local health facilities such as hospitals, health agencies and nursing centers in the community. San Jose State University graduates nurses that are well-qualified to help fill the many nursing positions in the state and help with the nursing shortage.

These schools are just a sampling of the hundreds of universities in California with nursing programs. In addition to universities there are also community colleges and online options that can provide the education needed to take the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse.

Pediatric Nurse Schooling

Working with babies, toddlers and children can be a very rewarding nursing career. Many nurses start out with a baby and work with that child as they grow into adolescents. Nurses who want to specialize in pediatrics need to attend pediatric nurse schooling to become a PNP or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Choosing the best school is important for many nurses who want to make sure they are receiving the best possible education to advance their career.

Some of the top pediatric nursing schools are outlined below.

Nurses who are considering advancing their careers and want to work in pediatrics can choose an MS degree with a focus on pediatrics or a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner with a pediatric focus. Although the DNP is not required at this time, it is becoming the preferred degree for advanced nursing such as pediatrics and will eventually become the required degree.

Top Ranked Schools

The following schools have been ranked by the U.S. News and World Report’s annual school ranking report. The rankings are based on surveys and assessments sent to faculty and administrators at universities and colleges throughout the United States.

The number one ranked school in for pediatric nursing is the University of Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, Penn State’s pediatric nurse practitioner program is a one-year program with 20 hours a week in clinical work. Students work with fully certified nurse practitioners and doctors in a variety of medical settings  as they earn the course required to prepare them to take either the national certification exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board which gives them the Certified Pediatric Nurses Practitioners title (CPNPP).

The number two ranked school is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale University offers a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a Pediatric Nurse Specialty degree. This two-year program prepares nurses to work with children and adolescents with clinical rotation in local community pediatric care centers and school health care centers.  ­Yale University School of Nursing was established in 1923 and was the first school to educate nurses in the traditional classroom method rather than an apprentice program. Yale’s nursing program is one of the most well-known in the United States and is highly respected among medical practices.

The University Of Washington School Of Nursing’s Pediatric Program is currently ranked at number three and consistently ranks among the highest in the nation. The school offers some classes in an online format with the majority of classes being campus-based. The program is the only pediatric nursing program available in the Washington/Wyoming/Alaska/Montana/Idaho area. Students in the pediatric program may choose to focus on pulmonary or developmental disabilities as they earn their degree.

The Duke University School of Nursing consistently ranks in the top ten lists of nursing schools that offer pediatric nursing programs. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program provides students with a dual education that prepares them to work as a nurse practitioner in a neonatal setting or a pediatric setting. Students perform clinical work in the state of the art simulation lab on the campus and at the Duke University Medical Center.

Online Options

Nurses who have their BS degree and want to advance to an MS in nursing with a specializing in pediatrics may choose to study online. Some of the top online schools that offer these courses include:

• Kaplan University:
• Phoenix University
• Georgetown University
• South University

There are other schools that offer online classes that may be right for you. However, you should make sure that you research the course offerings and determine if you are going to be required to attend any campus based classes or clinical. If clinical are required you should also determine if there are options located in or near your home so that you can make arrangements for those before you register for classes.

Pediatric nurse schooling allows you to earn either a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a specialty in pediatrics or a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Pediatric Specialty. You should find out what your state laws require in order to be a practitioner as many states are moving toward the DNP rather than the MS degree for nurse practitioners. If you know this before you pursue and advanced degree you can get the one you need the first time.

Neonatal Nurse Schooling

If you are a registered nurse who has decided to pursue working in neonatal medicine you need to first find available neonatal nurse schools that meet your needs and prepare you for working with babies that are both healthy and sick. Before you can purse your neonatal education you must first have your BSN. This allows you to move into a Master’s program to become a nurse practitioner with a focus on neonatal nursing.

The information contained herein below presents you with some of the suggested schools for neonatal education.

Universities and Colleges with Neonatal Classes

Before plunging into the application process for neonatal nurse schooling it is a good idea to know what schools have the program so you can review their guidelines and overall school and make an educated decision. To help you on this quest, some of the top schools that offer neonatal nursing programs are described here. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive and if you have a particular school in mind that you would like to attend, you should contact them and find out if they offer neonatal programs.

Regis University: Located in Denver, Colorado, Regis University offers nurses the opportunity to study for the Master of Science: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Upon graduation you will be skilled in the care of newborns and infants with high risk medical conditions. Regis University is a Jesuit Catholic school and is accredited for the nursing programs it offers.

Rush University College of Nursing: Although the college campus is located in Chicago, classes are held on online. The school offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice –Nurse Practitioner –Neonatal degree and a Post Graduate Neonatal Certificate. The certificate course is for nurses who already have the education required to become certified or are certified in another specialty area to add neonatal nursing to their repertoire.

University of Missouri – Kansas City: The School of Nursing at University of Missouri offers a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner degree that is online but also has at least two periods of four-day sit in classes that must be attended. Classes are held through an online program called Blackboard. The school works with the student to find a local neonatal intensive care unit to complete their coursework with a preceptor that the school has selected and approved.

Creighton University: Located in Nebraska, Creighton University offers nurses seeking an advanced degree an NNNP, the nurse practitioner degree that specializes in neonatal care. The school offers some distance based classes but is overall a campus-based class. The program is a five semester program with a 300-hour residency that is part of the 675 hours of clinical practice.

Rochester University School of Nursing: The Rochester University School of Nursing in New York offers two neonatal options for nurses wishing to advance into neonatal nursing: a Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus on neonatal nursing (NNNP) a dual degree, the Care of Children and Families with Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MS/PhD.  Students are able to complete clinical work in the University Of Rochester Medical Center.

University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia: This program has been ranked as one of the top in the nation. It is a one-year program for registered nurses who have been working in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least two years and wish to become certified in neonatal care. Nurses can stretch the program for two or three years if they want to attend part time. Students attend clinical trials at the world class Penn State Hershey Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Vanderbilt University: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt requires students to have two years of neonatal experience before admissions into the program. Students can earn their MS degree with a focus on neonatal nursing from the comfort of their own home through the distance learning program. Students study Level I Newborn Nursery, Level II Intermediate Care Nursery and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery in order to be ready to sit for the certification exam.

Neonatal nurse schooling options are varied and offered both online and in traditional, campus based classes in universities and colleges around the nation. You can choose either one or even a mixed-curriculum in order to get you degree and start your career as a higher paid, neonatal nurse practitioner.

What Training Is Needed To Become A Registered Nurse?

Registered nurses have the critical responsibility of carrying out complex hospital tasks like administering medication, formulating and implementing care plans, patient education, counseling among other duties. They facilitate the treatment process by acting as the most important co-workers of doctors and physicians.

Registered Nurse Training Explained

Contrary to many beliefs, registered nurse training is not a just a mere program of learning how to take care of patients. It has more attached to as outlined by the kind of training nurses receive before being licensed to practice as nurses. The education path required is quite challenging and is almost equivalent to what doctors undergo in med school.

The Three Paths to Become a RN

There are three typical paths which student can choose to follow to become RNs. Upon completion of any of the below programs, prospective RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

i)        Diploma in Nursing

This is the lowest level of education a RN can start off with. A diploma program in nursing is usually administered in a hospital setting contrary to classroom education. It is unique in that the nurse trainee is confined to the hospital and learns what RNs do from practical. This type of entry-level to become a RN is not common and there are very few diploma programs in nursing

ii)      Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)

This is a very popular path preferred by many Registered Nurses. This nursing program is offered by junior colleges and takes about 2 to 3 years to complete the curriculum. The course details involve theoretical class lessons and an in-depth supervised clinical practicum. The study scope for RNs who take this path is wider as compared to those who opt for the Diploma programs. The biggest advantage to Registered Nurses who take this program is that there are better advancing opportunities by enrolling for RN to BSN programs.

iii)    Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives a RN much specialized training on other broader fields of nursing like leadership, interpersonal skills and policy making. Students who choose this path must be ready to undertake four years of study inclusive of the clinical attachment. A BSN is more relevant when a student wishes to assume more organizational positions like tutoring, nurse consultant, and medical researcher among others.

Major Training Courses for Registered Nurses

Regardless of which training path taken is taken to become a RN, there are common curriculum courses that all RN trainees must be trained on.  They are the basic nursing concepts with the exception of those on organizational and administrative roles. All of these courses cover the major issues which a nurse must handle in their line of duty.

Even though all aspects of nursing are taught at ASN and BSN level, they do not go into extremely deep details. Such depth is covered when RNs wish to be trained and specialize in one specific line of study to become Advanced Practice RNs. In summary, such courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology

These are the most important foundation courses of nursing. RN trainees are trained using cadavers, the anatomy of the human body. These basic courses take the better part of the first year of nursing school. Physiology is also taught in the first and second years and students are trained on all basic life processes, diseases processes/pathology.

• Pharmacology and Medical terminology

RNs must be trained on the use of common medications and treatments in the hospital setting. Because RNs have the mandate to administer treatment to patients, the study of pharmacology is a must for all RNs. It involves a lot of chemistry and organic chemistry and a mastery of medical terminologies used by doctors.

• General Health Promotion Courses

Upon certification and licensure, RNs work not only in the hospital but also in communities, homecare settings and as occupational nurses. As such, they must be trained on how to handle special issues e.g. children, the elderly, occupational patients, nutrition education and the disabled. They must be well acquainted with skills to teach the public on disease mitigation measures.

• Special Patients’ Care Courses

These include slight training in a wide range of special attention cases. A RN must at least be able to handle different patient cases even in the absence of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or a Specialist Nurse. It is therefore important for any RN to have an insight on pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, gerontology, geriatrics and midwifery. As mentioned earlier, these are not taught in depth but are advancement opportunities for Registered Nurses who would want to take a MSN and become advanced practice registered nurses.

• Laboratory methods

Finally, RNs like all medical personnel must be trained on common laboratory techniques. They must be trained on safe sample collection and testing for most common ailments.

Advanced Training for RNs

RNs have good chances to advance and get trained on specific lines of duty. There are numerous RN to MSN programs that allow a trained RN to get to the levels of a NS or APRN.

What are the Different types of Nursing Degrees

The nursing profession is the largest medical profession according to the bureau of labor and statistics.  There are close to 3 million recorded nursing employees in the USA only and the number is said to increase each year and at a high rate. This is because nursing is a diversified profession and students have a wide range of programs to choose from.

Below are various degree programs in the nursing field that students can enroll to; either as an entry to the nursing profession or as continuing education to prior nursing degree programs. The list is put in an ascending order; starting with the lowest to the highest nursing degrees available.

i)        Associate of Science in Nursing degree

This is the lowest nursing program offered at a degree level. Students who enroll for this nursing program usually have the objective of becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). Student nurses in this degree program have to undertake two years of study learning the major nursing concepts. At this point, the student nurse does not specialize in any field of nursing; they take courses on all aspects of nursing.

The program is more of the technical focus and is usually suitable for students who want to start earning fast but have a future thought of advancing in the nursing to earn a Bachelors Degree in nursing.

ii)      Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Also referred to as baccalaureate, BSN is the entry level of nurses who want to assume major nursing roles like administration and leadership positions.  Typically, this degree program takes four years to complete inclusive of both practical and theory classes.  This is the most recommended entry point to nursing if you don’t mind being in class for four years. On graduation with a BSN, a student is eligible for certification by NCLEX to become a licensed RN. It is the road to more fulfilling and great opportunities in the nursing profession.

iii)    Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing is the perfect opportunity for nurses who want to become Nurse Practitioners, Specialists Nurses or generally, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. This graduate program usually takes about two years to complete with nurse students choosing one area of concentration. To be eligible for admission in this nursing degree program, one must have completed a BSN and have some nursing clinical experience in their sleeves.

However, there are accelerated RN to MSN degree programs for RNs who want to become Advanced Practice nurse but do not have a BSN. Although quite uncommon, it is a great way for Associate of Science in nursing graduates to earn both the BSN and MSN in one study program.

The areas of specialty for MSN include psychiatry, nurse anesthetic, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology, holistic, occupational nursing among others.

iv)   Doctor of Nursing Degree programs

This bracket of nursing education is categorized according to the choice of research orientation a student wishes to take. Nurse students must have completed their MSN postgraduate degree to be eligible for enrollment.

Usually, these degree programs take a minimum of four years to complete with intensive study on research methods, nursing philosophy, statistics and analysis in the nursing field.

The three doctorate degrees in nursing are Doctor of Nursing in Science, Education or Practice. Students who choose the practice option do more courses in research methods and clinical care while those who pick education will major on becoming tutors and medical instructors in educational settings. For the Science students, their courses will cover more on healthcare statistics and analysis, bioinformatics and clinical defense via research.

v)     Other degree programs in the nursing stream

There are other degree programs that are not in the mainstream nursing but award students merits in nursing. Such include:

• RN to MSN nursing programs
• LPN to MSN
• LPN to BSN

In addition to nursing degree programs, there are numerous non-degree level nursing programs that enable students to be certified to practice in the field of nursing. Those include:

• Licensed Practice Nurse
• Certified Nurse Assistant

Specialist Nurse Training

Who is Specialist Nurse?
As a registered nurse, you may wish to only specialize in the care and treatment of only one subset of patients in the healthcare field. By so doing, you receive special training on nursing concepts pertaining to that group of patients. Upon graduation, you will receive a new title under the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses bracket (APRN) and be referred to as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Clinical Nurse Specialist Training Courses

A clinical nurse specialist is a health care professional who have practiced as a RN but has advanced their level of expertise in one field by taking a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). CNS training equips a RN with vast and in depth skills on one particular topic of their choice, enabling them to undertake roles in that particular field of choice.

The training ladder of a CNS starts with enrollment for a MSN degree in either an online program or a traditional classroom setting. The courses taught at this point are meant to hone your skills to perfection. The training revolves around research methods, teaching skills and specialized subjects. Generally, a typical specialist nurse training program will have courses from the likes of:

Theory and Practice in Your Area of Specialization

In depth training is offered for the particular area of specialty. CNS trainees are trained on common demographics and trends relevant to their areas of specialization. Specialist nurses are taught to formulate and test nursing theories using practical approaches.

Pharmacology in Advanced Practice

Courses in this bracket equip the CNS with advanced knowledge on pharmacological principles pertaining to their area of specialty. This is usually advancement on prior pharmacological lessons. The difference between the pharmacological courses at this level and that of RNs is that, they target only the subset of patient population to be handled.

Instructional Theory and Teaching Methods

These courses are meant for Clinical nurse specialists who wish to become tutors in their niche. Here, CNSs are trained on how to develop an already formulated curriculum and how to implement it. Other aspects of efficient curriculum delivery and instructional methods are also taught. In addition, student nurses who wish to take this route must undertake a supervised teaching practice session to access their ability to deliver to a classroom setting.

Nursing Ethics

Here, nurse specialist trainees receive concepts of conflict resolution in the health care arena. They are taught how to choose the most ethical and appropriate decision making models depending on the health dilemma at hand. Specialist nurses are also trained to be their first patients’ advocates when the situation deems necessary.

Advanced Concepts of Integrated Healthcare

This equips aspiring clinical specialist nurses with concepts spanning the whole medical practice. These integrated medical courses are meant to emphasize collaboration between all disciplines of health care. They include general courses on vulnerable groups, community and public health, occupational health and hospital based patient care.

Research Methods in Nursing

Research is part and parcel of clinical nurse specialist and as such, they must be trained on data collection techniques, quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, design and formulation of research hypothesis among other clinical research methods.

Clinical practical lessons

This is the ultimate test of gauging whether what is trained is put into correct implementation. Practical clinical sessions allow specialist nursing students to have the real-world-patient contact.

Different Areas of Specialty Choices for CNSs

• Pediatric nurses
• Occupational health nurses
• Gerontology/ Geriatrics nurses
• Psychiatry/ Mental health nursing
• Perioperative/ OR nurses
• Anesthetic nurses
• Holistic nurses
• Cardiac nurses

Certification of Clinical Nurse Specialists

Upon successful completion of the respective specialist nurse training programs, students are expected to pass a credentialing exam in order to get certification. The certification exam differs from state to state but the concept is the same. It is worth noting that regardless of which state you are in, all CNS must renew their certification and credentials every five years to be allowed to continue practicing.

Scholarships for Nursing Degrees

The US government, NGOs, Educational Foundations and other trusts are on the fore front to ensure no needy student misses out on finishing their nursing degree due to lack of tuition fees. Individual goodwill ambassadors are also not left behind in helping alleviate the financial constrains of earning a nursing degree.

Below is a list of scholarships available for nursing students to apply for:

The Nursing Scholarship Program from the US government

This is a government scholarship programs that aims at coming-around the shortage of RNs in the US by offering scholarships to needy students. This can be viewed as an incentive for students to finish their nursing degrees and fill-up open positions of RNs in government health care facilities.

Usually, these facilities are in hardship areas and students must abide to serve for at least two years as a gratitude for the scholarship. This scholarship is open each year and interested nursing students can apply at the Health Resources and Services Administration website at an ongoing basis.

Other Nursing Scholarships

Some foundations and trusts have scholarships that are state specific while others are applicable to all nursing students within the US borders. Examples of popular national scholarships include:

Nurse Leaders for America

This nursing scholarship is in the mode of a work-study program that is available for both BSN and MSN students. The students are then assigned nursing duties at a US hospital of choice. For eligibility, you must have practiced as a RN for a minimum of three years.

Future of Nursing Scholarships

This is a scholarship program available to all US citizens and permanent residents who already hold unencumbered RN licenses. They are only available to online nursing programs and the student must be willing to study via Western Governors University online nursing degree programs.

Dorothy Willits Hallowell Nursing Scholarships

This is offered by the Anne.T.J foundation and the scholarships are meant for fresh high school graduates who wish to take nursing as their profession. However, students must have applied and been accepted in a nursing school or any institution of higher learning.

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Awards

The targeted beneficiaries of this scholarship awards are nurses of Indian origin who study in America. It also covers other non-nursing students who are pursing education in other health related professions.

The Blanco Foundation, Inc

The foundation has scholarships for nursing and education students only. Students who wish to be considered for these scholarships should apply on their website before the first day of February each year. They are only applicable to fresh entrants of the nursing and education degree programs.

Nurses Education Funds, Inc

The NEF nursing scholarships are specifically for postgraduate students ie either MSN or students taking doctoral nursing degrees. Students must be enrolled at an NLNAC accredited nursing school and must submit their applications before the first of March each year.

Other Sources of Scholarships for Nursing Degree

Students must make an intensive search if they want to maximize their chances of being awarded nursing scholarships. Sending numerous applications is the way to increase your chances of landing nursing financial aid and grants.  In addition to scholarships, nursing students can also apply for federal financial loans, which are applicable to all US students in any programs.

Online Nursing Scholarship Scams

However, students must be aware of scammers who are out to scam and steal from wanting students in the name of forwarding their names and ensuring they will be awarded scholarships. At least, no one foundation or trust will ever ask needy students to pay for before being awarded a scholarship.

Students can also check out at their nursing schools’ financial notice board for any upcoming and existing nursing scholarships they are eligible for. Any considerate nursing school constantly updates their scholarships notices to ensure students have up-to-date scholarship information.

Your States’ board of nursing is also an excellent place to search for current and legitimate scholarships that are state specific and those accepting applicants nationally.

Psychiatric Nurse Training

Trained psychiatric nurses do not deal with sick people per se, but a class of patients who require special attention due to their distorted judgmental capacity and lack of sound mind. This is a branch of nursing where you will be taught to take care for one who cannot make sound individual judgments for most things in their lives.

Trying to restore sanity to sane persons is not a walk in the park and therefore, psychiatric nurses need to be well versed with patience, sympathy, tolerance and support for their patients. This forms part of the core values before embarking on psychiatric training.

Psychiatric Nurse Training

For you to be eligible for psychiatric nurse training, you must have come from the level of a registered nurse.  Most psychiatric nurses are RNs who have taken mental health nursing as an advanced education option.  They are in the health professional cluster known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and have superior knowledge on mental health issues.

The Training Path of Mental Health Nurses

To become a Psychiatric Nurse (PN), it is a prerequisite to be a RN. It is also possible to start your psychiatry nursing training from the level of an Associate of Science in nursing degree holder. Starting off with a BSN is also recommended but not required.

You must take the usual training path of being a registered nurse at nursing school and the advancement to a PN comes later as a specialty. After completion of nursing school and graduating with your BSN or ASN, you will be required to take additional skills on mental health-related courses. The nursing training courses for those interested in mental health nursing involve intensive study of:

• General psychiatry
• Psychological therapies
• How to build therapeutic alliances
• Psychiatric pharmacology
• Child and old age psychiatry and
• Mastering of Behavioral patterns

In addition to the coursework, aspiring psychiatric nurse trainees will need to undergo a period of supervised mental clinical study. Upon successful completion of this section, the trainee psychiatric is expected to take and pass an exam that will give them membership to the Royal College of Psychiatrists.  After this comes the certification as a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Future Outlook and Career Advancement of Psychiatric Nursing

If you wish to advance and have an area of specialty in the field of psychiatric nursing, you may enroll for an additional 2-year Master of Nursing to become a specialized psychiatrist nurse. A specialized psychiatric nurse will be particularly trained in either of the following:

i)        Adolescents’ psychiatry

ii)      Adult and old age psychiatry or

iii)    Child psychiatry

This gives the nurse a Certificate of Completion in Specialist Training, one of the highest levels a psychiatric nurse can attain.

Roles of a Psychiatric Nurse

Naturally, it is quite challenging to deal with mentally ill persons and as such, psychiatric nurses need to be specially trained to handle this group of patients. Many mentally challenged patients are extremely violent and unruly and it is the work of the psychiatric nurse to ensure they are calm and orderly. As a psychiatric nurse, your training will reflect your ability to:

• Administer psychiatric treatments and medications to psychiatric patients
• Administer psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
• Perform Electroconvulsive therapy
• Help patients cope with spiritual and psychosocial distress
• Manage community centers for the mentally ill
• Conduct counseling sessions; especially to depression patients
• In rare and concerted cases, a psychiatric practitioner, in conjunction with a senior doctor or other psychiatric nurses have the role of administering forceful detention to mental patients. But is this observed only in the case where other forms of management therapies have failed.  According to the Mental Health Act, this is only allowed if the patient is not in a capacity to make the decision of voluntary detention.

Work Setting of Mental Health Nurses

Most psychiatric nurse graduates work in mental health agencies: home based and long-term care facilities, community centers for the mentally challenged and major psychiatric hospitals. Those nurses who work as community psychiatrists are referred to as Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs), while those who work in hospital settings are referred to as Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Salary Range for Nurses in Psychiatry

As given under the bureau of labor and statistics, a fully qualified and certified psychiatrist nurse practitioner should expect a salary of anywhere between $70000 and $85000. As with any career, these figures are subject to change depending on the highest level of education attained, location and other relevant certifications.

Postgraduate Nursing Degrees

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate of Science in Nursing degree, you may wish to further your education. This is a great way to assume senior roles in the nursing profession as well as a way to specialize in one field of nursing.

Master and Doctorate degrees in nursing enable a registered nurse to become an advanced practice RN or a Specialist nurse. Postgraduate degrees in nursing also allow students who have non-nursing degrees to get an entry point to the nursing profession via what is known as direct entry MSN.

Prerequisites to Enroll for Postgraduate Nursing Degrees

To be admitted for a post graduate nursing degree program at the Masters level, you must have completed a BSN and have had a given number of years in clinical practice. This applies to RNs who wish to take a Master of Science in Nursing degree programs. However, for non-nurse students, a recognized Bachelors degree is what you require for eligibility. Some postgraduate training schools also require students to have minimum GPA scores in order to be admitted.

Available Postgraduate Nursing Degree programs

i)        RN to MSN degree programs

This nursing degree program is designed for RNs who wish to take their masters program immediately after earning a BSN. This postgraduate program enables Registered nurses to receive exemption of credits of BSN courses similar to their MSN programs. It is a great way for nurses who do not wish to have an overlap of credits which appear in both the BSN and MSN programs.

For eligibility, student nurses must enroll as soon as they finish their BSN study and given a Licensure to practice by NCLEX.

ii)      Master of Science in Nursing

A MSN route is for RNs who finished their BSN programs at an earlier time and have been in clinical practice for a while. This program has a lot of overlapping courses that were taken at the BSN level and student nurse must redo them.

However, it is the widest postgraduate nursing degree level with numerous areas of specialty and high level of student enrollment. Students opting for this program have had the experience of the real world nurse practice and are in a position to choose the best specialty areas for themselves. In contrast to RN to MSN programs, delayed MSN students make more informed choices in the areas of nursing they fill they have come to like during their nursing practice.

Nurses who earn a MSN are referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and fall into any one of the four brackets below:

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Anesthetists

Certified Nurse Midwives or

Clinical nurse Specialists

The list below consist of the different MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist programs nursing students can choose from

• MSN in Nursing informatics
• MSN in Pediatrics
• MSN in Gerontology
• MSN in Nursing Education
• MSN in Psychiatry/mental health
• MSN -Nurse-midwifery
• MSN in Family Health
• MSN in Health care systems
• MSN- Nurse Administrator
• MSN-public health

iii)    Direct entry MSN

Direct entry MSN refers to postgraduate nursing degree programs for non- nurse students. This nursing degree program takes three years to complete as compared to the other two MSN degree programs which last 2 years each.

The prolonged period is because the first year is utilized to introduce the non-nurse student to core concepts of the nursing profession. The other two years have similar curriculum coverage’s as the usual MSN program. In direct MSN, students are trained on similar specialties as the MSN to become advanced practice nurses and be given licensure by NCLEX.

iv)   Doctor of Nursing Practice/ Doctor of philosophy

These two postgraduate nursing degrees are the terminal professional degrees in this field. They focus on application of clinical research, advanced nurse practice and leadership roles in nursing. The American Association of College of Nursing has been active in trying to concentrate all previous doctorate degrees in nursing to either of these two; a process which has effected.

As a prerequisite for enrollment, nursing students must have completed their MSN programs and have some experience in advanced nursing practice. 

Phlebotomy Training for Nurses

Phlebotomist nurses are specially trained nurses who perform the delicate task of drawing blood samples from patients for testing purposes.  They ensure blood samples from patients reach the testing laboratory in good and un-tampered conditions. They are also nurses who are involved in blood donation and transfusion roles.

In addition to drawing blood, some phlebotomist nurses are trained on how to collect fecal and urine samples from patients. But this depends on the curriculum needs of the training program you enroll with.

Requirements to Enroll for Phlebotomist Training Programs

The phlebotomist training program is one of the easiest entry modes to the health care field. The prerequisites are not over the roof and the time required to finish the training is not long. Although is a relatively new career line in the medical profession, the simple requirements for admission are attracting huge numbers of high school graduates.

Most phlebotomist training schools only require a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.  However, requirements differ from state to state and you can check with your States’ Board of Nursing to get precise information.

RNs nurses who wish to become phlebotomists can also enroll in training programs at their disposal.

Where to Enroll for Phlebotomy Training for Nurses

Unlike other nursing programs that must be taken at nursing schools, phlebotomy training does not have to take place in a typical nursing institution. Phlebotomy training programs are normally found in vocational schools and community colleges.

Other popular places to get phlebotomy training are through health-related organizations like the red cross, hospital-based training, and private physician offices. As a precautionary measure, any student enrolling for this training must ensure that the school or facility they are enrolled in is accredited to do so by the relevant state authority.

Already registered nurses may not have a hard time grasping the program concepts of phlebotomy. For them, it is appropriate to take online classes and arrange practical assessments in the hospitals they work in.

Training Duration for Phlebotomists

Usually, students who have just graduated with high school diplomas take an average of one year to complete training in phlebotomy. The number of lecture and practical hours differs from one school to the other, but the most common is 1040 hours of classroom work and practicum.

Some phlebotomist training programs even take a record three months, whereby, students take 40 hours for theory and 90 hours practical sessions including skin and vein punctures. In addition, nurses who wish to be trained in new skills and technologies of phlebotomy may attend short courses that usually take 3 to 7 days to complete.

Some major hospitals may also arrange in-door training for a number of their registered nurses. Those nurses are then trained on-site about concepts of blood drawing, sampling, records keeping, and preserving patients’ samples. Normally, a certificate of completion may be issued in such situations.

Typical Courses in Phlebotomy Training

Courses in phlebotomy involve the correct ways of handling patients and samples withdrawn from them. Typical courses will include:

• Clinical laboratory techniques
• Management of blood banks
• Safe laboratory practices
• Disposal of laboratory equipment
• Ethics in health care
• Patient-clinician rapport and patient psychology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Basic math for health sciences

Certification of Phlebotomy Nurses

To get certified as a phlebotomy nurse, you will need to have been trained on the above-listed courses and passed successfully. The certification process will then involve a written and practical exam to test your hands-on skills.

The common certification test look at medical law and ethics, vein puncture and skin punctures, general knowledge on human anatomy and physiology, disinfection, biohazards labeling and disposal, patient preparation for phlebotomy among others.

There are several national organizations that can give you certification. Each of them has a different set of guidelines for certification. Examples include

American Phlebotomy Association

National Phlebotomy Association

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Board registry of the ASCP

National Credentialing Agency for Lab Personnel

Perioperative Nurse Training

What is Perioperative Nurse Training?

Perioperative nurses are medical personnel who play the crucial role of caring for patients about to undergo surgery, those who are under surgery, and even care about surgery. They work closely with surgeons in the operating rooms (OR) to ensure the patient has good chances of survival and does not succumb to surgical complications. As such, perioperative nurse training involves training in critical/ intensive care, basic life support, and trauma management

Prerequisites to Enroll for Perioperative Nurse Training

Like many other nursing professions, aspiring perioperative nurses need to be registered nurses (RNs) who have active licenses to practice nursing. This means that you must have undergone Nursing School to attain your Associate of Science in Nursing degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

In order to specialize as a perioperative nurse, you will need to undergo further training on issues pertaining to the surgery room and operation theatres. This area of training requires an individual who has a great capacity for teamwork, fast-acting, and a quick thinker. This is because the life of patients under surgery is usually at stake according to how fast and effective things happen in the OR.

Curriculum for Perioperative Nurse Training

Perioperative nurses have most of their work is practical. For this reason, they need to be given adequate training on how to be accurate, fast, and reliable. They work in tight-breathtaking work environments where accuracy is the key. Since they are already RNs, perioperative nurse trainees only need to get well acquainted with OR procedural courses like:

• Trauma Management in the OR

This is critical in the OR and OR nurses are trained to handle patients who undergo trauma during and after surgery. This includes emotional and physical support of post-surgery patients, nursing, and dressing of surgical wounds. They are also trained to help pre-surgery patients to come to terms with the reality of surgery. Many patients get traumatizing moments if they think of surgery and they must be promised and assured it is the only way to restore their health.

• Basic Life Support Training

Chances of excessive bleeding, loss of consciousness, acute infection, coma, and other complications are high during surgery. Perioperative nurses are trained to act fast in these circumstances to enable the survival of the patients. Basic life support skills such as resuscitation, cardiac life support, blood transfusion, and acute disinfection are taught during perioperative training.

• Comprehensive OR Equipment Training

This is a technical aspect of perioperative nurse training programs. Since operation room nurses will be working with many life support equipment, they need to be quite conversant on how these machines are used.

Training also involves the ability to troubleshoot and rectify problems that might occur to OR equipment during surgery. The major equipment is microscopes, IV pumps, oxygen and nitrogen tanks, surgical laser lights, electrosurgical equipment, suction systems, LCD monitor displays and cameras, sequential surgical machines, and many more.

The Work Scope of Perioperative Nurses

There are a number of fields where a perioperative nurse can specialize in which include:

i)        Circulator perioperative Nurse

This is a nurse who is trained to manage the surgery environment. The nurse has the role of ensuring the patient is well strapped in the operation table. They also have the responsibility of transferring the surgery patient from the surgery room to the ward or intensive care unit.

The circulating nurse also makes sure all surgical equipment is sterile for use in the OR. They are taught to ensure all medical equipment meant for surgery comply with the set standards of sterility and safety.

ii)      Scrub OR Nurse

These nurses work very closely with the Surgeons and doctors to aid in the surgical process. Scrub nurses act as the “spare hands” of the surgeon because they exchange and pass on surgical instruments to the surgeon. They are the messenger nurses in the OR.

iii)    Pre-operative Nurse

This field is meant to prepare patients for surgery. Pre-op nurses are trained to monitor and stabilize the emotional and psychological worries of the patient before surgery. They are specially trained in counseling and psychological therapies. They can also perform the tasks of the circulating nurse like preparation and sterilization of the OR.

Online Registered Nursing Degrees

Earning a nursing degree from home has become easier as there are numerous online nursing schools offering online RN degrees. This has alleviated the requirement of nursing students to attend physical classes in a school environment.

However, as nursing is not complete without practical skills and one-on-one patient-student interaction, we cannot conclusively say that there entire online RN degree programs. Students who take such degrees must liaise with the nursing school to ensure their practical sessions are conducted and supervised accordingly. You cannot be certified or given licensure to practice as a RN without having attended a minimum number of clinical practical sessions provided by your states’ board of nursing.

Online Associate of Science in Nursing Degrees

The easiest and fastest route to becoming a RN is by taking an ASN degree. Currently, this degree program is being offered online by numerous nursing schools. But as mentioned earlier, it is not entirely possible to earn a nursing degree online as the profession requires a lot of hands-on training as part of the curriculum.

The way around the nursing clinical sessions is that online nursing schools blend their study program to include both on-site training and online classes.

Typically, the theory classes are taken online while the student must be on-campus for clinical practical instructions. On the other hand, if the student is not within the campus environs, the nursing school can make special affiliations with hospitals around the locality of the student to enable the student take their clinical practicum.

Online Paramedic to RN Bridging programs

This is a bridging degree program that enables paramedics the transition to registered nurses by means of an accelerated study mode. Paramedics are very busy and would in normal situations, not be able to attend campus classes.

Such programs take up-to 18 months to complete and do not require students to be on site for much of the study duration. Just like the RNs who earn their ASN degrees online, practical classes must be arranged prior to registering to become eligible for certification. This can be done with crush programs in campus or by nearby affiliated health care facilities.

LPN to RN degrees

Licensed Practice Nurses who wish to become RNs can also enroll for accelerated online LPN to BSN programs. Students who have active practice nurse licensure are able to apply to credit exemptions whereby, they can complete the programs in a shorter period of time; usually not more than12 months.

There is also an observed increment in the number of enrollments recorded for students transitioning from LPN to BSN via online programs.

Advantages of Online Registered Nursing Degrees

This blend of the two study modes: online and on-campus saves valuable time for the students who would have not afforded to be in class the whole time. It is also beneficial to the nurse students who do not want to lose their day jobs.

The learning mode uses web conferencing, ANGEL and other online-based learning management systems to deliver the curriculum to the students. The courses that are covered using the online mode of learning include pathology, anatomy, basic nursing processes and physiology.

Certification and Accreditation for Online Registered Nursing Degrees

To be on the safe side, students must always ascertain their online schools of choice are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. NLNAC is the body that ensures all nursing schools offer up-to standard training for nurses.

In addition to accreditation by NLNAC, students must confirm the number of hours set by their States’ Board of Nursing for eligibility to sit for National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN). This allows students to be recognized by their States’ Board of Nursing as eligible to practice as registered nurses in that particular state.

Requirement for licensure varies between states and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they adhere to the set guidelines.

Nursing Degrees in Florida

If you are in love with the beaches, Florida offers the best learning environments surrounded with serene palm beaches. For those those who like learning intriguing history, Florida has such fascinating history that you will love your stay around. And for the sun-buckers too, Florida is the warmest state in the East.

And what’s more, Florida has some of the most prestigious nursing schools; u will have a wide range of nursing programs to choose while you study nursing in the sun-soaked state. Furthermore, according to the occupation employment statistics, the nursing profession in Florida has the highest number of employees in the health care field. It is also worth noting the nursing profession has among the top five percentile of employment rate i.e. 22/1000 Floridians are in the nursing profession.

Popular Nursing Degrees in Florida Colleges

Florida nursing schools and universities have diversified delivery of the education through both online and on-campus study modes. Below are some renowned universities and colleges that offer nursing degrees in Florida.

Online Nursing Degrees from Florida Universities

There are quite a number of Florida-based online universities that well known for their online nursing degrees. In the northern part of the state, chamberlain college of nursing offers online nursing programs in BSN and Second degrees in nursing. They have an efficient online study mode but also a campus in Jacksonville and Miramar.

Keiser University

This university has a large online presence and is renowned for its online nursing degrees. The university also has over 10 campuses in Florida including Daytona Beach, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando among others. Keiser university- Florida offers online nursing degrees programs in Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in nursing and the Associates degrees.

Campus-Based Nurse Training in Florida

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix has four campuses in Florida and offers a total of 14 nursing programs. However all the nursing programs in the Florida campuses are from master’s level with no degrees in the ASN and BSN programs.

South university

This college has established a strong command for nursing degrees all over the world. South university campuses in Florida are in Palm Beach and Tampa. It has both online and offline study modes with a large number of degree programs being offered online.

University of Miami

This university offers some of the majority nursing degrees in Florida. It has degree programs ranging from ASN to PhD in nursing. It has over 11 nursing programs under its nursing school and all degree programs are offered onsite. It has degree programs in BSN, MSN, RN to BSN and RN to MSN among others.

Other colleges that offer nursing degrees in Florida include:

Brown Mackie College in Miami

College of health in Jacksonville

Broward community college in Fort Lauderdale

Florida international university-Miami

Palm Beach community college in Lake Worth

This list only highlights a fraction among the many Florida nursing schools.

Florida Nurses Licensing

Nurses who finish their nursing degrees in Florida must take the National Council Licensure Exam for registered nurses in order to practice. The Florida board of nursing is a good resource centre for students who wish to find out more on degree programs offered in Florida.

The nursing board also helps students apply to accredited nursing schools to avoid loss of time and educational recognition. For students who would want to visit the board personally to get information, it has offices in Tallahassee at 4052 Bald Cypress Way.

Future Outlook of Nursing Degrees in Florida

Currently, registered nurses in all health care sectors in Florida take home an average of $52000 per annum. For other advanced nursing degree like MSN, nurses have an attractive salary of close to $81000 annually. According to the bureau of labor and statistics, this is the third highest paying state for Master of Science nurses after New York and California.

Nursing degrees in Florida are projected to get higher demand because the state receives a lot of retirees who opt to live in this sunshine state. The state also receives a huge number of beach holiday makers and tourists and as such, nursing needs are set to be high.

Masters Degree in Nursing Education

Why Take a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education?
A recent study by the American association of colleges of nursing has indicated that there is an average of 71% shortage of nurse educators in all nursing faculties.  This has further implicated on the observed shortage of nurses in many US states.  Lack of nurse educators is resulting into few admissions in many nursing schools, hence, the lack of registered nurses.

With a MSN in education, you will get the skills of being a faculty member and fill the ever wanting situations of nursing schools and university hospitals. This is a rewarding career to see nurse students excel under your tutorship. It will fulfill your need for an ideal career with good returns as nurse educators are some of the highly paid nursing professionals.

Masters Degree in Nursing Education

This is a two year study program that will develop your clinical skills as well as give you an opportunity to take a clinical specialization. In addition to advanced clinical experience, you will learn important skills of curriculum development and student evaluation. You will also have the opportunity to get trained on curriculum delivery, nurse educator teaching methods and modalities of learning strategies.

Prerequisites for Admission into MSN Education Programs

This program is for Registered Nurses (RNs) who already have at least two years of clinical experience under their sleeves. They must also have their nursing licensure by taking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Most nursing schools also ask for a clean, unencumbered or non-revoked RN license. It is also common for nursing schools to ask for satisfactory GPA and GRE scores.

Coursework for MSN in Education Program

Student enrolled for masters in nursing education must be prepared to handle both clinical practicum and theory classes. The number of total credits required for full course coverage varies between schools and states. Generally, students will take an average of 30 credits with some nursing schools having as high as 38 credits and others as low as 26. Courses will be in the brackets of:

i)        Masters of Science core courses

These are the general core nursing courses applicable to all masters programs in nursing and are usually more than the specialty courses. They include:

• Research methods in nursing
• Pharmacology for advanced practice nurses
• Practicum in nursing research
• Evidence based nursing practice
• Nursing ethics
• Contemporary service delivery in  health care
• Population based health promotion
• Nursing theories
• Pathophysiology for advanced practice nurses

ii)      Nurse Educator Specialty Courses

These are the courses that equip the nurse with teaching methods to fit as a specialist nurse educator. Such credits include:

• Curriculum design and development

This trains the nurse developing an all inclusive curriculum to be used for teaching purposes in other nursing training programs like bachelors, diploma or associates degrees.

• The art of teaching/ Teaching methods

In this course, nurse educators are trained on effective and timely curriculum delivery. They are trained on classroom interaction skills and how to create conducive learning environments for students.

• Evaluation in nursing education

This course covers the aspects of testing and nursing students assessments. The MSN students must learn the skills of setting up-to standards tests and assignments. They must also be in a position to test the general understanding and application of learnt knowledge on diverse areas of medicine other than the nursing profession.

Practicum lessons for MSN students

In addition to theory classes, students are expected to have supervised clinical rounds. This section for nurse educators is not very intensive and only takes a small fraction of the two years of study. At the end of the masters’ degree in nursing education, the nurse educator is usually in a position to work in community-based settings, academic settings or hospitals environment. They work as competent health care educators to the public, other medical staff or completely fresh nursing students.

Legal nurse Consultant Training Courses

Legal nurses are in the first place, registered nurses who have earned their associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. In addition to nursing, they receive a continuing education program in legal matters.

Who are Legal Nurse Consultants (LNC)?

A legal nurse consultant is a RN who provides consulting services to attorneys, lawyers in a court of law in cases that have a medical component. They may also work as expert witnesses in a court of law during trial; where medical knowledge and interpretation is involved.

They are employed by attorneys who want to have a deeper understanding of the medical concepts that would be termed as malpractice to patients or infringement of patient’s rights.

In other instances, legal nurse consultants are employed by insurance companies that offer health insurance, life insurance or as legal representatives of hospitals.

Courses for Legal Nurse Consultant Training Programs

Legal nurses must take a further 1 or 2 semesters to be allowed to practice as legal nurse consultants. The courses are intertwined with the principles and practice of legal nursing and legal proceedings involving the medical field. Such would include:

• Introduction to Law and LNC

This course introduces students to basic medical law and ethics. It also introduces the student nurse to the work scope of a legal nurse consultant. Students must learn the code of medical ethics, the rights and entitlement of patients while undergoing treatment.

• Criminal law and complex litigation

Future legal nurses are trained on the litigation process and how they should present truthful information when they are called upon in a law suit. Legal nurses may be representing either the plaintiffs or defendants sides but are usually observed on the plaintiffs’ suit. Legal nurses must be trained to provide unbiased information regardless of which side of the lawsuit they are in.

• The role of LNC in litigation

Aspiring LNC are trained on what information is deemed necessary in the litigation process. They made aware of what is expected from them if they are called upon to be in the litigation process

• Medical malpractice concepts

In this course, legal nurse consultants are trained on how to report in justifiable means, incidences of medical malpractice. This may be in a case where they act as witnesses in trial for a medical case. They are used by attorneys to decide whether there were incidences of medical malpractice during treatment that resulted to suffering of the patient(s)

• Interpretation of medical records and informed consent

This is a very important aspect of cases with medical references. Legal Nurse Consultants are taught how to interpret medical records to attorneys or lawyers, the meaning of written medical notes. They are trained to give; without bias, the implication of such medical notes and care plans to patients. They are also expected to interpret complex medical terminology to the court of laws when they are called upon.

• Legal terminology

In this course, Legal nurse consultants are trained on the correct use of legal terminology. Such terminology if wrongly used could lead to the lawsuit for which they are presenting getting into jeopardy.

Overall Objectives of Legal Nurse Consultant Training

i)        The legal nurse consultant training courses aim at equipping a RN with professional skills which can be used in a medical legal consulting role

ii)      These courses also aim at giving the RN a wider scope of practice. In this case, they have higher chances of getting better pay by either choosing legal nurse consulting as a full time or freelance career.

iii)    The legal nurse training programs also widen the knowledge of nurse based on medical malpractice, legal terminology and other medical-legal related issues.

Is Certification for Legal Nurse Consultants Required?

Although not required, it is recommended that successfully trained Legal nurse consultants be certified. This will help them increase their chances of getting better paying jobs as consultants. Certification is awarded by the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification and proves your credibility to perform legal consulting.

IV Nurse Training

IV nurse training equips health care professionals with skills of administering intravenous fluids, medications and infusions to patients. The training aims at preparing nurses with the right techniques for hydration, catheter monitoring, and blood transfusions among others.

To have a smooth operation, IV therapy nurses work closely with their counterparts; phlebotomist nurses. Both of these receive relatively the same kind of training, only that phlebotomist nurses specialize in blood drawing while the former can handle both.

Training to Become an Infusion Nurse

The major prerequisite of becoming an IV nurse is that, you must have prior nursing experience, preferably being a RN. You therefore must have completed your Associate of Science in Nursing, a BSN or a diploma in nursing and already have an active RN licensure.

Formal Education for IV Nurses

Usually, IV nurses are trained in community colleges, the health departments of their respective hospitals or in vocational training centers. Most nursing schools incorporate this training in the curriculum of emergency medical technician programs. As usual, you must check with your states’ board of nursing to be on the safe side about accreditation and up-to standard course coverage.

Some states have outlined the requirements of certification as a competent IV nurse graduate; hence, you must ensure your training facility delivers all those requirements. Student nurses must attend classroom lectures in addition to clinical rotations in an approved hospital setting.

Courses Included in IV therapy Nurse Training Programs

Irrespective of the location, there are courses that IV nurse trainees must cover to be allowed to practice. There is comprehensive coverage of infusion and fluid flow patterns in the body. The major courses required for this program include:

• IV wound dressing
• Infection control
• Fundamental Pharmacology
• Venipuncture techniques
• Skin Puncture
• Infusion flow rate Calculation
• Homeostatic fluid balance
• Vital signs monitoring
• IV complications and their management

All the courses will incorporate an aspect of theory lessons and supervised practical sessions.

Program Duration

IV therapy is usually taken as a supplementary training for already licensed RNs. As such, the course only last for about 45 hours or less depending on the curriculum details of the training school or facility.

For nurses who are already qualified infusion nurses, short conferences that could last two days helps train them on novel techniques of infusion therapy. This helps to keep them abreast with changes and innovations. Such advancement training programs are offered by the Infusion Nurses Society via hosting of conferences and training workshops.

Certification

Upon successful completion of training by an accredited school or health facility, IV nurses must obtain certification from the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation. An active Registered Nurse licensure must be produced for the corporation to allow you to sit for the certification exam.

Renewal of certification for Infusion therapy nurse is done every three years. Renewing of certification is guaranteed in either of the following two ways:

i)        The IV nurse must show proof of being involved in continuing education workshops and seminars offered by Infusion Nurses Society. In this case you must produce continuing education credits that are usually offered at the end of such workshops.

ii)      The IV nurse can request for a retest exam from INCC for which they must pass.

Work Scope of Infusion Nurses

Infusion Nurses work closely with an array of medical professionals to ensure safe delivery of fluid medications and treatments. Since they are already RNs, they are only answerable to senior doctors or Nurse Specialists.

They also work hand- in hand with Phlebotomy nurses; who are also, to some extent trained on intravenous concepts. In addition to drugs, they also administer nutritional requirements in form of solutions to patients who are not able to take normal solid foods.

IV nurses can also be found in operating rooms where, they can administer required anesthetic medications that need to be directed to the peripheral or central nervous system. They must also be ready to give an emergency blood transfusion to patients who undergo excessive bleeding during surgery.

How to Get a Nursing Degree

The first nursing degree you get enables you to become a registered nurse (RN). Other lower nursing qualifications like certificate programs only allow a student to have junior nursing duties like Licensed Practice Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) among others.

Nursing Degree programs

The first step in becoming a registered nurse is by enrolling for either of the listed nursing degrees programs:

i)        Associate of Science in Nursing degree

This is the lowest starting point in getting a nursing degree. Students who enroll for this nursing degree have to undertake at least two years of study in a nursing school. The degree program will include core concepts of nursing and clinical practicum sessions where, the student nurse gets to interact with patients in a clinical setting.

Upon graduation with this nursing degree, you will be expected to take and pass a National Council Licensure Exam for RNs.

ii)      Bachelor of Science in Nursing

This is a four-year degree program where nurses are intensively trained on diverse nursing courses. Unlike the ASN degree, a BSN degree has a larger coursework and hence, RNs who take a BSN has greater expertise than those who take ASN. Like the ASN, completion of a BSN qualifies a student to take the NCLEX-RN certification test.

iii)    LPN to BSN nursing degrees

These degree programs are meant for LPNs who want to get the transition to RNs. The program offers a chance to LPNs to increase their practice scopes and get better pay margins

iv)    RN to BSN degree

The program is designed for RNs who already have an ASN but want to advance their educational qualification. Students who take this path are usually RNs who want a flexible and highly exempted credits route to getting a higher nursing degree.

v)      Second Degree BSN degrees/ Accelerated BSN degree

These degree program aims at enabling non-nursing students who hold other bachelors degree to get a nursing degree. For people who want to change careers, this is the easiest way to get a nursing degree. The duration of study is reduced as your former bachelor’s degree credits are recognized.

Different Modes of Study in Get a Nursing Degree

After choosing your nursing degree, you decide to register in one of the following study modes to get your nursing degree:

Fulltime Nursing School

In this study mode, nursing students must be in campus for all nursing training whereby, students take both theory and practical classes within campus. Usually, many nursing schools are university hospitals and this allows the students to have convenience in attending the supervised clinical rounds.

This mode of study is also called traditional nurse training and involves one-on-one students-instructors interaction. It is the most preferred method of study especially for first-time nursing school students or those who do not have to work another job at the time of study.

Getting a Nursing Degree Online

Online nursing degrees offer students the chance to get their nursing degree right from home without having to attend college. The students use web tools like webinars, audio conferencing and other online education delivery systems to learn the nursing concepts.

This is the most appropriate way to get a nursing degree if you want to keep your job or if you have a tight time schedule. It is also recommended for students who have a prior experience in nursing as things will not sound too complicated or too new. The popular nursing degrees under this study mode include LPN to RN programs, paramedic to RN degree programs and RN to BSN.

Accreditation of Nursing Degrees

To be on the safe side and ensure you get a valid and recognized nursing degree, students must always confirm that the ministry of education approves the nursing school in question. Students must also check with their states’ board of nursing to ensure the course work and curriculum is up-to the required state standards.

Other accrediting bodies like National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission are in a position to guide students to only enroll for accredited programs. This will be of advantage as it will prevent incidences of wasting time and money in the journey towards getting a nursing degree.

Global Health Nurse Training Services

Global Health Nurse Training Services (GHNTS) is now called Global Health College. It is a relatively new nurse training school that offers various nursing programs. It is located in Virginia (VA) and also serves the students of neighboring states of Maryland (MD) and Washington DC. It is accredited to offer nurse training programs by the nursing board of Virginia.

It started operations and the teaching program in the beginning of 2005 with only licensed practice nurses being the first to be admitted. After two years, the school was accredited to admit and train students in Associate of Science degree in nursing by the same Virginia Board of Nursing. The school is also certified and recognized by Virginia’s State Council of Higher Education.

Academic programs at GHNTS

Since the school is not very old, it currently has four accredited nursing programs. These four major nurse training programs at Global Health College (Global Health Nursing Services) are:

i)        Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) Program

This was the pioneer nursing program at Global Health Nurse Training Services. It trains student nurses to become Licensed Practice Nurses as per the guidelines set by the VA Practice Act. The LPN curriculum at GHNTS is very comprehensive and detailed courses in planning, implementation, assessment of nursing concepts are taught. It also instills discipline in the student nurses by ensuring they adhere to the nursing code of ethics.

After successful completion of this program, students are certified by NCLEX by passing a certification exam. By the end of the past year, GHNTS had recorded a 92% pass rate for its students who took the NCLEX-LPN exam.

ii)      Associate of Nursing Degree

Global Health Nursing Services offers an Associate degree in Nursing. Students admitted to this program must take a total of twenty eight general education units in the first year.

In the second year, students take nursing major units that total up-to forty six giving the whole ASN degree a total of 74 units for both years. The program takes two years to complete with students taking supervised clinical classes in maternity, psychiatry and medical surgery.

iii)    Nurse Aide (NA) Programs/ Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)Training

This program at GHNTS runs for ten weeks and interested students are scheduled to have two sessions each week. The program is quite flexible and students can arrange to attend the nurse aide training programs at the most convenient days of the week.

As prerequisites, students are expected to prove to the admissions office completion of a high school diploma. Students must also have their criminal background checked and provide a health assessment record showing their state of health to be eligible for admission.

iv)    Medical Assistant

This is the last of the four nursing programs at Global Health Nursing Services.  Students who wish to enroll to this program must choose from five modules so as to receive certification. These include phlebotomy technician, Clinical Medical assistant, EKG technician, pharmacy technician or a billing and medical coding specialist.

For eligibility and admission into this medical assistant program, students must pass an entrance exam and show proof of a high school diploma, CPR and a clean criminal record.

The Student Body at GHNTS

Global Health Nurse Training Services is a training institution with students from all walks of life. The population of students is made up of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans and other foreign students. The school claims to be a discrimination free zone regardless of sex, race or origin.

Financial Aid for Global Health Nurse Training Services

Students studying at Global Health Nurse Training Services are eligible for federal financial aid by applying using the school code. The federal financial loans are available for all GHNTS programs. In addition, there is a school based financial award but this is only applicable to the LPN students only. The award of this financial aid is gauged based on financial need portrayed by the applicant student.

It is also worth noting that the Registered Nursing (RN) program offers a zero interest rates to students who plan to pay their tuition fees in installments.

Labor and Delivery Nurse Schooling

Labor and delivery nurses are with women during a very joyous and yet stressful time of their life, the birth of child. This means they must be prepared for many different situations and emergencies that could arise. There are different ways to work in labor and delivery if you choose to do this, from simply adding some specialty classes to your RN program to advancing your career and becoming a nurse midwife.

Choose Your Area

Before you can begin labor and delivery nurse schooling you have to decide how far you want to take your nursing in this field. Many nurses in the labor room have a typical registered nursing education with some added classes that focus on labor and delivery. The schooling for this type of work is simply an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree in nursing with the added classes and passing the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered.  However, if you have an Associate’s Degree you will have to bridge that to a BS degree before you move into the nurse midwifery program.

If you decide that you want to become a more advanced nurse in labor and delivery, you can go on to study to become a nurse midwife. The certified nurse midwife program is a nurse practitioner degree (Master’s of Science in Nursing with a midwife specialty); however, many states are requiring a Doctor of Nursing Practice and the future outlook is that this will be the standard requirement.

Because the education for simply working in labor and delivery is no more than the traditional registered nurse education, the schools looked at below will be focused on certified nurse midwife programs.

Labor and Delivery School Options

The schools listed below are all noted for offering certified nurse midwife programs that prepare nurses to take the state examination and become certified in that area.

Frontier University: This is an online schooling option that provides distance base classes and assists students in setting up their clinical work in their hometown. Students are required to attend two or three campus based sessions in Hyden, Kentucky. The program takes two years to complete and with over 1000 preceptor sites across the U.S. graduates students from practically any location. Frontier University has been offering education to nurse midwives for more than 70 years and has a tradition steeped in quality education.

Georgetown University-Washington: This campus-based or online program in Washington is a nationally ranked program that requires 49 credit hours. The program is accredited by the Commission for Midwifery Education and is a full-time program. Clinical studies can be in local or even out-of-state hospitals or clinical sites and may include freestanding birthing facilities. The classes that are online are similar to the live classes in that they are provided in a seminar style and allow you to review them at your convenience as you study. Online students have access to student services and resources at the University.

Philadelphia University: Philadelphia University offers a Master’s of Science – Nurse Midwife degree as well as a Post Master’s Nurse Midwife Certificate. The MS degree is a two-year degree that is full time at the graduate level. Classes are web-based with some on-campus sessions required as well as clinical work that is arranged in the local community medical facilities. The Post Masters Nurse Midwife Certificate is available for nurses who have already earned their Master’s or Doctoral degree in another healthcare specialty and wants to add midwifery to their education. Graduates and certificate holders are eligible to take the certification exam to become certified nurse midwives.

University of Cincinnati: The University of Cincinnati offers an online, distance based nurse-midwifery program for nurses who wish to move into this specialized field of nursing. The classes last approximately two and one-half years and are offered through the online Blackboard program.

Labor and delivery nurse schooling is highly dependent on how far into the labor and delivery process you want to go as a nurse. You can use your traditional RN degree and work in labor and delivery or specialize in midwifery and become a nurse practitioner. Once you have made this decision you can choose the schools that offer you the best options.

Registered Nurse Schooling

If you have made the decision to enter the medical field and want to become a registered nurse then you naturally need to find out about your education options. Registered nurse schooling can take several different formats with differing degree levels. Each format will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam which makes you a licensed, registered nurse.

The different options you have, from an Associate’s Degree to a Bachelor’s Degree and even a diploma are explored below with some school choices outlined to help you with your decision.

Registered Nurse with a Diploma

This pathway to becoming a registered nurse is not a common one but can be found, typically in hospital settings. The diploma pathway is usually employer offered and provides courses that allow current medical employees to pursue a nursing career. At the end of the program, the students are eligible to take the RN examination. Nurses with a diploma instead of a degree are considered entry level and cannot further their education into advanced nursing without earning a degree first.

Associate’s Degree in Nursing

The Associate’s Degree in Nursing is a two-year program that prepares students for the world of nursing and qualifies them to take the NCLEX-RN. Most Associate’s Degrees are offered through community colleges. This degree focuses on the nursing aspect of the education whereas the Bachelor’s Degree has core courses that enable the graduate to continue into advanced nursing education.

There are also online schools that offer Associate’s Degrees. These schools typically partner with medical facilities in the student’s community to facilitate the clinical portion of the education. Online schools offering this program include:

University of Phoenix
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Ashworth College
Keiser University

These schools are fully accredited and work with students to ensure they receive the clinical coursework necessary to become eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

The Bachelor’s of Science in nursing degree is typically a 4-year degree that allows graduates to apply for and be employed in higher ranking positions than those with an Associate’s Degree or Diploma. Some nurses choose the Associate’s Degree in order to get started in their career and then work toward their BSN. Nurses with a BSN can also advance their education and move into specialty fields such as pediatrics and other advanced nursing jobs. Some of the top schools for earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing are outlined here.

BSN Degrees: The U.S. News and World Reports has ranked the following colleges and universities at the top of their list of schools offering BSN degrees:

University of Washington (three campuses)
University of California/San Francisco (The UC Berkeley Medical School)
University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill
Oregon Health and Science University
University of Illinois
University of Maryland
University of Pittsburgh
Yale University

Each of these schools offers four-year degree programs with some offering online courses as well as campus-based courses. Students graduating from these schools with a BSN are prepared to enter the medical field in higher positions than nurses without a degree.

In addition, the following schools are ranked among the highest of schools offering the RN to BSN program.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: This is an accredited program that features distance learning. Students who attend full-time can complete their degree in one year while part-time students will graduate in two years.

University of Virginia: This RN to BSN program is a mixed program with some courses available online. The time to complete the program can be as little as three semesters or stretched out to three years. Graduates are prepared for advanced education, advanced clinical practice work and prepared to be leaders in their field.

University of South Carolina Upstate: This is a fast-track program that can be completed in one year. It is held at the Mary Black School of Nursing, part of the Mary Black Hospital System in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Azusa Pacific University: This program is an online program offered by the Center for Adult and Professional Studies through the Azusa Pacific University. It is a fully accredited program where students work together through the online classes.

Psychiatric Nursing Continuing Education

Psychiatric nursing can be a very rewarding nursing field and also a very stressful one at the same time. In addition to dealing with many different types of illnesses that primarily affect how a person behaves, these nurses have to stay abreast of the ever-changing world of mental illnesses and the various treatment options. This is one reason for psychiatric nursing continuing education requirements.

If you are a psychiatric nurse, these requirements not only help you stay certified, they help keep you on the cutting edge of your field.

Finding Psychiatric Nurse Certification Classes

The best way to find courses that meet the requirements for psychiatric nursing CEUs is to stay in contact with the American Psychiatric Nursing Association (APNA). The APNA is a wealth of information for nurses that work in the psychiatric field and has detailed information on seminars, courses and online classes that can be used to fulfill the requirements for annual recertification.

You can also check with your local community colleges and universities to find out if they have nursing programs and offer continuing education courses. This is a good way to get classes in that can further your degree in the future while at the same time fulfilling your CEU requirements. You can easily earn several course credits going this route.

You should also join psychiatric nursing organizations and other nursing organizations. These groups often host seminars and luncheons that are educational and help you accumulate CEUs toward your annual requirement. In addition, these groups are an excellent resource for all things related to your nursing career.

Because addiction is considered a mental illness you may also be able to find seminars and lectures at rehabilitation facilities. These facilities staff psychiatric nurses and work to keep them educated in the disease of addiction. These courses not only help you attain your CEUs but may also provide you a glimpse of another side of psychiatric nurses.

Type of Classes

As a nurse you have a busy schedule and when you aren’t on call or at work you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about work. However, since you do have to be recertified to continue to practice, you have to find the most convenient ways to get your continuing education units in without tiring yourself out in the process. Thankfully, there are many different ways to do so, including:

Online Courses: There are many different online courses that count towards your CEUs. These courses allow you to watch and test at your own pace, in your own time. Some are paid courses and some are actually free. You may have to do more of these type courses to get your hours in than you would if you attended a class, but if your time is an issue, these online courses could be the best answer.

Seminars: There are many nursing seminars that are available, either through the nursing associations previously mentioned or even through your employer. Hospitals and other medical facilities will often host nursing seminars to introduce new techniques or medications to the staff. These seminars typically meet the criteria for being counted toward CEUs. You should make sure of this and if the seminars do meet the criteria, be sure you get the documentation you need to turn in for your license renewal.

College Classes: If you are planning on furthering your degree you can often count many of your college courses toward your continuing education credits. You should check with the licensing board in your state to determine which ones will be accepted and how many credit units are awarded for each class.

Studies in Continuing Education for Psychiatric Nursing

Psychiatric nurses may be employed in a variety of healthcare settings, from family therapy to in-patient mental health facilities to drug and alcohol rehabilitation make the topics covered varied and can greatly expand your nursing knowledge outside of your area of practice. You can find courses on such topics as:

• Delirium
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Drug Abuse
• Adolescent Dating
• Peer Pressure
• Suicide
• Compulsive Disorders

As you can see, you can broaden your nursing horizons while at the same time earning your CEUs. This could lead you to change your area of practice and move in a whole new direction.

Psychiatric nursing continuing education courses are required in order to remain a practicing nurse. However, they also allow you to delve deeper into areas of your practice that you might not have known about and learn more about how to help your patients.

PhD in Nursing Programs

A doctoral degree in nursing is the highest nursing degree that you can hold; however, there are two doctoral degrees. The Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP) is the doctoral degree for practicing while the Doctor of Science in Nursing is the PhD degree and is more research based than practice based. The DNP has become the preferred degree for nurses who wish to move higher in their field and attain executive status or work in highly specialized areas such as midwife nurse practitioners.

Choosing the best PhD in nursing programs is the first step to a long and successful career as a high ranking nurse.

The Best of the Best

Everyone wants to choose the best school for their education, it simply makes good sense. Employers look more favorably upon some institutions simply due to the reputation they have earned for graduating some of the best in the industry. The following schools have been deemed to be the top schools for PhD in nursing programs based on peer assessment. They are presented in order of ranking for you to review and consider as you look toward advancing your degree.

#1 John Hopkins University: This prestigious medical teaching school offers nurses two options for obtaining their doctoral degree in nursing, the DNP and the PhD. The NDP program for practicing nursing at the highest possible level allows students to create their own nursing path based on their specialized interests such as anesthesia, midwifery and more. The PhD program is more attuned to nurses who want to pursue research type careers.

#1 University of Philadelphia: The Penn Nursing program has long been recognized as a leader in producing top quality nurses. The PhD program prepares nurses for advanced careers in research environments. Students can also choose to get a joint degree by add Bioethics or Business Administration to their curriculum.

#1 University of Washington: The University of Washington offers nurses both the DNP and the PhD option. The programs last from one to three years, depending on the educational background of the student. Students can choose part-time or full-time studies and for some courses choose distance learning. The DNP has several different specialty paths such as pediatric, midwifery, mental health and more. The PhD takes up to 5 years and does not allow part-time study until after the first completed year. This program is much more intense and focuses on research and study instead of practice in the nursing field.

#6 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: Like many other prestigious universities, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor offers both the PhD and the DNP programs as well as a Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship. The PhD in nursing program prepares nurses to become forerunners in the advancement of nursing through research and a strong emphasis on theory rather than practice. The DNP program focuses on advanced practical nursing skills and leadership. This degree has become the preferred degree for nurses entering specialized fields and will become the accepted credentials for many of these specialty areas, such as nurse midwifery. One of the requirements for the DNP program is at least 1000 hours of advanced clinical work.

#7 Duke University: Noted not only for its nursing program but for its medical facilities as well, the School of Nursing at Duke University offers nurses both the PhD program and the DNP program. Students who graduate from this program can pursue teaching positions in nursing schools or move into research in a post doctorate program. The DNP program at Duke offers online courses with planned on-campus days. This program prepares nurses to improve patient care as leaders in their area of nursing.

As shown here, there are many excellent schools of nursing that offer doctoral programs in nursing. The main thing you need to decide is if you want to get a research doctoral degree (PhD) or a clinical practice degree (DNP). Once you know this, you can decide on the school that best meets your needs.

PhD in nursing programs allows nurses to reach the pinnacle of their education and become leaders in the healthcare field. The DNP has become to go-to degree for many areas that once had certifications only and will overtime become the desired doctoral degree for nurses who wish to remain actively practicing.

Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education

All nurses know the importance of keeping their certification current and their license up –to-date. Nurse practitioner continuing education courses are designed to help the nurse practitioner maintain the continuing education units (CEU’s) necessary to renew their license when the time comes each year to do so.

Every nurse is required to take continuing education courses during their career and so it is important to know how to find these courses and what courses can be used for continuing education credits.

Types of Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education Courses

There are many different ways for nurse practitioners to earn continuing education credits, which makes it easier to get the credits needed to remain certified. The main methods of earning CEUs include:

• Online Nurse Classes: These are courses that are available on the Internet that provide CEUs to help nurses meet their requirements for recertification. You can find many different topics, from new medical trends and techniques to advanced nursing.
• Traditional Campus Based Classes: If you prefer to attend a traditional classroom, you can check with your local colleges and find out what classes they offer for continuing education credits. You should make sure the classes will fulfill the nurse practitioner continuing education requirements before you invest your time and money in the class,
• Lunch and Learn or Employer-Offered Courses: There are many education offerings that can be found through your employer. These are what some people call lunch and learns or seminars that the employer brings in for advancing their employees knowledge. The added benefit is that many of these types of courses qualify as CEUs and go toward fulfilling your objective.

These are the three main types of continuing education classes that you can use to get your educational requirements met before time for your recertification. The next thing you need to know is how to find courses that meet those requirements.

Finding Continuing Education Courses for the Nurse Practitioner

Before you can decide which classes you want to take you have to know what is offered and where you can find the classes. In order to find classes that meet the required criteria for being used as a continuing education class you should utilize the following resources:

• AANP CE Center: The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Continuing Education Portal provides you with information regarding many continuing education opportunities that are available online with online testing and certification once the testing is complete.
• CE Calendar: This is a comprehensive calendar of educational opportunities for continuing education credits. These courses are listed by location and date and shows courses that are approved by the AANP.
• Independent Continuing Education Opportunities: This listing is also approved by the AANP and includes a variety of learning options including online, self-study through publications, CDs, DVDs and more.
• NPACE: The Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education provides nurse practitioners with information on live conferences and seminars that provide education opportunities for nurse practitioners and other nursing professionals who require CEUs.

This is by no means a comprehensive listing of the resources available to nurse practitioners to help them get their continuing education requirements completed annually.

Types of Courses you can take for Continuing Education

There are many different subjects you can choose when you are searching for classes to fulfill your education requirements. You can choose those that will help you advance your career as you continue further in your education goals or choose the ones that interest you the most and are related to your current field of nursing. Some of the classes you may encounter include:

• New Treatment Options for Various Diseases: You can find many different continuing education classes that are focused on treatment options for specific diseases, such as new ways to treat diabetes or HIV.
• High blood pressure, Asthma or other Specific Conditions: If you work in a specialty field or area of the hospital you may find it beneficial to choose CE courses that pertain to ailments you deal with on a daily basis, such as arthritis, depression and much more.
• Field Specialties: If you work in a specialized area of the hospital or a specialized doctor’s office, you may find it beneficial to choose CE courses in that area, such as geriatrics or pediatrics.

You don’t have to choose courses that you aren’t interested in just to meet your required CE units. You can and should choose classes and seminars that interest you and will benefit your career.

Nurse practitioner continuing education is a requirement of being a nurse that you need to stay aware of and make sure you are prepared for before time for you to renew your license. You can utilize many different resources and class types to get your CEUs and stay abreast of the latest news in your field of nursing.

Free Nursing Continuing Education Courses

As a nurse you know that you are required to renew your license periodically and that in order to do so you must have a certain number of continuing education courses known as CEUs or continuing education units. As you know from your education to become a nurse, courses can become costly.

The good news is that there are free nursing continuing educations courses that can help you meet your requirements and save money at the same time.

Online

The first place to look for free courses to earn CEUs is online. You can find many websites that offer webinars and videos with related information that qualifies as continuing education credits. The only downside to some of these is the number of CEUs earned per course is often small. On the other hand, since they are free and accessible via the Internet you can do them in your own time and accumulate your credits over time.

Medline University: This is an online resource for clinical resources, training programs and medical products. There are many courses and webinars available at no charge once you register. You can sort through available courses based on theme and whether or not it offers CE credits.

American Nurses Association: This organization offers many free continuing education courses for nurses who are members. The organization also offers many low cost courses for continuing education.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Nurses can create an account and the search the CDC’s database of courses. After registering for the course and taking it, an evaluation of the course along with an examination are presented and when complete a CEU certificate can be printed.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Nurses can earn 7 CEU’s with an online course in asthma management and education.  The course is approved by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center‘s Commission on Accreditation.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: This division of the USHHS agency provides may continuing education courses that can be taken online. These courses are presented as PowerPoint presentations or slides and are accredited courses for earning CEUs. Topics available include breathing conditions, cancer ADHD and developmental delays, diabetes, muscle bone and joint conditions and many more. Many of the courses are provided to the agency by well-known medical schools such as Baylor University.

The Epilepsy Foundation: This online training course provides 1.5 CE hours and was developed in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The course was designed to educate people about the important of quick response time to seizures and is an accredited course for healthcare workers and law enforcement personnel.

Nurse Oncology Education Program: This program provides nurses with education on cancer and offers many free courses. Topics you can choose from include Cancer Survivorship, Cancer in Ages 15-3, Nurses Guide to Genetics and Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and many more. These CEUs are recognized in nearly every state; however, before you invest your time make sure your state will accept them.

ESP – Emerging Solutions in Pain: This site is dedicated to pain management for medical professionals and as such offers free online course for nurses that can help fulfill their CEU requirements. Classes are generally centered on pain and treatment options, topics include advances in pain and addiction, managing opioid use, addiction and many more topics centering on pain.

The National Healthcare Institute: This institute provides free courses such as a HIPPA course that covers the HIPPA privacy laws. The courses are accredited and approved by most all states. Courses offered vary from time to time and some have expiration dates so you need to check frequently to see what is being offered.

Nursing Schools: You should also check with any of the hundreds of nursing schools to find out if they offer free courses for CE credits, for example, Jacksonville University School of Nursing offers these occasionally. You should sign up to receive alerts when classes are available.

These are some of the many free nursing continuing education courses that are available on the Internet. As you can see, some are sponsored by specific agencies of medical conditions, such as the asthma and allergy courses or the epilepsy course and many are offered by government agencies. This is an excellent starting point when searching for CEUs without having to spend a fortune. 

Online LPN Nursing Degrees

Many people who want to go into the nursing field choose the LPN path in order to get in the field working quicker than going through three or four years of school in order to become and RN with a BS degree.

If you are considering becoming a licensed practical nurse you can save yourself time and check out the online LPN nursing degrees that are available through many virtual colleges and even traditional colleges that have an online presence.

Why Choose an LPN Degree

It may seem odd that some people choose an LPN degree instead of going ahead with an RN degree, especially since there are RN programs that can be completed in less than four years. There are actually many reasons that a person might choose to become a licensed practical nurse instead of or before becoming a registered nurse. Some of these reasons include:

• Degree of difficulty: While the courses are similar in an RN program and an LPN program, the RN program delves much deeper into theory. Many people know that they don’t want have the aptitude for the level of difficulty of the RN program.
• Waiting List: The demand for nurse is high and so is the demand to get into nursing school. Some RN programs have long waiting lists and difficult pre-requisites. LPN programs are usually easier to gain access to and quick to give acceptance.
• Money: Money is one of the reasons cited for choosing the LPN program and it is two-fold reason: one, the cost of the LPN program is typically less expensive than the RN program; and, two, you are out in the nursing field quicker and thus earning a paycheck.
• Time: If an accelerated LPN program is chosen, it is possible to be working in as little as a year. This is a huge time saver and can allow a nurse to have a paycheck coming in much quicker than if you choose an RN program.
• Career Option Uncertainty: Choosing to be an LPN allows students to see what they will be doing and get into the field without committing time and money to an RN program. If they decide that they aren’t cut out for nursing, they can easily find another career path. However, if they find they like nursing, the can easily bridge to an RN degree quickly.

These are some of the reason that many nurses give for choosing to go into the nursing field as an LPN instead of an RN.

Online Programs

There are many different online LPN programs available, some of these programs are direct LPN programs and some are designed to go from certified nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse. Some of the top online schools for obtaining an LPN nursing degree include:

• University of Phoenix: Offers both online and campus based programs. Programs include M.S. in Nursing, PhD in Nursing, RN to Bachelor of Science and others.
• Walden University: Offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD’s in nursing.
• Kaplan University: Featuring MS, RN to MS, RN to BS and other nursing programs.

These are three of the most recognized names in online universities that offer LPN nursing degrees. There are also many traditional college campuses that have a web presence for online education, such as Duke University.

Courses and Education

If you have chosen to use the Internet to get your education and become a licensed practical nurse you don’t have to worry about receiving less training and knowledge than traditional schools. You will learn how to do many different things and also learn why and how they are done. Classes you will take include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Geriatrics
• Medical Terminology
• Vocational Rehab
• Health and Nutrition
• Human Growth and Development

These are just a few of the classes that you may be required to take. The good news is that you won’t have nearly as many classes as someone on the RN path. These course and others will help you as you understand the whys and hows behind the various tasks you will perform, such as taking vitals and observing patients.

In most states, you will be able to perform practically all of the duties of a registered nurse with the exception of pushing IV drugs, performing assessments or administering blood products. LPNS work under the supervision of RNs and may also supervise CNAs.

Online LPN nursing degrees allow students to get their education and become working professionals from the convenience of their own home and in less time than if they were going to a traditional school for the same degree or a more advanced degree in nursing.

Online LPN schools offer aspiring nurses the opportunity to work towards a degree in nursing while maintaining a full-time job. Because some students must continue to work full-time to support themselves or their families, online schools may be the only option. Online LPN schools allow students to work towards a stable and growing career in the healthcare field. Online LPN programs are fairly short-term and require just over one year of full time study. Once a student secures a LPN qualification, they can work as a LPN or pursue a nursing degree. LPNs make $40,000 or more each year.

How to Become an LPN

Aspiring LPN students should normally be 18 years of age. For most programs, the minimum requirements include a 2.0 GPA and taking an entrance exam, such as the Test for Adult Basic Education, which includes assessments in reading, writing and math. Some LPN programs are extremely competitive, which means that students may need to meet more than the minimum requirements to be accepted into the course.

Once the LPN program commences, it usually takes 3 to 4 quarters or semesters to complete. Nearly all students can start and complete an LPN program within one and one-half years. The program requires training in behavior patient care techniques. Students will also complete a portion of the program in a clinical setting under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, or in some cases another LPN.

Once the program is complete, students must take the National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses, to earn a practical nursing license.

Format of Online LPN Schools

For most programs, there is not one true online LPN program. Because LPNs require clinical training, at some point students will be required to attend a session in-person to learn clinical duties and undergo an assessment. For working professionals seeking a program to become an LPN, the best bet is a community college program geared towards those pursuing a second career.

Some community programs offer a flexible format and schedule including evening and online LPN courses. Here are a few online LPN schools below:

Hondros College

Hondros College offers a format ideal for the working professional, as it offers LPN courses in a hybrid format. Students can take classes in the evenings and online, which gives them the freedom to pursue a full-time career and earn money during the day. Furthermore, LPN students can complete their clinical training on the weekends. This allows the opportunity to continue to work, if necessary, while completing an academic program.

Allegany College of Maryland

Once the LPN qualification is earned, students can pursue education online to become a nurse. Allegany College of Maryland offers an online program for LPNs to earn their RN qualification. The program can be accessed at any time of day. All curricular coursework is completed online and students can complete the clinical component of the program in their hometown. Students should verify that they live in an approved state before attempting to attend the program, if they live out of state.

Nursing Degrees in Virginia

Regardless of whether you live in the mountains of Virginia or near the shores of Virginia Beach, you can find many educational opportunities. Nursing degrees in Virginia are plentiful with many accredited schools to choose from to get your degree in order to take your certification exam and become a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

The many schools in Virginia provide ample opportunity for you to get any one of the various nursing degrees such as:

• Diploma in Nursing
• Practical Nursing Degree
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degree

Each of these different degrees affords you the opportunity to work in one of the many hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state.

 To Wait or Not to Wait

The shortage in nurses has brought many new students to the fields that are anxious to get into nursing school and get their new career started. Most of these people want to go into the Associate Degree program due to it being a shorter class and yet as the same time being simple to bridge to the Bachelor’s Degree. However, the influx of students into the Associate’s Degree program has created a waiting list.

The alternative to entering the nursing field through the Associate’s program is to either enter a practical nursing degree program or a Bachelor’s Degree program. You can also seek your nursing education online or through accelerated programs that will get you out of school faster. These may not be the route you had intended to go to get your degree; however, they are faster than waiting for a spot to open up in what are often long waiting lists.

Tuition Assistance

If you need tuition assistance to get one of the nursing degrees in Virginia you are in luck. The state has created what they call the Virginia State Loan Repayment Program in order to help fill the nursing shortage, particularly in areas that are rural or poor and in need of medical personnel.

This program will pay nurses who work at least two years in these locations up to $25k to cover your tuition. This money is give after the two years of service so you may have to find alternate ways to pay for the nursing degree initially. Some options that you may consider include:

• Scholarships from nursing associations in Virginia and other areas;
• School scholarships;
• Student loans that you can repay quickly with your tuition reimbursement;
• Employer assistance;
• Grants and other state funding

You can find many different ways to pay for your tuition to one of the many nursing schools in Virginia if you take the time to research the many options available and keep in mind that you can get a large portion of your money back with the loan repayment program.

Virginia Nursing Jobs

Many students who attend nursing school in Virginia choose to stay in the state to pursue their career. There are many different regions to choose from, such as large cities like Richmond or small rural cities that are in need of nurses. The large metropolitan areas like Richmond have larger hospitals with trauma centers. Some of these larger hospitals are also teaching hospitals that help draw nursing students to the state.

The need for nurses goes well beyond the large metropolitan areas. In fact, the repayment program offered by the state is designed around the smaller, more rural areas that are experiencing extremely low nursing numbers. Many of these have excellent facilities but are in need of staff to work in them.

Researching Schools

If the information here has sparked an interest in the various nursing degrees in Virginia then you should continue your research by visiting the Nursing Schools in Virginia section of this website. Here you can find everything you need to know about nursing in Virginia from schools that are available and the details about the nursing programs they offer.

Schools that offer nursing degrees in Virginia are plentiful and come with excellent financial incentives such as tuition repayment all while living in a beautiful, historic state. If you choose to stay and work, there are many different hospitals and medical facilities that can put your nursing skills to good use.

Nursing Degrees in New York

If you are trying to decide on a career path, you should consider the nursing field. It is a well known fact that nurses are in high demand as the population ages and the Baby Boomer generations reaches retirement age. Not only will these retired Baby Boomers be leaving the work force, they will also need more medical care than they did when they were younger.

This means more vacancies in a field that will be in demand. If you live in New York, you have many options for getting a nursing degree. The various options for nursing degrees in New York will be explored here to help you get started with your education and ultimately become a vital part of the healthcare field.

Less Than 4 Years

Many high school students cringe when they see the cost of a 4-year school. Tuition is the biggest obstacle faced by most students and some have to give up their dreams of a degree. Unless their family has prepared for their college education, most students will either not be able to attend school or they will have to go in debt. Thankfully, however, there is an option available through allied healthcare programs that help New Yorkers get their nursing degree.

This program helps students get their medical career started in less time and with less debt involved.  These healthcare programs are less expensive than 4-year schools and allow students to enter the medical field and trained nursing assistants, dental technicians or medical assistants. Once students get this degree, they can enter the work force and then continue on to a full nursing degree if they so desire.

Hands-On Learning

The allied healthcare programs offered in New York help students enter the medical field and ultimately go on to obtain their nursing degree by giving them essential hands-on learning opportunities through internships. Traditional 4-year schools emphasize not only the nursing classes but also electives and classes in the arts. While these are necessary for a Bachelor’s degree, they play no role in taking care of a patient. The classes and training in the allied healthcare programs are focused solely on preparing students for real world scenarios that are relevant to their career choice. Once this program is complete, the student can enter the field and if they want to go on to get a more advanced degree in nursing at another school.

Tech Schools and Community Colleges

If you really want to get your nursing degree so that you can take the registered nurse exam and yet you can’t afford a 4-year school, there are still some inexpensive options you can explore. New York has many community colleges and technical schools that offer associate degrees in nursing or diploma programs that will give you the education and training you need to be qualified for the NCLEX-RN. These schools allow you to complete your educational requirements in two years or less.

The number of schools offering nursing degrees in the state of New York is nothing short of astounding. California and Texas are the only two states that have more hospitals which simply mean that with the need for nurses extremely high, it only makes sense that there are ample opportunities for nursing degrees.

Online Degrees

Students in New York have the same options for online nursing degrees as other students around the world. Many of the online schools are much less expensive than traditional schools while still providing a quality education. The classes are held online and then students are paired with local medical facilities to complete the clinical work required to make them eligible for the licensing exam. In addition to commonly known online universities and colleges, Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh has an online nursing program that is CCNE accredited.

Traditional Schools

There are more than 90 campus-based nursing programs in the state of New York. When you couple this with the programs that the state has made available for tuition forgiveness in return for working in high need hospitals and medical facilities, it is easy to see that getting a nursing degree in New York is not difficult.

If you are interested in getting your nursing education while seeing the beautiful state of New York, you have many different options to help you reach your goal. Do your research and choose the school that best meets your financial and educational needs.

Nursing Degrees in Minnesota

As a nurse it is important that you know your state rules and regulations concerning your education and certification. It isn’t enough to simply graduate, become licensed and cruise on through the rest of your career. Medical technology is constantly changing and nurses need to stay abreast of all the latest news. This is why many states, including Minnesota, have requirements when it comes to keeping your nursing degree and licensing current.

If you live in Minnesota you need to become as informed as possible about nursing degrees in your state and know what is required after you graduate.

After Graduating

Graduating nursing school is a major step in your career. However, when you earn your degree and leave school, you are not completely through with school. In order to keep your nursing degree and ultimately your certification current, the state of Minnesota requires continuing education courses. When it is time for your renewal you will have to show that you have the required number of continuing education credits (CEUs). In order to be certain that you have met those numbers, you need to have an understanding of some of the terminology used when dealing with continuing education. Some of these are explained below.

• Continuing Education Period: Typically this is the 2 year period immediately prior to your renewal date. This is the time frame in which you must complete the requirements for continuing education in order for your Minnesota license to be renewed.
• CEUs Required: Typically, in order to retain and renew your certification you are required to have 24 hours of continuing education. If you are an LPN, you must have 12 hours.

Now that you know how many credit hours you are required to have and your time frame for getting them, you need to know what is considered continuing education.

CEU Activities

The overseers of nursing degrees in Minnesota have made it easy to determine if the activities and classes that you are considering will count toward your continuing education requirements. There are three ways you can achieve your 24 CEUs in the allotted time frame:

• Participate in CEU approved professional activities;
• Participate in learning classes or educational opportunities that are offered by any of the many continuing education providers;
• Earn a nursing specialty certificate of your choice

As the nurse who needs to fulfill continuing education requirements it is up to you to make sure that the activities you choose meet the criteria for renewing your license.

Evaluating Continuing Education Opportunities

In order to help you identify opportunities for earning your continuing education credits and keeping your nursing degree and license current in Minnesota, the board that oversees the licensing has listed the following criteria to help you determine if the activity qualifies or not. The criteria include:

• The activity must last at least 50 minutes, which is considered one contact hour. Academic credits can be used as CEUs with one quarter being 10 contact hours and one semester being 15 contact hours.
• The activity or course must improve or add to your nursing skills or performance.
• The activity must have prior approval from the health licensing board or the person or company providing the educational activity must clearly present to the board objectives that are part of continuing education.
• The instructor of the activity or course must be qualified to teach the subject
• The provider must give to you the objectives of the course in writing; however, if the course or activity has been approved by the licensing association or health board, this is not necessary.
• The provider must provide you with their name, the number of CEU hours you will earn and a written statement verifying attendance.

In addition to understanding what the activity should be and what the provider should do in order for you to get CEU credits, you also have responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that you are completing your CEU activities or courses within the necessary time frame.
• Keeping your CEU documentation for two years after you are recertified.

Knowing what to expect and have completed before you go in for recertification can make all the difference in the world. You won’t have to be surprised by not being able to recertify and you can always be prepared for your next certification.

Having an understanding of the different regulations and requirements that accompany nursing degrees in Minnesota will help you during your nursing career by allowing you to stay on top of your licensing and certification while also staying on top of the latest nursing news and findings through your continued education.

Nursing Degrees in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state filled with rural areas and busy cities, there are beaches and islands that you can visit or live and it is only a skip and a jump away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

If you have dreamed of living or live in this beautiful state and want to get your nursing degree, you have many options.

Program Availability

The nursing shortage across the United States has spurred more educational institutions to offer nursing programs that range from an Associate’s Degree to a Bachelor’s Degree. In Massachusetts, people wishing to earn a degree in nursing can choose from community colleges to larger university teaching hospitals. Students may encounter waiting lists at some of these facilities; however, there are many other school options that don’t have waiting lists, such as online schools.

Tuition

Massachusetts, like other states with nursing shortages, has had to come up with incentives to attract students into the nursing field. This is being accomplished through loan repayment programs and various scholarship programs for students who earn their degree in nursing and work in a Massachusetts healthcare facility for a predetermined amount of time. This is a win-win situation for both students and the healthcare industry. Many people who could not otherwise afford to attend college are able to earn a degree and have a lucrative career, while medical facilities that are in need of nurses get staffing that they need.

Overseeing Nursing Programs

Educational opportunities for nursing in Massachusetts are monitored and regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. This board oversees the state nursing licenses and examinations for all levels of nurses, keeps a listing of their own approved nursing programs which may vary somewhat from accredited schools and oversees the continuing education requirements that nurses must meet in order to remain licensed in the state. This board is an excellent resource for students moving to the Massachusetts area who are considering going to nursing school.

School Options

There are many schools in Massachusetts where you can get your nursing education and prepare to take the NCLEX-RN to become registered. You can choose to go to a community college like Cape Cod Community College, a large university like Boston College or a medical college such as MGH Institute of Health Professions. There are many campus options for nursing students and if none of the campus based classes are what you are looking for, you can attend an online school that partners with a local hospital for clinical training.

If you would like to get your medical career started quickly, you can look into one of the many fast-track options available for practical nurses that are available in vocational schools and technical colleges. These programs prepare you to work as an LPN and then you can pursue your RN degree at a later date if you want to do so.

If you are already a nurse and want to boost your income, you should consider going back to school to earn an advanced degree that will allow you to become a specialized nurse or even a nurse administrator. These positions are also in high demand as many older nurses are retiring and leaving a gap in many healthcare areas.

After School

After you have completed your nursing degree and taken your certification exam, you will most likely be interested in the types of positions that are open to you. If you are considering a move to Massachusetts, it will interest you to know that a nursing degree in Massachusetts qualifies you to work in any one of more than 80 hospitals, with the largest sectors being in Boston and Worcester.

These two areas of the state typically pay more in the nursing field than other areas. For example, staff nurses in the Boston area earn salaries between $60K and $70K per year. This is about $4K more than other areas in the state. However, if you increase your education and keep climbing the healthcare ladder, that number can grow much higher.

If you are interested in any of the nursing degrees that are available in Massachusetts you should research the many options available from the multitude of nursing schools in Massachusetts and find a degree program that will meet all of your needs and is located where you want to live.

Holistic Nursing Degree Programs

Today’s generation has made a turn back to the more natural ways of doing things. Everything from recycling to using all natural, ‘green’ products and even seeking alternative healthcare has become common place in today’s world. Many up and coming nurses are seeking holistic nursing degree programs in an effort to continue the trend toward more natural and alternative medicine.

What are Holistic Nurses?

A holistic nurse is a nurse who has additional training in holistic medicine. Holistic nurses typically provide assistance to practitioners of CAM or complementary and alternative medicine. CAM may be practiced alone or in combination with traditional medicine. Holistic doctors and nurses together work to keep the whole body healthy so that illness doesn’t affect any one part.

The holistic medical view is one that says a person cannot be treated for one condition; the whole being must be treated. This means that your spiritual, mental and emotional health must be treated in order to treat the ailment. Nurses who have been through holistic nursing degree programs are trained to look at all of these aspects and don’t typically approach their nursing profession in the same manner as traditional nurses.

What Do Holistic Nurses Do?

Once a holistic nurse has graduated nursing school and had their additional training in holistic medicine, there are many areas they can work in or even become certified to practice in, such as:

• Alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture
• Stress management through massage and aromatherapy
• Hospital departments that use hypnosis and hydrotherapy
• Therapy offices and mental health facilities helping with depression and addiction

Treatment options often used by holistic nurses include:

• prayer
• acupuncture
• aroma therapy
• art
• dance
• massage therapy
• mineral water therapy
• meditation
• mental healing
• music
• nutrition
• physical therapy

Training in these areas is part of the holistic courses that you will take after you become a registered nurse and start preparing to work in holistic medicine.

Holistic nurses often use a combination of medical knowledge, including Eastern healing medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine. These can be used alone or in combination with traditional western medicine. Some holistic nurses become wellness coaches and work to help others stay healthy without the need for invasive medical techniques and medications.

 Becoming a Holistic Nurse

As with any type of nursing career, the first step is the nursing degree. The school should be an accredited school although it isn’t of vital importance whether or not you get a BS or an Associate’s Degree. You don’t want to get a diploma in nursing if you plan to purse a holistic nursing degree as that is not generally accepted. Once you complete your nursing program you should take and successfully complete your certification exam, the NCLEX-RN.

At this point, you should decide if you plan on specializing or adding skills to your holistic nursing such as acupuncture. If so, you will need to find out what the laws in your state are and make sure you are certified to perform the procedure.

You can work gaining experience as a typical staff nurses while you are working on the courses required to make you eligible to take the examination for holistic certification. You can also apply to work in a holistic medical practice in order to get training in the area. The American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation can help you find these specialized medical offices and also give you advice on taking the holistic nursing certification test.

Advanced Holistic Nursing

As with any nursing career, you may want to advance after being in the field a few years. In holistic nursing this can mean many different things, from becoming a wellness coach with your own business to obtaining your Master’s Degree for nurse practitioners and becoming a holistic nurse practitioner who can create treatment plans for patients and have a more active and decisive role in patient care.

If you prefer to take the natural approach to health and life in general then holistic nursing degree programs might be the right pathway for you to take your nursing career. You can learn to treat the whole body and not simply the one outward manifestation of illness. Holistic nursing is popular career choice for today’s healthcare industry.

Grants for Nursing Degrees

Thousands upon thousands of high school students scour the Internet for ways to pay for their college education. Some are fortunate enough to have parents that can afford to make their college dreams a reality; others have to seek financial help for their own education.

If you are one of the many students that want to pursue a career in nursing but you need to find help to finance your education, you need to learn the secrets to finding grants for nursing degrees.

What is a Grant

Before you can start searching for nursing grants you need to have an understanding of what a grant is and what it is not. First, grants are not loans. You are not required to keep up a specific grade point average to keep the grant and you don’t have to pay the money back. However, grants are typically service-related or have other obligations that you must meet in order to get the money. Some of the most common grants are explored further below.

Subject Grants

One type of grant is subject-based. This simply means that the money is given by a foundation, organization, or other groups that have an interest in seeing the degree proliferated. There are many nursing organizations that give grants to up-and-coming nurses each year. You should investigate these and find out what the requirements are and how you go about applying for them. Some of the more common nursing associations that offer grants include:

• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• National Student Nurses Association
• Your state nursing association

There are other nursing associations that offer grants and can be found online using any search engine. Once you have found the available grants, make sure you thoroughly follow all instructions. The completion is tough, many new nursing students apply for every nursing grant they can in an effort to get their education provided.

Minority Grants

If you are considered a minority you have grant options that are available. There are many different qualifications that can help you qualify as a minority, including:

• African American Heritage
• American Indian Heritage

There are other ethnic designations that may be considered a minority. You should investigate these and determine if you fit into any of the groups. It is possible that there is a relative in your lineage that qualifies you for one of these minority grants.

Women’s Grants

Nursing is not a female-only profession; however, the majority of nurses are women and there are many different types of grants available for women. Some people tend to classify women in the minority heading; however, women have their own category and are highly backed and influenced by the American Association of the University of Women. This organization can help you find every grant available for your nursing education.

Student Grants

There are many educational grants that are designed for a specific type of student and that may be used for nursing degrees as well as many other degrees. Some of these student-specific grants include:

• Adult Student Grants – these help adults go back to school
• Low-Income Student Grants – also known as disadvantaged grants
• Graduate School Grants
• Undergraduate Grants
• Military Grants

This list shows the variety of grants that are available and points out that there is practically a grant for every student who is willing to do the research and find them.

State Grants

Finally, potential nurses should research their own state for any available grants that may be available. Some states are extending many different types of financial aid options to nursing students in an effort to help combat the shortage of nurses that is currently occurring. You should research your state using the Internet or library and then apply for any grants that pertain to nursing.

It is easy to see that there are many grants for nursing degrees available if you are willing to take the time to search for them. Once you find the ones that are available you should follow the instructions very carefully, one small error can cost you the grant and allow one of the hundreds of other applicants to get the money that you need for school.

Difference Between Nursing Degrees

Before you make a decision on where you are going to attend school to get a nursing degree you should have an understanding of the difference between nursing degrees and how those differences can affect your future in the nursing field.

If you are trying to decide which degree best suits your needs you are in the right place. The following breakdown of the different types of nursing degrees should help you decide.

Types of Nursing Degrees

The education needed for a nursing degree is essentially the same in regards to the nursing fundamentals and clinical training. There are three basic was to get in to nursing:

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Diploma

Each of these will be explained in more detail below so that you get a broader understanding of the differences and can use that to decide your best educational pathway.

Overview of Differences

Before going into details about the differences in the three nursing degrees, a brief overview is helpful. Many people are anxious to get their education and clinical training out of the way so that they can take the NCLEX-RN and get started working in the medical field. These people most often opt to earn an Associate’s Degree or even a diploma from a medical facility that is offering the nursing program. Both of these options take two to three years, depending on how much time can be devoted completely to school.

A Bachelor’s Degree takes three to four years of school and is more intense with additional classes in the arts and other subject areas that allow the graduate to continue on in school if they desire. The good news is that patients cannot tell the difference between a nurse with an Associate Degree and one with a Bachelor’s Degree.

The work a nurse does and the tasks that can be performed is not based on whether or not there is a BS or an AD degree or even a diploma, it is based on whether or not the student passed the NCLEX-RN exam and earned their certification.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing can take three or four years and is typically taken at a college or university. In addition to the typical courses that are core nursing classes, students in the BSN program take additional college courses that prepare them to go further with their education and thus move further up the ranks in the nursing profession.

In addition, earning a BSN degree allows the nursing student to go into management level nursing jobs once they have their RN certification. Nurses who have their BSN can also run home health care agencies and residential care facilities as administrators.

The Associate Degree in Nursing

The Associate Degree in nursing is somewhat different than a BSN, particularly in the amount of time it takes to complete the program and the cost of the program. Associates Degrees can be earned from both four-year colleges and community colleges. The program is typically a two-year degree, about half the time required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. The majority of the courses are core nursing classes and clinical experience; however, there are basic math, English and science classes that are required in order to earn the degree.

After graduation, students are eligible to take the nursing certification exam and become registered RNs; however, they are only eligible for entry level nursing position. On the other hand, they do have the basic courses necessary to move on to a BSN if they so desire.

The Diploma in Nursing

There are not as many facilities today offering the nursing diploma as there was in the past; however, there are still some that do. This type of nursing education is typically hospital based where the student works in the hospital and receives their nursing education at the same time. The diploma takes from two to three years to complete, depending on the program structure. Once the program is over, the student is eligible to take the certification exam and become a registered nurse. The downside is that there are no simple stepping stones to go from the diploma to the BSN; you have to start with the basic college courses and then move forward.

Ultimately, the difference between nursing degrees comes down to how far in your nursing career you want to go. If you are happy being a registered nurse and don’t plan on moving into a management position or seeking a higher degree then you can take the shorter path and get your career started; however, if you plan on moving up the ladder, you may want to get your BSN early on and not have to go back to school for it later.

Advanced Degrees in Nursing

If you are one of the more ambitious people in life and want to take your nursing career to the next level while at the same time increasing your pay, you need to consider advanced degrees in nursing. Once you have your BS in nursing and work in the nursing field you may find that you want to take your career to the next level. In order to do so you need to get an advanced degree that will allow you to work in practically any health field. A masters in nursing degree will allow this to happen. You will not only be able to access many more positions than you did with your RN qualifications, but you will also be able to ask for and receive better pay for your work.

Open Doors

Once you decide you want to take your nursing career to the next level you will discover that there are many more positions available for you. An advanced degree will allow you to enter more medical fields and become a nurse in those areas. You will be able to become any of the following:

• Anesthesia Nurse
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Practitioner

You can also take your Masters Degree in Nursing and become an educator who helps other people fulfill their dream of becoming a nurse. All of these areas of nursing and teaching pay more than the basic RN degree and at the same time have more responsibilities.

Advanced Careers Explained

Once you have taken your nursing education to the next level and have your Masters Degree you can become a specialized nurse. These nursing positions have higher pay rates, much more responsibility and thus stress and of course they have more prestige and recognition. You will often be the nurse in charge in your area. Some of the more common advanced nursing careers are outlined here to help you decide if continuing your education is something you would like to o.

• Nurse Anesthetist: This is one of the fields of nursing that becomes an option once you have a Master’s Degree. This position allows you to work in the operating room or other area that requires the use of anesthesia. As a nurse anesthetist you will be able to provide a valuable service to patients who are undergoing procedures and need to be put to sleep. This position requires you to be a quick thinker and able to handle emergencies. You will receive a lot of training for this job. While this position is one that can be very stressful, the compensation is also very good compared to other areas of nursing.
• Nurse Practitioner: A nurse practitioner can perform many of the same duties that a doctor does. As a nurse practitioner you may be employed in doctor’s offices or after hour medical care facilities. Nurse practitioners can read X-rays, prescribe many medications and make a general diagnosis. This position has a lot of stress due to the enormous amount of responsibility.
• Administrator: If you would like to become a head nurse, department manager or even a nursing home administrator, continuing your education and obtaining your Masters Degree is the path you should take. As a head nurse or administrator you will be in charge of other nurses in the department or even the entire facility, such as being administrator of a nursing home. Nurse administrator do not have a much patient interaction as other nurses and spend most of their time in an office rather than on the floor with patients. If you prefer to work with patients, you should consider other advanced positions; however, if you are interested in moving as far up the ladder as possible, this could be a step that you should consider.

These are just a few of the different positions that you can move into once you have completed your Masters in Nursing. This list shows that earning higher degrees allow you to earn more money in higher positions.

If you have graduated nursing school and have your Bachelor’s degree you should consider your future career and determine exactly what it is you want to do in five or ten years. If you see yourself moving up the nursing ladder you should look into advanced degrees in nursing to help you reach your goals.

Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs Costs & Benefits

If you are considering a degree in nursing and want to get a Bachelor of Science degree but don’t want to go to school for four years, you should consider one of the accelerated nursing degree programs that can help you graduate sooner. This is a faster paced program than other nursing programs and may not be suited to all students.

If you are considering an accelerated program you should know both the good and bad points and then make your decision.

Pre-Requisites

One of the first things that you should do is make sure you have the necessary pre-requisites to attend an accelerated nursing program. Many of these fast-paced, advanced programs require that you already have your nursing degree. This facilitates the process by allowing you to primarily focus on the classes that lead to the Bachelor of Science. There are some accelerated programs that will accept transfer credits which help if you have taken some of your classes and want to use them toward your BS. You should make sure you find out all of the requirements before you sign up advanced classes.

Cost

You shouldn’t be concerned about there being a cost difference between a traditional four-year degree and a faster paced program that can be completed in two to three years as there is typically not any difference. The reason is simply that you are going to learn the same thing in both programs.

Benefits of Accelerated Programs

Once you start researching accelerated programs you will find that there are more benefits than there are drawbacks, the greatest of which being the time saved. The normal time frame for obtaining a BS degree is three to four years. This is a long time if you are ready to start your professional career and you need the BS to do so. Accelerated programs allow you to complete your degree in two to four years.

The location or method of taking fast-paced degree programs is another advantage. You can choose to take online courses that allow you to set your own schedule or you can go to a traditional school. It is also possible to combine the two methods by taking some classes online and other classes at a local college. Students who take accelerated nursing degree classes often find that the online option is best for them since they can move at their own pace.

If you find that you need a BS degree in nursing in order to enter the area of work that you have chosen and you don’t want to go through the hassle of working and going to school for three or four years to do get the degree, you may find that these time-saving advantages are more than enough to be a deciding factor.

Drawbacks

In order to make an educated decision about nursing programs you must look not only at the benefits but also the drawbacks. The major drawback to an accelerated program in nursing is the pace. You probably already know that a nursing degree is going to be a demanding program.  An accelerated degree simply takes four years of coursework and speeds it up to two years which means you are going to get the same amount of education and training that you would in a traditional program only in a much faster time frame. Many students have found that it is difficult to maintain a full time job while enrolled in an accelerated program.

In addition to not having time to work a full time job, you may also find that you don’t have time for an internship at your local hospital. Some students may not have a problem with not being able to remain in the field while they work on their degree; on the other hand, many students want to keep that connection to the field and work while they are in school. This is a decision that is a personal one that has to be made by each student.

Once you have considered the advantages and disadvantages of accelerated nursing degree programs you will be able to make a decision about which direction you want to go with your nursing education.

Training to be a Nurse

Training to be a nurse has taken many paths throughout the history of the nursing career. You can ask many retired nurses how they received their answers to be as diverse as their careers. Essentially, all nursing programs offer the required theory of nursing and practical practice of nursing that result in a nurse who is qualified to work in a hospital or doctor’s office or even continue with their education and specialize in various medical areas.

Educate First, Train Second

The steps involved in training to be a nurse break down into two primary phases, theory and practice, regardless of the type of degree that is being sought. The three main degrees in nursing include:

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing or BSN – 4 year programs
• Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN – 2 to 3 year programs
• Diploma (usually provided and administered by hospitals) – 3 year programs

There are higher nursing degrees; however, the path to becoming a practicing nurse follows one of these three primary degrees first.  The choice of which path to follow in order to become a nurse is a personal one that should be based on the ultimate medical career goal, such as becoming a teaching nurse, specialized nurse or simply practicing as an RN.

Classroom Instruction

The first thing nursing students encounter in their education is the classroom instruction. This can be a letdown for those students who thought they would jump right into learning to take blood pressure and give injections. There are similar classroom courses that are required, regardless of which training option is chosen. Some of these include:

• Anatomy: Nurses have to understand the parts of the human body;
• Physiology: Teaches would-be nurses how the parts of the body function;
• Microbiology: Helps nurses understand various pathogens and how microorganisms affect health;
• Chemistry: This course assists nurses with understanding how medication interact with the body and other chemical aspects of health;
• Nutrition: Teaches nurses how food interacts with the body and overall health;
• Psychology: Prepares nurses for dealing with various aspects of how the mind and emotions affect health and how to deal with patients.
• Various other behavioral sciences
• Nursing classes

Students that are seeking a longer degree in nursing, such as the ADN or the BSN will also have to take elective classes in the liberal arts.

Clinical Experience

Once nursing students have most of their required classroom work behind them, they move to the clinical aspect and learn to put their studies into practice on real patients. Clinical experience varies and includes training in many different healthcare areas. Students typically learn to take care of patients in these areas:

• Maternity
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatric
• Geriatric
• Emergency Rooms

There are other healthcare areas that may be included such as home health care and how to take care of patients who are homebound.

This part of the curriculm is what many nursing students look forward to and what will help develop their bedside manner. The clinical part of nursing school can be the most trying as students learn not only the so-called fun stuff but also the down and dirty but necessary stuff too, such as emptying bedpans and changing dressings on wounds.  This is when many nursing students find out if they are able to handle the bodily fluid and unpleasant side of nursing.

Licensing

Once you have completed the coursework and clinical side of the program you will be prepared to take the examination that will allow you to practice as a registered nurse. This exam, the NCLEX-RN, is required in order to perform the duties of a registered nurse, without this license, the nursing graduate cannot work as a nurse. Specialty nursing degrees, such as midwifery, require additional certification.

Above and Beyond

You can have the health care coursework, the clinical coursework and even be licensed to practice but not be a successful nurse that is in demand by hospitals and doctors if you don’t have the natural qualities that make nurses special. The qualities that every nurse should possess include:

• Caring
• Sympathy
• Emotional fortitude
• Ability to cope with emergencies
• Detail Oriented

If you have these traits you are one step ahead of many people who want to be a nurse and yet lack the emotional strength and sympathy needed to be successful.

Training to be a nurse can be completed in any one of several ways and yet the result is basically the same. A caring person with the skills necessary to take care of people who are sick and helping them become well again.

Registered Nurse Training Requirements

If you are interested in becoming a registered nurse but you get confused by the different programs and what each one requires in order for you to follow your dreams you should keep reading and learn how the different types of registered nurse training programs vary and how the requirements vary. You may find that you can achieve your goal without going the long way to do so.

Academic Requirements

Regardless of the type of nursing degree you choose, there will be academic requirements that are necessary in order to become a nurse. Before starting on any nursing career path, the potential nurse must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. If an associate or bachelor degree path is being utilized there may be entrance exams and other preliminary steps before admission is granted to the program.

There are essentially three paths to achieving the required level of education to be considered eligible to take the registered nurse exam and these are:

• Nursing Diploma – simplest to obtain, limits the areas of work and how far the nurse can move up in the field.
• Associate Degree – Slightly more advanced than a diploma, provides more advancement opportunities than the diploma but not nearly as many as the Bachelor’s Degree.
• Bachelor Degree – Typically a four-year course. This degree opens many doors for advancement, including going for the Master’s Degree in nursing.

Of these three degrees, the Bachelor’s degree takes the longest but at the same time provides many more options than the diploma or associate degree. It is possible to get an associate’s degree in order to start working as a nurse and then continue on to a Bachelor’s Degree.

Classes Involved in Nurse Training

All paths leading to a nursing degree have similarities in the courses that are required. This is in part due to the registered nurses exam being the same exam regardless of where the student received their degree. Some of the typical courses include:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Math
• Communication Skills
• Nursing Classes

Students in the associate or bachelor’s program will ultimately take many more classes and have more in-depth knowledge. In addition, students who pursue their Bachelor’s of Science in nursing will have elective courses in the humanities and other areas.

Clinical Training Requirements

Clinical training is required regardless of the type of degree that is being obtained. There may be more clinical work involved in a Bachelor Degree than there is in a diploma but all three types of nurse training programs would have clinical work to ensure that the skills needed to perform certain tasks are in place.

 The NCLEX-RN for Nursing Registration

In order to become recognized as a registered nurse, once the education and training are completed the potential nurse must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is comprehensive and covers all areas of nursing that the student should have learned during their nurse training and education. Some nurses practice without this; however, the majority of nurses have their registration and are better compensated. Ever y state has different requirements when it comes to registration and the exam. It is up to you the student to find out what they are and comply with them.

 Other Requirements for Nursing

In addition to the educational and clinical training requirements that are necessary to become a nurse, there are some other items that must be considered before choosing to go forward with nursing school.  Some of these include:

• Health: Nurses must not have any communicable diseases. This is to ensure the safety and health of the patients they come in contact with on a daily basis.
• Immunizations: Many states require nurses to have specific immunizations, particularly the Hepatitis series. This is for their own health protection and to protect patients they work with from becoming infected.
• Criminal Background: Most states do not allow nurses to have a felony background.  There are many reasons for this: dealing with prescription medications and having access to them is one reason and people with violent crimes might be considered a risk when dealing with other people.

These are some of the things that could be required by states in order to become a registered nurse. It is best to check with your state before enrolling in college. Typically, when you start the admissions program for nursing school you will be required to complete a questionnaire that will cover these and any other requirements before you are granted admission.

Registered nurse training requirements include may vary from state to state but usually include education, clinical training and some personal life factors. You should choose the path of your nursing career based on what your ultimate career goal is and then make sure you can meet all the requirements.

Pediatric Nurse Education and Training

If you would like to specialize in a specific nursing field and you have a passion for children and helping them, pediatric nursing may be what you need. Pediatric nurse education and training will prepare you to work directly with children of all ages, from babies to adolescents. You will be qualified to work in hospitals, pediatrician offices and as home health care givers.

The path to this satisfying and lucrative field starts after your nursing degree and further training will provide much more in-depth information on the health and well-being of children.

What Pediatric Nurses Do

After completion of a nursing degree and with some pediatric training you will be qualified to provide medical assistance to babies, children and adolescents. You will be able work with doctors during the diagnosing of illnesses, perform school physical, and help parents with maintaining their child’s health and much more. Some of the routine medical procedures and tasks that you will learn to provide children include:

• Administering immunizations;
• Ordering medications once the doctor signs off on them;
• Ordering lab tests and reading results

Nurses who provide care for babies and children will find that they perform many different duties throughout the course of a workday.

 Different Areas of Pediatric Nurses

Before taking the leap into pediatric courses it is a good idea to know or at least have an idea of the area you would like to work. Nurses who work with children can have areas that they specialize in such as:

• Neonatal Units
• Newborns
• Pediatric ICU
• Pediatric Emergency Rooms
• Pediatrician’s Office

If you know ahead of time what type of children you would like to work with, your training and education can often be streamlined. For example, if you know you would like to work with the neonatal unit, you can take specialized classes in premature and sick babies. If you are more inclined and want to work with terminally ill children, you might want to take classes on how to help families with grief. These types of additional classes can make your degree even more specialized and help you land the position you want.

Pediatric Nursing Mentality

It takes a special person to be able to deal with the stress involved in pediatric nursing. You will be working with sick babies, children and young adults who aren’t as mentally and emotionally developed as adult patients. They are more difficult to work with and when you add scare, frustrated parents into the mix, you have on your hands a mentally tiring dilemma.

As the pediatric nurse, you will be the one expected to handle this without losing your cool. This is why it is important to evaluate your own stress levels and what you are able to cope with before starting on the path towards a pediatric nursing degree. Some people are perfect for the job and others are not.

The Education and Training

It goes without saying that before you can start tailoring your education towards pediatrics you will need to have completed your registered nurse training. However, it will need to be a Bachelor of Science degree. This can take 2-3 years, depending on the school you attend. Once you have decided you want to pursue being a child nurse, you will need to take the required classes and pass the exams that allow you to be a certified pediatric nurse. This typically takes an additional year, during which you will also have clinical classes in pediatrics that allow you to become more familiar with the field.

In addition to the formal education required to become a certified pediatric nurse, there is a lot of hands on training that is done in the hospital or facility before, during and after the formal education. Nursing, like any other career, is a lifelong learning process.

Cost of Pediatric Nurse Education

The cost of adding a pediatric nursing certificate should be around the $3K mark, if you already have your BS in nursing, if not, you should add an extra $2-$3K each year for your degree. If you already work in a medical facility, you should ask if they offer tuition reimbursement for pursuing a higher degree. Ultimately, the significant pay increase makes the tuition worth the cost.

Pediatric nurse education and training does entail more school and clinical work after obtaining and RN degree; however, if you want to work with children, the fulfillment and the benefits of becoming a certified pediatric nurse are well worth the time and cost.

Operating Room Nurse Training

Nursing students often decide they want to take their nursing degree and go in a specific direction such as working in the operating room. This field of nursing can be a very lucrative one; however, it is also highly stressful and challenging. If you want to pursue working in surgery, you will need to get operating room nurse training in addition to your typical nursing degree.

The information herein should help you accomplish that and get ready to scrub for surgery.

Educational Requirements

The obvious first step to working in the operating room is to have your nursing degree. You will need to have a Bachelor of Science so that you can continue with your nursing education. If you only received a diploma in nursing or an Associate Degree you will have to complete the requirements for a BA before moving forward.

Although there are nurses who work in operating rooms that do not have a certificate or advanced education, it is becoming more and more common for hospitals to require advanced training. Operating room nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, can take courses that prepare them for working with surgeons. These courses include such classes as:

• Disinfectant and sterilization
• Operating room safety
• Surgical tools
• Communication skills
• Anesthesia assessment
• Skin preparation
• Introduction to perioperative nursing
• Perioperative assessment
• Surgical environment
• Aseptic techniques
• Operating room safety
• Scrubbing in
• Needles and sutures

Students in perioperative training also receive guidance and lectures pertaining to specialty surgeries and a complete overview of surgical procedures. Once the coursework has been completed nurses can take the certification exam.

Certification

Nurses who have worked as perioperative nurses for at least two years and can show at least 2400 hours of experience are eligible to sit for the CNOR (certified nurse of the operating room). This certification is not a requirement for working in a surgery suite but is becoming the norm and expected by many surgeons.

Certification allows nurses to fill any of the nursing positions in the operating room, such as:

• Operating room nurse
• Scrub nurse
• Circulator nurse
• Operating room director

Perioperative Duties

Working in the surgical unit alongside doctors and surgeons will expose you to many different tasks and procedures. Some will be interesting and others will simply be tasks required to get the procedure completed. As a perioperative nurse, you will be responsible for all of the activities in the operating room, including planning, coordinating, and directing the activities and daily schedule. An operating room nurse’s duties typically fall into three different categories, pre-operative duties, operative duties, and post-op duties.

• Pre-Op Tasks: During training for pre-op, nurses learn how to set up the surgical suite, prepare instruments, and communicate with the family, and more.
• Operative Tasks: During the surgery, the nurse prepares the patient for surgery, ensures the medications have been prepared, verifies tools and instruments are ready, and assists the surgeon as needed.
• Post-Op Tasks: Monitors the patient after surgery, communicates patient status to family.

Operating room nurses do much more than simply work in surgery. As a perioperative nurse, your training prepares you for working as a scrub nurse, an RN assistant, and as a circulating nurse. Many perioperative nurses go on to become nurse managers, educators, and more.

 Finding Training Courses

If you have decided that the operating room is where you would like to put your nursing skills to work then you need to locate a training program. There are several options available, including learning on the job and taking a course at the same time in order to have the hours and coursework required to take the exam.

Many community colleges and local universities offer perioperative training classes as do some hospitals and medical facilities. You can also find online training cures that will help you become familiar with the instruments, procedures, and protocols that are used in surgery.

Ultimately, choosing to add operating room nurse training to your education will expand your career options and give you much more flexibility in what part of the medical field you choose to work in. You can advance into a higher position and provide a valuable service to doctors and patients.

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City based Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, non-profit institution that has educated students since 1999.  The institution began as an idea at the Bipartisan Western Governor’s Meeting to address the growing demand and need for access to higher education.  The university focuses on responding to employment and societal needs and providing a cost-effective education so that all students may access their academic goals.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• 1 online bachelor’s and 1 master’s degree program
• Transfer credits are accepted; Students may earn credit based on personal and work experience
• Financial aid, loans and grants are available

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Western Governors University is based on a competency-based model in which students earn credit for their performance on assessments, tests and papers, rather than the time spent in each class.  Learning and program communities keep students in touch with each other and connected as they go through their course.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

WGU offers pre- and post- licensure Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree Programs.  The pre-licensure program is new, very selective and available only to students in metro areas of 4 western states due to strict clinical requirements.  Because the program is based on competency units and not taught in a traditional sense, students can go through the course material at their own pace and on their schedule.  Students should be prepared to dedicate 20 hours per week towards their degree program.

Duration and Cost

The program tuition ranges from $6,500 to $13,000 and can be completed in as little as 18 months.  Program completion times vary based on the number of credits transferred in.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree and RN license in good standing are eligible for the online Master’s Degree in Nursing.  The program offers two specializations in Education and Leadership/Management.  Courses are not at all traditional and allow students to complete as much of their degree as possible in 6 month terms.  Students are given assessments, tests and papers to evaluate their degree progress.

Duration and Cost

The program can be completed in 18-24 months and students are charged less for completing their programs in a shorter amount of time as the institution bills by the session, not credit.  Program tuition ranges from $9, 750 to $16,250.  Tuition is $13,000-$26,000 and typically requires 4 years to complete for the RN to MSN program option.

Faculty

Faculty at Western Governor’s University do not teach, but serve as student and course mentors.  They also develop coursework.  All nursing faculty hold doctoral degrees.

Things to consider:

• A practicum in your local community may be required to complete your program.
• BSN (for pre-licensed nurses) offers very limited enrollment in only four states as the program requires offline clinical practicums.

Accreditation

WGU’s online bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Western Governors University
4001 South 700 East
Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Walden University

Walden University is a university with a mission to offer programs promoting social change.  Walden University strives to offer programs that not only develop relevant skills and knowledge necessary in the workplace but also prepare individuals to contribute to their own community.

Based on a research paper by Bud Hodgkinson, which explored the idea of a student-centered university allowing working professionals to earn advanced degrees, and the input of his colleagues the Turners, Walden University was born in 1970.  As time and technological process have drastically altered the idea of convenience, Walden University has updated its format as well, now operating as a distance-learning university.  Students can earn bachelor’s through doctoral degrees in the fields of education, technology, health, social and behavioral sciences.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• Offers online bachelor’s through doctoral and post-grad certificate programs
• No campus-based programs

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Online degree programs and courses at Walden University use MobileLearn(SM), a highly interactive online learning system using audio, video and text.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

The online Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing program is a completion program for nurses who already have some form of nursing education.  The online program is highly interactive, complete with individualized support from academic advisors.  Courses in the program include:

• Health Assessment
• Topics in Clinical Nursing
• Family, Community and Population-Based Care

Duration and Cost

The program requires 185 quarter credits for completion of which 45 must be completed at Walden University.  Individual completion time of the program is different for every student, and depends on how many transfer credits are accepted.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Students can enter the online Master of Science degree program with an RN or BSN.  Both groups have the option to choose form three tracks-Education, Leadership and Management and Nursing Informatics.  Core courses include:

• Issues and Trends in Nursing
• Advancing Nursing Through Inquiry and Research
• Information and Healthcare Technologies
• Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare

Duration and Cost

All specializations require 35-59 credits, depending on if the nurse enters the program with an RN or BSN.

Online Doctoral Degree in Nursing

For nurses already holding advanced qualifications and experience, the online DNP program is ideal.  The program requires a practicum that may be completed in part through earning additional credits.  Topics covered in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program (DNP) include:

• Healthcare policy and advocacy
• Quality improvement
• Evidence-based practice
• Information systems/technology
• Advanced nursing practice
• Organizational and systems leadership

Duration and Cost

The program requires 47-53 quarter program credits and can usually be completed in 18-24 months.

Online Certificates in Nursing

Nurses who have already earned a masters degree can earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics or Nursing Leadership and Management.

Duration and Cost

The program requires 17 credits.

Faculty

All nursing faculty at Walden University hold doctoral degrees.

Things to consider:

• Practicum is required for DNP program, but may be earned through course credit.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice program is not accredited.

Accreditation

Walden University’s BSN and MSN degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Walden University
155 5th Ave S # 100
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2597

Utica College

Central New York based Utica College was founded in 1946.  Though a comprehensive university, Utica College offers many benefits of a small college including personalized attention.  With just under 4,000 students enrolled in their undergraduate and graduate programs, students are able to develop strong faculty relationships.

Students can choose from 37 and 21 undergraduate and graduate degree programs respectively in various fields including business administration, criminal justice, cyber security, and economic crime management.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• Offers 1 online bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Outside credits may be accepted
• 1 campus-based bachelor’s degree program

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

The 100% online RN to BSN Nursing program at Utica College explores Nursing Management, Clinical Pharmacology, Community Health Nursing and Health Assessment.  Programs are carefully designed to include personal and professional development.  Utica College does not currently offer graduate level nursing programs, but an online master’s program in Health Care Administration is offered.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

The online Bachelors degree in Nursing program at Utica College is the same program as the campus based program, and is geared towards working nurses.  Though students do not participate in a clinical during their education, program faculty are recognized for their clinical expertise in particular.

Course Description

Courses in the program are delivered using WebCT, and students can expect to dedicate 12-15 hours per week to online coursework. Students will purchase required course books through the Utica College online bookstore.

Courses in the program include:

• Human Genetics-Social, medical and moral issues in the research of human genetics
• Cultures, Health and Healing-Examines effects of culture on health
• Professional Ethics-Ethical dilemmas encountered in the profession
• Clinical Research-Quantitative and qualitative methods in clinical research
• Basic Statistics-Statistics for non-math majors

Career Options

According to Utica College’s sources the US Department of Labor has named nursing the top growing profession of 2012. Career options for nurses pursuing bachelor’s degrees include acute care, advanced practice psychiatric, critical care, and clinical specialist nurses.  Some nurses can also consider becoming instructors at the bachelor’s degree level though experience is often required to supplement.

Duration and Cost

The program can be completed in about 3 years, dependent upon the number of credits transferred in.  Program tuition is $350 per credit hour.  One-hundred twenty (120) credits total are required towards the degree and 34-55 core credits, though students with an associate’s degree are exempt from this core requirement.

Faculty

The faculty that teach the campus-based Bachelors Degree in Nursing program at Utica College also teach the online program.  Faculty will also assist with job placement.

Things to consider:

• Certain courses are not offered online.
• Clinical experience is not a part of the program.
• Students must be registered nurses with an associate’s degree to participate in the BSN program.

Accreditation

Utica College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education.  The online RN-BSN degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the New York State Education Department.

Address:
Utica College
1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, NY 13502

University of North Carolina

As one of the most well-known and renowned public universities, the University of North Carolina offers academic programs second to none.  It is the only university to have awarded degrees in the 18^th century.  Beginning with one student in 1789, the university now offers 77 bachelors, 109 masters, 66 doctoral and 6 professional degrees in business, dentistry, education, law, medicine, nursing, public health and social work.

The school is also known for its athletic program, and top-notch educational resources.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• Offers 1 online certificate program and 1 online course
• Campus-based bachelor’s through doctoral degree programs
• Online programs are currently suspended and not offered

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Nursing programs at the University of North Carolina have pioneered nursing education through being the first in the state to offer a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree and to offer a PhD in nursing.  Its nursing programs are currently ranked fourth in the nation by US News and World Report.  The School of Nursing currently does not offer any fully-online programs, as the RN to BSN has been suspended.  However, several courses offer online components.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

The RN to MSN course offers bridge courses that are completely online, and the traditional Master’s of Science in Nursing programs offers a hybrid format in which students take both online and in-person courses.  Specialization options for the master’s degree include:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (including Adult Oncology option)
• Health Care Systems
  – Administration
  – Clinical Nurse Leader & CNL/Educator
  – Education, Informatics
  – Outcome Management
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Primary Care
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Duration and Cost

Tuition for the program ranges from $19,800 to $22,800 for the complete program.  The program is approximately 2 years in length.

Online Certificates in Nursing

The online Occupational Health Nurse Certificate is to increase the knowledge and skill of registered nurses working in occupational healthcare settings.  Courses include Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, and Principles of Epidemiology.

Duration and Cost

The program requires 11 credits and can be completed in approximately 1 year.  Tuition is $473 to $1,205 per credit for residents and non-residents respectively.

Online Courses in Nursing

The University of North Carolina has several distance learning options for nurses who may not need a degree program, but rather a theory course. The NURS R: Medical-Surgical Nursing Review for Registered Nurses is available as a theory only or theory and clinical component course.

Duration and Cost

The course requires 140 contact hours to earn the certification, and tuition is $520 plus an additional $250 fee for the clinical component.

Faculty

The University of North Carolina currently has 43 tenured/tenure track faculty members and 98 research/clinical faculty members.

Things to consider:

• Some programs may require an on-campus course
• Certain courses have special additional fees

Accreditation

Nursing programs at the University of North Carolina are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Address:
University of North Carolina
School of Nursing
Carrington Hall, CB#7460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati in Ohio is a public research university with over 40,000 students and 300 academic programs.  Despite being a large, public institution, the 15:1 student to faculty ratio is just one indicator of the personalized learning experience the University of Cincinnati strives to offer.

The college boasts many firsts and discoveries including developing the first antihistamine, electronic organ, oral polio vaccine and claiming the Golden Gate Bridge designer as an alumni.

Overview of Programs, Certificates, and Degrees

• Offers online bachelor’s through master’s degree programs
• Campus-based pre-nursing through doctoral degrees and certificate programs
• Campus based programs usually offer online courses

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Nursing programs at the University of Cincinnati strive to offer the best in education and research opportunities to its students.  Core values of the program are Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.  The University ranks 6^th in the nation for best graduate nursing programs.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

The online Bachelors Degree in Nursing program (BSN) at the University of Cincinnati is available to registered nurses holding a diploma or an associate’s degree.  The course curriculum includes classes in Genetics, Gerontology, Community Nursing, and Leadership and Management in Nursing.   Credit for previous coursework may be awarded upon on in-depth evaluation with an advisor.

Duration and Cost

The program can be completed in one to two years depending on if students choose the full or part time option.  Tuition is $293 to $693 per credit hour for part -time study, and $3473 to $8314 per term for full-time study.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN)

Online Masters of Science degrees in Nursing at the University of Cincinnati are designed for the working nurse and offer a wide range of support for nurses through professors, program and enrollment advisors, and facilitators among other staff.  The course utilizes the Blackboard learning system for delivery of online courses.  Master’s degree program specializations available online include:

Adult Nurse Practitioner: Evaluating and treating adults, specifically women, adolescents and the elderly

Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator: A well-rounded role for nurses seeking to educate, provide care, and manage health care systems

Family Nurse Practitioner: Nurses serve as the primary care provider for children through adults

Nurse-Midwifery: Alternative medical approach assisting women from pre-natal care throughout the lifespan

Nursing Administration: Focuses on managing nurses and healthcare organizations

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Focus on improving patient’s quality of life, specifically adults

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner: Work with female patients from puberty through menopause

Duration and Cost

The master’s program can be completed in as little as 2 years with full-time study or longer with part-time study, though the program must be completed within 5 years. Course tuition is $457 to $828 per credit and $4,567 to $8,275 per term for part-time and full-time study respectively.

Faculty

Most faculty at the University of Cincinnati hold advanced degrees in nursing including nursing PhD and Masters degrees.

Things to consider:

• An in-person clinical requirement is necessary for the RN to BSN degree option.
• Some nursing programs require previous experience in an area of study or a minimum amount of time in practice.
• Several MSN courses require certification upon completion in order to be able to practice.
• Distance learning students are not eligible for scholarships.

Accreditation

Nursing programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and National League for Nursing (NLN).

Address:
University of Cincinnati
College of Nursing
3110 Vine St.
Cincinnati OH 45221-0038

Seton Hall University

South Orange, New Jersey-based Seton Hall University serves approximately 10,000 students and offers over 60 academic majors.  The four-year, private, Catholic university was founded in 1856 and claims to be the oldest diocesan university.

Though founded in the Catholic tradition, the university serves students of all backgrounds and faiths. Seton Hall University’s commitment to diversity and serving a global population is evident in the opening of the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, with the assistance of the United States branch of the United Nations.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• 1 online bachelors, 2 online masters degree programs and 1 online certificate in nursing
• Campus-based bachelor’s through doctoral degrees offered
• Financial aid and grants are available

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Seton Hall offered its first baccalaureate degree in 1937, and has been awarding nursing qualifications for over 65 years.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

The online RN to BSN program is ideal for nurses seeking to advance their education while managing personal, family, and career responsibilities.  Students with diplomas and associate’s degrees are eligible, and may even opt to accelerate to the MSN degree.  Courses in the program include Economic Concepts for the Professional Nurse, Community Health Perspectives, and Health Promotion across the lifespan.

Duration and Cost

The program is 32 credits.  Course tuition is $958 per credit.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Seton Hall University offers an online Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing with two specializations—Nurse Practitioner and Health Systems Administration. The Health Systems Administration degree combines clinical nursing with training in business administration to produce knowledgeable leaders capable of leading in various healthcare settings. Graduates of these programs have served in a variety of settings both domestic and abroad. The Health Systems Administration program satisfies the requirements for the American Nurses Association’s Advanced Nursing Administration Certificate.

The online Nurse Practitioner program can be further specialized to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. Nursing Theory, Forces in Health Care, Nursing Research, Clinical Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology are required courses for the program.

Duration and Cost

The program is 33-46 credits and can be completed in 24 to 30 months depending on if the program is taken on a full or part time basis.  Course tuition is $993 per credit.

Online Certificates in Nursing

Nurses with a master’s degree seeking to become a Nurse Practitioner may complete the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing administration and choose from the same three specializations available in the Nurse Practitioner master’s program. This program meets the guidelines of the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty.

Duration and Cost

The program is 32 credits and tuition is $993 per credit.

Faculty

Seton Hall University employs over 40 full-time faculty with academic expertise in their field.

Things to consider:

• Some programs may require on campus visits or internships.
• Clinical component of the Nurse Practitioner program can be completed in students area.

Accreditation

Online nursing programs at Seton Hall University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Seton Hall University
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079

Samuel Merritt University

Duration and Cost

The program is 36 credits and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Program tuition is $958 per credit.

Faculty

Most nursing faculty at Samuel Merritt University hold advanced degrees.

Things to consider:

• The degree program requires students to come to the California campus a minimum of one time each year
• Students must have completed a statistics course with grade “B” or higher within the past three years
• Students must complete a clinical component in a supervised setting
• Doctoral program is not accredited by a nursing body

Accreditation

 SMU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Address:
Samuel Merritt University
3100 Summit Street, 3rd Floor
Oakland, California 94609

Post University

Connecticut-based Post University began in 1890 as a business school.  Post University began offering accelerated degree programs to Vietnam War veterans.  The university later expanded, offering classes on company sites, including Johnson & Johnson, Pratt & Whitney and Cigna.

Post University expanded to multiple campuses and began offering online classes in 1996. Today, Post University offers academic courses in Business, Nursing, Accounting, Legal Studies and Education.  Post University has consistently ranked 3^rd on Online Education Database’s list of “Top 20 Online Degree Programs.”

Overview of Programs, Certificates, and Degrees

• 1 online bachelor’s and 1 online certificate program
• Campus-based BS program
• Financial aid is available to qualifying students

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

While Post University does not offer online degrees in nursing, they have programs at the certificate and bachelor’s degree level for nurses.  The BS in Management for Registered Nurses can compare to a Nursing Administrator or similar executive concentration in that it prepares nurses for leadership opportunities.  According to Post University’s website, registered nurses with a certificate in legal nursing can earn $30,000 more per year than nurses with a registered nursing qualification alone.

Online  Bachelor’s Degree for Registered Nurses

The online Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science Degree in Management is a business program created specifically for nurses pursuing leadership positions in the healthcare field.  Classes are designed to be highly interactive and completed in 8 week modules.  Courses in the program include:

• Training and Development
• Organizational Theory and Development
• Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation
• Organizational Behavior
• Seminar in Management

Duration and Cost

The online bachelor’s degree program can be completed in as little as 18 months.  The program requires 120 credits to earn the degree, 60 of which may be transferred from previous educational programs. Program tuition is $490 per credit hour.

Online Certificates Degree in Nursing

The online Legal Nursing Certificate is ideal for nurses seeking to provide legal consultation on matters related to healthcare and nursing.  Students in the course will be trained as liaisons between health care institutions and legal teams to infer, analyze and offer advice as related to complex patient and health care outcomes.  Courses in the program include:

• Financial Accounting
• Medical Malpractice
• Introduction to Law
• Civil Litigation Practice
• Legal Research Personal Injury Law

Duration and Cost

The program tuition is approximately $14, 700, and requires 30 credits to earn the certification.

Faculty

Post University faculty are committed teachers with experience in their field.  Most faculty hold DNP or PhD degrees and experience in the subjects in which they teach.

Things to consider:

• Programs  are not accredited by a nursing body.
• Legal Nursing Certificate Students are required to complete an internship at a law office.

Accreditation

Post University is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).  Post University is licensed by the State of Connecticut through the Department of Higher Education (DHE).

Address:
Post University
800 Country Club Road
P.O. Box 2540
Waterbury, CT 06723

Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College first began as a nursing school in 1891.  The college offers associate’s through master’s level degree programs in addition to professional and certificate programs.  Though a small institution with just over 700 students, over 400 credit and non-credit programs are offered.  Nebraska Methodist College maintains its relationship with the United Methodist Church to this day and offers a variety of nursing and allied health programs.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• 1 online bachelor’s, 2 online master’s and 2 online certificate programs.
• Campus based Nurse Aide, Bachelor’s and LPN to BSN programs offered.

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

All online nursing degree programs at Nebraska Methodist College offer a Nursing Educator or Nursing Executive specialization.

Online  Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

The online Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree program at Nebraska Methodist College allows registered nurses the opportunity to pursue advanced education and career opportunities or pursue an advanced education to move into research, teaching, consulting and management.  Core courses for the program include Health Assessment for RNs, Principles of Research, Collaborative Nursing Leadership in a Global Society, Community Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing Practicum and Complexity in Nursing.  There is also a specialized option for NMH nurses.

Duration and Cost

Upon completion of prerequisites the 60 credit RN to BSN course can be completed in 18 months.  Tuition and fees are $545 per credit hour including books.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Nebraska Methodist College offers RN to MSN and Master’s of Science in Nursing degree programs.  Courses in the program include Advanced Nursing Roles & Phenomena, Measurement and Statistical Concepts for Data Interpretation and Issues in Advanced Nursing Roles.

Duration and Cost

The RN to MSN course can be completed in approximately 3 years and requires 18 bridge credits and 36 credits towards the MSN degree.  The online traditional master’s degree program is 2 years in length and 36 credits.  Tuition and fees are $645 per credit hour including books.

Online Certificates in Nursing

The online Post-Master’s Certificate- Nursing Executive educates nurses with a master’s degree to obtain the education and training necessary to advance into leadership positions.  Courses in the program are Organizational Behavioral and Structure, Role of the Nurse Executive III: Financial Management & Economics, Role of the Nurse Executive 1: Leading an Organization and Practicum: Management, Improvement & Evaluation in Healthcare Organizations.

The online Post-Masters Certificate-Nursing Educator prepares nurses desiring to teach nurses in a clinical or didactic setting.  As part of the training, students will be required to develop a course online.

Duration and Cost

The certification requires 14 credits to completion and can be completed in one year. Tuition and fees are $645 per credit hour including books.

Faculty

93% of faculty at Nebraska Methodist College hold a terminal degree in their field.

Things to consider:

• A practicum is required
• RN To MSN program does not offer a master’s degree
• Certificate programs are not accredited by a nursing body

Accreditation

 Nebraska Methodist College’s bachelors and masters nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

Address:
Nebraska Methodist College
720 North 87th Street
Omaha, NE 68114-2852

Michigan State University

Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. It was the first higher education institution to teach the science of agriculture.  Based in Michigan’s capital, Lansing, the university is distinguished for its study abroad, education degree programs and basketball team.  Two-hundred programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate level are offered in academic areas including Nursing, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Music and Business.

Overview of Programs, Certificates, and Degrees

• 1 online bachelor’s, 1 online master’s degree and certificate programs offered
• Campus based bachelor’s through doctoral degree programs
• Study abroad learning experiences in Nursing available

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Online nursing degree programs at Michigan State University are offered from bachelors through doctoral level, in addition to a variety of specializations including Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Practitioner.  Students may also pursue nursing study opportunities in London.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

The online RN (Registered Nurse) to MSN (Masters Degree in Nursing) degree program at Michigan state University is delivered completely online and ideal for registered nurses seeking to earn a four-year degree on a flexible schedule.  Courses include Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Community Health and Population Nursing.

Duration and Cost

The program requires approximately 32 credits long assuming that 60 credits are transferred in. An additional 30 credits are transferred for completing the NCLEX exam.  The program is approximately 2 years long. Program tuition is $504.50 and $529.50 for residents and non-residents of Michigan respectively.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Online master degree programs at Michigan State University are offered with three specializations; however only the Clinical Nurse Specialist-Education (CNS-Ed) option is offered completely online.  A hybrid (combined online and in-person delivery) program for Nurse Practitioners and a campus based Anesthesia program are also offered.  The CNS-Ed option prepares graduates to take both the ANCC certification as Adult CNS, and the National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Certification.  Nurses with the CNS-Ed specialization are prepared both to teach nurses and implement and lead strategies to improve patient care.

Duration and Cost

The program requires students to complete approximately 46-50 credits, and can be completed in 2-3 years full or part-time.  Program fees are $607.25 to $632.325 per credit for resident and non-residents respectively.

Online Certificates in Nursing

Clinical Nurse Specialist certifications are offered completely online.  The Clinical Nurse Specialist certificate offers courses in Clinical Decision Making, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.

Duration and Cost

The Clinical Nurse specialist certificate is 25 credits and requires approximately one to two years long.  Program fees are $607.25 to $632.325 per credit for resident and non-residents respectively.

Faculty

The majority of nursing instructors and faculty at Michigan State University hold advanced qualifications.

Things to consider:

• Clinical component is required and may be completed in student’s home community
• Visit to campus may be required for certification programs
• Certificate programs may not be accredited by a nursing body

Accreditation

Nursing degree programs at Michigan State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Michigan State University
College of Nursing
A117 Life Sciences Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1317

Loyola University New Orleans

Since 1912 when granted a charter to become a university, Loyola University of New Orleans has strived to educate the whole person.  Though founded in the Jesuit tradition and staking the claim as the first Jesuit University in New Orleans, Loyola University is open to students of all faiths.  Loyola University of New Orleans is recognized nationally for its library, business and nursing programs.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• 1 online bachelors, 1 online masters and 1 online doctoral degree program
• Campus-based bachelors, masters and doctoral degree offered as well

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Loyola University of New Orleans’ online Master of Science in Nursing program is considered by some independent reviewers as among the best in the nation.

Online  Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Nurses holding an associates degree may enroll in the online Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree program through Loyola University New Orleans. Courses for the program include:

Health Assessment, Nursing Leadership, Spirituality in Health and Illness, Issues in Professional Nursing, Population Health, and Advance Topics in Nursing Practice.

Duration and Cost

The course requires 121 credits, the last 30 of which must be completed through Loyola.  Course tuition is $702 per credit hour.  The average yearly cost of a student not living on campus is $33,552 per year.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Loyola University New Orleans offers a traditional online Master’s Degree in Nursing as well as a BLEND program, which is comparable to most RN to MSN programs. The online master’s degree in Nursing offers a Health Care Systems Management
specialization.  The specialization trains nurses to take leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings.  The BLEND program is a short course for nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

Duration and Cost

The course requires 36 credits and can normally be completed in 24 months.  The BLEND bridge program is 6 credits, and requires 1 semester to complete.  Students then can move on to the traditional master’s program.  Course tuition is $702 per credit hour.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

The Doctoral Degree in Nursing program (DNP) offers several options for degreed nurses seeking to advanced their education and career opportunities.  The post-MSN program offers specialization as a Nurse Practitioner, while the post-Bachelor’s option offers specialization as a family nurse practitioner.

Duration and Cost

The course requires 38 to 76 credit hours depending on if the nurse holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree specialization.  Course tuition is $702 per credit hour.

Faculty

Nursing faculty at Loyola University New Orleans hold advanced degrees and currently hold a doctoral degree or are enrolled in a doctoral program.  Some hold degrees in other fields such as law.

Things to consider:

• Loyola University New Orleans does not offer lower division nursing courses; students must earn and transfer in their undergraduate coursework from another institution.
• Students may enter BSN program in one of three start dates, Summer, Spring or Fall.
• Programs may require a campus visit.
• Doctor of Nursing programs is not yet accredited; the results of the accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) will be known by the Spring.

Accreditation

 Loyola University New Orleans’ bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN). The Master of Science degree program for Nurse Practitioners is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

Address:
Loyola University New Orleans
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University was founded by Father Joseph Cataldo in 1887 with the goal of establishing a school for young men desiring to become Jesuit priests.  Today, Gonzaga still maintains its Roman Catholic, Jesuit tradition and operates as a private co-educational institution.  With majors in Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Professional Studies, the university now has over 75 academic programs and majors.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• 2 online master’s degree programs
• Campus based bachelor’s degree and post-masters certificate program
• Students may transfer in up to 20% of undergraduate or graduate credits
• Grants and nursing specific scholarships are available through the university

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Online nursing programs at Gonzaga University accommodate both nurses with a bachelors degree and those with an associate’s degree seeking advanced qualifications. Nursing programs are flexible and tailored to each individual learner’s specific needs.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

The online RN to MSN program offers the opportunity for nurses with an associate’s degree to earn a master’s degree more quickly than earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree separately.

Core curriculum in the online master’s degree programs includes the following topics:

• Research theories and methods
• Pathophysiology and pharmacology
• Improving health care systems
• Leadership skills and ethics

The degree program offers two specializations:

Nurse Educator: Prepare for a career as an instructor and learn how to create, implement and evaluate curriculum. Core courses for the Nurse Educator specialization include:

• Pathophysiology
• Curriculum Development
• Assessment of Student Learning and Evaluation
• Current Issues in Nursing Education and Transition into Nurse Educator Role
• A 3-9 credit practicum

Health Systems Leadership: Learn how to manage new technology, integrate different systems and become an effective healthcare executive.  Core courses for the Nurse Educator specialization include:

• Nursing Leadership and Development
• Information and Quality Management
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Health Care Management: Financial Stewardship and Decision Support/Strategies
• Legal, Regulatory and Ethical Healthcare Environments
• A 3-9 credit practicum

The degree earned in the online degree program is the same as the on campus program.  Students can collaborate with other students from the course through online discussion boards and a “Student Lounge” forum. Students can also participate in discussion with their professors through online message boards.

Duration and Cost

The program length is 36 to 66 credits depending if the student has already obtained a bachelors degree.  Program completion time is approximately 2.5 years for students who take at least two courses each semester.

Faculty

All online teaching faculty at Gonzaga University hold advance degrees and several years of experience in their field. All faculty that design courses hold doctoral degrees.

Things to consider:

• Completion of a practicum is required to complete the degree
•  Depending on which specialization is chosen a residency may be required

Accreditation

Gonzaga’s online RN to MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Gonzaga University
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0102         

Duquesne University

Pennsylvania based Duquesne University was founded in 1878 as a Catholic institution by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.  Duquesne University offers undergraduate programs in Business, Education, Health Sciences, Leadership, Liberal Arts, Music, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Nursing, and Pharmacy in addition to over 70 graduate programs.  Duquesne University has received accolades from U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and other academic organizations for everything from its eco-friendly campus to being one of the top-ranked universities in Pennsylvania.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• Online master, doctoral and certificate programs
• Campus-based undergraduate programs

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Online degree programs at Duquesne University utilize the popular Blackboard online learning system for course delivery.  Though delivered online, class sizes are still small, with an average of 10-20 students per class.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

The online masters degree in nursing offers the following three specializations:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Forensic Nursing
• Nursing Education

The online masters degree programs incorporate the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model, which trains nurses to successfully guide families through the healthcare system.  Core courses for the three programs include Methods of Nursing Research, Bioethical Decision-Making in Nursing and Healthcare, and Population-Based Health Promotion.

Duration and Cost

Course tuition is $1,034 per credit.  Program length ranges from 38-47 credits.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

Duquesne University offers two online doctoral level programs, a PhD in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice qualification. With a focus on academic research, the PhD program has been in operation since 1997, and stakes the claim of the first fully online nursing PhD program in the country.  Major areas of research focus for the program include vulnerable populations, cultural competence, forensics, social justice and health promotion.

While the PhD prepares nurses for a role as an academic, the Doctor of Nursing program is for nurses who desire to remain in practice and improve health care programs on many levels including health care policy, organizational effectiveness, and patient care services.

Duration and Cost

Course tuition is $1,034 per credit.  The PhD program requires 58 credits and the DNP program requires 33 credits.  The PhD program will generally require 4 years of study, while the DNP program 2 years.

Online Certificates in Nursing

Certificate programs at Duquesne University allow nurses the opportunity to develop area-specific skills that may not have been available in their degree programs. Nurses can choose from four specializations for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Forensic Nursing
• Nursing Education
•  Transcultural/International Nursing

Duration and Cost

Course tuition is $1,034 per credit hour. The certificate programs range from 23 to 44 credits.

Faculty

Duquesne University employs 38 full-time and 50 part-time faculty.

Things to consider:

• Students are required to come to campus to demonstrate competencies though all coursework is offered online.

Accreditation

Nursing programs at Duquesne University are accredited by the PA State Board of Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Address:
Duquesne University
School of Nursing
5th Floor Fisher Hall
600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Drexel University

Philadelphia based Drexel University is one of the most well-known and revered institutions both on and offline.  Founded in 1891 in the “City of Brotherly Love,” Drexel University boasts accolades from U.S. News and World Report including being the nation’s 14^th largest university and ranked in the top 10 of the “Up-and-Comers” list.

Drexel University began offering online programs in 1996, and its Education, Business, Engineering and Library Science programs are also ranked among the best by U.S. News and World Report.  Other fields of online study are Nursing, Communications, Clinical Research, Psychology, Public Health, Information Systems, Toxicology, and Industrial Hygiene.

Overview of Programs, Certificates and Degrees

• Online bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and certificates offered
• Flexible course schedule-students may take one course or up to 12+ credits

Online Nursing and Health Care Degrees Review

Drexel University offers unlimited comprehensive online degree programs for registered nurses seeking to advanced their education and career opportunities.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

The online RN to BSN degree program at Drexel University prepares nurses for the population-based and managed care environment.   Students may customize electives to their preferred interests and area of focus.  The online bachelor’s degree in nursing program at Drexel University has three tiers to completion:

• Tier 1: Transfer of prior credits (courses that would normally be completed simultaneously with the nursing license)
• Tier 2: Completion of remaining general degree and elective courses
• Tier 3: Completion of upper division nursing courses

Nursing courses in tier 3 include Critical Issues Shaping Professional Nursing, Nursing Informatics and Genetics in Nursing and Health.

Drexel University also offers an online bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration for nurses seeking leadership positions in the healthcare setting. Nurses who complete this program may find employment in the following places:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Managed-care organizations
• Health-insurance companies
• Health-marketing firms
• Law firms focusing on health-care issues

Duration and Cost

To graduate, 180 quarter credits are required; up to 133 credits may be transferred from previous education.  Nurses employed by health system partners and community colleges may be eligible for a specialized tuition plan.  Tuition ranges from $454 to $545 per credit for the RN to BSN online degree program, depending on if the student is a member of a partner organization. The Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Services Administration is $650 per credit.

Online Master’s Degree in Nursing

Drexel University offers comprehensive online Master of Science in Nursing degree programs for nurses considering pursuing a master’s degree.  In addition to an RN to MSN completion program, students can choose from one of several specializations for the master’s degree:

• MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
• MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN Nurse Practitioner Track – Pediatric Primary Care
• MSN in Nursing Education & Faculty Role
• MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
• MSN in Clinical Trials Research
• MSN Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Duration and Cost

Tuition ranges from $610 to $765 per credit.  Program length ranges from 45 credits to 58 credits for the traditional online master’s programs. The RN to MSN online program has 12 bridge credits, as nurses should already hold a bachelor’s degree in another area of study.

Online Doctoral Degree in Nursing

The newly online Doctoral Degree in Nursing program at Drexel University seeks to provide both a practical and research-based education.  Students may choose from four tracks:

The Practitioner Track: Clinical Practice

•The Educator Track: Nursing Professor

•The Clinical Scientist Track: Clinical Researcher

•The Clinical Executive Track: Health Care Management

Year 2 of the program also requires a short-term (2 week) study abroad session in England.

Duration and Cost

The program requires 48 credits and is meant to be completed in three years on a part-time basis.  The program tuition is $729 per credit.

Online Certificates in Nursing

Over ten online post bachelors and masters nursing certificate programs are available to Drexel University students.  The following nursing certificate programs are offered:

• Post-Master’s Certificate Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education & Faculty Role
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Medical Family Therapy
• Physician Assistant Post-Professional Master’s Program
• Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
• Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Nursing Education & Faculty Role
• Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Leadership in Health Systems Management
• Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Clinical Trials Research
• Certificate of Advanced Study in Complementary and Integrative Therapies
• Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding

Duration and Cost

The programs range in tuition from $600 to $765 per credit, and require 12 to 45 credits.

Things to consider:

• Prospective applicants must hold a nursing license; students who do not hold a nursing license may obtain one through an on-campus program at Drexel University.
• Nurses with a bachelors degree in another field should consider the online RN to MSN program.
• Nurses in the RN to MSN online program should hold a bachelor’s degree.
• Clinical components of the master’s and doctoral programs may require some components of the program to be completed in-person.

Accreditation

Drexel University’s nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Address:
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104