Trauma nurse is trained to work fast and efficiently with a little or no time to spare. This factor makes the career path more stressful, but also rewarding. The nurses admit and treat patients entering emergency units. In addition, they care for all the patients in need of emergency assistance. As a trauma nurse, you can choose to work through an ambulance team aboard paramedics or an emergency unit. You may also work in a hospital setting in the critical or trauma care units.

Contents:

• Different Education Pathways
• The Online Options
• The Licensing Procedure
• Prerequisites for Study
• The Program Accreditation
• The Trauma Nurse Certification
• What Is the Cost of Becoming a Trauma Nurse Practitioner?
• Scholarships for Trauma Nursing
• Working as a Trauma Nurse
• Trauma Nurse Salary
• The Contributing Factors
• The Job Outlook
• Who Can Make a Good Trauma Nurse?
• The Number of Hours Trauma Nurses Work
• Part-Time Trauma Nurses

Different education pathways

There are several career paths that you can follow to become a trauma nurse. The forms of education that you can consider include:

• Diploma

There are some states which recognize three-year hospital diploma training programs for licensing purposes but generally, diplomas are rarely allowed for this nursing field.

• Associate Degree

To complete an associate degree in nursing you will need at least 2 years. There are many universities and colleges within the United States that offer associate degree programs. And even though it isn’t the number one form of nursing degree training, it is the fastest path particularly for the specialized forms of nursing such as trauma nursing. Specialized nursing may require additional training and even certification.

• Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate degree programs which include Bachelor of Science in nursing are among the popular degrees. They are also properly organized methods of accredited nursing. And the best part is that you can earn an undergraduate degree through a university setting. The Bachelor of Science in nursing takes 4 years to complete and involves courses such as microbiology, anatomy, psychology and some other general nursing classes. After graduating from the program, you must gain at least two additional years of training in a specialized area such as trauma and emergency care before you can start working as a trauma nurse in your state. Moreover, you will need an additional certification outside NCLEX-RN licensure.

• The Graduate Degree

You can complete a Master of Science in nursing degree within 2-3 years after you have completed a Baccalaureate degree. The program mostly includes thesis essay or project that you must complete during the course. To complete the Master’s degree in the nursing field, you can opt for the online or the in-class programs. Both programs include many subjects and at times, they include those connected to trauma nursing in particular.

• Doctorate Degree

The doctorate degree includes both in-class and online learning which can take 1-2 years depending on the intensity of learning and the length of time you spend in class. You can gain it through DNP degree program. You may enter and complete the program immediately after your graduation from master’s degree academic level.

The online options

You cannot completely learn trauma nursing through online settings because of the intensity of practical hands on experience which you must gain. But, however, you may complete some of the theory work involved in master’s or doctorate degree programs online.

The licensing procedure

Just like you expect with the other nurses operating within the United States, you must pass the national licensure examination or the NCLEX-RN to begin working as a trauma nurse. After the licensure, you must work for at least 2 years within the emergency or trauma nursing field. This allows you to gain the experience and confidence you need in the field before you can take an examination for certification in this nursing niche. You must earn Emergency Nursing Certification through Board or Certification for Emergency Nurses or BCEN and a Trauma Nursing Course for you to move forward in a trauma nursing field.

Prerequisites for study

Registered Nurses (RNS) and their fields of specialization require at least a high school diploma and a GPA above 2.0 in order to continue practicing in the nursing field. However, you may require a higher GPA depending on the program you are aiming to complete and the post-secondary institution. Some programs will require a GPA above 3.0.

The program accreditation

The Accreditation Commission for the Education of Nurses (ACEN), the Department of Education and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) can help you discover whether your program of choice or school is accredited within the United States or in your state. For a program to be taken as valid for eligibility, it must be accredited.

The trauma nurse certification

After passing the national licensure examination or the NCLEX-RN, you can start the certification process – you can only begin working as a trauma nurse after the certification. After the licensing, a nurse should work for at least two years before writing an examination for certification in their nursing field. You must earn the Emergency Nursing Certification through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses or BCEN and a Trauma Nursing Course to move forward in the trauma field. NCLEX examination certification is usually determined through several categories chosen nationally. They include:

• Caring for patients in safer environments

• Preventing sickness and injuries

• Displaying psychological integrity via the ability of changing and adaptation

• Utilizing physiological integrity to develop physical well-being and comfort

What is the cost of becoming a trauma nurse practitioner?

Tuition fees may vary depending on the degree program, the school and the state of the nurses studying the trauma field. You can locate the tuition amount directly through the school of your choice. Moreover, you can gain financial assistance through various avenues such as grants, loans, and scholarship.

Scholarships for trauma nursing

You can apply for the Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship awards 25 scholarships each and every year to undergraduate and doctoral nursing students. The amounts range from $3000 to $10,000.

Working as a trauma nurse

As a trauma nurse, you will work with various patients in fast-paced and higher stress environments – the patients are admitted in trauma or emergency units. Some trauma nurses may work in perioperative position or critical care units. Others work in ambulances, in emergency rooms, outpatient and mobile emergency care facilities.

Trauma nurses are trained in life-saving techniques and gain skills necessary during emergency situations. Use of defibrillator and some other specialized equipment is crucial in the department. A nurse in this field should have the ability to stabilize a patient and to deal with pressure of faster blood loss, intensive wounds and heart problems. A trauma nurse assesses, diagnoses and cares for the patients who arrive in emergency rooms. They deal with patients who have immediate and acute needs. They face numerous life threatening situations.

Trauma nurse salary

Hospitals highly rely on trauma nurses to care and treat patients in the intensive care units and those in emergency rooms mainly after natural disasters, car accidents, accidental poisoning, and shootings. Therefore, the nurses typically work in faster paces and are usually under more pressure than the other nurses (their patients’ lives are usually at stake). After earning a degree and becoming a trauma nurse, you can earn a salary ranging between $50,000 and $60,000 each and every year.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the year 2013, the annual salary of a trauma nurse was $54,000. The salary varied widely within the western region. The nurses in Hawaii earned the lowest amount which was $35,000 while those in California earned $58,000 as the highest amount within the region. The trauma nurses in the Northeast earned around $46,000 and $65,000 in Maine and New York respectively.

By then, if you worked in Washington or Louisiana you would have earned $64,000 or $46,000 respectively. The two were the highest and the lowest salaries within the South in that year. And in the Midwest, the nurses in Illinois made the highest amount while those in Nebraska and South Dakota earned the lowest amount. Those in Illinois made $59,000 while those in South Dakota and Nebraska made $40,000.

The contributing factors

Trauma nurses may earn higher salaries depending on the employers they are working for, particularly those that pay the registered nurses a higher salary. The salaries of registered nurses were considerably higher in universities and colleges according to data that BLS published in 2012 – the nurse made an average salary of $74,540 annually. The nurses at universities and colleges work at medical centers within the institutions or teach other trauma nurses.

The salary of registered nurses working in surgical and general medical hospitals earned salaries above $69,490 per year. This salary was above the industry average which was $67,930. Trauma nurses may also earn higher starting salaries in universities, colleges or in surgical and general medical hospitals. Moreover, you can earn a higher amount in a larger hospital because such hospitals generate higher revenues that can support their workers’ salaries.

The job outlook

According to BLS, the job market for trauma nurses is projected to grow by approximately 26%. This growth rate is faster than the 14% growth rate expected for all occupations. The technological advancement in equipment will help hospitals serve more patients and this may increase the number of jobs for trauma nurses. Moreover, the increase of aging American population will also create more jobs for the nurses – seniors require hospital services quite often. Outpatient centers offer more job opportunities for trauma nurses.

Who can make a good trauma nurse?

To be a trauma nurse you must have some personality traits. The personality traits that can help you flourish in the career include:

• Quicker thinking

• Multitasking ability

• Good observation, prioritization and assessment skills

• Good customer services and interpersonal skills

• Physical stamina

• Ability to remain calm in the midst of chaos and

• Stronger personal coping skills

The number of hours trauma nurses work

Generally, registered nurses work morning, noon or night rotations/shifts and in most health facilities they are always present. Hospitals and the other health care facilities are always open and they are always in need of nurses to care for patients suffering from injuries and illnesses. The health care facilities also need nurses to care for the elderly people and the others in need of assisted living. Schedule of nurses highly depends on the facilities they work for, the demand for their services, the wages and any other benefits that they discussed with their employers prior to the employment.

Mostly, nurses will work for 5-8 hours on a daily schedule, 4-10 hour days or even 3-12 hour days in a week. And in both cases, employers consider the 36 hour and 40 hour work weeks as full-time work for the registered nurses. The hours do not constitute any voluntary or needed overtime that is common in most health care facilities. In some situations – such as shortages of nurses – trauma nurses may choose or may be required to work overtime due to the demand of their job. The size of the healthcare facility staff and the patient/employers need are some factors that can highly influence the number of hours trauma nurses work in a day.

On the other side, health care centers which include rehabilitation centers, doctor’s offices, universities and colleges may require nurses during the working hours. The working hours in such institutions typically occur during the morning and late evening because there is no staffing in most places. Moreover, a nurse may need to help students at night or during the late evening hours. However, compared with the many health facilities which operate for 24 hours throughout the week, this is an exception.

Without a nurse, patients wouldn’t receive the medical care they require to make a full recovery. Moreover, some patients may die due to lack of attention and medical care. Monitoring the medical machinery and the condition of the patients is important in ensuring quality care.  Offering assistance to healthcare specialists such as doctors when patients are suffering from trauma and being present to care for the unpredictable situations are some of trauma nurses’ responsibilities.

The other responsibilities of trauma nurses include recording patient’s symptoms and keeping recovery status records of their patients. The nurses also make assessments of the patient’s medical condition such as injuries and administer medication or specialized treatment. They also help patients within rehabilitation programs. And to ensure that the patients have received adequate medical care, the nurses work alongside medical professionals to provide them with insight and medical information.

Part-time trauma nurses

And in regards to part-time trauma-nurses, the employers decide what is full-time and what is part-time. However, according to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees who work for over 40 hours in a week should be paid overtime. Most professions, among them nursing, do consider 30-40 hours per week to be full-time status. Part-time nurses work for 30 hours or even less in a week but earn lower wages and fewer benefits due to their part-time status. In some health facilities, nurses may work for 10-20 hours in a week on fluctuating schedules.

Expectedly, employment of trauma nurses will highly increase in the coming years. Moreover, the job is highly rewarding. Therefore, if you are a quick thinker, you are good in multitasking, you have good observation, prioritization and assessment skills, good customer services and interpersonal skills, you can consider this career. Moreover, to work as a trauma nurse you will need physical stamina ability to remain calm in the midst of chaos and stronger personal coping skills.

Board of Nursing, created in 1911 through the State Legislature’s act and signed into law by the former Governor, Ben W. Hooper.

The TN board of nursing mission is to safeguard the safety, welfare and health of Tennesseans by requiring that everyone practicing nursing within the state of Tennessee is licensed and qualified to practice.

The board’s responsibilities center around 3 board functions:

1. Licensure
2. Education
3. Practice

Contents:

• TN Board of Nursing Licensure and License Renewal
• TN Board of Nursing: Education of Applicants
• TN Board of Nursing: Tennessee Nurses Foundation
• TN Board of Nursing: Discipline
• TN Board of Nursing: License Verification
• TN Board of Nursing: Practice

 TN Board of Nursing Licensure and License Renewal

Licensure is the process through which boards of nursing give permission to a person to engage in the nursing practice after deciding that the applicant has met or attained the competency essential to perform a single scope of practice. Licensure is crucial when the controlled activities are complex and need independent decision making, specialized skill, and knowledge. The process of licensure is essential to decide if the applicants have the necessary skills to safely & appropriately do a particular scope of practice. The process is conducted by evaluating licensure and predetermining the criteria required to find if the applicants meet the criteria.

Components of nursing licensure include:

• Eligibility of graduation or verification of graduation from an approved pre-licensure LVN/PN or RN nursing education program
• Verification of successful completion of NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN examination
• In some states, a criminal background check

To start the licensure process, the applicant searches the particular state board of nursing website for applications. A licensed nurse has various responsibilities that include adherence to and knowledge of the rules and laws which govern nursing as clearly outlined in the Practice Act and regulations. Nurses can check the nursing rules and law by locating their state nurse practice act and regulations.

The TN board of nursing offers licenses to licensed registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and practical nurses who satisfy the requirements of the rules and statutes. Only graduates of certified schools of nursing are qualified to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), required for licensure. In 2009, a legislation was passed authorizing the board to issue Medication Aide Certificates to nurse aides who have other training in board approved medication administration programs. Medication Aides must complete the Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE) for licensure.

Practical and Registered nurses may be licensed by endorsement or examination from another state. Once licensed, the nurses can renew their licenses every 2 years. The administrative office mails renewal notices 45 days before the license expiration to the current file address. Licensees are responsible to renew on time and keep the board updated on current information. Licenses can also be renewed online up to 60 days before license expiration at Tennessee.gov/health. Click/select the ‘License Renewal’ link and follow the hints. It is a violation of the board’s rules and of the law to practice on an expired license.

TN Board of Nursing: Education of Applicants

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops leading initiatives, programs and resources for boards of nursing responsible for regulating and approving nursing education programs. In addition, NCSBN collaborates with nurse educators, nursing education organizations and other participants and stakeholders in national nursing education initiatives and meetings. NCSBN has a role to keep nurse educators and boards of nursing updated on the latest research, resources and news in nursing education through the bi-annual Leader to Leader magazine.

The Tennessee board of nursing is also authorized to issue Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) certificates, with or with no certificate to prescribe to RNs in 4 roles: Nurse anesthetists, Nurse practitioners, Nurse midwives and Clinical nurse specialists.

Qualifications include:

• Current registered nurse licensure
• A Master’s degree in a nursing specialty area
• Three quarter hours of Pharmacology
• National certification
• Evidence of specialized practitioner skills

An APN certificate with no prescriptive authority is issued when the nurse doesn’t meet the pharmacology qualification as well as for applicants meeting particular provisions.

The board of nursing prescribes a curriculum for every nursing program online, distance, on the ground or through other electronic means. The board also approves schools of nursing that meet board standards on an annual basis. New schools go through an approval process that includes a survey of the program. Schools that don’t meet the standards are investigated plus the board is authorized to close the program or place the school under conditional approval if the standards are not met.

Program approval forms an integral part of the process of state licensure because it ensures standards are met. On the other hand national nursing accreditation evaluates the quality of nursing programs, but from a national perspective.

TN Board of Nursing: Tennessee Nurses Foundation

Tennessee Nurses Foundation, on contract with the board, provides professional assistance or help to nurses with emotional, mental, physical, and/or chemical dependency problems. The monitoring & referral program, supported by renewal fees and licensure, provides a very important service to protect the public as well as aid in the nurses’ rehabilitation.

The board assists in discharge of duties by employing an RN executive director. The Division of Health Related Boards along with the professional & administrative staff of the nursing board supports the board by giving out licenses to those who satisfy the requirements of the rules and law.

TN board of nursing consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor for 4-year terms or until the appointment of their successors. In 2012, legislation was passed to transition the board’s composition to the following:

• Nine advanced practice nurses or registered nurses
• One licensed practical nurse
• One consumer member (This member isn’t a nurse and isn’t professionally or commercially associated with the healthcare industry)

Members can be selected from lists of nominees that are submitted by their corresponding organizations for each appointment.

The Tennessee board of nursing meets quarterly for general meetings and as required for special/called meetings. A quorum of 6 members is required or responsible to conduct business. Meetings are often open to the public.

 TN Board of Nursing: Discipline

The provision of nursing care can result to rise in the risk of harm basic to that care. States are responsible to protect the public from the risk of harm using reasonable laws that regulate nursing. The laws are classified in the nurse practice act along with its accompanying regulations to set up a Board of Nursing (BON), plus to guide and to govern nursing care. Even though most nurses are caring and competent people providing standard care, violations of the nursing practice act do occur. The TN board of nursing is responsible to interpret the laws, administrative rules & regulations, and statutes to decide the correct standards of practice to make sure the highest level of professional conduct. The board also investigates alleged violations of the rules and the nurse Practice Act. The board has a further responsibility to discipline and impose civil penalties on the licensees found guilty of such violations. The governor appoints board members with a few exceptions.

 TN Board of Nursing: License Verification

The website verification system “Tennessee Health Related Board”, is the official Health Related Board’s licensure verification site. The site has data obtained from original/primary sources and updated daily. If you are required to offer a written verification of licensure, please contact the right board for applicable procedures or fees.

For License verification, enter details in one/more of the following fields: Abuse Data and/or Disciplinary Practitioner Profile, and you will be presented with license verification results, if applicable. In case you encounter any problems or issues with the verification system, contact the proper board.

 TN Board of Nursing: Practice

The Tennessee board of nursing addresses the performance of specific acts that regulate the scope of practice that the nurse is licensed. Nurses can delegate various nursing acts to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP), but its appropriateness has been often questionable. The TN board of nursing plays an important role in determining guidelines and decision-making models to help in verifying if a given function is met in a nurse’s scope of practice. This assists nurses to decide whether a practice act should be delegated.

NCSBN supports its vision of leading the regulation of the nurse practice, by producing innovative initiatives and materials to support nursing boards in their duty to regulate nursing practice.

 TN Board of Nursing: Nurse Practice Act

Each territory or state has a common law known as Nurse Practice Act, which is imposed by every nursing board. Nurses must adhere to the laws and related rules so that they can maintain their licenses. TN board of nursing enforces:

1. Qualifications for licensure
2. Nursing titles allowed to be used
3. Scope of practice — What nurses are allowed to do
4. Actions that will be taken against a nurse who doesn’t follow the nursing laws. Every state determines particular administrative responsibilities and oversights of the boards of nursing. The TN board of nursing reports to:

• The state’s governor
• Both the state agency and the governor
• A state agency
• Another organization or state official

Overall, the TN board of nursing is an agency of the state government, that is responsible to regulate the nursing practice. State governments established boards of nursing, over100 years ago, protecting public’s welfare and health by ensuring and overseeing safe nursing practice. Boards of nursing attain this mission by issuing licenses to the practice of nursing and outlining the principles or guidelines for safe nursing care. After licensure or once a license has been issued, the nursing board’s work continues by monitoring the licensees’ compliance with state laws, rules & regulations, as well as taking appropriate action against licenses of nurses displaying unsafe nursing practice.

If you are contemplating on pursuing a career in medicine, you may choose from a wide range of paid medical internships for high school students to help you make an informed decision on which route to take. After all, the last thing you want to happen is to waste your time, energy and money on a college major where your heart is really not into. This is the common mistake that some students make when they realize that their course gets tougher than they have imagined.

What medical internships for high school students do is to provide a clearer idea of what the medicine field is all about. Interns get to experience actual scenarios involved with being a medical professional, and how these can be beneficial or even profitable to them on a long-term basis. So, if you want to learn about these schools that offer paid medical internships for high school students, pros and cons of each, as well as tips on how to choose the best medical program for you, read along to find out more about these topics to jumpstart your career.

Contents:

• Summer Medical Internships for High School Students
• In-Hospital Medical Program Internships for High School Students
• General Science and Medical Research Programs for High School Students
• Nursing Internships for High School Students
• Benefits to Expect from Medical Internships for High School Students
• Important Points to Consider About Medical Internships for High School Students

Summer Medical Internships for High School Students

There is no better time to become a medical intern than during the summer since you have more time in your hands to explore on possible career opportunities for you in the field of medicine. What’s more, summer is the time of the year where schools offer a wider range of experiences in the medical industry, which means more options in store for you.

These medical summer internships for high school students are varied in terms of professional experiences provided. For instance, you may opt for an in-hospital setting for an actual feel of how it is like to be a medical professional based in a healthcare facility, or expand your knowledge further by doing medical research. These programs may be available to qualified students for a fee, while others are free of charge.

It is important to note, though, that some schools offering medical internships for high school students may only accept applicants who reside in the specific area or state where the university or college is located. Thus, you should look into the different requirements and cost of the program offered before sending in your application.

Whether you are interested in applying for a program linked with medical research or in-hospital medical experience, the following list of schools and internship programs offered can guide you in making a solid choice.

In-Hospital Medical Program Internships for High School Students

If your idea of becoming a medical professional involves getting a hands-on experience in a healthcare facility, then a medical program internship is your best bet. This will expose you to a selection of the first-hand experience in the medical field including interacting with hospital patients, shadowing medical doctors, observing surgical procedures and learning how simple medical procedures are performed.

However, there is a limited number of medical programs available to high school students, so it is important to contact the school to learn more about the scope of the program and application fees and requirements. The different programs offered by certain institutions include the following:

• Medicine Summer Program for High School Students at the University of Pennsylvania, PA
• Medical Youth Science Program at Stanford University, CA
• Medicine and Health Care Program by the National Student Leadership Council
• High School Senior Summer Internship Program at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, OH
• Summer Medical Academy at the University of California San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital, CA

General Science and Medical Research Programs for High School Students

If your interest is more on other branches of science such as organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry, you may consider doing an internship on General Science research programs. These medical internships for high school students will give you a sneak peek of what to expect from the different courses offered in medical school, so you can determine whether you are up for it or not. Moreover, if you are more interested in doing lab work, these programs will offer you key insights and experience on this career.

Below are among the internship programs and institutions providing General Science Research Programs:

• Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University, VA
• Plant Genome Internship at Cornell University, NY
• Summer Research Program at Monmouth University, NJ
• National Space Club Scholars Program at NASA (MD and VA)
• Summer Youth Internship Program at the Museum of Science, MA
• Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering Program at Saturday Academy, OR
• Summer Research Apprentice Program at University of Wyoming, WY
• Geosciences Bridge Program at University of Maryland, MD
• High School Student Research Education Program at Scripps Research Institute, CA
• Bioscience Summer Research Program for High School Students at University of Utah, UT
• Howard Hughes Summer Science Program at Spelman College, GA

In case you are more keen on doing medical-related research or examining slides and samples under a microscope in a laboratory, then a medical research internship program is for you. Some other activities involved in this type of program available to high school students include encoding in the computer study participants’ information, interviewing clinical study participants, and assisting medical researchers on clinical studies. Furthermore, you will be working with a mentor who can assist you and walk you through the entire program. Keep in mind, though, that may have to prepare a presentation or an output at the end of the program, as part of the requirement by the school.

By having a clearer picture in your mind how medical researchers work, you can decide if this career is suitable for you or not. In addition, upon completion of this program while still in high school, you will be notched up ahead the class if you end up taking pre-med in college.

Medical research programs offered by some schools and institutions include:

• Disease Detective Camp at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GA
• Summer Science Internship Program at Arthritis Foundation, CA
• Biomedical Research Internship for Minority Students at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, OH
• Summer Experience for Students at Coriell Institute for Medical Research, NJ
• Summer Internship Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, AZ
• Summer Researc Program at Indiana University Cancer Center, IN
• Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research at NIH, MD
• Summer Cancer Research Experience Program for High School Students at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, NY
• High School Student Research Apprentice Program at University of Connecticut Health Center, CT

Nursing Internships for High School Students

Another option when it comes to medical internships for high school students is a student nurse internship program. There are nursing internships for college students, as well as high school students, depending on the school or institution that offers the program. Either way, these programs will provide you with much-needed experience and overview of what it takes to become a nurse by profession, so you can prepare physically and mentally for this job once you decide to purse it.

Another benefit you can get from an internship program is the clarity of mind when choosing a course to take in college. Most high school students – or even college students – hardly have any idea what profession they really want. So, they end up enrolling on a course and changing their mind somewhere along the way, and switching to a different course of study. Unfortunately, so much time and money have already been lost because of indecisiveness.

If you are looking into taking up a career as a nurse, then you may want to start by doing an internship related to this profession. Below are among the different institutions that offer medical internships for high school students. Find out which one works for you as you go through the program features of each.

1. Kaiser Permanente

Based in California, this health care provider provides a way for high school students to explore the field of medicine through the KP Launch High School or the Summer Youth Employment Program. This is a paid medical internship program open to Kaiser Permanente students situated in southern and northern California.

Available during the summer, and goes for a period of 8 weeks, this medical internship program for high school students provide qualified applicants with mentoring, professional networking opportunities and workshops to improve on their professional and personal life.

2. University of Alaska Anchorage

One of the medical internships for high school students offered in Alaska is the Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program. This takes place at the University of Alaska Anchorage, which is a paid internship from June to July. It goes from 4 to up to 6 weeks in length, and this immersion program strengthens the interest of high school students in the field of medicine. Aside from having free board and lodging at the university’s dormitories, attendees are given stipend that should cover their miscellaneous expenses including food.

3. Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium

If you are of tribal descent or a native Alaskan student, you may participate in medical internships for high school students such as the summer internship program or the Ethel Lund Village Health Occupation Program. These provide qualified applicants a chance to explore further what it is like to be in the medical field. These programs take place for 3 months or from June to September.

Once your application is approved, you are required to devote about 30 to 40 hours of your time a week for the program. Moreover, you will receive a small stipend for your miscellaneous expenses, as long as you continue and complete the program.

4. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

An Illinois-based hospital gives high school students an opportunity to immerse themselves in various healthcare fields. This program is available to junior and high school students who are planning on spending 5 weeks of summer to gain an overview of what medical professionals do in a typical work week. This is a paid internship program that exposes students to a number of areas in a healthcare facility including the adult nursing center, ambulatory surgery center, administrative office, and adult or pediatric physical therapy.

Successful applicants are required to complete the 5-week program, which goes for 20 hours or more a week. They are also given a $500 stipend, which should cover their expenses such as meals and other needs.

5. Children’s Hospital Colorado

There are three different times a year when medical internships for high school students are provided to eligible applicants at the Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Internship programs are available during fall, spring and summer, and students are given a chance to work in several areas at a hospital such as the newborn center, radiology, orthopedics and in-patient units, to name a few.

For the spring and fall internship program sessions, students work for about 10 hours a week for a duration of 12 weeks. As for the summer program, participants should devote 30 hours of their time a week and complete the 6-week program.

Requirements for applicants vary from one institution to another. Thus, you will need to contact the school to learn more about the required documents and fees to submit along with your application form.

Benefits to Expect from Medical Internships for High School Students

The reason why several professionals feel misplaced or uncertain about their jobs is their lack of clarity and motivation prior to taking up a course in college. In fact, there are those who have zero ideas on what they want to pursue after college, so they end up taking a random course or letting their parents dictate the route to take

Unfortunately, these only end up badly for anyone since they decide to drop their current course and switch to another one in the middle of the year. There are also those who finish the program for 4 years or more, then choose to take post-graduate studies that are not relevant to their degree.

In the case of medical internships, these are available to high school students who wish to learn more about the life and work of a scientist, nurse, researcher or any type of medical professional. Upon completion of these programs, it should be clearer to you whether the medical field is something that works for you or not.

If you take up a summer internship program at a particular college or university during your high school years, you can also determine if it is the right school for you. Living in a dormitory can offer you a genuine experience of what college life is all about. It will also be easier for you to evaluate if you are indeed better off with pre-med or a different course in college. Hence, you can be ahead of your class once you take up pre-med and have a better shot at doing well in your chosen career.

However, you also have to take into account the cost of these internship programs, which may go up to $10,000. This can be quite expensive for an average high school student, so it may be worth looking into free internship programs that will work well for your financial situation. Although some programs offer a minimal stipend that should pay for your miscellaneous expenses, it is still best to check further details about fees involved before you send in your application.

It is also worth noting that some institutions have strict requirements to interns. For instance, there are those that only accept students situated in the state where the school is located or a GPA of 3.5 or even higher. While this should be no problem for most students who are excelling in their studies, it can be an issue for those who may not reach the cut-off mark but very much interested in doing a medical internship program.

Important Points to Consider About Medical Internships for High School Students

So, with the extensive selection of internship programs available, how can you possibly choose one that works for you? First, you should have a realization of your primary interest in the field of medicine. Remember, there are different types of programs to choose from such as medical research, in-hospital medical program, and general science research program. Each program has its own set of objectives and features, so you need to be clear about your interest to make sure you get the best experience out of your internship.

In addition, you need to set your budget for the program or your specifications whether you want paid internship or just an experience as a volunteer. If you are a little low on funds, you may do some research on paid programs that are completely free of charge. Some programs may also come with stipends that will cover your food and other expenses.

You should also think about the amount of time you are willing to spend on the program. Are you willing to work for several hours a week or an entire day on a program that requires full-time interns? There are also weekend programs for shadowing a medical professional, while others offer summer programs that go for 5 to 8 weeks. These are more intensive programs that can provide you with in-depth experience of how it is like to become a medical professional.

These medical internships for high school students all require passion, dedication and a sense of responsibility for participants to complete these programs. After successfully completing your internship, this will have a positive impact on your college application while giving you a boost in your future profession in the field of medicine.

Nursing is one of the admired courses all around the world, but one may not have enough funding. Scholarships for nursing students are rewarded to those who show excellence and put an extraordinary effort in a particular field. There are various scholarships available for you, to help you pursue your dream. These scholarships are offered by different organizations, universities, and colleges. There are different qualifications that you have to meet to get scholarships for nursing students since they are mostly limited. The advantage of these scholarships is that they are not only limited to United States citizen, but also accessible international students.

Contents:

• Organizations that Offer Scholarships for Nursing Students
• Scholarships for Nursing Students
• Scholarships for Graduate Nursing Students
• Scholarships for Undergraduate Nursing Students
• Scholarships for Male Nursing Students
• Scholarships for Pre-Nursing Students

Organizations that Offer Scholarships for Nursing Students

The following are some of the organizations that offer scholarships for nursing students in the United States:

• Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurse
• Delta State University
• Northern Illinois University
• National Black Nurse Associations
• American Assembly for Men
• Johnson and Johnson Discover Nursing Scholarship Database
• Minority Nurse

Scholarships for Nursing Students

There are different scholarships for nursing students for different degree programs and interests of the applicant. We shall try to break them down to give you a wide variety of information according to what you want to pursue. These include:

1. Scholarships for graduate nursing students
2. Scholarships for undergraduate nursing students
3. Scholarships for male nursing students
4. Scholarship for pre-nursing students

Scholarships for Graduate Nursing Students

The following are some of the scholarships for nursing students available for graduate nursing students:

• Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) education fund

It is one of the ANCA’s programs that supports worth US students with accredited program in nursing, anesthesia, and other related healthcare. The nursing scholarship program gives $3000 grants to any university or college. The following is the criteria one has to attain to get scholarship:

• The applicant must be a nursing or anesthesia student who has parent(s), spouse, or children in the army.
• Students who are interested in joining the army national guard or reserve and active army.
• You must not be currently funded by any other army component.
• Students who have served in the Army national guard, reserve or army.
• Students who are officers of the army nurse corps of the US army and are enrolled there.
• Enlisted soldiers that are interested in pursuing a degree or further studies in nursing.

• American School Health Association Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to those interested in dealing with the youth’s health concerns. They offer three $1,000 grants each year in nursing specialization in pediatric or adolescent medicine, pediatric and adolescent dental nursing, school nursing, and school health education. They also consider a nursing field in the school of nutrition and counseling, as long as a letter together with the application is forwarded. The following are the requirements:

• Should be interested in a nursing field that caters to the health needs of children and youth.
• The scholarship owner gets a membership to the American School Health Association.

• Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

This one is offered to Kansas residents only.

It offers partial scholarship funding by covering part of the tuition fee for the applicant.

The applicant must work in one of the sponsor facility after finishing school and acquiring a Kansas license for a year. It is further broken down into smaller sets.

The following scholarships for nursing studentss are offered to graduate nursing students:

• Kansas osteopathic medical service scholarship — The applicant is given $15000 per year for all the four years of study in nationally accredited osteopathic schools.
• Kansas dental opportunity program — They pay the residents and non-residents difference
• Kansas optometry scholarship — They pay the difference between residents and non-residents tuition at out of state eligible institutions.

• Prenatal Graduate Nursing Scholarship

It offers annual $5000 grants in registered nurses in graduate programs in maternity-child nursing programs. These scholarships help to improve mothers and new born babies by providing adequate nursing care.

The applicant must have one academic term to be completed after May of that year wherein the scholarship is scheduled to be granted.

Must currently be a member of Neonatal Nurses, the Association of Women’s Health, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses currently in order to qualify.

Members of the March of Dimes board of trustees and their family members are not eligible for this scholarship. Since March of dimes also gives scholarships to nurses who are registered, and are in the maternal-child nursing program, this is an integrated scholarship for those who qualify.

• Nurse Leaders of North America

It is sponsored by Global Scholarship Alliance (GSA). The aim is to improve the new generation of nurses.

They provide a full scholarship for a graduate program in nursing with multi-year employment.

The following are the requirements:

• You must be a registered nurse
• You must be a resident of the United State or Canada
• You must have the drive to work
• You must have completed at least a year in nursing experience

Scholarships for Undergraduate Nursing Students

• A nurse I am scholarship by Cherokee uniform

They award up to $2000 scholarship for nursing students to use as tuition money, pay school fees and use in any other school related expenses. The following are the requirements:

1. The applicant must be enrolled either full-time or part-time
2. The applicant must be within the 50 U.S.
3. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen
4. The applicant must complete the application online and the essay which varies with time

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurse

AACN’s nursing scholarship program aims at making sure one learns from the experience, improves themselves as individuals and they grow to become better people. The following are the eligibility requirements:

1. The applicant must be an active member of the AACN while applying, and also during the time, they will be funded.
2. The applicants must be in a position to showcase their knowledge and skills.
3. The applicant must present a detailed budget of the learning activity for funding purposes.

• Army Nurse Corps

They also offer a scholarship for undergraduate nursing students. Requirements were mentioned above.

The above-mentioned scholarship programs are just but a few of those available. It is up to the applicant to choose the one they prefer that will fit their learning needs. As long as you pass the criteria of how each is awarded you will get the funds.

Nursing has been known as the female-dominated profession, and a male nurse has been rare to witness. The same goes for getting scholarships for nursing students from the male category. However, with the economic issues and the flooded job market all most people want is a stable career. This has led to an increase of men in the nursing field, as a matter of fact it’s predicted by that by the year 2020 men will make up 25% of the nurses in the USA.

Scholarships for Male Nursing Students

The need for a scholarship for the male nursing students has grown. The following are some of the organizations that offer scholarships specifically for men, and the requirements needed.

• American Assembly for Men in Nursing(AAMN)

They offer different kinds of scholarships for male nursing students, these are the available ones in 2016:

AAMN – Johnson & Johnson Pre-Licensure Nursing Student Scholarship: $5,000

Applicant must submit an essay on the given topic and follow all the instructions to the letter. The essay must be submitted in essay form to the website.

AAMN – Johnson & Johnson Graduate Student Men’s Health Scholarship: $5,000

An eligible applicant must be a nursing practice doctor, Registered nurse, or a student pursuing master or Ph.D. You must submit a paper addressing one men’s health topic together with either a scholarly project, or research oriented project, or an evidence-based practice project.

AAMN — Murse World Academic Progression in Nursing: REGISTERED NURSE to BSN Student Scholarship: $1,000

The male nursing student, applying for this scholarship is required to submit an essay on the given topic. This topic is dependent on the year one is applying for.

AAMN Caring Men Paying it Forward Scholarship: $1,000

The applicant is required to write an essay and make a presentation to the local community creating awareness on the essay’s topic.

AAMN Pre-licensure Men in Nursing Video Scholarship Contest: $1,000

The applicant is required to make a 1-4 minute video aimed at registering more men in the nursing profession.

General requirements:

• All applicants must have a 2.75 GPA
• All applicants must present a recommendation from one of the faculty members in the nursing program they were in.
• All applicants must present evidence of acceptance and completion of at least one year by a nursing program.
• All applicants must have completed at least a year of nursing program
• All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program
• All applicants must be AAMN members

• Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation (CKSF)

It offers a scholarship for male nursing students.

They give $ 1500 to recipients.

Details:

• All applicants must be U.S. graduate, college or high school students.
• All applicants must participate in the competition that involve one or more quizzes from various topics, ranging from books, academic subjects, websites or even movies
• The quiz is sent to your account when you register in the CKSF website.
• The results are accessible from your account’s homepage
• The winners are those that score the highest in the quizzes
• The scholarship can be useful in any post-secondary school in U.S
• The award ranges from $250 to $2500

• State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) male nursing scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to male nurses who are enrolled in Indiana’s accredited nursing program.

The scholarship is worth $5000 annually.

Requirements:

• The applicants should have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The higher one scores the higher the probability of getting the scholarship.
• The applicant should fill the application and submit in time.

• Ohio Nurses Foundation

This scholarship for male nursing students is offered to applicants who reside in Ohio.

It sponsored by the Ohio Nurses Association.

It awards $1000 to recipients.

It offers a variety of scholarship options, these are:

• Hayward memorial scholarship — aims at registered nurses who want to teach nursing.
• Hague Memorial Scholarship — it targets graduate nursing students who have leadership aspirations in the nursing field.
• Traditional nursing student scholarships — the applicants who don’t have a break longer than 2 years from high school to college and who have not obtained any degree.
• Minority scholarships — applicant should be of a minority race, resides in Ohio and is pursuing a fist nursing degree that leads to registered nurse licensure.
• Registered nurses majoring in nursing — meant for registered nurses interested in pursuing the nursing profession in Ohio.

• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)

This is an association that is dedicated to making sure every Hispanic nurse has equal opportunity economically, professionally and academically. This includes male nursing students too. They offer scholarships to nursing students, although the amount is dependent on a specific chapter.

Requirements

• The recipients are limited persons from the Hispanic race, who show promise of becoming determined, successful and good role models in the nursing field.
• The recipient should be a U.S. citizen.
• The applicant should have an impressive academic standing.
• The scholarship is also awarded depending on the need of the applicants.

Scholarships for Pre-Nursing Students

Nursing being a field that keeps growing on a day-to-day basis, especially with the increase of hospitals; the interest in the field has grown too. This growth increases the number of high school graduates looking to pursue it. However, interest in something does not always mean you have the means to pursue it. Many are those that are interested in the field but run short in the finance department. There is no need to worry here are some scholarship options you can look into:

• GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

These are scholarships that are issued out by the military. They include:

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) — They give you a scholarship in exchange for your service in the ROTC program.

Requirements:

• You must score 920 in the SAT or 19 in ACT
• You must agree to commit to serving in the army as agreed upon
• You must have a high-school diploma
• You must score a 2.50 GPA
• You must be a US citizen
• You must pass the physical test
• You must be between the ages of 17 and 26

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) – They also have a nursing option in their scholarship. Since the scholarship is offered for one to pursue majors needed in the Air Force. A nursing scholarship is under the non-technical scholarship category. The recipient is required to pursue a single foreign language and complete it in four semesters or 24-hour physical science and math, and must attain a minimum grade of C — before they can be commissioned or graduate.

Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) – the give the recipients a nursing track which leads to a bachelor’s degree. The recipient of this nursing scholarship is required to attend a nursing program associated with NROTC. They are courses that the recipient is required to do. These are maritime affair, sea power, and naval science. The requirements are just as those of AROTC.

• ADMINISTRATION SCHOLARSHIPS

The Nurse Corps Scholarship program aims at helping equalize the demand for nurses and their availability. They do this by giving scholarships for nursing students that cover tuition, educational cost, and fees, in exchange for the recipients working for them after they graduate.

Requirement:

• The applicant must a citizen in the U.S.
• The applicant must not have any unpaid federal debt
• The applicant must have no federal judgment liens
• The applicant has to be accepted in a professional nursing program that is accredited and is located in the U.S.
• The applicant’s classes must not begin later than September 30
• The applicant must not committed to any other service

A nursing program is very costly; this is the reason behind some colleges offering scholarships to nursing students. It is very helpful for high school graduates interested in pursuing nursing. This assists them in making the financial strain a manageable.

The above mention scholarships for nursing students are just but a few of those available. It is up to the applicant to choose the one they prefer that will fit their learning needs.

SOURCES:

www.collegescholarships.org

www.collegescholarships.org

www.nursingscholarship.us

www.nursingscholarship.us

www.nursingscholarship.us

Healthcare industry keeps expanding at a high rate hence creating an urgent need for more medical professionals. Registered nurses are in high demand due various reasons, which include an aging population, nurses going for retirement and development of the new technology. Considering all these factors together with the satisfaction that comes from assisting people, the merits of becoming a registered nurse outweighs the demerits.

Contents:

• How You Can  Become an RN
• What You Need to Know to Become an RN?
• Registered Nurse Career In-Depth
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• FAQ about Online RN Programs
• Why Should You Pursue BSN?
• What Should You Expect in Your BSN Degree Program?
• How Do You know that You’re Fit for RN programs?
• What Is the Accreditation of the RN Programs?
• LPN-RN Bridge Program
• Paramedic-RN Bridge Program
• Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• FAQ about Accelerated Nursing RN Programs
• How Registered Nurses Keep Up With New Trends in Nursing?

How You Can Become an RN

To become an RN or a registered nurse you need to take one of the three options in your education path and these are: a diploma in nursing from approved nursing program, a bachelor degree or an associate degree both in a nursing program. These programs are just the basic entry-level programs, which means they don’t require any previous nursing education. RN programs require a minimum of four academic years and not more than five years to graduate as a registered nurse. These programs also have a strong emphasis on science and research in addition to general education requirements of the nursing college.

Nursing programs recognize the importance of integrating knowledge from other related programs such as behavioral, social and biological sciences, which enable the students to develop necessary qualities of a registered nurse. Professional nursing requires the application of evidence-based practice, scientific knowledge, psychomotor skills, understanding the human behavior and application of various safety measures.

What You Need to Know to Become an RN?

Nursing is indeed a dynamic endeavor that is continually evolving. For one to succeed as registered nurse, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking are necessary when it comes to assisting families, individuals and the larger population in coping with difficult challenges in our daily living associated with health or illness.

Nursing profession requires one to have the knowledge in:

• Normal human growth and development
• Basic human needs
• Actual/potential health problem
• Coping mechanisms that are used by individuals
• Effects of sex, age, religion, racial and cultural factors on the health needs
• Various ways by which a registered nurse can assist people to maintain health as well as cope with different health problems
• Management, life cycle, accountability and other concepts relevant to nursing programs are also embodied in the course.

All these concepts are taught through the entire nursing program.

Registered Nurse Career In-Depth

Well, the duties of RNs depends on where they’re working. However, these duties include assisting physicians, providing care to patients, providing guidance and also leading campaigns on public health. A registered nurse can also expect to operate medical equipment and administering medications. RNs can take a medical specialty in their course as pediatric, neonatal, geriatric, surgical and emergency care. As a registered nurse expect to work in different shifts, which may be on permanent or rotating schedules. Emergency and overtimes hours are very unpredictable in this profession.

Certified Nursing Assistants

These are entry-level nurses who are looking forward to becoming registered nurses. CNAs or certified nursing assistants mostly provide dressing, helping with bathing, hands-on healthcare to people in medical settings and other basic activities in healthcare. CNAs normally work in hospitals, while the majority work in residential care facilities.

FAQ about Online RN Programs

• Is it possible to become an RN (registered nurse) online?

Yes, you can earn diploma or associate’s degree online and qualify for the initial RN licensure. The online course is conducted through a hybrid program, which is a mixture of both online and classroom education.

• How does RN online program works?

You are required to complete a non-clinical part of the program through the online nursing college course. Thereafter, you will have your clinical requirements completed through a medical center near your home. Online classes are normally hosted through the college website where instructors post lecture materials and also assignments. Bulletin boards and other discussion forum helps students to either post comments or questions. Some lectures also designate specific times for online chat session with students. An online program is flexible since the students can log in and work at their own time.

• Will I be required to come to campus?

Well, some online nursing colleges may require nursing students pursuing their course online to spend a some days or weeks in campus, although no residency will be required.

• Can I complete the RN program at my own pace?

Some of the online degree programs are more flexible and students can complete their coursework at their own time while other programs that are affiliated with traditional universities require online student to maintain same quarter/semester schedule as other on-campus students. There are also colleges that allow students to accelerate their classes and degree programs.

• Can you start your RN online degree program at your own time?

This depends on the college you have enrolled since some allow self-paced and you can start any time while nursing schools have structured their degree programs like traditional programs. And if this is the case, then the nursing program will have a schedule start date.

• Will you get an academic advisor?

Well, if you have enrolled from an RN program online, it’s likely that you’ll work very closely with your academic advisor to help you plan your curriculum.

• Which nursing programs are offered online?

All programs from RN to BSN program to MSN degree are available online. Other institutions offer a number of advanced degrees and certificates for those who want to pursue nursing programs online.

• Do online colleges offer financial aid and scholarships?

Students pursuing online degrees can be eligible for certain types of financial aids and scholarships just like those student enrolled in other traditional programs.

Why should you pursue BSN?

If you already have the associate’s degree then the next logical step is to earn a BSN in case you are looking for career progression. The good news is that your BSN can be completed while you’re working. This means you can easily advance your nursing career without being worried about taking time off. BSN is available online and therefore earn it while working. If you’re planning to work in health care for some time, then earning your BSN should be your focus. This is a strategic move because there a big short of registered nurses with BSNs, which means you benefit from better salaries. Furthermore, holding a BSN will bring you closer to earning a masters degree and a doctorate. Also, it’s important to note that some hospitals do provide tuition reimbursement programs, meaning that if you want to advance your academics, your workplace can pay for it.

 What Should You Expect in Your BSN Degree Program?

A BSN program incorporates both the coursework and clinical work into the curriculum. Some of the common topics that you will learn include biology, nutrition, anatomy, and physiology, among many other. In case you have already earned your associate’s degree, you have an option of joining any reputable nursing college and enroll for any of the RN programs or BSN programs available. The BSN program covers the following areas:

• Nutrition
• Emergency Care
• Health Assessment
• Community, Family and Population-based Practice
• New Trends in Nursing
• Public Health

How Do You know that You’re Fit for RN programs?

For you to determine if you’re good enough for BSN-RN programs, you need to consider your academic background. Here are the three types of paths most students follow to become certified registered nurse.

• Those aspiring to become RNs can attend 4 years at the nurse college or university.
• An RN pursuing bachelor’s degree in BSN program
• A student with a degree from a different can enroll for accelerated registered nurse program or BSN program.

What Is the Accreditation of the RN Programs?

Accreditation guarantees every nursing student that the program in recognized nationally, which means that the program meets the education standards required. Independent accrediting organization only register schools or colleges that have undergone a rigorous application process. Accreditation provides a gateway for students to qualify for financial aid eligibility. Furthermore, students who earn a nursing degree from accredited schools can easily apply for higher degree programs in other accredited nursing colleges.

For schools and colleges to be accredited it takes between five and ten years, and the time is different for each college. Therefore, you can check with schools if their RN programs are accredited. Another important element nursing students should check is whether the school is approved to prepare students for NCLEX, which is an examination body.

LPN-RN Bridge Program

If you’re a licensed practical nurse and planning to transfer to become a registered nurse, then you can opt for LPN-RN bridge program. There are online courses available for those who are working in medical facilities. It’s also possible to get financial support from your employer to pursue RN program in case you’ve worked with your employer for many years. This course takes between 2 and 3 years and covers a wider area such as psychology, nutrition, liberal arts and behavior sciences. The LPN to RN programs also allows student accelerate or fast track, which means topics are not repeated. Once you have successfully completed the program, you can work in nursing homes, correctional facilities, private homes, health centers for disabled and large corporations.

Paramedic-RN Bridge Program

For paramedics who are planning to grow to progress further in their nursing profession, they can opt for expanding their knowledge by going to RN bridge program. This program will take you 18-24 months to complete. The topics to expect include crisis care, human anatomy, general microbiology, psychology, infant nursing, pathophysiology and family nursing.

Registered Nurse Anesthetist

A certified nurse anesthetist is a licensed healthcare professional who works in a very demanding environment. Also called CRNA, these nurses administer anesthetics for all surgical cases. Becoming a registered nurse anesthetist is definitely a significant commitment. RN anesthesia programs are not available in all states, and therefore one may be required to travel to those states that offer these programs. Schools that offer these programs are also very competitive when selecting students and the best way to do it, is to prepare the strongest or detailed application which should include excellent transcripts, volunteerism and your experience in intensive care nursing.

FAQ about Accelerated Nursing RN Programs

A study has shown that there will be a need for more than a million new nurses by the year 2020 and nursing colleges are exploring ways to increase their capacity. One of the approaches is to offer accelerated degree program to non-nursing students wishing to pursue nursing programs.

Why go for accelerated registered nursing programs?

• The accelerated baccalaureate programs are the quickest route to acquire licensure to become a registered nurse for the adults students who have earned a bachelor degree in other disciplines.
• Fast-track baccalaureate programs normally take a short period to complete, which is between 11 and 18 months, while the accelerated masters degree course takes 3 years to complete.

What to expect from accelerated nurse programs?

1. Accelerated baccalaureate programs are meant to accomplish many objectives within a short time by actually building on your previous learning experiences. Expect intense instructions and the courses are offered on full-time schedule without any breaks between the sessions. You will receive the similar number of clinical practice hours as those in traditional entry-level programs.
2. The admission standards for fast-track programs are high since the RN programs require at least 3.0 GPA, followed by a thorough pre-screening process. Administrators will shortlist the students who can flourish in this challenging environment after a rigorous identifying process. Those who qualify for accelerated nursing programs are advised NOT to work since the programs are quite intense in order to meet the degree requirements.
3. Both the fast-track baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing show the ability students to succeed in college or university.

Can you receive financial aid if you’re in accelerated programs?

• Well, there is a limited financial aid for those students who are enrolled in accelerated baccalaureate and master’s degree programs. But, there many practice settings who have partnered with schools and colleges, and they’re offering tuition repayment to nurse graduates as a way to increase the number of qualified nurses.
• Healthcare systems, hospitals and a number of other practice settings are forming the partnership with schools to help ease the financial burden. Some of the health care systems supporting nurse students include Carondelet Health Network, Tenet Healthcare, University of Missouri Healthcare, and Duke University Health-System, among others.

How Registered Nurses Keep Up With New Trends in Nursing?

Registered nurses attend workshops and conferences for them stay current with the ever-changing nursing trends, which helps to improve patient care. The meetings can occur at their places of work, convention centers or resorts. Professional nursing organizations, which includes American Nurses Association usually sponsor 2 or 3 days annual conferences. These meetings also help nurses to network with others.

A registered nurse’ (RN) career is one of the highly lucrative professions nowadays. Apart from providing one with the opportunity to serve the society by supporting the sick, this field of practice presents you with an ever-evolving diary that is decorated with tight deadlines. Consequently, career opportunities for persons with this kind of training are immense. As professionalism in nursing has gained momentum, those with the right skills and certifications are given preference in the hiring process.

Demand for quality healthcare grows by the day and so does demand for RNs. Nowadays, you can even choose to specialize in a particular field of practice, e.g., intensive care or child care as demand for specialized skills is also on the rise.

Because of the demanding nature of this job post, it is important for you to enhance your critical thinking skills in order to perform amidst pressure. It is also important to develop your organizational skills in order to identify top priorities and make timely decisions. Communication skills and ability to pay attention to tiny details are also important requirements for a successful run in this demanding career path.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an expanding career with lucrative annual salary levels and admirable growth trends. But what exactly do RNs do? What training does one require in order to become a reputable registered nurse? How much do these experts earn? What licenses and qualifications are required to operate in different states?

In this article we talk about the day in a life of a registered nurse and the steps you can take to excel in this career.

Contents:

• What Is a Registered Nurse?
• How To Become a Registered Nurse?
• What Do Registered Nurses Do?
• How Much Does a Registered Nurse Earn?
• Benefits of Being a Registered Nurse
• Nurse Practitioner vs Registered Nurse

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a highly valued and respected member of the health care team with a wide base of knowledge on how to promote well-being, prevent diseases and help patients in the recovery process. He or she must graduate from an accredited nursing education program and pass a state board examination. They should also be registered with the board of registered nursing and licensed to practice nursing. The main job of an RN is to provide direct care to patients by recording and analyzing their condition, keeping a track of their medical record and discussing the right treatment with family members and physicians.

How to Become a Registered Nurse?

Different states have different requirements for one to qualify to become a registered nurse, so you need to check with your State Board for more details. The process of becoming an RN also varies a little based on the type of RN you want to become, but most will go through the same basic steps in the end. So to become a qualified registered nurse, you need to go through these four steps.

Step One: Training

The first thing you need to do is to acquire some training from a state recognized institute. Luckily, due to the increasing demand of the healthcare industry, there are so many institutes that offer training to the aspirants. The basic minimum qualification needed to become a registered nurse is the associate degree in nursing, but a diploma or a degree in nursing is also a good option. The Associate Degree in Nursing usually involves a two-year program, while diploma programs typically last about three years and are readily available through hospitals. On the other hand, one can also pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing and boost it with a Master of Science in nursing.

Step Two: Exams

Having completed the training, the next step is to take up the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in order to obtain a nursing license. The exam is accepted in all 50 states and requires periodic renewal. Failure to pass the test results in stagnation until the correct amount of right questions quota is filled. The exam aims at checking your knowledge, competency, and eligibility to assume the role of a registered nurse in the real work settings.

Step Three: Licensing and Certification

The final step usually involves acquiring RN license and certification. The only way to get certified is only if you pass both the practical and written exams. The Board of Nursing of every state requires one to have an RN licensure to ensure public safety. Without certification, you cannot carry your work.

However, once you are a qualified RN, this in itself does not end the learning of a nurse. To ensure you enjoy the rewards of this great career for many years to come and are up-to-date with the advances in the medical industry, it is a requirement that you engage in some level of continuous training on your part.

Step Four: Get Experience

Once certified to become a registered nurse, the next thing is to pursue some nursing experience. This is because the more experience you have, the better your chances of getting a job will be. The experience should be gathered in medical facilities, such as health care clinics, hospices, nursing homes, hospitals and much more. In these medical facilities you get supervised by an experienced practitioner of the same.

What do Registered Nurses Do?

Once you are already a registered nurse, your specific job duties will vary depending on your specialization and employer. However, the primary registered nurse job description will consist of caring for patients. They work as a part of a team with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to administer medicine, monitor health conditions, perform minor medical operations and provide continued care to the patients after a hospital stay. They also work with different patient populations in specialized areas like gerontology, critical care, neonatology, and pediatrics.

How Much Does a Registered Nurse Earn?

RN gets paid very well and receives many job benefits. For instance, as of 2012 registered nurses earned a median annual pay of $65,470 which is $31.48 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, as of May 2014, the average annual income for RN was $69,790 with those in the middle, i.e., 50% bracket earning between $54,620 and $81,080 while the lowest (10%) earned $45,880 or below. As a start-up in this field, your salary may fall in either the lower or the lower middle range. Fortunately, the salary can increase substantially with advanced education and immense experience in the field. Additionally, according to BLS findings, 10% of RNs earned upwards of around $98,880.

Benefits of being a Registered Nurse

There are many benefits to becoming an RN. This is because the demand for RNs is on a constant rise. So if you are still confused whether to pursue this career and you still need a little more convincing arguments, some of the benefits of becoming an RN are listed below.

• Great Flexibility

As an RN you have various choices of careers and locations open to you. This is because RNs don’t only work in hospitals alone hence they can work in settings as varied as correctional facilities, summer camps, physician’s offices or even military facilities. They can also either opt for outpatient or inpatient work. In addition, the industry also offers flexible scheduling. You can choose to work for only a few days a week, only during the weekends, a day shift or even a night shift so you’re available during the day.

• Job Security

Job security is one of the biggest benefits of an RN career. Job security is something that only very few industries offer in this economy and by becoming an RN you can be sure you’ll not have to go job hunting every now and then. According to the latest findings by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for RNs is expected to increase to almost 60,000 in the US by the end of 2016 which is a very above average growth rate.

• Good Salary

Salary is one of the most important factors in any job decision and the fact is that RNs earn a very good salary. As per BLS findings, RNs received an annual median wage of around $65,470 during the year 2012 so becoming an RN gives you high financial rewards as well.

• Job Satisfaction

Being in a career that does not make you happy is one of the worst things. As an RN, you get to make a real difference in people’s lives by providing a service that improves the lives of the patients in a tangible way. Doing this every day gives you satisfaction, so don’t miss the opportunity of getting involved in this satisfying career.

• Easy to Join The Career

The process of becoming an RN is very simple, short, and accessible to anybody. You can become an RN with a simple Associates Degree that can be obtained in as little as two years in RN schools. What’s more, if you become licensed in one state after having passed the test, you can always transfer it to another state in case you ever have to move.

Nurse Practitioner vs Registered Nurse

These are both health care workers specializing in a patient care. However, despite their similarities, each of these career paths has its own job descriptions and nursing education requirements. So to help you make an informed decision concerning your future medical career, here is a look at the differences between a nurse practitioner (NP) and a registered nurse (RN).

• Education Requirements

The main difference between these two careers is the level of education required. For example, you can work as an RN with just an undergraduate education but to work as an NP, you need to have completed a graduate degree in nursing. So for you to qualify to be an NP, you have to study Master-of-Science in Nursing degree, excel in the American Academy of NP National Certification Exam and re-certify every 5 years. On the other hand, for the case of an RN, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN to work as an RN.

• Duties and Responsibilities

As an NP, your primary duties revolve around creating comprehensive treatments for patients and prescribing medications. They diagnose and even treat chronic, acute or episodic illnesses. This is because an NP is a nurse of an advanced practice, unlike RNs. However, RNs’ responsibilities involve preparing the patients for a doctor to see them, administering therapy and medication and recording patients’ observations for doctors’ assessments.

• Salaries

While an RN will take home an average salary of around $65,000 annually, a nurse practitioner earns up to $90,000 per year. This is because the two career paths are in great demand.

In the end, both of these career paths are great as they offer great satisfaction.

Nursing is a great career for people committed to changing the lives of others. There is a high availability of registered nurse jobs and this number is still growing. So apply today for registered nurse programs and enjoy the rewards this career has to offer.

There are several representations of the nurse symbol that tell a story about the nursing field. Some of these symbols are associated with Florence Nightingale, who is respected as the founder of modern-day nursing. Some of the most prominent nurse symbols include:

1. The Caduceus
2. A nursing cap
3. The nursing uniform
4. Florence Nightingale olive-oil lamp
5. A nursing pledge

The use of these symbols is not as prevalent as it was years before, but they remain relevant in portraying nursing as a service to humankind as discussed below.

Contents:

• Nurse Symbol 1: The Caduceus
• Nurse Symbol 2: A Nursing Cap
• Nurse Symbol 3: The Nursing Uniform
• Nurse Symbol 4: Florence Nightingale Olive-Oil Lamp
• Nurse Symbol 5: A Nursing Pledge
• Nurse Tattoos
• Nurse Symbol: Nursing Abbreviations
• Nurse Ratched Symbolism

Nurse Symbol 1: The Caduceus

Caduceus is a term used for the symbolic image of two serpents wrapped around a staff. The nurse symbol has letters R and N placed on either side of the staff, and those letters are an abbreviation for the title ”Registered Nurse’. The caduceus is a representation of the accomplishment that the students have made by completing school, which is a difficult task that requires much dedication. The symbol is usually imprinted on uniforms or used in signs and logos and has come to be commonly known as the registered nurse symbol.

Origin

The origin of the registered nurse symbol dates back to centuries ago and has its roots in the ancient Roman mythology. Since then, the use and meaning of this symbol have undergone much modification by various medical organizations. The symbol of the staff is seen to be the one that was carried by Hermes, the Roman god messenger and he used it as a magic wand. At the upper part of the staff, there were two wings, and there were two serpents winding around it. It has been reported a man in ancient Rome named Tiresias once saw two snakes fighting, then he threw a staff at them and they intertwined themselves around it thus giving rise to the symbol. Immediately after, he was transformed into a woman and remained in that state for seven years until he was able to repeat that same action and change back to a man. The transformative power of the action was passed onto the staff, which was later given to Hermes.

At the time, the serpents represented aspects of wisdom, fertility, and healing. In modern medicine, the image was first adopted by the American Medical Association in 1910.

Controversy

There has been controversy surrounding the use of serpents in the nursing career whereby it is seen as putting a negative mark on the work done by the professionals. There have been questions of why pioneers in this field chose to use what is seen as a symbol of destruction to stand for wellness and healing. For example, some people have argued that snake bites are generally harmful, so they do not portray the real character of nurses who in most cases are known to be kindhearted. Additionally, the word caduceus can be seen to have been derived from the word ”caduity’ which implies perishable, temporary and senile. This is an exact opposite description of the nursing career which is vibrant and is responsible for restoring health and vitality among human beings. There have also been claims that the symbol is related to the occult.

Proponents of this theory argue that the serpents are a representative of positive and negative energy that moves along the spine to the head where it communicates to the mind.

The people who defend the use of this nurse symbol have also come up with theories to show why it should continue being used in the nursing career. Some argue that snakes have been incorporated in the image owing to their ability to shed skin, thus demonstrating longevity and immortality. Snakes are also able to change from a lethargic state to that of rapid activity. This is an indication that nurses also have the ability to help a patient recover from their illness and resume their normal active life. Another group that defends the decision is the Christian believers who make reference to an incidence in the Bible (Numbers 21: 4-9) when Israelites were attacked by a plague of snakes in the desert. Moses was instructed by God to hold up a serpent coiled around a staff, and all afflicted Israelites who looked at it were healed from the snake bites. They use this to demonstrate that the nurses play a very important role in helping the patients to heal.

Despite all the controversy, nurses still regard this symbol as a mark of pride in what they do. This is based on an understanding that one symbol could be interpreted in many ways by different groups of people.

Nurse Symbol 2: A Nursing Cap

It is usually a white oval headdress with a horizontal black ribbon. Some were however customized according to the nursing school that one attended. The cap was originally designed to keep the female nurse’s hair in place so that they look neat and presentable.

Male nurses at the time were not required to wear a cap. In most nursing schools, the students were presented with the cap on their graduation before they could start their work in the profession. Apart from the functional role of this nurse symbol, it was also a show of the humility and readiness of nurses to serve others. Some people saw it as a badge of honor, and they used it to differentiate between the nursing staff and the non-nursing staff in hospitals.

Today, the nursing cap remains a universal nurse symbol, but it is no longer in use in most parts of the world. It began to disappear in the early 1970s due to various reasons such as:

• There was a need to introduce a unisex nurse symbol because nursing caps were only meant for women and more men had started joining the profession.
• Some nurses wanted to be like other professionals in the field who were not required to have a dress code.
• The caps were uncomfortable since the nurses’ job involves a lot of movement around the workplace. They kept slipping and falling off as the nurses worked.
• The caps were seen to encourage the spread of microbes and diseases since they were not regularly cleaned like the uniforms

Nurse Symbol 3: The Nursing Uniform

The uniform as a nurse symbol has undergone many transformations over the years to reflect the ever-changing fashion trends. Initially, the nursing uniform consisted of a white apron, a cloak, white nylon stockings, and prophylactic shoes. It was a symbol of how dedicated the nurses were towards serving other people. It was also meant to create a positive public impression and to enable patients to differentiate between different kinds of staff in a hospital setting. These dressing requirements, however, have gradually been done away with.

In the modern setting, a nurse is required to wear medical scrubs, and to put their badges on them for easier identification by patients and other staff members. The scrubs are designed in a way that leaves no opening for bacteria to thrive. They are also loose fitting to allow the nurses freedom of movement. In some institutions that have strict regulations for the dress code, different departments have specific colors of scrubs that the nurses wear. For example, the nurses working in the pediatric unit could be required to wear colorful scrubs decorated in different designs to help put the children at ease.

Other hospitals allow the nurses to wear color scrubs of their choice provided they observe hygiene and keep the identification badges visible at all times. As a nurse symbol, the scrubs today are expected to reflect the seriousness of the profession and the compassionate nature of the nurses as they care for the patients. A proper uniform shows decorum and portrays nursing as the respected profession.

Nurse Symbol 4: Florence Nightingale Olive-Oil Lamp

The lamp is acknowledged as an international nurse symbol. It makes reference to the character of Florence Nightingale who devoted her life towards caring for injured soldiers in the Crimean war. She accomplished this despite tough resistance from her parents who thought that nursing was only meant for servants. She was known as the lady with the lamp because she often visited the soldiers at night to make sure they were fine and comfortable. As such, her lamp came to be associated with goodwill, reliability, and compassion, which are valuable attributes in the field of nursing. In some nursing schools, the lamp used to be lit on the graduation day to welcome nurses to the profession and to remind them of the trust placed upon them by the society. Today, the image of the lamp has been imprinted on the International Council of Nurses logo which can be seen on nursing badges and the cover of some nursing journals and magazines.

Nurse Symbol 5: A Nursing Pledge

The pledge was formulated in 1893 and was partly adapted from the Hippocratic Oath that is usually taken by physicians (Veo, 2010). As a nurse symbol, it tells of the nurses’ commitment towards practicing their profession faithfully and maintaining confidentiality for patient information. It also spells out the consequences in cases where nurses may fail to uphold the code of ethics. The actual words of the pledge have been changed several times, but it has always reflected the professional values that guide the nurses in their work.

Nurse Tattoos

Tattoos have become common among people from all walks of life, and nurses have not been left behind. Nurse symbols are represented both in the real form and in tattoo designs. Most of the work involved in nursing is tedious, but tattoo artists have made a great effort at bringing out the exiting side of nurses through tattoos. Some of the common tattoo designs among nurses include:

• Caduceus
• The Red Cross
• The love symbol with wings to represent angel nurse
• N for Nurse
• Heart tattoos

Different schools, hospitals, and healthcare organization have varying policies about the acceptability of tattoos for nurses. Some do not allow visible tattoos, and they require the nurses to cover them up during working hours. They argue that patients, especially from the older generation, may take offense with the body art, and this will lead them to question the competence of the nurses. They restrict visible tattoos to project and maintain a positive image of their organizations.

For those who allow visible tattoos, there are limitations in terms of size and content (Shaw &Timmons, 2014). The tattoos must not be too large or portray a racist or sexually explicit message. They must not be seen to advocate for discrimination on any basis.

Nurse Symbol: Nursing Abbreviations

In nursing, abbreviations are commonly used when keeping records so as to save time and space. Nurses are required to learn some of them during their coursework, but others are learned during the career without training. Here are a few examples of such abbreviations.

• A&D — Admission and discharge
• CAD — coronary artery disease
• CBC — Complete blood count
• CCU — Cardiac care unit
• CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• DX — Diagnosis
• Gtt — Glucose tolerance test
• IV – Intravenous
• L.V.N Licensed vocational nurse
• Noct — At night
• PAR — Postanesthesia room
• Pc — After meals
• SOB — Shortness of breath
• Stat — immediately
• U/A — Urinalysis
• VS — Vital signs
• WNL — within normal limits

Nurses use these abbreviations in the course of their work when communicating with their colleagues, and when educating the public on health matters. However, they have some disadvantages because the abbreviations can have different meanings in different contexts, and this may be confusing.

Nurse Ratched Symbolism

It has become common for individuals to refer to each other as Nurse Ratched but as a way of insult. This nurse symbol is a reference to a fictional character in Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which was later adapted into a film. The character was a cruel, overbearing, and perfectionist nurse who wants all people in the mental ward to behave according to her set standards. She casts nursing in a negative light because she worsens the mental health of her patients with her acts of tyranny instead of making them feel better. The symbol portrays the characters that nurses should not exhibit in their career.

Radiologist assistants are highly skilled and experienced radiographers have successfully completed additional programs and certification to allow them to work as radiologist extenders. Mostly they practice under the supervision of a fully certified radiologist when providing patient care in a diagnostic imaging environment. RAs as they are popularly known help to productivity and efficiency whenever the demand goes higher for medical imaging services.

Contents:

• What Are the Duties of a Radiologist Assistant?
• Can You Begin as a Radiological Technician?
• Benefits of Being a Radiologist Assistant
• A Radiologist Assistant Licensure
• Do You Have to Complete Your Clinicals to Work as a Radiologist Assistant?
• Can Anyone Become a Radiologist Assistant?
• The Right Path to Becoming a Radiologist Assistant
• Radiologist Assistant Bachelor’s Degree
• Online Radiologist Assistant Degree Course
• Radiologist Assistant Master’s Degree Program
• Radiologist Assistant Average Salary

What Are the Duties of a Radiologist Assistant?

Here are the three areas of their responsibility:

• RAs take the leading role when it comes to patient assessment and management. There various duties in this area, which include assessing if the patient is well prepared for a medical procedure, requesting for patient’s consent before the beginning of an examination, answering any question from the patient or his/her family and finally adapting examination protocols to help improve diagnostic quality. These professionals can also act as patient advocate, in ensuring that the patient receives the best care when they’re in the radiology section or clinic.
• Radiologist assistants perform a number of selected examinations and procedures under a close supervision of a certified radiologist. In most cases the level of supervision depends on the type of examination.
• RAs are also responsible for checking image quality, making some image observations and finally forwarding sending those observations to the senior radiologist. The supervising radiologist will provide the final written report and an interpretation or sometimes a diagnosis.

As an RA, you must have excellent communication skills and also the ability to interact with the physicians and patients in a fast-paced working environment. If you’re a student, you will be expected to use your advanced knowledge to evaluate and compare the findings from different imaging techniques and give the course of action for the right diagnoses and treatment. However, unlike other medical assistant jobs that need constant supervision when dealing with patients, RAs are normally left alone and are trusted to take quality images of their patients. This helps radiologists to move with the treatment and other advanced procedures since their assistant can handle the images process, hence shortens the waiting time for patients. This is a rewarding profession that is fast-growing and gives students an opportunity to begin after a few years of learning and achieving proper certification.

Radiologist assistants are well-trained to work with x-ray machines and other imaging equipment to produce the best images for doctors and nurses. RAs are also involved in preparing the final reports and diagnosis. This offers some level of autonomy and independence for RAs in their workplace.

Can You Begin as a Radiological Technician?

Well, ideally a radiologist assistant position is basically an advanced version of a radiological technician. Some programs such as 4-year degree course, don’t require you to have some work experience before you enter the program. Others definitely ask for a 1-year experience working as a radiological technician. Because of the increase in population and growing demand for imaging procedures, the position of radiologist assistant as become a popular path for many students who want to finally become a licensed radiologist. RAs do not necessarily require a 4-year degree, but proper licensing and experience are major concerns for radiology assistants.

Benefits of Being a Radiologist Assistant

RAs help to improve patient access to fast and timely radiologic care by assisting in workflow and capacity. A radiologist assistant can:

• Help relieve the workload in a radiology clinic by performing examinations when the radiologist is not available to perform.
• Increase the productivity by performing more invasive procedures sometimes under the supervision of a licensed radiologist.
• Improve efficiency by allowing a licensed radiologist to spend more time evaluating and interpreting the image, followed by diagnosis.

A Radiologist Assistant Licensure

RAs are usually licensed by the state where they practice, which is similar to other licensing programs such as radiologic technicians. The society of radiology technologists in America has come up with model legislation together with regulations that provide the guide on RA licensure.

Do you need certification to work as radiologist assistant?

Most health facilities require all RAs to be certified by relevant authority – ARRT. Certification is easier when a student applies for higher education program or other additional training to prepare for advanced radiography methods. States do require RAs to renew their license once in every few years. The good news is that ARRT certification can be transferred from one state to another. If you’re trained and you’ve begun to work in one state, you can make a big move to another and utilize your skills gained from your other employment.

Do You Have to Complete Your Clinicals to Work as a Radiologist Assistant?

Yes, working in any medical field of radiology, clinicals are a must. Most of the medical facilities will not accept candidates who’ve not completed their clinicals. After completing your clinicals, you will be allowed to do your ARRT exam. It’s important to complete your clinicals and have sufficient time to prepare for your exam if you’re planning to work right after. It is also possible to complete the program and then go for your clinicals. Many schools and colleges are affiliated with local clinics, hospitals or doctors’ offices, which allow students to conduct their clinicals. The majority of the programs require students to complete the coursework at the beginning or first portion of the course and then proceed to clinicals for the other half of the course. Some students have previous experience in radiology, and, therefore, they’re able to set up their clinicals with their previous employers. These clinicals are usually approved by your radiology assistant program and in most cases they do. Sometimes you may find yourself with a limited choice of places to complete your clinicals since schools work with a limited number.

Can Anyone Become a Radiologist Assistant?

Almost anyone can become an RA and the biggest concern for many employers is proper certification, experience and licensing. Many states require one to have a license to work as an RA, but some health facilities may require a candidate to have a minimum of 1-year experience before being hired on a full-time basis. Radiology assistant must attend a 2 or 4-year programs. Many traditional schools and colleges offer associates and bachelor’s degree in the field of radiology.

The Right Path to Becoming a Radiologist Assistant

Radiology assistant is an advanced-level radiographer whose duties include performing different diagnostic examinations such x-rays and CAT scans. Below are some the career requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree — Must be in radiology field
• Licensure and Certification — Many states require RAs to be licensed. They must be certified ARRT which is the relevant licensing authority for radiologists.
• Training — One must undergo through the approved training to qualify as a radiologic technologist — also popularly referred as a radiographer.
• Required skills — A radiology assistant must have the knowledge of working with various medical software, which includes electronic medical records, diagnostic imaging, film processing, data entry and information management, and also information retrieval software. You are also expected to have good skills in positioning radiological equipment such as x-ray film processors, screens, units, converters and archiving systems, and hypodermic needles.

Radiologist Assistant Bachelor’s Degree

The degree program in radiology technology involves imaging and radiation sciences and is designed to prepare students to successfully compete for radiologist assistant jobs. This position requires a candidate who has advanced certification, technical skills, management and supervisory skills. The degree is also well designed for certified individuals in diagnostic ultrasound, nuclear medicine, radiologic technology and radiation therapy. The initial phase of the program is actually fulfilled by the entrance prerequisites. The other half offers a relevant curriculum that will students to achieve their professional goals.

Learning outcomes

Degree holder should possess below skills and abilities;

• Use core competencies learned from the field of study in order to work successfully in the areas of imaging and radiation sciences
• Ability to demonstrate in-depth educational preparation by successfully completing a capstone project.
• Demonstrate your understanding of leadership, as well as ethical and economic issues relating to your field of study.
• Passing your national certification exams in the elective or chosen courses.
• Demonstrate your commitment to continue acquiring more skills and competency through further training.

Degree requirements

A student must have the following to be eligible;

• National certification in either of the following; radiotherapy, radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography or nuclear medicine technology.
• Successful completion of the following subjects with a minimum grade of the point of 2.5 from accredited college; intermediate algebra, humanities courses, English composition (college level), 2 subjects in physiology and human anatomy or magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and social sciences course.

Online Radiologist Assistant Degree Course

Fully online degree course in radiology assistant is hard to find, but hybrid programs are available where students are required to do and submit their coursework online. An Online degree in radiologic studies helps students to prepare effectively for advancement in their career as radiologists. This program allows students to discuss different concepts such as research methodology, medical law, and terminology. An online degree in radiology is a science intensive program and deals with various applications of radiologic concepts in real life situations. Since the degree program is not entirely online program, the online component of the program allows students to access core materials and also syllabi using online message boards. It’s important to note that students must be certified by ARRT before starting the course. The degree program can be completed within 1 year of the study.

Course Details

The coursework mostly focuses on the initial level of the course which is introductory of radiologic studies for purposes of acclimating students to the real life in the medical field. However, due to a large amount of work involved, students can order relevant textbooks, even those studying online.

Clinical Practice

Instructors will educate the students on the latest methods and techniques of infection control, patient education and problem management in a medical environment. In addition, students are also educated on various since they’re expected to deal with multi-cultural patients.

Radiation Therapy

Students will learn clinical practices associated with the radiation therapy course along with different modalities. Disease assessment, advanced physics, and radiobiology are also taught in detail.

Health Law

Well, in this course, students are introduced to the legal aspect relating to medical field and specifically the laws affecting radiology. The legal concepts that are discussed in details include administrative law, malpractice ethics and more.

Radiologist Assistant Master’s Degree Program

Masters degree in radiologic studies impacts necessary skills required become a radiologist assistant. Students will learn advanced research skills and medical imaging techniques. This program is quite demanding and highly science-intensive since the most courses deal with medical practices and terminology. To enroll in this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Admission to this program is also highly competitive, even for those intending to study online.

It’s possible to complete this program in 2 years when done on a full-time basis. You should also note that in-person clinical hours are mandatory for this program. Instructors will use pre-recorded videos on some lectures. These videos are available on the radiology department message board. In addition, those learning through online platform can communicate with other students and their professor through email, message boards, and even phone.

What to expect in your master’s degree program?

Most colleges recommend students to pursue this program on a full-time basis since its time consuming and more advanced compared to bachelor’s degree. Some of the subjects you will learn include:

• Pathophysiology

Students are taught about the main body systems and different biological reactions to various diseases. Students are expected to gain depth knowledge on medical imaging capabilities and procedures related to imaging. Instructors will educate students on imaging techniques associated with the major body systems like respiratory system.

• Research Methods

In this subject, students are required to develop vital research skills through the research project and finally analyzing medical literature. Instructors will also teach students how well to adapt methodology as a result of the ever-changing technological climate.

• Radiology and Pharmacology

In this course, students will learn in-depth radiology and also medication for certain diseases. This unit is quite involving and will require the students to spend more time understanding the concepts.

Masters of science degree in radiology helps you to propel in your career advancement. Upon successful completion of the program, you can become a licensed radiology working in a local hospital, health center with radiology department or private practice.

Radiologist Assistant Average Salary

There are several factors to consider when evaluating salary ranges for radiologist assistant jobs. Some of these factors include the nature of work, experience, and place of work. These factors also determine the salary ranges and probably the key factor among them is your experience. Radiologists play very important role and the diagnosis they give to patients is determined by how competent they’re in the job. Currently, the demand for licensed radiology assistants keep rising and the salary for this position is quite promising. Below we will look at different salary ranges, which depend on the experience level.

• Entry level/Starting salary – $80,000 – $90,000
• Average salary – $100,000
• Highest salary – $ 110,000

As you can see from the figures above, radiologist assistants are paid well. Furthermore, they’re among the best highly paid professional in the radiology field. According to market surveys, the average for a radiology assistant is $100,000. However, this is slightly compared to that of a licensed radiologist. Salary range also depends on the location of work and your level of experience, and mostly the salary varies around the average value. At the entry level, radiology assistants should expect to earn between $80,000 and $90,000.

For those with some years of experience, they can earn up to or above $110,000 annually. Some of the highest paid radiologists work in private hospitals, then followed by those working in many government hospitals and finally those working in NGO — non-governmental organizations.

Salary according to your education

You can opt to get master’s degree to climb up the ladder in your profession. The more education certificates you have in radiology field, the higher the salary you will earn in addition to your experience. Furthermore, you can also make more money when you work for a diagnostic or medical laboratory. Also, salaries are affected by location, depending on the state where you’re looking. In some states, the salary is higher.

Diagnosing the right medical condition can be impossible in the absence of medical imaging techniques. The vital evidence required for most medical investigations can only be provided by radiologists. A radiology assistant carries out the job of collecting evidence by performing various imaging techniques. There is a wide range of duties performed by a radiologist assistant. They take care of patients before and after the medical imaging procedure. Radiology assistants are required to produce accurate and clear images of the patient’s body, which enables the physicians to easily diagnose and treat patients. RAs work with sophisticated equipment such as mammography, x-ray, positron emission tomography and computerized axial tomography.

SOURCES:

www.radiologyassistant.org

study.com

www.bellevuecollege.edu

Have you ever wondered what a psychiatric nurse does or are you interested in becoming one? Well, the truth is that what they do is not well understood by the general public. But if you have had some mental problems or was close to someone with the same then you know how indispensable these professionals are. They are trained to handle a myriad of mental illnesses affecting millions of people around the world.

As a patient or someone interested in the nursing psychiatry, there are things you should know. It helps to have some knowledge in such a field since it’s very crucial to the health sector.

Contents:

• Psychiatric Nurse Job Description
• How to Become a Psychiatric Nursing Professional
• Qualities of Psychiatric Nurses
• Psychiatric Nurse Salary
• Areas of Specialization
• Where to Work
• Job Outlook
• Is This a Worthwhile Career Path?

Psychiatric Nurse Job Description

It is in everyone’s interest to know what this kind of a nurse does. Here is a brief of what someone specialized as nursing psychiatric would do on a daily basis:

• Intervening in crisis and offering counselling. Most times mental conditions are traumatic and they will need professional intervention for the patient and family to handle it. A nursing practitioner comes in at such a time to offer the needed help and directions.
• Managing therapeutic environments at the place of work. Recuperating patients will need an ample environment if they have the chance to get back to good health. This nurse has the duty to ensure that kind of environment is available at the nursing institution they work.
• Monitor and administer treatments. The progress of patients will determine whether the kind of treatment chosen is working or not. Psychiatric nurses keep an eye on the progress of medication and when needed offer a change of treatment as necessitated by the prevailing conditions.
• Assessment of mental health needs. Before someone is put under mental medication, a psychiatric professional has to assess him/her and give the way forward.
• Be part of the nursing team to develop nursing care plans. Their experience and education make them valuable members of the nursing fraternity and their input is sought when developing care plans.
• Linking patients and families to effective health care providers. They know where mental patients can get the best treatment. They help families to access the best facilities for their loved ones.
• Keeping medical documents and records. They ensure that patients’ records are safe for future references. Such records are crucial to establishing the history of illness and thus lead to future success in treating such people.
• Consulting with psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians to determine the best course of action for a particular medical case.

This list is not exhaustive of what psychiatric nurses do, it may vary from one institution to another but the deviation is not far from what you have here.

How to Become a Psychiatric Nursing Professional

There is a long way before you become a psychiatric nursing professional. There is the education bit and getting the licence of practice. Here is what it takes to be a qualified nurse in the psychiatric field:

• Education: this is an advanced nursing portfolio and you should have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. You will undertake both class and practical lessons associated with the nursing profession. You will later learn of the various areas of specialization you can choose as you advance in your education. You can also go for a bridging course if you have an associate’s degree. In some colleges and schools, those with a degree in another field undertake an accelerated nursing degree and you can choose the psychiatric path. It is advisable that you choose an accredited school. To help in this, both the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) have online directorates to search for appropriate schools. Besides, ensure that the school you choose is approved by the state board of nursing.
• Training: there is a threshold of hours of training that you should have under your belt before you are qualified as a nurse in psychiatry. By the time you sit for the RN-BC exam you should have clocked 2,000 hours of hands-on practice in a mental care institution for the past 3 years. You should also have 2 years’ experience as a full-time registered nurse (RN).
• Getting licensed and certified: you must be certified by the board of the state you are working as a nurse. Each state has its own criteria of certification but what cuts through all the states is licensing of nurses. You must sit and pass National Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to be licensed as a nurse.
• Advancing in capacity/position: there is always a room for advancement and you have to further your education. Psychiatric nurses who wanted to become administrators or managers should take master’s degree. You should also show exemplary leadership skills before you get the nod to earn a leadership position.

Qualities of Psychiatric Nurses

Beyond the nursing education and training, you will need other personal qualities to be a successful nurse in this field. Here are soft attributes that will make you a better candidate in this choice of career:

• Ability to work in collaborative situations. Most of the times you will have to work in a team and this will require skills to deal with others for a common goal.
• Excellent intervention and communication skills. More often, patients will be brought to you in serious conditions. Your intervention skills will come in handy in helping such patients. Your communication skills will help in handling tense situations and keeping patients and their family at ease as you take care of the situation.
• Passion in working with behavioral and mental disorders. These will be your daily cases to deal with. You have to be someone who is interested in them to deal with such disorders and your time at work will be well spent.
• Impeccable judgement skills. The life of a patient is at your hands and any erroneous decision will be disastrous. You have to be someone who makes the right diagnosis and offers the most appropriate treatment.
• Compassionate to patients and their families. It is not an easy task to deal with mental disorders. They are critical and a compassionate nurse will be a lot of help.

You are now privy to the information about what a psychiatric nurse does. You also know what it takes to become one. What remains are the nitty gritties like salaries, specialization and what the future has in store for you if you choose this career path. For starters, this is a good career choice as you will see in all the information provided here.

Psychiatric Nurse Salary

It is true that nursing is among the best professions not only in the US but also the world over. This easily explains why many students, as well as professionals, prefer a career in nursing. Before getting to the actual figures earned by psychiatric nurses in an hour or yearly, let’s look at the factors that are used to set their salaries:

• Education: the higher education qualification you have the higher you will earn per hour and annually. A nursing psychiatry with bachelor’s degree in nursing will earn less than a colleague with masters’ or PhD.
• Experience: there are those who have been in the profession for years and have garnered experience that can be relied on. These individuals get heftier pay than their junior colleagues who have just joined the profession. For instance, a fresh graduate will get less as compared to someone who has 5 or 10 years of practice.
• Place and location of work: depending on the institution you will find a nursing job, your salary will be dictated by the set policies. There are institutions that have strictly set austerity measures and hence your salary will be at the threshold level. What you earn will also be affected by the state where you have found the job. For instance, California, Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska are the best places to work as a nursing professional. On the other hand, the worst paid nurses are in the states of Louisiana, West Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky.

Those are the determinants of the salary you will receive at the end of the day as a nurse psychiatric. So, what exact figures should be hoping to take home at the end of the day?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a registered nurse (under which a psychiatric falls) gets a minimum of $45,880 and a maximum of $98,880 per year. Of course, the above-discussed factors will come into play when determining your final paycheck. In 2007, psychiatric nurses took home a median annual salary of $62,480. That sum has grown over the years and in 2013 it stood at $68,910. However, in 2013, there are states that paid nurses way better than the median salaries as posted by BLS. California paid RNs an annual salary of $96,980, followed by Hawaii, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Oregon that paid annual salaries of $85,380, $83,720, $83,640, and $80,440 respectively. According to payscale, a level-entry nursing psychiatric makes $25 each hour while those on the upper tier make $44 per hour. This is way above most of the other nursing specializations.

Areas of Specialization

There are areas of specialization in which psychiatric nurses can choose to be their specific area of knowledge. This does not mean that you cannot perform the general duties that may come your way but it means that this is the area where you have deep knowledge. The most popular areas of specialization include:

• Forensic nurses: when accidents and other injury-causing incidents happen, forensic nurses should be at the scene to help with information that would later be crucial to treating victims. They help determine the kind of treatment that someone needs and they also recommend on health care facilities where mental patients can get the best care.
• Adolescent and child specialist: such a nurse will be expected to deal with mental and behavioral cases of children and those in their adolescence. They should come up with care plans to ensure that this lot receives the best attention in case of mental problems.
• Substance abuse nurses: as you know, substance abuse will lead to mental problems. When it gets chronic, victims will need care that will help them get back to their health. Nurses specialized in this niche will prescribe the best medication and a change of behavior. They help those affected stop using drugs and other harmful substances.
• Eating disorders: some other mental disorders will affect eating habits of people. They will need a specialist to help them eat. This is a very crucial aspect in helping mental patients get back to their health.
• Consultation nurses: as one advances their experience and education in psychiatric nursing, their expertise will be sought from time to time. As said earlier, nursing is a collaborative profession and here it is where that comes to a full meaning.

Where to Work

It would be right to say that nurses have massive job opportunities since both health and non-health institutions need them. So, where would you work as a nursing psychiatric?

• Hospitals: this is the number one of nursing professionals in the US. Approximately 25-30% of the entire US nurse population works in hospitals both private and public.
• Mental health centers: these are institutions specifically aiming at mental illnesses. This is where psychiatric nurses would find a job directly related to their specialization.
• Schools: learning institutions will need the services of nurses and such one they will invest is in a psychiatrist nurse.
• Correctional facilities: incarceration does not deny prisoners the right to medical care. They will still need nurses to attend to their needs.

Job Outlook

Generally looking at the nursing field, job growth and the industry’s expansion is inevitable. The BLS cited credible studies that in overall, nursing careers will see a growth of 22% between 2012 and 2022. By 2013, there were 2,661,890 RNs so it means that by 2022 there will be approximately 0.5 million vacancies for new nurses. The growth and expansion do not include those who retire each year so the figures for vacancies will be higher than what is projected here. For anyone who wants to get a job right after graduating, nursing is such an attractive option. The projected growth has been witnessed so far and everything points to a bright future for those seeking nursing jobs.

You already have made up your mind whether to become a psychiatric nurse or not but there are a few things you should know to help you understand the profession better:

Things you should know about psychiatric nurse job:

• It is a rewarding career: all the nursing fields are rewarding but psychiatric nursing is way better than most of the other options. You will have the independence to make your decisions and that is something other nurses would want in their daily duties. As you have seen, these nurses earn handsome salaries thus they are financially independent.
• Your communication skills, patience and flexibility will be tested: to be honest, this is a high pressure working environment. Things will be calm this moment but the next one will feel like the world is turning upside down. You have to adapt to these abrupt changes and you will make a good profession. The good thing is that your skills will be strengthened every day and you will become a better professional and person each day.
• Nursing psychiatric are different from general psychiatric, psychologists and social workers: for someone who does not have a deeper understanding of the nursing psychiatric specialty, it is easy to confuse them with these other closely related areas and nursing professionals. They overlap in some duties but they are as different as day is from the night. The major difference is that a nurse psychiatric can prescribe medication while the others cannot.
• You need balance: there is a strong temptation to become too attached to the patients. They are people who need special care and your compassion and human pity may take over your emotions. However, you should draw a line between your duties and the human compassion. It is right to feel pity for your patients giving in to such will not do any good to the patients and you.
• It gives you the experience to become a better caregiver: as you deal with mental conditions, you will notice that life is fragile. It teaches on how better to handle stressing situations and you become as better professional. The experience lasts forever.

Is This a Worthwhile Career Path?

What would you want in a career: good money, independence at the work place and something that makes you better every day? If this is you then this is a career path that you should not think twice about taking it. As credible statistics show, the field is expanding in terms of vacancies. You will not search for a job for long and that is one thing that many students would look for as they choose their nursing course. Everything points to a successful career if you become a nursing psychiatric so be assured of a fulfilling profession if you make the choice.

Now you know all there is about a psychiatric nurse. You know what you need to become one, where to get jobs and where to work. It is a rewarding career path as long as this is your passion. Welcome to the world of nursing and regularly visit this website for latest update about this prestigious profession.