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With the continuing rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is quickly becoming a popular part of the American judicial system. Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences recognized by the American Nurses Association. The new field combines the health care profession with the judicial system.

Nurses trained in forensic nursing are needed to quickly and appropriately gather evidence that can be used in a court of law. Along with gathering forensic information, they also testify in trials of their jurisdictions.

The appeal of forensic nursing is mainly with victims of violence. Multiple people are seeing victims, social workers,  doctors, the police etc. This can be hard on the victim. Having one expert that can do everything from start to finish including going to trial would make it a lot less stressful for the victim.

Because forensic nursing is such a new and growing specialty, it offers great opportunities for recent nursing graduates and experienced RN’s looking for a career change.

In 1992, approximately seventy nurses gathered together in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the first national convention for sexual assault nurses. This convention led to the founding of the IAFN, the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Their mission statement was the concept of nurses willing to devote their energy and resources to develop a role in nursing that can have a impact on the future of forensic science and the health care industry.

Forensic nurses practice in many diverse fields. They range from nurses who specialize in domestic violence, emergency trauma, and sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE’s), witch SANE’s are often the entry point into forensic nursing. Forensic nurses may also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys.

The education for forensic nursing vary. Degree programs are available in forensic nursing but are not required for entry into the profession. Certification courses required for the SANE program is a good start.

The employers of forensic nursing specialists vary as well. They include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, county prosecutors, coroner’s offices, medical examiner’s offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.

Another opportunity is working independently on a per job basis to all of these employers - starting a forensic nursing business.

The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in the community around them. It’s an opportunity for them to help victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to get help.

According to the Bureau of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for skilled nurses is at an all-time high, and is only expected to go higher. Between now and 2016, the nursing occupation will generate nearly 600,000 new jobs, and hundreds of thousands of positions that already exist will need to be filled. The demand for registered nurses will be higher than the demand for any other occupation for the next decade. If you are considering a career in nursing, there has never been a better time to pursue this rewarding field.

There are three different paths that will lead to an RN, a certificate that declares you a Registered Nurse. Before you apply for nursing school, you should carefully consider the kind of nursing position you want to aim for. There are currently over 700 programs that offer bachelors’ degrees in nursing, a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). There are about 850 programs at community colleges and other schools that offer an AN, an Associates Degree in Nursing, and about 70 programs that offer a diploma in nursing. Any of the three types of programs will qualify you for an entry level position in nursing. They differ largely in the amount of time each takes to complete and the types of jobs for which you will qualify. Here are just a few important considerations and steps to complete before you apply for a nursing school.

1. Explore the many career options available in nursing.
There are dozens of different career paths in nursing. While most people think of nurses in a hospital setting, it is far from the only type of nursing. Registered nurses work in doctors’ offices and for insurance companies. They may be involved in doing research studies to help discover cures and new treatments for diseases, or work in administration to help shape and set medical policy. Some nurses work in public agencies like health departments of the Centers for Disease Control. Others go on to further education so that they can become nurse practitioners, physician assistants or nurse midwives. Some nurses even combine their careers with a love of travel and adventure to become travel nurses, working on cruise ships, resorts or with travel tour groups.

Before you start considering nursing schools, think about the kind of career that you want, and then make your choice of nursing program based on your career decisions.

2. Get your high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.
Finishing high school is important, especially if you are considering a nursing career that requires a higher degree. Consider weighting your classes toward studies that will help prepare you for the courses and prerequisites for nursing courses. High school biology and chemistry courses will lay a solid groundwork for courses that you will have to complete in order to get a degree or certificate in nursing.

3. Explore financial aid options.
There are many sources available to help you fund your education in nursing. The first place to start is the federal government, where you can apply for Pell Grants and other educational grants, as well as qualify for low interest student loans with deferred repayment plans. Be sure to check into any special loan programs offered for those pursuing a career in medicine or nursing. As the demand for nurses grows, there will be more incentives available for those who want to enter the field.

Besides FAFSA (the federal student financial aid programs), there are many other sources. If you are post high-school and working, check with your employer to find out if they offer tuition reimbursement for nursing programs. Check with local hospitals and your local and state government as well. In many cities where the nursing shortage is especially acute, there are grants and loans available to those who commit to “giving back” by working in local and state hospitals after receiving their certificate or degree.

4. Choose several nursing programs in which you are interested.
There are nearly 1,600 accredited nursing programs in the United States. Once you have decided on the type of program you want to attend, you can search for programs that fit your criteria. Among the factors you should consider are location, reputation, accreditation and availability of financial aid. Once you have narrowed your choices, contact the programs to find out about their requirements for admission so that you can make sure to fulfill them before applying.

Registered nurses are trained to care for patients while also assessing medical conditions, and administering treatment and medications. They are employed in hospitals, physician’s offices, long term care facilities and as home health aides. Nurses are becoming an increasingly important part of the healthcare system due to rising costs and growing demand. With the increasing need for nurses in the coming decades, it seems that the United States cannot produce enough nurses to fill the supply.

Healthcare careers are the fastest growing occupation in the country, and nursing tops the charts as the fastest growing occupation within the healthcare field. Why, then, are prospective nursing students being turned away from nursing schools? In the last year that statistics were available, it was estimated that nearly 16,000 students who were qualified to attend a nursing program were turned away. One reason for the shortage of registered nurses is the lack of faculty to instruct and train prospective nursing students. With a vacancy rate over 8 12% and rising, the faculty shortage limits the number of students who can become nurses.

Faculty shortages are not the only reason that prospective students are turned away from nursing schools. Budget constraints have limited school’s abilities to update classrooms and lab equipment. There is a shortage of clinical opportunities for students in many areas. While the state and federal government have taken aggressive steps to recruit nurses in advance of the growing need, with tuition help and improvement of working conditions, their efforts are stymied by the inability of colleges to meet the demands of a growing healthcare crunch.

Lack of faculty is a main factor in nursing shortage

In what is probably the biggest determining factor in how many students are accepted by a school, there are simply not enough nurses teaching at the college level. While some nursing classes, such as core mathematics and chemistry classes do not require a nurse, others do. In fact, a certain percentage of the positions requiring a nurse require that the nurse have a doctorate degree. In contrast, the number of nurses who are seeking their doctorate degree is relatively small. It is estimated that many of the unfilled faculty positions are those that require doctoral education.

Why the shortage of nurses with doctorate degrees? While receiving your doctorate in any field is an accomplishment, it is a simple fact that a nurse can become a nurse anesthetist, a midwife, or a nurse practitioner and make a larger salary and be in heavy demand. Even nursing faculty positions that require only a masters program must compete with the lucrative positions available in the private sector. Nursing specialists are widely used in many communities to provide care for those without access to a physician. These nurses are RNs, with their bachelor and masters degree. As a certified nurse practitioner, the nurse has a great deal of autonomy in her practice and is well compensated.

Because of the specialized nature of the degree, nurses that wish to receive their doctorate must often leave the area where they are and move to a more urban area. At the completion of their training, they often do not return. Many of the nurses that complete a doctorate program, as many as one-fourth, state at graduation that they have no plans to work in academics, and head straight to the clinical setting.

In the past, nursing instructors received a more competitive salary, but as the demand for nurses has increased in the private sector, their salaries have quickly outpaced the salaries of those in education. Now, as more nursing instructors reach retirement age, there is no one to fill their positions. Often nurses who have spent their entire careers in the educational setting enter the clinical setting to raise their income before retirement age.

What can be done?

The shortage of nursing faculty is a well documented and studied problem. With the demand for nurses increasing rapidly, it is important to find a way to increase the number of nurses who can be trained. Some plans are in place to help remedy the nursing shortage. Federal funds are being used for faculty development programs and to collect data on faculty vacancy rates.

Approaching retirement

With many nursing instructors reaching retirement age, the problem of nursing faculty shortages is not expected to go away. The problem creates a vicious cycle, with a growing demand for nurses in the clinical setting raising salaries and benefits. This draws even more nurses out of the academic setting. The shortage of faculty leads to a decrease in the number of students who are accepted into nursing programs. Again, this creates a greater shortage. It is estimated that the nursing shortage, in the clinical setting only, will grow by 6% a year. This shortage can be traced back to the shortage of nursing faculty members

One of the most important required classes that you will take in nursing school is Introduction to Nursing Theory. Nursing Theory has a fairly broad definition, encompassing many different schools of thought on what nursing should be or how it should be practiced. The study of Nursing Theory includes learning about the numerous models of nursing that have been proposed, many of them in the last twenty years or so. Understanding the various models of nursing can help nursing students formulate their own theories and develop their own models and beliefs about their profession.

An introduction course in Nursing Theory will expose you to the various models of nursing that have been proposed and followed in hospitals throughout the country, and provide a frame of reference for your own beliefs and methods of nursing. You will learn about the major nursing theorists of the 20th century and since, and how to formulate your own models of nursing in order to be a more effective caregiver and medical assistant.

The Parts of a Nursing Model

All nursing theories or models have several essential parts. In order to be considered a valid nursing theory, a model must include a method of assessment to determine a patient’s individual needs, and a method of implementing and measuring appropriate patient care. Most nursing models can be used to produce a care plan that will document a patient’s treatment by all the healthcare professionals and workers who come into contact with him or her. The care plan should be flexible, so that it can be changed and evaluated daily as the patient’s needs and abilities change.

The care plans themselves will be shaped by the theories behind the nursing model. Care plans fall roughly into five categories: metatheories, grand theories, mid-range theories, min-theories and micro theories, in order from the range of factors considered.

A Brief History of Nursing Theories

Originally, the role of the nurse was to carry out the orders of a physician. Nursing theories that arose from this model of patient care were essentially biomedical and focused on treating diseases rather than patients. These theories allowed little variation in care based on a patient’s individual needs and abilities. The biomedical theories of nursing assume that all patients with the same illness have the same problems and require the same care. These theories do not take into account differences in patient knowledge and abilities due to socioeconomic, psychological or cultural differences.

Social models of nursing, by contrast, consider the patient from varying degrees of holistic viewpoints. They take into account differences among patients due to culture, economic and social status and other factors. One of the first nursing theorists, though her work is only considered a body of ‘nursing theory” in retrospect, was Florence Nightingale, who published her thoughts on nursing during the Crimean War in, Notes on Nursing: What it Is and What it Is Not, in 1859.

Nightingale’s beliefs about nursing have influenced the shape of the profession for well over 150 years. She was the first to view the nurse as more than a servant carrying out the orders of a physician, but rather as a caregiver in her own right, who could manipulate the environment and situation to influence the patient’s well-being. Since then, there have been many models of nursing proposed and accepted by various communities and types of nursing. The most familiar names in nursing theory include Madeleine Leininger, who brought concerns of recognizing cultural needs into nursing care, and Hildegard Peplau, who introduced the idea of nursing roles and the nurse-client relationship as major influences in quality of nursing care.

Using Nursing Theory in the Real World

As a student nurse, you will be expected to learn about and be able to describe various bodies of work and knowledge about nursing and nursing theories. Some programs may require you to develop and articulate your own nursing theory to help you formulate nursing care and nursing plans, and differentiate yourself as a nursing professional. In the real world, however, you will often find that different fields of nursing subscribe to specific theories of nursing.

While there is a great deal of semantic debate about whether the abundance of “nursing theory” is beneficial to the profession or splits it needlessly, there is no doubt that the study of nursing theory can help you understand nursing as a profession from multiple viewpoints, and can afford you the capability to begin to formulate your own concept of what it means to be a nurse, and how your actions fit into a full plan to best care for your patients.

America is facing a nursing shortage that is threatening the quality of health care for patients. A major factor in the problem is a nationwide shortage of faculty in nursing school programs.

Although the number of students applying to undergraduate nursing programs is rising, many are being turned away. With insufficient faculty, the rate of these qualified applicants being denied access into nursing programs is nearly twice as high as those being accepted.

The nursing faculty shortage limits student capacity at a time when the health care system demands more. According to a Vanderbilt School of Nursing study, the nursing shortage is expected to approach more than 800,000 positions by 2020.

Recognizing the nursing shortage crisis and the need for more nurse educators, hospitals and universities are relying on help from unconventional sources including corporations like Johnson & Johnson, which launched a campaign to strengthen the nursing work force by enhancing the image of the profession, recruiting new nurses and faculty, and retaining nurses currently in the profession.

“Too many qualified nursing school applicants are being turned away due to lack of faculty,” said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future. “The numbers are staggering. The nursing profession needs assistance in recruiting educators, who will train and prepare new nurses, all in hopes of beginning to address the nursing shortage crisis.”

To help raise funds for nursing school grants, scholarships and faculty fellowships, the campaign sponsors Promise of Nursing galas, which have raised more than £7 million. By supporting graduate nursing programs, the Campaign is helping to supply teachers and mentors to prepare the next generation of nurses.

The health and future well-being of the nation depends on nurses, so the faculty shortage must be a priority for health care officials, state and federal government, and citizens, Higham said.  - NU

Nursing is a highly regarded profession with high standards of honesty and ethics amongst various other professions. Nursing has emerged as the largest health care occupation with over 2.7 million jobs. With over 100,000 vacant positions and a ever-growing need for health care workers, the career outlook is excellent for the nursing field. National Center for Workforce Analysis, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts a shortage of 808,416 nurses by the year 2020. Such an analysis and prediction is backed by very strong reasoning and findings. Advancement in technology and medical field has resulted in an increased life span. Elderly population is now living longer and more of them will require care and nursing. With more elderly people in need of such care, demands rise for nursing force that can meet such needs. Also, the need for more skilled nurses is growing. With insurance companies stepping into the medical field to reduce the cost of health care expenditure, demand for nurses, outside the hospital setting has also risen. Not to forget that the current nursing workforce is aging and many are expected to retire over next 10-15 years only to create a void, adding to the shortage further. So, nurses with a BSN degree can expect a securer career and better job prospects.

Nurses blend knowledge of science and technology with the art of care and compassion. Nursing provides opportunity to save and improve lives, care for the sick and debilitated, educate patients and people towards achieving good health and above all, the feeling of helping someone in their hour of illness and need. There is no greater service than caring for the sick and needy. Nurses are required to deliver basic duties, which includes but is not limited to providing treatment, health education, emotional support, record maintenance, operating medical equipment in addition to counseling patient and their family about the management of their illness. Registered Nurses (RNs) also run general health screening and immunization clinics, organize public seminars, motivate blood donation drives, etc. Three out of five nurses in the United States work in hospitals. Most of the others work in clinics, home health, extended care settings, schools, colleges, universities, the public health services, and nonprofit agencies throughout the United States and many other countries. Nursing can be a challenging job with continuous exposure to grief and suffering, stress, work pressures, little or excessive patient contact and occupational hazards including but not limited to infectious diseases, radiation exposure, accidental needle sticks, chemicals, anesthesia, back injury and emotional stress. Role autonomy and independence, innovativeness, technical knowledge, and teamwork are characteristics of this job, in addition to personal satisfaction and professional rewards.

The nursing schools are a gateway to this profession and almost all of them require a high school diploma in addition to sound academic standing in English, Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology with a GPA score of atleast 3. Computer experience is an asset. Leadership and organization skills are vital to this profession. Most schools shall still require you to clear the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission exam besides the SAT exam. Over 1,500 nursing programs in the US provide three different educational paths towards becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program offered at colleges and universities. An associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year program offered at many community and junior colleges. Some hospital schools of nursing and universities offer an ADN degrees. Hospital Diploma is a two to three year program based in hospital settings. Many diploma schools are affiliated with junior colleges where students take basic science and English requirements. Opportunities are maximum with a BSN degree. BSN is a requirement for obtaining a master’s degree or becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognizes the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for a professional nursing practice. Even though graduates can begin practice as an RN with an ADN or diploma, the BSN degree is a must for nurses seeking to assume roles as case-managers or supervisors or move across employment settings. Tuition fee depends on your college and state of residence, but financial aids and scholarships are available to take care of such needs. There are technical and vocational schools as well, which provide one-year course towards becoming a Practical Nurse or a Vocational Nurse. Once graduated, the next important thing is to obtain licensure for practice in the State of your preference. Eighteen states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement (NCLA) which permits a licensed nurse to practice in any of the other seventeen states, if they have obtained license to practice in one of the states. License can be obtained by passing national licensing exam NCLEX-RN for becoming a Registered Nurse and NCLEX-PN for becoming Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) as in Texas, California. LPN and LCN provide care for sick, injured and disabled under direct supervision of physicians and RNs.

Nursing career is full of opportunities for those who want to specialize and pursue higher education. A few popular specialties are AIDS Care Nurse, Ambulatory Care Nurse, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, Case Management, Correctional Nurse, Enterostomal Therapy Nurse, GastroenterologyEndoscopy Nurse, Genetics Nurse, Infection Control Nurse, Intravenous Therapy Nurse, long-term Care Nurse, Managed Care Nurse, Nephrology Nurse and more, the list does not end here.  Most of the specialties do welcome RNs with a BSN degree only. In addition, there is increasing demand for APNs. APNs are primary health care practitioners, working independently or in collaboration with physicians. In most states, they are permitted to prescribe medications. The four specializations for APNs include Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) providing expert consultation in any of the above mentioned specialties; Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) administer anesthesia and monitor  patient’s vital signs during surgery in addition to providing post-anesthesia care; Nurse Midwives (CNM) provide primary care to females covering aspects like family planning, prenatal care, neonatal care and assist delivery; and Nurse Practitioners (NP) who provide basic preventive health care to patient. NPs are primary as well as specialty care providers in medically underserved areas. APNs are lower cost primary care providers in comparison to physicians.

Advanced degrees available to nurses are masters (MSN), doctoral degree (Ph.D., EdD, DNS) and post-doctoral programmes. Doctoral degrees can provide placements as a senior policy analyst, researcher, health system executive and as a nursing school dean.

RNs may work as a staff nurse or become APNs. Also exisins are a few positions involving little or no direct patient contact. Such positions include Case Managers, Forensic Managers (applying knowledge of nursing for legal enforcement, like treating and investigating a victim of assault or abuse and similar), Infection Control Nurses, Legal Nurse Consultants (assist lawyers in medical cases by interviewing patient, organizing records, and educating lawyers about medical conditions), Nurse Administrators, Nurse Informatics, Health Care Consultants, Public Policy Advisors, Medical editors and writers.

Career and job prospects are bright as mentioned above and with increasing demand and difficulty to hold up nurses in hospitals, many hospitals and corporate sectors have now started offering incentives like signing bonuses, subsidized training, open shift bidding. Open shift bidding is an emerging concept where nurses can find vacant shifts at premium wages and bid for same online. This also reduces mandatory overtime that many nurses have to do otherwise. Many employers now provide family friendly work schedules and flexibility, again an indication of demand in such places.

RNs are earning anywhere from £37,300 to greater than £74,760 depending upon qualifications and experience, besides job locations. Median salary can be appreciated as £52,330 annually. Entry level RN can earn from £30,000 to £45,000 annually. All this comes with benefit packages including health insurance, holiday pay, college tuition reimbursement, childcare, pension plans and much more. Expected shortage of nurses over coming years is going to tilt the situation more in the favor of nurses and they can look forward to a securer future with brighter prospects and rewards.

Becoming a nurse is not just about money but dedicating your life to service mankind, caring for the sick and to be able to support them and their family in difficult times. The potential is enormous and specialization options aplenty. Nursing as a profession is full of personal satisfaction and professional rewards.

Ever thought of Nursing as your occupation? Taking care of the elderly, playing with children, consoling a sick person, being there for someone when they’re on their death bed? These are some of the things that you would do being a nurse. The bond that builds up between the patient and his caretaker - the nurse, is something to be cherished. The patient becomes dependent on you, and as long as he is under your care, you become his guardian angel.

Many people also go for nursing as their second career. To become a qualified nurse, you have to take nursing education from any recognized nursing school or nursing college. Nurse education is just like any other education, where you would be taught and prepared for nursing care. The students will be given lessons on various health education and medicines by qualified doctors, experienced nurses, and educators. Almost everywhere around the world the basic courses are similar; like general nursing, mental health nursing, and taking care of sick children. The courses are usually three years long.

Nursing is taught in nursing schools. You can also get a post graduate qualification in any specialist subject within nursing from a reputed nursing college. In the past, the emphasis was more only on the practical part, but now all nursing schools are focused both on the theoretical as well as the practical part, as nurses have to deal with so many types of patients. They have to know what to do and what not to, incase the doctor is not around. They are given basic education on medicine as well. Nurses today are not just a helper of the doctor concerned, but they are trained so that they would be able to contribute equally to the team.

Nursing education:

The first nursing school was set by Florence Nightingale at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. The curriculum in those days was just focused on hygienic factor and task competence. Nursing at that time was mainly adopted by girls, often taken in religious orders, but now we find many male nurses in all the hospitals, especially in mental health services. So many nursing schools and colleges have come up with the increasing need of nurses all over the world. It is recorded that in America itself there are about 45,000 nursing schools.

A lot of arguments still surround nursing education. Some believe that practical knowledge is what is most important, but some argue that with so many advancements coming in the medical world, these nursing schools should be able to teach them to manage health care and also to see the “future picture”. So to meet all these needs, nursing schools aim to train nurses who can be nurtured and trained to be life long learners, so as to meet any changes in both theory and practical parts of nursing.

Things to remember:

There are some points that you should remember when going for a nursing education:

• Decide on what program you want to take, and then decide on a school that matches.
• Look out for the featured schools around your area.
• Some people want the close attention of a small school, while others prefer the intellectual stimulation of a large institution.
• Make enquiries about the school, and the school’s reputation.
• It is better to take a school where the ratio of the students and the faculty is good. It is better to be in a small class size so that each student will be given equal attention.
• See that the school meets the standards of education set by a national accrediting organization.

To become a nurse you would need to dedicate your time and care whenever there is a need. Remember you can be a nurse at any age. If you are in your thirties or forties, this doesn’t mean you are not eligible. As long as you are ready to dedicate your life into this profession, you can become a nurse.

There are many options available for anyone who is interested to pursue a career in nursing. The demand for healthcare professionals are continuously on the upswing so there is a positive demand for them in the years to come.

The following are some of the options available for anyone who is interested to pursue a career that is related in the medical field that is related in some way to nursing.

Those who cannot do, assist

For those who are still weighing their options whether to pursue a full-fledged career in nursing or to just simply try out at first if nursing is indeed the career for them, there is a short course available for them to study.

Being a CNA or a certified nursing assistant only requires a short period to study. The period usually range from about a month or two or more. After the course, one could immediately start a job as a CNA during which the time spent working allows you the opportunity to see for yourself a glimpse of the nursing world as well as provide you with the income to save and spend for possibly getting into a full fledged nursing program.

Be an LPN or an LVN

A Licensed Practical Nurse or a Licensed Vocational Nurse is a course of study that usually takes about one year to study, complete and finish. The Licensed Practical Nurse or the Licensed Vocational Nurse usually works directly under the physician or a Registered Nurse.

Being a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Licensed Vocational Nurse is also one of the effective means to get into nursing school and be a registered nurse. There are nursing schools that allows Licensed Practical Nurses to take courses and credits in the process of being Registered Nurses. Vocational schools are the ones that usually offer LPN courses. This process of Licensed Practical Nurses studying to become Registered Nurses will continue to increase at the same time that the demand for nurses also increase.

Registered Nurses are on demand

When one is a registered nurse, the options for promotion, education upgrade and job responsibility are a plenty. Usually, the process that went on then with regards to nurses that are studying is this: hospitals used to offer a diploma study course for those willing to study nursing. The course usually lasts three years. During this time, students lived and then worked inside their assigned hospitals. After which, they then take their boards to later become full-fledged Registered Nurses. However, now is different. There are now Associate Degrees in nursing that last for two years.

The BSN advantage

There is a course called Bachelor of Science in Nursing that usually covers most of the theoretical aspect in nursing. Recently, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is being pushed to become at least the minimum requisite for one to be actually called as a professional nurse that currently, academic programs that call from a Registered Nurse background to study Bachelor of Science Nursing degree is being seen as an ideal and sound choice for nurses who want professional advancement,

In summary, the decision to be a nurse rests on you. The choices that are available all depend on how much you are willing to spend your time, effort, energy and money on. It is important though that any decision one makes comes from the heart and the mind and that being a nurse, serving the health care profession, and serving the needs and wants of others is what you want to do, and would be happy doing for the rest of your career life.

Travel nursing is a wonderful way to merge the nursing profession that you love, with a fondness for travel, meeting new people, and gaining new experiences. You can travel to and work in different locations and medical facilities around the country as a travel nurse or as a travel nursing professional. By joining an agency for traveling nursing professionals, you can gain the experiences of meeting people and seeing the landscapes of different areas and develop a broader range of nursing skills by working in the top notch medical facilities scattered throughout the nation. The travel nursing profession offers you the opportunity to share your skill and compassion as a nursing professional with people from all over.

Travel nursing is unlike most other forms of business travel. Usually with travel for business purposes there is little leisure time available between business meetings, conventions, tradeshows, and the like, for treats such as sightseeing excursions, shopping, and entertainment experiences. But in the travel nursing profession you will be living and working in the areas you accept assignments to. When you are not working, you will be able to take in the sights and soak up the local cultures, shop, dine, and attend the entertainment and sporting events held in different regions, which makes traveling away from home so exciting.

Don’t grab a suitcase, throw in some clothes, and head out for destinations unknown expecting that any hospital or medical facility you walk into will have a position just waiting for you. The travel nursing profession is open to a variety of nursing professionals from RN’s, and LPN’s to Radiologists, Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapists and other nursing professionals. But there is a process involved and requirements that must be met before you can begin working in the travel nursing profession. You must have successfully graduated from an accredited US or Canadian nursing program. You will be required to keep your nursing license current, and if you are entering to work in the United States from Canada, you will need to provide proof of a valid nursing license and a valid work permit for working in the United States. Furthermore, keep in mind that each state has its own requirements for allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice within their borders that must be met before you can begin working in that state.

Some people may try to persuade you into thinking that you do not need to join a travel nursing profession agency. Although you most certainly can put yourself through the lengthy and cumbersome process yourself, there are many hoops to jump through in order to inquire about their regulations and asking for applications to be sent to you. However, remember that you will need to fill these out and mail them back to the agencies that sent them to you, and then wait for a notice that your applications have been accepted. All of this work and you have not even contacted any of the hospitals and other medical facilities in that state to inquire if they have positions for traveling nursing professionals. You may even be unable to secure the no cost lodging that is made available to many members of the travel nursing profession belonging to professional travel nursing profession agencies. It is true as well that many hospitals and other medical facilities prefer working with travel nursing professionals affiliated with a travel nursing profession agency over those traveling professionals that approach them on their own.

A professional agency representing the travel nursing profession simplifies the process of finding and requesting applications from state nursing regulatory agencies around the country, and also provides many other benefits to its members. They are in contact with top notch hospital and medical facilities from around the country and they are knowledgeable about the positions that are open to travel nursing professionals wanting to work in those states. They are also more able to secure no cost lodging arrangements, high pay and bonuses for the travel nursing professionals they serve. You can learn more about the agencies that represent travel nursing professionals and about the travel nursing profession online. Of course you should check out the credentials of any travel nursing profession agency before giving them your personal information in the same way that you need to protect yourself and your personal information using the internet.

The travel nursing profession pays well and the demand for traveling nursing professionals is large with the nursing shortages that are occurring throughout the United States. Travel nursing is a wonderful way to broaden your skills as a nursing professional as you work in a variety of nursing faculties and with different nursing professionals. It is an excellent way to experience meeting new people and learning about the cultural flavors in different areas. The travel nursing profession is a perfect merging of providing those in need with quality health care, and traveling to regions you have always wanted to see and experience.

<i>General Outlook for Nurses<i>

The outlook for individuals considering entering the nursing field is excellent. Registered nurses, or RN’s, make up the largest number of health care workers in the country. In addition, registered nurses will make up one of the fasted growing population of workers in all occupations over the next ten years.

Many registered nurses begin their career in the hospital setting. This allows the nurse to become familiar with various branches of medicine. While there is a demand for hospital nurses, this area of nursing will remain relatively level over the next ten years.

Many healthcare experts predict a surge in demand for registered nurses in the home health care setting. As Americans live longer, have more disposable income, and desire to remain home, nurses that can oversee care and treatment in the home setting will become increasingly valuable.

Another area of nursing that will see a surge in growth is with nurses who continue their education with Master’s level work. With the rising cost of healthcare many families are using nurse practitioners and nurse midwives as a replacement for their primary care physician.

Hospitals, also, are realizing the cost saving benefit of highly trained nurses, and many employ nurse anesthetists, clinical nursing specialists, and nurse practitioners to keep their costs under control.

<i>Not a Registered Nurse?<i>

Job prospects for licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, while positive, are not as strong as those of registered nurses. Licensed practical nurses will continue to be in demand, particular in hospital and long term care facilities.

Many licensed practical nurses continue their schooling to become RNs while employed. The responsibilities of an RN are greater, but they also include more opportunities. RNs typically supervise LPN in a clinical setting, and the greater skill level allows the RN more job options.

<i>RN or BSN?<i>

The schooling necessary to become a registered nurse can be completed in anywhere from two to four years. The coursework is very intensive and involves many clinical hours. A program completed in less that four years, however, will leave you with an RN, not a BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. An RN is fully qualified to do all the duties required of a registered nurse, depending on the state. Obviously, the addition of a bachelor degree has many benefits.

An RN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing is at an advantage when administrative positions open up in a hospital or clinical setting. In fact, due to the degree of federal and state oversight on healthcare facilities, many require a BSN for administrative, case management, and supervisory positions.

If you are considering working on your Master’s degree, either as a nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, or to teach, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree. While not all programs will mandate that your bachelor’s must be in nursing, it is certainly helpful.

<i>Considering a Career Switch?<i>

Nursing is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to move into a different career. With the high demand for nurses, many potential employees, particularly hospitals, will pay for most or all of your schooling. Even if you must foot the bills for your education initially, signing bonuses, combined with the near guarantee of a job upon graduation, takes much of the risk out of a career switch.

Another attractive fact concerning the nursing profession is the attractive tuition reimbursement plans offered by many employers. These offers, combined with the flexible shift scheduling available at many hospitals and care facilities make it possible to go from a LPN, to RN, to RN with BSN and on to acquiring a master’s in your desired specialty without hefty student loans or a disruption of your income.

<i>The Future of Nursing<i>

Clearly all nursing professions will continue to grow over the next ten years. Nursing is an excellent career choice for those who wish to make a good income, have a flexible schedule, and continue their education. While the hours can be long, and the work physical, a quality nurse should never find themselves without their choice of jobs.

While long hours and the physical demands of the job may scare some people off, many others are attracted to the flexibility, the fast paced environment, and the ability to help others. For those concerned about the rigors of a nursing career, there are many positions available in private doctor’s offices, public schools, and other lower stress environments. Nursing, whether in a clinical setting or administrative is a job in great demand.