ADN, RN, RN to BSN, BSN, MSN & DNP Programs
A BSN is the choice of an increasing number of students interested in making nursing a career. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing offers a wide range of benefits, from better pay to more job choices. It also meets the current need in healthcare for nurses comfortable with technology, aware of evolving best practices and able to assume leadership positions in the delivery of patient centered healthcare. The U.S. population is aging, the Affordable Care Act has made medical care … Read the rest
Registered nurses treat and educate patients, families, and the public about common medical conditions and provide emotional and physical support. Their duties include gathering patient history, performing diagnostic tests, administering treatments and medications, communicating with physicians and other health professionals involved in patient care, supervising CNAs and other unlicensed staff, and devising, implementing and evaluating patient care plans.
Following a decade of higher than average unemployment and slow job growth in the nursing sector, registered nurses in Ohio are finding … Read the rest
The highest degree you can earn in clinical nursing is the Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP. Unlike a Ph.D., which highlights extensive academic work, it is aimed at practical expertise in the clinical setting. The DNP opens doors to nurses in leadership, improving care and patient outcomes, and ensuring that people have access to the facilities and nursing they need. Armed with this degree, nurses help to integrate scientific advances and technology into information systems, policies that guide healthcare, … Read the rest
RNs wishing to expand the care they can give patients can work toward a Master’s in Nursing, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Practice, DPN. With these degrees, they are able to do physical exams, prescribe medicine, order labs and analyze the results and educate patients. Nurses who receive an MSN or DPN are called an advanced practice registered nurses or APRN. They can specialize as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Nurse Practitioner, as well as in other … Read the rest
Technology is changing the way healthcare is delivered. At the same time, the population is aging, and the number of people suffering from chronic conditions is on the rise. To meet these needs, to stay relevant and to be prepared to deliver the highest quality care to patients, many nurses are pursuing degrees, both baccalaureate and higher. Nurses with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, a BSN, are better prepared to handle the challenges in modern medicine. They are equipped … Read the rest
Increasing complexities in the healthcare system, the correlation between educational levels and patient outcomes, employers’ expectations, and looming redundancy make it essential for registered nurses to seek higher degrees. Completing the BSN may not be an easy task, but is achievable. Working RNs believe that the degree won’t make them better nurses and that the rewards will be minimal, but an overwhelming number of graduates benefit from personal satisfaction, professional growth, and increased professionalism and confidence. So while health care … Read the rest
Nursing is a special calling that offers many rewards to those who accept it. Professional nurses are daily heroes who touch the lives of the patients they serve. Sadly, there are not enough nurses to meet the demands of Virginia’s aging population. The Healthcare Workforce Data Center reports a steady increase in the number of new nurses, yet the numbers are too small to manage the healthcare needs of the exploding population. Registered nurses provide direct care services to individuals, … Read the rest
The passage of the Affordable Care Act and the aging population increase the demand for primary care services in Montana. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are straining to capacity to meet the health care needs of newly insured individuals. Like other states, Montana has been utilizing the services of nurse practitioners to deliver primary care services to increase access to primary care in underserved areas. At the close of 2014, there were 1,116 advanced practice registered nurses in Montana. Nurse … Read the rest
As technology becomes more central to the practice of health care, a greater number of nurses are seeking advanced degrees. An advanced practice registered nurse, APRN, is a registered nurse who has taken additional coursework leading to a higher degree. This can be a Master of Science, MSN, degree or a doctor of nursing practice degree, DNP. With this level of education, a nurse is able to do physical exams, order lab work and analyze it, write prescriptions and instruct … Read the rest
There is a growing push in the nursing field for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the BSN degree, from healthcare employers. And the nurses themselves are reporting several benefits with the degree. These include greater earning potential, a wider perspective to see the bigger picture, and the ability to advocate for their patients more effectively.
The need for RNs is growing. In fact, the projected increase is 16% through 2024. These nurses are needed for an aging population, the … Read the rest
The Bachelor of Science in nursing is not officially required, but it’s still highly favored over the associate’s degree in nursing. A significant number of registered nursing opportunities advertised in Montana require the bachelor’s degree for entry.
Staff nurses in hospitals face increasing challenges, such as sicker patients brought on by the aging population, heightened physical demands, and pressures to keep up with fast-evolving technologies. Moreover, fear of punitive actions for medical errors coupled with lower than anticipated wages create … Read the rest
Increasing nurse staffing levels has been a major challenge for hospitals nationwide. The periods of high vacancy rate in Montana rise and fall with changes in the population’s demographic, satisfaction and/or dissatisfaction of the current workforce, and career expectations of incoming nurses. According to a Federal Government study, vacancies for registered nurses will increase by 29 percent or 800,000 by the year 2020. In Montana, the demand for nurses is at an all-time high. The aging nursing workforce and a … Read the rest
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is an advanced course of nursing studies that directly prepares nurses for leadership positions and the management of complex health care situations. DNP graduates are equipped with the ability to deliver health care to rural locations, set up research in a clinical environment, help educate nurses new to the profession, and embrace new healthcare developments as a leader in the field.
The DNP degree is a doctorate-level academic course for nursing that in … Read the rest
Advanced practice registered nurses, APRNs, are specially trained nurses who serve as primary care providers in medically underserved areas, such as the inner cities and rural areas. APRNs earn the privilege to practice after completing a master’s, post-master’s, or doctorate degree and receive certification in one or more of the four specialties of advanced practice: Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CNA), Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM). Nurse practitioners in Minnesota make up 58% of … Read the rest
As the U.S. population ages, the number of health care problems escalates, especially with the increasing levels of long-term obesity and related maladies. Many health conditions become chronic, needing ongoing health care, and courses of treatment. Whilst this is a tragic situation for those affected, it does create a real need within the nation’s hospitals for highly qualified nursing staff who can provide exemplary patient care.
Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other medical professionals may have seen the future … Read the rest
The nursing crisis projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not include Minnesota. According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the state adds approximately 850 new RN jobs each year, not including the 930 jobs added to replace vacancies created by RNs, who leave the profession. With the Department of Nursing issuing 6,267 new licenses last year, it’s easy to see that supply exceeds demand. One of the best ways for RNs to gain a competitive … Read the rest
There are few professions as demanding or as rewarding as nursing. The health care needs of aging Americans with chronic diseases drive demands for nursing professionals who make up the largest sector of the healthcare workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.7 million nursing jobs in 2012. The projected growth of 19 percent through 2022 will require an additional 1 million nurses to meet the demands of the U.S. population. Nurses supervise patient care, provide … Read the rest
The innovative and solution-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares advanced practice nurses to take an active leadership role in solving complex healthcare issues. By creating new healthcare opportunities, bringing care to populations in rural areas, implementing valuable research in clinical settings, and educating the future generation of nurses, DNP graduates are making a profound impact in healthcare.
The DNP degree is a practice doctorate that gives students the terminal academic preparation in nursing. In Texas, where the supply … Read the rest
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses with additional education. Master of Science (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs prepare registered nursing professionals to perform physical exams, order labs and analyze results, prescribe medication, and educate patients. APRNs specialize by population, and their titles may be Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Apart from catering to a specific patient population, APRNs may also work in academia or research.
As health … Read the rest
The growing number of persons with chronic health conditions, the increasing complexity of healthcare, and the widespread use of technological innovations require nurses to have the educational preparation to navigate the challenges of the health care system. Nurses with a baccalaureate and higher degree are better prepared to manage the complex health care system and use a holistic approach to produce positive patient outcomes. Apart from preparing a highly-educated workforce, BSN programs produce graduates who have the foundation for further … Read the rest
Recent statistics coming out from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies reveal that the supply ratio of RNs in Texas lags behind that of other states and the national supply ratio. Even with a shortage of registered nurses, employers are unwilling to draw from a pool of available associate-degree graduates. Seeking every opportunity to promote patient safety, many hospitals are beginning to hire only BSN RNs, leaving the ADNs and LVNs with no choice but to seek employment in … Read the rest
Registered nurses have their pick of well-paid employment in a variety of health care settings across Texas. Apart from a highly competitive salary, nurses receive great health benefits, incentives for advancing their education, and opportunities to enhance their position and income potential. Nursing careers are among the fastest growing occupations according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The demand will continue well beyond 2020 as the population ages and access to healthcare expands. With the higher than average shortage of … Read the rest
As a predominantly rural state, New Mexico faces major challenges in the supply and distribution of its health care workforce. The state’s supply of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists for the population is significantly below the national average. There are 15 nursing schools with limited capacity for enrollment, which doesn’t help efforts to reduce the significant health workforce shortage. Scholarships, loan programs, and special grants designed to attract new nurses won’t help if there are insufficient faculty to educate the … Read the rest
More than 170,000 adults in New Mexico became eligible for Medicaid in 2014. The vast majority of them did not previously have access to primary care. As the state struggles to maintain an adequate care network of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, it is a good time to enroll in a nursing education program and help meet the population’s needs. According to the U.S. Dept. of Department of Health and Human Services, 32 of the 33 counties in New … Read the rest
The past couple years have brought a rise and fall in the supply and demand for professional nurses. While several surveys indicate that the nursing shortage might be over, executives bemoan the ongoing lack of nurses to keep up with patients’ needs, confirming a distinct discrepancy between projections and reality. The surge in new graduates by no means alleviates the shortage as employers’ preference for BSN graduates eliminates almost 67 percent of incoming nurses. Healthcare reform, the aging population, and … Read the rest
As the demand for nurses increases, it brings with it repeated calls for increasing the education and training for existing and incoming nurses. Nurses who take the difficult step of going back to school recognize immediate benefits of furthering their nursing education. Increased responsibilities on the job, employer respect, better pay, and greater confidence in their abilities as a nurse are just a few factors that make it worthwhile. There’s been a jump in enrollment in BSN completion programs – … Read the rest
Given the likelihood that demand for registered nurses will not decline, it’s a great time to enroll in a nursing education program and become a nurse. As a multitude of existing nurses retire or move up to other positions, the labor market will depend on new graduates to assume those positions. Although foreign educated nurses help to curb the nation’s shortage of nurses, new graduates from U.S. nursing education programs help to relieve more than 87 percent of the industry … Read the rest
The American Organization of Nurse Executives projected that the healthcare system would be short of 1 million nurses by 2015. They also predicted a national shortage of other health care providers, such as medical doctors, pharmacists, and respiratory care providers. As the number of general practice physicians and critical care physicians decrease across the nation, advanced practice nurses, with a DNP degree can fill the void by caring for patients in a variety of settings. They work primarily in nurse-managed … Read the rest
The shortage of primary care practitioners in the United States reduces access to care, which is a huge concern for policymakers. As the population continues to age and health care reforms increase access to coverage, the problem is expected to worsen. Experts agree that nurse practitioners and physician assistants can provide health care services to medically underserved populations and relieve physicians of unnecessary duties which hamper their ability to adequately manage complex patients. Nurse practitioners fall in the category of … Read the rest
The nursing profession is expected to experience a rapid rate of growth over the next decade in response to the rising healthcare needs of the aging baby boomer generation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 22 percent employment rate will continue into the next decade, which will result in the addition of another half a million registered nurses to the workforce. The projected figures do not include vacancies left by nurses who retire from their current positions. … Read the rest