ADN, RN, RN to BSN, BSN, MSN & DNP Programs
When you decide to become a nurse, you’ll have several tough decisions. One of them is the path you’ll take to becoming a registered nurse. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing are the most common paths to entry. Diploma programs offered at teaching hospitals are less common but still available. Graduates of the three pathways must all pass the NCLEX licensing exam to practice as a registered nurse. While employers are likely … Read the rest
A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is the ticket to multiple career opportunities, career advancement, and higher salaries. Graduates might assume roles in education, administration, research, leadership, and advanced clinical positions. The potential for career mobility is greater for BSN graduates. A registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing can get the benefits of a BSN through the RN to BSN program, which facilitates a seamless transition to the advanced degree. The program builds on the nurse’s existing … Read the rest
Nursing is a rewarding, exciting, and challenging career. By saving the lives of others, developing lifelong relationships, and offering emotional and physical comfort to patients, nurses enrich their own lives. The profession is one of only a few that offers multiple paths to entry, job security, diversity, and numerous opportunities for advancement. Add the current shortage of nurses to the picture, and you’ll see that it’s a great time to become a nurse.
There’s a shortage of nurses in North … Read the rest
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) play a vital role in the healthcare delivery system. Nurse practitioners, a category of advanced practice nurses, account for a substantial part of the clinical workforce and up to 42% of them provide primary care. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are both options for a registered nurse seeking to prepare for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. Graduates fill a gap in primary care for the underserved and … Read the rest
Continued education is essential to career advancement in nursing. More than that, advanced education is now critical to getting a job in most healthcare settings, as hospitals require advanced degrees from nursing staff. In the United States, the demand for advanced practice nurses is higher than ever. The aging baby boomer generation and the prevalence of chronic illnesses and complexity in care require nurses to demonstrate the skills and learning to meet industry challenges regarding primary care. Add the demand … Read the rest
The increasingly complex health care industry requires nurses with advanced clinical, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and technological skills. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing will empower nurses to provide the highest possible care, advance their studies, and map out a career path without limits. The BSN curriculum aims to provide students with critical thinking and leadership skills as well as an understanding of advanced nursing concepts. It is for this and other reasons the program is highly recommended by … Read the rest
The volume and scope of nursing jobs are expanding daily. Nurses have a critical role in the health care process to meet the demands and reduce the cost of delivering care. In light of their role, nurses must consider the advantages and even the necessity of continued education. Conventional wisdom dictates that an associate degree in nursing (ADN) will suffice for those who plan to remain within the confines of bedside care. However, hiring trends reveal a growing preference for … Read the rest
Nurses are always on hand to dress wounds, offer comfort, deliver babies, and simplify a physician’s jargon. The need for nurses swings from one extreme to the next, but as a substantial segment of the workforce (80% according to the Hawaiian Employment Outlook) stands on the threshold of retirement, the sector will need a strategic plan to fill their positions. The AARP projects that the United States will have a shortfall of 1 million nurses by 2020. Though the Hawaiian … Read the rest
Constant changes in the profession of nursing call for nurse leaders who are capable of identifying problems before they emerge and make sound decisions to circumvent potential challenges. To lead healthcare organizations and draft policies that positively impact the profession, nurses must have a broad knowledge of advanced nursing practice, economics and finance, informatics, and healthcare policy.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to develop nurse leaders who can meet healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. The … Read the rest
In the Institute of Medicine’s, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, published in 2010, the committee emphasized the need for nurses to reduce gaps in care. As primary care providers, nurses not only increase access to health care services but also implement care plans for diverse patients, reduce infection rates, prevent medication errors, and facilitate the transition of patients from hospital to home.
When nurses are permitted to work to the full extent of their training and education, … Read the rest
The expansive changes in health care resulting from an expected surge in the baby boomer population and greater access to health care coverage create new opportunities for nurses. According to the AARP, 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every day. The trend is expected to continue into the 2030s and will not only place a burden on the Medicare and Social Security programs but also the healthcare system as many of them are plagued by multiple chronic illnesses. … Read the rest
The multiple educational pathways to entry distinguish nursing from other health care professions. Adults with a desire to enter nursing can choose one of three educational routes to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in preparation for practice: the bachelor’s of science (BSN) is the most favorable for nursing organizations and employers, the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is the most common for adults constrained by time and cost, and the less common diploma in nursing offered by teaching … Read the rest
Nurses work with patients during a most vulnerable period in their lives. They share in the joys of birth and offer comfort when patients take their final breath. They celebrate life’s miracles, and as miracle workers themselves, they use their training to nurse patients back to health. Nurses advocate for patients’ needs, use evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes, and meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of patients.
As the health care sector undergoes unprecedented changes, nurses will employ … Read the rest
There are two primary doctoral degrees for nurses. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) is research-focused and prepares nurses to generate new evidence to improve the profession. The second, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, is a practice doctorate that prepares nurses to function as experts in advanced practice and lead out in the application of evidence to improve practice from a clinical, administrative, or academic point of view.
In 2004, the American Association of … Read the rest
The state of the primary care workforce in Mississippi is more critical than other states. More autonomy for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses have been presented as a viable solution for the acute shortage of primary care doctors –especially for residents in rural areas. A nurse practitioner is an individual who has obtained the authorization to treat certain medical conditions based on the completion of a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and … Read the rest
You’ve made the major decision to become a nurse. But that’s just the first step. Since there are several paths to nursing (the associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and the lesser known diploma in nursing), you must explore your reasons for choosing nursing in order to select the right nursing program. The fact is that you’re more likely to succeed in the profession if you set specific goals. Though graduates of the ADN, BSN, and Diploma in Nursing programs are all … Read the rest
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse? Truly, there are multiple paths to entry-level nursing. In Mississippi, as in other states, graduates of the associate degree in nursing (ADN) and the bachelor of science in nursing programs are eligible to sit the NCLEX to practice as a registered nurse. Graduates of both programs hold the same titles and likely will perform the same duties in a hospital or other medical setting. That said, BSN graduate has … Read the rest
As the frontline members of the health care team, nurses save and improve lives by assessment, caring for, and monitoring patients to determine and provide the help needed to preserve health. Nurses’ role in healthcare is wide and varied, but they must collaborate with other professionals to bring relief to patients. They coordinate care delivery with physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals and determine whether the treatment plan is a success.
One of a nurse’s most … Read the rest
Graduate education is an investment of time and money. If you’re looking to move up the career ladder, you’ll have to decide whether to earn a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP offers special benefits if your goal is to become a leader in the program – and it is a worthwhile pursuit if you can afford it. The completion time for the DNP is approximately three to four years, which is … Read the rest
To effect the change needed to improve healthcare, registered nurses must be willing to change and improve themselves. Graduate nursing programs, such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), provide the additional training RNs need to become the leaders of tomorrow. Yet, there are several reasons, besides the desire to effect change, which drives nurses to graduate study. Many nurses seek additional education to boost their salaries, take an active role in the evolution of nursing, or to deliver … Read the rest
The opportunities to serve in administration, education, research, or in a clinical setting make it an exciting time to be a nurse. Nurses are essential in every area of healthcare. They’re making inroads and gaining respect from leaders and healthcare professionals with the help of advanced degrees. The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) provides a foundation for graduate study that prepares registered nurses for leadership roles. More than that, RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher can make a … Read the rest
Nationally, hospitals need more than 235,000 nurses to fill current vacancies. By 2026, employers will need more than 437,000 new nurses to care for the growing baby boomer population. Although the medical community is working actively with nurse educators and nurses to address the shortage, which affects nurses and patients alike, the battle over what constitutes proper education for nurses could jeopardize the timely delivery of solutions. In Vermont, the majority of nurses receive their education through the associate degree … Read the rest
Despite the many factors that create uncertainty in health care, one thing remains constant – nurses form the backbone of the health care system. Nursing is a trusted and respected profession because almost all nurses enter the workforce with a desire to make a difference in their communities. Though the responsibilities are complex and the duties demanding, nurses count it a privilege to help patients through the vulnerable periods in their lives.
As a profession, nursing offers monumental opportunities for … Read the rest
The aging population, wider access to health care coverage, and the prevalence of chronic illnesses add pressure on an overburdened health care system and complicate the process of finding a health care provider. Iowa, like other states, has taken steps to expand the nurse practitioner workforce since the current supply of primary care physicians has been unable to meet primary care needs. More than just boosting the volume of the workforce, the state legislated full practice authority for nurse practitioners, … Read the rest
The aging population and prevalence of chronic illnesses and obesity demand a transformation of primary care. When more than 20 million residents gained access to health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, it became even more imperative to address the challenges with the delivery of primary care.
The federal Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, identifies numerous medically underserved areas containing at least 55 million Americans living without proper access to primary care doctors. The HRSA believes that … Read the rest
Iowa’s aging population and wider access to healthcare by previously uninsured residents have precipitated a nursing shortage to further complicate an already complex health care delivery system. The shortage of nurses is not limited to Iowa, as the U.S. Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast depicts, the shortage will spread across the country and grow to 1 million by 2020. While healthcare organizations and educational institutions work together to combat the dire consequences of a deficient workforce, another … Read the rest
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine published a report to address a current health care crisis surrounding the delivery of quality patient care and positive patient outcomes. The report sought to highlight solutions that would strengthen the profession of nursing and encourage collaboration with other health care professionals to improve the health care system. One of the IOM’s recommendations is to grow the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate of science in nursing by 2020. This suggestion is based on … Read the rest
Nurses play an integral role in every health institution. They are essential for the proper running of hospitals, clinics, and other health-related institutes. A Nurse is usually the first health care personnel a patient will meet at hospitals and clinics. The demand for Registered nurses is particularly high because of the roles they play in health institutions. Registered Nurses (RNs) are responsible for checking and recording the patients’ vital signs, symptoms of their illness/disease, updating the patients’ records and noting … Read the rest
Residents in rural Alaska don’t have access to primary care as they should. According to the Center for Health Policy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, there are 11 rural counties that lack a primary care physician. Thanks to policy changes granting nurse practitioners the autonomy to practice, nurses can now fill the void in primary care and practice without a doctor’s oversight. The adoption of this law is a welcome relief to nurses in Nebraska with a master’s … Read the rest
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses gain their knowledge and expertise through the rigorous Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The specialized training helps registered nurses develop and apply advanced nursing principles to care for patients. The State of Nebraska licenses APRNs in four roles: Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Certified Nurse Midwife. Advanced practice nurses, and nurse practitioners, in particular, help to fill the gap in primary care. In 2015, Nebraska elected to grant nurse … Read the rest