According to the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), the Colorado LPN curriculum course is nine to eleven months and concentrates on patient care with outcomes prediction. The curriculum focus falls on maintaining skills and performance with surpasses expertise in the technical arena. The LPN student is directed to isolate differences in the body system and seek any change in the patient state. In defining the LPN scope of practice, these are then communicated to the supervisory doctor or registered nurse for ongoing assessment procedure.

DORA: LPN Scope Of Practice Guidelines

The CBN is overwhelmed with calls on a daily basis to answer questions on practice scope and other matters. These are set up in alignment with DORA. As a result, their nursing practice allocated consultants who developed frequently asked questions for guidance. These may assist in generating ideas related to how the scope of practice may differ from state to state.

These questions include reference to for example the AddVantage intravenous system such as whether an antibiotics IV can be administered by a certified LPN antibiotics using the AddVantage system bearing in mind that it is mixed beforehand. The answer states that it is possible, and that if the RN or pharmacist assembles the unit then the certified LPN can administer the solution.

Defining LPN scope of practice around Delegation considers the primary concept of rules for delegation. The answer covers that all the law components and rules are essential yet based in limiting the registered nurse to a particular delegatee, client and time-frame. In other words it wouldn’t be accepted for the Nurses Director to delegate IV administration of medicines to the LPN’s in the setting in question to any facility client at any cost. LPN scope of practice and rules are founded in a belief which states that an ongoing registered nurse assessment from the delegatee, client, task, and time frame is needed.

In considering whether a registered nurse may delegate to licensed practical nurse the answer is indeed and that in the rules it is stated that a delegate is one who is not authorized to do the duty. In other words, a delegatee may be a CNA, LPN or professional without licence.

Within the delegatory LPN scope of practice, an LPN however cannot delegate according to the law. The delegatee can however decide not to perform the task according to rules in which state that whomever has been ordered to do a duty must obey. If they are not willing delegation is not valid.

In order to compare and understand an LPN scope of practice concerning matters such as what can’t be delegated; elements requiring consideration as to whether a task can and must be delegated such as showing that if an orderly takes a class showing catheter insertion in to the urinary tract and is certified to do so, whether the task be delegated without an evaluation of competency – and the amount of supervision required – the Colorado Board of Nursing Website further offers solutions to these inquiries.

Further questions address concerning authority and nutrition counselling in regard to an LPN scope of practice include answers to whether it is:

• Within the practice scope of an LPN with intravenous authority to draw blood directly from the vein?
• Within the practice scope of an LPN with the intravenous authority to give solutions which have been mixed beforehand with labeled instructions through gravity/pumps via IV or to piggyback instead?
• Within the LPN scope of practice with intravenous authority to do the same as the above mentioned but instead via an intravenous push?
• Within the practice scope for the LPN with intravenous authority to conduct an administration of antibiotic solution which was mixed beforehand, fluids and flush with usual saline/heparin as well as care for the dressing to veins which bear a catheter which originate in femoral/ sphenoid area and to terminate in the area of the inferior vena-cava?
• Determined that there are restrictions within the NPA (Nurse Practice Act) which cover the distribution of nutritive supplement products?

When considering the DORA graduate nursing program’s inclusion of a “hands-on” clinic-based component to training and where participation therein requires a nurse to be licensed in their residential state yet may sometimes require travel to a state where they may not have a license, DORA students do not need a Colorado license to engage in this clinical training.

The relevant legislation that allows this, cites that the board can issue permits for practice to both practical or professional nurses for a certain time period which must not exceed 2 yrs. Alternately, this can be stated according to the board to an individual from a state within the USA or a foreign territory present to do specialized training and observe nurse education programs. This must be conducted by proving so to the board by the nurse who is licensed within an LPN scope of practice within an individual the state, country or residence. The nurse practicing may be allowed by permit but is also subject to a limit, according to the particular practice performed as is linked with the specialized training program.

Alberta: LPN Scope Of Practice Sample

LPNs in Alberta have been working for more than sixty yrs and in this time, both clinical and education practice have evolved. This includes sweeping change to the basics of containing education as well as actual practicing environment, which have influenced the need for LPNs and spark ongoing opportunity across Alberta itself.

As professional nurses, LPNs operate in a certain practice scope adhering to the standard of practice and ethical codes required of them. The LPN study material is the same as registered and psychiatric nurses only having an approach more clearly focused on basic knowledge, judgement and critical thought to suit a contemporary LPN role. An LPN scope of practice integrates knowing, skills, judgmental capacities and ability needed to do justice to the various phases of health care from treating and managing acute illnesses to preventing others, as well as fulfilling palliative and longer term care needs. LPNs can have either an inter- or independent role in a care team, or they can overlap.

Alberta’s LPNs complete their courses through a 2 yr practical nursing diploma through the selected level at college. This program offers a min of 1,650 hrs of instructional teaching and 750 hrs covering the theory aspect, with nine hundred hrs clinical and laboratory experience. LPN jobs can also be defined via a variety of learning specialties post the basics, which result in opportunities such as advanced orthopaedics, immunizing, working in the operating room as well as renal dialyses. These include further programs for certification within areas like podiatry, psychology, acute disease management, care of wounds, leadership roles and palliative care.

Practicing nurses at National Institute for Health Clinical Center can select specialist roles in a variety of areas, including research support within its 27 separate centers and institutes for example the NHLBI for Heart and Lung treatments, NCI, National Cancer Institute and Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease.

When engaging in the field of nursing within an NHI Center, services take place in environments in which both research and care of patients come together. The setting offers LPN scope of practice in a one of a kind lab of clinical research which is conducted across each discipline. Nurses work on a daily basis with specifically informed and assured consent, family and patient education, collection of data and further aspects of implementing the correct protocols.

Individuals wishing to extend from a limited LPN scope of practice can consider staff and leadership functions such as teacher in clinical nursing, researcher, nursing manager, specialist in clinical nursing, practitioner, nursing consultant or nursing anaesthetist. The below outlines advancement options;

An Alberta LPN scope of practice is relatively autonomous and assumed total responsibility within their area of practice whilst in service of individuals, groups and families needs assessments and care provision with appropriate treatments. The various types of roles in the state of Alberta for nursing LPNs to embody include: community, primary, teaching, public health, acute care, leadership as well as occupational health and safety. LPNs work in collaboration with the family, team of colleagues and client to enforce consistent quality and care in the area of health services delivery.

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The job of a nurse requires the individual to show care, sympathy, responsibility and attention to detail oriented, as well as showing an inclination toward leadership when it comes to supervision and direction of others. These individuals need a developed sense of stable emotions to be able to deal with situations at hand such as the extent of suffering and other pressures and stresses the job entails. LPN jobs can take place in private and government agencies which include the school, clinic or retirement home setting. These nurses concentrate on communities as well as individuals and families, striving to improve their circumstances of health.

Nurses in public health educate relevant groups in the case of health matters like child care, nutrition and prevention care. These nurses oversee and administer immunizations, test for blood pressure and conduct other necessary health screening tests. They work alongside the leaders in the community, other educators, doctors and parents.

LPN Jobs – An Overview

LPN nursing jobs include certain dangers particularly in the hospital clinical setting. Diseases which are infectious in nature are an example of where nurses must follow particular protocols and standards such as when dealing with needles, instruments needing sterilization, radiation and chemical exposure.

LPNs also manage and create a plan for nursing care which can assist to give instruction to both families and the patient, and assist those who may be in need to embark on a routine which can lead to improving or maintaining health. In each state, different laws are set to govern over the various tasks that LPN jobs perform, however work settings determine duties for each day. For example, occupation health nursing which is also referred to as industrial nursing who care for employees and customers who sustain illness or injury on the job site. These nurses administer emergency care, put together reports of the accident as well as follow up care and impart health counselling. They also conduct examinations as well as inoculating those who require it and assess the work environments for the identification of potential problems that may affect employee or customer health in any way.

Hospital nurses are the most common form of all LPN jobs, providing care at the bedside of patients and overseeing as well as implementing various medical regimes. These nurses work within a specific department under the supervision of an RN, such as in maternity, childcare, surgery, ICU or treating patients with cancer. Some serve in a rotational capacity.

Nurses who work in the administrative areas of the hospital doing office work oversee outpatients in doctors rooms, clinical settings, ambulance surgical centers as well as in the ER. LPN jobs in this setting require the preparation of patients to administer medicines and injections and assist with medical examinations and take care of wound dressing. Their services are also required in cases of minor surgical procedures, record maintenance and routine office or lab work.

Nurses in care facilities primarily oversee and manage the resident’s who suffer from Alzheimer’s as well as fractures and other conditions. Albeit spending time on admin and supervision, LPNs also provide oversight for the health of these residents by putting together plans for treatment when skilled enough and may learn to administer IV’s. LPN jobs can extend to serving in special-care settings such as with patients in longer term rehabilitation suffering from a stroke or injury to the head.

In the case of residential health, nurses at a certain level of expertise can also offer a service to the patient in the comfort of their own homes. Here, they assess the patient at home and assist in educating and with instruction of the patient and family. Nurses who work in patients oversee those who are stricken with disease, cancer, in labor as well as the convalescent. These LPN jobs require the nurses to work separately and may also call for the supervision of residential health assistants, requiring a designated skills level.

The Next Stage – Specialization

The three primary paths of education to an RN are; a BSN or bachelor science nursing degree; ADN nursing associate degree or diploma. Bachelor nursing programs can be taken at university or college, lasting about four years whilst community and juniors education institutions offer a two to three year associate program.

Those who receive a diploma or are educated as associates often aim for bachelor study programs to facilitate entry in a more specialized choice of field. These candidates often seek LPN jobs as staff nurse after which they utilise the reimbursing of their tuition as a benefit whilst studying for their BSN and finishing the available LPN to BSN bridge programs.

Accelerated BSN programs are also an option, lasting twelve to eighteen months, providing the quickest way to a Bachelors for those with an existing degree. Individuals considering career advancements of this nature must think strategically when considering the pros and cons or applying for a Bachelors since these advancement opportunity is more vast. LPN jobs do not cover all positions and BSN is usually a prerequisite for an admin post as well as when being admitted to research, education, clinical or consulting graduate programs of specialization.

An LPN not being on the level of qualification as that of an RN means they are restricted to certain working responsibilities. As a result many LPN’s choose to advance their careers from LPN jobs to working as an RN, which has its perks such as the many job opportunities and requirements for this level of nursing as can be seen in the graph. As an LPN is the first qualification before the RN level, LPN’s will have a limit on their duty and responsibility.

Good on the job performance and skills expertise can result in the nurse being promoted to a position of higher oversight and more responsibility. An example is managerial in nature, where a nurse can be promoted to being the head nurse’s assistant or the head nurse and then to directors assistant or the director and even vice president.

In the cases of caring for patients, LPN jobs can evolve into specialized nursing areas such as a midwife who is certified or CNS and CRN (certified registered and clinical specialist) as well as anaesthetists. Each has a prerequisite of two graduation years which will go onto a masters nursing degree.

Further areas of specialization include the possibility of studying to become a Nurse educator. These individuals’ duties include education and mentorship of the next set of young nursing candidates, as well as teaching in class and clinical settings. LPN jobs can lead to a desire to teach and in this case, they must draw up plans for the lessons and encourage the student to appreciate the professions through inspiration, and by setting an example.

Other specialists include paediatric nursing for the younger patient whose age range is from new born to early adult, nursing in peri-anaesthesia Nursing or in the rooms of recovery with a patient who is recovering from anaesthesia post-surgery as well as peri-natal nursing to assist a family and women in labor with support during as well as post-birth.

Psychiatric nursing is another specialist interest that may be sparked during LPN jobs where nursing aids in the field assist patients who are deemed mentally unstable with a complex range of psychological requirements. Nurses in public health operate in both private and government agencies as well as clinical settings. Radiology nursing speaks for itself and these workers are also known as catheterization cardiac laboratory nurses. The choices are endless, its just a matter of weighing options versus in the field passion, the rest will reveal itself as the job progresses.

Finding LPN Jobs

Discover Nursing is a comprehensive online database of information for individuals interested in this field. According to the site, LPN jobs and opportunities have a favorable projection such as the need for RN’s which is expected to accelerate more than any other job through this decade. Since the demand is growing, it is in turn projected that the job market will need more of these nurses. In addition, nurses currently working who will retire also leave ongoing spaces in the job market.

LPN jobs can be found online at various search engines such as; Simply Hired, Indeed.co, Monster.com, Wow Jobs (Canada) and the www.bls.gov as well as www.lpnjobsfinder.com.
As a result of the rise in market for a nurse certain hospitals may offer a bonus of up to fourteen thousand dollars for a nurse in the skills category they require. The National Student Nurse’s Association has many articles on becoming a nurse, from where to begin to what to do for your first job. Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek magazines have a nationwide job search engine at their site – nurse.com.

Additional article resources for LPN jobs guidance can be found at the Resume Objective Know how career portal, the Bureau of US Statistics and Labor and Career Owl. Another source for LPN jobs is NHT, Nursing for a Healthy Tomorrow, this coalition of over forty health care and nursing organizations operate in partnership around a salary communication campaign which is designed to draw individuals to following a nursing career. The coalition aims to address a potentially dangerous nursing shortage in the nation, with the risk in short and long-term being more serious in certain geographic areas than others. As a result, NHT is now working now to heighten awareness about the looming nursing shortage and excellent opportunities awaiting those seeking a career in nursing.

LPN jobs at NHT can be found in addition to the coalition having assumed the role of communicating and bringing the message and image of the nursing profession, in line with the realities of its tremendous social importance and personal potential for career satisfaction. The site offers Career Profiles and a list of LPN jobs and Career Descriptions. Below are examples of what is available as an option for specialization;

• Nurses who work in critical care
• Nurses in emergency-situations
• Palliative or hospice-care nursing
• Material delivery and labor nursing
• Nursing in nephrology
• Anaesthesia
• Educator nurses
• Executive nursing
• Nurse practitioner
• Nursing in oncology
• Nursing in orthopeadics
• Peri-optive nursing
• Mental care or psychiatric ward nurses
• Nurses in schools
• Staffing nurse
• Nursing health practitioner for women

NHT also offer a recruiter campaign for nursing educators and careers page which can be accessed on their website. Alternately, LPN jobs on Nurse.com can be found by searching thousands of nursing jobs in any location in the U.S for nurses in every specialty, state and setting. The site allows you to post your resume and gain career advice. Other online sources include general job boards such as Monster, Career-builder, and Craigslist and nursing-specific job boards: such as Nurse Jungle Nursing Job-Source, Nurse-job-shop, Top jobs in the USA and Hire- nursing.

In addition LPN jobs can be searched for at http://www.licensedpracticalnurse.org who offer additional helpful services such as links to finding sample templates for cover letters for LPN positions.

The site also offers guidance when writing a resume using either a chronological resume, the most popular format, or a functional resume focusing on the skills and experiences and a combination resume uses both of the aforementioned formats. LPN jobs are also available by visiting local setting where this nursing designation will work and speaking to staff about opportunities or placing oneself on lists for when positions may become available.

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An LPN’s responsibilities include everything from taking vital signs, feeding, drawing blood, anaesthesia administration, keeping logs of patient’s progress and/or changes to applying bandages or dressings and collecting lab samples. An LPN salary reflects the capacity of the candidate to know the patients and their history, as well as play a significant role in the diagnosis. An education and licence is required to handle the responsibility of an LPN, which can be completed in about a year.

Around May 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average annual LPN salary was $39,030.00. While this LPN salary amount varies from state to state, those employed in larger cities are paid more. Other factors to consider regarding the LPN salary range include qualifications, experience, geographic location, and industry type. The highest paid LPN’s usually work for an employment agency, followed by those in a nursing home or long term health care home. The lowest paid LPN’s work in hospital or doctor office settings. Graveyard and weekend shifts also pay higher hourly LPN salary rate at nursing homes and hospitals.

Caring and facilitating healing needs to be a passion and part of the job is high stress and heavy workloads. As result, LPN’s are found to make a more lasting impression on patients in hospitals, ER, outpatient facilities than doctors do. As a result, LPN’s are compensated well for this level of responsibility. Overall, the need for medical personnel is projected to grow in demand over the coming years. As a result, LPN salaries will be influenced, increasing alongside the demand.

Responsibilities and demand considered, there is a vast difference between top and the bottom of LPN salaries. State differences are affected by the cost of living and may seem to be higher, but when compared in ratio and context this is not necessarily the case.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts LPN’s are the highest paid in the US with an average LPN salary of 48,180 a year. The District of Columbia is second, averaging annual wages of USD 45,450. Rhode Island LPN wages are USD 43,460, and Delaware LPN’s earn USD 41,460 as annual average. New Jersey salaries range around USD 41,240 a year and Maryland LPN’s earn over 40K a year. The below diagram gives a more detailed idea of state-to-state LPN salaries:

An LPN also acts as an administrator in the workplace, ensuring patient documentation, notes and records are impeccably updated. With the media drawing attention to the shortage of RN’s and LPN’s it is not necessarily an indication of how easy it will be to find placement and a good salary. Average starter salaries show that hospitals have cut back plans regardless of the demand as seen on payscale.com. A typical starter LPN salary ranges from $46,014 – $66,112 for those with more experience.

For context, in 2008 the national average wage for employees working in the private sector was $50,028, while those in the Federal Civilian sector averaged was $79,197. Bearing in mind that difficult economic circumstances in the US are seeing substantial job shedding. In other words, an LPN salary starting point will be below average while an experienced candidate will be above. In general, an LPN has good prospects with access to further LPN training and development and good job security. The below Payscale diagram reflects salary by years experience:

Differences Between An RN And LPN Salary

As a result of the demand for registered nurses along with their experience and education, RN salaries are higher. LPN duties are performed under the observation and direction of registered nurses and physicians. The year required to graduate allows only for basic care, but does not offer as wide a variety of career choices as a registered nurse would have.

As we have seen above, an LPN salary is not high enough to provide a comfortable income or sustain and support a family. Registered nurses minimum education is an associate degree in nursing with added training available for many positions and job titles, which further require bachelors, masters and Ph.D’s.

While RN’s serve as extensions of many physicians, decision makers concerning treatment and long-term health needs of patients, LPN responsibilities are restricted due to their qualification. As a result, career choices for RNs far outnumber those of an LPN with options such as educators, staff nurses, administrators, home health care, patient care, teaching and administration.

According to PayScale.com, on average compared to the LPN salary, RN’s earn over 50k per year. This includes a $15k/year increase in salaries showing that nurses can expect higher salaries working for governmental agencies and private contract facilities, while lower wages are recorded for nurses working in schools or self-employed.

The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that in 2004 the top 10% of nursing jobs offered salaries upwards of $74k/year. The lower LPN salary figures reflect pay scales of nurses based on those holding only a basic license of registered nurse. With the wide range of educational options available, salaries for positions requiring higher degrees may even exceed 100k/year in many of the employment options available.

Online LPN Salary Comparison Resources

This shows that as soon as an LPN takes the step toward becoming a registered nurse, an increase in salary is on the cards. With the burgeoning of ecommerce and internet resources, there are many sites available to conduct LPN salary comparisons. Once such website is Simply Hired.com. According to their site, the average nursing salary is $49,000. Their statistics are calculated using the average salary for all jobs with the term “nursing” anywhere in the job listing. The following are the results:

LPN salary and other wage data from SimplyHired’s free calculator is based on millions of job listings indexed by their job search engine. The site’s nursing salary comparisons feature allows job seekers to get the information required to make important career decisions and negotiate salary ranges.

RN Travel Space compares staff nurse with travel nurse salaries offers comprehensive, up-to-date information. They teamed with Salary.com to provide a Travel Nursing Salary Comparison Tool. This allows you to compare an LPN salary to the salaries of staff nurses and travel nurses across the US with a side-by-side bar graph. It is a useful way to research what nurses with similar qualifications and specialties are earning around the country.

Since the market online is competitive it offers more options for cross-referencing information and matching your results. Indeed.com has a similar tool to SimplyHired, offering job searches with a salary comparison section.

AllNursingSchools.com is a one-stop shop offering a job search section, where to advance nursing educations as well as LPN salary comparisons to other nursing careers. Their advanced practice nursing information shows the vast potential differences in salaries an LPN could expect with the right amount of specialization and academic training;

Nurse Salary Range Comparison

LPN salary comparisons can also be conducted alongside Nursing Specialties such as at Hospital Non-Profit Organization or Private Practice/Firm for Company Acute Care Nures, Adult Nurses, Cardiovascular Nurses, Informatics Nurses, Neonatal Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, School Nurse and Surgical Nurses. Doing an LPN salary comparison in this manner is informative and creates an incentive to pursue further career advancements.

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The nursing specialties from which you can choose are: Ambulatory care nursing, Advanced practice nursing, Burn nursing, Camp nursing, Cardiac nursing, Cardiac catheter laboratory nursing, Medical case management, Community health nursing, Correctional nursing, Critical care nursing, Emergency and trauma nursing, Environmental health nursing, Faith community nursing, Flight nursing, Forensic nursing, Gastroenterology nursing, Genetics nursing, Geriatric nursing, Health visiting, Holistic nursing, Home health nursing, Hospice and palliative care nursing, Hyperbaric nursing, Immunology and allergy nursing, Intravenous therapy nursing, Infection control nursing, Infectious disease nursing, Legal nursing, Maternal-child nursing, Medical-surgical nursing, Mental health or psychiatric nursing, Midwifery, Military and uniformed services nursing, Neonatal nursing, Neurosurgical nursing, Nursing informatics, Nursing management, Nursing Research, Obstetrical nursing, Occupational Health nursing, Oncology nursing, Orthopedic nursing, Ostomy nursing, Pediatric nursing, Perianesthesia nursing, Perioperative nursing, Private duty nursing, Psychiatric or mental health nursing, Public health nursing, Pulmonary nursing, Quality improvement, Radiology nursing, Rehabilitation nursing, Renal nursing, School nursing, Space nursing, Sub-acute nursing, Substance abuse nursing, Surgical nursing, Telenursing, Telephone triage nursing, Transplantation nursing, Travel nursing, Urology nursing, Utilization management, Wound care.

Voluntary certification is issued by certifying boards and professional organizations for many of the above nursing specialties.

Nursing Specialties For Registered Nurses

Nursing is divided into various overlapping and highly technical specialty, professional, and discipline areas. It is important when electing a nursing specialty, that you know in which area and category that particular nursing specialty falls:

Below are just some of the nursing specialties available, with a short description:

Acute Care

In this nursing specialty, the nurse provides care to patients who suffer from acute conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, heart attacks, or shock. Acute care nurses also care for pre- and post- operative patients, and may perform advanced, invasive diagnostic examinations, amongst other duties.

Acute Care NP

An Acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) helps to assess and manage acutely ill patients within an inpatient or hospital setting and across hospital-to-clinic settings, including intensive care units, specialty labs, emergency departments, and acute care wards.

Administration/Management

Nurse Managers are responsible for the resources, personnel, and patient-care in a nursing unit. This nursing specialty calls for the individual to manage staff, including RNs, LPNs and nursing assistants. They oversee daily activities within their department to facilitate and deliver quality nursing, amongst other duties.

Adult NP

Adult nurse practitioners (ANPs) are advanced practice nurses; they diagnose and manage everyday primary-care problems for adults and their families. The emphasis in this nursing specialty is on illness prevention, health promotion, and management of acute and chronic illnesses.

Allergy/Immunology

Allergy and Immunology Nurses specialize in caring for patients that suffer from allergies and asthma. They assist with diagnosis, establishing nursing care targets, and providing treatment. They also help to determine the cause and treatment of allergic reactions, administer medication, amongst other duties.

Ambulatory Care

Ambulatory Care Nurses are also called Outpatient Nurses, and the primary objective of nurses in this nursing specialty is to treat patients with acute or chronic illnesses or injury on an occasional, outpatient basis in a various settings. The emphasis is on preventive care, pain management and patient education.

Antepartum/High Risk OB

An Antepartum Care or High-Risk OB Nurse provides care to pregnant women who have conditions such as preterm labor or other complications that require hospitalization and continuous monitoring.

Apherisis

An Apherisis Nurse cares for patients who receive apherisis blood separation procedures. These procedures are often used as part of a cancer treatment. This nursing specialty is vital in the fight against cancer, and individuals who decide on this specialty must learn about blood and the vascular system.

Burn ICU

A Burn ICU Nurse provides care to both pediatric and adult patients with chemical, thermal, and electrical burns, as well as hypothermic patients and individuals with soft tissue diseases, injuries or open wounds requiring special care.

Business/Entrepreneur Nurse

In this nursing specialty, the Business/Entrepreneur Nurse creates his or her own business venture. Entrepreneurship is a high-risk, high-reward profession, but it offers nurses autonomy and the ability to work in a variety of environments.

Cardiology

Cardiology Nursing is a nursing specialty in which the nurse assesses a patient’s health problems and needs. Once this is done the nurse develops and implements nursing-care plans and maintains medical records. They administer pulmonary therapy and medications, monitor vital signs through advanced telemetry and monitoring systems, and perform various other tasks.

Cardiovascular ICU

Nurses in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) care for post-operative cardiac patients. CVICU patients need to be monitored constantly, and require high-acuity nursing care and the use of specialized intensive care equipment.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) care for patients under the direct supervision of nursing and medical staff. They take patients’ vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, etc., and assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, feeding, etcetera.

Community Health

This is the nursing specialty for those who would like to work in the community. Community Health or Public Health Nurses focus on whole populations, and work with individuals, groups and families to improve the overall health of community.

Critical Care / ICU

Critical Care Nurses work with acutely ill individuals and their families. They practice in settings where patients require complex assessment, continuous nursing vigilance, and high-intensity therapies and interventions.

Developmental Disability

Developmental Disability Nurses provide nursing care to patients who have physical or mental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy, and other neurologically handicapping conditions.

Dialysis

Dialysis nursing is a subspecialty of nephrology nursing, and nurses who follow this nursing specialty care for patients who are undergoing dialysis procedures. They provide nursing care to patients and education to them and their families.

Disaster

This nursing specialty involves the Disaster Nurse providing effective response and preparedness for man-made or natural events that affect an entire community or communities.

Emergency

Emergency Nurses care for patients suffering from various illnesses or trauma that requires emergency attention. They must be experienced in rapid assessment and must be able to recognize and effectively treat life-threatening conditions.

Endocrinology

Endocrine Nurses are nurse specialists who care for patients with diseases of the endocrine system, including hypertension, diabetes, and pancreatic diseases. They also care for disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands amongst others.

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology (GI) Nurses, or Endoscopy Nurses, care for patients undergoing procedures and interventions that are used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal problems. Nurses following this nursing specialty diagnose, plan, implement, supervise and evaluate care for gastrointestinal patients.

Geriatric/Gerontological

Geriatric nursing is a popular nursing specialty, and the branch of medicine concerned with the pathological, physiological, and psychological healthcare needs of the aged. Geriatric nurses assess patient health problems and needs, and develop and implement healthcare plans.

HIV/AIDS

Nurses in this specialty educate individuals on how to prevent the spread of HIV. They also help those who are infected to cope with the social, emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of the disease, and teach them how to minimize pain and maximize independence.

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgical Nurses care for patients who are in need of neurosurgery, which helps patients with dysfunctions of the nervous system; some dysfunctions include problems with consciousness, communication, cognition, mobility and sensation.

Oncology

Oncology Nurses work with patients suffering from cancer in all stages of their disease. They help patients manage their disease and treatment effectively and some oncology nurses may also administer chemotherapy. They practice in hospitals, outpatient facilities or provide home care for cancer patients.

Parish

Parish Nurses combine community and healthcare through their religious affiliation. Nurses in this nursing specialty act as educator, liaison, facilitator and administrator to a church community. They provide the congregation with public healthcare information that may affect them and perform various other tasks.

10 Highest Paying Nursing Specialties

It is difficult to choose a nursing specialty once you have finished your studies, and the fact that virtually every nursing specialty requires a period of on-the-job training and a series of exams to be passed makes time of the essence. Although pay should not be the most important consideration when choosing a nursing specialty, how much one gets paid does enter into the equation, as it is important to many nurses to consider whether the time and money they have to spend on studies will be worth it.

There is generally no difference in pay-scales for male and female nurses, as the belief is that a nurse should be paid for qualifications and performance, not according to gender.
The top paying nursing specialties in the United States are:

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: Average Salary $135,000
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist collaborates with anesthesiologists, dentists, surgeons, and podiatrists to safely administer anesthesia to patients

2. Nurse Researcher: Average Salary $95,000
Nurse Researchers do research and perform analysis; they work for health policy nonprofits or private companies. They publish studies based on data collected on specific medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing products and practices.

3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Average Salary $95,000
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who provides consultation and care to patients suffering from mental health and psychiatric disorders.

4. Certified Nurse Midwife: Average Salary $84,000
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) provides primary care to women, including family planning advice, prenatal care, gynecological exams, assistance in labor and delivery, and neonatal care. CNMs work in clinics, health departments, hospitals, private practices and homes. They often have to work unpredictable hours, as the nature of childbirth is unpredictable. CNMs should have good communications skills and must be willing to commit to a holistic approach to patient care.

5. Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse: Average Salary $81,000
A Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse provides care to young children who suffer from diseases and disorders of the endocrine system. This often necessitates educating both children and parents on the physical and sexual development issues that could arise from endocrinology disorders.

6. Orthopedic Nurse: Average Salary $81,000
An Orthopedic Nurse provides care to patients who suffer from musculoskeletal ailments such as arthritis, joint replacement and diabetes. Orthopedic nurses are responsible for educating patients on their disorders and on all available support systems and self-care routines.

7. Nurse Practitioner: Average Salary $78,000
A Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing basic preventive healthcare to patients. They increasingly serve as both the primary and specialty care provider in many medically underserved areas. The most common areas of specialty for nurse practitioners are acute care, adult practice, pediatrics, women’s health, family practice, and gerontology. There are many other specialties, though.

8. Clinical Nurse Specialist: Average Salary $76,000
A Clinical Nurse Specialist develops homogenous standards for quality care. They work with staff nurses to ensure that those standards are being met. Clinical nurse specialists must possess an ability to anticipate potential conflicts between patients and staff, and strong managerial skills.

9. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner: Average Annual Salary $75,000
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) are in possession of advanced degrees specializing in geriatrics. GNPs diagnose and manage their patients who often have long-term and debilitating conditions; they also provide regular assessments to the patient’s family members. GNPs must have a holistic approach to nursing, and must pay special attention to sustaining a reassuring bedside manner for their elderly patients.

10. Neonatal Nurse: Average Salary $74,000
Neonatal Nurses care for sick and/or premature newborn babies, and also provide consultations to the newborn’s family during what could be an emotionally draining period for the new parents.

As can be seen from the list at the beginning of this article, there are many more nursing specialties than can be discussed in this short article, so if you are interested in specializing, so some research on the Internet into all of the specialties so that you can make an informed decision as to which nursing specialty would be best for you.

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Licensed Practical Nurses work in a variety of settings, including home health care services, community care facilities for the elderly, hospitals, nursing care facilities, employment services, public and private educational services, offices of physicians, Federal, State, and local government agencies, and outpatient care centers. Whilst most LPNs work full-time, there are many following a successful LPN career working part-time.

In 2008 there were approximately 726,000 nurses enjoying a successful LPN career within the United States. The employment outlook for LPNs is very good, and is expected to grow substantially in the current decade, up to 2018. This projected growth is due to the general growth of health care services and the long-term care needs of an increasingly elderly population. Because many of the sophisticated procedures that were once performed in hospitals are now being performed in physicians’ offices and in outpatient care centers such as emergency medical centers and ambulatory surgical centers, the employment of LPNs in hospitals has begun to decline. This is due to the many advances in medical technology.

Although there will be stiff competition for LPN jobs in hospitals, the growth in most health care industries outside the traditional hospital setting such as nursing care facilities and home health care services is projected to grow faster than average, and this will create plenty of opportunities for you to follow a successful LPN career.

What Character Traits Are Required To Become An LPN?

Licensed Practical Nurses need to have the right nursing skills in order to have a successful LPN career, but academic skills are not all that is required. It is very important that an LPN have the right personality and character traits for the job too.

In order to become an LPN you must:

• Be gentle, caring and understanding of patients and their situation
• Be able to think on your feet in an emergency
• Be intelligent, responsive and proactive
• Be and active person as you will be on your feet most of the day
• You will need to have stamina as you may have to lift patients, work for many hours at a time, and help patients with their mobility and wheel them around if necessary

In order to have a successful LPN career you will also need to be dedicated, not mind working long hours, over weekends and public holidays, be able to follow orders, and be interested in continuing learning in order to improve your knowledge and advance to higher levels.

How Does One Become A Licensed Practical Nurse?

In order to have a successful LPN career, you will have to follow a career path that begins with becoming a nurse in one of the quickest ways possible; this can be achieved by attending classes at one of the nursing schools that offer LPN classes and training programs, either after hours whilst still continuing your current job or full-time. Many schools offer these programs as distance learning courses too.

An LPN can perform nursing duties without having achieved a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and it only takes one year to complete the training, which can be done via a technical school, vocational center, or community college. Once you have your LPN qualification you can study further and obtain your bachelor’s degree, which you will require later on in order to pursue a successful LPN career.

In Order to become an LPN you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete a Training Program

You will need to have graduated high school or have your GED in order to be eligible for training as an LPN. It takes approximately one year to complete a training program to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. These courses focus on various nursing principles, psychology, and adult and child health and among other things. You will also be exposed to laboratory work and clinical practice during your training.

2. Get your LPN License

Once you have completed your nurse training and passed your exams you will be qualified as a Practical Nurse, but in order to get your licensure you will need to sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nursing (NCLEX). The NCLEX is supervised by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The exam covers areas such as physiological integrity, pharmacological therapies, health promotion and maintenance, and safe effective care environment. Some of the skills on which you will be tested are patient care, nursing concepts, math skills, first aid, and comprehension and reading skills.

The NCLEX exam is a multiple-choice exam, and it uses an interactive system called Computerized Adaptive Testing to gauge your competence. You will be required to answer a minimum of 85 questions, after which the computer will attempt to assess your level of competence. If you are clearly above the passing standard you will pass; if not you will continue to answer questions until a final assessment can be made, up to a maximum of 205 questions.

Should you fail to pass the NCLEX, a diagnostic profile will be mailed to you by your state board of nursing. This profile will outline both the areas of knowledge in which your performance was satisfactory and the areas in which it was not. After taking steps to improve your knowledge in the areas where it was lacking and after a period of 91 days, as required by the National Council’s policy, you may retake the test. Once you have passed the NCLEX you will be able to use the designation LPN. Obtaining licensure is a very important step in ensuring that you have a successful LPN career.

What Is The Role Of The LPN In The Patient Care Team?

The Licensed Practical Nurses program was inspired after the end of WWII, when there was a glut of patients and good nurses were needed quickly. With the new healthcare legislation, America is once again in a similar situation, with a projected 32 million more people entering our health care system by 2014. On top of that, 79 million Baby Boomers will need more care as they grow older. This is going to create an unprecedented nursing shortage and the need for Licensed Practical Nurses will be paramount.
There have been many attempts to eliminate LPN positions in hospital settings over the past few decades. This is inconceivable, as nurses have to do far more with less and patient loads are so demanding that in some cases patient care is suffering. The role of the LPN in the patient care team is one that is vital, as their training may lack the core courses that degrees provide, but the physiology, anatomy, chemistry and other nursing courses are of the same and sometimes better caliber than the Associate Degree RN programs. LPN students also generally have as much or even greater clinical opportunities than RN students.

The level of care that an LPN can offer makes them an integral member of the patient care team, and the many specialty programs and fast-track programs that are available to LPNs mean that they can improve their knowledge and skills, and can look forward to a successful LPN career.

How To Ensure A Successful LPN Career

Studying to become an LPN, taking courses in order to improve your knowledge and skills and choosing specialities are all good, but we all determine our own destiny regarding our nursing career.

There are many other tricks-of-the-trade that will ensure a successful LPN career:

• Know your scope of practice

The scope of practice for LPNs differs somewhat from state to state, and even from facility to facility. Your professional responsibility is to be aware of the legal scope of nursing in the state in which you are practicing. If you are not sure of what it is, you can contact the State Board of Nursing for your state. You may also be able to access the information by visiting their website. Remember, even though you may know how to do something that does not mean that it is legal for you to do in that state or that it is in line with facility policy. An example of this is administering injections; some states and facilities allow LPNs to administer injections but others do not.

•  Be an advocate for practical/vocational nursing

There is a variety of professional LPN organizations, and it is imperative to a successful LPN career that you find out what they are and join one or more, on both a local and national level. These organizations are important because they can serve as platforms from which to advocate for the rights of LPNs, for better working conditions for nurses, for more funding for nursing scholarships, increased patient safety initiatives, and nurse recruitment and retention initiatives. Run for political office, lobby your legislative representatives, and discuss issues surrounding health care that are important to you and to the nursing profession.

• Be Careful

This may sound very trite, but it is not. Everyone makes mistakes, nurses included, but the difference is that making a mistake could cost you a successful LPN career. There are various steps that can be taken in order to prevent errors, including errors in administering medication.

An example of this is to remember the pharmacology course you took when studying to become a licensed practical nurse; it is essential that you follow the “six rights” of medication documentation and administration, even if you have administered the exact same medication to the same patient many times. This is crucial because the physician’s orders may have changed, and unless you check the Medication Administration Record (MAR) each time prior to administering medication it is easy to miss those changes.

It is important not to take shortcuts, even when short-staffed and under pressure, as shortcuts can lead to dire consequences. Always think before you act and maintain high ethical standards when you practice. Remember that as a nurse you are the face of the nursing profession and of the facility for which you work to your patients and their families, so if you are not sure of something rather ask someone who is in a position to help you.

• Be a leader

Many individuals believe that only those in a management position can be leaders, but his is far from the truth. Some managers are not, and some leaders are not managers. A leader is someone who has the innate ability to set priorities, organize their work, and communicate and work easily with others.
Leadership skills and abilities can be learned, and anyone who has some initiative can be a leader in his or her workplace and profession. Putting yourself forward to serve on facility committees, being visible in a positive way and always presenting yourself professionally are all signs of leadership that will be taken note of by your seniors and will work well for you in your quest for a successful LPN career.

• Set goals for yourself

It is imperative that you set goals for yourself, no matter what your future aspirations are. You should set goals even if you do not intend continuing your nursing education. It is important to set professional development goals such as reading nursing journals, joining professional LPN or nursing organizations, or anything else that interests you and will assure you of a successful LPN career.

The best way to ensure a successful LPN career is to choose specialties and study further, of course. Even if you need to be flexible in setting your goals for further studies, it is important that you do set goals and set a time frame for completion of your studies.

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There is a need for Licensed Practical Nurses wherever patient care is required, and they can either continue to practice as an LPN, study further to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or follow another track and do some specialized programs for LPNs, of which there are in excess of 60 available, according to the Mayo clinic. Most LPNs start off their careers in hospitals, long-term facilities or clinics, and do the basic patient-care tasks such as taking down patient histories, taking vital signs, monitoring patients’ reactions to medication, assisting patients with their personal grooming, and generally seeing to their personal comfort.

Choosing to do one or more of the specialized programs for LPNs will make your foray in the world of nursing much more exciting, and will make you much more marketable to prospective employers; apart from the additional skills that you will gain from the specialized programs, doing them will also prove that you are passionate and dedicated about your career, which is what employers are looking for. There are many specialized programs for LPNs and the best way for you to decide which one or more you should do is to take stock of which field interests you most; if you enjoy working with babies then perhaps you should do a course in Pediatrics; if you have a soft spot for the elderly then I would suggest that you do a Geriatrics course; if you prefer to work one-on-one, then perhaps a Home Health Care program would suit you.

Some of the most popular specialized programs for LPNs are:

• Cardiology: Patients with heart conditions
• Critical Care: Patients are in critical condition and often require advanced medical care
• Emergency Care: Patients require immediate attention
• Geriatrics: Patients are 65 years or older
• Home Health Care: Patients receive treatment from the comfort of home
• Neonatology: Newborns under 28 days of age
• Oncology: Patients with cancer
• Pediatrics: Infants and children up to 18 years of age

The following are just a few more of the specialized programs for LPNs that are available:

LPN Hospice Certification

An LPN Hospice Certification is one of the specialized programs for LPNs that trains a Licensed Practical Nurse to care for those in the end-stages of their life. People are living longer and longer and therefore need nursing care longer, but there are also young and old individuals that are in need of care in their last days on earth, and who need dedicated, compassionate nursing to ease their transition. There is currently in excess of 2 000 hospices in the United States, and more than a million individuals who require palliative care.

Hospice versus Palliative Care

• Hospice Care – Hospice care is given to patients who are in the end-stages of a terminal illness, and who a medical doctor has determined will not benefit from medical treatment. Hospice care essentially means that an LPN cares for the patient either in the comfort of their own homes or in an institution and helps to ease their pain and suffering, allowing them to spend their last days on earth in peace and pain-free and to die with dignity.

• Palliative Care – Palliative care is given to patients who have life-threatening illnesses but who can still have some life-expectancy if given palliative care. This type of care focuses on the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs and expectations of the patient, and could include aggressive forms of treatment.

Palliative and Hospice Nurses also provide support to the families of their patients, helping them to accept what is happening and keeping them informed as to what is transpiring with their loved one. The fact that the LPN is providing their loved one with end-of-life care and assisting them to live without pain and die with dignity also gives the family peace of mind.

LPN Pharmacology Certification

This is one of the popular specialized programs for LPNs, and one that is more than likely to increase your salary and make you more marketable. This type of certification shows commitment to the field of nursing and many employers will even sponsor an LPN for the pharmacology certification in exchange for them working for said employer for an agreed period of time.

This program is a mark of excellence that has allowed thousands of LPNs to gain a national, post-licensure credential, the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services (NAPNES) Certification in Pharmacology (NCP), and has been around since the mid 1960s.

LPNs who have gained their NCP will, apart from the normal LPN duties, also:

• Give injections and enemas
• Dress wounds
• Give alcohol rubs and massages
• Monitor patients for adverse reactions to treatments or any medication and report any to the RN or attending doctor
• Monitor Patients’ catheters
• Record fluid and food intake and output

LPNs that have successfully completed the program and certification exams are entitled to use the designation LPN, NCP in their signature/title.

Certification in Long-Term Care

Certification in Long-Term Care, generally referred to as CLTC, is another of the specialized programs for LPNs. This is a comprehensive program that covers the entire lifespan from the cradle to the grave for the chronically ill. NAPNES Long Term Care Certification has replaced what used to be the NAPNES Gerontology Certification program, and is a far more comprehensive program.

The Long Term Care Certification covers excellence in nursing for all age groups, which means that individuals who obtain this certification can care for babies, toddlers, seniors and any patient in-between that requires long-term care for a chronic illness. Licensed Practical Nurses who have completed this program and passed the certification examination can use the designation LPN CLTC, which serves to inform employers that that you are engaged in skill-building and possess the necessary knowledge in long-term care.

Ambulatory Care Nursing

Ambulatory care nursing is another of the specialized programs for LPNs which is very popular with those who like to work in outpatient settings where they will be required to make quick focused assessments of patients, deal with high volumes of patients and issues that are not predictable.

Ambulatory care nurses are often called on to teach the patients and/or their family how to do certain activities that will assist the patient to recuperate quicker, and therefore often foster long-term relationships patients and their families. Ambulatory care spans all populations and includes wellness to preventative care, illness care, and hospice or palliative care.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

This is one of the specialized programs for LPNs that requires the LPN to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a related bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply to the program.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist works as a part of a team, alongside other medical professionals such as dentists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, podiatrists, or ophthalmologists, and often operates in rural areas where they provide much-needed services to the traditionally medically-underserved.

CRNAs provide pain-management services, deliver local, general or regional anesthesia, administer intravenous sedation, administer anesthesia to patients undergoing surgical procedures, monitor patients recovering from anesthesia, conduct pre-anesthetic evaluations, provide pain relief therapy, give drugs or fluids, and provide ventilator support if necessary.

Perioperative Licensed Practical Nurse

If you are looking to do some specialized programs for LPNs and are interested in surgery, then this is one program which bears looking into. The Perioperative Nursing for Licensed Practical Nurses program is designed for LPNs who are interested in pursuing a career in surgical nursing.

Perioperative nurses provide support and care support to patients before, during, and after surgery. They are also responsible for monitoring the patient during surgery, maintaining a sterile environment in the operating room, and providing care throughout the process.

Forensic Nursing

If you are interested in not only caring for victims of crime, but also working with a legal team, assist police investigations, collecting forensic evidence connected to crimes, and providing consultation services to courts, law agencies and other medical personnel, then Forensic nursing is one of the most interesting specialized programs for LPNs that you could do.

A Forensic Nurse spends most of their time in a laboratory, but also travels to prisons, hospitals, various crime scenes, police departments and morgues.

There are various categories of forensic nurses:

• Correctional Nursing Specialist
• Forensic Psychiatric Nurse
• Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Forensic Nurse Investigator
• Forensic Gerontology Specialist
• Nurse Coroner
• Legal Nurse Consultant
• Sexual Assault Nurse

Advanced Education In Orthopaedics For LPNs

This is a post-diploma advanced certificate program that imbues LPNs with the knowledge and skills required for a specialized career in orthopaedics. This program serves to further an LPN’s understanding of physiology and anatomy with regards to orthopaedics and orthopaedic radiology, assessment, and trauma, and includes specialized orthopaedic procedures, including casting.

The program consists of two courses and a clinical practicum and upon completion of this program an LPN will be equipped to work in a cast room, an orthopaedic patient care area, and an emergency room.

There are many other short specialized programs for LPNs, including:

• Urinary Catheterization and Bladder Irrigation – This is a 30 hour, 2 credits program that is designed to provide a licensed practical nurse with the knowledge and skill required to safely insert, maintain, and remove a urinary catheter; safely care for a client requiring intermittent or continuous bladder irrigations; basic knowledge on caring for suprapubic catheters and the care of the catheter site of a client with peritoneal dialysis.

• Mental Health Nursing for LPNs – This is a 60 hour, 4 credits program that teaches LPNs to examine care based on best-evidence related to clients and their families whilst they are adjusting to changes in functioning associated with mental health issues and related treatments. The program builds on previous knowledge and related theory in adapting the nursing approach to the health promotion and care of mental health patients and their families. The course includes a 2-day observation experience in a mental health environment.

• Wound Care: Using a Standard Approach – This is a 30 hour, 2 credits program that is designed to provide the LPN with advanced knowledge and skills in wound management. Once an LPN has completed this course they will be in a position to work in a leadership role and apply the principles of wound healing in various settings.

• Infusion Therapy for Nurses – This is a 45 hour, 4 credits program that builds on an LPN’s previous knowledge with practices based on best evidence in intravenous therapy, infusion therapy, care of central lines, subcutaneous infusion therapy (hypodermoclysis), medication administration, and blood transfusions. The program includes a laboratory component during which students will apply new theories and practice nursing skills related to infusion therapy, including IV cannula insertion.

• Nasogastric Tube Insertion – This is a 15 hour, 1 credit program that teaches an LPN the knowledge and skills necessary to safely insert, maintain, and remove a nasogastric tube, the use of nasogastric tubes for tube feedings and oral medication administration, nursing assessments and the roles and responsibilities of the LPN in relation to nasogastric intubation.

Whichever of the specialized programs for LPNs you decide to do, you will find that the knowledge that you gain, together with the esteem that another qualification gives you is well worth the effort, and will also open up many new avenues to you, so pick specializations that you will enjoy and have fun while you learn and earn.

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According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), universities and nursing colleges across the country are struggling to increase their enrolment levels to meet the ever-rising demand, especially for Registered Nurses (RNs). AACN is working in collaboration with policy makers, schools, the media, and kindred organizations to focus attention on the nursing shortage and to enact legislation, identify strategies, and form collaborations to address it.

Current And Projected Shortages

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in March 2012 that the job growth in the healthcare sector was exceeding the growth accomplished in 2011, currently accounting for 1 in 5 new jobs that were created this year.

• In January 2012, 43,300 new jobs were created, and in February 2012, 49,000 new jobs were created in the long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other ambulatory care settings sector.

• According to the February 2012 Employment Projections 2010-2020 BLS report, the Registered Nursing workforce is expected to experience a 26% growth, from 2.74 million in 2010 to 3.45 million in 2020.

• A “United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast” published in the American Journal of Medical Quality in January this year, the nursing shortage is expected to spread right through to 2030; the South and the West will be hardest hit.

• The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report released in 2010 called for the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to be increased to 80%; the aggregation of nurses with doctoral degrees needed to be doubled. Currently only 50% of nurses are at baccalaureate or graduate degree level.

• According to figures released by the Bernard Hodes Group, based on findings by the Nursing Management Aging Workforce Survey, 55% of surveyed nurses, the majority of which were nurse managers, indicated that they would be retiring between 2011 and 2020.

According to the above figures, there can be no doubt that there is definitely a nursing shortage, and unless something drastic is done, it is set to get far worse, with analysts stating that all fifty states will experience a nursing shortage by 2015.

What Is Impacting The Nursing Shortage?

The sad truth is that nursing school enrolments are not growing sufficiently to meet the projected demand, particularly for registered nurses. Although there was an approximate 5% increase in enrolments in 2011, this is totally insufficient to meet the demand. Compounding the need for RNs and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), is the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, which will account for in excess of 32 million Americans gaining access to healthcare services in the near future.

Shortage Of Nursing School Faculty

• AACN reports that in 2011, 75,587 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs were turned away by U.S. nursing schools due to insufficient faculty, not enough classroom space, insufficient clinical preceptors, a lack of sufficient clinical sites, and budget constraints.

• According to a study done by the Southern Regional Board of Education (SREB), and released in February 2002, there was a 12% shortfall of nurse educators documented in 16 SREB states and the District of Columbia. These figures pose a huge threat to nursing education.

Average Age Of The Registered Nurse

• A 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, released in 2010, put the average age of nurses at 46 years of age, which was up from 45.2 years of age in 2000.

• The average age of RNs in 2012 is closer to 50 years of age, and this sector forms the largest portion of the nursing workforce, at around 25% of it.

Changing Demographics

• The Nursing Workforce: Emerging Nurse Shortages Due to Multiple Factors report done in 2001 and various other reports, the nursing shortage is expected to increase as “demographic pressures influence both supply and demand.” A big part of these changing demographic changes and the need for more nursing care is due to the baby-boomer generation reaching their 60s and requiring more care.

• A report released by the Nursing Institute at the University of Illinois College of Nursing in 2001 found that the ratio of caregivers to those who needed care would decrease by 40% between 2010 and 2030. This meant that many people would be limited in gaining access to healthcare unless the nursing shortage was resolved.

Insufficient Staffing

• Apart from the fact that there are just not sufficient nurses coming in to the healthcare sector, many nurses are also leaving it due to too-high patient-to-nurse ratios, which increases the chances of burnout and also impacts on the care given to the patients.

• An article in Nursing Economic$ in 2005 revealed that in excess of 75% of RNs believe the nursing shortage impacts the quality of their job satisfaction, the quality of patient care, and the amount of time that they get to spend with patients.

• This leads to increased levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, job dissatisfaction and more resignations.

Negative Effects Of The Nursing Shortage

Whilst many individuals may feel that the nursing shortage is a positive thing for job creation, this is not particularly so, especially if those positions cannot be filled by qualified healthcare workers.

The truth of the matter is that the shortage in the nursing fraternity is creating a situation wherein patients are suffering from a lack of professional and dedicated care. This is not only due to the fact that there are insufficient nurses, but also due to the fact that the nurses that there are need to work longer hours under very stressful conditions. This means that there is more chance of them suffering injury or fatigue, making mistakes in care or medical dosages, which could lead to injury or even death of patients.

Higher nursing staff levels result in better care for the patients, shorter hospital stays, fewer deaths, lower rates of infection, and lower failure-to-rescue incidents. The New England Journal of Medicine published findings of a study done by Dr. Jack Needleman and colleagues in March 2011, wherein researchers studied an analyzed the records of approximately 198,000 patients that were admitted to 43 patient-care units at large academic health centers, and 177,000 eight-hour nursing shifts. This study indicated that the mortality risk for patients in understaffed units was about 6% higher than in fully-staffed units.

A growing body of research draws direct links between baccalaureate-prepared nurses and lower failure-to rescue and mortality rates. Whilst nurse-aides and licensed practical nurses can do many of the tasks required in caring for patients, baccalaureate-prepared RNs are fundamental in the care of patients in various medical disciplines such as cardiac care and surgical units amongst others.

Strategies To Address The Shortage

In order to address the nursing shortage, it is necessary to address the shortages in the nursing faculty and the resources that are available to the nursing schools so that they are able to enrol more qualified applicants for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.

The AACN and various other stakeholders are at pains to formulate strategies that can positively address the nursing shortage, including the expansion of the nation’s centralized application service for RN programs, NursingCAS, to include graduate nursing programs. This strategy was implemented to address the almost 55,000 vacant seats in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.

If There Is A Nursing Shortage Why Can’t I Find A Job?

This is the question on the lips of many newly-qualified nurses, and the answer is relatively simple and straightforward; many of the nursing positions that are available call for a higher level of education and technological comprehension. Although there are many newly qualified nurses and the job-market is difficult, the problem is that many of these individuals have only done a short course and do not have the skills required.

In order to make themselves more employable, newly-qualified nurses should add some business courses, informatics or technology to their qualification. Although there is a nursing shortage, doing a quick online course of about 6 weeks is not going to help much, as it will not make you marketable to the healthcare institutions that have shortages or for the positions that are vacant.

There are many really good short courses which are offered by reputable institutions, and these generally include administration, computer skills or other technological training, and offer various tracks for expedited training.

So, the answer is clear; America needs more nurses, but it needs more highly-qualified nurses who can fill the more senior positions, thereby allowing the current senior staff to move over into administrative and educational pursuits, which will in turn help to train more baccalaureate and graduate nurses, which will slow down and eventually completely address the nursing shortage that the U.S. is currently experiencing.

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A licensed practical nurse provides nursing care under the direction of medical practitioners and under the direct supervision of registered nurses. LPN working conditions are not the easiest, as they are on their feet most of the day, like any other healthcare worker, and they spend their day tending to the needs of the patients under their care. Any job in the medical field is hard and taxing, and individuals who go into these jobs generally do so because they want to help their fellow man, not because they expect a high salary and a cushy 9-5 office job. If that is what you are looking for then licensed practical nursing is not the career for you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor’s, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses held in excess of 752,000 jobs in 2010. Licensed practical nurses work in various medical institutions such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, private homes, extended-care facilities, nursing homes, and community care facilities for the elderly.

The LPN working conditions do depend, to a large extent, on their work environment, and in 2010 the split of where LPNs worked was as follows:

[table id=5 /]

Some licensed practical nurses are employed on a full-time basis in one of the above types of institutions, whilst others prefer to work part-time or work through an agency which deploys them to different work-sites as the need arises. Whether an LPN works full-time or part-time though, the general working conditions and duties are essentially the same, although they may differ slightly from institution to institution and also from state to state.

Industry Sectors And Work Settings

The industry sector in which you are employed as an LPN, and the type of employer for which you work affects the exact type and scope of work that you will do; those that work in community health centers, industrial settings, rehabilitation and therapeutic facilities, schools, private homes, long-term care facilities, doctors’ offices, childcare centers, and various other facilities will have slightly different duties.

The majority of LPNs work as general practitioners, but a small percentage specializes in a particular area such as pediatrics or geriatrics. Licensed practical nurses that specialize in geriatrics may elect to work only in a nursing home, or those who specialize in pediatrics may choose to only work for a doctor that practices pediatrics or an OBGYN department in a hospital.

Hospitals, offices, and clinics are all locations where an LPN may specialize.

Long-term Care Facilities

The LPN working conditions in long-term care facilities suit those that like to work in a facility that entails meeting the medical and nonmedical needs of individuals with a disability or a chronic illness or. The majority of LPNs are employed in these types of facilities in the U.S. and the duties associated with this type of job are much broader and more varied. Licensed practical nurses employed in long-term care facilities often perform IV care, supervise nurse aides, and may even administer certain medications, depending on the laws in that state.

Public Health

The LPN working conditions in the public health setting are rather different to those in a physician’s office or a hospital, as these jobs are located in health departments and clinics, schools, non-profit organizations and health centers. The emphasis in this sector is more on prevention of disease and education than on treatment. Working in the public health sector often includes the education of a specific population, clinical work, immunizations, etcetera.
Here the focus is more on implementing local, state, and national health initiatives than on patient care, and because it is the public sector, supervision, pay and duties vary quite widely.

Hospitals

The LPN working conditions of a licensed practical nurse employed in a hospital is quite different to those employed in a physician’s office or a small clinic, as they form part of a large team and generally work in a specific unit. They work as part of a team consisting of lab workers, nurse aides, technicians, registered nurses, and doctors, and are most likely to be found in rehabilitation wards, medical surgical units, and hospital clinics. In this type of scenario the LPN is either paired with an RN or supervised by one.
Hospitals tend to employ an LPN who has a high degree of nursing skill level which they see as an opportunity for further development to RN status. They prefer hiring LPNs who are enrolled in or are planning to enroll in an RN program, as that means that they will be at a higher level of proficiency for the facility and therefore more valuable to them.

General

Some licensed practical nurses work in a laboratory setting where they perform tests on biological samples, such as urine or blood. It is important that test procedures are followed closely and results are recorded accurately.

Licensed practical nurses employed in clinics and physician’s offices may have to do some administrative work such as answering telephones, placing orders for supplies, keeping records of consumables, dealing with forms related to insurance, manning the reception desk, and various other administrative tasks, as designated by the physician.

The LPN working conditions of those employed in private home-care are often quite different to those employed anywhere else, and may also include preparing meals, driving the patient to medical appointments, doing shopping for them or going shopping with them, doing a bit of light cleaning, and any other duties which may be necessary. Many licensed practical nurse positions in private employ are live-in positions.

Licensed Practical Nurse Duties

Licensed Practical Nurses provide essential nursing services, within a defined scope of practice, and attend to patients based on patient-assessment and care-planning procedures.

A licensed practical nurse’s tasks include:

• Applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing
• Administering certain types of medication
• Administering basic nursing care such as changing bandages and inserting catheters
• Conducting specimen collection
• Collecting and delivering test results from laboratories
• Ensuring infection control
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions and consulting with the appropriate members of the health-care team
• Monitoring nutritional intake
• Monitoring established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy
• Observing and documenting the therapeutic effects of various medications and reporting any changes to the medical team involved in treating the patient
• Providing health and safety education to patients and their families
• Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe, comb their hair, or dress
• Providing pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care to patients
• Taking a patient’s vital signs
• Taking a patient’s medical history

Apart from the above duties, LPN working conditions for more qualified and senior licensed practical nurses working in nursing homes may include their working as a team leader, developing care plans, and supervising nurse-aides.

LPN Work Environment

Many licensed practical nurses work in facilities that require 24-hour care of patients, which means that you must be willing to work flexible schedules, including a swing shift, night shift or weekends and holidays. LPNs that work in physician’s offices generally work normal office hours, but may also be called upon to work on a weekend on the odd occasion.

If you prefer to travel and like to have a new challenge every now and then, you have the option of working as a travel nurse, which means that you can work in different states, and even in different countries or on cruise ships if you have the necessary qualifications.

LPN working conditions in any type of health facility include the possibility of hazards such as radiation, infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and caustic chemicals. The work is also very physical as it entails lifting and carrying patients and moving heavy equipment sometimes and this could lead to back problems if you are not careful.

One of the personality traits that is very important for a licensed practical nurse is good communication skills, as they have a high level of social interaction with patients and their families. This is really important as dealing with patients relatives is not always easy. Patients can also often be agitated, confused, irrational, or uncooperative, and add to this a heavy workload and long hours, and this could make for rather stressful LPN working conditions, but if you are looking for a vocation that offers great satisfaction and the opportunity to help those in need then this may very well be the right profession for you.

The post What Are The Working Conditions For A Licensed Practical Nurse? appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

One of the best pieces of advice that you can get is to follow LPN job interview tips from those who are in the know, which includes those who are responsible for employing LPNs in various institutions. These individuals know what they are talking about as they interview people every day and know what mistakes are constantly made. By following these tips you can give yourself a much better chance of cracking the interview and entering the profession of nursing for which you have trained.

General LPN Job Interview Tips

Everyone is nervous when being interviewed for a new position, no matter whether you are 18 or 80. Being well-prepared can help to calm those butterflies in your tummy and these general LPN job interview tips are vital to you having a good interview.

Golden Rules to help you ace your LPN job interview:

Be Prepared

Preparation is everything. Just as you prepared for your NCLEX exam buy studying, you should also prepare adequately for an interview. Create a nice folder with copies of your resume, educational transcripts, and any other credentials, even if you have already sent copies to the organization. Include recommendations from former managers, supervisors, teachers or lecturers, and even colleagues. Do some research on the organization or medical facility, which is usually quite easily achieved by going online and typing in the name of the organization.

Questions

Think about the type of question that the interviewer is likely to ask, and prepare ready answers. Virtually every interviewer will include questions such as “tell us about yourself”, “why should we hire you”, why you are leaving a previous job, how you function in a team, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Formulate some good answers to these questions to help you feel prepared.

One of the most important LPN job interview tips is to ccreate a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Most interviewers will ask whether you have any questions about the job or the facility, and you need to have some prepared to show your interest (this is where your research into the institution will come in handy). Make sure that the questions that you ask are important, relevant questions. Asking questions about career development opportunities shows that you would like to grow with the company, and that you are committed to remaining there long-term. Continuing education, whether nurses have input regarding the care environment, and the nurse-to-patient ratio are also good questions to ask.

Arrive Early

It is always best to give yourself sufficient time to get to an interview, and you should arrive approximately fifteen minutes early; this will give you time to find the right office, do a quick check on your appearance, and calm your nerves so that you do not go into the interview out of breath or perspiring nervously.

Ensure Clarity

If you are unsure about a question that you have been asked, ask for clarification. The interviewer will not think less of you, and it is better to ask for clarity than to incorrectly answer a question because you did not understand it clearly.

Etiquette

• Dress professionally and conservatively, as the interviewer will make judgements on your character and professionalism based on your appearance.

• Greet the interviewer with a short but firm handshake; be sure to make eye contact and smile.

• Speak clearly and confidently, and loudly enough to be heard without shouting.

• Be relaxed and do not fidget during the interview.

• Never use slang during an interview.

• NEVER chew gum during an interview.

• Always thank the interviewer for their time when leaving.

After The Interview

One of the LPN job interview tips that most professional interviewers mention is to send a hand-written letter to thank the interviewer for affording you the interview. This shows that you are really interested and are professional. Throwing in a few facts about yourself and why you would be the perfect person for the job is also a good idea.

Questions You May Be Asked During An Interview

Earlier in this article under “General LPN Job Interview Tips” we mentioned that you should be prepared for the questions that will be asked in an interview. These questions are generally the same when you go for an LPN interview, no matter who the interviewer is.

The following questions are part of the LPN job interview tips compiled by experienced health care managers and recruiters and include character-discerning questions which are being asked more and more these days. This information is vital to them because of the legal penalties for negligent hiring, which are motivating more character-based hiring policies.

1. Do you belong to any nursing organizations?

The interviewer may ask this question of an LPN who has worked before or is currently working. Nursing organizations provide a good forum for networking and skills development. What the interviewer is trying to find out is whether you are committed to the profession enough to want to continue to grow your knowledge by spending more than just the required hours at work. Answer by supplying the names of the organizations to which you belong; if you do not belong to any state that you are interested in joining a local organization.

2. How would you deal with an irate patient?

As an LPN you may have to deal with patients who are in pain, worried about the financial affect of their health issues or frustrated about being in hospital and away from their business or loved ones. It is important that a licensed practical nurse understand the patient’s feelings and perspective in order to deal with the situation best. The interviewer is interested in hearing how you would approach such a situation, and you should answer truthfully, citing examples of how you have dealt with this type of situation in the past.

3. How would you transfer a patient from a bed to a wheelchair?

Some of the patients that you will come into contact with may not be able to move independently and need to rely on the nursing staff to assist them. As an LPN you need to know how to move a patient from a bed to a wheelchair and vice versa without hurting them. The interviewer in this case wants to know that you understand the correct procedure for transferring a patient.

4. Tell me a bit about yourself

This is one of the questioned mentioned under “General LPN Job Interview Tips” and is virtually always included. The interviewer is trying to find out something about you that is not on your resume. Do not go into your whole family history, answer with information that is personal but relevant to the business or job, such as the fact that you love a challenge, spend your free time volunteering at an old-age home because you love listening to the stories the old folk tell, or you cycle in the country whenever you can as you like staying fit and the beauty of nature relieves you of all stress. This will show that you are passionate, dedicated, compassionate and care about your own health; all good qualities for a licensed practical nurse to have.

5. What would you say is the most valuable knowledge you have gained in your career as an LPN?

Professionals learn from their on-the-job experiences, and the interviewer wants to learn what you have gained from working with patients when they are at their most vulnerable, and whether you have grown through your experiences or are just going through the motions. Respond with an experience that changed your perspective of the patient experience, or that gave you an insight on how to improve your work quality.

Behavioral-Based Interview Questions

At some point in the interview, the interviewer may ask a few behavioral questions, which will typically ask you to describe how you handled a challenging situation in your previous experience or explain how you would handle a hypothetical situation. These questions challenge your skills and ethics, and your answers to behavioral questions will very often be what wins or loses you the job.

Here are some LPN Job Interview Tips as to how to ensure that you answer the behavioral questions in the correct manner:

• Behavioral questions ask you to describe different situations where you used good logic, problem-solving skills, persuasion or coping mechanisms, so note down several examples from your previous work experience that highlight your best on-the-job behavior.

• Listen very carefully to the question asked and ensure that you fully understand it; if not ask for clarification. If you misinterpret the question and give the wrong answer it may mean not getting the job.

• Respond to the question with a complete thought; your reply must have a beginning, a middle and an end. Give a brief background to the situation, explain how you handled it, and end off with how your reaction solved the problem.

• Keep your answers brief but thorough; do not take too long to answer a question but do not leave out any details.

Examples Of Behavioral Questions

• After an extremely demanding day with a patient who required all your attention, one of their family members approaches you aggressively and accuses you of negligence and hurls insults and abuse at you. How do you handle this? This questions your compassion and understanding, respect, discretion, self-control, and endurance.

• Describe a situation where you were unhappy with something that happened at work. How did you handle it? This questions your loyalty.

• If required to, would you like to work in another position or would you rather not be cross-trained? This questions your flexibility.

• Your shift ends in 15 minutes and you have carried out all your duties, how would you utilize your remaining time? This questions your initiative.

Questions You Could Ask During An Interview

High on the list of LPN job interview tips is asking questions of the interviewer to show your interest in the job and the organisation. This will also show the interviewer that you are proactive, which is a good trait for a licensed practical nurse to have.

1. What duties would this position entail?

No matter how much research you do on the organisation, the only way you will have a clear picture as to what exactly will be expected from you is by getting that information directly from the interviewer. Although the job of an LPN is generally the same, duties may differ slightly from organization to organization, state to state and department to department.

2. Does the organization offer career development and further study opportunities?

This type of question lets the interviewer know that you are dedicated to the profession, are in it for the long haul and are keen to improve your knowledge by ongoing learning. It shows dedication, drive, and determination. Organisations like to know that their employees are not just going come to work daily as something they must do, but really enjoy their job and want to stay with the company.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is a favourite question during interviews, and those professionals who offer LPN job interview tips recommend that to prepare your answer to this question you review your qualifications. Pointing out one’s strengths is generally easier than one’s weaknesses. It is easy to say that you are a good communicator, that you are not a clock-watcher, or that you are excellent in making a patient feel comfortable and lifting their spirits. It is not that easy to admit that you are a bit scared to give an injection however. The way to answer regarding a weakness is to put a positive spin on it; say that you are a bit nervous about giving injections, but that you volunteer at a old-age home one off-weekend per month and that you it includes giving injections, and the more you give them the more confident you are becoming. This demonstrates that you recognise your weaknesses and are prepared to do something to rectify them.

Do not ask about leave, pay, bonuses, or benefits during an interview, these can be discussed when you are offered the position.

Remember, a job interview is not just about your academic qualifications, but also demonstrates your professionalism, reactions to unexpected or stressful circumstances, your strengths and weaknesses, and communication skills. The last of the LPN job interview tips is to dress appropriately for the position for which you are applying.

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Getting Your First Job

The first thing that you need to do at the beginning of your first year after nursing licensure is to find a job as a nurse. This is easier said than done. It is certainly true that there is a shortage of nurses in the US at the moment, but it is still far from easy for a fresh-faced graduate to simply walk into any job of her choosing. In some cases the program through which you studied for your qualification may offer employment opportunities or a system through which it finds employment for its graduates. If that is not the case, keep the following in mind when looking for your first job:

• Contact the medical facilities in your area as well as your state board of nursing in order to find out about potential positions. Look for specific job advertisements for nurses as well.

• Apply for at least three different positions, preferably more, in order to increase your chances.

• Do not turn down jobs because of specialty or salary – you will not find your ideal job first time round, and all experience is helpful.

Signing Your First Employment Contract

When signing an employment contract you need to remember that that contract is binding and you have no choice but to abide by the rules laid out in it. Consequently you need to be aware of what is going into that contract before you sign anything. Make sure that you are fully informed regarding your eligibility and any delays involved in that, as well as to what benefits you are eligible for. Make sure that you are aware of the disability benefits that your new employer may offer and that you take advantage of them if necessary. You also need to be aware of what the retirement policies are, and, most importantly, if they are in place form, the first year after nursing licensure or not. Another important thing to consider in your contract is whether or not your employer will pay your tuition fees.

How To Become Part Of The Team

Health care professionals, especially nurses, tend to work in teams in most working environments. Usually, in your first year of nursing licensure, you are required to join a team that has already been together for a while, making you the outsider. All it takes is a little bit of time to get to know everyone. Here are some tips to make this transition smoother:

• Be friendly, but be careful about overdoing it as there are boundaries to observe

• Offer to help out instead of waiting to be asked to do something

• Project a positive attitude no matter what you feel inside

• Pay attention to how things are done in the unit and adopt the same norm

• Take note of small things, such as the habits of other members of the team (For example, where do they normally sit? You could avoid inadvertently offending anyone if you pay close attention to small details like this)

How To Build Up Confidence

One of the best ways to ensure that you are confident enough to do your job well is to make enough time for everything that you need to do. Time management is an important skill and you will feel more confident if you have made enough time for everything. If you are unsure of anything, check hospital policies or ask another nurse – remember that no one expects you to know everything, and there are no stupid questions at this point in your career as you are simply trying to avoid making any mistakes. Pay attention all the time to what is going on around you so that you don’t miss out on any learning opportunities. Approaching a doctor is daunting. There are four steps in informing a doctor:

• Probing (are you aware…)
• Alerting (Mr. X has this problem, is there something you’d like me to do…)
• Confronting (Mr. Z’s issue is a real concern, can we do Y/could you review the case in order to resolve this as soon as possible)
• Escalate (I’m sorry but this problem needs to be rectified urgently; if you’re not happy to do this I’ll have to take the matter to my superior/the specialist etc.)

Last but not least develop a coping mechanism for dealing with the inevitable stress that will arise in this job.

Surviving Work In Your First Year After Nursing Licensure

Your first year after nursing licensure is perhaps one of the most daunting periods of your career, and unfortunately there are often cases of nurses who simply cannot cope and, as a result of that, give up. This depends largely on your attitude. If you assume that you will know everything from day one, you are likely going to struggle to come to terms with the fact that you are not, in fact, a natural born expert on all topics related to nursing and that it may be necessary to get some help. Here are three basic tips that you can follow in order to survive that all important first year:

Find A Teacher

There are several ways in which you can ‘find a teacher’ in a nursing environment:

• Choose one of the nurses on your shift who has been there for a long time to be your mentor. Obviously they will need to be willing to help you out with this. However this can be easier said than done as shifts vary constantly and you may not be able to find one specific mentor to turn to.

• The more sensible approach is to develop an attitude of asking questions of anyone who is in a more senior position to you. If you are not sure of something, find someone on your shift at that moment that will be able to give you some advice on how to move forward with what you are doing.

A teacher doesn’t need to be a formal title, but merely someone who seems willing to help you when you are uncertain and who can give you much-needed advice.

Always On Task

Something that is often difficult for new nurses to adjust to is the change from working with a small handful of patients as a student to working with half a floor as a nurse. There are several ways to help you ensure that you do not get behind on your work:

• Work constantly

• Chat to your patients and chart them at the same time

• Remember not to write too much, stick to the basics in your chart, and don’t be afraid to use abbreviations (as long as they are clear)

• Focus on what the doctors want, and stick to the facts

• Multitask when possible by bringing what you will need in the future with you so you don’t have to go back to the supply room multiple times

At first you will find this difficult, but after a while you will develop personalized methods of keeping on top of your work load, just like every other nurse has done in the past.

“You” Time

There is another side to the coin – you also have to make enough time to relax during your shift. Nursing shifts are usually about 12 hours long. Take advantage of your lunch break, and use it to get away form the ward. Go to the cafeteria and spend some time just sitting quietly by yourself or talking to colleagues about things not related to your job. If you do not take the time to relax at least once or twice during your shift you will increase your chances of burning out. This is part of self-care – nurses who do not take proper care of themselves are not in the long run able to properly care for their patients. Consequently self-care is a responsibility to yourself as well as to your patients. Keep your eyes open for signs of burnout in yourself and in your colleagues.

The first year after nursing licensure need not be the daunting experience that many nurses think that it will be. You will be nervous and there will be times when you feel out of your depth, but this is temporary. If you approach your first year as a licensed nurse with the right attitude, and if you take all of the potential challenges and problems into account, you will make a success of your career from the beginning. Remember that no one expects you to be perfect from day one and it will take time to get the hang of everything involved in the profession.

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