An interesting thing to note about medical surgical nursing is that it is the oldest nursing specialty in existence. According to discovernursing.com, “These nurses are valued members of a surgical team, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals throughout surgery. As a Surgical Nurse, you’ll care for patients before, during and after the procedure. Your experience will provide you with a broad range of skills, since you’ll often work with patients with acute (critical) conditions and chronic illnesses”. As a medical surgical nurse you will be able to fill practically any job role within the nursing profession.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

Medical surgical nurses are expected to be able to perform a variety of different tasks in a medical setting:

• Education forms a major part of your job role as a medical surgical nurse as you will need to teach patients, families, peers, and other health professionals about various issues.

• In addition you will be responsible for supporting patients in their efforts to identify what is in their best interests and helping them reach a conclusion about the best medical path to choose.

• You will need to care for patients from all age groups, patients with multiple medical, surgical, and/or psychiatric diagnoses, and patients with diagnoses across all medical specialties.

• One of your primary goals will be to provide comfort and attention to people who, at that moment, need someone to take an interest in their lives as they deal with a serious medical affliction.

• You will need to heal patients both physically and emotionally through intuitive experiences that rely on observation and touch; there are more domains involved in physical therapy than simply overt medicine.

• Another extremely important role that you will play as a medical surgical nurse lies in helping patients to return to their highest level of functioning as soon as possible.

• In addition you will be directly responsible for providing dignity and respect in end-of-life decision-making and care.

Employment

As a medical surgical nurse you can seek employment in number of different areas, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Outpatient surgery centers
• MD offices
• Long-term care facilities
• Other practice sites

Because of the broad skill set that you will have, you should have little difficulty seeking employment in most parts of the country.

Medical Surgical Nurse Requirements

The following basic requirements are involved in becoming a medical surgical nurse:

• To begin with, you need to meet the educational requirements that are necessary for this line of work.

• If possible you should take elective courses in medical-surgical nursing during school as this will provide you will valuable experience and information.

• The next step involves passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) which will allow you to start working as a Registered Nurse, or registered nurse. The more experience you get, the better equipped you will be for this line of work.

• It is very important that you get experience working in critical or intensive care, and working with surgical patients before applying to take your certification exam.

• Then you must pass the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN®) exam through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ (AMSN) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) to become a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN®).

Personality Traits

There are a number of personality skills that will be particularly helpful in this line of work:

• You will need to have excellent assessment skills
• You will need to have excellent technical skills
• You will need to have excellent organizational skills
• You will need to have excellent prioritization skills
• You will need to be willing to work with people from different age groups, so an open mind is required
• As a medical surgical nurse you must be able to celebrate that there is always something new to learn

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for this line of work are fairly intensive. In order to enter a training program you will need to have a high school diploma or an acceptable equivalent thereof. You will then need to earn a Nursing Diploma, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) before you can complete the process of becoming a professional medical surgical nurse. It will be extremely helpful if you take elective courses in medical surgical nursing during school if the option is available to you. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is an essential part of becoming a medical surgical nurse and you may find it necessary to engage in additional education in order to pass this exam easily. There are a number of education aides available online and from book stores that will help you prepare for this test. The same applies when it comes time to pass the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN®) exam through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ (AMSN) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) to become certified in this nursing specialty. There are a number of educational resources available to help you prepare for this to the best of your ability.

Licensure

To become a medical surgical nurse you need to earn your RN license. Once you have completed your RN training program you will apply for licensure with your state board of nursing. When you receive confirmation from the board you can use that confirmation to set a date with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN examination that will earn you your license. Passing the online multiple choice exam will mean that you are eligible to be licensed, and your state board of nursing will send you your license in a few weeks.

How To Become A Medical Surgical Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

As a surgical nurse there will be a number of roles that you can fulfill in a medical setting including the following:

• A scrub nurse
• A circulating nurse
• An RN first assistant

Because of the vast array of skills that you will learn, y6ou will find it easy to enter practically any other specialty within nursing if that is your desire. The training that you will receive as a medical surgical nurse will prepare you to display the following skills in your job:

• You must be knowledgeable in all aspects of adult health, a very wide array of knowledge indeed.
• You must understand the importance of measuring and improving the quality of care delivered.
• As a medical surgical nurse you will be taught to consider patient safety to be the top priority.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is extremely important that you attend an accredited training program when doing your undergraduate as well as your postgraduate nursing training. Your state board of nursing is a good place to start when looking for accredited programs as they should be able to provide you with a comprehensive list. The schools you are interested should also openly display information about their accreditations status, if not, this information should be available on request. You could also consider speaking to current nurses about where they completed their training as their program must have been accredited.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

Earning your associate’s degree in nursing is one route that you can take to becoming a medical surgical nurse, although you may have better luck seeking employment with a more advanced qualification. Many technical and vocational schools as well as some universities will offer training for an associate’s degree. Apply for at least three schools, select the best one, compete the course requirements, and graduate.

Obtain Your Licensure

The license that you need to be a medical surgical nurse is your RN license, but once you have that you will also need to receive your Registered Nurse – Board Certified (RN-BC) certification. To be eligible for certification you must have a valid registered nurse license, two years experience as a nurse, 2,000 clinical hours in medical-surgical nursing in the past three years, and 30 hours of continuing education in medical-surgical nursing in the past three years. You can apply for certification either online or by mail. When you apply you will need to send in proof of certification and your hours of experience. Once you have applied for the certification exam you will receive an authorization to test that you must take to approved testing facilities. You will have 90 days to take the exam from the time your application is approved. Medical surgical nurse practitioners can renew their certification after five years with proof of 1,000 clinical hours in medical-surgical nursing and participation in professional development.

Online/Distance Education Programs

Although there are a number of online programs available, it is important that you remember to check the accreditation status of a program before enrolling. In addition you must ensure that in some way you complete the compulsory clinical training involved in any nursing program. If you find a good online school, the burden of studying will be significantly reduced for you.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this line of work is looking better and better, especially as the changing nature of health care has caused the need for medical surgical nurses in clinics, home health care agencies, HMOs, ambulatory care units, long-term care homes, surgical centers, and universities. As they are no longer restricted to hospital settings, they have more career opportunities open to them. In general the nursing profession is growing at a faster rate than other professions, which means that the future is bright for nurses starting their career.

Earnings

Different states offer different salaries to their medical surgical nurses:

• South Carolina = $73,000 a year
• Louisiana = $66,000 a year
• North Carolina = $80,000 a year
• Mississippi = $97,000 a year
• Oklahoma = $74,000 a year
• New York = $97,000 a year
• Virginia = $83,000 a year
• Hawaii = $60,000 a year
• Pennsylvania = $70,000 a year
• Nebraska = $67,000 a year
• South Dakota = $65,000 a year
• Puerto Rico = $76,000 a year
• District of Columbia = $94,000 a year
• Ohio = $77,000 a year
• West Virginia = $81,000 a year
• Wisconsin = $70,000 a year
• New Mexico = $74,000 a year
• Missouri = $81,000 a year
• New Hampshire = $82,000 a year
• Arizona = $73,000 a year
• Massachusetts = $94,000 a year
• Montana = $84,000 a year
• Minnesota = $75,000 a year
• Texas = $77,000 a year
• Maine = $76,000 a year
• New Jersey = $87,000 a year
• Wyoming = $81,000 a year
• Nevada = $78,000 a year
• Washington = $78,000 a year
• Oregon = $77,000 a year
• Idaho = $72,000 a year
• Rhode Island = $84,000 a year
• Alabama = $84,000 a year
• Utah = $75,000 a year
• Tennessee = $77,000 a year
• Kansas = $74,000 a year
• North Dakota = $78,000 a year
• Florida = $79,000 a year
• Connecticut = $88,000 a year
• Maryland = $83,000 a year
• California = $91,000 a year
• Iowa = $75,000 a year
• Delaware = $77,000 a year
• Colorado = $72,000 a year
• Michigan = $78,000 a year
• Virgin Islands = $93,000 a year
• Vermont = $80,000 a year
• Indiana = $83,000 a year
• Arkansas = $81,000 a year
• Georgia = $89,000 a year
• Illinois = $86,000 a year
• Alaska = $70,000 a year
• Kentucky = $73,000 a year

Medical surgical nursing is a stable and well paying occupation within the medical profession. There are many schools in existence that will train you adequately for this line of work. By beginning a career in medical surgical nursing you will open many doors for yourself in the medical arena because of the large number of skills you will acquire through your training and during your job.

The post About Being A Medical Surgical Nurse appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

A pediatric nurse practitioner is a nurse who specifically works with children and adolescents in a number of different health care settings, providing them with care specific to their age group. It is well known that infants, children, and adolescents have different nutritional and medical needs to adults and geriatrics, which is why the need for experts in this area exists.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

The duties of a pediatric nurse practitioner are as follows:

• Pediatric nurse practitioners work alongside pediatricians and other health care professionals to provide adequate care to pediatrics (defined as any individual younger than the age of 18).

• The pediatric nurse practitioner may serve as the child’s primary caregiver in charge of all diagnoses and treatment plans.

• In addition to dealing with ill children, nurses with this qualification also assist the families of patients who are chronically ill or severely injured.

• In cases where a child has lost the physical ability to stand or walk, pediatric nurse practitioners will administer thorough assessments of that child and engage in rehabilitation should it be deemed necessary.

• A pediatric nurse practitioner is also active in providing preventative care information to the parents of the children under her care, as well as providing tips on how parents can care for their ill child in the home environment.

Employment

Although a large number of pediatric nurse practitioners work specifically in hospitals or in doctor’s offices, it is possible to have your own practice if you have this qualification. This is one of the primary reasons why this is such a popular career path with many nurses. Naturally the educational requirements that you will have to meet before you will be able to run your own practice are vast, but it will result in having a higher degree of professional prestige and earning more respect from others in the healthcare field.
Employment as a pediatric nurse practitioner suits those nurses who have a special interest in the well being of youngsters and who are willing to engage in the training needed to become certified. As tragedies can happen in a pediatric ward, a strong emotional character will also stand you in good stead.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Requirements

The following are the requirements that you must meet if you want to be a pediatric nurse practitioner:

• To begin with you will need to attend a nursing program that results in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Once you have your bachelor’s degree you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)

• After you have experience as an RN, you will need to go back to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Take any courses that are offered by your program convener in child health and psychology in order to prepare for work in pediatrics

• Once you have met the educational requirements you will need to earn board certification in pediatrics through the Society of Pediatric Nurses, which will result in you officially becoming a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)

Personality Traits

There are a number of general nursing skills that will stand you in good stead as a pediatric nurse practitioner, but there is one very important skill that is not required in most other nursing specialties. This is the ability to understand the individual psychology of each child and communicate with children at their level. Although this skill can be taught, it will help you considerably if you have a natural ability in this regard. In addition to this specific skill you will also need the personality traits of empathy and understanding, especially as children often need greater reassurance and levels of support than adults do when they are in a hospital or other health care facility. Attention to detail is also extremely important as children will not be able to explain situations or symptoms to you as easily as an adult would, making it your responsibility to infer details through other means.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for this line of work are fairly stringent as you are required to earn a master’s degree. However, this is a cumulative process as an undergraduate degree must be obtained first. Here you have two options:

• You can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing
• You can earn an associate’s degree in nursing and then complete an associate’s degree to bachelor’s degree bridge program

Your undergraduate training, regardless of the specific route you choose to take, will prepare you for a career as a general nurse. Quality programs include comprehensive classroom training, as well as clinical training regimes. The core topics that you will cover in most programs will be related to community nursing, health assessment, nursing ethics, anatomy and physiology, and complex health problems.

To enter into the master’s degree program that will allow you to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you must have:

• An RN license
• Experience as an RN (about 1 year)

If you are enrolled in the master’s program full-time, you should be able to complete it in about 2 years. The general and specific courses that you will need to complete during your master’s program include nursing theories, research methods in nursing, advanced practice nursing, pharmacology and pathophysiology, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance and pediatric theory. At the end of the course you will be required to submit a thesis.

If you are a student who has a bachelor’s degree in a topic not related to nursing, you may be able to complete an accelerated nursing program to become a registered nurse.

Licensure

The only license that you need, strictly speaking, is an RN license, which is earned by completing an accredited RN training program. After completing the program you will need to apply for licensure with your State Board of Nursing. Once your eligibility to become licensed is confirmed you will take the NCLEX-RN examination through Pearson VUE, the examining body. This exam is computer based. Passing the exam earns you your RN license, which will need to be renewed periodically according to the rules in your particular state.

How To Become A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

The question that occurs to many nurses is why it is necessary to become a pediatric nurse practitioner if you are already a pediatric nurse. The reason for this is related to career advancement and career opportunities. With your advanced degree and certification, you’ll have more responsibility, and higher earning ability, than pediatric nurses.
Once you have earned your qualification as a pediatric nurse practitioner it is very important that you then continue to boost your knowledge by engaging in continuing education related to the field of pediatric nursing. This will not only allow you to improve your efficiency on the job, but it will also make your resume more attractive to any potential employers that you apply with over the course of your career.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is very important that you source an accredited training program when studying to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Your state board of nursing can confirm the accreditation status of the school that you choose. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pediatric-nursing-rankings lists the 18 best schools offering a master’s degree in pediatric nursing:

• University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA
• Yale University in New Haven, CT
• University of Washington in Seattle, WA
• University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA
• Duke University in Durham, NC
• Rush University in Chicago, IL
• University of Colorado-Denver in Denver, CO
• University of California-San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
• Columbia University in New York, NY
• University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC
• Emory University in Atlanta, GA
• Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD
• University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI
• University of Illinois-Chicago in Chicago, IL
• University of Maryland-Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
• Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
• Ohio State University in Columbus, OH

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

The most basic degree that you can earn is your associate’s degree, which will allow you to become an RN. However, in order to become a pediatric nurse practitioner you will have to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in addition to your associate’s degree.
To earn your associate’s degree apply to at least three different nursing schools offering the qualification in your area. This will greatly improve your chances of being accepted. To choose the best school for you, create a list of all the personal and practical requirements that the school must meet. Enroll in the most appropriate school and complete the course requirements. This will earn you your associate’s degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

In addition to the RN license that you must hold in order to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you are also required to become certified. The easiest way to do this is through the American Nurses Credential Center which offers a PNP-BC (pediatric nurse practitioner-board certified) credential. In order to earn this credential you will need to take a computer based multiple choice test. Preparation for the test can be completed by buying study guides and textbooks or by using the many online resources that are available. Once you have become certified, you must renew that certification once every five years in order to continue practicing as a pediatric nurse practitioner in your particular state.

Online/Distance Education Programs

There are a number of advantages to studying online:

• The hours are more flexible and you can work according to your own schedule
• It is often cheaper to study online than in a traditional classroom situation

However, as you will always be required to complete a certain amount of clinical training in a nursing degree program, you cannot hope to earn your qualification entirely online. Online and distance education schools are often affiliated with health care facilities where you will be able to complete your clinical training. Others require you to make your own arrangements for achieving the required number of clinical hours. Without hands-on training you will be unable to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for pediatric nurse practitioners is fairly good as this is a subset of the health care industry which is always on the increase in terms of the number of jobs that become available. In addition to having a specialized qualification, you will also be able to work in facilities that require non-specialized RNs due to your undergraduate training. However, this is a fairly popular line of work, which means that there may, in some cases, be steep competition for finding employment in pediatric nursing.

Earnings

The overall salary that you can expect to earn as a pediatric nurse practitioner is about $61,676 – $94,383 a year, but if you also consider the potential for an annual bonus of between $0.00 and $7,465 a year, as well as the potential for profit sharing of between $507 and $19,727, your overall earning potential comes to about $63,996 – $102,228 a year. The industry you choose to work in will also affect your pay as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Popular industries are Healthcare where you can expect to earn about $58,819 – $94,359 a year, Pediatric Offices where you can expect to earn about $59,254 – $94,223 a year, Hospitals where you can expect to earn about $59,905 – $96,324, Medical Offices where you can expect to earn about $57,726 – $93,395 a year, and Medical Services where you can expect to earn about $58,571 – $95,578 a year. Some cities pay more than others. The top paying cities are:

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Washington, District of Columbia
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Nashville, Tennessee
• St. Louis, Missouri
• New York, New York
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Orlando, Florida
• Columbus, Ohio

The post Being A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses are specialists who have completed advanced training and have knowledge and expertise in the management and prevention of various conditions involving the skin, bladder and bowel. In excess of 6,500 nurses have validated their specialized knowledge in wound, ostomy, continence and foot care nursing by voluntarily becoming certified over the past 30 years.

The American Nurses’ Association affirmed in 2010 that WOC nursing meets their very high standard for a nursing specialty, and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) adheres to very high and strict standards of quality, thereby ensuring that the public is protected from unsafe and incompetent providers.

What Does A Wound, Ostomy And Continence Nurse Do?

Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing, previously referred to as Enterostomal Therapy, incorporates principles and practices that promote, maintain and restore health for patients who have wounds caused by ulcers, injuries, or disease, and who suffer with continence problems throughout their lives.
WOC nurses specialize in the care of individuals with disorders of the genitourinary and integumentary systems and the gastrointestinal tract, and their job is to provide postoperative care and support for patients who need alternative methods of eliminating bodily waste. They also treat patients with fecal and urinary incontinence.

Main Duties Of A Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse

These duties include:

• Assisting patients who have urinary and fecal incontinence
• Dressing wounds
• Educating patients and their families on how to manage the artificial waste elimination devices
• Supporting patients who have colostomy bags or use other methods of artificial waste elimination

WOC nurses provide acute and long-term support to more than one million individuals who undergo ostomy surgeries in the U.S. every year. They also play a huge part in managing urinary incontinence amongst the approximately 13 million Americans who have this condition. WOC nurses are particularly skilled at managing complex cases of fecal and urinary incontinence in frail elderly patients, which is what makes them so valued.

Nurses who have specialized training in wound care are of particular value to the long-term, home-care and acute settings due to their ability to treat surgical incisions, tubes and fistulas, pressure ulcers, and draining and traumatic wounds.

Where Does A Wound, Ostomy And Continence Nurse Work?

Wound ostomy continence Nursing takes place wherever there is a need for support for patients with incontinence and artificial waste elimination devices; generally in hospitals, but also in various other healthcare facilities.

Wound, ostomy, continence nursing has always been a critical component in acute care settings. The demand for WOC nurses is becoming greater as health care shifts from acute care in a hospital setting to care in the outpatient setting, and as long-term care and home health care grow due to the aging of the baby-boomer population. There has never been a better time to get into this kind of specialty, and there are many programs aimed at helping you to achieve this goal.

Wound, Ostomy, And Continence Nursing Education

Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing specialty is a continuing nursing education activity, and various programs are available that are approved by the American Nurses’ Association and accredited by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses Society (WOCN).

The components of WOC nursing practice include:

• Direct care and consultation
• Patient and family education and counselling
• Staff development
• Research and management activities

Admission Requirements

Admittance to a Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing program, an individual is evaluated on all portions of the application, as admission is competitive. In order to be considered for the certificate program an individual must:

• Be in possession of a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school as a prerequisite or co-requisite
• Be in possession of an unencumbered RN license for the state where you intend to do your practical
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate studies
• Submit three acceptable academic and professional recommendations
• Submit a copy of your Curriculum Vitae or resume
• Be available for an interview if requested
• There are additional requirements for international students

Nursing Education Program

The Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing education program is a postgraduate study program, and it prepares graduates to provide specialty care for patients who have acute and chronic wounds, standard and continent diversions, and urinary and fecal incontinence.
The educational methods for these programs generally include approximately 40% clinical and 60% didactic training, and include major areas of instruction such as:

• Anatomy and physiology of GI, GU, and integumentary systems

• Nursing management of patients with adapted patterns of elimination such as alternative procedures, ostomies, and incontinence

• Nursing management of patients who are at risk for breakdown of their skin, as well as those who have acute and chronic wounds such as neuropathic ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial ulcers

• Pathophysiology and medical or surgical treatment for selected disorders within the integumentary, GI, and GU systems

• Rehabilitation concepts that include principles of sexual counselling, teaching and counselling theory, as well as growth and development issues

• Role implementation issues that include principles of leadership, change theory, research guidelines, and reimbursement issues are also included

• Students will also complete 160 clinical hours in GNUR 6383 at a reputable medical institution.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to sit for the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing certification from the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board.

Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification

The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) began certifying nurses as far back as 1978 as a way of recognizing and differentiating the value of expert nurses from those at an entry level. Becoming Board Certified is a voluntary process that requires consistent and periodic evaluation of a nurse’s current professional skills and knowledge.

WOCNCB certified nurses are fundamental members of the health care team, who:

• Accurately assess patients and provide critical documentation
• Develop strategies to prevent complications
• Implement cost-effective, evidence-based plans of care
• Guide the selection and use of cost-effective DME goods and pharmaceutical formulas and methods of preparation
• Provide comprehensive education to patients as well as medical, nursing and auxiliary staff
• Train, coach and advocate for patients and their families

A survey conducted by the American Board of Nursing Specialties reported that nurse managers expressed a preference for hiring certified nurses due to their documented experience and proven knowledge base and in a given specialty. This survey also indicated that certification is perceived as influencing growth, specialized knowledge, accomplishment, accountability, and a level of recognition among peers, consumers and employers.

Advanced Practice Certification

WOCNCB offers Advanced Practice certification exams in wound, ostomy and continence nursing. This certification validates that you have passed a national exam that accurately reflects the skill and knowledge as required by the specialty. Certification can be gained in one, two or all three of the wound, ostomy or continence specialties.
In order to be eligible to take the WOC Certification Exams, you must complete the following:

• Hold current Registered Nurse licensure
• Be in possession of a bachelor’s degree

Fulfill either of the following educational and clinical practice requirements:

Traditional Pathway
You must have completed a WOCN Society accredited WOC Nursing Education Program within the last five years.

Experiential Pathway
You must have completed the experiential pathway, which means that you have completed the required 50 contact hours or equivalent in college course work, post-bachelor’s degree, per specialty, within the last 5 years. This pathway also requires that you have completed a minimum of 1,500 clinical hours within the past 5 years, with 375 of those hours being completed within the past year.

Types Of WOCNCB Certifications

There are various types of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing, and the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board offers the following certifications:

• Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
• Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
• Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN)
• Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN)
• Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON)
• Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN)
• Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse – Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP)
• Certified Wound Care Nurse-Advanced Practice (CWCN-AP)
• Certified Ostomy Care Nurse-Advanced Practice (COCN-AP)
• Certified Continence Care Nurse-Advanced Practice (CCCN-AP)
• Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse-Advanced Practice (CWON-AP)

Each of the above certification programs is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board provides a national certifying examination designed for entry level into the field for graduates of accredited educational programs. Although Board Certification is not compulsory, it is highly valued as a means of credentialing practitioners of wound ostomy continence nursing. Certification is valid for five years, after which re-certification may be obtained, either by re-examination or via the Professional Growth Program (PGP), which is based on a point system deduced from activities such as continuing education, publication, research, program or project development, involvement in professional organizations, teaching, and academic education.

It must be noted, however, that although certification is not required for wound ostomy continence nursing, employers do give preference to those who have received certification; it is proof-positive of their qualifications and skills as a wound ostomy continence nurse. Employers also see certification as serving to validate your commitment to leadership, excellence, evidenced-based and safe care in foot care and wound, ostomy, continence nursing. Certification ensures that a Registered Nurse is knowledgeable and more than qualified to provide specialized care.

Nursing Education Programs

Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing programs are offered by the following institutions amongst others:

Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Center

• Onsite – A 10-week program; 6 weeks of on-site campus instruction and 4 weeks of clinical preceptorship
• Split-option – A 6-week program with didactic on-campus, plus Precepted clinical instruction in your own geographic area
• Distance learning – Self-study modules completed at your own pace, plus 40 hours of precepted hours for each clinical focus

Wicks Educational Associates – Harrisburg Area WOC Nursing Education Program

• A split-option – Consists of 4 Weeks of didactic instruction (onsite) plus 160 hours of clinical instruction in your geographical area or in the region where the class is held
• A Home Study Program – Consisting of Four Home Study Modules plus 160 hours of clinical instruction in your geographical area

La Salle University School of Nursing

• Split Option – Consisting of weekly classes held onsite at Philadelphia campus with off site clinical preceptorships near to where you live
• Online Distance Learning – Consists of web-based distance learning classes plus three clinical immersion days in Philadelphia per course and off-site clinical preceptorships following the two required courses

School of Nursing University of Virginia Graduate Program in WOC Nursing

• On-site and individually selected sites – 3 Graduate Level courses that may be taken as electives for master’s in nursing programs or taken as a post-Master’s certificate. MSN student pursuing a CNS or ACNP may choose to focus on WOC as their area of specialization. The program can be completed within 12 months.

WebWOC Nursing Education Program

• Online Distance Learning – Online didactic coursework for a Full Scope of practice; delivered over one semester (14 – 15 weeks) including weekly live online classes. Single and Dual Scopes may be completed in a shorter time-frame

There are also other institutions of learning that offer ostomy programs or wound care programs, and wound treatment programs separately, either on-site or via distance learning.
Remember that licensing requirements vary from state to state, so it is incumbent upon you to find out whether the certification is acknowledged in the state in which you intend to practice. Contact your State Board of Nursing to ascertain what their requirements are for Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification.

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A rehabilitation nurse works with two types of patients:

• Patients who have a chronic illness that restricts their activity
• Patients who have suffered a severe injury

The primary duty of the rehabilitation nurse is to help those patients recover from their ailment and reach their full potential. This is achieved by working closely with the patient and the patient’s family to create a plan for recovery involving short- and long-term goals. The aim is to help the patient achieve the maximum amount of independence possible. Because you are likely to spend long periods of time with the same patient, you will have the opportunity to form lasting bonds with each person who comes under your care.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

Although there are a wide variety of different tasks involved in being a rehabilitation nurse as there are many overlaps with general nursing, the three main duties that set this specialty apart are as follows:

• Your primary role will be to show patients how to adapt to temporary, or permanent, disabilities. This has a practical/physical as well as psychological dimension.

• There are a number of rehabilitation challenges that must be faced and overcome in the process, so one of your main duties will be to prepare the patient as well as the patient’s family for these challenges.

• Above all your duty as a rehabilitation nurse is to help your patient return to his or her daily life as it was before the illness or injury occurred. Although this cannot always be achieved, it is still a goal worth striving towards.

Employment

When it comes to employment as a rehabilitation nurse, there are a number of options available to you. The most common places for a rehabilitation nurse to be employed in are:

• Rehabilitation facilities
• Home healthcare agencies
• Long-term acute care or sub acute care facilities

Rehabilitation Nurse Requirements

As with any advanced nursing specialty, there are several requirements that one must meet in order to become a rehabilitation nurse. To begin with you must earn the appropriate degree, namely a Nursing Diploma, Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Then you must get a position as an entry level rehabilitation nurse. This can be done by taking courses in rehabilitation or getting an internship at a rehabilitation facility. The next step involves successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) that will allow you to work as a registered nurse (RN). At this point you have two options:

• You can either work as a Registered Nurse for at least two years in rehabilitation nursing, or
• You can receive one year rehabilitation nursing experience and one year of advanced study.

The next step involves getting your rehabilitation nurse certification from the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) through the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN), which will, finally, allow you to be a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN). This will need to be renewed at set intervals.

Personality Traits

The main personality traits that are desirable in this line of work are:

• Patience: This is a trait that is desirable in all nurses, including rehabilitation nursing. Note: patients in rehabilitation programs are often uncooperative or feel like giving up.
• Flexibility
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Patient and family education: As it is your responsibility to educate patients and their families on homecare strategies, a natural ability to teach others will be very helpful in this line of work.
• Innovative thinking

In addition to the above, physical fitness is also a desirable trait to have as you will need to actively work with patients on a daily basis.

Educational Requirements

To be a rehabilitation nurse you will need to be an RN with either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Although both will allow you to work towards the goal of being a rehabilitation nurse, it is important to note that employers tend to be more interested in hiring nurses that have a bachelor’s degree, as more advanced qualifications often indicate more advanced skill sets. Consequently, if you have the opportunity to freely choose which degree you will do, a bachelor’s degree in nursing is the better educational goal to strive towards.

Licensure

In order to become a rehabilitation nurse you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination, which is the licensing examination that all Registered Nurses, or RNs, in the United States must take before they can practice in this capacity. You will not be able to become a rehabilitation nurse if you only hold a licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. Licensure is earned in the following way:

• Firstly you need to enroll in an accredited nursing program in your area that will allow you to become an RN

• Once you have completed this program, you must apply for licensure with your State Board of Nursing

• Once your eligibility for licensure has been confirmed by the Board, you will set an examination date with Pearson VUE, the company that administers the NCLEX-RN

• Your State Board of Nursing will inform you in due course whether or not you are licensed

• Licensure must be renewed on a regular basis

How To Become A Rehabilitation Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

There are a number of advancement opportunities available to nurses who pursue a career in rehabilitation nursing. You could, for example, go on to become a case manager, a researcher, an educator, a nurse practitioner, or a clinical specialist, each of which comes with an increase in responsibilities as well as in pay. In addition, there are subcategories of rehabilitation nursing that you could choose to specialize in. For example, you could specialize in cardiac rehabilitation where you would be responsible for assisting patients in recovering from heart-related conditions and surgical procedures.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is extremely important that you complete your undergraduate nursing training through an accredited program. You will be unable to take the NCLEX-RN examination if it is not accredited. You can confirm the accreditation status of a school in the following ways:

• The school itself should provide you with this information, but their claims should always be confirmed just to be safe.

• Nurses who are currently employed in health care facilities must have completed training at an accredited school, and can therefore point you in the right direction.

• The third and most reliable method for ascertaining the accreditation status of a school is to enquire with your State Board of Nursing. The Board often provides a list of accredited program in your state on their website, and you can also ask them about a specific school that you are interested in.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

Although a bachelor’s degree is usually preferred, and often even required, before a nurse can become certified in rehabilitation, it is possible to earn an associate’s degree as a stepping stone to achieving your career goals. An associate’s degree will allow you to work as an RN and gain experience in general or rehabilitation nursing. When considering associate degree programs, make sure that you apply for more than one option as this will greatly improve your chances of being accepted. Have a clear understanding of what you are personally and practically looking for in an associate’s degree program as this will make your final decision easier when it comes time to enroll. By meeting all of the course requirements, both theoretical and clinical, you will earn an associate’s degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

In order to become a rehabilitation nurse you will need to become certified. This is done through the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN). In order to qualify for certification you must first become an RN and then work for two years in a rehabilitation setting as a registered nurse in an entry level position. Alternatively, you can elect to gain only 1 year of experience, provided you also complete a one year advanced training program in rehabilitation nursing. For more information about this certification, please contact the RNCB:

Rehabilitation Nurses Certification Board
(800) 229-7530
(847) 375-4710
E-mail: cert@rehabnurse.org

Online/Distance Education Programs

While searching for nursing programs you may notice that there are several online and distance education schools offering tuition of this kind. Provided that you make arrangements to complete your clinical training through another facility or school, online programs can alleviate your burden in two key ways:

• You will not have to compromise your current job in order to study, and your time will generally be more flexible
• These programs are often far cheaper than traditional classroom-based learning options

As with traditional schools, it is important that you check the accreditation status of any online school that you are interested in. Generally speaking, it is better to enroll in a school that also offers traditional face-to-face classes, or one that makes provisions for your clinical training by being affiliated with a health care institution of some kind. Overall, you need to be more careful as there are, unfortunately, several dishonest online nursing schools out there that will waste your time as well as your money should you enroll in them.

Job Outlook

The nursing profession is one that is, and always has been, on the increase regarding the number of jobs that are available in the field. This is due in large part to technological advancements in medicine, allowing more illnesses and injuries to be treated by medical professionals, and an increasing emphasis on preventative care, a role that nurses are able to fill easily. As a result any career in nursing has excellent employment prospects for the future. In addition to clinical practice, rehabilitation nurses also have the opportunity to fill roles in education, increasing their job prospects considerably. As rehabilitation nurses are required to undergo basic nursing training during their undergraduate program, they are also, therefore, eligible to seek employment in other nursing settings where specialization in a certain area is not a requirement and where they will be able to engage in general health care. As a rehabilitation nurse, all of your bases will be covered and you will have numerous employment opportunities. According to allnursingschools.com:

“There is not only a need for rehabilitation nurses in the athletic and progressing senior citizen populations, but also in the everyday people population—full of people recovering from injuries and surgeries”.

Earnings

According to simplyhired.com the average salary that you can expect to earn as a rehabilitation nurse is $52,000 a year. If you compare this to related occupations you will soon realize that it is not a bad salary at all:

• A registered nurse only earns about $50,000 a year (on average)

• A nurse practitioner, who has a master’s degree and is therefore far more advanced than a rehabilitation nurse, only earns about $8000 more a year than a rehabilitation nurse at $60,000

• A nurse manager, who is in charge of a number of other nurses, earns only $6000 more on average than a rehabilitation nurse at $58,000 a year

• A physician or doctor earns less than double of what a rehabilitation nurse is eligible for on an annual basis at about $102,000

Rehabilitation nursing is one of the specializations in nursing that do not require advanced education in the form of a master’s degree. The salary that you will be eligible to earn once you have sought certification in rehabilitation nursing is worth the effort that you put in. In addition, there are several advanced career opportunities that you could pursue after becoming a rehabilitation nurse. Each of these come with salary increases as well as professional respect. This line of work is suitable for patient people who are willing to devote long periods of time to assisting the same patient achieve his or her rehabilitation goals.

The post Being A Rehabilitation Nurse appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

LPN Maternity Nurses

A maternity LPN is an LPN who works in the maternity ward assisting with the birthing process and providing care before, during, and after labor. The tasks of a maternity LPN may include the following:

• Helping the doctor deliver babies
• Assisting the mother with pain management during the birth process
• Checking patient vital signs
• Helping with care of the baby and mother after the birth
• Making sure that the birthing experience is exactly as the mother and father want it to be

To be designated as an LPN maternity nurse you will need to have appropriate experience in the field. Consequently it is suggested that, when doing your required clinical training during your LPN program, you spend as much time as allowed in maternity settings. Once you are an LPN with experience in maternity it can be a useful stepping stone to becoming an RN with a specialization in neonatal nursing, although this will require additional training and certification.

Brining children into the world is a very rewarding career to pursue. However it can also be very depressing and difficult in the case of difficult or problematic and unsuccessful births.

Requirements

As the educational requirements for this line of work are basic (including a high school diploma or equivalent, a qualification from an accredited LPN school, and an LPN license), the main requirements lie in your personality. There are some nurses who are simply not suited for work in a maternity ward. If you do not meet the following personality requirements, this may not be the best line of work for you:

• You must be patient. This is the most important skill for any nurse, but in maternity nursing it plays a special role as expectant parents are often overly concerned about the outcome of the process.

• You need to be willing to work the long hours required as well as to be on call at all times as labor can begin at a moment’s notice and without much prior warning to prepare you.

• People skills are also important as you will work with a variety of different people on a daily basis. This is also linked to the essential communication skills that nurses in all areas are required to have.

• Last but not least you must be decisive as life-saving decisions must sometimes be made on the spur of the moment.

How To Become A Maternity LPN

There are a number of steps involved in transitioning from being an LPN to maternity nurse. It is interesting to note, first off, that as an LPN you will automatically be allowed to work in a maternity ward under the supervision as an RN. Consequently the first steps in the process involve becoming an LPN, or licensed practical nurse.

You can begin preparing for a career such as this one in high school, if you are already aware of where you would like to go in terms of your career path. Subjects such as math, biology, health, and English will be useful as well as any foreign language or computer science courses your school offers. The best person to turn to for advice would be your school’s career counselor. He or she can provide you with information regarding the best subjects to take for a career in maternity nursing.

Use nursing websites to search for nursing schools that offer LPN programs within your state. Different states have different rules regarding how nurses are regulated. Attending a program within your own state will improve your chances of finding an accredited program. Good websites to consider are:

• DiscoverNursing.com
• AllNursingSchools.com

You will then need to narrow dow3n the list of options as, in many states, there are a variety of LPN program options to choose from. You should consider:

• Whether or not the school is accredited (if it is not there is not much value in enrolling in it)
• How far away it is from where you live and what the tuition fees are
• Whether or not the students that have attended that school have successfully completed the examination and found jobs as nurses
• How many students the school enrolls a year

Once you have narrowed down your options, apply to at least three of them, keeping the school-specific application processes in mind each time you apply for a different school. Select a school from among those that accept you that best meets your needs and enroll.

Complete the training program. This will only take you one year to become an LPN which will then allow you to work in a maternity setting under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. although becoming a registered nurse, or RN, will take many more years of study, you will be able, after gaining experience in a maternity setting, to become an advanced nurse practitioner in the field of maternity which will open more career doorways for you and improve your salary expectations. The options that you may have as an RN include:

• Becoming a certified nurse midwife
• Becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner

To finally become an LPN you will need to write and pass the NCLEX-PN examination that is written after you completed your education and training in nursing. This examination will allow you to apply for licensure as an RN and then work as a maternity nurse in a hospital or other settings.

During your training it is suggested that you take as many courses related specifically to neonatal nursing and maternity situations as possible as this will greatly improve your chances of moving from LPN to maternity nurse status in a health care environment. In addition there are a number of continuing education units with a focus on maternity and related issues that you could take. This is a great opportunity to improve your skills in the area as CEUs are compulsory in order to become relicensed as an LPN. Taking advantage of the courses on offer is a good way to improve your chances.

Online Programs

Although the basic education that you need to be a maternity LPN lies in earning an LPN qualification, it is still a good idea to pursue specific educational goals in the area of maternity nursing itself. The main reason for this is that it will improve your employment opportunities and make you a more impressive option for prospective employers. The good news is that these additional education qualifications can be obtained online. There are a number of advantages to studying online:

• You will not have to quit your current job while you pursue an educational qualification in maternity nursing
• You will be able to study at flexible hours and in your own time, so it need not impact on your daily activities very much at all
• It tends to be cheaper to study online

However it is essential that you only enroll in online programs and schools that are appropriately accredited. In addition it is important to remember that often additional education units such as these require you to complete a practical dimension of your studies. With online courses it will often be your own responsibility to find somewhere to complete the practical aspect of your training.

Work Environment

Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the working environment for an LPN to maternity nurse is the fact that it is not always certain when and where you will be needed. Women go into labor at unexpected times and you may, as a result of this, be on call to attend a birth at a moment’s notice. The emotional aspect of the job can also make it very stressful, especially when cases where a baby is lost for whatever reason. Like other nurses you may also be subjected to shift work which may not always be convenient for you. This is, however, part of the job and cannot be ignored as most nurses are required to work shifts at some point in their lives.

Another aspect of this line of work to consider is the fact that you will be able to work in a variety of different settings. These settings include hospitals, which generally have maternity wards. They also include clinics specifically aimed at mother and baby care as well as doctor’s offices where the doctor’s primary role involves seeing pregnant women or newborn babies. In addition there are educational roles that you could fulfill in this line of work.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this career is an extremely good one indeed. Nursing in general is expected to grow substantially between now and the year 2020. This, at a very basic level, means that any career in nursing is a stable one that comes with guaranteed job security. In addition to that maternity nurses have skills that make them marketable across the country, and they can seek employment in a number of different settings. Rural settings, for example, are excellent locations for maternity nurses to seek employment as often these areas are not served by health care professionals. Because basic LPN training is required to become an LPN maternity nurse, you will also be able to work in any health care setting where you are not required to have a specialization. You will, in short, be employable anywhere where a regular LPN can seek employment. Making transitions to more advanced lines of work is also easy form the starting point of being a maternity LPN as you will be able to step into gynecology (for example) with the greatest of ease.

Salary Expectations

The following are the basic figures that you will probably earn as an LPN:

• Hourly Rate: $13.38 – $23.17
• Overtime: $13.16 – $34.16
• Bonus: $0.00 – $1,005
• Total Pay: $27,913 – $50,544

However it is interesting and also important to remember that these are the base figures for LPNs who do not have any special skills in a specific area. Often LPNs with maternity nursing skills are eligible for more than this on an hourly and annual basis because of their expertise. This will, however, depend on the policies of your employer. There are a number of reasons why your specific salary may vary. For example different industries tend to pay LPNs slightly different rates:

• In Healthcare you can expect to earn something in the region of $13.41 – $23.58 an hour

• In Long-term Care/Rehabilitation you can expect to earn something in the region of $13.78 – $23.64 an hour

• In a Nursing Home you can expect to earn something in the region of $13.53 – $23.52 an hour

• In Family Medicine you can expect to earn something in the region of $13.15 – $22.97 an hour

• In a Hospital you can expect to earn something in the region of $13.74 – $24.10 an hour

Moving from LPN to maternity nurse status is easier than you may have initially thought. One thing to keep in mind here is that it is a fairly popular line of work for nurses to select, meaning that there may be a great deal of competition. Consequently it is wise to have a few choices in mind if your want to sharpen your skills in a particular area so that you will not be disappointed or limited if you cannot ge5t into this line of work quickly.

The post How To Become A Maternity Nurse As An LPN appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists perform the same roles as anesthesiologists in the operating room in that they administer anesthesia. As it is a job that carries with it a high degree of responsibility, it also carries with it a high degree of professional respect and acclaim. In general this line of work also pays substantially more than most other nursing specializations in the field.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

Clearly, then, the main task of a certified registered nurse anesthetist is to administer anesthesia. The two main situations in which this may be done are as follows:

• During, after, or before surgery in order to ensure that a procedure will be conducted painlessly
• During childbirth in order to ease the process of labor

Certified registered nurse anesthetists can perform all of the same tasks as anesthesiologists in the operating room. In many cases they are not even supervised as their skill level is such that they are allowed to be independent. Add to this the fact that certified registered nurse anesthetists are cheaper to hire than anesthesiologists and you will soon realize that with a qualification like this your skills will be in high demand in many hospitals and other facilities.

Employment

Because of the high level of skill needed in this line of work, and because of the many years of training involved in becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist, you will find employment in a large variety of settings, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, physicians’ offices, and in the U.S. military. The common denominator that each of these settings share is that they have to do with pain management during a procedure or as the result of an injury or illness that is causing a patient undue pain. As a large portion of the medical field involves pain of some kind and because new operating procedures are being developed regularly, there will always be a need for nurse anesthetists, especially in outlying areas and hospitals where anesthesiologists are not employed as they charge too much.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Requirements

As with all other nursing specialties there are a number of requirements that you will need to meet in order to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. The requirements are:

• A bachelor’s degree: This can be in nursing or in another topic, as long as the school to which you are applying considers the degree to be appropriate.

• An RN license: This indicates that you need to complete all of the necessary RN training and examinations before you can consider becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

• 1 year of experience in acute care nursing: Again the definition of “acute care nursing” will be determined by the school you are applying to.

Meeting the above requirements will gain you access into a training program to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Personality Traits

There are a number of personality traits the certified registered nurse anesthetists are required to have in order to make a success of their jobs. Perhaps one of the most important traits is a natural drive to learn at all times. This is because there are constantly advancements being made in the area of surgery and anesthesia, and, in order to do your job well, you, as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, must be able to keep up to date with these advancements. In addition to this the natural tendency to be compassionate and detail oriented will serve you well in this line of work as people are often fearful and in need of comfort in the operating room, and because one small mistake could be deadly in terms of administering anesthesia.

Educational Requirements

There are a number of educational requirements that you will need to meet in order to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist:

• Firstly you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to enter a nursing training program.

• Secondly it is necessary for you to earn a bachelor’s degree (as you need an RN license, it is better that this bachelor’s degree be earned in nursing and not in a another topic).

• Most importantly you will need to complete a master’s degree program that will allow you to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

In short a master’s degree is the minimum level of education required for this line of work. In addition you need to gain experience as a nurse, meaning that it may take a long time to reach your goal.

Licensure

In order to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist you need to hold an RN license. This license can be earned by applying for licensure with the state board of nursing in your area. Once they have confirmed that you can become licensed and you have received the necessary documentation, you can set an exam date with Pearson VUE< the company that administers the national licensing examination for RNs. Passing the exam will mean that you will receive licensure from your state board of nursing. Different states have different rules, but you may be required to maintain your license by renewing it once every few years and demonstrating proof that you have completed a certain amount of continuing education in the interim. In addition a certain amount of hands-on experience in the field may also be required.

How To Become A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

It is not enough to simply become an RN and then complete a few small training courses. In order to be certified registered nurse anesthetist it is necessary that you undergo advanced training in the form of a master’s degree program in nursing. The coursework that you will need to become well versed in during this period of study includes:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Pathophysiology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Pharmacology
• Principles of anesthesia
• Management and advanced practice nursing

There are two aspects involved in any master’s degree program that prepares you to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Firstly you will need to engage in theoretical classroom study that will provide you with the basic information you need. In addition, however, you will also need to engage in a fair amount of hands-on training.

Source An Accredited Education Program

Attending a program and school that is accredited is extremely important. The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredits all types of nursing education programs including master’s degree in certified registered anesthetist nursing. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits programs that offer only master’s and baccalaureate level nursing degrees, but this definitely includes master’s degrees in certified registered nurse anesthetist programs. Last but not least the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredits nurse anesthesia programs at several degree levels, including master’s degree programs that will allow you to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Some schools and programs are approved by your state board of nursing, but remember that this does not automatically mean that they are appropriately accredited.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

Earning your associate’s degree in nursing will earn you an RN license eventually, and can therefore be a first step in your process to becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. To earn your associate’s degree:

• Begin by researching all of the schools offering the qualification in your area and creating a shortlist of the most appropriate options for you.

• Ensure that you meet all application requirements and that you are aware of the application process for each specific school.

• Apply to at least three of the schools on your list in order to improve your chances of being accepted quickly.

• Once you have been accepted at these schools, select the best option.

• Completing the program and fulfilling all of the necessary course requirements will allow you to graduate with an associate’s degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

The only license, strictly speaking, required for this line of work is the RN license discussed earlier. However you also need to become certified in order to work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. This requires completing a master’s degree program in nursing and then taking the certification exam offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. In order to be eligible to write this examination in the first place you need to have a valid registered nurse license, complete the required forty credits of continuing education, show proof of practice of anesthesia during the two year period, and absence of any problems, mental or physical, that would be detrimental to the practice of a nurse anesthetist. Once certification has been achieved you will need to renew it once every two years.

Online/Distance Education Programs

Online or distance education may seem like an attractive option due to the fact that it tends to be cheaper and more convenient. However you must keep in mind that a nursing program will always consist of the following two aspects:

• Theoretical classroom training
• Hands-on practical experience

The second aspect cannot be completed online, so at best you will only be able to complete part of your program in an online setting. However even this can reduce the burden that many students enrolled in intensive master’s degree programs such as this one tend to experience over the course of their studies. As with other any other school, you must ensure that the online or distance education school you attend is accredited by the appropriate accrediting agencies, such as the NLNAC, CCNE, or the COA.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this profession is extremely good. In general there is expected to be a 26 percent increase in employment for RNs across the board from 2012 through 2020. This is substantially higher than what we could expect to see in most other industries and occupations. Advanced nursing roles such as this one will always result in professionals in the domain being in high demand in a variety of settings. In addition, as certified registered nurse anesthetists are able to provide the same services as anesthesiologists, but at lower prices, they are being employed more and more frequently in healthcare facilities across the country. Nurses with this specialty also need to complete basic RN training, meaning that it will be possible for them to find employment in general nursing as well as in anesthesia.

Earnings

The average salary that you can earn in this position is about $77,792 – $169,583 a year. Other aspects, such as the potential for a bonus of up to $15,351 a year and the potential for profit sharing of about $1,449 – $19,678 a year can bring the total salary to $78,202 – $184,291 a year.

The industry you work can affect the amount of money you earn in this line of work:

• In Healthcare you can expect to earn around $78,981 – $177,705 a year
• In a Hospital you can expect to earn around $77,964 – $179,809 a year
• In the Medical Services you can expect to earn around $77,237 – $179,125 a year
• In General Surgery you can expect to earn around $78,371 – $178,401 a year
• In an Acute Care Hospital you can expect to earn around $85,923 – $184,253 a year

Different states tend to pay different rates to nurse anesthetists. In addition different cities within the same state may also pay different rates to their nurse anesthetists. The top paying cities are:

• Denver, Colorado
• Portland, Oregon
• San Francisco, California
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Houston, Texas
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• New York, New York
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Miami, Florida
• Chicago, Illinois
• Seattle, Washington
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Springfield, Missouri
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Atlanta, Georgia

The post Facts About Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Ambulatory care nursing involves nursing in settings that are outside of the traditional hospital setting. Consequently and ambulatory care nurse may be employed on an ambulance to provide on the scene assistance to patients who are experiencing a medical emergency. As an ambulatory care nurse you will expect to be fairly mobile and move from place to place depending on where your services are needed and at what times. This is ideal for nurses who don’t like to be tied down by one setting.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

A big part of the ambulatory care nurse’s role lies in promotion. Nurses with this specialty are expected to promote healthcare and health maintenance to their patients as a preventative measure for future occurrences as well as a form of assisting the patient to take care of themselves. In addition you will need to provide healthcare to patients with varying illnesses or injuries as well as providing education to patients on how to manage their injury or illness once they are at home. Ambulatory care nurses are also involved in spreading information to clients. Consequently they are active in providing healthcare either face to face with patients or over the phone or internet. Last but not least ambulatory care nursing involves assisting patients in preventing and managing their illnesses.

Employment

Because of the nature of ambulatory care nursing, you will find nurses with this specialty employed in a number of different and somewhat diverse settings. These settings may include ambulances, day surgery units, ambulatory care surgeries, physicians offices, community centers, schools, workplaces, home care, clinics, Health Insurance Companies (where you may provide health care advice via telephone or the internet), and the government (where you may provide health care advice via telephone or the internet). This has advantages in that:

• You are not tied down in one setting all the time.
• You will, once you have decided what area of nursing you are particularly interested in, be able to get as job in practically any field with your vast experience and knowledge.

Ambulatory Care Nursing Requirements

The basic requirements and recommended qualifications for being an ambulatory care nurse are the following:

• You must be a qualified Registered Nurse (RN).

• You must have a minimum of two years of experience working as an RN.

• You can earn certification by documenting 2,000 hours (1 year full-time) experience in Ambulatory Care Nursing within the last three years.

• (Alternative) You can earn certification by completing 30 hours of Ambulatory Care Nursing Continuing Education within the last three years.

Certification is not compulsory and there is basically no additional training or education that you can complete in order to become a specialist in this area. However certification, which will be discussed in a bit more detail later, is useful when it comes to finding a job and boosting your resume and marketability.

Personality Traits

As ambulatory care nurse you will need to have all of the usual skills that all nurses are required to display, such as warmth and empathy and an attention to detail. There are, however, two skills that will be particular useful for someone pursuing a career in this line of nursing. Firstly it is important that you have excellent interpersonal skills. This is because you will be required to meet with and work with a large number of different patients and people on a daily basis, and consequently you need to be able to cope and work with each and every one of them. Secondly you must demonstrate and ability to keep your head under pressure as ambulatory care nurses are frequently engaged in emergency situations where quick thinking and a cool head are required.

Educational Requirements

The basic educational requirements that you will have to meet in order to be an ambulatory care nurse are one of the following:

• You could choose to earn a diploma in nursing, OR
• You could choose to earn an associate’s degree in nursing, OR
• You could choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing

Any of these will render you eligible to write the licensing examination that will allow you to become an RN. In addition to that you can choose to earn certification s an ambulatory care nurse, although this is not required. If you do earn certification however you will be more marketable. More information about how to earn this credential can be found by enquiring at the American Nurses Credentialing Center:
600 Maryland Ave., SW, #100
Washington, DC 20024-2571
800-284-CERT

Licensure

The license that you need in order to be an ambulatory care nurse is your RN license. No other licenses are required. To earn this license you will need to hold a high school certificate. This certificate will gain you access to a nursing program. Once you have completed the nursing program, which must be accredited and which must result in your right to take the NCLEX-RN examination, you can apply for licensure with your state board of nursing, bearing in mind that different states have different licensing rules. Once your state board of nursing confirms your right to become licensed, you can set an exam date with Pearson VUE. This will cost you about $200. Your results will be sent to your state board of nursing and you will be informed of your licensure status shortly thereafter.

How To Become An Ambulatory Care Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

In order to maintain your RN licensure you will need to engage in continuing education. This is a requirement in most states. If you would like to specifically become an ambulatory care nurse, you should focus your continuing education units on topics such as Phlebotomy, IV therapy, ECG techniques, Triage and telephone advice, and Teaching. These are useful concepts that will serve you well in an ambulatory care nursing environment. If you are working in one of the states that do not require nurses to engage in continuing education, it is recommended that you nevertheless pursue additional education in order t ensure that you have as much knowledge as possible for the field and that you are as marketable as possible for when it comes time to seek another job.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is extremely important that you complete your RN training through an accredited program. There are a number f ways in which you can determine the accreditation status of a school you are interested in:

• The school itself should provide this information on a website although this cannot always be trusted.

• Current nurses in your city will be able to tell you about the accredited programs through which they qualified as RNs.

• The best source of information is your state board of nursing as you can be sure that its records will be accurate and up to date.

If you do not attend an accredited school you will be unable to write the NCLEX-RN examination needed for licensure and will have, therefore, wasted both your time and your money on the program.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

To become an RN you need to earn a nursing degree of some kind. One of the more popular degrees that people choose is the associate’s degree. This can be earned by researching the schools in your area that offer associate’s degrees in nursing and creating a shortlist of the best options based on your personal preferences and needs. You should then apply for more than one of the schools on your list, remembering to keep the specific application procedures for each specific school carefully in mind. Applying for multiple schools will increase your chances of speedy acceptance into a program. Completing all of the theoretical and clinical aspects of the program will earn you your associate’s degree. The more advanced the degree that you have is, the more marketable you will be when searching for a job.

Obtain Your Licensure

The only license required for this line of work is the RN license as mentioned previously. However you also have the option of becoming certified as an ambulatory care nurse. This is compulsory in some states and not required in others, but, because it improves your resume and your employment opportunities, it is suggested that you become certified even if it is not required in your state. To become certified you must do the following:

• Certification can be gained by documenting 2,000 hours (1 year full-time) experience in Ambulatory Care Nursing within the last three years.

• In addition certified ambulatory care nurses must also have completed 30 hours of Ambulatory Care Nursing Continuing Education within the last three years.

This does not require very much of your time and is therefore a worthwhile pursuit.

Online/Distance Education Programs

There are a number of schools that offer online and distance education options for becoming a nurse. However it is important that you remember that any nursing training program must include practical and clinical training. This means that it will literally be impossible to complete a nursing training course entirely online as you will not receive any clinical exposure in this way. However there are schools that allow you to complete the theory portion of the course online while you attend an actual health care facility to complete your clinical training, and this can go a long way to relieving the stress and pressure of studying to become a nurse. In addition you will be able to work at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for nursing in general is extremely good as we are expecting an increase in the industry of about 22%. In addition the ambulatory health care nursing sector is also likely to increase at a great rate on the basis that there is a growing elderly population (as a result of the baby boom generation reaching old age). This demographic of the population often requires more assistance from ambulatory care nurses than any other. There is also a marked increase in the attention that people are given to preemptive care, another reason why ambulatory care nurses will continue to have a strong job outlook. In addition this line of work exposes you to many different skills and settings, making you more marketable in nursing in general and thereby improving your job prospects even further.

Earnings

The average salary that you can expect to earn as an ambulatory care nurse is about $50,000 a year. This is not a bad salary at all and tends to be slightly higher than what can be earned by a regular RN. The salary may vary depending on several factors:

• Different states tend to pay nurses different salaries
• Different employers tend to pay nurses different salaries
• Different industries tend to pay nurses different salaries
• The amount of experience that you have as an ambulatory care nurse may also affect your salary
• The level of education that you have earned plays a very important role
• To a certain degree your gender may, in some very specific instances, affect how much you are eligible to earn as an ambulatory care nurse

This is a nursing specialization that is well worth pursuing on the basis that the educational prerequisites and the amount of time it takes to earn the specialization are minimal. In addition you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of different settings and with a variety of different health care problems which will provide you with a broad set of skills, making you more marketable. It is not the specialization that pays the most, but it does provide you with an opening to expand your qualifications and become more advanced in the field of nursing the future. If you are trying to decide on a specialization, this is one of the better options to choose.

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A cardiac catheterization lab nurse is a nurse who has special knowledge of all things related to the heart and the problems that the heart may experience. Consequently they are charged with the job of assessing a patient’s condition and determining what heart problem that patient may have. In addition they are involved with administering the appropriate treatment to that patient.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

There are a great many roles that a cardiac catheterization lab nurse is expected to fulfill on a regular basis. These include:

• Providing care to patients in Intensive Care Units until they are discharged
• Providing care to patients in Cardiac Care Units
• Providing care to patients in ICU until they are discharged
• Providing care to patients in CCU until they are discharged
• Providing care to patients in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab until they are discharged
• Operating any treatment equipment needed to treat the patient
• Administering Intravenous therapy
• Medicating patients according to the instructions of the doctor
• Acquiring and maintaining patients records
• Updating patients charts
• Executing a needs assessment of the patient’s condition and status
• Getting patients ready for medical procedures
• Monitoring patients’ vital signs
• Educating other healthcare professionals about Cardiac Catheterization

Employment

There are a large number of places where you may find a cardiac catheterization lab nurse. The three most important and common ones are, however, Cardiac Catheterization Labs of hospitals, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and Cardiac Care Units (CCUs). It is interesting to note that this is a very specific specialty focusing on only one part of the human body. Consequently it will not be particularly easy to branch out form your specialty and seek employment in other sectors of the health care and nursing industry once you have established yourself as a cardiac catheterization lab nurse. In the long run, however, you will be better off in that the employment you do find will pay higher than regular registered nursing jobs will pay.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse Requirements

The basic requirements for being a nurse with a specialization in cardiac catheterization nursing are as follows:

• You must hold a current and active RN license in a state or territory of the United States.

• (Alternative) You must hold one of the several legally recognized equivalents to a current and active RN license from other countries.

• You must have at least two years of experience working as an RN.

• You must have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in cardiovascular nursing within the last three years.

• You must have 30 hours of continuing education (CE) in cardiac vascular nursing within the last three years.

Given the intensity of the requirements that you will need to meet, it is possible that you will need to devote many years to achieving this qualification.

Personality Traits

There are a number of personality traits that are slightly more useful than others when it comes to cardiac catheterization nursing. First off is an ability to maintain an alert and professional attitude at all times as this will allow you to pick up on anything that is wrong with your patient before it becomes serious. Secondly an ability to make potentially life-saving and critical decisions that may be based on little information is also essential in this line of work as you will often be faced with situations where you will have to think on your feet. Naturally it is also recommended that you possess the many other traits that are considered essential to effective nursing, such as warmth and empathy and an ability to relate to many different people on a regular basis.

Educational Requirements

To become a cardiac catheterization lab nurse you need to have a degree in nursing. The basic degrees are:

• An associate’s degree
• A bachelor’s degree
• A master’s degree

To enter a school or college that offers these degrees you will need to have a high school diploma or an equivalent thereof. Generally education of this kind occurs in one of two ways:

• You can choose to attend an intensive two-year associate’s degree training from a vocational school or community college

• You can choose to attend a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a university

The longer program is more comprehensive and serves to make your resume look substantially better than the shorter two-year program. Therefore the 4-year bachelor’s degree is the recommended option for nurses interested in this area of nursing.

Licensure

To be a cardiac catheterization lab nurse you need to hold an RN license. This license is obtained by firstly completing a degree program in nursing. Be sure to complete all of the practical work required in addition to the theory knowledge learned. Once you have passed the exam you can apply for licensure form your state board of nursing (bearing in mind that different states have different rules and requirements when it comes to licensing nurses). If your state board of nursing confirms that you are eligible for licensure, you can set an exam date with Pearson VUE, the administering body. This will cost around $200 and will be administered electronically via computer. The exam is called the NCLEX-RN. Once you have passed the exam you will be licensed. Your license must be renewed regularly.

How To Become A Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

This is a highly intensive nursing specialty and it considered impossible to be a good cardiac catheterization lab nurse if you have not engaged in a high degree of hands-on training. Nursing in general is an extremely hands-on profession and so it is necessary that you undergo on the job training with a supervisor who is an expert in matters related to the heart and how it works. You will need hands-on experience regarding:

• The anatomy of the heart
• The physiology of the heart
• The diseases of the heart
• The treatments that you can use for the heart

Through a compulsory internship you will pick up most of the necessary skills and knowledge required to become a successful and effective cardiac catheterization lab nurse in many different settings.

Source An Accredited Education Program

In order to write the licensure exam necessary to become an RN and eventually a cardiac catheterization lab nurse, you must attend an accredited nursing training program. This is true each and every time you decide to begin a new nursing qualification. If it is not accredited you will be wasting your time. Your state board of nursing is the best source of information regarding whether or not a specific school is accredited and may, in addition, provide you with a list of schools that you could consider attending. Nurses who are currently employed as RNs must have completed an accredited program, so ask any nurses in your area where they went to school. The school itself should also provide the information, although this is not always the case. The state board of nursing remains your best option.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

Although many nurses who want to become cardiac catheterization lab nurses do begin with an associate’s degree, they often find it easier to get work if they have a more advanced degree. However, in order to enter this specialization all you really need is an associate’s degree, which can be earned by:

• Looking into the associate degree programs in your area and making a list of the ones that best meet your personal needs.

• Applying for each of the schools on your list according to the unique application procedures and expectations of each individual school – note: it is better to apply for multiple schools at the same time.

• Completing all of the course requirements and graduating from the program.

This will render you eligible to take the RN examination.

Obtain Your Licensure

In addition to your Registered Nurse license you need to gain certification as a cardiac catheterization lab nurse in order to work in this particular field of specialty within the nursing domain. The Cardiac Credentialing International (CCI) certifies Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS), which is the title you will hold once you have become certified. CCI also places nurses on a registry list upon completion of the required examination. To get this certification you must have a high school diploma, provide proof that you completed an accredited nursing program, and provide proof of your work experience in a cath lab through the compulsory internship mentioned earlier. This is one of the nursing specializations where additional certification is an unavoidable requirement and consequently it may take many years of your life for you to achieve this qualification.

Online/Distance Education Programs

There are online training programs for nursing but you need to keep in mind at all times that a nursing program consists of two main parts, namely:

• A theoretical section of training
• A clinical or hands-on section of training

It is simply not possible to complete the clinical portion of your training online. This is especially true when training to be a cardiac catheterization nurse as for this specialization you have to physically complete an internship in a health care setting. As long as you are making provisions to complete your hands-on training in genuine health care facilities, there is no reason why you cannot complete your theoretical training online. However you need to ensure that the school you attend is properly accredited, just as you would with a brick and mortar school.

Job Outlook

The more experience that you have as a cardiac catheterization lab nurse, the more jobs you will be asked to take. This is one of the main reasons why you need to complete an internship before becoming certified. In addition to increasing your career options by gaining more experience, you can also increase your career options by completing continuing education courses.

In general nursing is expected to see an increase in the very near future of quite a significant amount. The RN profession is expected to grow by about 22% in total by 2018. As technology used for detecting heart problems becomes more advanced, the role of cardiac catheterization lab nurses becomes more specialized, which in turn means that someone with that qualification will be in high demand and will be a highly sought after professional.

Earnings

This is a nursing specialization that comes with a very good paycheck. A cardiac catheterization lab nurse is eligible to earn in the region of $90,000 a year as a result of the many years of training required and the amount of skill needed for the job. This is literally about 27% higher than the average for all job postings in the country, making it one of the better earning jobs available.

There are some other jobs with related job titles that you may also be interested in pursuing once you have established yourself as a cardiac catheterization lab nurse:

• RN Pediatrics: $162,000
• Operating Room Manager: $108,000
• RN For Hospital: $67,000
• Cardiac Cath Lab RN: $60,000
• RN Cath: $99,000
• Emergency Room Registered Nurse: $88,000
• RN Inpatient Cath Lab: $85,000
• RN Supervisor Charge Nurse: $61,000
• Cardiovascular Lab Manager: $66,000

Although this is a nursing specialization that requires many years of study and practice before it can be officially achieved, the salary as well as the implied level of professional respect that you will earn as a result of receiving this qualification is well worth the wait. In addition there are a number of career advancement opportunities open to you as with additional training you may eventually be able to fulfill the related roles mentioned above. This is not, it must be noted, a line of work that suits everyone as it requires an intense and focused personality.

The post All About Being A Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Occupational health nursing occurs in the work place at an actual place of business. Nurses that work in this line of working are required to administer care to workers at that business or company who incur injuries and illnesses while at work. In addition to this basic care, they are also expected to identify potential health risks before they occur and prevent said risks from having an impact on the health of the workers.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

The following are the main duties of an occupational health nurse:

• One of the primary duties of an occupational health nurse is to identify and prevent hazards in the work place.
• It will be your responsibility to treat any injuries experienced by workers at that work place.
• As an occupational health nurse you will also be responsible for educating workers and employers regarding the use of safety equipment.
• Assessment of the work environment for potential hazards is an important facet of your job.
• Occupational health nurses also educate workers and their employers on common workplace illnesses and injuries.
• Records must be kept by the occupational health nurse of any illnesses or injuries that occur.
• It will be your responsibility to educate employers and employees regarding occupational health laws.

Employment

Occupational health nurses can work in schools, at construction sites, at factories, in hospitals, in offices, as independent consultants, or for the government. As employment goes this is one of the nursing specialties that allow you the greatest freedom in terms of where you are allowed to work. The job also comes with a greater level of independence. Unlike in a hospital setting, where most RNs work, you will not be obliged to follow instructions from superiors as you will, in most cases, be the only health care professional in the work place setting and will therefore have the freedom to run things your own way. In addition to this the working hours are far better than in a hospital setting as you will not work shifts, but rather adhere to office hours.

Occupational Health Nurse Requirements

To become an occupational health nurse you need:

• An RN license
• A bachelor’s degree in nursing
• The right personality
• A willingness to work hard

In order to earn the RN license you will need to enter an RN training program. There are various levels of education that you can attain in order to be an RN, but, as you require a bachelor’s degree at the bare minimum in order to become an occupational health nurse, there is no point in studying for a lesser qualification, such as a diploma in nursing, or an associate’s degree in nursing. There is quite a lot of competition for getting into nursing schools, so you will need to stand out from the crowd. A high school diploma will also be required.

Personality Traits

Nurses working in occupational health need to have a very close attention to detail and a desire to ensure that nothing is missed. This is very important in terms of one of your primary functions in this occupation, namely, assessing work environments for potential hazards and preventing those hazards form occurring. If you miss something you may not be able to fulfill this job role adequately. Your other primary goal in the health care setting, namely patient care, requires empathy as well as genuine compassion and caring for the various workers under your care. The same personality traits are required in this regard as in any other nursing career. Clear communication skills, both verbal and written, are required to educate employers and employees and communicate information regarding potential hazards and threats in the work environment.

Educational Requirements

To become an occupational health nurse you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing as a very basic educational requirement. Following that you will need to engage in additional training to become an occupational health nurse. There are a number of certifications and qualifications that you can earn in this regard:

• Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN).
• Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S).
• Certified Occupational Health Nurse/Case Manager (COHN/CM).
• Certified Occupational Health Nurses-Specialist/Case Manager (COHN-S/CM).
• Certified Occupational Health Nurse/Safety Manager (COHN/SM).
• Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist/Safety Manager (COHN-S/SM).

Each of these will require additional training. Your state board of nursing is the resource that you should turn to in order to ascertain which the best educational path is for you, as well as t find out what additional requirements your state may have.

Licensure

To be an occupational health nurse you must hold an RN license. In order to receive an RN license completion of an RN training program is necessary. Reminder: it is better to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing as this is an educational requirement for being an occupational health nurse. Completing the program successfully will allow you to apply to your state board of nursing for licensure, providing the program that you completed was accredited. If your application for licensure is approved you will then be eligible to set a date to write the NCLEX-RN examination through Pearson Vue for the cost of $200. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and is computer based. Passing the exam earns you your license which you must renew on a regular basis according to the rules of your state.

How To Become An Occupational Health Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

This is the training path that you can take in order to become an occupational health nurse:

• Firstly you need to finish the general nursing educational courses through a bachelor’s degree that will form the major part of your RN course (theory and practical)
• The courses that you do must be at an accredited school and you must satisfy all program requirements.
• The next step is to get your RN license by completing the course and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Last but not least you will need to go back to school to complete a master’s degree in nursing with specialization in occupational health.
• Get certified in occupational health nursing from a certifying agency such as the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.

Source An Accredited Education Program

Not attending an accredited program to complete your bachelor’s degree and alter your master’s degree will result in a great waste of time as well as of money for you. This is because you will be unable to become licensed or certified if the program is not accredited and usually you will need to begin a completely new an accredited program from the beginning before you will be able to receive the desired qualifications. There are a number of schools out there that are not accredited and you need to be very wary of these schools. Your state board of nursing can provide you with information about which schools are accredited and which are not. Current RNs will also be able to give you advice in this regard as they cannot be where they are unless they attended an accredited program.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

To be an occupational health nurse you need:

• A bachelor’s degree in general nursing AND
• A master’s degree in occupational health nursing

Consequently an associate’s degree is not enough for this profession. However it is a useful way to get involved in the nursing industry if you are unable to afford or otherwise commit to a longer degree immediately. To earn an associate’s degree:

• Create a list of associate’s degree in nursing programs in your area
• Create a short list of the options that you think are the best
• Apply for each school you are interested in, remembering to adhere to each school’s application requirements – the more schools you apply for the higher your chances
• Choose a program and complete it in order to earn you associate’s degree

Obtain Your Licensure

Although it is generally more popular for nurses to complete a master’s degree program in occupational health nursing in order to become an occupational health nurse, you can also receive the right to obtain certification in this field of nursing by working 3,000 hours in 5 years in an occupational health nursing setting (Note: in order to gain this experience many employers will require that you have a master’s degree). Certification through the appropriate organization will earn you status as an occupational health nurse. Certification must also be renewed regularly according to the rules of your state. Usually you will be required to present proof of 3,000 hours of occupational health work experience and 50 Continuing Nursing Education hours in occupational health practice. Time periods for recertification may vary between states.

Online/Distance Education Programs

Because hands-on training for the final occupational nurse certification exam is not always a requirement in every state, online learning is a possibility. Even if hands-on training is required in your state you will still be able to complete the theory part of the course in an online setting. There are a number of advantages to online training including:

• Flexibility
• Keeping your own schedule
• The ability to work from home

Some online schools that offer this qualification are:

• Oakland University School of Nursing: Occupational Health Certificate
• The University of North Carolina Online: Master of Public Health in Occupational Health Nursing
• UNC Gillings School of Public Health: Occupational Health Nursing Certificate
• The University of South Florida: Occupational Health Nursing

As with all schools these online programs must be accredited.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for nursing in general is extremely good and is, in fact, expected to grow by about 26% between now and 2013. This is faster than the growth rates for any other industry. Consequently RN’s already have a stable job to look forward to. RNs with specialty qualifications are in even greater demand. Occupational health nurses fall into the category of advanced practice nurses whose skills are in need across the country. Occupational health nurses also have general nurse training, allowing them to work in general nursing settings as well as in occupational health settings. Last but not least there is an increase in health and safety rules across the country, meaning that occupational nurses are in greater demand in work places in order to ensure that standards are being adhered to.

Earnings

The average salary that you can earn as an occupational health nurse depends to a certain degree on your gender. Female occupational health nurses, who make up 93% of the profession, can earn around $56,199 – $73,376 a year, while males, who make up 7% of the occupational health nursing profession, earn slightly less at $47,495 – $61,500 a year. The degree and level of education you have can also affect how much you earn as an occupational health nurse:

• With a Bachelor’s Degree you can expect to earn about $47,168 – $81,770 a year.
• With an Associate’s Degree you can expect to earn about $48,280 – $75,316 a year.
• With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) you can expect to earn about $52,540 – $84,439 a year.

Some cities are more popular to work in than others, partly because of the salaries you can earn there. These include Columbus in Ohio, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, Joliet in Illinois, Atlanta in Georgia, Houston in Texas, Durham in North Carolina, and San Jose in California.

The road to becoming an occupational health nurse is certainly a long one and you will need to be sure that you will have the time and resources required to devote to this career path before you embark upon it. A nursing specialty means that you will have a higher degree of respect from others in the health care profession as well as a higher salary and room for advancement.

The post Facts About Occupational Health Nursing appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

A psychiatric mental health nurse is a nurse, as the name implies, who is involved in working with patients that have psychiatric disorders. Assessing and treating those patients are the main function of the psychiatric mental health nurse. In addition to treating individuals psychiatric mental health nurses also treat families, groups as well as entire communities throughout their career.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

As a psychiatric mental health nurse:

• You will be able to develop a plan of care
• You will be able to prescribe medication
• You will be able to administer psychotherapy
• You will be able to implement the nursing process
• You will be able to evaluate the nursing process for effectiveness
• You will be able to offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population
• You will be able to develop a nursing diagnosis
• You will be able to treat, assess, and diagnose individuals and families with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders

Consequently you role as a psychiatric mental nurse carries with it a high degree of responsibility, which is matched by a vast improvement in the professional respect that you will receive with this specialization.

Employment

There is a high degree of autonomy for nurses who want to work in psychiatric mental health nursing. Because in many cases you will be permitted to work on your own without the supervision of a superior, there are many psychiatric mental health nurses who are self-employed and have their own psychiatric practices. In addition you can work in mental health institutions, where the atmosphere will be very similar to that of a normal hospital. However you will work as a superior rather than as a subordinate. Employment is limited to those facilities and institutions that exist for the purpose of treating patients with mental health disorders. However, as you will also have general nursing skills, employment is possible in any facility where a specialty in a specific area of nursing is not a requirement.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Requirements

There are two main basic requirements involved in becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse:

• You need to hold an RN license
• You need to pass the psychiatric mental health nursing examination

There are educational requirements involved in achieving the above two basic steps. These two requirements may, in addition, involve passing a background check (to ensure that you are of the correct moral character for a job as a nurse) and a health check (as nurses cannot serve others of they themselves are unwell). Basic skills tests could also be administered when entering the programs required to attain the qualifications mentioned above. In addition there are certain personality requirements that will stand psychiatric mental health nurses in good stead and help them make a success out of their careers in this nursing domain.

Personality Traits

To be a successful psychiatric mental health nurse you need to remember at all times that you will not be a very effective source of care for your patient if you, too, are suffering emotionally or physically. Working in this profession can take its toll, so it is important that you have a personality that allows you to seek help when it is required. In addition you need to be able to show genuine caring for your patience, as well as patience. A non-judgmental attitude is required if you are to connect with your patients on a meaningful level. As in all other aspects of nursing you need to be able to communicate effectively with those you work with as effective communication is the key to ensuring that your patients are adequately cared for.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for being a psychiatric mental health nurse have already been touched on briefly:

• You need a high school diploma. When at high school try to focus on subjects that will help you in a career in nursing, such as biology.

• Once out of school you must earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This will take four years to complete and will eventually culminate in your ability to write the RN exam and become licensed.

• Note: some experience as an RN at this juncture will be helpful.

• After that you need to earn a master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. This will take an additional few years to complete.

The educational path to becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse is a long one that will require hard work and dedication.

Licensure

The license that you need in order to become a psychiatric mental health nurse is the RN license. You can attain your RN license through a two year program leading to an associate’s degree in nursing, a three-year programs leading to a diploma in nursing, or a four-year college or university program leading to a bachelor’s degree in nursing. As mentioned previously it is necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree to be a psychiatric mental health nurse, so that is the path you should take. Graduation from an RN program will allow you to apply for licensure from your state board of nursing. When your application is approved you will have to set a date to write the NCLEX-RN examination. Passing the exam earns you your RN license which must be renewed regularly.

How To Become A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

There are several different specific specialties that you can focus on when completing your master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing:

• You could focus specifically on treating children and adolescents OR elderly citizens: Both of these demographic populations require different psychiatric care models than adults. However you will be able to take broad courses that train you to treat all ages.

• Another subcategory that you could choose to specialize in is substance use disorders. Addictions nurses also train in this area of nursing, but as a psychiatric mental health nurse you will have a higher level of education and will therefore not face a lot of competition from addictions nurses.

• A third subcategory involves training in forensics and all things related to forensics. This is one of the rarer areas of psychiatric mental health nursing to choose.

Source An Accredited Education Program

Unfortunately there are nursing programs out there that will not result in a legitimate degree once you complete them. Finding an accredited program is essential. One place to begin your search for an accredited program is website of Psychiatric Nursing Graduate Programs at www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3311. Your state board of nursing will be able to inform you whether or not a program you are interested in is accredited. In addition the two bodies that accredit nursing programs in this country, namely the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National League for Nursing, will have information regarding the accreditation status of a program. The schools themselves should provide this information as well, but there is no guarantee that they will necessarily be honest and open if they are, in fact, not accredited.

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

For many nursing jobs an associate’s degree is all that is required, and it certainly is a good way to start your career in nursing as it will allow you to become an RN. But, if you specifically want to specialize in mental health nursing, you will have to take your education further:

• First you must earn a bachelor’s degree
• Then you must earn a master’s degree

To earn a degree in nursing you need to start by locating the various schools and universities in your area t5hat offer nursing programs and determine which of these schools best meet your educational and other needs. Ensure that you are aware of the entrance requirement for the schools that you prefer and apply, being careful to follow each school’s application process. Completing the program will earn you your degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

The basic credentials that you need to be a psychiatric mental nurse are an RN license and certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse. The RN license will be obtained when you complete the necessary degree. Information regarding how to become certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse can be found at the website of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Note: There are several different specialties within psychiatric mental health nursing and several different levels that you can obtain certification for. Before you enquire with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) you need to consider what area of psychiatric mental health nursing you are most interested in becoming certified in as well as whether or not you will be able to meet the requirements for that specific certification.

Online/Distance Education Programs

For the two degrees involved in becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse there are a number of schools that offer online training. I must be remembered, however, that a degree in nursing always consists of two aspects:

• The theoretical side of the training program
• The clinical side of the training program

“Clinical” means “practical experience in an actual health care setting” and this cannot, for obvious reasons, be completed online. So, although it is possible to complete a portion of your program online, you will be unable to complete the entire program online. The advantages to studying online are:

• You will work at your own pace
• You will not be tied down by classroom schedules
• You will not have to give up your current job in order to study

Job Outlook

Mental health nurses are advanced practice nurses and there is an expected increase in the number of jobs that will be available for advanced practices nurses over the next few years. In addition the nursing profession in general is growing substantially with each passing year, another aspect that makes it a stable career to choose. In fact, in many areas across the country there are in fact more nursing job openings than nurses to fill them, meaning that you will always have a stable job in this area of the nursing profession. Because you will also have training as a general RN, you will be able to work in facilities and institutions where no nursing specialties are required as well as in psychiatric mental health institutions where you will have a position of superiority.

Earnings

As a psychiatric nurse you can expect an hourly rate of about $21.01 – $38.52 an hour and overtime pay of $16.73 – $59.42 an hour. Overall you could expect to earn something in the region of $43,416 – $84,812 a year.

Your level of education is an example of a factor that can affect how much you earn as a mental health nurse:

• With an Associate’s Degree can earn about $20.53 – $38.41 an hour
• With a Bachelor’s Degree can earn about $21.55 – $39.72 an hour
• With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can earn about $21.29 – $38.45 an hour
• With an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) can earn about $19.99 – $39.73 an hour
• With an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) can earn about $20.82 – $37.61 an hour

Some cities tend to offer higher salaries than others. Popular cities in terms of pay for psychiatric mental health nurses are San Diego in California, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Phoenix in Arizona, New York in New York, Seattle in Washington, Denver in Colorado, Richmond in Virginia, Atlanta in Georgia, Chicago in Illinois, Boston in Massachusetts, Rochester in New York, Portland in Oregon, San Antonio in Texas, Louisville in Kentucky, Jacksonville in Florida, and Kansas City in Missouri.

This is a job that pays fairly well, but you must remember that mental health patients can be dangerous, meaning that you need to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself before making this decision.

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