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

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Louisiana State Requirements For Becoming An EMT

Basic EMT State Requirements

The first requirement involved in becoming a basic EMT in Louisiana is that you complete a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic curriculum. According to braintrack.com, you need to meet the following requirements before you will be admitted to such a program:

• You must be 17 years of age to enter a program
• You must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or be state certified as a First Responder prior to starting the course
• High school students should be enrolled in good standing with their high school
• You must take a Bureau of EMS-approved standardized proficiency exam and demonstrate an eighth grade reading level

Along with proof that you have completed an accredited program, you must also provide a transcript from a doctor stating that you are in good health and therefore able to perform your duties as an EMT adequately and without putting the lives of you or your patients at risk. This assessment must be performed within 6 months prior to application. Although you can enter an EMT training program at 17, you must be at least 18 years old to take the National Registry exam to receive Louisiana State Certification. This consists of both a practical as well as a written examination.

Intermediate EMT State Requirements

To become an EMT at Intermediate level in Louisiana you must begin by completing a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician 1984 curriculum.

Note: You will be unable to enroll in such a program if you were previously dismissed from a similar program for any reason other than simply failing the program academically within the last two years. In addition, you will not successfully pass the program if you attend less than 90% of the training hours offered.

Although there are some exceptions, you will also need to be a National Registered EMT Basic and State Certified EMT-Basic before you can become an Intermediate EMT in Louisiana. If you have a criminal record for any reason it is unlikely that you will be able to receive certification at this level, except under very rare circumstances. While EMT-Basics only need to read at 8th grade level in Louisiana, EMT-Intermediate’s must be able to read at 10th grade level if they are to be accepted into the industry. Proof from a doctor that you are free from communicable diseases and that you have received all of the necessary immunizations is also required if you are to be certified at this level. Last, but not least, you must receive National Registry Certification and Louisiana State Certification.

Choosing A Program

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when it comes to selecting EMT programs in Louisiana as there are a fair number to choose from. Your final decision depends heavily on what you are looking for in a school. Some of the schools listed below have, for example, a stronger focus on the emergency medical services than others. This often implies that the education offered will be more comprehensive and that the qualification will be taken more seriously. Schools that fall into this category include South Louisiana Community College, Delgado Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College. However, there are also other factors involved in selecting a school. If, for example, you specifically want to attend a school with a diverse student body, you should consider enrolling at Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, Nunez Community College, or NTC. If you are an adult learner who would feel more comfortable around other adult learners, you should consider applying at Southern University at Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College. And if you would prefer to attend a school that has small class sizes, you should consider South Central Louisiana Technical College, NTC, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, and Delgado Community College.

List Of EMT Programs In Louisiana

Louisiana has a number of schools on offer for students interested in pursuing a career in the emergency medical services industry. Some of the EMT programs in Louisiana are listed below:

• Bossier Parish Community College, located in Bossier City and offering an Associate’s degree
• Delgado Community College, located in New Orleans and offering an Associate’s degree
• L E Fletcher Technical Community College, located in Houma and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Alexandria Campus, located in Alexandria and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Delta- Ouachita Campus, located in West Monroe and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Northeast LA Branch Campus, located in Winnsboro and offering an Associate’s degree
• Northshore Technical College- Hammond Area Branch Campus, located in Hammond and offering an Associate’s degree
• Northshore Technical College- Sullivan Main Campus, located in Bogalusa and offering an Associate’s degree
• Nunez Community College, located in Chalmette and offering an Associate’s degree
• South Central Louisiana Technical College- Lafourche Campus, located in Thibodaux and offering an Associate’s degree
• South Louisiana Community College, located in Lafayette and offering an Associate’s degree
• Southern University at Shreveport, located in Shreveport and offering an Associate’s degree

Certification And Examination

In order to become certified as an EMT in Louisiana you must first complete a Department of Transportation approved EMT or Paramedic course prior to taking the National Registry Exam for Emergency Medical Technicians. This exam is both computer-based as well as practical, meaning that your theory knowledge and your clinical skills will be tapped before you will become certified. To become certified you must provide proof that you have passed this examination. In addition you will need to provide your current NREMT card.

Preparing for the examination is essential. This involves doing online revision, but also involves becoming familiar with computer based testing as there is no longer a ‘pen and paper’ option available. The EMT National Data Training Base has thousands of questions for you to use while you practice for your examination. This can be found by visiting http://www.emt-national-training.com/louisiana-emt.php. What is particularly helpful about this resource is that it not only provides questions for you to use as you practice, but it also provides all of the answers as well as explanations regarding why one answer is correct while another, similar, answer is incorrect. If possible, form a study group with other EMT students who are also in the process of preparing for the examination as this will greatly improve your efficacy.

If you would like more information, please contact the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services:

11224 Boardwalk Drive, Suite A-1
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 275-1764
emsweb@dhh.la.gov

Major Private Employers Of EMTs in Louisiana

There are two main private employers of EMT professionals in the state of Louisiana. They are American Medical Response, located in New Orleans, and Priority Mobile Health, located in Terrytown. In addition to these employers, of course, you will also have the opportunity to work for hospitals and ambulatory care units across the state. The following are examples of non-private employers you could work for as an EMT in Louisiana:

• Charity Hospital of Louisiana (Hospital)
• Louisiana State University (Hospital)
• Ochsner Medical Center (Hospital)
• University Hospital (Hospital)
• Acadian Ambulance Services Incorporated (Ambulance Service)
• American Medical Response (Ambulance Service)
• Balentine Ambulance Services (Ambulance Service)
• Lifeline-West Calcasieu (Ambulance Service)
• Med Life Ambulance (Ambulance Service)
• Alexandria Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Bossier City Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Eastbank Consolidated Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Fire Protection Dist 4 (Fire Department)
• Lake Charles Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Monroe Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Violet Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Wards 1 and 2 Fire Protection (Fire Department

Not only are there many EMT programs in Louisiana to choose from, but there are also many different employment opportunities available to a prospective student in the emergency medical services once they have graduated from their program. This makes it an extremely sensible career option. It must be noted that not all students are good at taking exams. If you are a student of this kind, you may wish to consider engaging in additional training and examination preparation in order to be well prepared for certification. This will often cost you more money, but in the long run it is certainly worth the time and expenditure.

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

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

Nursing Specialties For Registered Nurses

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

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

Acute Care

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

Acute Care NP

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

Administration/Management

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

Adult NP

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

Allergy/Immunology

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

Ambulatory Care

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

Antepartum/High Risk OB

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

Apherisis

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

Burn ICU

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

Business/Entrepreneur Nurse

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

Cardiology

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

Cardiovascular ICU

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

Certified Nursing Assistant

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

Community Health

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

Critical Care / ICU

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

Developmental Disability

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

Dialysis

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

Disaster

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

Emergency

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

Endocrinology

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

Gastroenterology

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

Geriatric/Gerontological

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

HIV/AIDS

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

Neurosurgery

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

Oncology

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

Parish

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

10 Highest Paying Nursing Specialties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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According to http://www.discovernursing.com, “HIV Nurses are trained to provide care for patients infected with AIDS, a deadly, incurable disease that attacks a patient’s immune system. These nurses help patients cope with and manage the different emotional and physical symptoms that come with having their disease. Many HIV/AIDS Nurses work in community or public health, educating at risk groups about safe sex and the dangers of sharing needles”. As a result we can see that there are multiple aspects involved in HIV /AIDS nursing. For one thing it is clear that you have to attend to the emotional and psychological well being of your patients in addition to simply providing them with healthcare services. In addition there is quite a strong focus on prevention in the field of HIV / AIDS. This involves attempts at preventing the spread of the disease before it becomes a serious problem. This is achieved through education and other community-based methods.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

There are a number of job duties that you would be required to perform as an HIV / AIDS nurse:

• Firstly you will be directly responsible for providing healthcare to patients with HIV/Aids on a daily basis.

• In addition to merely providing care to your patients, you will also be responsible for educating patients and their families about living with HIV/Aids safely and in the most optimal way.

• HIV / AIDS treatment is generally addressed from a multidisciplinary approach, which means that you will be working closely with other healthcare professionals.

• As an HIV / AIDS nurse you will be directly responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition on a continual and ongoing basis.

• It will also be your responsibility to refer a patient to other healthcare professionals if you think that it is necessary because you are unable to assist that patient any further.

• Last, but certainly not least, you will be responsible for ensuring terminally ill patients are as comfortable as possible.

Employment

There are a number of settings in which you are likely to find an HIV / AIDS nurse working. These include Hospitals, Home Health, and Community Care Centers, Physician’s office, Outpatient care clinics and Hospices. Essentially, as an HIV / AIDS nurse you will be able to work in any setting where patients suffering from HIV or AIDS are located.

HIV Nurse Requirements

The basic requirements for being an HIV nurse are as follows:

• Firstly you have to earn a Nursing Diploma, an Associate of Science in Nursing, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This must be done through an accredited school offering an approved program.

• Once you have earned your basic qualification you will be unable to practice as a nurse until you have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

• At this point you can start working as a registered nurse, which is highly recommended because of the experience you will develop in this way.

• Following that it is ideal that you receive two years of experience working in an HIV/AIDS related field, but this is not required.

• Next you must pass your AIDS Certified Registered Nurse exam (ACRN) in ordered to become an AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN).

Personality Traits

There are a number of personality traits that may be specifically useful when working with HIV / AIDS patients:

As an HIV / AIDS Nurse you need to be able to care for the patients, while leaving your feelings at work when you go home. There are many feelings that come up as an HIV / AIDS Nurse as the job is highly intensive from an emotional perspective. As a professional you will need to be able to separate your work life from your personal life adequately. Worrying about your patients while you are at home will only increase your chances of experiencing burnout. In addition you will find it challenging to deal with your personal problems as well.
As HIV / AIDS Nurse you must not judge the patients. Many people assume that the HIV patients knew they were exposing themselves to this disease, although this is not the case and all the patients deserve the same level of care as those who are dying from other terminal illnesses.

You will need to balance caring with a professional attitude as you show the patients compassion although not care to much to let it bother you personally.

Educational Requirements

In order to be an HIV nurse, you must be currently licensed as a registered nurse in the USA or hold an international equivalent nursing degree. This means that you need to meet the educational requirement of having completed an accredited nursing program that led to your ability to take and pass the NCLEX-RN examination. In addition to this you must also have a minimum of two years experience working in a HIV related area such as research, education or clinical practice. This second dimension is only strictly speaking required if you intend to become certified as an HIV nurse. It is highly recommended that you do so as this will greatly improve your employment opportunities. The AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) examination is sanctioned by the Association of Nurses in Aids Care (ANAC) and the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB). Certification is voluntary but highly valued and provides recognition of expertise in the area of HIV and AIDS. It also proves that the HIV/AIDS nurse has shown commitment and dedication to his/her career.

Licensure

To be an HIV nurse you must earn an RN license:

• Complete an RN training program through an accredited school
• Apply for licensure with your state board of nursing
• Once approved, apply to write the exam with Pearson VUE
• Pay the examination fee and set an exam date
• Study for the exam using the many resources provided online and by various nursing schools and nursing organizations
• Sit the exam
• On passing the exam your state board of nursing will send you your license which could take a few months after actually writing the test

How To Become An HIV Nurse

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

You can be an HIV nurse simply by meeting the training requirements that any RN has to go through. However you have the opportunity to advance your career in the area of HIV nursing by becoming certified in the profession. Certification can be achieved through taking the AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) examination. Preparation for this examination is offered at many schools as well as online. However your years of experience in HIV nursing will be the best form of preparation that you can possibly hope to find before taking the examination.

Source An Accredited Education Program

In order to become an HIV / AIDS nurse you need to attend an accredited training program. If the program that you attend is not accredited you will essentially be wasting both your time and your money as your qualification will not be taken seriously and will most probably not result in employment. Here are some schools for you to consider:

Vanderbilt University
School of Nursing
Godchaux Hall 207
461 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240
615-322-3800
1-888-333-9192
http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/

University of California – San Francisco
School of Nursing
2 Koret Way, #N-511L
San Francisco, CA 94143
415-476-6702
http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/spec-anp.htm#cour

Hunter College of the City of New York
Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing
425 East 25th Street
New York, New York 10010
212-772-4000
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/nursing/admissions/graduate

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

There are a number of education options that you could choose in order to eventually become an HIV / AIDS nurse. One of the more popular options is to earn your associate’s degree which can be done by enrolling in any nursing school that offers the qualification. When applying, apply to at least three different schools to increase your chances. To graduate from the program you will need to meet all of the course requirements, including the theoretical and practical dimensions. When this is achieved, you will graduate with an associate’s degree that will allow you to sit the exam.

Obtain Your Licensure

The only license that is really required for this line of work is an RN license. However HIV / AIDS nurses can voluntarily seek to become certified. This involves taking an exam. IN order to qualify for the exam, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must possess a valid and current registered nurse license
• You must have a bachelor of science in nursing, associate degree in nursing or diploma in nursing
• You must have achieved a satisfactory passing score on the National Council for Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN)
• You must not have any restrictions barring practice from any nursing or health regulatory board
• You must have at least two years of HIV/AIDS-related practice experience in the form of clinical practice, research, education or management

Online/Distance Education Programs

There are a number of RN programs that offer training online. However it is very important that you ensure that the program you choose to enroll in is in fact accredited. In addition there is no way to escape the compulsory hands-on training that all nurses must achieve, so if the program does not make provisions for this dimension of your education, you should consider an alternative program. Online programs are more likely to be dishonest and offer a lower level of tuition than face-to-face programs, but this is not true in all cases and studying in this way is cheaper and more convenient.

HIV Nurse Job Outlook

The outlook for the nursing profession in general is extremely good at the moment, and there is an even higher demand for nurses who specialize in specific areas, such as HIV / AIDS. This indicates that, as professions go, this one is a good option to choose as the future looks stable. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Earnings

The average salary for an HIV / AIDS Nurse is between $49,000 and $51,000 approximately. However there are many other similar job titles that you could hold as an HIV / AIDS Nurse so it is interesting to look at what similar nurses earn:

• As a Registered Nurse II you can expect to earn in the region of $55,000 a year
• As a public health informatics / GIS specialist you can expect to earn in the region of $47,000 a year
• As a community health nurse you can expect to earn in the region of $45,000 a year
• As a public health nurse you can expect to earn in the region of $46,000 a year
• As a public health nurse III you can expect to earn in the region of $54,000 a year

There are a number of factors that can affect a nurse’s salary These include the number of years of experience you have, what certifications you have (being an ACRA can lead to higher salaries), what region of the U.S. you live in, and whether you are working in a metropolitan or rural area. Advanced practice nurses (who are trained at the master’s level) also earn significantly higher salaries on average.

There are a number of benefits to entering this profession, not least of which is the fact that you will be able to play an important role in combating a very real and severe epidemic. It is important to note that although certification as an HIV nurse is not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you seek certification of this kind as it can significantly improve your chances of being employed within your chosen specialty in the nursing profession.

The post What You Need To Know About Being An HIV Nurse 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.

The post Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Explained appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

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

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

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

What Character Traits Are Required To Become An LPN?

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

In order to become an LPN you must:

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

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

How Does One Become A Licensed Practical Nurse?

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

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

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

1. Complete a Training Program

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

2. Get your LPN License

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

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

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

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

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

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

How To Ensure A Successful LPN Career

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

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

• Know your scope of practice

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

•  Be an advocate for practical/vocational nursing

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

• Be Careful

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

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

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

• Be a leader

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

• Set goals for yourself

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

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

The post What Does It Take To Become A Successful LPN? appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Many nurses say that they became travel nurses because they wanted to see more of the country and possibly even of overseas countries. According to them, travel nursing also encourages personal and professional growth as they are faced with different problems than what they normally face in a clinical or hospital situation.

What Exactly Is Travel Nursing?

Travel nursing is basically very similar to the old-fashioned “temp work” that has been done by administrative employees for many years. With the nursing shortage hitting all parts of the country and various segments of the nursing profession, managers of healthcare facilities are challenged to find personnel. This is very prevalent in the rural areas, and in areas which are rather out of the way, as they cannot attract sufficient full-time nurses and very often cannot afford to pay full-time nursing staff.

This has led to the advent of travel nursing, which essentially means that a nurse takes on an assignment for a specified amount of time, very often far from her home town. These assignments are generally awarded by agencies that specialize in travel nursing. The agency generally supplies the travel nurse with travel and housing and expenses, helps with required licensing, and provides benefits and payroll services.

Travel nurse assignments can last anything from 8 to 26 weeks, but can be renewed and lengthened should the need occur and the agency and client come to an agreement on this. Most assignments last between 8-13 weeks. Sometimes an agreement is made with the agency that allows the position to be converted to a full-time position should all parties agree on this.

Reasons To Consider Becoming A Travel Nurse

There are various reasons why one should consider doing travel nursing, and according to those that have done it and the experts, here are some of them:

Expand Your Skills And Knowledge Base

Travel nursing makes better nurses because no matter where the assignment, as a travel nurse, you would be constantly exposed to different ways of viewing nursing practice and will inevitably acquire new knowledge and skills that will add to what you have previously learned as well as adding to your curriculum vitae.

Travel nurses have access to a variety of assignments, from those in tiny rural clinics and hospitals where there are but a few beds and where a nurse is expected to be Jill-of-all-trades, to the most modern large hospitals and urban teaching centers where you will be able to specialize in the area of nursing that most interests you.

Each of these experiences will serve to challenge you and help you to grow as a nurse, as you could be learning the latest technique in negative-pressure wound therapy at one hospital one moment and teaching it to staff nurses unfamiliar with the technique at another hospital on the next assignment. This is the type of experience and growth that you may not have the opportunity to experience should you remain in one healthcare facility for many years.

Take Control Of Your Own Career

If you feel that you are getting nowhere in the position that you currently occupy, and are stagnating with no challenges, no hope of moving up in the ranks and too many hospital politics, then it may be time for a change. Travel nursing could offer you the opportunity for a change of scenery, the chance to experience some challenges and take control of your own career by deciding what assignments you want to take.

One of the greatest factors that travel nurses enjoy is the flexibility of the job, as they can change to a different practice setting, e.g. from a hospital-nurse setting to a skilled-nursing facility, a managed-care organization, or even an ambulatory care center. You can choose to work in a slow-paced facility with more patient-contact; a larger more modern, facility where you will have access to sophisticated, high-tech monitoring equipment; home-care, where you basically deal with a single patient one-on-one; or somewhere where you will be exposed to advanced, cutting-edge procedures. This way you can tailor your assignments according to what your personal preferences and professional goals are.

Financial Benefits

In most cases, those who do travel nursing find that the pay scales are comparable to and often better than most staff nursing positions. There are also many opportunities to earn bonuses for recruiting other travel-nurses, assignment completion, working during the Christmas Holidays, etc, depending on which agency you are signed with. This easily translates into earnings of between 10% and 15% more than a staff nurse.

There are also various attractive benefits linked to travel nursing, such as medical and dental insurance coverage, and once again, depending on the agency;

• Free housing
• Travel reimbursement or a travel allowance
• 401 (k) and matching contributions
• Free or low-cost continuing-education courses
• Licensure reimbursement
• Various types of insurance such as disability, life, and professional liability

Broaden Your Children’s Horizons

If you have been worrying about the fact that you have children and what will become of them, you can stop worrying, as most travel nursing recruiters are more than willing to accommodate just about any situation. Finding suitable accommodation for travel nurses with children is no problem for them, and this means that you could take your children, and even your spouse, with you on assignments, or at least some of them. This exposes your offspring to different parts of the country, different communities and different lifestyles, which is invaluable in forming a holistic world-view.

If you prefer to not move your children around, then it is possible to request assignments with an easy commute during the school-term and take on other longer, distance assignments during the school holidays, which solves the problem of giving the children something exciting and different to do and experience during holidays and still allows you to work and be with them at the same time. This is a definite win-win situation!

Travel nursing is a wonderful way to take you out of your comfort-zone and teach you what you can do. After a few days of orientation on each assignment you will be ready to draw on the confidence that your previous learning and experience has given you and find yourself fitting in just perfectly whilst learning many new things at the same time.

Who Can Become A Travel Nurse?

Although there are some positions available for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN) to do travel nursing, the positions more often than not call for a Registered Nurse (RN), so this could be an incentive for you as an LPN/LVN to study further and get your licensure as an RN.
There are various full-time and online programs available for LPNs to study to become RNs, including some fast-track programs that only take a few months to complete.

Travel With A Friend

Many travel nurses prefer to travel with a friend so that they do not feel so lonely on their assignments, and it is a wonderful way to travel and see the country with someone who can share your experiences. Depending on the skill set that you and your friend possess, and the needs of the hospital, this can often be arranged. There are even lots of husband and wife teams that travel together.

What About Licensing?

As per law, you are required to be licensed in each state in which you work, but his is not a problem if you decide to do travel nursing, as the agency will help you with this process. The process is not that difficult or onerous for those who already have licensure in the state in which they live. Your agency representative will be able to give you all the necessary information regarding licensure in the state in which you would like to practice, and will assist you with whatever you need to do to acquire said licensure.

How To Find A Travel Nursing Agency

Before just jumping into travel nursing, it is important that you find a suitable agency, and there are some important factors that you should keep in mind when doing your research. Remember the reasons that you decided to do travel nursing, and make sure that the agency with which you sign up can provide and meet all those reasons. One of the easiest ways to find a good travel agency is to go to the travel nursing website, where you will find a list of agencies. Click on one of the banners to go directly to that agency’s website, where you can find out more and get all your questions answered.

Make a list of your expectations, what you want from travel nursing, and what your priorities are, and then find the agency that can offer most, if not all, of them. Your list should include some of the following:

• Excellent pay rates – money is not everything, but you should be paid according to your experience.

• Free Insurance – one of the benefits should be that you get free medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for yourself, and also for dependents, should you have any.

• 401K with employer contribution – some agencies will pay 100% of your 401k, but some may only pay 50%; you will need to decide what priority this takes.

• Completion Bonus – competition between the agencies is fierce, and many of them offer a completion bonus for each assignment; this can make for some nice savings.

• Direct Pay – is it important to you that your salary be deposited in your bank account via an electronic transfer, or don’t you mind getting a check which you then need to either deposit or cash yourself?

• Travel Reimbursement – some companies will reimburse fully, whilst others offer a travel allowance, which would you prefer? Also check whether they only pay for your travel to and from the assignment or will also pay for any travel you have to do during the assignment, especially if it is a ling assignment.

• Continuing Education – this is important to any nurse, and it is important for you to check whether the travel nursing agency will pay for CPR, ACLS, and PALS if required for an assignment, and whether they offer any financial assistance for other further study, including CEUs.

Travel nursing offers two main benefits that are not available to nurses who practice as full-time nurses in one facility; being able to manage your own career how you see fit, and flexibility as to when and where you work.

Travel nursing will allow you to enjoy a flexibility and freedom that is not generally associated with a staff position; it allows you to take off between assignments to visit family or friends or go on holiday, with no limits on how long you can take off. You can also leave time between assignments to explore the area in which you have just been working more fully, or so that you can visit and take in the sights on the way to your next assignment.

Travel nursing with definitely test your mettle and draw on every bit of knowledge and experience that you have, but it will also offer the chance for growth, both professionally and personally. Becoming a Travel nurse will allow you to challenge your perceptions about yourself, your capabilities and abilities, and open yourself to new experiences along the way. Travel nursing will also allow you to make many memories that you would never have had the chance to make had you stayed in one place.

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Choosing A Program

EMT programs in New York can differ considerably, and consequently there are a variety of factors to take into account when selecting the best program for you. For one thing, some of the schools listed here have a stronger emphasis on EMT training than others. This carries with it the implication that these schools may be better options in terms of receiving adequate EMT training. If this is one of your primary concerns, you should definitely consider attending the following schools over others:

• Manhattan Community College
• La Guardia Community College
• Monroe Community College
• Rockland Community College

However, this is not the only consideration to take into account as there are a number of schools in New York that do not primarily focus on training for the emergency medical services, but which are still excellent options offering very good EMT programs. If, for example, you are particularly interested in attending a school with great student body diversity, the best options for you to look into may well be La Guardia Community College, Manhattan Community College, Rockland Community College, and Westchester Community College. Some students begin college late and are considered to be adult learners. If you are in this position you should consider attending Westchester Community College, Monroe Community College, or Duchess Community College as these are schools with many adult learners enrolled. This means that you will be among students in a similar position to yourself. It also implies that these schools may be better equipped for coping with your specific educational needs and may even account for the busy schedule that many adult learners have. If you are interested in attending a school that has geographic diversity (in other words, is located out of state), La Guardia Community College, Herkimer County Community College, and Corning Community College are good options to consider. Many students have to live on campus as well as study there. In New York, MVCC Utica and Monroe Community College are good options to consider if you need to attend a residential campus.

List Of EMT Programs In New York

The following is a fairly comprehensive list of the EMT programs available in the state of New York. Before selecting a program, careful consideration must be made of several factors, including the accreditation status of the school and the quality of the tuition offered.

• Corning Community College, located in Corning and offering an Associate’s degree
• CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, located in New York and offering an Associate’s degree
• CUNY LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City and offering an Associate’s degree
• Duchess Community College, located in Poughkeepsie and offering an Associate’s degree
• Erie Community College, located in Buffalo and offering an Associate’s degree
• Finger Lakes Community College, located in Canandaigua and offering an Associate’s degree
• Herkimer County Community College, located in Herkimer and offering an Associate’s degree
• Hudson Valley Community College, located in Troy and offering an Associate’s degree
• Jefferson Community College, located in Watertown and offering an Associate’s degree
• Mohawk Valley Community College- Utica Branch, located in Utica and offering an Associate’s degree
• Monroe Community College, located in Rochester and offering an Associate’s degree
• Rockland Community College, located in Suffern and offering an Associate’s degree
• SUNY Westchester Community College, located in Valhalla and offering an Associate’s degree
• Ulster County Community College, located in Stone Ridge and offering an Associate’s degree

EMT Certification Classes In New York With Certificate Information

In order to get a clearer understanding of what EMT programs in New York actually offer, we will now consider two of the more popular schools and the courses that they offer.

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College’s EMT Certification Programs

CUNY (City University of New York) offers excellent training options for the emergency medical students. At the moment about 22,000 students representing 155 different countries across the world are enrolled at this school.

Emergency Medical Care Course

Although most states allow you to become an EMT once you have completed the NREMT certification exam (which certifies EMTs at a national level), New York requires students to take a state certification examination. This is called the New York State Emergency Medical Technical Certification Examination and the Emergency Medical Care Course offered by CUNY allows you to sit for this exam. The primary skill that this course will teach you is:

• The assessment and treatment of emergency injuries and illnesses in pre-hospital settings

This course can be taken independently, or it can serve as a prerequisite course for the paramedic program offered by the university.

Associate In Applied Science In Paramedics

This is a two-year program that prepares you to be a paramedic, one step up from simply being an EMT in New York. This degree consists of the following coursework:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Trauma assessment
• The treatment of head and neck injuries

You will gain knowledge by engaging in three internships that involve rotations in:

• The city morgue
• Hospital emergency rooms
• A paramedic advanced life support ambulance

Monroe Community College’s EMT Certification Programs

This two year college has about 19,000 students currently enrolled. It has three tracks, namely emergency medical services (EMS) management, basic-level emergency medicine or paramedic training.

Emergency Medical Services Certificate

This is a course which prepares prospective EMTs for taking the EMT-Basic examination. The coursework that you will cover during this training program includes:

• General EMT training
• Hazardous materials
• Early defibrillation
• Patient assessment
• Emergency operations
• Pediatrics
• Trauma management
• Airway management

Associate In Applied Science In Emergency Medical Services – Paramedicine

This is a substantially more intensive course as it requires 66 credits, 42 of which must be paramedic training course credits. Before a student can even enroll in this program, he or she must already have EMT certification as this is, in fact, a degree that leads to a paramedic qualification. Coursework includes:

• Assessment and prioritization of multiple trauma patients
• Techniques to manage cardiac or respiratory emergencies

In order to successfully complete the program you will have to meet all of the coursework requirements as well as engaging in clinical education and fieldwork.

There are a number of topics that you will study over the duration of this course, including:

• Advanced pediatric care
• Paramedic-level medicine
• Surgical airway techniques
• Chest decompression
• Special immobilization techniques

There are a number of additional skills that you will also pick up over the course of your training, such as how to work in a team, how to interpret 12-lead electrocardiograph (EKG) machines and how to handle incidents involving hazardous materials and incident management. Completion of this program qualifies graduates to sit for the New York State certification exam for paramedics.

Major Private Employers Of EMTs In New York

There are a number of private employers that hire EMTs in the state of New York. They include Arista Car & Limousine LTD, located in New York City, Dial Car, located in Brooklyn, Rural Metro Inc, located in Rochester, 1-800-Cityride, located in Long Island City, We Care Inc, located in Buffalo, Hunter Ambulette Ambulance, located in Inwood, D & J Ambulette Svc, located in Bronx, Alamo Ambulance Svc, located in Poughkeepsie, XYZ Two Way Radio Inc, located in Brooklyn, Bynum Yorktown Taxi, located in Peekskill, Classic Executive Limousine, located in Long Island City, Brentwood Legion Ambulance Svc, located in Brentwood, Bravo Volunteer Ambulance Svc, located in Brooklyn, New Harlem Car Svc Inc, located in New York, All City Radio Taxi Assn Inc, located in Bronx, Audubon Car & Limousine Svc, located in New York, Skyline Credit Ride Inc, located in Long Island City, Ben’s Car & Limousine, located in Long Island City, and Prime Time Transportation Inc, located in Long Island City.

Although there are a number of considerations to keep in mind, it is clear that New York offers a variety of opportunities for future EMTs. In fact, in comparison to other industries in the state, emergency medical services is certainly one of the better options with which to become involved. Technological improvements mean that there are more and more procedures that can be performed at the scene of a medical emergency. Consequently, EMTs and other emergency respondents are becoming increasingly more important in terms of saving lives and giving the health care industry in general a good name.

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A school nurse practitioner is a nurse who provides care to children and young adults at their school or college. As nursing specialties go, this one is slightly less intensive than most others, as it usually involves dealing with minor injuries and illnesses with a greater focus on overall well being rather than on emergency medical situations. Nurses who prefer to work under less pressure and who also enjoy working with young people are ideally suited for this line of work.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

The following are usually considered to be the main duties of a school nurse practitioner:

• In addition to simply caring for individual children and students, school nurse practitioners are also responsible for developing an overarching health care plan for the entire institution.

• School nurse practitioners are responsible for ensuring that all other school staff are trained in dealing with common medical situations that may arise, such as first aid and first response skills, as well as how to deal with Epilepsy and asthma.

• They also tend to have an active role in educating students and teachers on different healthcare issues.

• School nurse practitioners do not only deal with physical ailments but are also responsible for providing help and support to any students who are suffering from mental health problems, such as depression or substance abuse disorders.

• A school nurse practitioner must also work closely with other Community Groups and Social Workers and refer the students under her care if and when necessary.

• Nutrition and exercise are closely linked to the health status of children, and it is therefore the school nurse practitioner’s job to educate parents and students on this aspect of their well being.

• Last but not least, the school nurse practitioner is responsible for testing hearing and eyesight and monitoring the weight and height of the children under her care.

Employment

School nurse practitioners are either employed full-time at a school, or are required to serve a number of schools in a specified geographic location. In cases where the nurse is a full-time employee, they will work out of an office within the school and be available at all times during the school day. If, on the other hand, they are required to serve a number of different schools, their visits will be intermittent (although they could follow a set schedule). Because school nurses tend to keep to school hours, they have more free time and a more convenient lifestyle than many other nursing professionals. In addition, depending on the school that they work in, they stand a higher chance of being employed in a well ventilated and lighted facility.

School Nurse Practitioner Requirements

There are a number of requirements that you need to meet in order to become a school nurse practitioner, but the main ones are as follows:

• You must have completed an RN training program and hold an RN license
• You must have a pediatric nurse qualification

Pediatric nurse practitioners are nurses who are specifically trained to care for the needs of babies, children and adolescents, which is why this qualification is essential for working in a school or college. Young people and children have different medical needs and are at risk for different medical conditions than adults or geriatrics, so it is essential that, before applying for positions in a school, that you have the necessary knowledge and qualifications for becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Personality Traits

Certain personality traits will make your job as a school nurse practitioner substantially easier:

• You need to have well-developed communication skills in order to effectively communicate with children as well as with adults

• You must have the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly as mistakes can often be serious and even life-threatening when it comes to children

• You must be able to work with patients who are sometimes reluctant to cooperate, especially if you are working with teenagers in a high school

• You must be willing to work with a team as you will need to interact with other school employees as well as outside agencies

• You must be able to supervise others

• You must be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition towards children

Educational Requirements

The educational path to becoming a school nurse practitioner is a fairly lengthy one as you are required to first earn a pediatric nurse practitioner qualification:

• Firstly you need to become a qualified Registered Nurse and receive several years of experience as one, preferably working with children in, for example, a pediatric ward.

• These programs are usually about two years in duration and earn you a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

• Once you have completed the pediatric nursing program, you must apply for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) certification exam and licensure in the state in which you wish to practice.

RN programs can vary in length from about 2 years to 4 years, depending on the qualification you pursue. By adding the pediatric nurse practitioner qualification you will need to devote 4 to 6 years of your life in total to meeting the educational requirements for this specialty.

Licensure

The only license that you really need in order to become a school nurse practitioner is your RN license. This process involves enrolling in an accredited RN training program. These programs can take 2 to 4 years to complete, depending on the type of qualification you plan to earn. A bachelor’s program will take 4 years to complete and provide you with more career advancement options than an associate’s degree or a diploma. However, an associate’s degree can take as a little as 2 years to complete while a diploma will take about 3 years. Completing a program and meeting all of the theory and clinical course requirements will make you eligible to apply for licensure with your State Board of Nursing. Once the board confirms that you meet the requirements for becoming licensed, you can set a date to write the NCLEX-RN, which is the national licensing exam for registered nurses in the US. Pearson VUE administers the exam for a fee of $200. Your results will be passed on to your State Board of Nursing. If you pass satisfactorily, you will receive licensure. Licensure must be renewed regularly, although the specific time periods and requirements for achieving this may differ depending on the state in which you are licensed in.

How To Become A School Nurse Practitioner

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

It is interesting to note that, because you need to hold a pediatric nurse practitioner qualification in order to be a school nurse practitioner, there is plenty of room for advancement in this line of work. The bottom line is that you will not be limited to working in schools and you will have the opportunity to branch out and expand your knowledge in the area of pediatric nursing specifically, if that is what you choose to do.
Continuing education credits with a focus on pediatric care will stand you in good stead and improve your career advancement opportunities in this line of work.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is important that the school through which you complete your pediatric nurse practitioner qualification is accredited. If it is not accredited, you may find yourself in a situation where the program that you invested so much time and money in is worth nothing. Some examples of schools you could consider attending are:

The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Avenue Northeast
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-5000
cua.edu

University of California at San Francisco
400 Parnassus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-476-2342
ucsf.edu

University of Virginia
202 Jeanette Lancaster Way
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-924-0141
virginia.edu

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

As you have already noted, in order to be a school nurse practitioner you must hold a pediatric nurse practitioner qualification. This is, essentially, a master’s degree. However, earning an associate’s degree is a very useful first step in the process as this will allow you to receive an RN license, a requirement for entering a pediatric nurse practitioner program. Begin the process by noting all of the schools in your area offering associate’s degrees in nursing. Create a shortlist of the options that are most closely aligned with your personal needs. Apply for at least 3 different schools in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Each school will have its own application procedures that you should take careful note of. Choose the best school from among those that accept you and enroll. Completing the program will earn you your associate’s degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

In order to be a school nurse practitioner you must, in addition to earning your RN license, become certified by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), which is affiliated with the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBSCN). This process involves taking and passing the NBSCN national school nurse certification examination. There are a large number of schools that offer programs that will prepare you for this. A comprehensive list can be found at http://www.education-online-search.com/programs/nursing_school/school_nurse_certificate_programs, although you need to ensure for yourself that these schools are appropriately accredited.

Online/Distance Education Programs

Because you need to complete a certain amount of clinical hands-on training for any nursing qualification, it is simply not possible to complete a qualification such as this entirely online. It is possible to complete the theory portion in this manner, and this can certainly alleviate the burden placed on your shoulders, but your clinical work must always be completed in a face-to-face situation. When selecting online schools, choose one that also has a brick-and-mortar presence as well as a good track record. Schools that provide resources through which to complete your clinical training should also be prioritized.

Job Outlook

Some nurses worry about where their money will come from during vacation time if they do choose to pursue a career as a school nurse practitioner. Because of your pediatric qualification it is possible for you to seek temporary positions as a pediatric nurse practitioner during these time periods. This also implies that you could leave school nursing altogether if you chose to do so. School nurses are also on the front lines of healthcare in that they have a great deal of interaction with the community. This also implies that there is potential for nurses with this qualification to branch out into community nursing should they be interested in doing so.
Job stability is always guaranteed in the health care industry as this is the only industry that stays strong no matter what. In addition, it is the industry that is growing at a faster rate than any other.

Earnings

School nurses, with their pediatric nurse qualifications, are eligible to earn the following:

• Average Salary = $61,676 – $94,383
• Bonus = $0.00 – $7,465
• Profit Sharing = $507 – $19,727
• Total Pay = $63,996 – $102,228

School nurses are not limited to working in schools, and it is therefore interesting to note what other pay options a nurse with this specialty may have:

• In Healthcare you could earn about $58,819 – $94,359 an hour with this qualification
• In a Pediatric Office you could earn about $59,254 – $94,223 an hour with this qualification
• In a Hospital you could earn about $59,905 – $96,324 an hour with this qualification
• In a Medical Office you could earn about $57,726 – $93,395 an hour with this qualification
• In the Medical Services you could earn about $58,571 – $95,578 an hour with this qualification

The educational path to becoming a school nurse practitioner is fairly lengthy, but the career and salary opportunities that characterize this specialty make it a worthy option to consider. The primary qualification is that you have a genuine love for children and a passionate interest in their well being.

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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.

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