Category: Uncategorized

Nursing school has been known to have challenging exams. As a student there’s new material to learn, critical information to memorize and clinical skills to practice. These are all important components for the average nursing student. Below are great tips that will help you.

Tips to Help You Study in Nursing School

1. Create quality time to study

The most important part of studying is simply taking the time to do it! Nursing school takes quite a bit of studying outside of the classroom, so scheduling your study time and prioritizing it on a daily basis is crucial.

Focus is crucial for retention and your success in nursing school. Make goals and get rid of distractions, whether that means placing your phone in another room or turning off browser notifications on your laptop or tablet.

2. Use your nursing school study materials

Many nursing schools offer amazing resources and study tools through their library services staff. These professionals know where to find the information you need and can be an immense help.

3. Study with a coach

Whether you’re looking to learn effective study strategies, get help with a specific course or receive advice from someone who’s succeeded in the same classes. Tutors can help students with time management, reading strategies and class content, among other things.

Not only does tutoring provide educational support, but the time spent talking to another person about your work can even be a lift emotionally—sometimes it just feels good to know you’re not alone in struggling with a concept. Working as a student tutor also comes with benefits.

4. Follow your instructor’s rubric carefully

When you’ve got a lot of work to do, you’ll want to be smart about your approach. One of the best ways to do that is to follow your instructor’s rubric carefully. When an instructor creates a rubric, they’re not posting it just for their reference—it’s for your benefit. Following the rubric is the key to getting the grades you want and avoiding easy mistakes.

5. Seek out additional study tools

Don’t limit yourself to the same study tools you’ve used since middle school. Talk to your classmate and try something new! Many nursing school cohorts have Facebook groups or smaller group messages to share study materials and tools. You never know the difference a new tool might make in your studying. For synthesizing and reviewing information, try YouTube.

6. Practice online learning

Though this might provide an initial challenge for those unfamiliar with online learning and electronic tools, you’ll need these skills for your career. It’s important to remember that future nurses are training for the workplace, where they’ll be using electronic charts and patient-monitoring technology daily.

7. Don’t burn yourself out

You’re focused on becoming a nurse and that’s great. But keep in mind: Nursing students are human, too. Sometimes you just need a break. Brain breaks are necessary. If you’re in the middle of a long study session, it can help to step away from what you’re doing for a brief regroup. For example, you can grab a snack or watch a quick show.

8. Use your strengths to your advantage

Nurses come from a variety of different backgrounds with a wide range of amazing personalities. Students know how to use these traits to their advantage. Your own unique character traits can also help you study in nursing school. Stay positive by viewing new material as a challenge. It’s important to stay positive about your ability to learn, and remember that your effort will make you a better nurse in the future.

9. Don’t hesitate to ask for help

Nursing school can be overwhelming, but remember you’re not doing it alone. So who can you ask for help in nursing school? You have a lot of options—faculty, staff and fellow students are all in your corner when it comes to academic help.

It can be intimidating to ask for help, but try to set aside any concerns you have about asking. Reaching out for help means you’re taking control of your learning and putting yourself in the driver’s seat. You can also reach out to your peers. Try making connections and finding a group designated for quizzing one another and talking through tough concepts. You can even study virtually with group chats or other social media-powered tools.

10. Prioritize quality study time

The most important part of studying is simply taking the time to do it! Nursing school takes quite a bit of studying outside of the classroom, so scheduling your study time and prioritizing it on a daily basis is crucial. Samantha Schulenburg, a student in the demanding accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, estimates that she spends about 6-7 hours per day on school-related tasks.

You may find yourself setting aside entire days as dedicated study times, depending on your class schedule and outside commitments, as Megan Labudde does, another accelerated BSN student. Though she considers her relatively light Wednesdays as her primary study day, Labudde says she’s always looking for ways to keep study time at the forefront.

“I’m always prioritizing my study time,” she says.

If you’re prioritizing your study time, you’ll find all sorts of ways to sneak small bits of productivity into your daily habits. “The key is to really take advantage of every moment,” says Natalia Dann, BSN student and tutor. Since she works outside of school, she makes her studying a daily habit by listening to her textbooks in the car or while doing chores in addition to her dedicated study time.

Don’t feel like you need to sit and study for hours and hours at a time in a marathon-style study session. In fact, that’s probably one of the least effective ways to study, says Kristie Keuntjes, learning services coordinator for Rasmussen University’s School of Nursing. “When you’re sitting there for hours, you’re not really retaining information and engaging it in a meaningful way. It can really burn you out as a student.”

Keuntjes recommends study cycle guidelines for Rasmussen University Nursing Students that include a timeline for effective studying that includes a break.^* By breaking your studying into manageable pieces, you’ll have stronger engagement and information retention.

Focus is crucial for retention and your success in nursing school. Make goals and get rid of distractions, whether that means placing your phone in another room or turning off browser notifications on your laptop or tablet, as Labudde does. It’s important to know your own weakness and be able to confront them head on.

11. Utilize your nursing school’s study tools

Many nursing schools offer amazing resources and study tools through their library services staff. These professionals know where to find the information you need and can be an immense help. For Rasmussen University nursing students, the School of Nursing Library and Learning Services guide is their secret weapon. Created by librarians with the input of faculty, the school of nursing guide includes helpful sections for:

• New students
• Writing resources 
• ATI testing resources
• How to access tutors
• Course pages
• Study strategies
• Testing strategies
• NCLEX prep resources

Though having all this information in one place may seem overwhelming at first, this guide is a recommended part of any Rasmussen University nursing student’s study routine. Will Hummel, tutor and BSN student, uses the School of Nursing guide as his go-to for everything from nursing research and APA guides to numerous course-specific resources.

12. Consider studying with a tutor

Whether you’re looking to learn effective study strategies, get help with a specific course or receive advice from someone who’s succeeded in the same classes. Tutors can help students with time management, reading strategies and class content, among other things.

Keuntjes hires tutors for the Rasmussen University nursing program and is a strong advocate for the value of tutoring. “There’s a stigma around [seeking] tutoring and there really shouldn’t be.” Keuntjes says she’s seen firsthand that students who engage with tutors are often much more successful than those who do not.

Not only does tutoring provide educational support, but the time spent talking to another person about your work can even be a lift emotionally—sometimes it just feels good to know you’re not alone in struggling with a concept. Working as a student tutor also comes with benefits. Dann, who works as a tutor, says she loves how teaching the material gives her the opportunity to review, keeping vital nursing information at the front of her mind.

Nursing school can be tough. But with these study tips and support of faculty, fellow students and your friends, you have a great shot at succeeding in nursing school. Get some advice on lionessays.com.

.

A nursing diagnosis has been defined as a clinical judgment that concerns how humans respond to health conditions/life processes. Compared to medical diagnosis, this analyzes the needs of the patient.

A nursing diagnosis provides the basis for the selection of nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which the nurse has accountability. Nursing diagnoses are developed based on data obtained during the nursing assessment and enable the nurse to develop the care plan.

Purposes of Nursing Diagnosis

The purpose of the nursing diagnosis is as follows:

• Helps identify nursing priorities and help direct nursing interventions based on identified priorities.
• Helps the formulation of expected outcomes for quality assurance requirements of third-party payers.
• Nursing diagnoses help identify how a client or group responds to actual or potential health and life processes and knowing their available resources of strengths that can be drawn upon to prevent or resolve problems.
• Provides a common language and forms a basis for communication and understanding between nursing professionals and the healthcare team.
• Provides a basis of evaluation to determine if nursing care was beneficial to the client and cost-effective.
• For nursing students, nursing diagnoses are an effective teaching tool to help sharpen their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Differentiating Nursing Diagnoses, Medical Diagnoses, and Collaborative Problems

The term nursing diagnosis is associated with three different concepts. It may refer to the distinct second step in the nursing process, diagnosis. Also, nursing diagnosis applies to the label when nurses assign meaning to collected data appropriately labeled with NANDA-I-approved nursing diagnosis. For example, during the assessment, the nurse may recognize that the client is feeling anxious, fearful, and finds it difficult to sleep. It is those problems which are labeled with nursing diagnoses: respectively, Anxiety, Fear, and Disturbed Sleep Pattern. Lastly, a nursing diagnosis refers to one of many diagnoses in the classification system established and approved by NANDA. In this context, a nursing diagnosis is based upon the response of the patient to the medical condition. It is called a ‘nursing diagnosis’ because these are matters that hold a distinct and precise action that is associated with what nurses have autonomy to take action about with a specific disease or condition. This includes anything that is a physical, mental, and spiritual type of response. Hence, a nursing diagnosis is focused on care.

A medical diagnosis, on the other hand, is made by the physician or advance health care practitioner that deals more with the disease, medical condition, or pathological state only a practitioner can treat. Moreover, through experience and know-how, the specific and precise clinical entity that might be the possible cause of the illness will then be undertaken by the doctor, therefore, providing the proper medication that would cure the illness.

Collaborative problems are potential problems that nurses manage using both independent and physican-prescribed interventions. These are problems or conditions that require both medical and nursing interventions with the nursing aspect focused on monitoring the client’s condition and preventing development of the potential complication.

As explained above, now it is easier to distinguish nursing diagnosis from that of a medical diagnosis. Nursing diagnosis is directed towards the patient and his physiological and psychological response. A medical diagnosis, on the other hand, is particular with the disease or medical condition. Its center is on the illness.

Step by Step Guide on How to Write a Nursing Diagnosis

Step 1. Check the symptoms of the patient

Observe the injuries of the patient or signs and symptoms of their state. Then describe the problem of the patient depending on the signs and symptoms that you’re able to see. For instance, if your patient got involved in a car accident and they may be confused. In this case, you can write that the patient doesn’t seem to understand what happened or where they are.

At this point, it’s not a must to use official terms. Instead, you can just observe the patient and describe them in your terms then you can change later.

Step 2. Ask the patient and the family how they’re feeling

Your nursing diagnosis is the information that you gather from the patient and the people around him. The patient’s family can let you know how they’re feeling and if the condition is affecting them. The patient on the other hand should be asked how they’re feeling to know how they’re managing the symptoms.

Step 3. Assess how the patient is responding to the symptoms

Take a look at the patient to find out how they’re coping with the pain or loss of functioning in various organs. Check how the patient is treating those around him, including the nurses and the family. If the patient is attacking the nurses, it could be they’re in severe pain or their anxiety level has risen.

Step 4. Know the difference between objective and subjective data

Subjective data is the information the patient provides you about how they’re feeling. Objective data, on the other hand, is gathered from the observations made and can be measured and verified using scientific analysis.

The data that supports the real diagnosis can either be objective or subjective. Objective data is more crucial because that’s what’s being used to get to the bottom of the diagnosis. Subjective data on the other hand is important in determining the care plan that’s best for the patient.

Step 5. Take note of the problem that your nursing diagnosis will tackle

Take a look at the signs and symptoms and the data you’ve gathered to direct you to the right diagnosis. Always concentrate on how the patient is feeling and the family and friends. Do not put so much focus on the medical diagnosis

For instance, your patient has been diagnosed with a brain injury. Your nursing diagnosis is going to be about what the patient requires to help with their condition.

Step 6. Examine the source of the problem of the patient

Once you have noted the problem that you’ll handle from your nurse’s perspective, get to know why the patient experiencing that problem. It is going to guide you in terms of the nursing interventions that will solve the problem.

For instance, if the patient has been diagnosed with a severe headache. The patient has a recent brain injury. The brain injury could be the cause of that severe headache.

Step 7. Analyze the health history of the patient

Take a look at the patient’s chart to find out if there’s anything related to the current condition. It is also important to go through the lab reports of the patient.

Step 8. Identify possible related problems during examination

Once you have noted the patient’s condition, check other issues that the patient might encounter while going through the treatment. For instance, if your patient has been having persistent headaches, lack of sleep is related to the headache which was the initial diagnosis. Knowing these other problems will help you in determining the best treatment for your patient.

Step 9. Gather your related factors for your diagnosis

Outline the related elements of the patient’s diagnosis. Related elements form the second part of your nursing diagnosis. For instance, if your patient is experiencing severe pain and confusion due to a brain injury. You can put this down as “severe pain r/t brain injury” or “severe confusion secondary to brain injury confirmed by MRI.”

Ensure that you perform your duties within the doctor’s diagnosis. If the diagnosis is not ending, you can mention the working diagnosis.

Step 10. Summarize your data

Go through the data you have collected to single out the factors that show the problem you have diagnosed.

The best nursing diagnosis is going to inform the doctor what could be the issue with the patient. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make a diagnosis. A doctor will diagnose the patient, hence your nursing diagnosis shouldn’t conclude about what the diagnosis is going to be. We hope this guide is going to help you in writing a nursing diagnosis. In case you need more help, you can visit lionessays.com for more assistance.

Writing a good nursing research paper can be a challenging exercise for students. Sometimes the students are overwhelmed with information that must be obtained through months-long research that is always combined prolonged hours of clinical practice. Unraveling such information in a well-organized way may sound like an impossible process, to the point that you might even want to avoid starting it.

Below are tips that will give you the tools you require when preparing and getting that nursing research paper writing process.

The best writing services always inspire by the quality work and offer their clients to get 100% feedback from creative writers. Almost all the professional writing services greatly manage the online writing contracts format from the clients’ side and they never compromise on quality and standards to manage contents and every useful writing material on behalf of the quality assurance.

All writers always write according to the planned framework and never disclose anything without the prior permission of their contractors. The nursing staff is also one of the main clients for online writing services who always make ready to solve the different complications of the interested students. It is not a big issue now for the nursing staff to ask for quality nursing papers preparation because 100% active writers always make ready to help the interested communities and to engage with the huge networks on behalf of the online connections.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

1. Create an outline for your work

For you to appropriately organize the numerous resources that you have gathered, you need to create a good outline for your work. An outline will help you create a framework for a successful nursing dissertation, and it also allows you to concentrate on the specific point that you are analyzing.

Make sure you go through your research materials for recurring themes and unanswered questions. While writing a nursing dissertation, you need to make sure that you choose a topic that you love. Then, you will collect the tools that you need to build a working thesis.

In most cases, composing a dissertation tends to be a compelling exercise, particularly when you are undertaking in a nursing course.

2. Make a template

Your next step should be creating a draft or work on a given template. If you choose to create a draft from scratch, you need to have a look at similar dissertation for you to get a working concept on how to create a corresponding structure. On the other hand, you can try and look for a good template to work since it will be easier. However, you need to ensure that you get a sample to suits your nursing dissertation writing requirements. Do a thorough search on several specialized websites that keeps academic papers so that you will find a suitable sample.

On top of that, you need to review various nursing compendiums online to help you get an effective concept of how you will arrange your content of the nursing dissertation.

3. Compare and contrast the information

Establishing a comparison based on the information that you had collected is important. You need to rely on the most recent data to help you evade making erroneous mistakes in the analysis. On top of that, getting an up-to-date backup data will help you make your nursing dissertation more accurate. This data will help you in supporting your main argument.

The moment you get all the connections required for understanding your dissertation project, you will get a much easier task to handle. This will help you create a strong nursing dissertation that your professor will love. However, for you to achieve this, you need to go through similar dissertations on the related subject matter. Note that it is always important to have a look at other academic papers since the reference might help you when creating the nursing dissertation.

4. Come up with a thesis 

This is one of the perfect ways of starting your writing process on the right footing. Note that a thesis is the foundation of your nursing dissertation and for this reason, you need to explain the purpose of the project laconically. Additionally, you must analyze the various ways in which you intend to prove your argument through the project.

5. Write a perfect body of the paper

Bear in mind that this is another vital tip that can help you compose your dissertation quickly. If the body of your nursing dissertation is poorly organized, you will get lost in the way such that you will be required to start again. On top of that, this will only give poor grades. Ensure that you make the data contained in your dissertation to count by organizing your work properly as you spare your professor the structural surprise that comes after you submit a shabby paper.

6. Write an interesting conclusion

Given that you might not have enough time on your side, you need to use a short but captivating and concise conclusion of what your dissertation is talking about. Make sure your conclusion is composed in a simple to understand language without incorporating any new or controversial subject that was not captured in the main body of the paper. Try as much as you can to ensure that you avoid vagueness.

How to Make Sure Which Writing Services are the Best for Writing Perfect Nursing Research Paper?

Numerous online creative minds people are attached to online professional services and ready to solve the different writing complications of the students. Almost all the writers remain active and ready to help and to write for interested clients. Find the best writing services and make sure their compatible rates and their prices to write the best quality nursing research paper or any other valuable documents. Choose the Best papers and writing materials that can help the writers to write efficiently and to fulfill the requirements of the interested students according to their academic needs.

Nursing staff can get immediate responses from online writing experts and do online contracts to act accordingly. Writers write everything carefully and they do not make promises what they cannot do it. So always try to engage with the authentic and secure services that have a good feedback score and have a good reputation among their clients and have instant feedback response by providing high-quality services at the time of interested clients.

Numerous writing experts and writing solution providing services always remain excited to know about the best planning of the writing experts which they will use to write the best nursing research paper which can satisfy to their authorities of the nursing staff and enable them to get good positions on behalf of submitting of a quality nursing research paper.

How to Apply for Writing the Best Quality Nursing Research Paper?

To make contacts with online professionals is not a challenging task for nursing staff or for any other person who really needs the help of online writing experts. Writers always make sure about their provided data on behalf of their services and never ask anything from any other source to take help. Writers always write according to the required nursing research paper pattern and never disclose anything to any other source.

Creative and qualified writers always remain active to take assignments and writing tasks from their online contractors and take some time to review and to make sure about requirements and start to write according to the planned structure requires by the interested contractors. Writers do not take risks to provide duplicate content but they always deliver the best quality nursing research paper according to the patterns.

A great nursing research paper will encourage readers to read your entire work and help get your work published in scientific journals. For more information and tips on manuscript writing and journal submissions, check out our lionessays.com.

.

Drafting your nursing personal statement can take so much time, effort and several revisions before you can submit it. So don’t leave it right up until the deadline to start work on it. Combining a high quality nursing personal statement can be hard, but we have broken it down into manageable sections below to give you some ideas of how to get started.

A nursing personal statement is a short essay that a candidate writes for a nursing program application. It complements their grades and other quantifiable factors, providing a more personal look at a candidate’s dedication, passion and work ethic. Applicants can use this space to describe why they’re interested in a specific nursing program and why their experiences make them a good fit for the program.

As a nurse, you will need to manage multiple workstreams, including both administrative tasks and patient care, as well as organize proper treatment steps and potentially other members of the healthcare team. Therefore, a well-developed nursing personal statement that is logical and polished reflects that you have the right mindset for the profession.

Personal Remark

Although you want to refrain from telling the story of your life, you still want to make it personal. Be sure to illustrate with specific and unique examples why you are cut out for this career and the specific program you are applying to. There are many things that can be included in this category, not all of them will be right for each applicant to discuss or appropriate for the prompts that each individual provides. However, this list should give you an idea of what the evaluators are looking for in a strong candidate:

Educational background

Consider elaborating on any relevant education that makes you a strong candidate. For example, you could discuss your experience taking a biology class or a CPR certification class in school, including the practical skills these classes taught you and why they made you want to pursue nursing. Or you might write that learning about underfunded medical services in other countries has inspired you to become a nurse overseas.

• Did you take advanced biology classes in high school? If so, you may want to highlight this background and how it demonstrates your devotion to health care.
• Have you gone out of your way to learn relevant skills? Perhaps you can discuss your CPR certification training.
• Have you been administering insulin to a diabetic cat for years? This demonstrates a devotion to health care and the ability to learn transferable skills.

Volunteer work

Volunteer work is typically not an admission requirement, but you can write about it to show your dedication to nursing. For example, if you’ve been volunteering at a nursing home, you could write that you’ve learned about administrative tasks or healthcare facilities and that you have experience working with patients. You could also describe the personal growth you may have experienced while volunteering, such as developing a sense of purpose while caring for the elderly.

• Volunteer work at a hospital is likely a common point of discussion for aspiring nurses. Ensure to tell a story about a situation that makes you stand out which solidified your certainty that this is the right field for you.
• Assisted living facilities, caring for special needs children, working at animal shelters, or volunteering at homeless shelters (among other things) may also be sources of inspiration that allow you to highlight why you should be accepted into the program.
• Supervisors in these types of positions may also be great resources for recommendation letters or potential proofreaders for the initial draft of your personal statement.

Work experience

You can also include a section about work experiences that have helped you develop skills to succeed in a nursing program. For example, if you’ve learned about teamwork and responsibility through your work in retail, you can write about how you’ll apply these skills to nursing.

• If you have worked in a related field in a paid position, this should definitely be not only included in your essay, but considered a potential source of a particularly persuasive letter of recommendation.
• Your employer may also be an excellent resource to ask for feedback regarding rough drafts of your personal statement.

Relevant acquired skills

In your personal statement, you can describe any skills that have prepared you for a nursing career. For example, if you’ve developed the ability to make wise decisions under pressure, you could use your personal statement to describe a situation where you’ve used this skill.

• Have you acquired a particular skill set relevant to nursing outside of traditional means? This is the time to highlight that achievement. Perhaps you have experience working in a pharmacy or have proven yourself in high-stress situations; these characteristics translate well into the field of nursing.

Unique traits that make you stand out

You can also use your personal statement to describe unique traits that you believe can make you an excellent nurse or an excellent candidate for a specific nursing program. For example, if a program specializes in pediatric nursing, the personal statement could be a good place to describe your love of working with children.

• Thousands of applicants to nursing programs write that they have “always wanted to go into nursing”, sometimes even in their opening line. Find a way to stand out.
• For example, in my personal statement, I wrote about how I actually did not have a traditional story that culminated in my pursuit of higher education.

Is it suitable for you?

As with any educational program, fit is important when looking into pursuing a nursing degree. Demonstrating that you have researched the program, and illustrating in your essay why it is the place for you, will set you apart from other applicants. Additionally, if your long term goal is to be an ER nurse, for example, and you are applying to a program known for a different type of nursing, application reviewers will see this in a negative light.

In some cases, colleges and universities will give you a specific prompt for this essay or ask for a series of short essays addressing particular questions. In these cases, be sure to answer their questions thoroughly and be aware of formatting guidelines and word count limitations. Equally important, be sure to demonstrate ways in which you are a good fit for not only the program, but also the nursing profession.

Essay topics

This is a position that is both incredibly personal and physically demanding, but also a situation where you need to be cool under fire and fastidious with your work. Use any opportunity you can to demonstrate that you possess these characteristics in a way that makes you a highly competitive candidate and a potential star in your chosen field.

How to write a nursing personal statement

You can follow these steps to write your personal statement for a nursing program:

1. Research the program

Knowing specific details about each program you’re applying to can help you explain why you’re a good candidate. Consider researching the nursing program’s areas of expertise and its teaching methods that appeal to you. This research can help you write personal statements to fit each nursing program.

2. Read the directions

Programs often have specific directions for their personal statements, so reading the directions is an important step that shows you can pay close attention to detail. Understanding what the program is asking you to write can help you get through initial quality checks. This can also be useful when applying to different programs, since they may have different requirements for their personal statements.

3. Think about your motivations

Think about your experiences and motivations for becoming a nurse so that you have a list of everything you could write about in your personal statement. Then you can look through your list and choose the strongest topics that closely fit what each program is looking for.

4. Tell a story

Telling a story in your essay can help you add a personal element to it. Try writing an anecdote to introduce your passion for nursing and reference it throughout your statement to structure your essay as a story. For example, you could tell a story about a specific moment when you realized you wanted to become a nurse. This format can make your essay easy to read and potentially memorable for admissions committees.

5. Review before you submit

Before you submit your personal statement, read it multiple times to see if it makes sense and conveys what you want the admissions committee to know about you. You might also consider sending your personal statement to a trusted advisor to review it and offer advice on how to improve it.

Your nursing personal statement should be a window into your life. Use it to share specific experiences that have influenced your decision to advance your nursing education. Adhering to professional standards and presenting yourself in a positive, open, and honest way will help the admissions committee determine your fit and future. In case you need more help, be sure to visit lionessays.com for further assistance.

An infusion nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in the administration of medications and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line, central line, or venous access port. They can work as a resource to a hospital by starting lines and training new nurses in obtaining and maintaining IV access. An infusion nurse must be skilled in pharmacology, laboratory tests, and sometimes even telemetry to safely monitor patients throughout infusion therapy. They also have a steady hand, keen eye, and a lot of patience.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Starting peripheral intravenous lines is a skill best learned through experience. There are many techniques that result in successful IV starts, and many “tricks” nurses learn along the way. No two patients are the same, and neither are their veins. A nurse can build upon prior experience to obtain IV access on even the most challenging patients.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Infusion Nurses?

Those looking to become infusion nurses must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a nursing license. They can choose to earn an ADN or BSN nursing degree. BSN nurses have a broader range of opportunities, as they can pursue supervisory roles as well as become clinical nurse educators.

Obtaining clinical experience in intravenous access and diverse types of infusion therapy is a common requirement to become an infusion nurse. Many employers require a year or more of clinical experience. Areas that may help enhance intravenous access skills can include:

• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Oncology
• Pre- and post-operative/ surgical units
• Intensive care units

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

A practicing nurse can obtain formal infusion certification, although it is not required for some positions. The Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) program is nationally recognized in credentialing nurses in infusion therapy. The requirements to obtain certification are:

• An active RN license in the United States
• A minimum of 1,600 hours of experience in infusion therapy within the last two years

Applicants who are approved to take the exam can schedule a date to test. There are 300 testing sites globally and the testing process takes about three hours.

Re-certification is required every three years. Nurses can either take an exam or complete 40 hours of continuing education credits to renew their certification.

What Happens If an Infusion Nurse Has Trouble Gaining Access to a Patient’s Vein/Central Line?

As any infusion nurse will attest to, the inability to access a line can be very frustrating and, depending on the line, may require special interventions.

Peripheral IV line issues are probably the easiest to deal with. Most nurses can pop a new peripheral IV in fairly quickly, especially infusion nurses who perform IV starts frequently and are extremely skilled at finding challenging veins. Some infusion nurses even have specialized equipment (like a doppler) to help find deep or tiny veins.

PICC line access can be a bit more challenging; it may be clotted, or the line may be dislodged. Infusion nurses must first determine the cause. A clotted line won’t flush or is “sluggish” when flushing. Infusion nurses can try a few techniques to try to get the line flushed, such as gentle flushing using a push-pause method, having the patient turn their head, or repositioning the arm. If those methods fail, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may be required.

Central venous ports are also a little more complicated. They are surgically implanted, so access issues can make even the most seasoned infusion nurse worry. The port may be clotted, requiring a de-clotting agent. It may also help to reposition patients to see if that is the reason why it is occluded. Sometimes the access needle needs to be repositioned as well.

Where Do Infusion Nurses Work?

Infusion nurses can work in the hospital setting in the following roles:

• Bedside nurse
• Resource nurse
• Peripherally Inserted Central Line (PICC) nurse

They can also work in outpatient departments such as:

• Infusion centers
• Oncology
• Home health
• Primary care
• Long-term care facilities
• Skilled nursing homes

Infusion nurses are responsible for initiating and maintaining intravenous lines and tubing, administering medication and fluid therapy, and educating families on line maintenance and treatment.

What Are the Roles and Duties of an Infusion Nurse?

Infusion nurses can work in many different areas. In the hospital setting, an infusion nurse may:

• Work as a resource starting intravenous lines
• Inserting and maintaining PICC or midlines
• Routine PICC/ midline dressing changes
• Teaching intravenous access and PICC insertion

Outpatient or ambulatory care infusion nurses also have a wide array of job duties. These may include:

• Intermittent chemotherapy infusion
• Blood transfusions
• Antibiotic infusions
• Steroid infusions
• Nutrition replacement/ vitamin infusions
• Fluid/ electrolyte infusions

Both inpatient and outpatient infusion nurses share the following duties:

• Patient/family education with regards to line site, tubing, and catheter management
• Patient/family education on the rationale for therapy
• Education on possible side effects/ adverse effects of therapy, and signs and symptoms of infection to report
• Collaboration and communication with the ordering physician throughout therapy
• Line maintenance and troubleshooting
• Administering medications and fluid therapy
• Reviewing pertinent lab values and drug information
• Developing a plan of care with the patient, family, and physician with regards to infusion therapy
• Monitor the patient’s response to treatment throughout therapy
• Assessing line site and patency regularly, keeping infection control and prevention as a priority

Infusion Nurse Salary & Employment

Infusion nurses can be in high demand. Many patients are being discharged from the hospital still needing to continue treatment. A medically stable patient would not need a lengthy hospital stay simply to receive infusions. Outpatient infusions have become more prevalent as hospitals work to reduce costs. According to The National Home Infusion Association website,home infusion is a safe and effective alternative to inpatient infusion treatment, and allows patients to resume normal activities more timely. This results in a higher demand for infusion nurses. According to salary.com, an infusion nurse earns a median salary of $83,171.This can vary, however, based on the state and organization in which the nurse is employed.

Military nurses have licensed registered nurses who are contracted to provide medical care specifically to patients in military clinics and hospitals. Much like traditional registered nurses who treat civilians, military nurses monitor wounds for infection, prepare patients for surgical procedures, and administer preoperative and postoperative care for those inside the military. Not only will a military nurse has the chance to travel and see the world, but they also have access to excellent education and are compensated for time spent studying. They also enjoy excellent benefits, such as free healthcare.

Additionally, job responsibilities for military nurses include monitoring the pain and comfort levels of patients, assisting the disabled to care for themselves, and providing psychological and emotional support. During peacetime, military nurses will most often care for active-duty military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. In some instances, they might even provide healthcare to civilian emergency patients. Conversely, during wartime, military nurses provide medical care in and around conflict zones and near battlefronts. A military nursing career can be an immensely stressful, and often heartbreaking job. Furthermore, it can also be dangerous, since it isn’t unusual for military nurses to be deployed to foreign war zones along with active troops.

To become a military nurse, you must first be a U.S. citizen. There are some personality traits that an individual should have if they’re going to be competent military nurses. Effective military nurses should be in excellent physical shape and must be able to think clearly under stress so as to make life-saving decisions quickly. Additionally, military nurses should have competent communication skills, be able to adapt to change quickly, and have high stamina and endurance. Military nurses need to be able to work efficiently with little sleep.

What Are the Educational Requirements for a Military Nurse?

The first step in becoming a military nurse is obtaining your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, also known as a BSN degree. Typically, BSN degrees take around four years to complete. Although the military prefers their nurses to have BSN degrees, the Army Reserve accepts nurses with only Associate’s Degrees in Nursing or ADN degrees. However, these RNs are expected to have a BSN degree by the time they’re ready for promotion as Captain. Once you have obtained your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you are then permitted to sit for the state board examinations.

Once a civilian RN has undergone the primary educational processes involved in becoming a military nurse, they will then also need to undergo officer training through whichever branch of the armed forces they wish to serve in. Officer training educates newly admitted RNs on leadership skills and military life. Additionally, during officer training, RNs are also required to show their proficiency in various physical fitness exercises.

Where Do Military Nurses Work?

Military nurses are required to make at least a three-year commitment to serve their country. Traditionally, military nurses are stationed in a new region about every three years. There may be required travel just about anywhere abroad to help with emergency situations if they do happen to arise. Most nurses in the military are stationed at military/government facilities. Some, however, will serve in makeshift facilities as they near the front lines with combat units.

The most common places you will find military nurses working in are:

• Military Hospitals
• Military Clinics
• V.A. Hospitals/Clinics
• Pop-up/makeshift nursing facilities in and around combat zones

What Does a Military Nurse Do?

Being a military nurse gives a person a unique chance to help others while serving their nation’s people at the same time. However, it’s not a career path for everyone. Both psychological and physical demands, along with the extensive travel required, can make being a military nurse a challenging career. Nurses in the military often work in high-stress and fast-paced environments in situations that are physically dangerous and even life-threatening. Due to the kinds of working conditions, military nurses are often subjected to, they have the opportunity to develop top-notch nursing skills that may translate to further career advancement.

As a military nurse, you’ll be able to specialize in psychiatry, pediatrics, and trauma. Some other specialties military nurses work in are critical care, midwifery, emergency, and neonatal nursing.

What Are the Roles and Duties of Military Nurses?

The primary functions and obligations of active military nurses are to:

• Treat wounded soldiers and other military personnel
• Treat service members’ families
• Set up military triage in war zones
• Treat patients worldwide
• Provide vaccinations to children in developing countries
• Assist in any humanitarian relief efforts the U.S. military might be engaged in
• Provide emergency care to victims affected by natural disasters
• Prescribe medication
• Work in pre-operative settings applying anesthesia

Military Nurse Salary & Employment

Military nurses receive competitive wages and benefits, and most importantly, have the opportunity to build crucial skills and receive specialized training. The job outlook for military nurses is particularly good. The grade or rank that a military nurse holds will determine the pay rate for which they are compensated. Many aren’t aware of the fact that enlisted registered nurses in the military have opportunities to have their student loans repaid by government programs.

Over the next ten years, the military nursing field is expected to grow seven percent—higher than average for job growth in other professions across the country. According to payscale.com and an estimate based upon a sample of 53 U.S. Army RN salaries, the average U.S. Army registered nurse earns $73,347, with a range of $58,000-$103,339 annually. Other benefits that military nurses receive are housing stipends, low-cost or free health insurance, hazard pay when assigned to combat zones, and retirement plans. They receive 30 days of vacation per year, and they can retire after 20 years of service and receive a pension.

A nurse care coordinator is a nurse who specializes in organizing patient care and treatments by incorporating all members in the care team. They usually focus on patients with specific diagnoses such as diabetes, asthma, heart failure, etc. Care coordination helps prevent fragmented care and helps patients seamlessly transition from one care area to another. In today’s complicated world of healthcare, patients need someone to help navigate them throughout the care continuum. Nurse care coordinators help to:

• Improve patient care outcomes
• Improve access to care
• Decrease healthcare cost
• Prevent hospital readmissions
• Promote continuity of care

Becoming a Nurse Care Coordinator

Top of Form

Nurse care coordinators are typically bachelor’s-prepared nurses with several years of clinical care experience. Formal education in care coordination is generally not part of nursing school, however, nurses do perform some level of care coordination during their shift (for example, contacting nutrition services for dietary needs). Nurse care coordinators are more specialized and focus on an individualized plan for their patients.

What Are the Education Requirements?

Nurse care coordinators usually hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Of course, every employer has specific requirements – some may even prefer a master’s degree in nursing. Several years working in a clinical care area may also be required.

Research MSN in care coordination programs and online post-master’s care coordination graduate certificates.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While it may not be required for employment, the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AACN) offers certification in Care Coordination and Transition Management. The course covers nine dimensions of care coordination and touches on topics such as:

• Patient advocacy
• Patient and family education and engagement
• Coaching and counseling
• Patient-centered care planning
• Nursing process
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Population health management
• Nursing informatics

Where Do Nurse Care Coordinators Work?

Nurse care coordinators can work in a multitude of care settings. They can work in emergency departments, inpatient units, ambulatory care, and specialty units. They can also work in long-term care facilities and home health. Basically, any time patients need assistance navigating the healthcare arena, care coordinators are needed.

What Does a Nurse Care Coordinator Do?

Nurse care coordinators are, in a sense, patient representatives. Patients have very individualized needs depending on their health and diagnoses. Nurse care coordinators help obtain and utilize healthcare services based on those needs. For example, a patient hospitalized with congestive heart failure may require dietary education from a nutritionist, home monitoring via cardiology or telehealth, and activity/exercise counseling from physical therapy. The nurse care coordinator helps by collaborating with any members of the healthcare team that will help improve outcomes.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Nurse Care Coordinator?

The specific roles and duties of a nurse care coordinator may include:

• Educating patients and families
• Developing care plans to involve the entire disciplinary team
• Rounding on patients to monitor progress
• Evaluating progress
• Maintaining quality, safety, and patient privacy
• Serving as a liaison between the interdisciplinary team

Nurse Care Coordinator Salary & Employment

Compensation for nurse care coordinators is extremely variable. Salary depends on the state, city, and organization of employment. According to glassdoor.com, the average base pay for RN care coordinators is $76,710 per year. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the highest paying states for RNs include California, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

The BLS does not have specific data for RN care coordinators, but they do predict an increase in demand for nurses by 15% until 2026. Experts contend that the increased demand is a result of an aging population, recent healthcare legislation, and increased demand for healthcare services. Additionally, healthcare organizations are continually looking for ways to reduce costs – RN care coordinators are extremely valuable in that sense.

A seizure occurs when the brain functions abnormally, resulting in a change in movement, attention, or level of awareness. Different types of seizures may occur in different parts of the brain and may be localized (affect only a part of the body) or widespread (affect the whole body). Seizures may occur for many reasons, especially in children. Seizures in newborns may be very different than seizures in toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents. Seizures, especially in a child who has never had one, can be frightening to the parent or caregiver.

• A low percentage of all children have a seizure when younger than 15 years, half of which are febrile seizures (seizure brought on by a fever). One of every 100 children has epilepsy-recurring seizures.
• A febrile seizure occurs when a child contracts an illness such as an ear infection, cold, or chickenpox accompanied by fever. Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure seen in children. Two to five percent of children have a febrile seizure at some point during their childhood. Why some children have seizures with fevers is not known, but several risk factors have been identified.
• Children with relatives, especially brothers and sisters, who have had febrile seizures are more likely to have a similar episode.
• Children who are developmentally delayed or who have spent more than 28 days in a neonatal intensive care unit are also more likely to have a febrile seizure.
• One of 4 children who have a febrile seizure will have another, usually within a year.
• Children who have had a febrile seizure in the past are also more likely to have a second episode.
• Neonatal seizures occur within 28 days of birth. Most occur soon after the child is born. They may be due to a large variety of conditions. It may be difficult to determine if a newborn is actually seizing, because they often do not have convulsions. Instead, their eyes appear to be looking in different directions. They may have lip smacking or periods of no breathing.
• Partial seizures involve only a part of the brain and therefore only a part of the body.
• Simple partial (Jacksonian) seizures have a motor (movement) component that is located in one portion of the body. Children with these seizures remain awake and alert. Movement abnormalities can “march” to other parts of the body as the seizure progresses.
• Complex partial seizures are similar, except that the child is not aware of what is going on. Frequently, children with this type of seizure repeat an activity, such as clapping, throughout the seizure. They have no memory of this activity. After the seizure ends, the child is often disoriented in a state known as the postictal period.
• Generalized seizures involve a much larger portion of the brain. They are grouped into 2 types: convulsive (muscle jerking) and nonconvulsive with several subgroups.
• Convulsive seizures are noted by uncontrollable muscle jerking lasting for a few minutes-usually less than 5-followed by a period of drowsiness that is called the postictal period. The child should return to his or her normal self except for fatigue within around 15 minutes. Often the child may have incontinence (lose urine or stool), and it is normal for the child not to remember the seizure. Sometimes the jerking can cause injury, which may range from a small bite on the tongue to a broken bone.
• Tonic seizures result in continuous muscle contraction and rigidity, while tonic-clonic seizures involve alternating tonic activity with rhythmic jerking of muscle groups.
• Infantile spasms commonly occur in children younger than 18 months. They are often associated with mental retardation and consist of sudden spasms of muscle groups, causing the child to assume a flexed stature. They are frequent upon awakening.
• Absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, are short episodes during which the child stares or eye blinks, with no apparent awareness of their surroundings. These episodes usually do not last longer then a few seconds and start and stop abruptly; however, the child does not remember the event at all. These are sometimes discovered after the child’s teacher reports daydreaming, if the child loses his or her place while reading or misses instructions for assignments.
• Status epilepticus is either a seizure lasting longer than 30 minutes or repeated seizures without a return to normal in between them. It is most common in children younger than 2 years, and most of these children have generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Status epilepticus is very serious. With any suspicion of a long seizure, you should call 911.
• Epilepsy refers to a pattern of chronic seizures of any type over a long period. Thirty percent of children diagnosed with epilepsy continue to have repeated seizures into adulthood, while others improve over time.

One of the greatest aspects of nursing as a profession is the ability to work in many types of environments and in many different roles. It is a field which is constantly evolving.

Registered Nurses (RNs) can work at the bedside with the sickest patients or opt to care for those who are mostly well. They can work directly with patients or indirectly by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team or others involved in healthcare to help patients.

For every individual temperament and personality exists a nursing specialty. The pace of a working environment can be fast and full of adrenaline, or a slower pace with lots of time to spend bonding with patients and families, or somewhere in between. RNs can have a great amount of pressure to do everything perfectly and quickly with extremely high stakes, or they may work in an environment that is more relaxed with basically “well” patients who want to chit-chat while they wait for their physician’s appointment. Registered Nurses (RNs) can work with every age and population from very sick premature newborns to the elderly at the end of life, from school children needing check-ups to adults who are undergoing elective plastic surgery. The options are nearly endless. Learn how to become an RN.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

RNs have the option of working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, physician’s offices, prisons, from home, as a traveling nurse in hospitals across the country, and in many other specialty roles. Read more to see if a nursing career is right for you.

And, as the political healthcare environment continues to grow and evolve, Registered Nurses (RNs) are finding that the options are growing quickly. There are specialties and niches for nurses of all education levels, from ADN and BSN educated RNs, to graduate degree-level nurses and nurse practitioners, and beyond. The nursing specialty options for RNs are bountiful, and they just keep growing! See our glossary of nursing abbreviations and terms and entry level nursing careers.

Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet.

Where Do RNs Work?

Nurses work in many different areas of healthcare and the roles often vary within each environment. All of them can basically be differentiated by either direct or indirect patient care areas.

Direct Patient Care RN

The Registered Nurses (RNs) works “at bedside” in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and his/her primary role is to work “hands-on” with a patient. This RN works directly with patients, performing various tasks.

Indirect Patient Care RN

The RN works in collaboration with the Bedside Nurse and interdisciplinary team to support the care of patients. This RN may not be as “hands-on” as a direct patient care RN, and may work in more management or administrative capacities.

RNs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Outpatient Settings
• Physician Offices
• Clinics
• Insurance Companies
• Government
• Community Health
• Elementary or High Schools
• Universities
• Correctional Healthcare Facilities

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Careers

For nurses with big career aspirations, advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) is a rewarding pathway. These nursing careers require graduate-level degrees, such as a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. APRNs bridge the gap between nurses and physicians, performing high-level duties and often overseeing nursing staff. APRNs are also often a primary source of medical care for many patients, and therefore can enjoy long-lasting relationships. Advanced practice RNs can hold a number of highly coveted specialty nursing positions, including:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Anesthetist

Experience

Experience in nursing is irreplaceable. Usually the most widely accepted experience for employers is as a direct patient care Registered Nurses (RNs), or Bedside RN, at least at the beginning of the RN’s career. It is essential that the new-graduate RN get at least 1 year of bedside experience. The caveat to this statement is that there are always some exceptions! But, for the most part, this is true even for RNs who wish to work in indirect patient care roles. Therefore, finishing school and getting that first Bedside RN job as fast as possible is the best way to improve lifetime earning potential. Besides, working closely with patients in a Bedside RN capacity is why most nurses chose the profession!

Nursing Specialty

Specialties with the highest need and skill set tend to pay more and be in higher demand. Certain industries have a higher demand for RNs of all types, and may pay nurses in niche areas at the top of the pay grade.

The top 5 industries with the highest levels of RN employment in 2019 were:

• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Offices of Physicians
• Home Health Care
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Outpatient Care

Childhood obesity is increasing at alarming rate and it is a matter of concern. Childhood obesity is a serious health issue and can affect both physical and psychological health. Childhood obesity occurs when a child is well above the normal or healthy weight according to his or her age and height. Being overweight or obese in childhood could lead to several health issues in the long run. These include high blood sugar levels, joint pain, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, high cholesterol, asthma and heart diseases. Therefore, it is very important that parents give proper attention to their child’s eating habits and weight for their overall well-being. The primary causes of overweight or obesity in young children are similar to those in adults.

Top 4 causes of obesity in young children:

1. Unhealthy eating habits:

Food choices play an important role in maintaining a healthy body weight whether it is children or adults. One of the main reasons your child is overweight is the excessive intake of fatty, junk or processed and sugary foods.

2. Sedentary lifestyle:

If your child is inactive and spends a lot of time watching television, playing video games or on other electronic devices, this may lead to weight gain.

3. Lack of physical activity:

No physical activity is extremely harmful for your child and can make him obese. Children generally tend to eat sugary stuff or junk food which generally leads to weight gain. But if they are not engaging themselves in some physical activity to burn calories, they tend to become obese or develop some or the other health problem.

4. Genetics:

Some rare gene disorders can also cause childhood obesity. If it runs in the family, parents need to be even more conscious of making healthy food choices for the whole family.

5. Stress:

Yes! Even young children might deal with stress issues. These stress can be personal, parental and family stress. Even these factors could cause obesity in young children. Some children overeat in order to cope with stress or to deal with emotions.

Small lifestyle changes to fight childhood obesity:

• Parents should make sure that children eat balanced meals with high-proteins and fibrous foods
• Snacking is not bad at all. But snacking on unhealthy foods like chips, burger, muffins, pizza can be harmful. So while giving snacks to your children, go for some healthy options like healthy nuts and seeds, protein bars, smoothie, salads, whole eggs or salad
• Children should not indulge in eating processed, junk and fatty foods. Even sweetened beverages are harmful for your kids as they are loaded with preservatives and added sugar. These foods do not provide any nutritional value and can lead to unnecessary weight gain
• Encourage your child to spend lots and lots of time in physical activity
• Limit the screen time of your children
• Ensure that your child sips in adequate water throughout the day as that will help him stay hydrated