If you’re seeing this, something has gone wrong

Demand for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) Increases

The week of January 27th, 2021, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and the work they do were honored with the annual CRNA Week.

CRNAs are highly trained nurses who have a focused skill set and responsibilities that require close patient interaction. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), this year’s celebration coincides with 2020’s historical event few will forget—the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global health emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the discovery of the first case of the virus in the United States.

In the past year, CRNAs have faced challenges they could have never anticipated. An overwhelming caseload of extremely ill patients, uncertainty of how to treat patients with the deadly virus, concerns about their own safety and that of their families, and lack of PPE supplies in some of the most advanced facilities in the world dawned in 2020.

Like other medical staff, some CRNAs have described conditions over the past year as “a war zone” and their heroic efforts to help and care for patients was evident. As a CRNA, these nurses are with patients before, during, and after procedures where anesthesia is necessary. The typical cadence of procedures changed in 2020, with big dips in elective surgery during COVID-19 surges and increased emergency situations for patients who were desperately ill. CRNAs needed to use their critical thinking and fast adaptation skills constantly.

Even before the pandemic, the need for CRNAs was on the rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 45 percent increase for trained CRNAs (along with nurse midwives and nurse practitioners) in the workforce by 2029. If you’re interested in pursuing this nursing path, you’ll want to plan carefully. In general, CRNAs hold at least a master’s degree and usually complete an average of 9,369 hours of clinical experience during their rigorous academic program

Beginning in 2025, the requirements for this career path will change. At that point, nurses who want to hold this position will need to obtain a doctorate degree to become a CRNA. The current CRNA master’s degree programs will fold into these degree programs. If you’re already a CRNA by then, you won’t need to return to school for the additional degree.

But the rigorous preparation leads to a meaningful and financially stable career. U.S. News & World Report listed nurse anesthetists as holding the #10 slot in best paying jobs and #39 in the list of the top 100 best jobs and with an average annual salary of almost $175,000.

Above all else, CRNAs find their daily job gives them plenty of opportunities to use all their nursing skills—from complicated math to compassionate direct patient interaction. And having a positive impact where they focus on improving the outcomes of surgeries and procedures for the patient and for the larger medical team is something for which all CRNAs strive.

Article shared from Minority Nurse Magazine

How New Nurses Can Work with Difficult Patients

When you decided to become a nurse, you knew it wouldn’t always be easy. You expected the long nights, the grueling shifts, the heartbreak of losing a patient. But something you probably didn’t think much about the possibility of not getting along with your patients. After all, you entered this profession because you wanted to care for your patients, not clash with them.

The fact is, though, that nursing means caring even when it’s hard. It means loving your patients even when you don’t like them. And that’s perhaps the most difficult and most important lesson that nursing school can never teach, the lesson that only your most challenging patients can teach. This article provides tangible strategies for new nurses dealing with difficult patients, without losing your sanity, your health, or your professional passion.

Seeing Through Your Patients’ Eyes

The first step to dealing with a difficult patient is to try to understand what’s causing their behavior. It’s highly unlikely that a patient is going to be difficult just for the fun of it. Chances are far greater that something has gone wrong and that’s fueling the problem.

Many patients’ behavior, for example, may be explained by their particular medical condition. Those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or certain mental health disorders, may react aggressively, irrationally, or non-compliantly simply because their illnesses have impaired their ability to understand their circumstances or respond appropriately.

In addition to physical and mental health challenges, environmental and situational factors may also be driving your patients’ contrarian behaviors. Patients who have been recently diagnosed with a catastrophic or terminal illness may be grieving the loss of their health and function.

Or they may have experienced the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a divorce, or some other significant trauma that is causing them to be hyperreactive. Likewise, cultural and language differences may be limiting the patients’ ability to understand, ask questions, or express themselves effectively, and a frustrated patient is far more likely to act out in negative ways.

An important strategy for understanding your patients’ perspective is to practice active and empathetic listening. Ask questions and reflect your patients’ views back to them accurately and without judgment. This will not only ensure your own understanding, but will also reassure your patients that they’re being accepted, heard, and understood.

How to Respond

Once you have a better understanding of your patients’ perspective, you can then begin to formulate a response that is productive and beneficial to the patient and your relationship with them. But that’s going to require you to be self-reflective as well.

After all, nurses are only human, and there’s no such thing as complete, unimpeachable objectivity. Just as with your patients, your own responses may be influenced by factors that you’re not even aware of. We all have our own internal biases, not to mention the ordinary stressors of daily life, that may make us respond in inappropriate or ineffective ways to some patients.

Your patient, for example, might remind you of a contentious relationship in your own life, and you may project negative emotions regarding that person onto your patient. At the same time, if you are feeling overwhelmed by a particularly stressful day, you might find yourself feeling short-tempered, unsympathetic, and ready to lash out at any patient who adds yet more problems to your day. So, when you’re figuring out how to respond to a challenging patient, you have to determine, first, whether it’s the patient or whether it’s you and, above all, try not to take it personally.

Another key to managing difficult patients is to focus on de-escalation. That means focusing on remaining calm and non-defensive and, ideally, on allowing your patient to express themselves freely. This includes giving your patients a safe place to vent when needed.

De-escalation strategies can also be employed at the organizational level. For example, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems nationwide are facing significant reductions in revenues and staffing. That’s leading to a surge in patient wait times and perhaps unprecedented levels of stress on health care providers. Using hospital resource management strategies (HRM) can help your organization run more efficiently in the face of the current crisis and beyond. And that’s going to improve your patients’ experience and decrease your workplace stress.

Another important tool for dealing with tough patients is to help them become more educated about their condition and to feel more empowered to take charge of their health. One of the most significant stressors associated with a difficult diagnosis is the patients’ sense of lost autonomy.

Equipping patients with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their own lives, and their own care, can be a tremendous benefit in reducing negative behaviors. Mobile apps, for instance, can be used to help patients with their meal planning, lifestyle choices, and treatment plans. Connected patients can even access online communities reserved for other patients, their families, and health care providers.

The Takeaway

Nursing can be more rewarding than you ever dreamed. But it can also be more challenging than you ever imagined. The key to dealing with difficult patients, though, is to not take it personally, to focus on understanding the roots of their behavior and figuring out a response that is productive for and protective of you both.

Article shared from Minority Nurse. Image Shutterstock

RN to BSN Program $5,000 COVID Scholarship – Now Offering

Sumner College is now offering a $5,000 COVID Scholarship for Registered Nurses who want to pursue their RN to BSN. Our RN to BSN program is offered 100% online and can be completed in only 13 months. This scholarship is for theApril 26, 2021 class start. The $5,000 scholarship reduces the program tuition from $12,960 to $7,960 for total tuition. Additional program fees include a technology fee.

Please contact Admissions at BSN@sumnercollege.edu for more information. An essay submission is required to qualify for the scholarship. This scholarship is available for the students starting classes on April 26, 2021.

Call today!  1-877-682-5601

 

 

Galvanizing Change for Physical Activity

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “Physical Activity”? For some, it might conjure up a negative connotation while for others, they may already be a go getter for an active lifestyle. Believe it or not, physical activity and exercise are two different terms although used interchangeably. Physical activity is any movement of the body done through skeletal muscle contraction that causes the energy expenditure to go beyond its baseline. Simply stated, physical activity is movement, in any form.

Sadly, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity, and 28-34% of adults aged 65-74 are physically active in the United States. It is important to gather some perspective on the impact of a sedentary lifestyle and how it is more common than physical activity. According to the Center for Disease Control, physical inactivity is even more common among ethnic and racial groups in most states. The CDC’s January report from 2020 showed overall, Hispanics had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity (31.7%), followed by non-Hispanic blacks (30.3%) and non-Hispanic whites (23.4%).

We all have heard of vital signs. Part of that assessment should also involve the type of physical activity one engages in. As nurses, we are the largest body of the health care workforce, and studies show that we are not following healthy practices when it comes to our self-care and well-being. The American Nurse Association even launched a Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation initiative to address the core elements that address nurse’s self-care and well-being, Activity, being one of them which goes to show that this is a pressing concern.

Some of the challenges posed as to why people do not take part in physical activity is location. The neighborhood in which people live may not have access to outdoor parks, paved streets, or recreation centers. Depending on your home environment, you may not have the space to exercise in.

The good news is just doing any activity, especially one in which you enjoy doing is acceptable in burning calories. Anything is better than being sedentary. The risks of sedentary behavior are universal and it is important for nurses to adopt a more active lifestyle. Physical inactivity is closely related to premature death, preventable disease, and health care costs.

Exercise is a subset of physical activity and is defined as an activity that is organized, planned, and reoccurring which is done with the intent of improving or maintaining one or more components of one’s health. Having said this, physical activity can involve any movement and does not have to involve a schedule or with an “all or nothing” attitude. For those who are trying to lose weight, exercise is not as important as much as your food intake. There needs to be a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. Nutrition and physical activity work in tandem but about 80% is based on nutrition and 20% should be focused on physical activity.

Physical activity come with benefits such as: heart health and prevention of diabetes, improved strength and mobility, release of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin (the “feel good” hormones), increased lifespan, and increased insulin sensitivity. Carrying on extra weight can contribute to joint pain. For every additional pound that you are overweight, an extra 5 pounds of pressure is exerted on your joints.

It cannot be argued that the majority of nurses are female and women tend to hold onto more fat than men; that is how nature intended us to be designed. As we age, we are also at risk for bone loss. For that reason, we do not want to lose weight too quickly because we also want to protect our bones, which is why muscle resistant training is so important. Half a pound per week of weight loss is the ideal; it is all very specific to how much weight the person needs to lose. Even a 5-10% weight loss can reap positive effects on overall health.

Nurses, especially those of other ethnicities can become role models and advocates for system changes at the workplace as well as at home. Even if nurse leaders are not fully on board, it is important to heighten awareness on the benefits of physical activity which would improve morale as well as productivity. Identifying barriers is the first step and serving as a role model would also provide an impetus for behavior change.

Just like with patients, we need to assess our readiness and meet ourselves where we are at. We need to give ourselves permission to work on our fitness regimen so it can be more sustainable. The best exercise to lose weight is the exercise you will do. If you have to ask yourself, “Should I work out today?” hopefully, the answer is yes. If you choose “No”; well, yes you should.

Article shared from Minority Nurse Magazine

10 Non-Bedside Nursing Job Ideas

Hospitals will always need bedside care, but more and more nurses are looking for jobs beyond the hospital, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic makes patient care even more exhausting than usual.

The pandemic has stretched hospitals to the limit with nurses taking on more patients, working more shifts, dealing with PPE shortages, and navigating emotional pain alongside patient families who have lost loved ones.

Anyone can understand why a nurse might need a break from this demanding and perpetual stress.

Fortunately, the medical field has been growing more flexible in recent decades. Career opportunities for nurses beyond the bedside are no longer limited to school nurse, nursing home, or home health jobs. Read on for jobs that will take you out of patient care, while allowing you to use your nursing skills.

10 Ideas for Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

When you’re ready for a non-bedside nursing job to challenge your nursing skills and give your years of experience at the bedside a new use, consider these possibilities:

1. Nursing Informatics

The need to analyze and control health care costs has driven a surge in informatics as a nursing specialty. Effective nursing informatics can help to rein in health care costs at hospitals and other medical facilities. Plus, informaticists can also help bedside nurses care for patients more efficiently by improving systems.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) says nurse informaticists earn $100,717 a year on average.

The American Medical Informatics Association estimates 70,000 nursing informatics specialists/analysts may be needed in the next five years.

To get into the field of health informatics, registered nurses typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and experience working with electronic healthcare records.

Along with a BSN and a few years of clinical experience, you’d need strong computer skills and an ability to analyze data and statistics to make this transition. If you work for a large public or university hospital, your facility may hire informaticists.

As a bonus, you could likely work from home.

2. Nurse Case Manager

“More and more reimbursement for healthcare delivery is linked to readmission rates,”  said Cheryl Bergman, associate dean at the school of nursing at Jacksonville (Fla.) University. “A case manager helps manage the holistic care of patients to decrease readmission thus, keeping patients out of hospitals.”

The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) expects an increase in the demand for nurse case managers as the baby boomer generation continues to age. Case managers are especially important to patients with chronic illnesses such as arthritis.

The average base salary for a nurse case manager in 2021 is about $73,000 according to the website Payscale.com which reflects data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its own research.

Case managers can choose many places of employment including clinics, hospitals, health facilities and in many areas of the public and nonprofit sectors. They also have a chance to specialize in their passionate areas such as addiction, pediatrics, child welfare, aging, long-term care, immigration, occupational services and more.

3. Cruise Ship Nurse

A beyond-the-bedside job search could land you in a position that resembles an ongoing vacation. In normal, non-pandemic times, cruise ships come and go from the nation’s Southern port cities every day. These ships have to bring healthcare providers on board to care for their passengers.

ZipRecruiter estimates that cruise ship nurses earn an average of $76,283 per year, though they also estimate that more than half of current cruise ship nurses earn less.

But don’t expect to leave your nursing skills on the dock. A recent job post from Norwegian Lines sought nurses with emergency room and ICU experience. The job entailed living onboard for 14 weeks with vacations of 7 weeks at a time, and accommodations, meals, and benefits were all paid for.

Of course, COVID-19 has stalled the cruise industry, but this was a fast-growing segment of the medical profession back in 2018 and 2019. As the world returns to normal in the coming years, these employers will be searching for nurses again.

4. Legal Nurse Consultant

“Some law firms hire expert nurses for particular cases (such as surgical nurses if the case involved a surgical claim),” Bergman, of Jacksonville University, says. “The pay per hour is often set by the nurse and could be very lucrative ($300 an hour) for reviewing the legal documents with additional fees if called for deposition.”

Legal nurse consultants can be hired by insurance companies, attorney firms, prosecution offices, law enforcement forensic departments, pharmaceutical companies, clinics, and government agencies.

Although it’s not mandatory, the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers a training course and certification examination for those hoping to become legal nurse consultants.

This kind of training could help set you apart from other job candidates who have similar qualifications.

5. Nurse Educator

Nurse educators can shape the future of patient care, both at the bedside and throughout the nursing profession.

To teach nursing you’ll likely need a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. You can also earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree that prepares you for leadership positions in multiple aspects of health care.

“For salaries, it really depends on the region of the country,” Bergman says. “Additionally, the place of employment such as a community college vs. a large state university will have varying salary ranges.”

6. Healthcare Risk Manager

Risk managers work to ensure patient and staff safety, respond to claims of clinical malpractice, focus on patient complaints, and comply with federal and state regulations.

In short, risk managers protect the well-being of patients and staff in hospitals or anywhere people get health care.

You’d need a bachelor’s degree to enter this field, and some RN risk managers have master’s degrees, especially if they teach safety courses to other nurses within a healthcare institution.

In 2021, full-time risk managers earn about $113,170 annually according to Salary.com. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a steep increase in nurse risk managers during the coming years. The BLS forecasts a 12% increase in these positions by 2028.

7. Certified Diabetes Educator

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 21 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes while another 8 million have this condition but don’t know it yet. That’s a lot of people who will need help controlling their blood sugar in the next few years.

This translates to job security for nurses who work as certified diabetes educators. Payscale.com reports a median salary of about $68,000 annually.

This role leaves plenty of room to develop long-term relationships with your patients, who you can visit in their homes or meet within a clinic.

You would need a bachelor’s degree in nursing to begin your career as a certified diabetes educator. Most employers require two years of experience before you work on your own.

8. Flight Nurse

Bedside nurses who enjoy critical/emergency care may enjoy the challenges of flight nursing. Flight nurses help transport critical patients via helicopter or airplane.

Often, flight nurses transport patients from the scenes of accidents to trauma centers. They also deliver patients from small hospitals to higher-level trauma centers.

Flight nurses do work that resembles emergency room or ICU nursing but in less predictable environments and often with fewer resources.

If this career path appeals to you, start by gaining some experience in the ED and/or ICU. Then, you can get certified as a flight nurse by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).

Glassdoor reports that the average salary for a flight nurse is $65,870 as of 2021.

9. Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses help solve crimes and collect evidence. They can also help a coroner determine a cause of death.

But they’re still nurses first: They provide compassionate care to crime victims and survivors of natural disasters. Forensic nurses can also testify in court during criminal trials.

According to PayScale, the average salary for Forensic Nurses is $30.61 per hour, or $73,985 annually.

If you live in a larger city such as Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, or New York, you’ll have more access to job opportunities in this new and emerging field.

Check with city and county law enforcement departments in your community to look for jobs. If you’re particularly passionate about this career path, appeal to your city leaders to add forensic nursing to your local police department.

10. Nurse Health Coach

Are you the kind of bedside nurse who enjoys developing one-on-one relationships? Have you ever found yourself, weeks after a discharge, wondering how a patient is getting along?

You may enjoy becoming a nurse health coach. These registered nurses need a BSN and a certification from the International Nurse Coaching Association.

Insurance companies often hire nurse health coaches to help policy-holders sustain wellness after a procedure or surgery. You could also work as a freelance health coach, picking up clients from an insurance company or local healthcare provider.

ZipRecruiter reports that Nurse Health Coaches earn $62,883 annually on average in 2021.

Content is shared from Nurse.org

Weather Alert

Sumner College Weather Alert – Clinical rotations that were scheduled to take place February 12, February 13 and February 14 at a facility have been cancelled. Online simulation clinical scheduled for Friday, February 12, will take place. Please contact your instructor directly if you have questions.

Nursing Administrator Careers and Salary Outlook

Nursing administrators use their training in advanced practice nursing and business management to ensure that hospitals and other healthcare facilities operate smoothly and efficiently. This guide provides an overview of how to become a nursing administrator, from educational requirements and certifications to nursing administrator salary potential and helpful resources for students.

What is a Nursing Administrator?

As the demand for nurses continues to grow, healthcare organizations of all kinds require nursing administrators to supervise staff. These professionals play an important role in any medical facility, ensuring that patients receive efficient, high-quality care. Nursing administrators with a master of science degree, a registered nurse (RN) license, and clinical experience possess a competitive edge in the job market. Nursing administrators who earn nurse executive or nurse manager certifications may enjoy even more opportunities for career advancement.

What Do Nursing Administrators Do?

While nursing administrators are usually found in larger facilities, they can also be found in some medium-sized institutions. This job features a moderate stress level and provides opportunities to interact with the public and staff members within the nurse’s assigned healthcare facility.

A nursing administrator’s specific tasks and duties depend on his or her healthcare facility’s type and size. In general, their responsibilities center on staff and schedule management. They also handle personnel issues, from recruiting, hiring, and training nurses to conducting performance evaluations.

Nursing administrators set and maintain policies and procedures and diffuse conflicts and grievances. They may also be responsible for budgeting, financial planning, and equipment purchasing. In some work environments, nursing administrators develop their facility or department’s strategic plan and serve as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and upper management.

Where Do Nursing Administrators Work?

While nursing administrators usually work in large medical facilities like hospitals and nursing homes, they may also hold managerial positions in smaller settings like medical offices, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and mental health facilities. Almost any healthcare organization with sufficient staff levels requires an administrator to hire and train nurses, schedule and supervise shifts, and oversee budgets.

In some work environments, nursing administrators do not directly interact with patients. However, some nurse managers assist with patient care, handle patient complaints, and work in clinical teams to advise staff on complex cases. Nursing administrators typically report to the organization’s CEO or other executive directors.

Skills That Could Affect Nursing Administrator Salaries

Registered nurses who plan to step into administrative leadership roles must acquire several traits beyond basic patient care skills. The American Organization for Nursing Leadership suggests competencies to guide successful nursing management practices. These include a thorough knowledge of the healthcare environment, an understanding of financial and human resource management, and the ability to use knowledge relationship management principles to improve performance and promote professional development among staff members.

Increasingly, nursing administrators also need technological expertise, building familiarity with medical and business software. They must develop appropriate communication styles with supervisors and subordinates and employ problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies. Because they supervise and work in diverse groups, these professionals must also understand the components of cultural competence as they operate in the healthcare workplace.

How to Become a Nursing Administrator

If you are a licensed RN with clinical experience and an interest in moving into a supervisory role, the nursing administration arena offers opportunities for career advancement. This in-demand field can lead to increased earning potential while preparing leaders committed to quality healthcare practices and policies.

The path to becoming a nursing administrator requires training beyond the educational and state requirements for RN licensure. Most nurses who plan to enter this field complete a master of science in nursing or a related healthcare degree that provides instruction in advanced nursing practice, business and financial management, human resources, and medical instructional technology.

Content shared from Nurse Journal

Salary Potential for RNs with ADN vs BSN Degrees

Salary Potential for RNs with ADN vs BSN Degrees

Earning potential is another factor to consider when choosing between an ADN and a BSN. ADN-holders earn an average annual salary of about $69,660, according to data from PayScale. In contrast, nurses with a BSN enjoy average earnings of just over $85,000 — an approximately $15,000 difference.

This discrepancy in earnings comes from the positions available to nurses with each degree. ADN programs tend to prepare learners for entry-level roles, while BSN programs often impart skills needed for specialized or advanced RN roles. A BSN can also lead to more opportunities for promotions and advancement, and may serve as a stepping stone for nurses interested in graduate study and nurse practitioner careers.

A BSN also opens the door for additional nursing specializations and certifications for which ADN holders do not qualify. Some of these specializations include neonatal nursing, critical care, trauma nursing, and pediatrics. Finally, BSN holders can potentially step into lucrative leadership, management, or education roles within the profession.

Visit these pages to learn about the best-paying ADN and highest-paid BSN jobs.

Shared from Nurse Journal- Image Getty

Top 9 Advantages of a BSN Degree

The field of nursing is a quickly growing field; the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that registered nurse employment will increase by 19% from 2012-22. But there are several paths to becoming a registered nurse: earning a 1-2 year RN diploma, earning a 2 year associate’s degree, or earning a 4 year bachelor’s degree, or BSN. Earning your BSN eventually is the smartest thing you can do for your nursing career.

1.) BSN Holders Make More Money

Payscale.com has just released 2014 data that shows there are major salary difference between people with an RN and a BSN. The RN will earn a median of $39,100, and a BSN holder will earn more than $69,000:

2.) Some Nursing Careers Open Only to BSN Holders

Having a bachelor’s degree is essential to be admitted to most graduate nursing programs. Four of the highest paying nursing jobs – nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist and clinical nurse specialist – require you to have a BSN.

Keep in mind that a BSN is essential if you ever want to get out of basic clinical care. Many nurses do not want to be working the floor when they are 60 years old. They want to move into administration or teaching. This is possible only with a BSN or higher degree.

3.) BSN Curriculum Teaches Much More Than Clinical Skills

RNs with a diploma usually learn just the basics of clinical care. As a BSN holder, you will have learned much more – communication, critical thinking and leadership skills. These are essential skills if you want to move into higher paying jobs with more responsibility.

The AACN also recognizes the BSN as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice.

4.) Research Shows That BSN Holders Offer Better Patient Care

The American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has collected extensive research that indicates that higher nursing education makes a major difference in clinical outcomes. Nurses with a BSN have better patient outcomes, including lower mortality rates and lower failure to rescue rates as well. The research also indicates that BSN holders have higher proficiency in making good diagnoses.

5.) Hospitals Seek Magnet’ Designation, and Want Higher Educated Nurses

The magnet’ designation, awarded by the American Nurses Association, is highly coveted by hospitals, and has been given to 400 hospitals to date. One of the key requirements of earning the designation is the education level of the nursing staff.

For example, the ANA requires that 75% of nurse managers have a BSN as of Jan. 1, 2011, and 100% had to have a BSN by Jan. 1, 2013. Also, 48% of nurses have to have a BSN or higher.

6.) BSN Holders Are Eligible for Many More Posted Nurse Jobs

According to a recent study by BurningGlass.com, in a study of 187,000* nurse job posts over three months, there were the following education requirements in the posts:

• Diploma or associate’s degree – 51%

• Bachelor’s degree – 37%

• Graduate degree – 23%

• High school – 6%

What this shows is that a nurse with an RN diploma is eligible for 51% of the positions, while a person with a BSN is eligible for 88%. Further, the study showed that the mean salary for a BSN holder was $10,000 higher.

*Source: BurningGlass.com (analysis of nurse job postings, 4/25/2013-7/21/2013)

7.) Earning a BSN Is Easier Than Ever

In recent years, there has been an explosion in BSN programs, given the great demand for nursing professionals. Many of these programs are online. This allows you to earn your BSN from the comfort of your own home, with minimal need to visit the college campus.

8.) Earning a BSN May Be a Requirement in the Future

If you want to start out your career with an RN diploma, that is fine. It will allow you to gain some nursing experience. But you should know that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a study recently on the nursing profession. It recommended that BSN holders be increased from 50% to 80% by 2020. Nurses are being strongly encouraged to get their BSN within five years of earning a diploma or an associate’s degree.

The AACN is following the recommendations of the IOM and is also making the same recommendation. As these large, respected medical institutions make these recommendations, employers in the health care field tend to follow them as well. This means that many health care employers could require that their nurses earn their BSN by 2020.

9.) BSN Connected to Higher Professional Advancement

Your BSN will open your career up to fascinating specialities in pediatrics, gynecology, surgery, oncology, diabetes, psychiatry and more. With only an RN, you are going to be very limited in your career advancement. It is difficult to ever advance beyond basic floor patient care with an RN diploma. Sumner College offers a RN to BSN program 100% online. Learn more

Content shared from Nurse Journal

The FNSNA Announces a New Diversity Scholarship Award

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA) is delighted to announce a new diversity scholarship award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Funding may be used for tuition, fees, and books. Use the same application to apply for all FNSNA scholarships. Students must complete the race/ethnicity question to qualify. There is $225,000 available. Awards up to $7,500.

The deadline to apply is February 15, 2021.

Qualifications

FNSNA Scholarship Application Instructions

Read carefully. Failure to follow all instructions may result in disqualification.

7 Things You Can Do With a BSN Degree Besides Nursing 6 Medical Assistant Specializations to Explore in 2021

Looking for a medical assistant specialization but not sure which one to choose? Check out 6 specialties that will be in demand in 2021.

Now more than ever, medical assistants are in high demand, with job growth of about 23%  between 2019 – 2029. The need for new medical assistants will continue to rise in 2021. Medical assistants work in more than physicians’ offices or family medicine. Many work in radiology, oncology, ophthalmology, and administrative offices.

Medical assistants work in both clinical and administrative roles, with many having specialties in demand. To become a certified medical assistant in a specialized field, you must take the Certified Medical Assistant exam-CMA (AAMA)  with an emphasis on the specialty of your choice, i.e., Obstetrics and gynecology certification (SCMA-OBG).  If you’re interested in becoming a certified medical assistant and want to know which specializations will be in demand in 2021, check out the list below.

Here are 6  medical assistant specialties to look into for 2021

Geriatrics

There is a growing demand for medical assistants in gerontology or geriatrics. As a medical assistant in gerontology, you’ll focus on the health and care of the elderly population.  You will help Geriatricians manage patient care by checking vitals, reviewing medications, collecting lab work, arranging tests, and educating patients and guardians.

Note: Check out the Assessment-Based Certificate Program in Geriatrics from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

Cardiology

Cardiology is a unique specialty for medical assistants interested in diseases and abnormalities of the heart. Medical assistants work and assist in blood work, cardiac imaging, electrographic, and cardiac stress test. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,  EKG/Cardiology Technicians is one section of cardiology that is always in demand.

If you’re interested in cardiovascular diseases, then being a Cardiology Technician may be right for you. As a technician, you’ll administer EKG exams and other stress testing procedures. The position is hands-on, and experiential training is available in medical assistant programs and on the job.

Obstetrics and Gynecology 

A medical assistant in the OBGYN specialty, assist gynecologist with clinical and administrative work.  Medical assistants schedule and prepare patients for sexual health and reproductive care examination, educate patients on care, take vitals, and record patient medical histories. They help gynecologists by documenting fetal and patient progress, but do not diagnose or treat patients.

Endocrinology

Medical assistants assist endocrinologists by preparing patients for thyroid functions, taking vital signs, blood, urine samples, and administering and administering electrocardiograms.  Other than administering hormone injections, medical assistants schedule and educate patients on procedures. Endocrinology is a unique specialization that focuses on the endocrine system. Medical assistants should be familiar with the endocrine system, how glands work, and their effect on different organ systems.

Oncology

Medical assistants in oncology are always in demand. The oncology department focuses on the care of patients with cancer. As a medical assistant, you will help oncologists, registered nurses, withdraw blood, patient scheduling, check-ins, chemotherapy, and other treatments. They also interact with guardians, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and ensure patient records, and medical history are up to date.

Neurology

There is a demand for more neurologists as the population continues to age, but with a shortage of neurologists, you may think the need for medical assistants would decrease. No, there is a demand for medical assistants in neurology. Medical assistants interested in the neurology specialization must be familiar with how the brain, spinal cord, and nerves work. It’s essential to understand how these systems work together because you will help examine patients who need treatment for nerve issues, i.e.,  Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy. Assistants also help neurologists with radiologic testing, lumbar punctures (spinal taps), and electrical testing (EEG) to monitor the brain’s activity.

 Takeaway 

If you’re interested in medical assisting, 2021 is the best year to explore all the specializations that come with medical assisting. From geriatrics to neurology, the need for medical assistants in various specializations will continue to increase.

Although not mentioned, administrative specialties such as medical billing and coding are in demand for 2021. Telemedicine and virtual interactions between healthcare staff and patients increase, and medical assistants with billing and coding experience are needed. As a medical biller and coder, you work with insurance companies and Medicare and ensure accuracy in charge sheet payments and reimbursement issues.

Note: The American Academy of Professional Coders(AAPC) and the Board of Medical Specialty Coding(BMSC) if you’re interested in credentials or certification.

Content shared from MediJobs.co

 

Learn more:

• Medical Assistant Jobs
  • What is a Medical Assistant
  • Medical Assistant Jobs
  • Medical Assisting School Is Worth It!

Array
(
    [external_url] => 
)