Skip to content

The Importance of A BSN


recent article in Nurse Journal noted that while an associate degree “can qualify one to become an RN in most states, earning a BSN will often bring higher pay and better job options.” Many healthcare employers are now requiring RNs to have BSNs for certain positions, like ICU nurse or surgical nurse.

At Sumner College, if you are a registered nurse wanting to advance your career and your education, the RN to BSN Program is a great option for you. Our program is offered 100% online and can be completed in just 13 months, allowing you to work while you pursue your educational goals.

Learn more by visiting Sumner College RN to BSN.

Nursing and Healthcare Trends for 2022

Knowing upcoming healthcare trends can help guide your practice and decisions. Two nursing leaders share the top 10 trends they expect in 2022.

While dramatic changes were happening in healthcare before the pandemic, COVID-19 caused these changes to occur more quickly. These changes have helped address stresses placed on the healthcare system.

We spoke with two seasoned nursing leaders about the trends in healthcare expected in 2022. We discuss those trends and offer insight into how healthcare delivery is evolving.

10 Nursing Trends We Expect to See in the Coming Years

The last of the baby boomer generation will retire in 2030. This means changes in how healthcare is delivered will be necessary to meet more complex medical needs. Nursing leaders expect to see these ten trending patterns in the coming year. They will affect how nursing care is managed and delivered.

1. Job Growth for Nurses Will Continue to Rise

The world is in the middle of a critical nursing shortage. Many factors have contributed to the current situation:

  • Increased demand for care during the pandemic
  • Retiring nurse educators mean a falling number of nursing faculty
  • Nurse burnout from the pandemic
  • An aging population with complex medical needs
  • Nursing staff reaching retirement
  • Greater shortage in rural areas
  • Job growth is a function of supply and demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the job growth for registered nurses (RNs) through 2030 to be 9%, as fast as average. They also estimate job growth for advanced practice nurses through 2030 to be 45%.

2. Home Health Will Increase in Popularity

Demand for home healthcare nurses will grow as the population ages. However, COVID-19 prompted an unexpected rise in need for these services. Home health benefits are a lifeline for vulnerable patients who are at increased risk of medical complications. This includes infectious illnesses like COVID-19.

In response, a new bill called the Choose Home Care Act was introduced to the Senate in July 2021 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2021. If passed, it would expand the benefits provided by Medicare for home healthcare services. It would also open the door to more remote monitoring and tele health nursing services for seniors. Seniors could choose to go home rather than a skilled nursing facility after hospitalization.

As home healthcare expands, experts are calling for greater standardization in the industry. They point out that license requirements are not uniform across states, making applications at the federal level next to impossible. Industry leaders are calling for standard on boarding and vetting procedures. It would include background checks, experience, certification, and social security verification.

3. Care Models Will Experience a Necessary Shift

Anne Dabrow Woods, chief nurse at Wolters Kluwer Health, anticipates a necessary shift in how nursing care models are applied due to COVID-19. For instance, the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System carried out a vigorous model of nursing care during the pandemic.

There are two key components to how care is delivered:

  • The mode of delivery
  • The skills of nurses on the hospital unit
    “Healthcare models must migrate from traditional nurse-to-patient staffing models to a more agile one in times of crisis, that facilitates flexibility and supports the best care for patients,” Dabrow Woods explains.

While staffing must be based on patients’ care level and staff competency, Dabrow Woods proposes an improved model during crisis management: team-based with an increase in floating nurses.

This system would allow hospitals to address hardships caused by future public health events or insufficient staffing, not unlike what we face now with COVID-19. Dabrow Woods stresses the need to be flexible. A care model should always support an organization and a nurse’s ability to deliver excellent patient care.
To continue reading this article visit Nursing Journal – Nursing and Healthcare Trends in 2022

Written by: Gayle Morris, RN, BSN, MSN
Photo Credit: Shared from Nursing Journal / Getty Images

From Bitter to Blessed – Nursing Christmas Story

This Christmas story was written by a nurse we’d call Any Nurse. And just like most nurses, she wasn’t too eager to work on Christmas Day. In fact, she dreaded the shift from the moment her alarm clock woke her up.

But just like most nurses, Any Nurse had to go to the hospital. As soon as she started her shift, IV alarms started beeping, call lights were ringing, and pharmacy techs became busy delivering medications.

While she was busy trying to get an IV in one stick on a patient who badly needed a blood transfusion, a code blue was paged. Her heart jumped and skipped a little imagining that someone’s loved one was coding on such a special day.

Down the hall, she saw Valerie. She’s a 2-year old burn patient, a victim of a kitchen accident. Any Nurse hoped that Valerie wouldn’t have any disfiguring scars. Just imagining Valeria at 13 years old and dealing with those scars made her heart hurt. Any Nurse has a 2-year-old kid.

She went on to help Anita, her nursing assistant. They bathe a 76-year-old patient who was admitted with a stroke. The two of them combed the patient’s thinning hair and applied a red lipstick to her lips. With the patient’s garbled speech, she managed to say “Thank you, dear.”

On her way back to the station, Any Nurse answered a call light from a patient who was cold. She went to the supply room and found several blanket warmers. As she gave one to her patient, she saw her smile as the warmth seeped in.

After her shift, Any Nurse felt really excited to go home, share her day with her husband, and cuddle with her healthy kids.

Story and Image credit shared from Nursebuff.com 

 

ANA Urges US Department of Health and Human Services to Declare Nurse Staffing Shortage a National Crisis

This press release was originally published Sep 1, 2021 by the ANA. For more information visit their website.

SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing the interests of the nation’s 4.2 million nurses, urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to declare the current and unsustainable nurse staffing shortage facing our country a national crisis. In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, ANA calls for the Administration to acknowledge and take concrete action to address the current crisis-level nurse staffing shortage that puts nurses’ ability to care for patients in jeopardy.

“The nation’s health care delivery systems are overwhelmed, and nurses are tired and frustrated as this persistent pandemic rages on with no end in sight. Nurses alone cannot solve this longstanding issue and it is not our burden to carry,” said ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “If we truly value the immeasurable contributions of the nursing workforce, then it is imperative that HHS utilize all available authorities to address this issue.”

ANA calls on the Administration to deploy these policy solutions to address the dire nurse staffing shortage crisis. HHS must:

  • Convene stakeholders to identify short- and long-term solutions to staffing challenges to face the demand of the COVID-19 pandemic response, ensure the nation’s health care delivery system is best equipped to provide quality care for patients, and prepared for the future challenges.
  • Work with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on methodologies and approaches to promote payment equity for nursing services and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to APRN practice.
  • Educate the nation on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine to provide resources for widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and any subsequent boosters.
  • Sustain a nursing workforce that meets current and future staffing demands to ensure access to care for patients and prioritize the mental health of nurses and other health professionals.
  • Provide additional resources including recruitment and retention incentives that will attract students to the nursing profession and retain skilled nurses to the demands of patient care.

“ANA stands ready to work with HHS and other stakeholders on a whole of government approach to ensure we have a strong nursing workforce today and in the future,” said Dr. Grant. “Our nation must have a robust nursing workforce at peak health and wellness to administer COVID-19 vaccines, educate communities, and provide safe patient care for millions of Americans.  We cannot be a healthy nation until we commit to address underlying, chronic nursing workforce challenges that have persisted for decades.”

# # #

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4.3 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org.

ANA Urges US Department of Health and Human Services to Declare Nurse Staffing Shortage a National Crisis

This press release was originally published Sep 1, 2021 by the ANA. For more information visit their website.

SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing the interests of the nation’s 4.2 million nurses, urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to declare the current and unsustainable nurse staffing shortage facing our country a national crisis. In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, ANA calls for the Administration to acknowledge and take concrete action to address the current crisis-level nurse staffing shortage that puts nurses’ ability to care for patients in jeopardy.

“The nation’s health care delivery systems are overwhelmed, and nurses are tired and frustrated as this persistent pandemic rages on with no end in sight. Nurses alone cannot solve this longstanding issue and it is not our burden to carry,” said ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “If we truly value the immeasurable contributions of the nursing workforce, then it is imperative that HHS utilize all available authorities to address this issue.”

ANA calls on the Administration to deploy these policy solutions to address the dire nurse staffing shortage crisis. HHS must:

  • Convene stakeholders to identify short- and long-term solutions to staffing challenges to face the demand of the COVID-19 pandemic response, ensure the nation’s health care delivery system is best equipped to provide quality care for patients, and prepared for the future challenges.
  • Work with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on methodologies and approaches to promote payment equity for nursing services and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to APRN practice.
  • Educate the nation on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine to provide resources for widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and any subsequent boosters.
  • Sustain a nursing workforce that meets current and future staffing demands to ensure access to care for patients and prioritize the mental health of nurses and other health professionals.
  • Provide additional resources including recruitment and retention incentives that will attract students to the nursing profession and retain skilled nurses to the demands of patient care.

“ANA stands ready to work with HHS and other stakeholders on a whole of government approach to ensure we have a strong nursing workforce today and in the future,” said Dr. Grant. “Our nation must have a robust nursing workforce at peak health and wellness to administer COVID-19 vaccines, educate communities, and provide safe patient care for millions of Americans.  We cannot be a healthy nation until we commit to address underlying, chronic nursing workforce challenges that have persisted for decades.”

# # #

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4.3 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org.

Scholarships | National Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation and clubs invest in our future leaders and philanthropists by funding scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study. Your local Rotary Club may

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Tips to prepare for a nursing interview

Content shared from Indeed By taking some steps to plan for your interview, you may feel more confident and prepared. Here are several tips you

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Interview Question: “Why Do You Want To Be a Nurse?”

Content Shared from Indeed During interviews for nursing school or entry-level positions, employers may ask you, “Why do you want to be a nurse?” Preparing

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Memorial Day – Sumner College is closed

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Why nurses love their job

Content shared from Scrubs Magazine staff. We all have good and bad days when it comes to working as a nurse. On my best days,

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Register for FREE Nursing Info Sessions

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Info Sessions will be held on our Portland campus. To reserve a spot for an upcoming session please

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Sumner College Interview with KATU’s Afternoon Live

Joanna Russell, President of Sumner College visits with Kara Mack, host of KATU's Afternoon Live, showcasing the new nursing program at Sumner College, a Bachelor

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Hawaii and the West Coast Beckon to Travel Nurses

Article shared from Travelnurse.com. Written by Jennifer Larson, Contributor Travel nursing opportunities abound in the Pacific Region of the United States, including the West Coast

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Johnson & Johnson | Nursing Scholarships

Nursing Scholarships Whether you're pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing, there are a variety of nursing scholarships and grants that can provide

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

For healthcare to work, it takes nurses.

Johnson & Johnson is proud to advocate for, elevate, and empower nurses for over 125 years. J&J Objective To attract and strengthen an innovative, thriving, and diverse nursing workforce, empowered to advance health equity and transform healthcare. During

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

May 12 – National Nurses Day

To acknowledge the contributions of nurses and call attention to their working conditions, the International Council of Nurses established May 12 as International Nurses Day in 1974.

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Nurses Make a Difference: Anytime, Anywhere – Always.

We celebrate the extraordinary contributions Nurses make to our communities, this May 6-12th  during National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week begins each year on May

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Sumner College – BSN, LPN, RN to BSN – Classes start July 17th

Sumner College Nursing Programs Our Vision Drives Us. Education with Integrity. Sumner College is committed to providing excellent care to patients in the community through

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Get Started in a Nursing Career

Do you like to help others? Inspired by the possibility of saving and improving lives? For many people entering the nursing field, there’s a feeling

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Find Your Path

There are many different ways into a nursing career. Choose a starting point to get a personalized guide of the steps you’ll need to take.

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Welcome New Sumner College Students

Sumner College starts a new cohort of nursing students today. You are embarking on a new educational journey, pursing a career in healthcare. We welcome

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Nursing Students – Tips for the first year

Content shared from nursecrets So, you have been accepted into nursing school. First of all congratulations! You have made it through the process, so now

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

RN vs BSN: The Differences

Changes in nursing involve a major shift in higher education standards, requiring more nurses to hold a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Student of the Month: February 2023 Medical Assisting Program

Kayleigh was selected by Sumner College faculty and staff for the February Student of the Month. Some of the reasons she was chosen include: "....her

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Phlebotomy Program – Arizona

If you're interested in a career in phlebotomy that will allow you to work in a safe, professional environment and give you the skills and

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

20 Types of Nursing Positions

Information shared from Indeed.com 20 types of nursing positions Though all nurses seek to provide proper care and treatment for their patients, their day-to-day duties

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

5 Tips for Working While in Nursing School

Information and article shared from Indeed.com Here are five tips for being a successful nursing student while working a full-time or part-time job: 1. Review

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Pros and Cons of Working While in Nursing School

Information and article shared from Indeed.com Editorial Team The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Nursing and Midwifery

Article shared from the World Health Organization Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

New BSN Program

Enroll today in our new BSN program. Graduate in less than 3 years. Classes start April 24th. Learn more www.sumnercollegeBSN.com   

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

OR Nurses Returning to Full Capacity, plus Backlog

By Debra Wood, RN, contributor In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, many governors ordered elective surgeries postponed to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE)

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Nurses Nurture Their Emotional Health

Article Shared from TravelNursing.com By Jennifer Larson, contributor “How are you feeling?” If the truthful answer to this question is something along the lines of

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Why BSNs are Important

Article shared from TravelNursing.com Cost vs. reward still a factor for BSN-prepared nurses By Debra Wood, RN, contributor When the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

8 Fast-growing Travel Nurse Specialties

This article is sourced from TravelNursing.com. With a nursing shortage compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has driven thousands of nurses from the bedside, many

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn

Congratulations Sumner College Graduate – Prolyn

PROLYN’S STORY “Prior to enrolling at Sumner College’s Medical Assisting program, I was a psychology student who was extremely interested in medicine. I wanted to

Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn