Nursing School Programs

A LPN nursing degree (Licensed Practical Nurse) or LVN nursing degree (Licensed Vocational Nurse) has a distinct advantage over many other nursing education programs, it is a fast-track to earning money, and it means that after a years of schooling, the nurse is able to work, then she studies at the same time. The advantage of this is obvious, you get to start earning money sooner!

The demand for LPN’s does not only extend to clinical situations they are in huge demand in the normal workforce as technology advances, and this makes it definitely a career opportunity which is more diverse. Training as and LPN is also a good stepping stone to get started in nursing and advance a career into and RN or even BSN. In nursing there is no limit to how far a career can go.

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By Mark Alison
There are so many fields and specialties in the nursing profession; a Nurse Practitioner job description will help you understand this specialty. The nursing prerequisites are similar to most nursing school program advanced degrees.

In order to become a nurse practitioner or NP, the student has completed a minimum of a Masters Degree in advanced Nursing education and is trained to diagnose and manage common illnesses such as those in the elderly or pediatrics. They are able to manage chronic illnesses and provide a very wide range of health care services. Some of the care they provide is the same at that which is provided by a doctor, they work closely with physicians and can provide regular care to a patient.

It is necessary to have a RN qualification to become a NP, and this can be done through online courses, hospital based programs, community and other colleges and universities.

Patients in the care of the nurse practitioner are from all age groups and the core philosophy of this nurse is based in individual care. They can care for patients illnesses as well as the effects this illness has on the family of the patient. Below are the “Key Performance Areas” or KPA’s:

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By Melanie Ullman
Some potential nursing students have been led to believe that online nursing degrees are all fake. This is a huge misconception perpetrated by less than honest people, which unfortunately we have to put up with online, but don’t have to use or tolerate. Always check that any nursing degree program you embark on is fully accredited with the necessary education authority, as you would if you were to embark on a nursing degree in a bricks and mortar educational facility.

Distance Learning

Distance or online learning is available for most degrees that are available in traditional educational facilities and nursing is no different. The college or university must be accredited with the US Department of Education or any of the 6 regional or 52 national bodies funded by this department – accreditation is the key word here!

The beauty of distance learning is that it allows many more students access to training and education that may not have been available to them normally. It also allows students to complete their courses in their time, so they may work and be educated at the same time, a very necessary evil in this day and age of economic strife. As long as an online teaching facility is accredited it is also allows for eligibility for the same scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional facilities.

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By, Brenne Meirowitz

Before spending the time and effort in applying to nursing school, make a quick self-assessment by asking yourself the following questions.  Do I have the temperament and desire to work long shifts and do the dirty work in hospitals, nursing homes, or doctors’ offices?  Do I have a desire to make a difference in people’s quality of life?  Does beginning a new career in health care sound like a good idea for me at this stage of my life?  If you can answer, “yes” to any of these questions, then applying to nursing school is a good idea.

Once you have made the decision to go into nursing, you will need to decide what kind of specialty you want to pursue, as well as the type of degree program that best suits your lifestyle.  Do you want to go the traditional bachelor’s degree route at an accredited school with an accredited nursing program?  Alternatively, would you rather attend a vocational nursing school?  The decision you make will have a factor in what you will need for the initial application.  Most schools will ask for at least three recommendations or references from either prior professors or employers.  However, your performance on the job, extracurricular activities, or even your grades will not assure that you will be accepted into the school of your choice.  A program selection committee will also review and probably contact your references, order a background check, consider your application essay, and schedule an interview.

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By Melanie Ullman
While nursing jobs in general are pretty much extremely secure and layoff proof no matter what the economy is doing. Government nursing jobs are even more secure in that the government does not layoff even in the toughest economic times. There are a number of government agencies that have government nursing jobs available including the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Indian Health Network, National Institute of Health, Center of Disease Control, and the National Library of Medicine and all of the branches of the military. There are government nursing jobs for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners.

The three government entities with the highest demand for nurses are the Department of the Army, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently the average nurse’s salary for a government position is just over $63,000 ranking 20th in the highest average government salaries. You either have to have a family member in government service or know someone in government service to understand just how good a job with the federal government can be.

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