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Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing an Online Nursing Program

Are you interested in beginning or advancing your nursing career? Online nursing schools often include more flexible scheduling and self-paced courses, making them a popular choice for students who need to continue working or meet other responsibilities.

While online education may have some drawbacks, nurses already possess important success characteristics such as self-discipline and strong organizational skills. Online schooling requires strong time management abilities. Bear in mind that you may also be needed to complete additional clinical requirements including hands-on work.

With the diversity of online nursing schools available today, it might be challenging to identify the program that best matches your needs. As you decide your path, ask yourself some critical questions and then evaluate your shortlist of programs following the method below.

1. Program Type

The first step in selecting an online nursing program is determining the type of curriculum that will be most beneficial.

You accomplish your objectives.

2. Certification

Choosing an approved program, or one that adheres to rigorous academic requirements, is the single most critical decision you will make while picking a nursing degree. Choosing an authorized college and program versus an unaccredited one can have a significant impact on your employment eligibility, acceptance into another program as you continue your education, credit transferability, and eligibility for financial aid and licensing or certification exams.

It is critical to check the accreditation status of both your selected university and nursing program.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two national accrediting authorities for nursing programs (ACEN). Accreditation by the CCNE is available for baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs. Those programs, along with LPN and ADN programs, are accredited by the ACEN. Rather than national accreditation, programs may opt for regional accreditation through their regional accreditation agency.

While additional accreditation bodies exist on an institutional level, the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is the only one recognized by the United States Department of Education.

3. Program Length and Time Requirements

Determine the amount of time you have available to spend to your study. Are you sufficiently disciplined to manage a self-paced program? Do you prefer a more regimented schedule? Consult with the school to determine the program’s requirements and duration.

  • Are the classes scheduled in advance or may they be accessed at any time?
  • How much time will clinical experiences take up?
  • Does the clinical schedule fit your schedule?

4. Prerequisites and Work Experience Credit

  • Is your chosen program subject to prerequisite courses (which are frequently required for BSN programs)?
  • Can you transfer your previous course credits to the present program?
  • Is there a minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score requirement?
  • Is there an admissions exam? TEAS?
  • Is work experience counted toward the program’s requirements?

5. Is It the Right Choice for Me?

Present these questions to the admissions counselor, along with a request to meet with any recent grads about their experiences.

  • What is the faculty’s level of experience? Make a point of hiring professors who have substantial clinical experience.
  • Are lessons arranged in such a way that they accommodate students with varying learning styles?
  • Are you going to have access to faculty and an academic advisor?
  • Is there an online forum for student interaction in the program?
  • Is there a specialty available in your field of study? This is especially true for master’s and doctoral programs.
  • How many graduating BSN students pass the NCLEX on their first attempt?
  • How many grads find work within three months of graduation?
  • Is career placement assistance available at the school?

6. Price

While the expense of a nursing program will undoubtedly factor into your selection, do not let it prevent you from investigating options. While the cost of online nursing programs varies, the price displayed is not always the price you will pay.

  • Is financial help or a scholarship available to you?
  • Which payment options do they provide?
  • Are they affiliated with organizations that will cover the cost of your education if you work for them following graduation?

Online nursing education is an excellent option for those interested in starting or enhancing their careers. Utilize this information to assist you in selecting your next online nursing program and to ensure that your selection will benefit your career.

The Fear of Being Fired as a Nurse During COVID-19

Numerous nurses are putting themselves on the line to care for COVID-19 patients worldwide. Putting up with long hours, little-to-no breaks, dwindling critical personal protective equipment (PPE), and the stress and worry of spreading this novel virus to their loved ones. Other nurses, on the other hand, are fearful of a different kind: unemployment.

How is it possible that nurses get laid off from their jobs in a world that hangs by the ragged threads of a nurse’s recycled PPE mask strings? How is it that nurses are being dismissed in the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, with New Yorkers practically yelling from the rooftops each night to celebrate nurses and healthcare workers (HCW)? According to widely published estimates, the nursing deficit will only worsen when baby boomers retire, yet nurses are unable to find jobs. How did this happen?

On the Backburner: Non-Emergency Healthcare

The straightforward yet difficult truth is that not all “necessary workers” are genuinely important. In early February, as the United States was only beginning to recognize the global outbreak of deadly COVID-19, the CDC issued recommendations to reduce or eliminate elective or non-urgent evaluations and procedures. This idea, to avoid unnecessary exposure to both healthy and weak individuals, had a domino affect on the healthcare staff in those locations. Clinics that do exclusively elective surgery have been closed. Only emergent discretionary diagnostics are conducted, such as mammograms and ultrasounds. One nurse and her plastic surgeon spouse were forced to close their aesthetics clinic and lay off their entire team.

Ideally, this is a brief halt. Yet it is yet too early to tell whether the shutdown’s ripples have wreaked havoc on healthcare systems and private practices, some of which may never recover. How long will it take for the country to heal physically and emotionally to the point where they are willing to risk relapse of COVID-19 while recuperating from an elective hip replacement? Nobody is entirely certain.

Nurses, meanwhile, are out of job.

Where Can Nurses Obtain Employment?

Organizations that continue to hire nurses often require full-time employees and specialize in areas such as long-term care, which may not be as tempting to a nurse who has spent the last decade injecting Botox and fillers. Another barrier to hiring nurses is that existing staff is covering overtime shifts, obviating the need for companies to hire new staff. During the 2008 recession, nurses performed multiple jobs at numerous healthcare facilities to compensate for laid-off husbands. Nurses flocked to departments to work the extra hours so frequently that there was never a need to hire from outside.

Nurses’ Tips Looking for Work

The healthcare industry is under strains unseen in our lifetime. While nursing is traditionally a recession-resistant career path, many nurses are finding themselves in unfamiliar territory. Here are some recommendations for surviving this storm:

1. Stay Connected: Contact recruiters and headhunter firms to ensure your resume reaches those still hiring.

2. Seek assistance: As a nurse, this is not a familiar or comfortable position; we are more at ease in the caretaker role. Inquire of your friends and social media contacts who is hiring and request a referral.

3. Consider reinventing yourself: Is an epidemic the ideal time to launch a career as a nurse writer? There is never a perfect time for any new endeavor, so think outside the box when it comes to personal protective equipment and attempt something new.

4. Add a credential or degree: Colleges are also rethinking how they give education, and online education is unquestionably the greatest option. Perhaps the best use of your time during this downtime is to obtain a certification or degree.

5. Get over yourself: It’s a long journey from the intensive care unit to a skilled nursing facility, but patients require staff. Consider pursuing a nurse career in home health, hospice, or rehabilitation. There is always space for improvement.

The World Health Organization foresaw this year accurately when it declared it the Year of the Nurse. Many are confronted with fires they never imagined in their lifetimes or careers. Too many people are living in dread and despair as a result of job loss in the midst of an international crisis. Maintain your strength, develop your resilience, and look for the silver lining in the midst of the storm.

7 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2022

RN to BSN

A Look At The Highest-Paid Nurses in 2022

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $183,580 per year, or 88.26 per hour*

Which nurse earns the most money? Nurse Anesthetists who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! CRNAs earn much more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialization, earning an average of $183,580 per year. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, this highly specialized job entails preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in coordination with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other certified healthcare professionals.

Salary of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn an average annual compensation of $183,580, making it the highest paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, which equates to an hourly pay of roughly $88.26.

Career Prospects for CRNAs

According to the BLS, CRNAs are predicted to rise at a rate of 45 percent between 2020 and 2030.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist?

Prepare to work hard in order to earn a degree from a recognized nurse anesthesia educational program and to pass the National Certification Examination upon completion.

Although a doctoral degree is not required to become a CRNA, the Council on Accreditation has declared that a doctoral degree will be required by 2025.

CRNA Positions

Hospitals, clinics, free-standing surgical centers, ambulatory surgery centers, pain treatment centers, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

2. Certified Nurse Midwife: $115,540 per year or $55.55 per hour*

Certified Nurse Midwifery is the ideal career option for RNs who enjoy obstetrics, labor & delivery, and prenatal care. CNMs work mostly at OB/GYN offices, clinics, and hospitals, however, many establish their own practices in their state of practice.

Salary of a Certified Nurse Midwife

According to the BLS, certified nurse-midwives can expect to earn an average salary of $115,540. CNMs typically work 40 hours per week, earning roughly $55.55 per hour.

Perspectives on a Career as a Certified Nurse Midwife

The career prospects for midwives is excellent, with opportunities expected to expand by 45 percent between 2020 and 2030.

Qualifications for Certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife

To practice certified nurse midwifery, nurses can achieve the Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Midwife certifications through the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Jobs for Certified Nurse Midwives

Hospitals, freestanding birthing clinics, private practice clinics, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: $112,196 per year or $63.28 per hour*

Working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner allows nurses with an interest in mental health to collaborate with psychiatric medical practitioners and counsel patients with mental health illnesses. Additionally, psychiatric nurse practitioners work with patients who have a combination of mental health and drug addiction disorders.

Salary of a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

According to Payscale, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners earn an average of $112,196 per year as of February 2022. Psychiatric nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, earning an average of $63.28 per hour.

Prospects for Career Growth for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

PNPs will be in high demand as the need for enhanced mental healthcare obtains national recognition and demand for adolescent and child psychiatric services develops. Additionally, as substance misuse continues to spread across the country, PNPs will need to develop a strong foundation in mental health and substance abuse.

Qualifications for a Career as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the entry-level degree required to become a nurse practitioner, followed by state-specific Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification.

Jobs for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Hospitals, mental health units, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and staffing firms are among the employers.

4. General Nurse Practitioner: $111,680 per year or $53.69 per hour*

As a general nurse practitioner, you can work independently or in a number of primary care settings. Along the process, you can also improve your talents and earning potential. General NPs may eventually specialize in a particular field if they so want.

Nurse Practitioner Compensation

According to the May 2020 BLS, general nurse practitioners make an average annual salary of $111,680. General nurse practitioners work an average of 40 hours each week, earning an hourly rate of about $53.69.

Prospects for Nurse Practitioners

According to the BLS, nurse practitioner occupations (which include general) are predicted to expand by 45 percent by 2030. Add to that the option to work independently, and this specialty has a bright future.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Nurse Practitioner?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the entry-level degree necessary for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by state-specific licensure.

Jobs as a Nurse Practitioner

Hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, private practice, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

5. Clinical Nurse Specialist: $111,215 per year $53.47 per hour*

Individuals interested in working in a specialized unit or clinic might consider becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Along with identifying and treating a variety of illnesses, you will be regarded as an expert by your healthcare team. Clinical Nurse Specialists are dedicated to enhancing the nursing status in hospitals. They are actively engaged in research and strive to improve the quality of care offered in the healthcare setting.

Salary for Clinical Nurse Specialists

Clinical nurse specialists earn an average salary of $111,215 in the United States, according to Salary.com. However, incomes for this specialty range between $90,861 and $131,477 on average. Clinical nurse specialists typically work 40 hours per week, earning an average of $53.47 per hour.

Clinical Nurse Specialists’ Career Prospects

Because Clinical Nurse Specialists can provide specialized treatment at a lesser cost than physicians, an increasing number of hospitals and institutions will seek to hire these specialists.

Criteria for Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist

A Clinical Nurse Specialist must possess a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a clinical nursing concentration.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Opportunities

Hospitals, clinics, private practices, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

6. Nursing Administrator: $104,280 per year or $50.13 per hour*

A nurse administrator is responsible for the nursing profession’s backstage operations, from budgeting and staff management to human resource management.

Nurse Administrator Compensation

According to the BLS, nursing administrators make an average annual salary of $104,280 as of May 2020. Nurse administrators typically work a minimum of 40 hours each week, earning around $50.13 per hour.

Nurse Administrators’ Career Prospects

According to the BLS, employment of medical and health services managers (of which nursing administrators are a subset) is anticipated to expand 32% between 2020 and 2030.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Nurse Administrator?

A Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration is typically necessary, as is state licensure. Certain nursing administrators additionally hold a master’s degree in business administration.

Jobs as a Nurse Administrator

Hospitals, private practices, healthcare firms, clinics, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

7. Nurse in Pain Management: Annual salary of $101,665 or $48.939/hr*

Pain Management Nurses assist patients in managing their pain following surgery or work with patients who suffer from chronic pain. They collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to ascertain the source of pain and the most appropriate course of therapy, while also educating patients about pain management and avoiding addiction or dependence on prescribed medicine.

Salary of a Pain Management Nurse

According to Indeed.com, the average annual compensation for pain management nurses is $101,665. Typically, pain management nurses work 40 hours a week, earning an hourly wage of approximately $48.39.

Pain Management Nurses’ Career Prospects

Due to the fact that pain management nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes, demand for this talent is high. As the population ages, the demand for skilled pain management nurses will only increase.

Requirements for Pain Management Nurses

While an advanced degree is not required to become a pain management nurse, sufficient experience as an RN is required to compete for the Pain Management Nurse Practitioner certification.

Nurse Positions in Pain Management

Hospitals, drug counseling centers, clinics for substance abuse, rehabilitation centers, oncology clinics, sports rehabilitation facilities, long-term care institutions, fitness centers, and staffing agencies are among the employers.

What’s a Day in the Life of a School Nurse Like?

School nursing entails much more than band-aids and head lice removal. Nearly 13% of children in the United States have a disability, ranging from asthma to anxiety to life-threatening allergies. To keep children healthy and ready to learn, care coordination and teamwork are required, which is frequently supported by the school nurse. This obligation is in addition to assessing and treating a variety of diseases and injuries that arise throughout the school day. Summers off may sound appealing but continue reading to determine whether school nursing is suitable for you.

An Typical Day in the Life of a School Nurse

“A typical day begins with children reporting to the office to receive their ADHD medication. I save all pharmaceutical prescriptions and parent permission slips in a folder on my desk. A teacher enters the classroom, accompanied by a sobbing kindergartener who is covered in vomit. I dig through my pantry for a clean shirt, clean her up, and check her temperature before phoning home. While I’m looking for the phone number, an older boy enters, his leg soaked in blood. “Wash it with soap and water and apply a band-aid,” I urge him as I call the kindergartener’s mother’s phone number.”

On a regular day in a 600-student elementary school, 35 to 50 visits are not uncommon. Each visit must be recorded in the patient’s electronic health record. The school nurse’s office functions effectively as an urgent care clinic, with one nurse in charge and no provider to make orders or prescriptions. Along with children, teachers and other school personnel are cared for. Children who are unable to attend school due to illness are referred to their parents with instructions on when to visit a pediatrician.

Among the reasons for returning a kid are the following:

  • Fever exceeding 100 degrees
  • Coughing Excessively
  • Diarrhea or Vomiting
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Nasal Drainage Excessive
  • Unidentified
  • Rash that is Contagious
  • Head Lice that are Active/Alive

Even School Nurses Have Regulars

The nurse’s office has a small number of frequent visitors. Some suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Others are skipping class due to a variety of factors. They frequently grumble vaguely around the same time each day. A glass of water, a trip to the restroom, and a few peaceful moments of rest frequently suffice to carry them through the day. One of these children is Maddie*. She enters my office with a sad expression on her face and wide eyes. “My tummy aches,” she explains. I’ve spoken with her parents numerous times and we’ve agreed on a course of action. Maddie sips some water and settles into one of the vinyl-covered cots. Within ten minutes, she reappears, declares that she is feeling better, and returns to class.

Numerous children who visit the school nurse’s office have been diagnosed with a mental health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children:

  • 4% have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • 4% have a diagnosable behavioral condition.
  • 1% have a diagnosable anxiety disorder.

Additionally, some children have an individualized education plan (IEP) that involves a time-out at the school nurse’s office.

Before lunch, diabetic children come in to get their blood sugar checked and to receive their insulin. Under the guidance of the nurse, the majority are able to prick their own fingers and monitor their blood sugar. Their insulin doses are computed using an equation that takes into account their glucose levels and the carbohydrate content of their lunch. I calculate the insulin dose for each child and administer it to them individually prior to sending them to the cafeteria.

Day in the Life

“Prior to recess, a couple of rowdy boys enter to use their inhalers. A couple additional patients are seen for ADHD medication. Another requires his strep throat antibiotic. Recess introduces a new set of minor injuries that require the use of ice packs, band-aids, and emails to parents. I close my door after recess and sit down to have lunch while catching up on notes. I manage three bites before being startled by a knock at my door. “I got an insect bite,” a small child explains as he extends his arm. I rise and apply calamine lotion to the bite before returning him to class.

After recess, the office is quiet, which gives me a chance to study the list of outstanding physicals and immunizations. I send another round of letters home, this time requesting verification for these items. I consult the calendar to arrange for a week of hearing and vision examinations. A couple children return from recess with their ice packs, and I reassess their injuries.

At 2:45pm, the school buses arrive outside, and children shout in anticipation of boarding. Before boarding the bus, diabetic children come in to have their blood sugars checked. After a nosebleed at the end of the day, a lost baby tooth, and a few bruised heads, the buses eventually go for the day and the building becomes quiet. It’s now time to catch up on paperwork, make phone calls, and reassemble the workplace. Today was a pleasant day, with no serious injuries or angry phone calls from parents.”

During The Pandemic, What’s The Best Nursing Job?

COVID-19 has resulted in head-spinning census shifts, resulting in nursing shortages in COVID “hot areas,” while other facilities have furloughed nurses in preparation for the anticipated rise in cases. America immediately learned there were insufficient nurses in places severely hit by the virus.

To the Rescue: Travel Nurses

Travel nurses are a distinct component of the nursing profession. While they account for less than 1% of nurses, their numbers are expanding as more nurse’s volunteer to assist facilities in COVID-19 hot zones. According to American Mobile Healthcare, a travel nurse staffing business, more nurses will accept travel assignments in 2020 than at any point in its 30-year history. This demonstrates the lengths to which our nation’s nurses will travel to assist their fellow healthcare professionals and offer superior patient care.

Why Should I Travel Nursing? Why Now?

There is a high demand for travel nurses. Hospital staff is swamped with COVID-19 and other patients, and some nurses are becoming infected, creating an urgent need for a flexible nursing workforce to address staffing gaps. Aya Healthcare, a travel nurse agency recognized by Becker’s Healthcare as one of the top 150 places to work in 2019, now has over 12,000 nursing and allied healthcare positions listed on their website.

Travel nursing is quite lucrative. Prior to the pandemic, travel nurses earned an average of $1,673 per week. Travel nurse salary has increased to almost $4,000 per week (in some situations), with an average of roughly $3,500. Bear in mind that these “crisis pay” rates are being offered in response to the pandemic, and the maximum rates may be accessible only in locations with a high COVID-19 case count.

Travel businesses are increasing their support for passengers, including 24-hour hotlines and tools for mental health.

Is Travel Nursing Right for You?

Travel nursing is a rewarding career option, but it is not for everyone. Travel nurses must be adaptable to different surroundings and possess a high level of confidence in their nursing abilities. Being a new nurse and being away from home for months at a time might be stressful.

Additionally, as a result of the epidemic, travel nursing has evolved. Despite the increase in salary, many experienced travel nurses are declining assignments due to fear of the virus or exhaustion from front-line work. Travel nurses nowadays must be committed to their patients and continually prepared to deal with a variety of challenging scenarios. However, if you’re a nurse who enjoys traveling and thrives on new experiences, travel nursing may be the ideal career for you.

The Importance of Choosing a Travel Nursing Agency

When contemplating a travel nursing agency, it is critical for nurses to ask the right questions to ensure they have all of the information necessary to make the best choice for themselves. These inquiries may include the following:

  • Is there a 24-hour hotline available for clinical questions, as well as debriefing and mental health assistance?
  • Can an incoming nurse communicate with an experienced nurse working in that region prior to accepting the assignment?
  • How likely is the termination of a contract, and what does this signify for the employee?
  • Will I still be compensated if I am required to quarantine?
  • What expenses is the agency responsible for?
  • Can I accompany a friend on an assignment?

Requirements for Licensing

The majority of travel nursing agencies require that you hold an active registered nurse (RN) license in your state of residence. Certain facilities exclusively hire nurses with a bachelor’s degree. Typically, a travel nurse from a state that is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact must obtain a separate license in each state in which they desire to operate. Nurses with compact nursing licenses may practice in any compact state; however, they must obtain a new license to practice in a non-compact state. However, due to the pandemic’s ability to spread rapidly in diverse regions, states have relaxed their compact licensing standards to allow out-of-state nurses to obtain assignments quickly.

Experience Is Critical

The majority of agencies require at least one year of experience, and certain specialty areas are more in demand than others. According to executives at Cross Country Healthcare staffing service, the organization has witnessed an increase in demand for travel nurses in ICU, telemetry, med-surg, and ER, as well as new opportunities in screener, contract tracer, and triage jobs.

Travel nurses will continue to be in high demand as long as the country continues to see outbreaks of the illness. Even if hospitals resume normal operations, this may result in an increase in elective surgeries and temporary staffing shortages.

If you’re an adventurous nurse looking to make a difference in patients’ lives, this may be your chance to shine as a travel nurse in a challenging yet fulfilling career.

Pandemic Influences Pediatrics Care in a Big Way

Nurses caring for children across the country observed significant changes in pediatric care delivery as a result of the pandemic.

According to a study which was published on October 11 in BMC Health Services Research, these changes include responding to new hospital regulations, communication, and staffing patterns.

According to the authors, the study’s findings can assist hospital leaders in navigating the pandemic recovery process and managing future emergencies.

2020: Identifying Systemic Flaws

The researchers questioned administrators, front-line physicians, nurses, and parents from undisclosed pediatric care and community hospitals serving pediatric patients in the six United States with the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rates in 2020.

Researchers discovered how leaders quickly modified hospital policy after conducting interviews with 30 participants at 12 hospitals. Several hospitals established command centers manned by hospital leadership. Additionally, the researchers discovered that frequent data reviews and engagement with stakeholders supported improvement.

“We established a COVID command center in 2020 in response to the initial outbreak and again in 2021 in response to the onset of the Delta wave. We convened daily at 9 a.m.,” said Laurie Schulenberg, MPA/HCA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Interim Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. According to Schulenberg, this clinic had the highest rate of pediatric COVID-19 patients in the country during the summer of 2021.

Nurses, including the planning chief and nursing supervisor, communicated regularly with other hospital management on the hospital’s COVID-19 census, the number of COVID-positive children admitted to the emergency room, and strategies for addressing difficulties, Schulenberg said.

“By 2020, we had already come up with strategies for the few children we had with COVID — things like locating the IV pumps outside the rooms [and] ensuring we had enough negative pressure rooms,” she explained.

While these command centers aided hospitals in making changes, they also exposed process inefficiencies. For example, the study found that increased usage of telemedicine and videoconferencing in 2020 aided physical separation but caused distinct communication issues for non-English speakers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread adoption of telemedicine and, in the inpatient setting, phone and video interpretation with less reliance on in-person interpreters to promote physical distancing,” study author Nicole Penwill, MD, MPH, FAAP, a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Several physician participants in her study mentioned additional difficulties and worse communication quality associated with the use of remote interpretation services.

Restriction on Visitors

Restricting visitors in pediatric care can be more difficult than in adult acute care.

When the pandemic began, all U.S. hospitals instituted federally mandated no-visitation regulations, according to Laura J. Wood, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, EVP Patient Care Operations and System Chief Nursing Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“Boston Children’s Hospital and a number of other pediatric care specialist hospitals recognized the critical necessity to preserve family presence in light of the unique needs of children and parents in navigating serious illness while avoiding traumatic separations,” Wood said. “To accomplish this safely, the hospital used a variety of patient flow and nurse-led care delivery improvements throughout time.”

According to the study, restrictive visitor regulations were particularly troublesome for families with fewer resources. Restrictions on sibling visits have been considered as difficult for single parents. According to Penwill, visitor restrictions that did not allow caregivers to switch out resulted in lost employment – and increased financial strain on families living paycheck to paycheck.

“At [UCSF], we’ve worked to provide certain exceptions to sibling visits,” she explained.

In 2020, when the number of hospitalized children declines and the number of adult patients increases, many nurses will be reassigned to care for adults. Hospitals interviewed for a COVID-19 quality and safety analysis in hospital pediatrics reported that they promoted change by establishing care teams backed by adult hospitalists, comprehensive support via video conferencing, and educational tools.

2021: The Pandemic Continues

The CDC stated that weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates among children and adolescents approximately doubled between late June and mid-August 2021, corresponding with an increase in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

“Pre- and post-Delta predominance, the percentage of hospitalized children and adolescents with severe illness were comparable. However, hospitalization rates among unvaccinated adolescents were reported to be tenfold those of fully vaccinated adolescents,” according to the CDC.

According to Wood, Boston Children’s Hospital did not see an overall increase in pediatric COVID-19-associated admissions in 2021 compared to 2020, owing to a high rate of adult vaccination in Massachusetts, which likely aided in the reduction of COVID-19 transmission to infants, children, and adolescents.

According to Schulenberg, Children’s Hospital New Orleans saw dramatic census changes between 2020 and 2021. Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ patient census decreased significantly when the pandemic began in 2020. The hospital did see an increase of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital in 2021, compared to 2020.

Assisting Nurses

According to Penwill, study participants noted the pandemic’s significant mental health effects on nurses, other clinicians, and personnel. “A critical area of attention during the pandemic recovery period will be to maintain a strong emphasis on staff mental health and the availability of mental health and wellness resources,” Penwill added.

According to data from three nurse-led research studies completed more than four years ago at Boston Children’s Hospital, the pediatric hospital was already offering additional support to nurses facing moral and ethical dilemmas prior to the pandemic.

“An effective team of nurse scientists assessed the feasibility and satisfaction with the establishment of a Nurse Education and Support Team (NEST) coach role to promote moral resiliency,” Wood explained.

According to Wood, NEST coaches provide coverage five days a week in four intensive care units and one progressive care unit.

“By November 2019, less than two years after the program’s commencement, there had been 6262 NEST coach consultations. Over 85% of respondents expressed satisfaction with their encounters with the NEST coach, and over 80% stated that they would seek assistance again,” Wood explained. “The utilization of this program, which was designed and evaluated immediately prior to the commencement of COVID-19, offered critical, just-in-time support during the pandemic’s unprecedented moral and ethically problematic conditions.”

Progression

The vaccine’s approval, availability, and uptake among children will all have an effect on how the pandemic affects pediatric treatment in hospitals in the following months.

“Hospital nurse leaders and managers can make a significant contribution to education and immunization initiatives by training and empowering bedside and clinic-based nurses to educate patients and families about COVID-19 vaccination,” Penwill added. “… it is also unknown what will happen during this ‘respiratory season,’ and whether we will witness an increase in pediatric admissions for respiratory disorders, bigger than what is generally expected when COVID-19 is circulating, especially if a new variety arises. Given that unknown, nursing leadership may choose to plan for it in terms of nurse training and staffing.”

Math Needed in Nursing School

Math is not just a requirement for admissions to a college-level program or for passing a licensing exam in nursing. It is an essential component of a nursing education and a skill set that you will utilize on a daily basis during your career.

Patient safety is the primary goal of nursing—and math is a critical tool for achieving this goal at all levels of practice, according to Donna R. Swope, an adjunct professor of nursing at Stevenson University.

Math abilities are vital for nurses who execute the routine but critical work of medicine administration.

“Adopt the perspective that nurses and math are inextricably linked in terms of patient protection,” Swope advises. “Do not view it as studying for a test and then letting the material slip.”

Math abilities are vital for nurses who execute the routine but critical work of medicine administration. “During the testing, production, distribution, and prescription of pharmaceuticals, nurses serve as the final line of defense because they are the ones who administer the medication to the patient,” Swope explains.

Throughout the process, math calculations, measurement conversions, and data interpretation occur, which includes the following:

  • Adhering to the “rights” of pharmaceutical administration: the appropriate patient, the appropriate medication, the appropriate dose, and the appropriate time.
  • Calculating a dose requires consideration of several variables, including the patient’s weight and the prescribed amount per pound.
  • Calculating a dose based on a patient’s capabilities; for example, determining if a patient can swallow the medication solely in crushed or liquid form.
  • Adjusting dosage in reaction to a patient’s response; for example, increasing or decreasing the flow rate of an intravenous medicine in response to a patient’s blood pressure.

Additionally, nurses use math to design and understand research linked to healthcare and nursing practice. That is why research and statistics courses are required in undergraduate and graduate nursing schools.

“Nurses must be able to read, analyze, and understand research findings as well as modify procedures, protocols, and policies to ensure that the standards of care that guide their practice remain current,” Swope says.

Perfect Practice

You learned the majority of the arithmetic necessary for nursing in middle and high school. You are not alone if you don’t recall the majority of it. Preparing to take a pre-assessment test for admission to a nursing program, such as the PAX or TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), will assist you in reviewing and solving arithmetic and algebra problems.

Numerous practice guides and tests are available. Community institutions also provide pre-college math courses if necessary.

Examinations for Dosage and Clinical Nursing Courses

In most programs, students attend an introductory clinical course that covers dosage and the math required in pharmaceutical administration. “The fundamentals of ratio/proportion, algebraic formulae, conversions, and pharmacy measurements are reviewed, and students’ knowledge is tested,” Swope explains.

At Swope’s university, “students have three chances to earn a perfect score on the dosage exam at the conclusion of this review.” They must resign from the clinical course if they do not get this score,” she explains. “Each subsequent clinical course includes a dosage exam on the first day with the same standards: three attempts to pass the exam.”

At the majority of nursing schools, students will encounter identical testing techniques and policies.

Mathematics Requirements for Nursing Programs

Two to three years of high school math are required for admittance to most institutions’ nursing programs. However, some of the more competitive nursing programs require four years of high school math.

The following is a summary of the common math prerequisites and courses required for nursing program graduation. These courses are in addition to the math assessments administered prior to the start of clinical courses.

Nota bene: The term “one college-level math class” refers to undergraduate math coursework such as algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus taken during the first two years of college.

Nursing Assistant with a Certification (CNA)

Prerequisites: Solid understanding of fundamental mathematics
Graduation requirements: There is no further mathematics required.
Practical Nurse Licensed (LPN)

Two to three years of high school math, including intermediate algebra, are required.
Graduation requirements: Vary between none and one year of college-level mathematics
Nursing Associate’s Degree (ADN)

Two to three years of high school mathematics, including intermediate algebra, are required.
Graduation requirements: One college-level mathematics course
Nursing Bachelor of Science (BSN)

Three to four years of high school mathematics, including intermediate algebra, are required.
Graduation requirements: One course at the college level in mathematics and one course in introductory statistics
Nursing Master of Science (MSN)

Prerequisites: One course at the college level in mathematics and one course in introductory statistics
Graduation requirements: Courses in descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as biostatistics
Nursing Doctor of Science (DNP)

Prerequisites: Courses in descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as biostatistics
Graduation requirements: Courses at the graduate level in statistics and study design, assessment, and outcome measurement
Ph.D. in Nursing (PhD)

Prerequisites: One course at the college level in mathematics and one in descriptive and inferential statistics or biostatistics
Graduation requirements: Although it varies considerably, it often involves numerous graduate-level statistics and research technique courses.

Five of the top twenty jobs according to U.S. News & World Report are held by Nurses

However, before you make a career move, take a look at U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top occupations for 2022. Five of the top twenty jobs on the list are nurse-related or nursing-related.

“Careers are arbitrary. To others, creating high-profile marketing campaigns for hot products sounds like the ideal career, while others fantasize about delivering healthy infants to excited new parents,” the staff of US News stated. “However, certain occupational characteristics are quite widely desired. Workers often want better wages, a large number of open positions, and advancement chances.”

The news organization began by identifying professions with the highest predicted number and percentage of openings from 2020 to 2030, as indicated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The complete technique is available here.

The following five nursing occupations made the top twenty:

 Practical nurse

  • 114,900 jobs are anticipated.
  • Salary median: $111,680
  • Required education: master’s degree

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed further schooling. They are the second most common type of nurse. They obtain patient histories, do physical examinations, order lab tests, analyze the data, prescribe medications, authorize treatments, and educate patients and families about ongoing care.

 

Assistant physician

  • 40,100 jobs are anticipated.
  • Salary median: $115,390
  • Required education: master’s degree

Physician assistants, ranked third overall, diagnose ailments, formulate and carry out treatment programs, help surgeons, execute procedures, and counsel patients. Their duties are generally similar to those of a general internist or doctor, but in the majority of states, PAs must practice in conjunction with a licensed physician or surgeon. While the transition from registered nurse to physician assistant is uncommon, it is not unheard of.

Manager of medical and health services

  • 139,600 jobs are anticipated.
  • Salary median: $104,280
  • Bachelor’s degree is required.

Medical and health services managers, ranked fourth overall on the list, are the planners, directors, and coordinators who work behind the scenes to ensure the efficiency of hospitals, nursing homes, group practices, and other health care institutions. In a nutshell, they are extremely well-organized experts. While a nursing degree is not required, this might be an excellent transition for someone seeking to leave the bedside yet remain in health care.

Licensed nurse

  • 276,800 jobs are anticipated.
  • Salary median: $75,330
  • Bachelor’s degree is required.

Registered nurses are responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition, performing medical operations, and providing medication, ranking as the No. 12 best job overall. Additionally, they track a patient’s progress. RNs care for the healthy, the pregnant, and those nearing the end of life and hoping for a peaceful death.

Anesthetist nurse

  • 5,600 jobs are anticipated.
  • Salary median: $183,580
  • Required education: master’s degree

While it is ranked No. 19 overall, this is the No. 9 highest paid job. The educational background of a nurse anesthetist differs from that of an anesthesiologist. Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have completed at least one year of critical care experience and hold a master’s degree in anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists are physicians with a four-year medical school degree, a one-year internship, a three-year residency, and perhaps an extra one- to two-year fellowship.

“Both anesthesia specialists employ the same techniques and procedures to safely administer the same types of anesthetic drugs for any procedure that requires the patient to be sedated,” Frank Gerbasi, a certified registered nurse anesthetist and executive director of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, told US News.

New MSN Program at Berkeley College Offers Multiple Pathways to Professions in Nursing

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WOODLAND PARK, N.J., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Berkeley College’s School of Health Studies announces the introduction of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The advanced degree program is designed for nursing professionals who wish to further their careers as nurse educators, managers, or practitioners. The program, which received approval from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in December 2021, offers concentrations in Nursing Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Public Health and Emergency Management Nursing. Berkeley College – New Jersey now offers the state’s only Licensed Practical Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Master of Science in Nursing (LPN-BSN-MSN) pathway program.

“I am overjoyed that Dr. Brian Bridges, New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education, has granted final approval to Berkeley College – New Jersey’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program,” stated Marsha A. Pollard, PhD, Berkeley College Provost. “The MSN program, Berkeley College’s second Master’s-level program in New Jersey, is ideally linked with Berkeley’s mission, vision, and strategic goals, and shows how we support our students’ academic and professional success.”

“The MSN program will provide rigorous leadership and skill development to equip graduates for success in the nursing sector,” stated Eva Skuka, MD, PhD, Dean of Berkeley College’s School of Health Studies. “Students pursuing each emphasis will be mentored by qualified and helpful instructors and will participate in field practicum hours for immersive learning.”

The MSN program is available on-campus in Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Berkeley College is New Jersey’s sole institution that provides a curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With the establishment of the MSN program, students now have a straight route to a graduate degree.

Berkeley College MSN graduates are prepared for positions in specialized clinical practice, management, and teaching. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical and health care managers is predicted to expand by 32% between 2020 and 2030.

Students pursuing an MSN degree, like other Berkeley College students, will get specialized student support services, including Academic Advisement, the Library, the Center for Academic Success, and other resources, such as Career Services. Career Services provides alumni with free career counseling and placement support.

“A master’s degree in nursing empowers nurses and broadens their professional opportunities,” said Eleni Pellazgu, professor of nursing at Berkeley College’s School of Health Studies. “It can also enable more flexible hours, the capacity to teach, manage, and do research; and the ability to work in non-traditional settings, among other benefits.”

Additional Information: To obtain additional information about the MSN program, please contact Colleen M. Fuller, Director of Admissions, MSN Program, at 973-200-1067 or 800-446-5400.

Berkeley College Facts

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It provides Master’s, Bachelor’s, Associate’s, and Certificate programs in over 20 career categories. Additionally, the College offers continuing education programs to help students improve their career qualifications.

Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan, New York, and Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, New Jersey, with a total enrollment of over 4,000 students. Additionally, Berkeley College Online® caters to a global audience. For eight consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans. Berkeley College (NJ) was named one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North by US News & World Report in its 2022 and 2021 Best Colleges Surveys. Berkeley College (NJ) was also named a Top Performer on Social Mobility in the region for the first time in 2021. Berkeley College’s website is located at http://www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.

Berkeley College’s aim is to empower students to achieve long-term success in dynamic careers.