Posted on January 1, 2019

Passing NCLEX Study tips and tricks

Successfully challenging the NCLEX exam is possible. Preparation begins on the first day of nursing school. The Nursing curriculum is built to provide students with the opportunity to learn the core concepts necessary to pass NCLEX and to step on the floor as a new graduate nurse.

Organization is the key. You must have a designated space to study and you must have your materials and supplies ready. Textbooks, review guides, index cards and colored markers should be kept organized and accessible. Time management is also important. For example, if you have one hour to study, how can you make the most of that hour? You could spend 15-30 minutes reading, 15 minutes reflecting and making notes and 15 minutes with review questions.

How are you doing in your other courses? Students who are successful with NCLEX are often very successful in nursing school. Developing good study habits can result in better grades and translate to NCLEX success. How are your critical thinking skills? Are you able to solve problems and to find ways to be successful? Do you need to seek tutoring assistance from one of your classmates or instructors?

The NCLEX is designed to assess your ability to be a safe and competent nurse. Nurses are expected to have a strong knowledge in nursing content and be able to critically think your way through the problems. This comes with good study habits and with strategic use of practice questions. Get help from your instructors and classmates if you are having difficulty with organized study and review. If you study smart and work hard, you can be successful in nursing school and with NCLEX!

Nursing School is over! What next?

Completing nursing school and passing NCLEX is not the end for nurses. Nursing is a profession with a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. There are so many options available for nurses. It is important to work where you have passion and interest. Otherwise you are working at a “job” instead of having a career (Buffington, Melynyk, & Neale, 2018).

When you are working where your interests and talent are a great fit, you and your patients will have a better experience. When you have found a position, you can choose to work or consider returning to school for additional education.

While working, you will evolve from “novice to expert.” This means that you will start as a new nurse and eventually, you will gain enough experience to be considered an expert at providing patient care. This is a complex process and does not occur overnight. You can pick up tips and best practices from your preceptors and colleagues.

Consider joining a nursing organization. This is important for networking and for continuing education opportunities. There are numerous organizations for nurses. Some are general, and some are specific. Many of them have their own peer-reviewed publications. This is where evidence for clinical practice can be found. Initially, you may want to join a general organization, such as the Ohio Nurses Association.

When you have gained more experience or switched to a specialty area, you should join the organization for your specialty. Remember that nurses are professionals committed to lifelong learning. This does not end when nursing school ends. It begins.

Reference

Buffington, B. C., Melynyk, B. M., & Neale, S. (2018, June). Career wellness. American Nurse Today, 13(6), 20-21.

Posted on March 29, 2018

RN Programs in Ohio Vary in Size and Scope

In Ohio, the amount of registered nursing jobs available is growing, as well as the possible ways students can become a registered nurse. Ohio has an overwhelming number of schools and nursing programs that are continuously developing as the need for registered nurses, also called RNs, grows. Students who are looking to enter an RN program in Ohio can be unsure of which program is right for them, much less the school they should attend. In order to help future registered nursing students cope, the various RN programs in Ohio can be broken down into three levels of degrees: ADN, BSN, or MSN.

Associate’s Degree in Nursing

The ADN degree is the starting route for prospective RNs. Students who choose this RN program will graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing, which only takes 2 years to complete, and is ultimately less expensive than other programs because of the notably shorter duration. In addition, ADN programs are commonly found in local community colleges or technical schools. After graduation, students must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, to become a registered nurse in the state of Ohio. Any student who wants to start working as a registered nurse after a short time in school should start with getting an ADN, as those who have taken an RN program in Ohio have a higher rate of career opportunities. In addition, the BSN and MSN can be built on this degree whenever the student decides to return to school and further their skills.

Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing

The BSN program is an advancement of the ADN; students earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing after a four year program. The BSN program is more expensive due to the longer time frame, but graduates receive higher salaries and more advanced careers than ADN registered nurses. Some RN programs in Ohio offer an accelerated BSN program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, but they want to become a registered nurse as a second career.

Master’s of Science in Nursing

At the top of possible RN schooling, the MSN allows students with a BSN further their careers to earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing. These RN programs in Ohio are fewer in number than the others listed, but graduates with this degree gain incredible career opportunities. Registered nurses with an MSN degree are common candidates for Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Nurse Practitioner positions. The final tier of RN training takes around 2-3 years to complete, although the hours and scheduling are often flexible to meet the student’s needs. Many of the people working to earn the MSN degree also work as full-time nurses. The admittance standards of many MSN programs are very competitive, although students who graduate with an MSN degree find it to be worth the effort.

Deciding on a College’s RN Program

Out of all the RN programs in Ohio, schools that offer the ADN program are the most common; after all, it is the first step to becoming an RN. Deciding which school is going to meet your needs can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The most important factor in deciding which RN program is right for you lies in the values you want to put into your work. Many schools can provide you with the necessary knowledge to become an RN, but you have to choose a school that will help you develop the emotional and psychological skills needed to provide clients with the best care.

In Columbus alone there are over 80 schools offering RN programs; many of these schools are larger organizations with a minor focus on your RN specific program. Felbry College is a smaller accredited school of nursing, but the care and guidance we provide to our students is of the highest quality and is a central focus of our leadership. Felbry offers RN programs in ADN, LPN-RN, and Practical Nursing. Whatever program you decide to enter, the faculty will ensure you have the necessary tools to become the best caregiver possible. The building blocks of a registered nurse start with the ADN degree, and Felbry understands the importance of instilling care and compassion into the nurses of tomorrow.

Felbry College offers several of the best RN Programs in Ohio, in addition to providing a supportive and knowledgeable faculty, key tools for success in future jobs, and an understanding of the importance of caring and compassionate nurses.

Contact the Felbry Admissions Office today!

Posted on March 20, 2018

What a Nursing College Like Felbry Can Offer You

There are many paths that students can take in nursing college, leading to a difficult decision when deciding where to attend school. One of the most common signs of a reputable college is accreditation from a state confirmed agency. Nursing colleges that have received accreditation status from a confirmed agency allow the students access to many benefits, including government financial aid and funding, a uniform curriculum resulting in transferable credits, and a reputable training background when applying for future job opportunities.

A Personal Experience

Nursing colleges like Felbry College are some of the best institutions to attend for nursing degrees, as the smaller institutions are able to provide the specific catering and care that students need. Not all nursing colleges are able to provide such a unique, tailored experience. Felbry College offers programs that are relevant to today’s health care professionals, constantly updating the curriculum to keep up with the fast-changing nature of health care.

Accredited Excellence

Felbry College remains an accredited university to ensure the quality and rigor of the programs compared to state, regional, and industry standards. The accreditation process that nursing schools like Felbry must go through is incredibly involved for all participants, but the resulting assurance of standards is worth the effort of the accrediting organization and school faculty. The accreditation process involves a series of self-studies by faculty of the college, as well as evaluation of all the programs offered. Felbry College was also peer reviewed by nursing colleges of similar status and curriculum; throughout the accreditation process, there were many site visits to ensure the quality of Felbry’s programs. After all of the effort and time spent in to accreditation, prospective students can feel confident in the knowledge that Felbry is an excellent nursing college.

Creating Accessible Education

In addition to the certification and accreditation that Felbry College received, students have access to various financial aid from federal and state organizations. Because Felbry College is a state-recognized accredited institution, students can receive scholarships, loans, and grants from the government that those attending non-accredited schools would be without. Whether your school is Felbry College or another accredited nursing college, your chances of receiving financial aid will be much higher.

Education After Felbry

Students who attend Felbry College are able to transfer the credits earned to another nursing college. Felbry’s accreditation status allows its students to transfer credits, as the other schools are able to gauge the course quality and intensity against their own. For students who are continuing their education after Felbry, transferable credits are absolutely necessary. Employers examine the schools from which degrees are earned, and students who gain a degree from an accredited nursing college like Felbry will have a higher value in the job market. While accreditation is not required of colleges, the faculty of Felbry continue to keep accredited status to ensure their students have the best information, opportunity, and experience to succeed in the nursing world. By supplying students with the means to improve safety in health care facilities and employ critical thinking skills to help clients, Felbry College is an excellent choice of nursing college to earn your degree.

Felbry College is among the best Columbus Nursing Schools, offering a diverse faculty, accelerated programs, and close network of alumni to help you start your career in nursing. The faculty at Felbry value their students success and growth above everything else, and they lead with the intention of creating great future nurses who lead with their hearts and minds.

Contact Felbry Admissions to apply today!

Posted on March 14, 2018

Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing at Felbry College

When examining the various paths available to become a registered nurse, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the wide range of information. One of the most straightforward and cost-effective paths is to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. Depending on the institution you choose, the cost will vary as well as the quality and ease of coursework. At Felbry College, students are able to choose between two tracks towards an Associate Degree in Nursing, depending on the specific needs of the student.

The first track Felbry provides is for students with no previous experience or training in nursing. These students usually attend for two years, before graduating and continuing the steps to become a registered nurse. The second track Felbry provides is directed towards LPN-RN students, or students with previous practical nursing training or license. These students may already work in the job field, but they want to progress their job and skill level to continue growing. In both tracks, the student earns an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and is provided with the necessary skills to become a registered nurse.

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

After graduating from Felbry College, students are presented to the Board of Nursing to determine whether or not they can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX-RN is the final certification needed to become a registered nurse. Students that pass the NCLEX-RN will be able to start working in health care facilities, providing care for clients and supervising practical nurses, nurse aides, and home care aides. Popular job opportunities for registered nurses include hospitals, nursing homes, or home care agencies.

Learn the Skills Registered Nurses Need

When Felbry College created the Associate Degree in Nursing program, it was intended to provide students and practical nurses with the skills they need to provide excellent healthcare to all patients they encounter. Felbry College maintains the rigor and standards of the program to ensure that every year students are leaving with the best knowledge possible, and the necessary skills to succeed as a registered nurse.

When graduates enter the job field, they will be required to practice within the legal and ethical standards, use logical reasoning and evidence to make supported, safe decisions about clients, and be able to communicate and cooperate with fellow healthcare professionals, clients, and significant support persons. Throughout the Felbry Associate Degree in Nursing program, students will learn how to use and develop these skills, as well as how to manage the emotional stress of becoming a registered nurse. The requirements to study at Felbry College include proof of high school graduation, proof of US residency, a BCI and FBI criminal history check, and at least two character references. Prospective students will also take an entrance test with a predetermined passing score of 60%.

Felbry College is one of the leading schools providing the Associate Degree in Nursing program, and Felbry faculty continue to provide the support, care, and knowledge their students need to succeed as a registered nurse.

Contact the Felbry Admissions Office to begin your application!