Nursing Career Archives - Felbry College

Posted on October 18, 2017

Nurses are in high demand with many hospitals and clinics hiring for positions. The nursing profession is not for everyone. It takes dedication and passion, as well as a willingness to work with vulnerable people while juggling emotional situations as professionally as possible. Understanding what it takes to be a nurse can help you determine whether a nursing career is the right profession for you to pursue. So many nurses look back on their rewarding careers with pride and joy in what they have been able to offer the word. It’s a reward of its own.

Qualities of a Good Nurse

The qualities of a good nurse cannot be understated. A good nurse is one that can exhibit the following qualities when working with colleagues and patients.

Compassion

All nurses need to be long on compassion and flexibility. Kindness, empathy and concern for others’ wellbeing is critical for ensuring compassionate care. Personalized patient care helps the healing process as well as creates comfort for the patient and family members during a difficult time.

Dedication

Dedication to the profession of nursing and being of top quality matters. Not everyone is a good nurse. The inner yearning has to be there to want to make a difference for another human being. Some of the following are great motivations to remain dedicated to the job:

Inspiration for family members
Giving back compassionate care
Desire knowledge
Drawn to profession

Advocacy

Many nurses want to advocate for a patient’s wellbeing and health. This helps empower the patient and family to feel confident in a diagnosis and course of treatment. Nurses must also speak on behalf of or help patients and groups discuss feelings when needed such as communicating patient desires when it conflicts with a physician’s opinion.

Other qualities a good nurse must possess include:

Patience
Willingness to learn
Sense of anticipation of what’s next
Active listening and communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Time management skills
Endurance
Leadership abilities

Becoming a nurse takes time, persistence and dedication. To discern whether a nursing career is the right path, it helps to speak with nurses who are both new and seasoned as well as check out the places where jobs exist for nurses in the chosen field. Exploring all the possible options and what it entails will help make the decision to become a nurse easier.

If you’ve decided that a nursing career is right for you, explore the programs available here at Felbry College School of Nursing and get in touch with our admissions office today!

Posted on October 11, 2017

A travel nurse plays an important role for the people communities that he or she serves. Nursing is a complex and ever-changing field, which means that nurses who can travel to fill in where they’re needed most are in high demand. Requirements to become a traveling nurse vary depending on the location. It is an exciting field with lots of possibilities and challenges. Learn how to launch a career as a traveling nurse and pursue this exciting field!

Why Travel Nurses Exist

Hospitals hire travel nurses for many different reasons. This can include some of the following:

Difficulty keeping skilled nurses
Need for temporary staffing for shortages
Seasonal population growth (snowbirds, etc)
Lack of qualified nurses nearby

Due to the shortage of nurses, some hospitals are willing to hire skilled, qualified nursing candidates for short periods of time to fill in gaps for patient support.

Know the Benefits of Being a Traveling Nurse

Travel nurses can have a pick of workplaces including the specialty of choice and length of time in a contract. Travel nurses are often paid well for their time and location flexibility and may have housing and travel costs covered along with full benefits. Many opportunities to make extra money exist including bonuses for extension of a contract or taking assignments in a ‘high need’ facility. A traveling nurse will often bounce between two or three key locations that need contingent staff or on-call help. The benefits of being a traveling nurse certainly outweigh the inconvenience of ongoing travel, for most people. It really depends on your temperament. If you’re always on the go and look forward to seeing new places and meeting new people, then some years as a travel nurse might be perfect for you.

Requirements to Become a Travel Nurse

To get started with a career as a travel nurse, a person must do the following:

Attend nursing school and become at least a Registered Nurse (RN)
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and work for minimum of one year at a hospital in the chosen speciality
Hold at least a minimum of Associate of Science (ASN) in nursing
Obtain certifications in a specialty area
Receive a TB test, physical and immunizations prior to starting an assignment

Most places are looking for a qualified nurse with the flexibility to relocate and pick up shifts as needed.

Find the Right Traveling Nurse Job

Finding a position as a traveling nurse is not as hard as one might think. The demand for nurses is so high, the best way to find a job is to work with a staffing agency who can provide multiple job opportunities at once to allow comparison of options. Many travel nurse agencies offer benefits including health care, housing, retirement and travel. Comparing offers and interviewing around can help find the best position to suit personal goals.

If you’re looking to get the skills and training necessary to launch a career as traveling nurse, consider enrolling here at Felbry College where your education comes first.

Call us today for more information!

Posted on August 23, 2017

A nursing degree provides opportunities to practice in various healthcare settings across the US. Nursing degrees help set up professionals for success. Those who are strong leaders and possess team management skills can advance their personal careers into leadership roles at hospitals and other medical institutions. Learn more about how a college degree in nursing can help build a career.

Nursing Degrees

Various degrees exist depending on the type and certification desired by the potential student. Schools like Felbry provide online and in person opportunities to engage with classroom opportunities to advance learning in many areas of nursing. Consider the following degrees:

Certificate and diploma programs in nursing are a great way to prepare for entry-level jobs in nursing. Some of these programs may take a few months to complete while others may require a year of training. Some typical courses may include medical terminology, basics of healthcare, introduction to geriatric care, and pediatric nursing.
Associate degree in nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN) which can take two years. RN-to-BSN programs are a popular way for registered nurses to earn a BA while advancing career opportunities. Practical requirements may be required along with courses in pharmacology, mental health nursing, surgical nursing, or advanced maternal and infant nursing.
Bachelor’s degrees in nursing are recommended for registered nurses. A nursing major at the BA level must complete general education credits in science and liberal arts. Internships and clinicals will be required. Working nurses already licensed as RNs may advance careers through pursuit of a BA at an online program. BSN students without an RN license need clinical experience prior to treating patients. Some classes include nursing ethics and the law and being a critical thinker in healthcare settings.
Master’s degrees in nursing prepare nurses for very specialized careers with courses like advanced nursing concepts and theories, public healthcare policy, and advanced concepts in public health.

What to Do

Following the achievement of a nursing degree, most graduates seek to obtain employment in hospitals, care facilities, private practices, or other healthcare settings. State laws determine specific tasks associated with registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Registered Nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, private offices and home healthcare companies. The duties vary by state and position but include medical treatments and medications, education of patients and families along with diagnosis of injuries and illness and emotional support.
Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses work in a variety of healthcare facilities. Completion of post-secondary training is required. Typical tasks include monitoring patients, assisting patients with bathing and dressing, changing bandages, recording patient information, and giving emotional support.
Certified Nursing Assistants provide support to nurses and doctors who provide basic care to patients in healthcare settings. Work commonly associated with it may include nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and home healthcare services. A CNA may help patients with basic tasks, measure vital signs and serve meals.

Felbry College provides a variety of programs for individuals who want to become nurses. Call us to find out how to get started on the right program for you. We will help guide you through the process and make the best choice to suit your goals.

Posted on August 9, 2017

The Felbry College-School of Nursing is a place to enjoy community, learn real world skills, and experience a world class education. When deciding to join our program, Felbry commits to providing the best academic and social environments to support student success. Professionals who come from underprivileged, under-served and underrepresented populations will be provided the opportunity to thrive at Felbry.

More Than Education

A nursing degree from Felbry College means more than a piece of paper certifying your professional certification to get hired. From the moment students come into the classroom, staff and instructors are instrumental in teaching hard and soft skills such as clinical and business skills, professional and ethical standards, as well as resume writing and critical thinking, all of which are required in today’s job market. The School of Nursing is built around nurturing student goals and ambitions to be the best nurses in the world. Felbry College is not just a place to learn, it is a community that thrives on connection to community and remains dedicated to professionalism.

Meeting Goals

Some prospective students struggle to find the right place to study and lose hope of ever getting into a professional career. Discouragement in moving towards goals can be common for some people but Felbry College does not let that deter prospective students from coming to study. With a willingness to learn and build accountability to professional standards, any student can find success at Felbry College and in your later nursing career. Students are not just customers, every individual’s contribution is valued and the best educational experience is afforded to everyone equally.

Philosophy

Every individual is made up of many moving parts from physical to spiritual and psychological components. Health needs arise when the body is thrown off course for many different reasons, affecting quality of life, health, and overall wellness. This may, in turn, impact interactions with family, friends, and loved ones. Felbry College places a high value on teaching potential nurses to learn balance in work and life but also how to help patients achieve homeostasis in their lives as well. Helping patients return to a better quality of life is what Felbry College – School of Nursing’s philosophy is all about.

The Felbry Family

Students who graduate from Felbry College find it is more than an institution of higher learning; it’s a culture and way of life. Commitment to student success does not stop when someone leaves Felbry. Felbry Alumni Association provides assistance with transition from student to LPN or RN. Our alumni balance busy work schedules with family commitments and school until graduation. The Felbry College Alumni Association is the perfect way to stay connected with former classmates, instructors, and the wider community. Graduation is not the final hurdle for many graduates as career paths take many different forms and some students benefit from the networking opportunities and resources available to alumni as professional careers thrive and take off. Felbry College is committed to supporting students for the long haul with the Alumni Association, just one of many ways to stay connected to the Felbry family.

Felbry College provides students with resources and tools to be successful in their chosen careers.
Contact us to find out how we can support you in achieving the career of your dreams.

Posted on July 11, 2017

People study nursing for many different reasons and often have differing goals for the resulting career. One of the big drivers for nursing students is that the field has plenty of job opportunities and comes with a great degree of respect and satisfaction. Nursing is about caring for others and there’s nothing more noble in our world. A nursing career can be quite lucrative too, if you find your niche and specialize your skills for high pay job sectors. Let’s run down a list of other reasons that nursing is a great career choice.

Nursing Jobs are In Demand

One of the fastest growing occupations in the United States is nursing, with a greater need for caregivers and qualified nurses to care for our aging elders and patients combating chronic disease. Opportunities for nurses will continue to expand in the next several years. The aging population within the United States will drive demand ever higher, along with some of the following reasons:

Retiree vacancies will continue to see openings grow in the coming years. Predictions demonstrate hundreds of thousands of nurses will be needed in the next few years.
Population growth is fueling demand with increased longevity and the need for healthcare services. Advanced practice nurses will be needed for preventative and primary care with a huge need to fill openings for elderly populations.
Rural healthcare programs and grants will become available to those seeking employment in high need areas. Typically remote, isolated and understaffed regions of the United States, rural regions will see an uptick in need with a desire to fill positions.

Job Security

The overall career field of nursing provides economic stability and job security, both highly attractive to nursing graduates. Options for work will increase while the opportunity to specialize and expand your career continue to unfold. It might mean taking a less than desirable job in a location that is not the primary choice at first, but jobs will become available with more experience, allowing nurses to continue their education and seek out new jobs tailored to their unique skill set.

Nursing is a Diverse Field

A wide-ranging career field, nursing is one that never has a dull moment on the job. A person working with other individuals who have any variety of ailments and concerns will never be bored. New patients come in daily which require new decisions, present new problems to solve, and keep everyone on their toes. Some fields in nursing are as varied as they come including:

Travel nurses who relocate to cities with the highest need or go abroad to help manage health clinics, treat patients, or educate local staff in other countries.
Flight nurses provide pre-hospital, emergency, and critical care to individuals needing medical evacuation via air transport or tend to individual victims of a natural disaster.
Research nurses work with some of the front leading researchers in medicine and science around the world. Typically these nurses are among the first to know about medical developments and advances.
Emergency room nurses enjoy the work of a fast-paced environment treating patients who need immediate attention, have been in an accident, or are in a high risk situation.

Nurses Make a Difference

Commitment and dedication is needed to be a nurse. Nurses experience a rewarding career but not without hard work, grit, and determination. The work put in is equal to the reward. Skills will be learned that can be adapted to life and work situations. Nurses help patients and families during high times of need. Listening, thinking, organizing, and leading are all skills needed to be a high level nurse. An individual not only makes a decent living but also feels good about the rewarding nature of the work over the lifespan of one’s career.

Felbry College supports students in finding the career path of their dreams. If you desire a rewarding profession with room for professional and personal growth, call us. Let us help you find the right educational path.

Posted on June 20, 2017

An alarming trend is taking shape across America. A shortage of nurses is happening for the first time in decades. Due to an aging population, the rising incidence of chronic disease, and an aging workforce of existing nurses has led to a shortage in qualified nurses in the medical field. While this is some cause for concern among hospital administrators and other industry leaders, it means a great deal of opportunity awaits today’s nursing student. With a larger job market ready to accept qualified candidates, the prospects for nursing school grads are better than ever!

Expanding Profession

Nearly 3 million nurses exist in the healthcare field with nursing making up one of the fastest growing occupations in the country. In spite of growth, demand is going up exponentially. Millions of vacancies will emerge for nurses between 2017 and 2022. By 2025, the shortfall is expected to be more than twice as large as any nurse shortage experienced since Medicare and Medicaid was introduced in the mid-1960s.

Industry Drivers

There are many reasons why the nursing profession and industry for healthcare professionals is growing rapidly. Some of the reasons include:

Looming Baby Boomer crisis of people over age 65 needing medical support
Healthcare demand for chronic conditions
Aging population and chronic disease are creating a perfect storm
Country’s nurses are aging rapidly and retiring

Filling vacancies for retiring nurses is not as simple as training more nurses. Potential qualified nurses are being turned away due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, and graduate programs amidst budget constraints. Nursing faculty members are also facing retirement which makes it challenging to expand cohorts.

The Right Fit

Students who train to become nurses are looking for many things upon graduation. Among them are a good salary, strong cultural fit, flexible hours, and manageable expectations. Working where a nurse can practice in full scope of licensing is most desirable and each state allows for different things depending on guidelines. Nurse practitioners, for example, are more limited in some states and have more freedom in others. Education in rural areas may be limited to associate’s degrees but should not limit prospects to practice. Other strategies to address the nursing shortage have included:

Public-private partnerships and incentives for nurses to become educators
Launching a campaign featuring TV commercials, videos, website and brochures to promote benefits of a nursing career
Fellowships and loan forgiveness offered to nurses who teach after graduation
Federal grants for nursing schools and organizations to advance educational programs, promote diversity, repay loans and train nurses for seniors

A nursing shortage is one of the greatest assets to training in the field. For prospective nursing students who are considering a degree in nursing, the field is ever growing and ever changing. The dynamic nature of nursing will guarantee a place for qualified nursing graduates now and in the future for a long time to come.

Now is the time to consider a nursing degree. Felbry College is focused on excellence in teaching a diverse student body to enter the workforce with the highest level of education possible with support and resources provided throughout the process. Give us a call to find out how to get started.