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California’s New Mask Policies: All You Need To Know

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

California’s New Mask Policies: All You Need To Know

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tweaked their mask guidelines to account for the effect of COVID-19 on communities, as opposed to raw case counts. Under this new metric, 70% of areas were identified as low-to-medium risk zones that can safely lift mask mandates. In response, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has updated its own mask policies to fall in line with the CDC’s recommendations. Since these guidelines are not federal law, local governments and private businesses can still enforce separate policies. Before you throw away your box of N95s, read up on the new updates to the California mask mandates.

Mask Requirements Indoors

After March 1, 2022, unvaccinated individuals are no longer required to mask in an indoor public setting. Regardless of vaccination status, universal masking will only be required in certain high-risk areas, such as:

  • Nursing homes
  • Correctional facilities (State and Local)
  • Public transportation vehicles and transportation hubs
  • Homeless shelters
  • Every healthcare facility
  • Emergency shelters
  • Cooling and heating centres

Regardless of your vaccination status, the CDPH still strongly recommends masking indoors in public settings or businesses. This includes retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centres, meetings and state and local government offices. As previously mentioned, local health departments and businesses can still enforce their own mask protocols should they see fit to do so.

 

New School Mask Policies

On March 11, 2022, the California government lifted universal masking protocols from schools and childcare facilities. In a joint statement by the California, Oregon and Washington governors, the governors cited dropping case numbers and hospitalizations as the main reason. The CDPH officially downgraded the mask requirement to a strong recommendation, in this setting.

Exemptions

Previous guidelines for mask exceptions still apply. You can be exempt from mask requirements if you have relevant physical or mental handicaps or you are a child under two years old. For example, those with hearing disabilities and the people communicating with them can take off their masks. If masks cause workplace safety concerns, they can also be removed in that context.

The Next Step

The loosening of mask restrictions falls in line with Governor Gavin Newsom’s new SMARTER Plan: The Next Phase of California’s COVID-19 response. SMARTER – Shots, Masks, Awareness, Readiness, Testing, Education, and Treatment – lays out goals, metrics and plans to move from a “pandemic” approach to living with the virus. Building off of experience and scientific advances, the government plans to create COVID mitigation strategies that are both effective and adaptable. To learn more, you can refer to the official SMARTER government PDF.

Coronavirus and its multiple strains are likely to persist in the foreseeable future, possibly even forever. The new goal is to reach a point where COVID exists in a more manageable capacity. Though it is still best to be on your guard, the new mask policies suggest that the situation is trending upwards.

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Types of Master’s Degrees in Nursing

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Types of Master’s Degrees in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing (or MSN) can open the door for many job opportunities and higher salaries. Essentially, it can mark the start of a whole new chapter in their career. That said, you do not want to enter a masters program blindly. With so many paths and specializations, you want a clear goal in mind before anything else.

Unsure of what path to take? Don’t even know when to start? Read on to learn more about the different Masters Degree tracks, along with the Best Master Degrees in Nursing, in 2022

Types of Masters Tracks in Nursing

Before getting into the different specializations, it is important to go over various MSN tracks. MSN students can vary in education and career standing. To account for this, universities offer a variety of MSN degree types that allow students to start at different points.

Registered nurses with their Bachelor of Science In Nursing, can take the BSN to MSN track. This track is perfect for nurses seeking specialized education, as they tend to build on the foundation of the undergraduate program. Typically, they tend to only take two years or less.

RN-to-MSN Bridge Programs, meanwhile, were made for registered nurses with their Associates Degree in Nursing, or a nursing diploma. In this program , students can work towards earning their BSN and Masters Degree in Nursing at the same time. They typically take two to three years to complete, and will include the BSN-level content that students may have missed.

For nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, the Direct Entry Master’s Degree is a fantastic MSN Degree type. The program fills in the gaps of knowledge in BSN-level coursework, while allowing students to complete their MSN degree more quickly. For students who want to start with master’s-level nursing as soon as possible, this is the perfect track for them.

Finally, there are Dual Master’s Nursing Degree programs. Of the types of master’s degrees in nursing, this is one of the most unique. For nurses who want administrative roles, such as CEO, this is the path to take. You study for your MSN alongside leadership-centric degrees such as your Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Health Administration or a Master’s in Public Health, if that route interests you.

Specializations

You may be asking yourself: What jobs can you get with a Masters in Nursing? Luckily, you have a host of specializations to choose from, as you study for your MSN. .

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing is the most common route. APRNs take on advanced, specialized clinical roles that pay significantly more. Note that once you are done with your education, you have to pass a certification exam for your chosen profession. Other MSN degree specialization types prepare you for non-clinical nursing roles such as nurse informatics or public health. While they pay less, they provide the opportunity to affect healthcare on a systematic level.

Best Master’s Degree Jobs for Nursing in 2022:

There is a wide variety of available specializations, if you have a Master’s Degree in Nursing. To make your choice easier, we have listed a handful of the best paying MSN roles with the highest projected growth.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist-

CRNAs are responsible for applying anesthesia before, during or after various different procedures. They are also expected to ask questions regarding a patient’s medical history and administer post-operative care, among other responsibilities. Because of the importance of anesthesia in healthcare, these nurses rank among the highest paid types of post-Masters jobs in nursing. According to the BLS, average pay reached as high as $192,514, this year.

Nurse Practitioner-

These APRNs work with their patients on a personal and daily basis. They assess their individual needs, provide diagnostic tests and provide carefully-crafted treatment plans and lifestyle suggestions. There are many specializations within the NP work itself, from family health to Pediatrics to dermatology and more. Income can vary depending on your field-of-choice and experience, but the median salary sits at $114,109. Slightly less, but still high among jobs across various MSN degree types.

Nurse Midwife-

Among jobs that require a Master’s Degree in Nursing, this is one of the more unique. These nurses provide a specialized form of reproductive healthcare for women. Certified Nurse Midwives (or CNMs) are responsible for giving prenatal care, gynecological checkups, baby delivery, family planning, postpartum care and peri-post menopause care. $114,441 is currently the average salary, as of 2021.

Clinical Nurse Specialist-

These clinical experts operate with advanced education and training in a specialized area of nursing. This can include geriatrics, pediatrics or acute care. CNS nurses can also act as consultants for other advanced practitioners. These nurses currently earn $108,295 a year, on average..

No matter what MSN degree type or specialization you choose, the future looks bright. Because of high demand, all four of these jobs are expected to grow 45% from 2020 to 2030. When it comes to immediate income and future prospects, few other MSN jobs compare.

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Pros & Cons of Getting a Master’s Degree in Nursing

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Pros & Cons of Getting a Master’s Degree in Nursing

The Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) is one of the most renowned advanced degrees in the nursing field. For nurses, it represents an opportunity to advance their career towards greater opportunities and paydays. The benefits are plentiful, yet so are the drawbacks. There is a material and personal cost that must be considered, before a nurse decides to commit to a program. Whether or not the program is for you depends on your situation, preferences and career goals.

Pros

More Career Opportunities

When you acquire your masters in nursing, a bevy of career opportunities opens up for you. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses such as Nurse Practitioner and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) require an MSN. There are also a host of specializations offered by MSN programs that require skill sets not covered by the BSN nursing course. If you want to become a forensic nurse, for example, you can take your masters in nursing with the option to specialize in the forensic department. Finally, there are multiple nonclinical roles available to MSN nurses. A masters is an important step to acquiring certification to teach Health Education at secondary schools. There are also jobs such as clinical nursing specialist (CNS) and nursing manager roles who operate in consulting roles.

Higher Salaries and Outlook

Pay in the nursing profession can fluctuate, depending on a number of factors. This includes years of experience, certifications, department of choice and more. That being said, you can typically expect to earn higher salaries in roles that demand a Masters of Science in Nursing. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that advanced degree nurses earn $117,670 per year, on average. That same year, health service managers also earned a hefty average salary of $118,800. This was dramatically higher compared to the registered nurse’s annual salary of $75,330.

Additionally, the future outlook is also more optimistic for jobs that require a nursing masters. It is projected that RN job opportunities will grow 9% between 2020 and 2030, which is about average for all occupations. Meanwhile, advanced practice nurses, health educators and health managers can expect growth rates of 52%, 12% and 32% within that same time span. Every job listed will be in high demand for the foreseeable future, but MSN roles have an added level of job security.

Furthering Professional Development

 

Beyond material benefits, studying for your masters in nursing allows HCPs to improve their care even further. Technical skills and knowledge gained from previous education is expanded and specialized even further. These programs also force you to improve soft skills like critical thinking, communication and time management. This allows you to provide even better care to your patients, in addition to improving your own approach to life. In other words, both your personal and professional development are furthered.

Cons

Incredibly Expensive

There is no way around it: Masters of Science in Nursing courses are incredibly expensive. Depending on your situation, you either have to pay out of pocket or acquire a loan. Alternatively, certain employers will also offer to pay for your higher education fees. Even online programs will cost around $35,000 to $60,000 in tuition and fees. The extremely high fees can plunge you into debt if you are not careful.

Time Consuming

On top of the material cost, masters in nursing courses are a time commitment. Depending on your program and enrollment status, it could take two to three years to acquire your Master of Science in Nursing or as long as four. Since most MSN students already have a family and job, part time will be the most common choice. Expect less free time, since you will be devoting many hours into coursework and clinical requirements. This means less time with your family or personal hobbies.

Competitive Application Process

The admission process for Masters in Nursing programs is extremely competitive. A 3.0 GPA is the bare minimum for admission, for a lot of schools. If your grades are below this benchmark, you could end up retaking your previous nursing courses to increase them. This means even more increased cost, to add to the pile.

In Summary

Taking an MSN nursing course is an incredibly heavy financial and personal commitment. Nurses working towards their masters in nursing must be prepared to make important sacrifices. Those who have the resources and the wherewithal will find a personally and professionally fulfilling program that opens the doors for higher salaries, career advancement and personal fulfilment. A Masters of Science in Nursing does not promise bigger paychecks on its own, but it can be a pivotal stepping stone to a well-laid out career plan. As long as you are ready to make that commitment, and you have a clear goal in mind, taking an MSN nursing course is well worth considering.

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HCP of the Month February 2022 – Shenuta

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month February 2022 – Shenuta

Providing staffing services to our healthcare heroes is a privilege we never want to take for granted. Over the course of a single week, we work with some of the kindest, strongest, and most compassionate people on Earth. That is why we want to take the opportunity to celebrate these HCPs, whenever we can. Every month, VitaWerks selects an exceptional HCP to highlight.

We are thrilled to name Shenuta as the HCP of the Month for February! From June 2021 and onwards, she has picked up shifts with us on a regular basis. No matter how many shifts she has picked up, or where she works, we can count on her to complete them with aplomb. Without a doubt, she is one of the hardest working and committed people we have ever worked with. Every partnered facility she works for or HCP she has worked with will tell you about her diligence and unyieldingly positive attitude. She has as close to a unanimous approval rating as we have ever seen. 

“She is easily one of the most dependable CNAs that we have ever worked with,” one manager lauded. “Regardless of the task we assign her, we are confident that she will complete them and do it well.” They went on to compliment her kindness and courtesy. “She has this positive attitude that is absolutely contagious to everyone she interacts with,” they added. “Even in the most high-pressure situations, she remains polite and approachable to everyone she works with. 

Over her time with us, we have made sure to provide all our HCPs with the support they need to succeed. Shenuta not only knows this, she embraces it. “From day one, working with VitaWerks has been an amazing experience,” she shared. “The customer service in particular has been amazing! They are always available and they help with any problems I need resolving. Their Nurse Champions make you feel so appreciated as well! I give them all 5 stars.” 

It may seem cliche, but the right attitude really goes a long way. Healthcare work is more than just fulfilling tasks on a checklist. Reaching out to patients dealing with great pain and loss requires a level of sincerity and emotional sensitivity that HCPs like Shenuta embody. Positivity has a way of affecting the people around you. It uplifts the room and can influence patients, and fellow HCPs alike, for the better. For all these reasons and more, VitaWerks is proud to have her on-board. 

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Top 4 Ethical Issues in Nursing

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Top 4 Ethical Issues in Nursing

Nurses commit their lives to the care of the ill and beaten. It is one of the most trusted and ethical professions in the entire world. Occasionally, however, our healthcare heroes will find themselves in a crossroads. There will be complex, murky medical cases with no easy answers. Even in these difficult situations, nurses must stand by the ethical principles of nursing that form the base of this industry. To prepare you for these difficult and stressful situations, this article will go over 4 common ethical dilemmas and how you can effectively navigate them.

Freedom of Choice vs Doing The Right Thing

One of the toughest problems in nurse ethics is striking a balance between patient autonomy and beneficence. Patients in America are legally allowed to refuse treatment based on cultural and political reasons. Currently, California vaccines mandate provide exemptions for individuals who refuse vaccination on religious grounds. At the same time, however, nurses have a responsibility to do what is best for public health. Unvaccinated patients and their families are more at risk from severe COVID-19 cases and are more likely to transmit the virus onto others.

Ethics in nursing practice places importance on a patient’s free will, but a nurse cannot turn a blind eye to what is best for them. To compromise this dilemma in nurse ethics, they must be willing to strike up a conversation and negotiate with patients. Sharing vital information that could change their mind is especially vital when a patient is clearly misinformed. These situations are the only exception to patient autonomy’s primacy. It can be difficult and exhausting with especially stubborn patients, but this is the only way to reach a balance.

Informed Consent

Securing informed consent is one of the core ethical principles in nursing. When presented with a clinical prognosis and potential treatment, some patients do not ask further questions or struggle to grasp the situation at all. As a direct result, patients may end up accepting costly forms of treatment, without crucial information regarding the exact nature of a procedure, potential side effects or the risk involved.

Attempting to acquire perfect informed consent is almost impossible, in this setting. This is where ethics in nursing practice comes into play. Without the training or context, it is hard to grasp all the technicalities of chemotherapy or a craniectomy. Nurse ethics dictates that nurses are responsible for explaining treatment plans as clearly and as thoroughly as they possibly can. They have to discuss the nature of the proposed intervention, the risks inherent to it and available alternatives, before a patient makes their decision. Not doing so means breaking the nursing code of ethics.

Advanced Care Planning

Another common ethical issue in nursing is advanced care planning. There are cases where patients face the risk of becoming to incapacitated or ill to make any decisions. This is most common among older populations, but this also includes victims of sudden car crashes, or even patients of chronic illnesses like ALS. When this situation looks likely, patients create advanced care plans with healthcare professionals while they still have their facilities. This lets them accept or reject certain life saving procedures such as ventilators or tube feeding. These plans are shared to patient families via advanced directives, which are legal documents bound by living will and power of attorney.

Ethical issues in nursing arise when dealing with a patient’s close ones. You may encounter families forcefully insisting on or rejecting invasive measures such as tube feeding. No matter what, nurse ethics dictates that a patient’s will must always supersede the family’s. In these situations, nurses are responsible for educating patients and families throughout the entire process. In line with the nursing code of ethics, they need to cover the effects of a treatment, alternative options and its implications, while maintaining a mindfulness for the personal values that could affect their decisions and perspectives.

Handling staffing shortages

During the pandemic, nurses have found themselves contending with a lack of resources and inadequate staffing. COVID cases have stretched hospitals to their capacity, while nurses are seeing record turnover as a result of the coming burnout. This ethical issue in nursing is of no fault of their own, as this is just an unfortunate product of the circumstances. Regardless, nurses are still left with a challenging dilemma. There are not enough nurses per patient to address all their physical and emotional needs. Nurses are left trying to sort the priority cases on their workload. This is all they can do while management attempts to correct the course.

In Conclusion:

Navigating ethical issues in nursing is a taxing process. It can be draining, demoralizing and you are not guaranteed closure. Yet ultimately, it is necessary. To uphold the nursing code of ethics, nurses must learn to compromise and think on their feet. They have to be diplomats in the face of conflict and firm when greeted with confrontation. They need to empathize with a diverse patient group of various beliefs, politics and upbringings. Under the greatest pressure, the diamonds of this industry are formed.

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Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals.

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals.

The healthcare landscape continues to change. New medical discoveries, shifting priorities and technological breakthroughs mean that healthcare providers are constantly trying to adapt. Because HCPs must ensure that their patients are getting the best care available to them, continuous nursing education is required in many areas. Constant, evidence-based education allows nurses to stay sharp and updated.. For nurses who want a long and fruitful career, keeping up with your Continuing Education (or CE) credits is essential.

Is Continuing Education a necessity?

Whether or not Continuing Education for Nurses is required can vary from state-to-state. Nurses need to renew their certifications periodically, if they want to keep work in a healthcare setting. Some states require a certain amount of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) before your certification is renewed. One nursing CEU makes up 10 contact hours, which are 50-60 minutes of instruction in a board-approved nursing CE class or activity.

Specific CE requirements can vary, depending on both state and levels of nursing degrees. In California, for example, RNs, LPNs and APRNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every two years. Conversely, RNs and LPNs do not need contact hours in Connecticut, while APRNs have to complete 50 within the licensure period. For your convenience, we have listed the nursing CEU requirements for 10 different states.

  • Alabama: 24 contact hours over 2 years
  • Florida: 24 contact hours over 2 years
  • Hawaii: 30 hours over 2 years (alternatives available)
  • Kansas: 30 contact hours over 2 years
  • Maine: None
  • Maryland: None (employers could have other requirements)
  • Mississippi: 20 contact hours over 2 years
  • Nebraska: 20 contact hours over 2 years
  • North Dakota: 12 contact hours over 2 years
  • Rhode Island: 10 contact hours over 2 years

Meanwhile, CNA continuing education requirements tend to be less, if there are any at all.

  • Arizona – No CNA continuing education required.
  • Arkansas – No CNA continuing education required.
  • California – 48 hours of in-service training, 24 of these can be fulfilled through online CE courses.
  • Delaware – 24 contact hours before renewal
  • District of Columbia – 24 contact hours before renewal
  • Florida – 24 contact hours before renewal
  • Georgia – None
  • Hawaii – None
  • Kansas – 12 contact hours before renewal
  • Kentucky – None

Be sure to look up CE requirements for your nursing degree level, in your area.

 

Whether you are in a traditional school, or taking your Nursing CEUs online, you want to make sure you are getting the best possible education. If you want to make sure you are meeting your Nursing CEU requirements, you have to make sure that your provider is accredited. This is no issue if you are getting nursing education from traditional universities or nursing schools. If you are taking your units online, you want your course to be approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Since they set nursing certification standards for all state boards, taking ANCC courses will ensure that you are up-to-date with the latest advances in healthcare. You can find ANCC and CNC accredited providers on their respective websites.

How do I find the time to complete my CE requirements?

Fitting in continuous education for nurses with your busy work schedule may seem daunting at first. As long as you space out the hours within the licensure period, you should be able to complete your requirements without much stress.

As for paying for your nursing CEUs, this is normally not an issue. Large hospitals with unions tend to cover the costs of CEU programs like conferences and training sessions themselves. Even if these benefits are not available to you, there are a host of affordable options. There are free Nursing CEU programs online, programs who charge nominal fees and providers who charge flat fees for unlimited courses. That being said, the highest quality programs still tend to be quite expensive. If you cannot secure funding for a quality CE program, there is always the option of applying for CE/professional development scholarships.

How do I get credit for my work?

Upon certification renewal, you have to show proof that you have completed your nursing education requirements. Programs tend to give out certificates of attendance. Online courses will send notifications, but you can also request hard copies. As you study, make sure that you keep relevant CE completion records in a safe and secure place. Even after renewal, you still want to keep relevant paperwork or digital copies, in case your credentials are audited.

AANP Continuing Education For Nurse Practitioners looking to fulfil their CE requirements, joining the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) can simplify matters greatly. The program was developed to provide the best possible education to NPs around the countries. Members get access to 170 free Nursing CEU activities that are universally accepted by all state boards of nursing, NP regulatory bodies and the American Dietetic Association. The program also keeps all your completed CE records in one convenient location, while providing nursing education classes that match both your interests and schedule. This is just the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to AANP’s CE offerings.

Go out there!

Continuing education for nurses may seem daunting at first, but the benefits and opportunities are endless. As the nursing world continues to change, you want to be on top of all the latest developments and changes. Some of these programs may even give you a brand new perspective on the healthcare industry. Provided that you stay consistent, keeping up with your requirements can become a rich and rewarding experience, rather than a chore.

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How to plan your jump from CNA to LPN

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to plan your jump from CNA to LPN

No matter your level of education, there are numerous career advancement paths available for a Nurse. HCPs can choose among countless fields and specializations to work towards, to the point that it can be a bit overwhelming. For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) overcome by choice paralysis, the Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) route is well worth considering. With programs that build on a CNA’s basic nursing skills, while expanding on their responsibilities and salary opportunities, it is a natural and fruitful transition. To help you take that next step, this guide will cover everything you need to know about becoming an LPN nurse.

LPN Overview

LPNs are professionals who provide routine care for sick and injured patients. With supervision from RNs and physicians, they ensure that these patients are adhering to a care plan. Specifics can vary depending on facilities, but LPNs can expect to handle these responsibilities anywhere:

  • Providing personal care, such as bathing or feeding
  • Recording patient history
  • Administering IV drips and medication
  • Monitoring vitals
  • Consulting with RNs on care plans
  • Explaining procedures to patient families

Why become an LPN?

As mentioned earlier, making the leap from CNA to LPN comes with a host of benefits and advantages. For one, the pay is considerably higher. The median salary for LPNs sits at $48,820, compared to $32,050 for a CNA. This can vary depending on experience and setting, but the Licensed Practical Nurse will make more in most instances. LPNs also take on considerably more responsibilities. With greater knowledge and credentials, they can more easily find jobs in more healthcare settings. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, home healthcare, private practices and more.

Once you have committed to the LPN path, you have to choose the right practical nursing program. Luckily, there are a host of programs and options available to you.

CNA to LPN Bridge Programs

These classes build on your previous CNA education and training in order to develop you into an LPN. Typically, these LPN programs last nine months to one year fulltime and two years for part time students. No matter what program you choose, the courses and topics will usually be the same. You can expect pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, basic nursing skills, biology and more. These programs seek to blend classroom instruction with practical experience, in order to provide a comprehensive training and learning regimen. These practical nursing programs allow students to gain the confidence to apply their skills in medical settings, while they increase their LPN knowledge.

Online LPN Programs

If you prefer the flexibility and accessibility of remote learning, you can find various LPN online programs. These are often offered by trade schools and community colleges, along with the occasional hospital. On top of purely remote offerings, nurses can also opt for online hybrid learning. You will take virtual instruction on many topics, but you must report to the campus for hands-on practical training. Depending on your school, some of these in-person requirements can be fulfilled at school-approved facilities.

Importance of Accreditation

Whether you opt for in-campus or remote learning, you want to validate your LPN program’s accreditation. When a school or program is accredited, they have been rigorously evaluated by an independent body to ensure that they meet certain standards. In other words, there is a baseline guarantee that you will be receiving top-quality learning.

Regional or national accreditation is awarded to the school as a whole, while programmatic accreditation is awarded to the practical nursing program itself. The Accreditation Commision for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is in charge of accrediting LPN programs. Meanwhile, the Department of Education’s Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs provides a list of regionally accredited schools. Additionally, you also want a convenient location and a good NCLEX-PN passing rate. You should be confident that the program consistently produces quality LPN nurses.

Program Requirements

Before enrolment, make sure you meet the minimum qualifications for your program. You can usually find these on the institution’s website. That being said, there are a couple of essential requirements that remain a constant, among multiple practical nursing programs:

  • Documents reflecting your previous CNA experiences
  • Certificate of completion for your CNA-to-LPN program
  • College transcripts and a cumulative GPA of 2.0

Licensure Tests

As soon as you finish your CNA-to-LPN bridge program, the next step is registering for and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). To do this, you will need an authorization letter from the applicant state to the National Council of The State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), along with an entrance fee of around $200. You can register and schedule your LPN nursing test on the official NCSBN website, here.

The test itself is a computerized adaptive exam that can last anywhere from 85 to 205 questions. It adapts to how well you are answering. The better your answers, the fewer the questions. Make sure to study thoroughly for this test. There are a host of practice reviewers available online, along with numerous reviewers of varying formats. Even if you fail, there is usually a 45-day waiting period before you are given a second attempt. Certain states may have additional requirements for LPN nurse candidates who failed their first attempt

Acquiring your License

Once you pass the exam, you can apply for licensed practical nursing licensure in the state you wish to practice in. Depending on your location, there may be additional requirements such as background checks and character references. After all these processes, you will finally acquire your LPN nursing license. Though state-specific, you still have the option to transfer your LPN license state to state through either an endorsement process, or nurse licensure compacts that allow you to practice across state lines

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Major Differences Between ICU and Emergency Nurses

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Major Differences Between ICU and Emergency Nurses

When a patient’s condition can suddenly worsen at any moment, facilities turn to one of two units: Emergency nursing or ICU nursing. These HCPs focus on timely and specialized expert care to these critically-conditioned patients, under pressure and time constraints. Both are high-in-demand positions that form the backbone of any good healthcare facility. While demanding, these professionals are compensated accordingly for their expertise. Though similar at first glance, there are numerous key differences you must consider before committing to either path.

Immediate Response vs Continuous Treatment

ER Nurses are trusted to assess patients quickly and accurately, in order to identify the best way to stabilize their condition while minimizing pain. Cases can range from hard falls, to gunshot wounds, to severe heart attacks and more. Certified Emergency Nurses (or CENs) must keep themselves on their toes, since anyone can be admitted to the ER at any given moment. Emergency room nurses also communicate and collaborate within a team, to isolate the issue and devise a care plan as quickly as possible. By the end, either the patient has either made a full recovery or they have stabilized enough to be transferred to another unit.

Conversely, ICU nurses provide more continuous treatment for the critically ill. Admissions are often booked in advance, and nurses are given time to operate. By crafting detailed care plans, they involve themselves in every step of the process. Bedside care is provided as they prescribe treatments and medication dosage. During this process, they have to monitor patient conditions and immediately respond to sudden changes.

Responsibilities:

ED nursing is a wide-encompassing role that covers a varied list of responsibilities, including:

  • Triaging cases (arranging patients in order of priority)
  • Setting broken bones
  • Applying stitches and sutures
  • Working with other ER nurses to stabilize patients
  • Administering IV drips and medications, with physician approval
  • Making and updating patient records

Even in a more controlled environment, ICU nurses have a similarly long and broad scope of main responsibilities:

  • Commencing treatment and monitoring doses
  • Handling patient records and transfer paperwork
  • Closely monitoring recovery progress and reporting condition changes
  • Updating family members in a comprehensive, understandable manner
  • Overseeing patient recovery by creating care plans

Work Environment

ICU and ER Nursing have very different workflows. CEN nurses are expected to thrive in a fast-paced, frenetic environment. In one shift, they typically handle 8-40 patients. Emergency room nurses must also triage as quickly and accurately as possible, to smoothen operations. Once their condition has been assessed, they must follow a quick, efficient and algorithmic protocol. These protocols cover problems such as chest pains, head injuries and more. It is a hectic work experience for nurses who want to work on their toes.

By comparison, ICU units are far more organized and deliberate. Their shifts are much more planned out and structured than an ER Nurse’s. They cannot proceed without input and orders from the ICU physicians. ICU nurses are also not as meticulous as certified emergency nurses in following protocol. They can take their time to assess and adapt. It also helps that they usually work with one to three patients per shift.

Salary

As per salary.com, ICU nurses have a higher median salary at $78,200, compared to the ED Nurse’s $68,113. Both also have smaller low-end salaries ($63,490 vs $56,379) and significantly larger high-end estimates ($91,191 vs $82,481). While the pay gap is not drastic on paper, keep in mind that education, additional certifications, years of experience and even your location will affect your pay no matter what.

Go Out There!

Whether you are an emergency nurse or an ICU nurse, you will have to learn to work in a stressful, time-sensitive environment. Your nursing abilities, communication skills and your quick thinking will be put to the limit. Yet in the end, you will be rewarded professionally and financially. The right path for you depends on your career priorities and preferences. Consider the key differences we have covered, and consult ICU and CEN nursing specialists who can provide you with both practical advice and perspective.

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HCP of the Month January 2022 – Roxanne W S

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month January 2022 – Roxanne W S

VitaWerks proudly serves HCPs of all levels. Whether you are an RN, CNA, or LVN, we appreciate everything you do to preserve the health and wellbeing of our communities. The company was founded with the intent of supporting these outstanding healthcare professionals with cutting edge AI matchmaking and more schedule flexibility. To commemorate the exceptional individuals that work in health, we take our time to highlight an HCP and their story.

To kickstart the new year, we are happy to name Roxanne as our first HCP of the Month for 2022. Born in New York, she spent the majority of her childhood in Long Beach. At the time of writing, she currently resides in and works from San Bernardino, California. She has worked as an LVN for 19 years and shows no signs of slowing down. No matter where she goes, everyone she works with has been impressed by her commitment to her craft. Meanwhile, her cheery and approachable personality enlivens co-workers and patients alike. 

In particular, all our partnered facilities have praised her punctuality and capabilities as an LVN. “Without fail, Roxanne is always on time,” one manager shared with us. “She is never late nor NCNS, when it comes to our shift. She is easily one of the most reliable HCPs we have ever worked with.” 

You cannot help but ask yourself: what drives such an HCP? What motivates her to approach LVN work the way she does? Much of this can be attributed to raw passion. You will be hard pressed to find someone who loves her work as much as Roxanne does. “I have been an LVN since 2003. I loved what I did then, and I still love it now,” she noted. True to her word, her passion for treating the sick, injured and in-need remains strong to this day. Roxanne also draws a lot of motivation from her family life. “My daughter has been a major source of inspiration for me, in my work” she explained. “I love her dearly.” 

In many ways, Roxanne is a model HCP. She brings a level of experience and ability that any healthcare facility would appreciate. Her ability to connect with and comfort the patients around her cannot be understated. LVNs like her will thrive in any environment and situation, if you allow them to.

We thank Roxanne for allowing us to share her story! Wherever she works next, we know that she will continue to excel.

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Professional Development For Healthcare Professionals

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Professional Development For Healthcare Professionals

Nursing professional development is a vital part of a HCP’s progression. They can keep their knowledge sharp and up-to-date, while working towards greater opportunities down the line. While nurses understand its importance, not everyone knows how to approach career advancement. Professional development requires thought out planning and clear goals within a reasonable timeline. You must be as thorough and surgical as you are in the operating room. To help, we will go over all you need to know in order to realize your dream career.

Setting Career Goals

Professional development goals for nurses are extremely important. As soon as you begin your nursing career, you need to know what you are working towards. To start, you need to look at the big picture and ask yourself what you want from your career. Do you prefer frequent travel, flexibility or stability? Between traditional hospitals, nursing homes, and other community settings, what facilities interest you the most? Even the age range you would prefer to work with is important, for directing your professional nursing development.

From there, choosing a preferred track becomes far easier. For example, you should consider nurse practitioner education if an independent and personal approach to care interests you. NPs are primary care providers who work with their patients throughout their lifespan. They possess the authority to diagnose and prescribe treatment and medication for their patients, and are also in charge of educating them on their lifestyle and healthcare decisions.

Research On Your Career Track

Once you know your desired track, you must research their minimum education and training requirements. Most professional development goals for nurses should center around achieving these conditions within a reasonable time frame. Required nursing courses, degree levels and certifications are all a part of this. Before you dive headlong into a profession, it is also important to research a job’s future prospects. This lets you learn about your industry of choice, their market demand in the future as well as the skill sets you must learn to stay competitive.

Short Term vs Long Term

Setting only distant goals for yourself can be bad for a nurse’s professional development. To avoid a sense of stagnation, establish short-term career goals to achieve in a year or less. This can be as simple as passing the NCLEX-RN or finding a good job at a quality facility. You can also take courses for nurses that provide certifications, both required and additional. Programs like first aid and clinical research are valuable in any setting, while nursing organizations also offer specialized programs such as pediatrics or oncology. This lets you feel tangible progress, as you work towards your main objective.

Get another perspective

Planning a professional nursing development plan alone can be a daunting task. Getting the right guidance can make a huge difference in establishing and achieving your professional nursing goals. If you are friends with people in your industry of choice, they share with you the steps they took to enter their profession. If you do not know anyone like this, you can join mentorship programs held by some medical facilities. Together, you can create a plan filled with realistic and achievable professional development goals for nurses.

Useful General Skills

There are a host of skills that will carry over, regardless of your nursing course of choice. For example, nursing as a whole is becoming more technology-driven. For example, most healthcare facilities use electronic records that nurses are required to create and update. Devices such as portable patient monitors and wearable sensor technology have also gained prominence over time. As such, developing your knowledge with healthcare technology is important. Communication is another aspect of nursing you must familiarize yourself with. Clearly conveying your message to your co-workers and patients is extremely important, in business that can get very stressful and hectic. You want to brush up on your public speaking, listening and message writing. Practice makes perfect and builds confidence.

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