Moving From an RN to a BSN

The medical profession is in a state of constant change. New information and technologies appear on almost a daily basis and the healthcare industry is having a difficult time staying in sync with all these advancements. RNs have been the backbone of the nursing industry for years, but the need for additional education to fill management and business roles has never been greater. Nurses who choose to enroll in online BSN programs are not only increasing their medical knowledge, they are immersing themselves in leadership training as well as a solid liberal arts education. A BSN opens new doors within the healthcare industry. Patients may not know the difference between an RN and a BSN, but in terms of educational advancement and employment opportunities there’s a huge difference.

In order to enroll in an online BSN program, a nurse needs an associate degree in nursing from an accredited National League of Nursing school and the nurse should have character references from reliable sources like work supervisors or teachers.

Is an online BSN or MSN worth it?

Nurses who work full time and have family responsibilities may find it hard to pursue a BSN or an MSN; there are only so many hours in a day, but the benefits of enrolling in a BSN or MSN program are well worth the inconvenience. The great part of online study is you do have flexibility in terms of time. A self-paced online program is designed for nurses who have family responsibilities and other personal commitments. The rewards of earning a BSN degree can increase dramatically if an RN is interested in business or management.

RNs certainly perform a great service and can enjoy a long-term career without thinking about a BSN, but for any nurse who is interested in a leadership position within the nursing profession a BSN is a must. Head nurses, assistant directors, directors and other management positions require a BSN. Nurses with a BSN can pursue a career in research, teaching and consulting, just to name a few. They can focus on business and manage a pharmaceutical company, a private clinic or an insurance company. Some nurses with a BSN degree manage home health clinics as well as other healthcare service related businesses. Nurses who earn a BSN degree increase career opportunities, which results in better benefits and compensation. It’s hard to put a price on the personal satisfaction a BSN or MSN degree gives every nurse who earns one.

What’s involved with online BSN programs?

Online programs can be self paced programs where the nurse studies at a pace that fits into an existing schedule or they can be structured like a traditional classroom where there is a specific start and end date. Most nurses like the self pace option for obvious reasons; time is a valuable commodity for everyone and flexibility is important tool in managing time.

The online classes are designed to be simple. A nurse logs on to the online study website with a password and then checks the latest posts that show lecture material for specific subject matter. Bulletin boards are available so the nurse can post questions and comments about the material and can interact with other nurses who are studying the same material. The instructor usually schedules a personal one-on-one chat session at certain times so each nurse is able to discuss issues and ask questions. There is a deadline established for the course work and when it’s complete it is sent to the instructor by email. The clinical work is done at local hospitals who host visiting instructors or have staff nurses who act as instructors. Most of the time a nurse can complete the clinical part of the course where they work.

Is it easy to find a BSN or MSN online program?

A recent study indicated that there are almost 700 RN to BSN programs online. There are hundreds of MSN programs as well. Most healthcare facilities offer some sort of tuition reimbursement for nurses who are pursuing advanced degrees, which is an additional incentive to further education credentials. When all the options are considered earning a BSN or a MSN is an excellent choice for an RN who wants to continue to advance in the research, business or management aspects of the healthcare industry.  For additional information on a nursing education online visit DegreeFinders.com, your online guide to a nursing job or travel nursing jobs.

By Terry McDermott

As is painfully obvious to members of the travel nursing industry, the demand for travel nurses has declined significantly. This downturn in demand is directly related to the current economic conditions which has forced many nurses back into the workforce and prompted many travel nurses to seek permanent positions. Consequently, there are less job openings and less need for travel nurses to fill gaps during the hiring process or during seasonal upswings.

This situation is a relief for hospital staffing administrators as the pool of available nursing candidates expands and openings are filled quickly and with high quality personnel. But the apparent easing of the ongoing nursing shortage could be a smokescreen that worsens the situation down the road.

According to an article in Modern Healthcare, more than a few healthcare executives are concerned that the current abundant pool of nurse candidates could present a false sense of security among administrators and send the wrong signal to those who aspire to a nursing career.

A quote from the Chief Nursing Officer of Providence Health & Services provides keen insight into the challenges facing healthcare employers.  Said Deborah Burton, CNO at Providence, “To those who don’t take the long view in workforce planning, it looks like everything is better—when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.”

The article cites numerous statistics that make it very clear that the current situation is better but the nursing shortage is far from being solved. In fact, the significant decline in job openings for nurses could have the effect of worsening the problem in the long run. Those nurses having difficulty finding a position could leave the profession and students hearing about the lack of opportunities may decide to pursue a different career. This could prove disastrous given the demographic trends in both the general and nursing populations.

The simple fact is that the baby boomers will be taxing the healthcare system as they age. And with the average age of an RN pushing 50 years old, it is not hard to project that patient census will be going up and the nursing population will be going down as more nurses hit retirement age.  If the current employment situation discourages students from pursuing a nursing career, there will be major challenges in the future.

I strongly encourage you to read this article in Modern Healthcare. Our feeling is that, even though it is more challenging finding travel nursing jobs right now, the nursing shortage has just been temporarily camouflaged and may be worse than ever when the economy turns around.

To quote Cynthia Kinnis, president of the healthcare staffing division at Clinical One, “Administrators who have been around for a long time will know that it always comes back with a vengeance.”

Bad news for healthcare administrators. Good news for travel nurses!  Pursue a career as a travel nurse and find your travel nursing job today!  Or take a minute to learn more about the nursing shortage.

http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090518/SUB/905159977

Terry McDermott is VP of Marketing for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.

By Erica Ronchetti

It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is becoming increasingly demanding for nurses and traveling nurses, who must now care for the rising numbers of aging baby boomers and other health care demanders.  In contrast, the number of prospective nurses and nursing students who will become professional nurses and travel nurses is decreasing, despite the growing community of people who require health care and medical assistance.  Travel nurse agencies have been a remedy for this widening gap between patients, nurses, and travel nurses.  They provide nursing staff for hospitals and other healthcare services, and fulfill both patients and facilities needs.

Many schools and universities are experiencing a significant shortage of students who are studying to become professional nurses.  There are insufficient numbers of these students compared to the increasing demands of the United States population and their projected healthcare needs.  Over past years, there has been little to no maintenance of nursing student enrollment levels, and now 73% of Americans acknowledge that this shortage of nurses is a concern, and one that is on the rise.

Companies like Travel Nurse Source and other travel nursing agencies have been developed to address this growing need for healthcare professionals and provide solutions for nurses who are interested in traveling and healthcare facilities who need to fill staffing gaps. Travel Nurse Source operates with the nursing shortage directly in mind, staffing hospitals and facilities across the country to prevent the worsening nursing shortage in the USA. Travel nurse agencies are not a new occurrence; they’ve been in existence for almost two decades with the aim to solve staffing shortages, mainly in facilities that have employee and population turnover based on the seasonal changes.

In light of the nursing shortage, pursuing a career as a travel nurse or finding travel nurse employment has become a good opportunity for stability and professional growth.  Travel nurses can travel all over the US and nursing assignments last from 90 days up to six months, depending on the specific contract.  The travel nursing job can be in a variety of states or regions and facilities, and that is up to the nurse to choose.  Salaries for nurses who choose a travel nursing career tend to be on average, higher then nurses who stay in one location or healthcare venue.  Excelling housing benefits go along with the competitive salary, as well as health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits that travel nurse agencies offer.

Companies like Travel Nurse Source are indeed valuable assets for the healthcare industry.  To learn more about travel nursing jobs and travel nurse employment, visit our website!  Travel Nurse Source offers exciting travel nursing employment opportunities, such as travel nurse jobs Hawaii, California travel nursing, Florida travel nursing, New York travel nursing, and travel nursing in Alaska!

Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses.  Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.  For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.

By Erica Ronchetti

If you’ve avoided travel nursing jobs because you were unwilling to leave your loved ones behind, then be sure to read this article.  Not only do travel nurses get to visit many exciting locations and meet new people all over the country, they can do so while earning a considerable salary.  Re-location can be pretty frequent as travel assignments typically run for about 13 weeks.  The good news is despite the relatively long  time span of assignments, many travel nurse agencies do take into account that nurses have families and are willing to work out arrangements that are accommodating.

If you have children, you can still be a successful travel nurse. There are even advantages to travel nursing that will positively affect your children’s lives, such as providing them the opportunity to experience many parts of the country.  While your children get to travel, your successful nursing career will provide you with an excellent salary and benefits.  Travel nursing salaries are usually 10%-15% higher than typical pay of regular staff nurses. In addition to the higher salary, recruiting agencies are sometimes able to provide free housing for your family, or assist you in locating additional rooms or alternative housing for family members.

Other agencies try to provide travel nurses with placements customized to their individual lifestyles and requirements, such as flexible shift times that allow them to spend more time with their families.  Often times travel nurses choose to home school their children and married couples who both travel have the option to arrange their work schedules so that one of them is home to take care of kids while the other is on a travel nursing assignment.  There are even some travel nurse jobs that last up to 9 months so that a child would be able to attend the same school for an entire year.  It’s possible that with some research and scheduling, a traveling nurse can have a great career while raising their family.

Due to the ongoing nursing shortage, there is a huge demand for qualified nurses nationwide. Many healthcare staffing agencies and travel nurse recruiting agencies are looking to hire qualified travel nurses to fill in staffing positions, and finding adequate housing for nurses and families is not a difficult task.  Extra needs and requirements, such as pets and larger spaces can easily be accommodated.  Don’t hesitate to learn more about travel nursing and the great benefits that go along with it:  great compensation, excellent health care coverage, and many others.  If you’re currently a travel nurse or would like to find out more information about travel nursing jobs, now is an excellent time to pursue this fast growing and popular health field.

Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses.  Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.  For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Raise your hand if you also used medical dramas as study tools during nursing school.  Depending on the era in which you attended nursing school, the shows that peaked your medical interest may have included shows like M*A*S*H, or for today’s nursing students, Grey’s Anatomy. For my nursing class, the study tool of choice was ER.  Our instructors even took note of the educational value of the show, prompting in-class discussions about various episodes and clinical scenarios.  The timing could not have been more perfect when ER’s Emmy award winning “DIC” episode aired during our obstetrics clinical.

A few years after nursing school I was fortunate enough to be cast as an extra on Julianna Luisa Margulie’s (Nurse Carol Hathaway) final episode.  Still working as a nurse at a local Burbank hospital, I found it both fascinating (and slightly irritating) that the equipment on the show was better than what I was used to on the floor.  It was also interesting to watch the bevy of medical and nursing technical advisors working with the cast between takes, ensuring that important medical terms and procedures didn’t get lost in translation.

Many nurses in the Los Angeles and New York areas, where television shows are usually filmed, have been employed as technical advisors for shows like ER, while continuing to work their “day jobs” at area hospitals.  Two new medical dramas that specifically focus on nursing may increase the demand for nurses and travel nursing jobs, to act as technical advisors on the shows.  On NBC, “Mercy”, a medical drama centered on nurses has received the industry greenlight for the 2009-2010 television series.  On HBO, former “Sopranos” star Edie Falco will star as “Nurse Jackie,” a series that is reportedly based on the journal of a Manhattan ER nurse. It looks like media coverage of the nursing shortage has crossed over to a new medium that will no doubt continue to inspire nursing students as nurses take center stage in Hollywood.

Nurses and travel nurses: How realistic do you find medical and nursing dramas?  Have you ever worked as a technical advisor in television?  Would that be an appealing career move for you?

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Literacy is no longer exclusively a problem for teachers to address. Nurses and especially travel nurses who travel to certain regions and communities are also facing language and health literacy issues while treating patients.

The importance of reading the fine print has been ingrained in the mind of anyone who has ever read a contract. But for ailing or injured patients and their loved ones, taking the time to fully understand what they are signing, especially in the ER or pre-operatively, pales in priority to getting well. Unfortunately the legalities and contractual intricacies of healthcare leave little room for flexibility and patient sympathy in these situations. Even if they do not fully understand what they are signing, once they sign on the dotted line patients are usually held liable for the legal and insurance policy consequences of what they are signing. Several incidences of patient outcry when it came time to face those consequences, have led providers and administrator to start aggressively addressing the issue of “health literacy” in patients. Health literacy educational forums are starting to pop up around the country for both patients and also for nurses, to teach them how much or little their patients really understand about what’s going on around them during a medical emergency.

In certain geographic areas, where English is often the patient’s second language, the issue of healthcare literacy is compounded by language literacy. Travel nurses who have worked in such communities, such as Texas, California, and Arizona may have a unique understanding of what it’s like to care for a patient while also handling a language barrier. Healthcare literacy along with regional ESL-related issues requires the travel nurse to have a heightened awareness of their patients’ level of comprehension. The bottom line is that when a patient is sick all that’s on their mind is getting well again. Nurses and travel nurses are in an excellent position to make sure that once the patient is well again, they won’t be faced with the fallout from consenting to treatment in the first place.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Patient discharge teaching is one of the most important parts of the cycle of care and by no means is it the end of the care plan. Unfortunately due to short staffing, heavy patient loads and all around time management issues, discharge teaching can turn into skimming through the discharge papers, hurriedly asking the patient and their family if they have any questions and getting their signature on the dotted line. The signature is intended to indicate their understanding of the instructions for follow-up and transition care. According to a well-publicized study by the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this month, however, there may be more signing than understanding happening as patients are leaving the hospital. The study revealed that 1 out of every 5 Medicare patients is back in the hospital within 30 days of being discharged (1 in 3 within 90 days).

Many different reasons for the readmissions were cited, including lack of a primary care physician outside the hospital, nosocomial infections presumably acquired during their initial stay and the basic fact that elderly patients are increasingly suffering from a mixture of conditions and diagnoses. If Medicaid coverage was designed to make patients completely “well” again, it would likely be facing even more financial challenges than it already is.

Those are factors are somewhat less controllable than the patient discharge teaching component, also mentioned in the study. It would be turning a blind eye if the connection between the nursing shortage and the time required for adequate patient teaching was not addressed. When there are not enough hours in a shift and not enough of you to go around, it’s easy to see a discharge as one less patient to take care of. This may seem somewhat heartless, but as the staffing shortage increases, so does the challenge of prioritizing patient care. The travel nursing industry is making great strides in helping hospitals (or in some cases loudly offering help) with staffing shortages. Travel nurses can be the difference in nurse to patient ratio that allow patients to receive the discharge teaching they need to avoid readmission due to misunderstanding of the treatment regimen.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

By Christine Whitmarsh RN, BSN

The number I chose may be arbitrary but the sentiment is not. There are a lot of reasons why travel nursing is a win-win situation for the travel nurse and the hospitals they are assigned to. Reason number 2,135: New technologies and techniques in the field of healthcare.

With three month assignments in cities and towns across America, and in different clinical settings from small hospitals to large big city trauma centers, travel nurses are often exposed to the latest and greatest advances in healthcare.  Even in challenging economic times, medicine is a fast moving field. Every area of healthcare is constantly being updated, from equipment and treatment methods to nursing interventions and surgical techniques. When I interviewed radiology department managers last fall, the consensus about new equipment was this: “By time we buy a new machine, install it and start using it – the technology is outdated.”

It would be impossible for every hospital and clinical setting in America to be at exactly the same point in the progress of healthcare at the same time. Travel nurses are in the distinctive position to learn and experience the newest advances in healthcare and then share them with colleagues at future assignments. This type of role as educator, advocate and leader is one of the cornerstones of the nursing profession. I know from personal experience how satisfying it is to learn new things and share them with others. Travel nurses should cherish this important role in the healthcare industry.

This also gives travel nurses a valuable gift to bring with them to new assignments. What better way is there to make a first impression than by sharing new methods of treating patients and adding to the success of the hospital?

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

By Christine Whitmarsh RN, BSN

Experienced travel nurses are well accustomed to living out of suitcases, RVs, and furnished apartments from bustling Boston to lavish Los Angeles. But what happens when patients needing constant skilled nursing care want to join in the fun of travel? Companion nursing is what happens! This very special, unique niche in nursing, allows patients with disabilities and other chronic conditions requiring the assistance of a nurse, to pack their bags and travel to their dream destinations. Thanks to companion travel nursing services, patients with conditions such as CHF and emphysema that normally keep them confined to their home or a skilled care facility where nursing care is always nearby, now have the freedom to see the world.

Traveling nurses are in a unique position to understand the joys and freedom that travel offers. It’s no coincidence that travel nursing jobs in California, travel nurse jobs in Hawaii and Texas travel nurse jobs top the list of popular destinations among traveling nurses.  Travel nurses are therefore in a unique position to relate to the excitement experienced by patients who are given their own set of wings, courtesy of a companion traveling nurse. With each new assignment and each new patient, the job description varies based on the patient’s individual personal and medical needs. In general, the companion travel nurse provides 24 hour care, assists patients with activities of daily living and administers medication. The client/patient will typically cover the nurse’s travel costs and assignments are around 1-3 weeks long.

Companion travel nursing offers a world of new opportunities for patient and nurse alike to experience
the joys and new experiences of traveling together.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

By Christine Whitmarsh

Epstein LaRue, RN, BS, is a seasoned travel nurse and published bestselling author of several books on travel nursing. Her “Highway Hypodermics” series of books have been best-sellers on Amazon.com. I recently spoke with Epstein by phone about her experiences in travel nursing, her books and her advice for current and aspiring travel nurses.

This is the conclusion of my interview with Epstein.

TNS: What are the greatest lessons you’ve learned as a travel nurse?

ELR: The biggest one is protecting yourself in that contract. Also, shop around for the company that fits your needs. There’s not one company that’s the best for everybody. You need to have a recruiter that fits you. Recruiters are a big part in whether or not you’re happy. They will stand behind you. If something goes wrong you need someone to stand behind you as a support.

TNS: What correlation have you personally witnessed in the last few years between the nursing shortage and demand for travel nurses?

ELR: During the last couple of years there have been plenty of assignments around. I haven’t seen any fluctuations of jobs related to the nursing shortage until the last couple of months. Hospitals pay wages for travel nurses and also your housing and travel expenses. Some of the bigger hospitals are building onsite housing plus offering RV space.

TNS: What motivated you to start writing about travel nursing and how far into your career did you start?

ELR: I started writing books about love and my experiences meeting a man on the internet, back in 1996. I published my first book “Love at First Sight” in 2001, so I was already writing by time I started travel nursing. The day I started working as a travel nurse, I started writing down everything; all the lessons I learned on the job. I published two books with those experiences and lessons and then in 2005 I started publishing my “Highway Hypodermics” series of books about travel nursing. I kept finding things that I hadn’t included in one book and would add it to the next in the series (new nursing regulations, new experiences, etc.).

TNS: What are the biggest benefits of travel nursing?

ELR: You have a lot more freedom over your nursing career as a traveling nurse than as a staff nurse. Most of the time once your cross that line over into travel nursing, there’s no going back to staff nursing. You get used to the breathing room and the freedom of doing what you want. For instance, during new assignments my husband and I take one day to go north of the assignment and another day to go south of the assignment on mini-vacations. It’s nice to be able to get out and travel and get paid for it!

For more information about Epstein LaRue and “Highway Hypodermics”, visit: www.highwayhypodermics.com. The site also features additional information and a slew of resources, forms and checklists for travel nurses.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.