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Nursing school can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and some prospective students might wonder what it is like those first few days of nursing school. Although everyone’s journey is different, Zandria Brown Sherwood offers some advice and insight into what her nursing journey has been like as a student.
I am currently in my last year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Herzing University-Atlanta. I decided to become a nurse at what I considered a very late stage in my academic career. I was pursuing a medical degree when I started shadowing in the hospital and realized being a doctor was not the right path for me. I was enamored with the nurses I encountered, as they were all very knowledgeable and compassionate. I knew right away that I wanted to become a nurse.
I broke the news to my family and explained my new path to them, and received nothing but support. My first step was gaining a little experience, so I decided to enroll in a CNA program and started working directly with patients. Then I started the process of going back to school. Since I am a mom and a wife, I needed a program that offered flexibility so I was thrilled to be accepted into Herzing.
While no two paths are the same, here is some advice I wish someone would have given me on my first day of nursing school:
Entering nursing school was no easy feat for me. I had to start over with some of the prerequisites because the nursing program required different sciences than the ones I had already completed. I had to humbly start my journey, but I knew that it was worth it even though life and other circumstances made completing these programs a little more challenging.
Starting from square one has been hard, but enlightening. I learned a lot from the courses that I took, and realized it’s important not to worry about whether you “should” be further along in the program than you are. Everything you learn is really important, so enjoy it and learn as much as you can!
Starting a nursing program is a huge step to take, so it is totally normal to be nervous about it. At first, I couldn’t wait to start, but I got more and more nervous each day. On the first day of my program, I was downright anxious. I wondered how I was going to do it, but I still went to class that day.
It is okay to be nervous as long as you don’t let it undermine your confidence. Nursing school is a completely different experience than other types of education, but you can complete the program. Experience the nerves and power through it. You also won’t be the only one that is nervous, so don’t worry about it!
Nursing school requires you to change a lot of your study habits to truly understand the content. Make sure you know and understand your learning style because it will save a lot of trouble in the end. There are free resources on how to do this on the internet and at the library, but be aware that your study style and habits might change throughout nursing school (or even from class to class). My studying habits have changed. For example, I used to be a “read and remember” student, but I had to quickly change my method. Now I “read, write and re-write.” Don’t worry about trying to figure it out all at once but do take studying seriously.
You are also never alone when it comes to studying. I was surprised to find that the instructors took time out of their personal schedules to assist us with materials we just didn’t understand. I found this to be a trend with both online and in-person courses. I was nervous about the exams because I had heard horror stories about NCLEX style questions, but my professors did a great job teaching us how to read the questions and how to rationalize each answer choice. I know they wanted me and the other students to succeed, and they did a lot to help us achieve that goal.
Go into nursing school with an open mind and a positive attitude. It is overwhelming at times and the course load can be heavy but know that many others have done it and you will get through it as well. You will meet some great people in your cohort, and you will have some excellent instructors to support you along the way. Even when you feel like giving up, you should know that there are a ton of people who are rooting for you. Never be afraid to ask for help. Nursing school isn’t easy and many people are willing to help.
My last and most important tip is to enjoy the journey because it will be over before you know it! Although nursing school has been intense, the past few years have been some of the fastest and best of my life. When I graduate, I plan to work at one of the local hospitals as a NICU or labor and delivery nurse. I love women and infant health, and I plan to continue my education with a master’s degree after a few years at the bedside. We will see exactly what the future holds for me, but I know that I will enjoy the journey!
Once you become a licensed registered nurse (RN), there are many different career paths and specialties you can choose. Some RNs choose to work in traditional healthcare facilities, clinics, schools or other institutions or continue toward an advanced nursing degree. Nurses who work in hospitals could be assigned to units or floors dedicated to cardiology, trauma, labor and delivery, intensive care, neurology, and more. Others – usually more experienced nurses – float between units as needed.
Jordan Sharon, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Herzing’s Orlando campus in 2018, explains why she chose to become an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse and what it’s like to work in the unit.
One of my first experiences with the ICU happened back when I was still in high school. My brother underwent spinal fusion surgery and landed in the ICU with complications. As he recovered, I noticed the compassion shown by the nurses and the time they spent with him. It really opened my eyes to the valuable and rewarding work that nurses do.
Later on, when I was in nursing school at Herzing’s Kenosha campus, I completed a variety of clinical experiences at a nursing home, a rehabilitation floor, a transplant unit and more. I realized I wanted to work in the ICU during my eight-week practicum at a regional hospital because I enjoyed being challenged every day. The practicum showed me that I would learn something new during every shift in the ICU. I also saw the impact that ICU nurses have by saving lives and providing patient care right there at the bedside.
When I start my shift each day, I go straight to the charge desk to receive my patient assignments from the charge nurse. I then find the night shift nurse who cared for my patients the night before, and we go through their reports on each patient’s admission date, history, trends and current status. This assessment helps me prioritize and organize my day. Once I’ve given a quick look at the reports, I go check on all of my patients immediately to make sure they’re stable and that their current condition is consistent with the report I received. After that, I visit each patient again and administer their medications.
Once I’m done with the shift change and my initial patient rounds, I’ll typically go back to the nurse’s station and review each of my patient’s medical charts in depth. I try to understand the bigger picture of how the patient is doing, how their labs have been trending and what their specialists have been saying. When the doctors start doing their rounds, I can help answer questions and get any of my questions answered too.
The rest of my shift usually entails continuous rounds with my patients, which includes administering medications again, monitoring their vitals, helping them with bathroom visits, etc. I end by completing my final charting and providing the night shift nurse with the same type of report I received that morning.
Since I work in the medical ICU at my hospital, I usually care for one to three patients a day depending on their condition. For example, patients who are on continuous dialysis require one-on-one care. I often treat patients who are experiencing cardiac issues, kidney, liver or respiratory failure, among many other life-threatening conditions.
One of the nice things about being an ICU nurse is that you typically have fewer patients each day than you would in another unit, which means you have more time for each person and you get to form deeper connections with them. Also, because I often work three 12-hour shifts on consecutive days, I have an even greater opportunity to connect with my patients, understand what they need and provide the best quality of care possible.
I also find the ICU to be incredibly rewarding because patients in this unit really need our care, whereas sometimes in other units the patients don’t need as much help.
The hands-on skills labs at Herzing were invaluable. I learned to do Nasogastric (NG) and Orogastric (OG) intubations, IVs, and how to insert and remove Foley catheters, all of which I do every day in the ICU. The instructors at Herzing also emphasized how to thoroughly complete head-to-toe assessments for patients, which directly translated to what I’m doing now during shift changes. We practiced these many times, which was helpful because every hospital or facility has a specific method for these assessments, but I know exactly what I need to be doing and looking for regardless of where I’m working.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the comfort care we provide to patients, especially those who are nearing the end of their life. While we don’t provide hospice care, I do everything I can to make sure these patients are as comfortable as possible.
Earlier this year, I took care of a very ill elderly patient who wasn’t recovering. A member of her family personally thanked me for caring for her and said “you were truly made for this.” I took it to heart, and the gratitude they expressed reminded me of why I do this job. Even though it’s incredibly challenging, it’s important work that has an impact on not only your patients but also their families.
I’m a fortunate person in that I’m able to leave my work at work at the end of the day. I know some nurses struggle with this, but I think it’s important to be able to compartmentalize your work from your personal life. My ability to empathize without getting so consumed that it hinders my judgment or ability to do the job is one of my strengths as a nurse.
I also try to exercise on all of my days off – it really helps relieve stress!
If you want to work in the ICU, you have to be comfortable with death because it’s an inevitable part of the job. It’s also important that you’re able to manage your emotions so you can be strong for your patients and their families.
Second, to be a good ICU nurse you have to develop exceptional time management skills, and you have to be flexible because no two days are ever the same and you never know when you’ll have to drop everything to prioritize a life-threatening or other immediate situation.
SEMESTER 1 | |
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NU 500 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing | NU 560 Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice |
NU 617 Roles for Nurse Educators | |
SEMESTER 2 | |
NU 510 Advanced Physical Assessment | NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology |
NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology | |
SEMESTER 3 | |
HCA 610 Health Policy and Management | NU 525 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice |
NU 681 Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum/Seminar for Nurse Education | |
SEMESTER 4 | |
NU 600 Teaching/Learning Strategies | NU 635 Curriculum Development and Evaluation |
SEMESTER 5 | |
NU 530 Organizational Systems and Behaviors | |
NU 683 Graduate Onsite Practicum in Education |
Nurse educators have a vital role in the future of healthcare. They serve in leadership or education roles in academic institutions and healthcare settings, teaching students and also providing clinical education to current nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
Despite the importance of this position, there is a nurse educator shortage that has resulted in thousands of potential students being turned away from nursing schools. As a result, there is a projected 20% increase in employment for nurse educators from 2018 to 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Here is what you need to know about the shortage and why nursing educators are important.
The primary role for nurse educators is to provide training for aspiring and current nurses in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, colleges and universities and other work spaces. Their day-to-day responsibilities can vary from lecturing in a classroom to providing clinical education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
Nurse educators can find a variety of career opportunities across the healthcare industry. Examples include:
Despite the high demand for professional RNs, staff shortages are causing nursing schools to turn students away. According to an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) report, U.S. nursing schools turned away over 75,000 qualified applicants mainly due to lack of faculty in 2018. This report also found over 1,700 open nursing educator positions across the country.
Several factors contribute to the shortage of nurse educators, including:
Retirements
A large number of educators and RNs are reaching retirement age without enough people to replace them. Due to a lack of qualified candidates and the low number of applicants, some of these openings remain vacant. The average age for master degree holding faculty for professors, associate professors and assistant professors was 55, 56 and 50 respectively according to AACN. This not only contributes to the nurse educator shortage, but it also becomes a factor in the general RN shortage due to the limited amount of nursing students a program can accommodate.
Getting an Advanced Degree
To become a nursing educator, RNs are required to complete an advanced degree – such as a master’s or doctorate. Some individuals do not have the time or money to complete an advanced degree program.
There are a variety of initiatives to help increase the number of nurse educators across the country including the creation of scholarship opportunities, and an increase circulation of information to increase awareness of the shortage.
Other ways the shortage is being addressed include:
Improving Better Access to Advanced Degrees
There are now several education programs for bachelor's level nurses can pursue. At Herzing University, we offer an MSN track that is gear specifically toward those interested in training future and current nurses and an RN to MSN program designed for registered nurses with an associate degree (ADN/ASN/AASN) looking for the shortest path to earn their MSN degree.
Offer Student Loan Forgiveness
Many states are providing nurses with student loan forgiveness due to the shortages. Reimbursement amounts and qualifications vary by state, but some states that offer loan forgiveness programs include:
Students and alumni should contact Herzing’s Alumni Financial Support Center for more information.
Opportunities to Specialize
To compete with all the other nursing positions in the medical field, nurse educators can specialize in certain concentrations and advance their education. With Herzing University’s post-master’s programs, MSN grads have an opportunity to bolster their career and level of experience in the field.
Interested in becoming a nurse educator? Check out Herzing University Online today to learn more about our MSN programs!
Nurses make up the majority of the healthcare workforce, but there simply aren’t enough to meet the nation’s growing demand for health services.
An aging baby boomer population coupled with increased access to healthcare has contributed to a spike in the demand for medical care, and a nationwide nursing shortage. In fact, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts nearly 1.1 million new registered nurses (RNs) will be needed by 2022.
Nurse educators are in even greater demand. According to a recent report, U.S. nursing schools turned away 64,067 qualified applicants from nursing programs in 2016 due to an insufficient number of nursing faculty. Many nursing faculty are predicted to retire in the coming years, increasing opportunities for today’s nursing professionals to move into advanced roles in education. Discover the average salary for a nurse educator in your state.
Nurse educators remain critical players in assuring that the next generation of nurses is prepared for a diverse, ever-changing healthcare environment. As more students seek entry to nursing programs, it is crucial that colleges and universities hire qualified faculty to educate members of the future RN workforce.
Nurse educators are prepared at the master’s or doctoral level and may work in leadership or educational roles in both academic and healthcare settings. As academic educators, they teach and work with nursing students. They may also design, implement and revise academic and continuing education programs for nursing students and practicing nurses.
Nurse educators also play an important role in the hospital system, providing clinical education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. As experienced nursing professionals, nurse educators can identify opportunities to improve processes and mitigate risks to the patient, nurse and hospital.
Nurse educators are instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare. They not only help nursing students develop the technical skills that they need to be successful in their careers, they help practicing nurses enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise.
Healthcare organizations rely on nurse educators to provide professional development training that improves the practice of their nursing staff and leads to better patient outcomes. Many nurse educators teach part-time while working in a clinical setting. This gives them the opportunity to maintain a high degree of clinical competence while sharing their expertise with novice nurses.
At a minimum, nurse educators who work in academic settings must hold a master's degree. Nurse educators who work in clinical settings must hold the minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing, but many healthcare institutions are now seeking nurses who hold a master's degree for these areas.
Jobs you can get with an MSN in nursing education include a wide variety of different titles including nurse instructor, clinical nurse specialist, nurse teacher and many more. For some positions, you may be required to hold a DNP or Ph.D. However, in most cases holding an master’s degree in nursing education will qualify you for many different types of clinical or academic roles as a nurse educator.
Nurse educator skills include excellent communication and critical thinking skills, a solid clinical background and a commitment to lifelong learning. Strong leadership skills also remain key, as the healthcare environment continues to change and demand more innovative thinking. Most of all, nurse educators need to enjoy teaching and sharing their knowledge with others.
There are a couple of essential people in the room during a surgery most people know about — the surgeon, of course, and the nurse — but there is one other important player who ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Sometimes referred to as “the unsung heroes of the operating room,” surgical technologists (STs) are well-educated members of the operating team who handle the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during a surgical procedure. STs must not only understand the procedure being performed but also anticipate the needs of the surgeon before, during and after the operation.
An ST’s main job is to assist the surgeon throughout the procedure by holding retractors and instruments, suctioning and sponging, cutting suture and applying dressings. Before the procedure begins, STs set up the sterile back table with instruments needed for the operation and drape the patient and surrounding areas with a sterile barrier.
You can learn more about the day in the life of a surgical technologist from Herzing University ST instructor Stephanie Allen - and what you need to know about working in the operating room.
Certified surgical technologists often work within the hospital system in the main operating room or an ambulatory care center for same-day surgery. They can also work in a hospital’s sterile processing department or endoscopic department. Other STs work at a private physician’s office, performing small in-office procedures. Finally, some STs are hired by travel healthcare staffing agencies for assignments of various lengths in surgical facilities around the world.
Regardless of where you choose to work, there are many people that rely on STs to ensure positive outcomes for their patients.
The average salary for a surgical technologist depends largely on your experience in the field and the state in which you practice. According to 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists make $47,300 per year on average.
The Herzing surgical technologist program in New Orleans, Louisiana allows students to earn their associate’s degree in two years. Students must complete general education requirements and core classes as well as a clinical externship at a local hospital. At the end of the clinical externship, students sit for the National Certification Exam. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career in healthcare, then a degree in surgical technology could be the right fit for you!
Stephanie L. Allen, CST, BS is a Surgical Technology Instructor at Herzing University - New Orleans with 6 years of experience in all surgery specialties and a concentration in Trauma and Neurology Surgery. Stephanie recently became a contributing peer reviewer and demonstration personnel for the Fuller Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice 7th Edition book and is still practicing in the field at a local hospital. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Saginaw Valley State University.
The operating room isn’t just for doctors and nurses.
Surgical assistants, also called surgical and operating room technicians, are critical members of the healthcare team, working closely under the supervision of surgeons to assist on life-saving surgical procedures.
We talked with Stephanie Allen, a surgical technology instructor at Herzing University, about how she got started as a surgical technologist and what students need to know about working in the operating room.
I had always wanted to be a surgeon, but did not want the life of a surgeon (having to be on call 24/7). After taking the MCAT, I decide to change my major. Eventually, I found a surgical technology program that was exactly what I was looking for. I knew this was a career that I could love doing for the rest of my life. To this day, I truly love what I do and would not want to do anything else.
The surgical tech (ST) is one of the most important people in the operating room. We know every surgical procedure inside and out and we have to prepare for everything that could go wrong. One of the most important things we do is abide by strict aseptic technique, to make sure that everything is sterile for the procedure. We can also assist the surgeon with different tasks during the procedure, such as suctioning, cutting and retracting.
A typical day for an ST usually starts early in the morning or late at night. Before every procedure, the ST is responsible for making sure that all the equipment, instruments and supplies are set up. After the patient and surgeon arrive, the procedure can begin. This is the part that all STs love because we can help with certain tasks during the surgery. After the procedure is over, we help with the closure of the wound. The patient is then taken to the recovery area while we clean up the room and get ready to repeat the same steps for the next patient.
The most rewarding part about being an ST is being able to help the patients and not getting the recognition. Patients do not know who we are or what we do, but they trust everyone in the room to take care of them. As an ST, I take pride in knowing that a patient trusts me to do my job well and to be their advocate. I do not need the recognition of helping to save someone’s life. I only need the sense of trust from the patients to keep me doing what I love to do.
Working in the operating room can be challenging. You might encounter a mean surgeon that demeans the other people in the room. Sometimes, you have to deal with the loss of a patient. That happens very rarely, but it does happen. Both can be hard to overcome. You really just have to keep telling yourself that you did everything that you could, but not everyone is perfect. Learn from your mistakes and work harder the next time.
When it comes to surgery, the ST is an expert. We are expected to know everything – the anatomy and physiology of the body, how the procedure is to be performed, and multiple different variations of the procedure. We need to be prepared for the unexpected and be able to critically think about how to solve any problem. The most two important skills for any ST to demonstrate is the ability to remain calm under pressure and to anticipate the surgeon’s needs before he or she even knows what’s next.
The greatest advice that I have for students that are interested in surgical technology is to have fun and be open to learning every day. The human body is such an amazing wonder of the world. You are going to see, smell and hear things that are not normal. Take it and learn from it. This is such a great career with so many growth opportunities. Never give up and strive for more.