The Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN

Programs for the Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN qualification are generally undertaken at Technical Schools or Community Colleges.  They cover the basics of patient care and generally speaking they take one year to complete.  As part of the course curriculum students are provided with the following skills:

gather information from the patient about the patient; take vital signs from the patient; deliver injections to the patient; collect samples for the lab; and assist patients with basic personal hygiene.

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With demand for healthcare services increasing all the time the employment prospects for qualified LPN students is good.  In 2006 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that at least 100,000 new nursing jobs would be created over the course of the next 8 years, many of which would be for LPN's.  Once graduated from an LPN program a student must become licensed.  This is achieved by sitting a state approved examination.  Once qualified, many students go on to train to become Registered Nurses, or RN's.

Once qualified LPN's move to fulfilling careers in the following work environments:

Hospitals:  Up to 25% of all qualified LPN graduates work in hospitals.  Their typical responsibilities would include ensuring that the patient is properly administered their medication, assisting them with their feeding and if necessary helping them with their personal hygiene matters and taking samples for analysis.  If they demonstrate the necessary ability and experience they can go on to supervisory roles which would include managing nursing assistants and possibly even other LPN's.  The clerical element to this sort of role is usually addressed in the LPN training program and is therefore not usually unexpected or difficult.

Private Practices:  Private practices would include private physicians practices and clinics and approximately 12% of all graduates will go on to work for such employers.   Work would be supervised by the physician or a Registered Nurse but would include making patient appointments and the maintenance of patient records, performing simple check-ups and administering injections.

Nursing and Elderly Care Facilities:  A significant portion of the remainder of LPN graduates go on to work in Nursing and Elderly Care Facilities.  Typically the role would be an element of patient care, evaluating patient needs and devising care plans and also include some supervisory aspects including the supervision of nursing assistants.

The Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN

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Nursing Jobs: Making More Money as an Independent Nurse

It seems that the term independent nurse or nurse contract or nursing registry, nursing travel, independent nurse registry were terms not common to the nursing field. A typical nurse in the past simply applied for work at a hospital and stayed employed until he/she retired. The nurse worked the hours given to her/him, received vacation time and in a perfect world received good pay to survive in America's growing economy.

Today, this is no longer true! Statistics tell us that America has a nursing shortage and predictions estimate a 250,000 nursing shortage in the next ten years. With numbers lingering over the medical field you would think that more nurses would take advantage and use these numbers to there advantage and make more money while working less, but they don't. Why?

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Nurses are not aware of the leverage they posses.

Nurses get comfortable working in one facility.

Nurses are afraid of loosing benefits.

Nurses don't realize they are in huge demand.

Nurses don't realize how much more money they can make.

These and other reason's nurses don't become independent contractors. They are afraid of starting their own medical staffing agency.

Once a nurse finds out that they can keep there day job (or night shift) and start a nursing staffing agency on the side and make over 0,000 a year in extra income they quickly begin and try to find out how to get started.

I was amazed how many nurses have not seen this trend in the medical staffing industry. It is all about supply and demand in the medical industry. Nurses are in demand and you supply the demand. The supply or the nurse need not be you. Very important you understand what I am saying and realize that the extra income you can make will come from other nurses covering the shifts and not you.

O'K let me break it down a bit for you.

You make say ,000 a year from your regular job

Your registry for three full time nurses makes you over 0,000 in net profits, that's net profits not gross profits. The net profit is what you keep after you pay your nurses.

With only three full time nurses you have made more money than your full time job. At this point some nurses keep their full time job and continue to make a good living from their nursing registry. Some nurses take it a step further and expand with potential to make millions.

The hardest part of starting your own nursing registry is the management aspect of it. But as a nurse aren't you already doing that. Aren't you already telling people what to do?

As a nurse you have two choices to make more money. Work more hours or work fewer hours and make more money with your own medical staffing agency.

Take advantage of the nursing shortage by starting your own medical staffing agency and becoming an independent nursing contractor.

For more info visit us at: http://www.vismedical.com

Nursing Jobs: Making More Money as an Independent Nurse

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Sinus Infection And Loss Of Sense Of Smell - Nurse's Guide

If you're suffering from loss of sense of smell (called anosmia) right now or have recently lost ability to smell and are not sure what's caused it perhaps it could be due to a diagnosed or undiagnosed sinus infection. Although it's more common for one to lose their sense of smell when they're suffering from chronic sinusitis rather than acute or short term sinusitis or a sinus infection.

Sinusitis (which is any inflammation or infection in the sinus cavities) can affect the sense of smell by causing swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose or nasal passages. This can reduce the odorants or particles that may reach the nerve endings high up in the nose or nasal passages. This is a common type of loss of sense of smell. Usually when the sinus infection, or some other sinus inflammation, is cured or healed, that's the end of the problem and sense of smell is regained. The loss is usually temporary.

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But if this happens often then over a period of time this nasal and sinus inflammation can damage the olfactory nerve endings. This can eventually lead to reduced sense of smell or in some cases a complete loss of ability to smell.

There are other reasons one may lose their sense of smell including a brain or head injury or a viral infection. Allergic rhinitis, allergies, the common cold, hay fever and smoking or chronic exposure to secondhand smoke are also common causes. It's also found in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease patients and people with seizure disorders and some are more common causes than others. Exposure to chemicals including formaldehyde can cause it.

It's been reported that even medications including zinc compounds (used for viral infections) can cause loss of sense of smell also. It's listed in the side effects of many drugs or medications including thyroid medications, nasal decongestants and many others and I would immediately review all my medications for possible side effects if I was taking any then discuss with your pharmacist and doctor.

But if you have a loss of smell now you may be wondering what's causing it. Since a sinus infection or sinusitis is probably one of the most common causes you want to rule that out. Maybe you know you have an infection but many times people don't know. Let's say you're not sure but you have a slight cough or a slightly irritated throat or runny or congested nose, headache, have yellow mucus or feel a lump in your throat. You could have one symptom, many or none obvious.

There are many sinus symptoms but I would rule out sinus infection first if I had a loss of sense of smell. Once you're sure you have a sinus problem, infection or sinusitis then you can go about using a natural treatment program at home to get rid of your sinus problem and get back your ability to smell. If you're not sure or think it's something else there are many other causes then the most common ones I've listed here.

Sinus Infection And Loss Of Sense Of Smell - Nurse's Guide

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What Do You Need to Know About Nursing Profession

Nurses perhaps the best friend of a patient. Though they get paid for their job, yet the care and concern they exhibit for the patient is unparalleled and remarkable. The nursing territory generally belongs to females. But even men like women can take up this profession after adequate training. However, since past few years a decline is seen in the number of people taking up nursing as a career. There can be many reasons behind it. So, the primary task of this article will be to enumerate these various causes along with the consequences of shrinking number of registered nurses day by day.

Exploring the different causes:

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Less number of schools can be a foremost factor. There are not many schools that run programs to make future nurses.

Adding to the plight is the fact that the schools that exist are in an awful condition. There is not just lack of funds, laboratories and clinical equipments here but the faculty too is not enough and well qualified. These issues preclude many people from entering into this profession. While those who enter the program confront problems at all stages and at times end up giving it up or leaving it in the middle.

The age factor is another drawback. The average age for the registered nurses is significantly high. So, the moment these registered nurses retire, there occurs an acute shortage of new ones.

No appropriate measures are taken to train new nurses. Even the hospitals that take up this task are reluctant to spend good amount on training nurses. The medical and other facilities are very poor. This entails reluctance on the part of individuals to seek employment as a nurse.

Novel and advanced courses- many new and advanced courses like MBA, Mass Communication and so forth are picking pace these days. They are usually equipped with best facilities and funds and are seen fetching rich jobs. So more guys and gals are willing to make a wealthy career via such courses.

The restricted scope for growth, relatively low salary structure and tremendous workload are also the debarring features. The job of a nurse is deemed to be quite a stressful job nowadays, that requires prolonged working even at odd hours.

The Outcomes:

A surge in demographic levels has resulted in more number of big and small diseases and so large number of patients. But the shortage of nurses adversely affects patients in hospitals. They fail to get adequate care and vigilance. Studies have revealed that in past few years, greater numbers of patients are dying in hospitals due to negligence. The ailing men and women do not take medicines on time and there are no nurses to keep an eye on them all round the clock and instigate them to take their doses regularly. Thus, the health care has received a major setback due to the diminishing number of registered nurses these days.

The dip in nursing career has given birth to temporary and contract nursing. This type of nursing has proved to be a little help in meeting the scarcity of registered nurses.

What Do You Need to Know About Nursing Profession

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Work at Home Jobs for Registered Nurses

There is a very high demand for Registered Nurses in today's world, and it can be an excellent choice for a career if you possess the necessary skills. Knowledge, the ability to carry serious responsibility and precision are some of the qualities needed for work at home jobs for nurses.

The explosion in nursing jobs has occurred due to the technological advances in medicine as well as insurance companies wishing to avoid hospitalization of their patients.

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Opportunities for registered nurse's jobs are very high and in fact growing faster than many other professions. Nursing jobs, especially in home health care, are growing exponentially. More and more of the baby boomer generation are aging, and a lot of them are retiring from work. Along with advances in technology, large numbers of people are living longer than any other time in history. So, as age depletes their strength and their ability to take care of themselves, the demand for home health care is constantly rising for this generation of elderly citizens. More and more registered nurses are required to travel to the patient's home and provide the necessary care to the patients.

Registered nurses working in the patient's home are expected to carry out a variety of tasks. The services that are required from them are determined by the specific needs of the clients. As skilled care is required, it has to be coordinated with the attending doctors. The nurse has to provide constant care to the patients in their home: diagnostic testing, giving emotional support, medical advice, educating and advising on illnesses and their management to both patients and their families. Sometimes registered nurses are even responsible for providing grief counseling to the families of critically ill patients.

Patience and dedication are important qualities and the nurse helps patients through illness, promotes good health and prevents diseases. You must also have good writing skills and pay good attention to details. These qualities will be required in handling psychology cases, when you will have to document the patient's behavior in detail, note down how the patient is responding to medication, and be able to follow the doctor's instructions meticulously, to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct treatment and care.

To become a Registered Nurse, you have to acquire a Bachelor's or Associates degree from a college or appropriate institution, and have passed the nursing boards. In order to obtain the degree for registered nurse, you will have to take classes in anatomy, chemistry, physiology, nutrition, and psychology. Most of the clinical schools will also ask for clinical experience.

Your education and experience will be the important considerations when you apply. If the registered nurse job is in administration, a bachelor's degree may be required. If the job is in a complex area like intensive care or surgery, the organization may want considerable clinical experience. Some registered nurse jobs like certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse anesthetist might even require a master's degree.

Work at Home Jobs for Registered Nurses

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The Responsibilities of a Nursing Assistant

Nursing assistants work closely with and under the supervision of either a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). For many who are considering a career in nursing, but are unsure of their choice, being a nursing assistant is a great way to see firsthand what nurses do, what the hospital atmosphere is like, and garner some experience. And, starting out as a nursing assistant before becoming a nurse, has gained popularity since the certification is easier and takes less time than a nursing degree program. However, being a nursing assistant does have its challenges. To help you get a clear picture, we will discuss the responsibilities of a nursing assistant in greater detail below.

One of the most important responsibilities of a nursing assistant is to monitor a patient's vital signs and record significant changes. Keeping an eye on a patient's blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration are important to realizing whether a patient is getting better or worse. As a result, nursing assistants are usually the first to know how well a patient is responding to a medicine or treatment method. They check the patient's vital signs regularly and routinely, and report any new health issues or side effects, negative or positive improvements, and other significant changes.

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Nursing assistants are also responsible for maintaining a patient's personal hygiene while they are in the hospital, and/or medical facility. Some of these tasks include, but are not limited to helping the patients to shave, take their baths, and clipping their nails. They may also assist in dressing and undressing patients who are unable to perform these tasks for themselves. Another separate, but closely related duty is to facilitate a patient's restroom needs. And the level of help required will depend on the patient's situation, some will merely need to be walked to a restroom, others may require aid with emptying a catheter, and there may even be patients that are bed ridden and require more assistance. This type of task may be portrayed as the worst part of a nursing assistant's job; but it is a very important aspect to fulfilling the nursing code of ethics, as such responsibilities are the ones that ensure that patients are able to maintain their dignity in spite of their particular ailment.

Nursing assistants are also responsible for keeping a patient's area clean. This is another group of tasks that will differ depending on your patient and the health care facility where you work. Some patients have relatives that do most of their cleaning, other patients need help. And, some health care organizations have other personnel to handle these tasks. Yet a nursing assistant's cleaning duties can include, but are not limited to emptying garbage cans, ensuring that a patient has clean sheets and towels, and cleaning the floor. If you work in a doctor's office, you will not be caring for the bedridden but you may have to clean or sanitize the examination area after the doctor sees each patient.

Setting up a patient's food and nutritional supplements, feeding them, documenting what and how much they eat and their level of fluid intake is another responsibility of a nursing assistant. Though nursing assistants may not necessarily have to feed all of their patients, they must keep track of what their patients can eat, and what they are allowed to have. Typically, when a patent is receiving surgery the doctor will say that they are not allowed to have any food or fluids after a certain time. Unfortunately, the people who prepare meals may have sent a meal to the patient, because they were unaware of the doctor's orders. Nursing assistants must step in and verify this and other information such as the types of food a patient may be allergic to, or unable to eat due to digestive concerns.

Giving a patient their medicine and ensuring that he or she actually takes it correctly is also a duty of a nursing assistant. Additionally they may be looked upon to double check the accuracy of orders or to inform physicians and/or nurses of any medication or substances that a patient may have already taken that could affect their treatment.

Although these are the majority of nursing assistant responsibilities, you may find that others exist and are special or for specific situations. For example, a bedridden patient may need to be turned on his or her side to prevent bedsores. A younger patient may require more attention than others, while disabled patients may need assistance getting into wheelchairs and/or putting on prosthetic equipment.

It is important to note that if you decide to become a certified nursing assistant, you will perform most of the same tasks. The primary thing to remember is that all of these tasks are critical to the patient's health and well-being.

The Responsibilities of a Nursing Assistant

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Sample CV

There are numerous websites on the internet which provides Sample CVs. Every one requires a Sample CV while preparing a CV for a dream job. CV is the first contact with your employer and it should focus all your skills in the field of practice. There are number of people who have applied for one job, hence the competition is definitely high. So it becomes equally important that your CV should reflect what the employer is looking for.

Here I am outlining few points which every sample CV should include. These points will help any one whether you are a doctor, lawyer, engineer, banker, accountant or a nurse. Following are some of the points to be taken care of while writing a sample CV:

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* Provide phone number and e-mail address towards left side only. Right side is for unimportant details.

* Then write your career objective. Keep it short and simple.

* Next is profile which will list the candidates strengths well in the beginning itself. It should be easy to read and user friendly. The CV neither has the information dumped on it nor wastes the space to make it lengthy.

* Next will be professional experience which is the right place for an experienced candidate to mention his work experience. This space should be used very judiciously without cluttering the CV with unnecessary information.

* Last step will be achievements which is the right place to highlight all your achievements. This is what the recruiter is willing to buy.

Keeping these points in mind while writing a sample CV, you will get an idea of what is expected of you.

Sample CV

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