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Ten Success Tips for the NCLEX

by Jim Manierre on September 13, 2010 in Nursing Education

What is the NCLEX?

The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a computerized test used to identify those nursing graduates who are prepared to begin an entry level career s as either a registered nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

The NCLEX is not a content-based examination but tests the candidate’s ability to apply knowledge, skills, and abilities developed through coursework. The exam also tests the candidate’s ability to apply analytical thinking to decision-making.

NCLEX Success Tips

  1. Prepare for the exam before graduation. Preparation is critical to passing the NCLEX.  Ideally, preparation should begin when you enter nursing school. Because a large part of the NCLEX is about critical thinking and decision-making the earlier you start to develop to skills the better prepared you will be.
  2. Learn the content. Make sure you thoroughly learn the content. Take notes and/or tape record class sessions. If something is unclear, be sure to ask right away rather than letting the information build-up to unmanageable portions because you will feel overwhelmed.
  3. 3. Begin to think like a nurse. As new information is presented, try to think of patient scenarios in which you may apply new learning. Oftentimes, instructors will bring up these scenarios as part of the class discussion.
  4. View clinical work as learning opportunities. This relates t point 3 above. While participating in clinical internships, pay attention to how nurses make decisions and how tasks are prioritized and delegated. In this way you will begin to develop important critical thinking skills.
  5. Practice Exam Questions. Get some NCLEX review books that are organized by topic so that you can begin to work on the questions as you are learning the material. As you gain practice with the exam it will be easier to develop test-taking strategies that will assist you when sitting for the actual exam.
  6. Devote specific time periods to study. Carve out set times and let family and friends know that you will be unavailable during this period for phone calls or any type of socialization.
  7. Set daily goals. Do not bite off more than you can chew during any one study session. Limit time so that you can comfortably accomplish during any one session.
  8. Change focus. Try to include on a few different topics during every study session so that you keep the sessions interesting.
  9. Choose the best time of day.  Schedule your study sessions for the time of day that you are at your best. If you have most energy in the morning, then that should be the time that you devote to study.
  10. NCLEX Guides. Peruse these guides with sample exams and tips for passing the exam.

Remember that you’re not just preparing for an exam, but for the rest of your career as a nurse. The things that you’re learning now will carry you for the rest of your career. Thinking along these lines will help you persevere when the going gets tough and you feel like you can’t study anymore.

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Holistic nursing moves into mainstream

by Jim Manierre on August 18, 2010 in Nursing Education

Although “new age” sounding, holistic nursing in fact hearkens back to Florence Nightingale, who strongly advocate a clinical approach that viewed unity, wellness and the interrelationship of patients and their environment.  Today, holistic nurses continue that credo, defining their profession as “nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal”.  According to the American Holistic Nurses’ Association (AHNA), their members consider the relationship of body, mind, emotion, spirit, social/cultural, relationships and environment in creating a therapeutic plan. Holistic nurses can integrate complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) to broaden the scope of their nursing practice.

The growing interest in alternative and holistic medicine has brought it into the mainstream.  The specialty area is recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA). Because of this, you will find holistic nurses practicing in the usual environments: universities, private practice, long-term care facilities, home-care groups, physician’s offices, outpatient surgeries and integrative clinics.  There are three levels of certification:  Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (HN-BC); Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse, Board Certified (HNB-BC); and Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (AHN-BC).  For more information on certification and endorsed education programs, go to the American Nurses’ Holistic Certification Corporation.

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High Tech, High Touch: Nursing Informatics Adds New Dimension to Profession

by Jim Manierre on May 26, 2010 in Career Advice, Health Care Jobs, Medical Jobs, Medical News, Nursing Education, Nursing Jobs, Nursing News

Nursing notes were once hand written documents that were filed with the patient’s chart, rarely seen after discharge.  However, health care providers and administrators now understand the importance that clinical data has to a person’s entire health history.  As support for a national health database has grown, so has the field of nursing informatics.

According to June Kaminski, RN MSN PhD(c), (http://www.nursing-informatics.com/) nursing informatics results from integrating the triad of computer, information and nursing sciences. The data that comes from this triad can improve nursing practice, education, research and administration.  While still in its infancy, the field of nursing informatics is poised for rapid growth. There is a growing realization that the data that comes from nursing practice can be collected and analyzed to improve patient care and outcome.

This does not mean that nurses will substitute computers for patient care. According to Kaminski, “More and more, with each passing year, “high tech and high touch” are becoming a way of life in the practice of nursing. This can only become common reality if nurses are comfortable working with computers and advanced technology while providing evidence based care for their clients.”

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RN school application simplified

by Jim Manierre on April 28, 2010 in Career Advice, Nursing Education, Nursing News

A centralized system will simplify the process for students wanting to apply nursing school. Nursing CAS (http://www.nursingcas.org), is sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and  modeled after programs that serve medical schools and other health care training programs.

Users of the online service pay $45 for the first school, and $30 for each subsequent school to which they apply. The fee gives the applicant access to customer service staff members who can guide the students through the process and provide real time information about the status of an application.  Currently, students can use the service to apply to any type of undergraduate RN program, including diploma, associate or baccalaureate degree programs as well as entry level masters programs. In the fall of 2010, NursingCAS will process applications to master’s and doctoral degree programs. In addition to providing an important service to students, Nursing CAS will help fill vacant seats in schools of nursing, an important benefit in face of the worldwide nursing shortage.

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home-jnj

Nursing as a Profession Has Corporate Sponsorship

by Jim Manierre on November 17, 2009 in Nursing Education, Nursing Jobs, Nursing News

home-jnjNursing shortage? Check. Never ending deluge of news about nursing shortage? Check. Corporate sponsor to recruit more nurses? Check. Wait. What? Yes, you read that correctly. Nursing – as a profession – has a corporate sponsor in the form of Johnson & Johnson. They created The Campaign for Nursing’s Future at campaignfornursing.com a few years back – though it is completely new to me. Wrapped up into one site  you will find information about nursing education (school info, scholarships, etc.), topics about nurse appreciation and plenty of resources for nurses.

I don’t think it’s all bad to get a corporate sponsor for the nursing profession. But it is a little strange. Johnson & Johnson seems to be building a grass-roots campaign with nurses in the field doing all the recruiting. You need only sign up as an Advocate and you’ll be sent a branded scrub top and loads of materials to present.

While I believe in the slogan, “Nurses can change the world!” – I have to ask myself if Johnson & Johnson has some other motive for running this campaign. What do they get out of disseminating all of this free information to the country’s (world’s?) nurses? They produce a massive amount of supplies used in the healthcare industry, so I hope that they aren’t merely feeding their revenue pipeline. Maybe that’s a thin connection here, but I still have to wonder!

At the end of the day, I suppose all of this is to say – are you an advocate for nursing? If so, maybe you should head on over to the Campaign for Nursing’s Future and see what you can do to help recruit the next generation of nurses!

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Get the Best Nursing Education – Pick From the Top 5 Nursing Schools

by Jim Manierre on November 6, 2009 in Nursing Education

If you’re already a nurse, forgive me, this post is not for you. If you are an aspiring nurse trying to decide where to get your education – today’s your day! To be quite frank, trying to decide on what institution of higher education you want to attend is an extremely difficult decision. And as a nurse, you want to make sure that you are being taught by the best so that you can be your best – and maximize your earning potential in a nursing career. Thanks to our friends at College Crunch, I’ve got a description of the top 5 nursing schools in the US.

  1. University of Washington, Seattle: For fans of Gray’s Anatomy, this might be the choice for you (sorry, but Dr. McDreamy won’t be teaching you). Why is this such a good choice? Well, between top notch research, new technology and a dedication to advanced nursing decrees (19 master’s degrees in nursing specialties), UoW is a great choice.
  2. University of Pennsylvania: Perhaps pediatrics are your thing. If so, Penn’s nursing program has direct access to the Philadelphia Children’s hospital for training purposes. Aside from the peds advantage, Penn also is known for a focus on technology for nurses.
  3. University of California, San Francisco: If you’re like me, the sheer fact that this university is located in San Fran is almost enough to sway the decision (I like San Fran — a lot). Other than location, this university is known for carrying nursing students from under-grad through graduate school – offering a wide variety of masters and doctoral nursing degrees.
  4. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: A focus on leadership. A BS in nursing in 2 years. Continuing education for alumni to maintain fresh knowledge of the nursing industry. Need I say more?
  5. University of Illinois, Chicago: This school has a highly competitive nursing program, so your peers would be the best of the best. Additionally, Univ. of Illinois is focused on the more hands-on part of nursing education ensuring students have plenty of access to clinical opportunities.

There you have it: 5 nursing schools well placed around the U.S. Each of these nursing schools is worthy of your attention as you make your higher education decision. Good luck!

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nursing mannequin

University of Phoenix Introduces High-Def Mannequins to Nursing Students

by Jim Manierre on October 29, 2009 in Nursing Education, Nursing News

nursing mannequin

Nursing students – meet your new patient. Earlier today, the University of Phoenix unveiled its newest upgrade in their nursing education program. Dubbed as “immersive learning,” nursing students will now be able to study on talking, crying and breathing mannequins. A bit creepy? Maybe. A whole lotta cool? You bet.

According to the press release, University of Phoenix spent upwards of $400,000 to upgrade their nursing labs with these new “hi-def” mannequins. Using wireless technology, these mannequins can simulate real-life situations for nurses training in the lab. Officials at the university are proud of their advancement and are confident that it will produce a smarter, more capable nurse.

“What makes University of Phoenix’s immersive learning environment different is that our nursing students are putting both their clinical and critical thinking skills to work,” said Pam Fuller, dean of the University’s College of Nursing. “In short, they are assessing a patient’s condition, prioritizing their responsibilities and actions, communicating what needs to be done, and then acting on the conclusions they draw from the situation at hand.”

Currently, the new immersive learning simulation lab is only at the university’s Phoenix, AZ campus. That being said, there are plans to roll out similar programs at University of Phoenix branches across the US. Time will tell if this advancement in nursing education will actually bring about positive change, or if this is just another instance of introducing technology for the sake of new technology.

Photo courtesy of Ann Douglas at Flickr.

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Learn a language, get a raise?

by Jim Manierre on September 8, 2009 in Career Advice, Nursing Education

If you are a nursing student considering your options for electives this semester, a course in Spanish holds much potential for your future career.  This is not a discussion of the merits or problems related to the current debate concerning illegal immigration.  The simple fact is that the Hispanic population of the United States, both legal and illegal, has risen significantly in recent years.  Since they are becoming a large part of the US work force, it is easy to assume that the nursing industry will see an equal rise in dealing with men and women who speak English as a second language.

In the health care profession, an ability to speak to patients in words that they are most comfortable is critical for good patient care.  For example, suppose you and a few of your college friends went sightseeing through the Alps.  On the way, a member of your party breaks a bone in his foot during a fall while bicycling.  In his pain, the last thing he is going to want to deal with is a German English translation barrier.

The same is true for the Hispanic patients that will certainly increase at your facility in the coming years.  While many patients come into doctor’s offices for routine checkups, in most cases, the patient will be in some sort of physical pain while he or she presents to the medical facility.  Being able to provide some comfort by not dealing with a language barrier will ease your ability to manage his care, and it will alleviate some of his apprehension.  And that can only work to help both of you.

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Graduate Nursing Programs Allow for Specialization

by Jim Manierre on December 23, 2008 in Career Advice, Nursing Education, Nursing Jobs, Tips and Advice

Nurses with advanced degrees qualify for specialized areas of practice.  In addition to the rewards and challenges of an advanced career, these professionals are enjoying significantly higher income.  With a demand for nurses in every area from Law to Research, colleges and university are designing Master’s and Doctoral degrees to prepare RNs for these professions.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

A master of science in nursing degree is an 18 – 24 month nursing program that allows a nurse to specialize in a particular area, such as an area of advanced clinical training or research. For some careers, students complete joint degrees in related fields, such as business, public health or hospital administration. Some of the clinical specialty areas include nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist.  While requirements vary between schools, typical requirements  for entrance in to a graduate program include a BSN, RN licensure, minimum GPA and/or graduate entrance exam scores and some prior clinical experience.

RN-to-MSN Degree Program

This program is an ADN to BSN to MSN program.  It is designed specifically for RNs with associate’s degree whose intend to go directly into a master’s program after the complete their BSN.  It is designed so that candidates have as much advanced placement credit for the BSN as possible and as little overlap between the BSN and MSN courses.

Direct Entry MSN Degree Program

Direct entry MSN programs, sometimes called “graduate entry” or “master’s entry” programs, are for students with non-nursing undergraduate degrees who want to earn their RN through a master’s degree program.  These nursing students complete an abbreviated undergraduate nursing coursework before moving into graduate nursing courses.  They will be preparing for the nurse licensure exam (NYCLEX) at the same time they are completing requirements for the MSN.  Direct Entry MSN programs typically take three years to complete, with the first year devoted to undergraduate nurse training.   As with the undergraduate non nursing degree program, there is an Accelerated MSN that takes only two academic years to complete.  Students must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to qualify for consideration to the Accelerated MSN program.

Post-Master’s Certificate Nursing Education Programs

Professional Certification is offered in more than 30 areas of clinical specialty.  The exams for these certificates are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Professional Certifications are specialized exams that you can take to prove your expertise in a specific field, beyond the skills required for an RN license. The exams are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANCC). The ANCC offers generalist, advanced practice and clinical specialist exams in almost 30 areas. Certifications show that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in their field, and can give them a leg up on career advancement.

Non-Degree Studies Nursing Education Programs

Also known as “Extended Studies” or “Non-Matriculated Studies,” non degree programs allow nurses to study specialty areas without seeking an advanced degree.

Doctorate Nursing Education Programs

Nurses with doctoral degrees are expected to have tremendous job demand over the next ten years. These programs prepare nurses for careers in health administration, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. The programs take from four to six years to complete, and include training in research methods (including statistics and data analysis), the history and philosophy of nursing science, and in leadership skills. Beyond that, nurses can match their degree training and research with the specialty area of which they are most interested.

Doctor of Nursing Education Programs (ND)

ND programs usually require 3 – 5 years of full-time study.  ND programs focus on advanced practice specialties, and evidence-based research.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs (DNP)

This is an emerging doctoral program, usually requiring 3 years of full-time study.  DNP programs prepare graduates for leadership positions in research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management.

Doctor of Nursing Science Programs (DNSc)

Graduates of a DNSc program are the nurse scientists who can, through research and clinical leadership, influence the health care system. DNSc graduates are also analysts who will find jobs in health care economics, and informatics.

Doctor of Philosophy Programs

PhD programs prepare nurse scholars and researchers who will contribute the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates are trained to be teachers, theorists and researchers.

MSN/PhD Dual Nursing Education Degree

The MSN/PhD dual degree program is for highly qualified nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing The MSN/PhD is an intensive, accelerated program that simultaneously offering master’s preparation and advanced research training at the doctoral level.  It usually takes five years to complete and is sometime offered to students with non nursing undergraduate degrees.  There are also Accelerated BSN to PhD Education degree programs.

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