Monday, June 29, 2009

Getting Free Nursing CEU's

Not only are some wonderful opportunities offered online for those wishing to enter the world of nursing, there are some opportunities for the established nurses to earn free nursing CEUs. Every nurse is required to keep their nursing education updated and one way of accomplishing this is to earn what is known as CEUs. This acronym stands for continuing education units. What this means is that you take a short course and then you take a test to show that you read and understood the material.

Some states have set requirements that list how many continuing education units a nurse must take each year. California was one of the first states to require their nurses to have documentation of the CEUs they take annually. Hospitals will also document your CEU status and the amount you have can influence your evaluations, raises and promotions. There are also free nursing CEUs that will be provided to you by the hospital.

By being able to take free nursing CEUs online, this gives nurses great freedom of choice about which topics they want to study. The free nursing CEUs are offered by dozens of different organizations and there is a tremendous variety among the topics. Some of the CEUs are only one or two pages long and the material can very easily be covered in a matter of minutes. A great advantage to having continuing educational units available on line is the ability to take the classes when you have spare moments and you can take as many of the free classes as you like.

Free nursing CEUs will add depth to your resume and it will add to your knowledge base for nursing. You will be surprised by how quickly you can go through the material. This is a way for you to keep yourself informed and updated about important topics in nursing at your convenience.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Registered Nursing Jobs Are Plentiful

If you're already licensed a licensed nurse, you already know there is a shortage of qualified nurse, but you may not be aware that there are also many government nursing jobs as well.

There is a huge demand for applicants to fill the thousands of open registered nursing jobs that are available in all 50 states. The jobs are available and with each position there is also the opportunity to receive high starting pay and exceptional benefits. There are many registered nursing jobs that remain unfilled even after months and sometimes years of recruiting. During the shortage of nurses it is up to the available staff to try and stretch themselves to take up the slack.

With the high amount of registered nursing jobs available it is a market of opportunity for those nurses with experience. An experienced nurse will be rewarded by a higher starting pay and extra bonuses. New nurses should not feel overlooked; they are being heavily recruited as well. Having a large number of registered nursing jobs to select from makes it more likely that you will be able to find the type of job that will make you happy. There are nursing positions available in all areas of the health profession and you have only to look for the kind of working environment that you prefer.

For people who may like to travel there are registered nursing jobs available as contractors and these will allow you to work for different hospitals across the nation. You can sign up for a nursing contract or a travel position that lasts from 4-52 weeks at any one hospital and all of your travel and housing costs will be covered in addition to your salary. Some of these positions may even offer very good benefits. When you choose registered nursing jobs as a contractor you are free to renew the contract or travel to a new location when you complete the current assignment. Some individuals, and also married couples who are both RNs, have established highly lucrative careers by working as nursing contractors.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Top Ways to A BSN Degree For People With Full Time Jobs

Getting a BSN Degree can be achieved even if you have a full time position and can’t enroll in more traditional courses. An online program can put a BSN Degree in your hands in less than 2 years. This affordable and convenient method of pursuing your educational goals can be your way to move up the corporate ladder.

Upper management for nurses requires that any applicant have at least a BSN degree. For many nurses this seemed an unlikely scenario since they could not afford to work only part time and go to school. This is what makes getting a BSN degree online so appealing. The stress level involved with many courses is greatly decreased when you are able to go at your own pace and take the tests when you feel prepared. Online schools even are able to provide tutors if you need them. There are also forums and online nursing communities that will give you support and encouragement.

You do not have to rearrange schedules or change jobs. You do not even have to work fewer hours. Online BSN programs can be arranged around your present schedule and you are able to take the classes when it is convenient for you to do so. One of the best things about an online BSN degree is that you can achieve it without the aggravation of daily commuting to a campus setting. There are also accelerated BSN programs available.

The online community of nursing has helped many realize their goal of being awarded a BSN degree and it is all done in the comfort of your own home. You can also choose some of the BSN bridge programs that are offered through your local universities and take classes on campus if you choose. Many of these courses are now being conducted at night and on the weekends in order to make it easier for their working students.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Nursing Shortage Reaches a Critical Level

For the past three decades there has been a critical nursing shortage and today is it at a very critical level. With the retirement from the work force of millions of baby boomers, there is an even greater need to find nurses to move into these now vacant positions. The elderly population is going to be growing over the next 20-30 years and this is going to create even more open nursing positions throughout the medical community.

Hospitals and nursing homes are going to be hit very hard over the coming years because their nursing shortage is already quite high. More nurses are going into other areas of work and there is much brainstorming underway to figure out new ways to attract nurses into the critically needed positions. The nursing shortage is creating headaches for many employers but it is opening more opportunities for nurses.

Today the nursing shortage is present in all medical areas and even all of the related fields. A nurse now can choose her job from among doctors’ offices, one day surgery clinics, legal firms, industries and school settings. All of these will offer good pay, great benefits and job security. Thanks to the critical nursing shortage nationwide, nurses now have unlimited opportunities for work in any section of the country. Many employers will gladly reimburse your travel and relocation expenses if you will guarantee to stay with them for at least 1-2 years.

Even new graduates with little or no on the job experience are benefiting by the national nursing shortage and are being actively recruited by dozens of employers. There are few jobs on the market that offer the high starting salaries of a nurse, especially when the employee has only a 2 year degree. The high salaries and benefits have been a direct result of the nursing shortage and you can expect to watch salaries to continue to climb over the next few years.