Nursing Careers: Its History and Its Future

It’s important that we learn from history and that we continue to pay tribute to all those who have influenced and changed the way we live our lives for the better. Nursing is a field of study that we should all be grateful many people end up going into. When we’re in need of emergency assistance, those nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors are there to ensure we are looked after properly.

It’s something that we should never take for granted. With that being said, learning about the history of nursing and how it’s changed over the years is interesting. We’ve seen what the advancements and science and technology can provide to those working in the healthcare industry and a lot has certainly changed since the 1800s. 

From Dr. Marie Zakrzewska who managed to influence the creation of the very first professional, nurse training program to Linda Richards who was the first to graduate from that very school, these individuals are all worth remembering and knowing about in order to pass it down to future generations. That’s why colleges and universities such as Marymount University Online has created a helpful infographic to showcase all those individuals who helped influence and pioneer the nurses of today.

This infographic showcases the incredible work of nursing in the last 170 years and how that has impacted today’s world. It’s something that can help remind us of how far we’ve come and why we should continue to support and encourage those who are seeking a career in nursing. Be sure to read about the wonderful and inspiring individuals who shaped what nursing is today in this infographic.

Infographic Design By Marymount University Online

7 Reasons Why Being a Family Nurse Practitioner is the Perfect Career Choice for an Aspiring Female

Whether you are a young woman looking for the right career to embark upon, or you have been in your current career for some time and are looking for a change, you should definitely consider the nursing industry. However, it can sometimes be difficult to know which career options are the best for you, and as an aspiring female, it is important that you have plenty of information about an industry before you embark upon a career in it.

While nursing has long been considered a female-only profession which was offered to those women who wanted to become doctors but were stopped due to gender inequalities, the world of nursing has transformed in the last few decades. Not only can men now become nurses, but the responsibilities of nurses have increased tenfold, meaning they are not that far behind the role of a doctor.

So, whether you are already a registered nurse and are looking for the next step in your career or you are just starting out in nursing, here are seven reasons why family nurse practitioner could be the perfect career choice.

Earning Potential

While many people consider the nursing profession to be a calling instead of a choice of job, it is still a form of employment and the salary you earn is essential to your survival. Therefore, it is important to know that the career you are considering offers a good salary, as well as the potential for you to earn more money in the future. 

As a family nurse practitioner, you can expect to enjoy a significantly higher salary than you would as a Registered Nurse. Here is some research from the Department of Labor, which has looked into nursing salary averages:

·       Registered Nurse- $66,000 a year

·       Family Nurse Practitioner- $97,000 a year.

It is fair to say that $30,000 difference a year is a considerable amount of money that you and your family could benefit from.

Career Opportunities

Taking on a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner shows the dedication that you have towards your career and that you are an aspirational and dedicated individual. These are the sort of qualities that will not only make you successful, but they will also highlight you to others, for example, potential employers.

Once you have completed the necessary training and education that is required in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, many more doors will open in your career.

Job Stability

With the current economic climate that has seen the consequences of fiscal restraint on public spending budgets, it is more important than ever before to ensure that you have some level of job stability and security before embarking upon your chosen career.

While it can sometimes be difficult to predict what industry will look like in twenty years' time, nursing has been a prevalent role in society for hundreds of years. Therefore, as long as you hold the necessary, well-valued qualifications and have the experience, there is no reason why your role in nursing should become unstable in the future.

Personal Growth

Being any kind of nurse is by no means an easy job and it takes a special kind of individual to be able to spend all day caring for others. Therefore, if you are a kind and caring individual who is passionate about helping others, then becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner is an ideal career. This is because not only will you get the opportunity to grow your:

·       Knowledge

·       Skills

·       Professional network

·       Experience

But you will also earn that sense of accomplishment that many aspiring females aim for. While professional development is essential in today’s employment market, it is also important that you are proud of your own achievements and enjoy your success.

Various Learning Opportunities

As a female who wants to do well in their career, you are likely to be faced with many stumbling blocks along the way. This may include being faced with gender inequalities in an industry which is male-favored or struggling to find the time to learn the skills that you need in order to qualify as a nurse.

Becoming a nurse is not something that happens overnight and there are many different levels of qualifications that you need to do well, in order to achieve the career you are aspiring towards. However, there are many different learning platforms that are available that allow you to learn alongside your other professional and personal commitments.

For example, you can enroll in an RN to NP online course, which will provide you with the opportunity to:

·       Learn the skills and knowledge you need in order to successfully become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

·       Complete the course 100 percent online.

·       Incorporate clinicals into your learning.

·       Gain a degree credited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

·       Enjoy the independent study offered by an RN to NP online, but with personalized support available when needed.

Compatible with Family Life

Being a female who wants to do well and succeed in her career means having to consider many others in her life, such as family members. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you can make the most of the flexible working hours that can make looking after any children you have compatible with your working life.

Variety of Practice Settings

When you are a qualified Family Nurse Practitioner there is a range of different medical professional environments that you can find yourself working in. While many people make the mistake of thinking that they will only work within a hospital as a nurse, there are many other environments where you could find yourself working. Here are just a few of the most common settings:

·       Urgent Care Clinics

·       Primary Care Clinics

·       Nursing Homes

·       Hospitals

·       Long-term Care

·       Medical Spas

If you are a woman who is looking for a caring profession in which you can take your role to the next level, it’s well worth considering becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Becoming a Nurse Executive: What You Need to Know

A nurse executive is known as one of the most senior nurses within an organization. Not only are nurse executives in charge of the administration side of healthcare organizations, but they also play an important role in helping organizations follow and deliver their mission of providing excellent healthcare services, ensuring all facilities and teams are operating according to plan.

If you are interested in becoming a nurse executive, here is a guide on the roles and responsibilities expected of you, as well as the skills, credentials, and knowledge you will need to possess.

Roles and Responsibilities

The main purpose of a nurse executive is to help healthcare organizations implement their missions and values, while simultaneously maintaining the delivery of excellent healthcare. Nurse executives also help in shaping healthcare policies, as well as empowering staff to provide the best level of care possible for patients. Other duties of a nurse executive include:

·       Designing and managing patient care

·       Creating and managing budgets

·       Developing patient care procedures

·       Delivering continuing education courses

Nurse executives also take on the role of a human resources manager for healthcare organizations, meaning they must know how to communicate successfully with various teams.

Communication and Relationship Building

One of the key traits that a nursing executive must possess is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with their team members. Nurse executives need to learn how to facilitate conflict resolution, as well as create an environment that is safe and trustworthy. Also responsible for producing oral and written healthcare presentations, nurse executives need to possess excellent communication skills in order to succeed. There are various benefits that go hand in hand with effective communication, such as:

·       Building a team

·       Making things clear

·       Managing diversity within the nursing sector

·       Dealing with problems

·       Surviving difficult situations

Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment

To succeed as a nurse executive, it’s crucial that you have a strong background and knowledge in healthcare economics, governance, clinical practice, and healthcare policy. Nurse executives must be familiar with the concepts of evidence-based practice, as well as know-how to make the right decisions based on research to provide excellent patient care.

Leadership

Nurses who are in an executive position need to show their authority and assertiveness with members of staff. If you are interested in making a difference and like to take charge, a nurse executive requires you to have excellent leadership skills. There are key benefits of effective leadership that you can gain from a nurse executive position, such as:

·       Improved productivity

·       Growth in confidence

·       Improved communication & listening skills

·       Ability to succeed under pressure

If you have the confidence and drive to motivate your team within the nursing sector, the leadership aspect of a nurse executive role may be of interest to you.

Business Skills

Apart from the management element, a nurse executive must be able to understand healthcare from a business point of view. There are various duties that a nurse executive is required to carry out that link with business, such as:

·       Managing financial resources

·       Hiring, training, and managing staff

·       Conducting SWOT analyses

·       Keeping pace with technological change

To flourish in a nurse executive role, you will need to not only be business savvy but have a strong knowledge of the healthcare sector. Understandably, those who have obtained a business degree alongside a DNP will have an added advantage. If you are interested in the business aspect of a nurse executive role, it’s important that you demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.

Professionalism

No matter who you encounter throughout your career as a nurse executive, you are expected to demonstrate a high standard of professionalism in your work. The job demands a sense of professional and personal accountability, as well as:

·       Setting professional standards for colleagues

·       Maintaining the team’s ethics

·       Coaching teams in developing their career plans

·       Adhering to corporate policies at all times

Working Environments

There are various healthcare environments that you can work in as a nurse executive. These include:

·       Hospitals

·       Home health agencies

·       Healthcare clinics

·       Rehabilitation centers

·       Schools of nursing

A well-qualified nurse executive will be able to find job opportunities in the healthcare settings listed above, so make sure that you research vacancies within your local area once you have completed your DNP degree.

Study a DNP Program

Now that you have a better understanding of the key traits and skills needed to work as a nurse executive, your next step should be to gain the relevant credentials. Look into DNP nursing leadership programs that can help take your career to the next level, giving you the necessary skills needed to flourish as a nurse executive. To ensure you’re qualified for the positions you are applying for, it’s crucial that you have a DNP degree at your disposal. Before you sign up for the course, make sure that you look at career outcomes, the modules you are expected to undertake, as well as course fees so you can be confident that you can financially afford to study.

Online Studying

With many nurses working longer hours than ever, finding the time to go back into education can be difficult. If you’re serious about becoming a nurse executive, there is the option to study online, rather than having to attend nursing school or a traditional educational facility. Studying online not only gives you flexibility but enables you to learn from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you have a family to look after, or a busy household to run, being able to learn as and when you please can reduce stress levels and help you feel more in control. There are lots of reasons why you should study online for your DNP, including:

·       Lower total costs

·       Gives you self-motivation

·       Teaches time management skills and self-discipline

If you are a nurse who is passionate about helping healthcare organizations flourish, a career as a nurse executive may be the best route for you to take. Before you can qualify, you will need to complete a DNP degree which can teach you the key skills and attributes needed to succeed in this position.

Nursing Demand Increases in 2020 and Beyond: Where Are the Jobs?

While the general projection for growth in the healthcare sector over the next decade or two continues, perennial problems like oversupply for certain services and personnel shortages in others continue to change the landscape for new nurses seeking jobs, mid-career individuals looking for a change without changing careers, and nursing students selecting a program like Grand Canyon University nursing. If you're looking at entering the job market within the next couple of years, here's what you should know about the trends that are emerging in 2020.

Skilled Nursing Roles Continue To See Increased Demand

Skilled nursing roles in specific areas of medicine require extra professional development and often a BSN instead of an RN qualification, but they also provide rewarding benefits and long-term career mobility. Many skilled nurses go into nursing management, teaching, or even LPN programs as their careers mature. Today's market for skilled nursing is changing, though.

• Hospital and surgical services are in high demand, leading to a need for more staff in every role from physician's assistants OR nurses.

• National nursing care facility staffing shortages continue a strong overall demand for nurses in long-term care facilities, but regional oversupply does exist in certain areas

• A continuing bottleneck in available staff due to education and an aging workforce is likely to strengthen these trends through the year

What does this mean? Simply put, it means that even if there is an oversupply when it comes to nursing care facility services in your community, there's likely to be a large enough shortfall in staffing to create available positions. It also means the demand for nurses operating in outpatient hospital services will be on the rise, as well as those serving in traditional inpatient hospital environments. In addition to those trends, the shortfall in graduating class populations will continue to drive demand across the board in many areas.

Paths To Your Nursing Career

For those looking at long-term career development, options like the Grand Canyon University of Nursing accessible education with a strong track record when it comes to candidate placement in the niches that are currently seeing a growth in demand.

With an accelerated RN to BSN path for nurses already in the profession, the program's model is built around helping candidates acquire the skills and training needed to move into those high-demand jobs that are currently experiencing shortfalls in staffing due to a limited pool of applicants. Grand Canyon's program offers a BSN in as little as 12 months if you are already an RN, and there are other paths to a degree for those who are looking to enter the career for the first time, too.

Tips For Finding Your Ideal Program

While there are consistent national standards for nursing excellence promoted by industry and professional associations, local protocols and legal stipulations do make it a good idea to enroll in a program that's at least in the same state where you want to work. Even if you don't need to do it for certification's sake, being local to the job market makes you a less expensive hire for many employers, and your school is likely to have the most solid professional networking and connections to institutions in its vicinity.

If you're looking for a program with strong online options, it's a good idea to check out where their graduates wind up so you can find one that will aim you at the employers you want to work for once you graduate. Your choice of programs is the beginning of your nursing career in many ways, not just a prerequisite for it. Similarly, if you're expanding your credentials, the program you choose will set the trajectory for the next phase of your career.