There are several reasons that a career as a professional massage therapist has become so appealing over the last decade and a half. In a fast-paced, high-tech culture such as ours, massage therapy can be a very rewarding choice for those interested in helping people slow down, take stock, and improve the quality of their lives. As the mechanization of our society becomes more pervasive—digitized voices answering phones, solitary on-line shopping and banking, self-checkout aisles at the grocery store and the like—individuals who enjoy interacting with others on a uniquely personal basis will find the focused, one-on-one nature of massage therapy very compelling.
The public demand for massage has been steadily rising. The American Massage Therapy Association analyzed a study on the use of alternative medicine that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association (November 1998) and estimated that consumers spend $4-6 billion a year on visits to massage therapists.
Massage therapists find work in a variety of settings: massage therapy clinics, chiropractor’s and physician’s offices, airports, health clubs, cruise ships, shopping malls, convention centers, professional sports team clubhouses, salons and spas, hospitals, alternative medicine centers, and nursing homes, just to name a few. Many practitioners take advantage of the latest in cleverly designed portable massage equipment to provide on-site massage at office buildings or in a client’s home.
Because massage therapy is now so prevalent at so many different venues, it offers an alluring range of choice in working environments and conditions—from the security of hiring on as an employee or subcontractor for an established massage provider to the freedoms in scheduling and business practices that self-employment can provide. Many therapists maximize their income opportunities by opening their own clinics and serving as employers for other massage therapists.
The profession also offers an abundance of choice for those wishing to specialize. As scientific research continues to prove the validity of massage as a therapeutic agent, the spectrum of techniques and modalities available for the practicing therapist to learn only expands. Some focus on relaxation massage, while others take years of advanced training to master specific clinical applications or qualify to teach a particular discipline. Other therapists will choose to work with a special segment of the population, becoming experts in the use of massage to meet the needs of the elderly, pregnant women, athletes, infants, or those suffering the effects of a particular disease.
Are you ready to become a professional massage therapist?
You’re an athlete or a dancer. You’re interested in natural health and healing and ways to keep your body fit and pain free. Your family and friends or members of your sports team have always praised your touching skills and asked you to help soothe neck and shoulder aches with a quick back rub. But it’s a big step from casually helping those you know to providing skilled touch in a professional manner for complete strangers.
Perhaps the best way to discover whether you are suited to become a professional massage therapist is to take a short introductory course. While it won’t provide you with enough training to qualify as a professional, such a course can give you a good idea of your commitment level and aptitude for the work itself. Typically running anywhere from a weekend to several weeks in length, introductory courses are offered through schools specializing in massage training as well as at community colleges, local YMCA’s, or other adult education centers.
Another helpful resource in gaging your readiness for a massage career is to receive massage from one or more professional therapists. This will not only give you an opportunity to experience how the course of a typical massage session might progress, but you’ll be able to speak with someone who has direct knowledge of the field.
Find the Training That’s Right for You: Accreditation and Curriculum
As the massage profession develops, many changes are taking place that will impact those entering the field over the next few years. More stringent standards for educational training programs are being formulated. Additionally, over 30 states now regulate massage therapy practice, meaning that several require a certain type or length of training as well as passage of an examination. If you plan to settle in a particular area, you’ll need to know what those requirements are before deciding which school best meets your needs.
Two important things to consider to look for a program that:
1. Is accredited or approved by a recognized national accreditation agency
2. Provides a minimum of 500 in-class hours of instruction—especially because many states regulating massage require it.
Accreditation will mean that the school has been inspected by credible, impartial authorities and found to meet certain standards deemed necessary for providing adequate preparation for students to find success in the massage therapy field. Such accreditation agencies include the Commission on Massage Training Accreditation (COMTA) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
It is often said that massage therapy is both an art and a science. You’ll want to find a program that offers a well-rounded curriculum, with a balance between lecture and experiential courses. Look for a program that’s very strong on the basics of massage—you’ll have plenty of time to specialize later. You’ll need both a solid grounding in anatomy and physiology of the human body and ample opportunity to develop your touch skills. Not only will a good school provide you with hours of hands-on training under the supervision of experienced massage therapists, but it should also offer you the chance to practice in simulated professional work situations. Well designed schools usually operate a student clinic that accepts paying members of the general public as clients and/or maintain a comprehensive community outreach program where students can hone their skills.
Remember, business and marketing courses are also important. It is fine to be knowledgeable about the human body and technically proficient in your work, but it is also essential that you develop interpersonal skills to help you identify and retain your clients, whether you are running your own business or working for someone else.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/USmassagecareer.htm
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy a rewarding career, who would have thought? Massage therapy has come a long way and is one of the top career choices for high school graduates. Massage therapy provides interesting, challenging, and satisfying work both professionally and personally.
This educational adventure of wanting to help others can lead to personal growth and development for massage therapist as they develop their own awareness as they interact with their clients. Many of us intuitively rub our stiff neck or a sore muscle to find relief from discomfort, and today, people are utilizing massage therapy as an option to find relief and just take time for themselves.
The benefits of massage therapy are many. Those who are successful in this career are those who have a sincere desire to help others and wish to advance the art and science of massage through safe and ethical touch and have the commitment, time, and energy to train for the position.
Education does matter. At present in Pennsylvania, there is no legislation regarding the practice of massage therapy. It is up to the individual student to establish their own standards, which is facilitated by choice of school. There are many massage programs available to students. So when deciding on a school, look at their credentials. Is your school choice licensed through the Department of Private Schools in Pennsylvania and a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA)? Some other major accrediting agencies are COMTA, IMSTAC, ACCET, and ACCSCT. If you have plans to move to another state in the future, check with the individual state on their licensing requirements and find out if the education you received in Pennsylvania will be accepted in that state. Know if your school’s program will prepare you to sit for the National Certification Exam, which has been in existence for over a decade and used by some states as their written licensing exam.
Entry-level education should require 600 hours of instruction, including the study of massage theory and techniques, anatomy, physiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, sports massage, business ethics, first aid and CPR, and a clinic internship. Some schools offer full-time programs so that you can totally immerse yourself in education, or part-time options with flexible schedules. A qualified education can be found at a school that is accredited by the American Massage Therapy Association Commission on Massage Training Accreditation (AMTA/COMTA).
The average price of a massage is between $50.00-$75.00 per hour. Employment settings are vast: clinicals, with physicians, chiropractors, hospitals or wellness centers. Massage therapists also work in spas and salons, gyms and fitness centers, on cruise ships, with sports teams, at geriatric centers, and in the corporate workplace. As an entry-level employee, a therapist can expect to earn approximately 50% of the charging rate. Many therapists choose to establish their own business and be a sole proprietor. Whatever your choices, a commitment to high standards and a good work ethic are necessary to establish a practice and build a clientele.
Massage therapy provides benefits on a physical, mental and emotional level, reducing stress; and relieving muscle tension and stiffness. The demand for qualified massage therapist is great. Massage has expanded into many different forms or specialties, so recognizing the need for continuing education will help you remain competitive. Some advanced training could include: sports, orthopedic, medical, neuromuscular therapy and Pfrimmer deep muscle therapy, therapeutic touch and polarity, and shiatsu. Today some schools are now able to offer an Associates Degree for their students.
Since many schools offer different things, it would be a good idea to visit different schools before making a final decision, get a feel for the school and its environment, and find out the history of your school. Remember that the effort you put into it now will bring great rewards for you and your clients.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MP/MPmassage.htm
This educational adventure of wanting to help others can lead to personal growth and development for massage therapist as they develop their own awareness as they interact with their clients. Many of us intuitively rub our stiff neck or a sore muscle to find relief from discomfort, and today, people are utilizing massage therapy as an option to find relief and just take time for themselves.
The benefits of massage therapy are many. Those who are successful in this career are those who have a sincere desire to help others and wish to advance the art and science of massage through safe and ethical touch and have the commitment, time, and energy to train for the position.
Education does matter. At present in Pennsylvania, there is no legislation regarding the practice of massage therapy. It is up to the individual student to establish their own standards, which is facilitated by choice of school. There are many massage programs available to students. So when deciding on a school, look at their credentials. Is your school choice licensed through the Department of Private Schools in Pennsylvania and a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA)? Some other major accrediting agencies are COMTA, IMSTAC, ACCET, and ACCSCT. If you have plans to move to another state in the future, check with the individual state on their licensing requirements and find out if the education you received in Pennsylvania will be accepted in that state. Know if your school’s program will prepare you to sit for the National Certification Exam, which has been in existence for over a decade and used by some states as their written licensing exam.
Entry-level education should require 600 hours of instruction, including the study of massage theory and techniques, anatomy, physiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, sports massage, business ethics, first aid and CPR, and a clinic internship. Some schools offer full-time programs so that you can totally immerse yourself in education, or part-time options with flexible schedules. A qualified education can be found at a school that is accredited by the American Massage Therapy Association Commission on Massage Training Accreditation (AMTA/COMTA).
The average price of a massage is between $50.00-$75.00 per hour. Employment settings are vast: clinicals, with physicians, chiropractors, hospitals or wellness centers. Massage therapists also work in spas and salons, gyms and fitness centers, on cruise ships, with sports teams, at geriatric centers, and in the corporate workplace. As an entry-level employee, a therapist can expect to earn approximately 50% of the charging rate. Many therapists choose to establish their own business and be a sole proprietor. Whatever your choices, a commitment to high standards and a good work ethic are necessary to establish a practice and build a clientele.
Massage therapy provides benefits on a physical, mental and emotional level, reducing stress; and relieving muscle tension and stiffness. The demand for qualified massage therapist is great. Massage has expanded into many different forms or specialties, so recognizing the need for continuing education will help you remain competitive. Some advanced training could include: sports, orthopedic, medical, neuromuscular therapy and Pfrimmer deep muscle therapy, therapeutic touch and polarity, and shiatsu. Today some schools are now able to offer an Associates Degree for their students.
Since many schools offer different things, it would be a good idea to visit different schools before making a final decision, get a feel for the school and its environment, and find out the history of your school. Remember that the effort you put into it now will bring great rewards for you and your clients.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MP/MPmassage.htm
Careers in Massage Therapy
A recent AMTA (The American Massage Therapy Association) survey of American consumers shows that over twice as many adult Americans have reported receiving massages from massage therapists in the past year.
Why are people getting massages? Reasons range from relaxation benefits to stress reduction and therapeutic relief.
Where are people getting a massage? Many receive a massage at spas. Some schedule a massage at a massage therapist’s office or prefer a massage therapist come into their home. Others get a massage at hotels/resorts, chiropractors’ office, beauty salons, physical therapists’ office, health clubs, alternative therapy clinics, student clinics (at a massage school), hospitals, airports, retail outlets, physicians’ office or medical clinics.
Ten years ago, there were 54,000 massage therapists and bodyworkers. Today, there are approximately 175,000. Ten years ago, there were 240 state approved massage schools in our country. Today, there are 1,067. With so many Americans searching for skilled massage therapists, the need for professionals in this field continues to grow rapidly.
Though the history of massage is rooted in technique and body language, this field is also about healing intentions and a connection between therapist and client. Massage therapists formally trained through an accredited program learn a wide variety of subjects including: anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic touch and modalities, Swedish and shiatsu massage, chiropractic assistance, reflexology, sports massage, pregnancy and infant massage, chair massage, aromatherapy, trigger point, and myotherapy.
When searching for a massage therapy school, be sure to ask whether the program is accredited? Ask the school if you can observe classes. Can you meet instructors and students?
Formal career training can vary from approximately three to eighteen months. Find a program that best fits your needs and schedule.
After all, massage therapy is a great career choice! The growing popularity of alternative and complementary medicine in the stressful society of which we live has helped increase the need for massage therapists.
The field of massage therapy offers many career choices. Perhaps you can help others by becoming a massage therapist! Enjoy the power of touch!
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/AC/ACmassage.htm
Why are people getting massages? Reasons range from relaxation benefits to stress reduction and therapeutic relief.
Where are people getting a massage? Many receive a massage at spas. Some schedule a massage at a massage therapist’s office or prefer a massage therapist come into their home. Others get a massage at hotels/resorts, chiropractors’ office, beauty salons, physical therapists’ office, health clubs, alternative therapy clinics, student clinics (at a massage school), hospitals, airports, retail outlets, physicians’ office or medical clinics.
Ten years ago, there were 54,000 massage therapists and bodyworkers. Today, there are approximately 175,000. Ten years ago, there were 240 state approved massage schools in our country. Today, there are 1,067. With so many Americans searching for skilled massage therapists, the need for professionals in this field continues to grow rapidly.
Though the history of massage is rooted in technique and body language, this field is also about healing intentions and a connection between therapist and client. Massage therapists formally trained through an accredited program learn a wide variety of subjects including: anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic touch and modalities, Swedish and shiatsu massage, chiropractic assistance, reflexology, sports massage, pregnancy and infant massage, chair massage, aromatherapy, trigger point, and myotherapy.
When searching for a massage therapy school, be sure to ask whether the program is accredited? Ask the school if you can observe classes. Can you meet instructors and students?
Formal career training can vary from approximately three to eighteen months. Find a program that best fits your needs and schedule.
After all, massage therapy is a great career choice! The growing popularity of alternative and complementary medicine in the stressful society of which we live has helped increase the need for massage therapists.
The field of massage therapy offers many career choices. Perhaps you can help others by becoming a massage therapist! Enjoy the power of touch!
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/AC/ACmassage.htm
Why Choose Nursing?
Why choose nursing as a career? As a new graduate nurse I was constantly asked that question by my friends and family. The answer is just as clear today as it was thirty-three years ago! There is no other professional career that I know of that offers you as much opportunity as nursing does. Very often smart nurses are asked, “Why did you choose nursing and not medicine?” There is an easy answer for that. While both nursing and medicine are needed, they are different. Physicians are focused on the cure of illness while nursing is also focused on helping the patient and family adapt to illness.
How many professionals are given the gift everyday of being close to others in their happiest as well as their saddest times—at birth and at death—during health and during illness? Nurses share the most intimate moments with their patients and are the most trusted health care professional today.
I often ask my students why they chose nursing and what the essence of nursing means to them. Some of their answers include: caring for others, teaching patients and families, advocating for the most vulnerable of patients, and building relationships with patients, families, and other professionals. For me, the ability to be present with patients and families at the best and the worst of times is what is important to me. Sometimes you don’t have to say a word. Just being there—knowing that it is best not to say anything—listening, holding a patient’s hand, crying and laughing and supporting a family member is what is most meaningful to me.
When I ask my nurse colleagues what sustains them in job that is often difficult and stressful they unanimously answer that they love what they do. They love being challenged. They are always learning and when they become bored, there are many other job opportunities. The career options in nursing are endless. Nurses work in a variety of settings ranging from the hospital to outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, community health centers, visiting nurse agencies, schools, work places, nursing homes, and the military. Just about anywhere! Nurses work in a variety of roles—staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical specialists, nurse researchers, nurse educators, nurse midwives, and nurse managers. Some nurses have even started their own businesses as consultants or advanced practice nurses.
Because there is such diversity of roles and increasingly complexity in health care, nurses not only have to be caring but they must be smart. You often hear nurses say how difficult their work is. A nurse is very often the first person who recognizes that a patient is having difficulty. The nurse will make that initial assessment and will intervene with the appropriate medication or therapy until the rest of the health care team arrives. Nurses must be highly intelligent, as they have to synthesize knowledge from all of the sciences with their knowledge of nursing and medicine.
There are many routes to becoming a registered nurse today. The Registered Nurse (RN) license is awarded upon passing the NCLEX-RN examination given following graduation from an accredited RN Nursing program. The most common programs today are associate degree programs and bachelor degree programs. While the associate degree program is shorter (2 years versus a typical 4 years for a BS program) the Associate Degree graduate has a more limited role. The Massachusetts Association of Nurse Executives (the nursing directors and VPs of hospitals) has endorsed the Bachelors Degree as the entry level into nursing and many hospitals in the Greater Boston area are hiring only RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Because of a nursing shortage, there are increasingly more scholarships coming available for students going into nursing.
With this shortage of nurses expected to last well into the 21st century, nurses are in high demand and start at an approximate salary of $50,000 in the larger metropolitan areas in the country. Most nurses who work a full-time schedule work three 12-hour shifts per week and with overtime and night and evening shifts they can make even more. Many hospitals provide signing bonuses and offer generous continuing education benefits for nurses who want to continue their education beyond the associate and bachelor degrees.
But even better than the salary are the many benefits a career in nursing affords you. With endless job opportunities, variety in settings and roles, flexibility in work schedules, and many options for advanced education, you are always learning and growing. There is never a dull moment as a nurse! Most important of all—you are making a difference in the lives of others.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/BO/why_choose_nursing.htm
How many professionals are given the gift everyday of being close to others in their happiest as well as their saddest times—at birth and at death—during health and during illness? Nurses share the most intimate moments with their patients and are the most trusted health care professional today.
I often ask my students why they chose nursing and what the essence of nursing means to them. Some of their answers include: caring for others, teaching patients and families, advocating for the most vulnerable of patients, and building relationships with patients, families, and other professionals. For me, the ability to be present with patients and families at the best and the worst of times is what is important to me. Sometimes you don’t have to say a word. Just being there—knowing that it is best not to say anything—listening, holding a patient’s hand, crying and laughing and supporting a family member is what is most meaningful to me.
When I ask my nurse colleagues what sustains them in job that is often difficult and stressful they unanimously answer that they love what they do. They love being challenged. They are always learning and when they become bored, there are many other job opportunities. The career options in nursing are endless. Nurses work in a variety of settings ranging from the hospital to outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, community health centers, visiting nurse agencies, schools, work places, nursing homes, and the military. Just about anywhere! Nurses work in a variety of roles—staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical specialists, nurse researchers, nurse educators, nurse midwives, and nurse managers. Some nurses have even started their own businesses as consultants or advanced practice nurses.
Because there is such diversity of roles and increasingly complexity in health care, nurses not only have to be caring but they must be smart. You often hear nurses say how difficult their work is. A nurse is very often the first person who recognizes that a patient is having difficulty. The nurse will make that initial assessment and will intervene with the appropriate medication or therapy until the rest of the health care team arrives. Nurses must be highly intelligent, as they have to synthesize knowledge from all of the sciences with their knowledge of nursing and medicine.
There are many routes to becoming a registered nurse today. The Registered Nurse (RN) license is awarded upon passing the NCLEX-RN examination given following graduation from an accredited RN Nursing program. The most common programs today are associate degree programs and bachelor degree programs. While the associate degree program is shorter (2 years versus a typical 4 years for a BS program) the Associate Degree graduate has a more limited role. The Massachusetts Association of Nurse Executives (the nursing directors and VPs of hospitals) has endorsed the Bachelors Degree as the entry level into nursing and many hospitals in the Greater Boston area are hiring only RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Because of a nursing shortage, there are increasingly more scholarships coming available for students going into nursing.
With this shortage of nurses expected to last well into the 21st century, nurses are in high demand and start at an approximate salary of $50,000 in the larger metropolitan areas in the country. Most nurses who work a full-time schedule work three 12-hour shifts per week and with overtime and night and evening shifts they can make even more. Many hospitals provide signing bonuses and offer generous continuing education benefits for nurses who want to continue their education beyond the associate and bachelor degrees.
But even better than the salary are the many benefits a career in nursing affords you. With endless job opportunities, variety in settings and roles, flexibility in work schedules, and many options for advanced education, you are always learning and growing. There is never a dull moment as a nurse! Most important of all—you are making a difference in the lives of others.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/BO/why_choose_nursing.htm
Nursing: A Career for All Seasons
Are you interested in a challenging, exciting multifaceted career that allows you to learn new skills, practice in a variety of different environments, travel to new and different places, influence the political landscape in respect to health care, meet new people on a daily basis, and make a difference in the lives of those for whom you care? If you answered yes to these questions, then nursing may be the career for you. Today is an exciting time to be a nurse….because the sky’s the limit in respect to career opportunities, and the supply of nurses has not kept pace with current and future demands.
When and where you begin a nursing career depends upon you. You may enter a nursing program when you complete high school, a basic entry requirement. Length of the formal education varies from one year to four or five years. All nurses, regardless of program preparation, are licensed through a state-administered examination. Nurses have an opportunity to progress up the career ladder from licensed practical nurse (LPN) to associate degree (AD) and diploma preparation, to baccalaureate (BSN) and advanced practice options at the masters level (MSN), including nurse practitioner programs (NP) or clinical specialist in a content area (such as gerontology). You may wish to become a nurse researcher or teach future nurses in a community college or a university setting (see www.dicovernursing.com and www.oncem.org for descriptions of different programs).
What is important for students in high school to know is that preparation for a nursing career begins in junior and senior high school and forms the foundation for the chosen program and/or college experience. For example, nursing education builds upon a strong arts and science base, a process begun during the high school years. A strong interest in mathematics, chemistry, and biology lay the framework for the chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology courses in the first year of nearly all nursing programs. Nurses must have the ability to speak and write articulately, thus making the English and writing composition courses from high school extremely important.
Many universities also require knowledge of a foreign language, unless students have completed those requirements during their high school years. Why is a language so important? Because we live and work in a diverse, multicultural environment and chances are that many of our patients will speak in tongues other than English. Additionally, knowledge of a foreign language allows the nurse broad flexibility geographically and often includes significant additional financial reward.
Are the financial incentives gained from a nursing career worthwhile? According to the American Nurses Association, it does pay to be a nurse. The average staff nurse salary is about $35,000 per year, with additional incentives to work 12 hours shifts or off hours such as evenings or nights. Income is steady, and based upon present and projected need, there appears to be great job security.
So, what does it take to be a nurse? The candidate must be a good student, with an interest in the physical and biological, as well as the social sciences. There must be an ability to communicate with others and an openness to work with a variety of individuals, both colleagues and patients. Nurses must possess the ability to maintain confidential information. And they must provide leadership to others who make up the health care team.
Can you afford to complete a nursing education? Many grants and scholarship monies are available for students enrolled in nursing programs. Because of the current and projected nurse shortage, the federal government is making monies available for students at all levels of education. In addition, local institutions (such as hospitals and nursing homes) across the country are providing scholarship support, especially during the final years of a nursing program, in return for a commitment to spend one or more years gaining clinical experience within that institution (for a competitive paycheck, of course). There are also local organizations which provide scholarship support to select populations.
What kind of education is required? Regardless of the program chosen, there will be classroom and clinical course expectations. All nurses need an understanding of wellness and illness, and the nurse’s role in care of patients with specific health conditions. Nurses learn to care for a patient holistically, addressing physical and psychosocial needs. All nursing education programs include information about health, nutrition, and drug therapy. For nearly every classroom offering, there are clinical experiences, both in a learning lab (similar to a chemistry or biology lab) where the student is able to practice skills, and in real life situations. No matter what program you pursue, it is imperative that your grades stay competitive.
Hospitals are where nurses are most commonly found in media situations and in literature. However, while nurses are definitely employed in hospitals, long term care, and other institutional settings, they are also employed throughout the community in clinics, home care, physician offices, schools and as entrepreneurs running their own businesses. In advance practice roles, there are nurse lawyers, nurse anesthetists, nurse administrators, and university professors. Nurses help patients and their families stay healthy and deal with the problems that accompany illness.
There are also programs designed for individuals who already possess a degree in another discipline and are interested in new career options. A variety of programs exist to fast track these individuals through a university program to obtain either a BSN or ND (Nursing Doctorate).
Criteria for admission to the various nursing programs can be obtained by contacting the specific school of interest by phone, letter, or website. Good luck to each of you. High school graduation opens the door to all sorts of careers. Learn about what best fits you and your needs, and know that your initial career can continue throughout your lifetime, taking turns and twists that you would never imagine!
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/NO/nursing.htm
Nursing as a Career
Many students in high school are trying to focus on what they are going to do with their life after graduation. If you are one of these students trying to decide on your future employment, you might want to consider a career in nursing. Why nursing? Nursing offers many opportunities in which to practice, it provides flexibility and a good salary, and is a profession that provides excitement, challenges and rewards.
It is said that the nursing shortage will escalate as the baby boomers begin to retire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment among RNs will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. Demand for quality nurses will continue to grow as the baby boomers retire from nursing.
Nurses can be found in a variety of settings. Although the majority may be working in a traditional hospital setting, many more can be found utilizing their nursing education and skills working in insurance companies, legal firms, schools, physicians offices, the military, private corporations, clinics, the government, and even casinos.
Nursing allows for flexible scheduling. Nurses are needed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Most employers have varying shifts during that twenty-four hour period, such as traditional eight-hour shifts while others allow for four- to twelve-hour shifts. In addition, if a nurse needs to work weekends for childcare purposes or while attending school, it provides them with that flexibility. Another advantage of a nursing career is that the job is portable, meaning you can take your education and skills to another type of setting, or another part of the state or country.
Nursing salaries are typically $30,000 to $45,000, for the newly licensed nurse. According to the Labor Bureau of Statistics, the national salary estimate annually for an RN in May 2005 is $56,880. Obviously, this salary is dependent on the setting in which you work as well as which part of the country you are employed. Most facilities also allow for excellent benefits with the opportunity for additional educational assistance for continuing your education.
Some of the most important things a nursing career offers are excitement, challenges, and rewards to make it an excellent choice as a profession. It is never dull. Nurses experience patients during their most tragic times and during their happiest times. They participate in the birth of a child and the death of a loved one. They provide support to the family and friends during the most difficult times. They are challenged with caring for sick patients while providing assurances to the families. Nurses work collaboratively with physicians and other members of a healthcare team. They are required to maintain current practice knowledge and skills through continuing education.
When all is said and done, the one main aspect a nursing career offers is the ability to use your knowledge and skills to help patients promote healthy lifestyles, provide nursing skills when they are ill, or to help them die with dignity. These challenges are tremendous but also very rewarding. Patients place their trust in nurses during their most vulnerable times. They expect compassion and respect. Whether you are helping to maintain a patient’s blood pressure or just listening to a patient talk about their fears, you will know how important this is to the patient. If you become a nurse, you will know what I mean; you will see it in the eyes of your patients, you will hear it in the praises of their loved ones, you will know at the end of the day you made a difference.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MP/nursing.htm
Becoming a Registered Nurse
Data released by the U.S. Department of Labor point to a faster than average growth in the demand for nurses. This growth is brought about by changes in the population, such as a growing number of elderly people, and by structural changes in health care delivery.
New technology, advances in treatment programs, as well as pressure from insurance providers are moving many health care services into physicians offices, community health centers, and even the home.
Nurses today are assuming greater responsibility for health care delivery, and employers are seeking a better-educated nursing workforce. The traditional hospital setting will continue to employ many nurses, but there is also a growing demand for nurses in non-traditional health care settings.
How do I become an RN?
There are several basic nursing programs that prepare students for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX -RN), all of which include theory and clinical experience in nursing.
Registered nurses must graduate from an approved school of nursing and then pass a rigorous national licensing examination (NCLEX). The path to this exam leads through one of three educational areas: hospital-based diploma programs, associate of nursing degree programs, and bachelor of nursing degree programs. Each prepares the student for the licensing exam and includes hands-on clinical practice, and courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, psychology, and nutrition. It is important for students to discuss their nursing career goals with their guidance counselor before choosing a nursing education program.
Hospital-Based Diploma Programs
Diploma schools of nursing, typically associated with hospitals, provide the core science support courses, nursing theory and clinical practice. These programs generally take two to three years to complete. Successful students receive a diploma from their school.
Associate Degree Programs
Two-year associate degree programs (ADN), often offered through community colleges, provide a general studies curriculum, nursing theory, and clinical practice opportunities. Graduates are prepared to practice in a number of institutional and community settings.
Bachelor of Science Programs
College bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs are four-year programs that combine nursing theory and clinical practice with a traditional liberal arts education. Communication and critical thinking skills are refined. More and more, nursing job descriptions state “BSN preferred”.
Continuing Education
Opportunities for degree completion are offered by colleges and universities for the associate degree and diploma RN graduates to complete their bachelor of science degree. They are called RN-BSN Completion Programs and are tailored to the working professional.
Beyond the bachelors degree program, nurses with masters and doctoral degrees hold positions in advance practice, institutional administration, college and university professors, health policy consultants, and researchers.
Expected Salary?
Nursing salaries are influenced by the region of the country, the setting in which the nurse is employed, and the nurse’s specialty. According to a survey by RN magazine, in 1999, registered nurses in the Mid-Atlantic States earned an average of $23.20 per hour; registered nurses on the West Coast averaged $27.35 per hour. The average annual salary for a hospital registered nurse is $40,150; the average salary for registered nurses working in a school setting is $40,065; physician’s office registered nurses average $35,160.
At its core, nursing remains a helping profession. Nurses work closely with individuals and their families during exciting times, such as the birth of children, and hard times, such as the death of a family member. Throughout the life cycle in multiple settings, nurses provide compassionate, competent care and are the backbone of the health care system.
Provided by Karen Thacker, RN, MSN, Dean of Professional Programs, Alvernia College.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MP/MPnursing.htm
New technology, advances in treatment programs, as well as pressure from insurance providers are moving many health care services into physicians offices, community health centers, and even the home.
Nurses today are assuming greater responsibility for health care delivery, and employers are seeking a better-educated nursing workforce. The traditional hospital setting will continue to employ many nurses, but there is also a growing demand for nurses in non-traditional health care settings.
How do I become an RN?
There are several basic nursing programs that prepare students for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX -RN), all of which include theory and clinical experience in nursing.
Registered nurses must graduate from an approved school of nursing and then pass a rigorous national licensing examination (NCLEX). The path to this exam leads through one of three educational areas: hospital-based diploma programs, associate of nursing degree programs, and bachelor of nursing degree programs. Each prepares the student for the licensing exam and includes hands-on clinical practice, and courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, psychology, and nutrition. It is important for students to discuss their nursing career goals with their guidance counselor before choosing a nursing education program.
Hospital-Based Diploma Programs
Diploma schools of nursing, typically associated with hospitals, provide the core science support courses, nursing theory and clinical practice. These programs generally take two to three years to complete. Successful students receive a diploma from their school.
Associate Degree Programs
Two-year associate degree programs (ADN), often offered through community colleges, provide a general studies curriculum, nursing theory, and clinical practice opportunities. Graduates are prepared to practice in a number of institutional and community settings.
Bachelor of Science Programs
College bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs are four-year programs that combine nursing theory and clinical practice with a traditional liberal arts education. Communication and critical thinking skills are refined. More and more, nursing job descriptions state “BSN preferred”.
Continuing Education
Opportunities for degree completion are offered by colleges and universities for the associate degree and diploma RN graduates to complete their bachelor of science degree. They are called RN-BSN Completion Programs and are tailored to the working professional.
Beyond the bachelors degree program, nurses with masters and doctoral degrees hold positions in advance practice, institutional administration, college and university professors, health policy consultants, and researchers.
Expected Salary?
Nursing salaries are influenced by the region of the country, the setting in which the nurse is employed, and the nurse’s specialty. According to a survey by RN magazine, in 1999, registered nurses in the Mid-Atlantic States earned an average of $23.20 per hour; registered nurses on the West Coast averaged $27.35 per hour. The average annual salary for a hospital registered nurse is $40,150; the average salary for registered nurses working in a school setting is $40,065; physician’s office registered nurses average $35,160.
At its core, nursing remains a helping profession. Nurses work closely with individuals and their families during exciting times, such as the birth of children, and hard times, such as the death of a family member. Throughout the life cycle in multiple settings, nurses provide compassionate, competent care and are the backbone of the health care system.
Provided by Karen Thacker, RN, MSN, Dean of Professional Programs, Alvernia College.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MP/MPnursing.htm
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