Nursing is one of the oldest professions worldwide, with millions of individuals calling themselves a nurse. Nursing is a fulfilling, yet also draining profession, which calls for its workers to give themselves over to others every day. Nursing requires specialized education, training and practice before one can embark on this career. While nurses may receive a two year, four year or a Masters degree, many nurses chose to earn their degree online at their own pace. The following articles will be of interest to those considering a career in nursing.
NURSING SPECIALTIES
A career in nursing means flexibility, opportunity and an ability to use your talents in various ways. The nursing industry offers several types of specialties, from emergency room to orthopedics-there are dozens of different places that a nurse can work.
- Different Types of Nursing Careers
What are the different types of nursing careers, and which one is right for me? A blog discussing the myriad of types of nursing careers, with tips about which type may be right for you.
- Travel Nurse Blog
A traveling nurse blog detailing her unique job experiences and how she got into travel nursing. Briefly touches upon schools that offer traveling nurse programs.
- Oncology Nursing
Blog focused on oncology nursing and how difficult, yet rewarding this type of nursing can be. Oncology nursing is closely related to hospice care, which is also discussed in this article.
- Psychiatric Nurse Blog
A blog by a psychiatric nurse that discusses history of nursing and nursing difficulties associated with treating the mentally ill.
- PICC Nurse
A blog discussing what a PICC nurse does. The joys and challenges of this job are discussed by a PICC nurse who has been doing the job for over three decades.
- NP's Place
A Nurse Practitioner writes a weekly blog discussing relevant nursing issues, educational advice and job issues.
- ER Nurse Blog
This job discusses the crazy world of Emergency Room nursing blogged about by a nurse who has worked in the ER for many decades. ER nursing requires a "special" kind of nurse who can roll with the punches, expects the worst and is able to work with psych, OB and trauma patients on a daily basis.
NURSING RESOURCES
Nursing school ranges from two year to four degrees, and these blogs discuss different types of college degrees and courses that can be taken. Nursing students may find these sites helpful in choosing what kind of degree to obtain.
- Impaced Nurse Blog
A nurse blog focuses on ongoing education for nurses. This site offers book reviews, course information and educational resources for current nurses and nursing students.
- Nursing School Student Blog log written by a nursing student, who is attending a four year school, discussing the difficulties of nursing school.
- The Making of a Nurse
Blog of an (online) nursing degree student who discusses the difficulties and the rewards of studying nursing. She also discussed her different clinicals she completed, and how she chose a specialty.
- Nursing Student Chronicles Blog: A forum and gathering place for nursing students to discuss their hardships and problems. Both traditional students and those seeking online degrees are represented.
- Health Care Reform and the Future of Nursing and Nurse Practitioners
This post is a discussion about how nurses and nurse practitioners have impacted people. The Robert Wood Foundation and Institute of Medicine believe limitations that regulate the number of nurses in a facility need to be lifted to provide quality care.
- Sunday New Round-Up
The focus of this site is women’s health news, health politics, health information, and resources are provided from Rachel Walden, a medical librarian.
- UVA Student Nurse Blog
UVA School of Nursing created a blog for students to discuss academic and practicum issues. Professors also write articles relevant to nursing profession and career.
- My Strong Medicine
Sean Dent is a Registered Nurse and Certified Athletic Trainer who shares his life as adventurous life as a nurse. His message is one of getting healthy, fit and strong.
- NursesPTO
The NursesPTO crew’s goal is to give all people and not just nurses an opportunity to explore new ways to make money and have a good income. They feel like everyone is entitled to time with their families and time for themselves.
- Funding Nursing School
If you are nervous about funding your nursing school education, here are tips and tricks to obtain funding. Funding may come in the forms of grants, loans or scholarships.
- Nursing School Debt
A current nursing student discusses the enormous debt she is taking on to become a nurse. Gives ideas to potential students about how to pay for school.
NURSING ETHICS AND LAW
Nursing is a career that provides compassionate care to those in need. With this caring touch and support comes laws, ethical codes and policies that protect both the nurse and patient from malicious or poor care.
- Code Blog
Vents of nursing students, former and current, discussing the pros and cons of medical and healthcare field. This blog discusses how rules and regulations can make it difficult for a nurse to their job correctly.
- Nursing Laws
A blog addressing law, order and nursing policy. Important information for both student nurses and current nurses to be aware of.
- Nurse Ethics Blog
Blog discussing nursing ethics and policies. Helpful to both incoming and veteran nurses in the healthcare field.
- Nursing Job Information
Information related to the nursing profession, from higher education to legal issues. Also, discusses the nurses code of ethics and how it relates to everyday nursing.
- Nursing Career Ethics and Philosophy
This blog offers information about nursing codes of ethics and the overall philosophy of nursing. Nursing, since started by Florence Nightingale, has been a profession that is focused on the care and well-being of others-not much has changed over the last century.
- Healthcare Law Blog
Healthcare blog focusing on health law and nursing law. With the high number of state and national healthcare regulations, many healthcare professionals, nurses included, retain lawyers for ongoing legal and consulting advice.
PRACTICING NURSES
These blogs are written by nurses that are currently practicing in the field. These nurses may work with the elderly, the young or the infirm, but all have the desire to help those in need as a similarity.
- Nurse Blog
Blog detailing the life and times of a current nurse in a large city Emergency Room. Great advice and tips for those thinking of entering the career.
- Florence Nightingale Blog
A blog dedicated to Florence Nightingale, it emphasizes patient safety and preventing medical errors. One of the first nurses to write about her experiences, this blog lists the history and philosophy of the nursing profession.
- Nurse Power Blog
Nurse Power Blog celebrates the powerful profession of nursing, and encourages all nurses to have pride in their profession.
- Nurse Zone
What is the current state of nursing today? Is it still a smart career choice, and what are the best schools to go to for a degree in nursing?
- Perfect RN Blog
A nurse's life can be crazy, both on an off the job, this website details the more interesting moments of a registered nurse.
- Nursing Job a Day Blog
A blog that offers its readers one job opportunity every day. Jobs are all nursing related and are available in Florida.
- Nurse2be Blog
Blog detailing how hard it is to become a nurse; physically, mentally, emotionally and even financially. Many nurses feel underpaid and overworked, this blog discusses how to cope with these negative thoughts.
- Australian Nursing Issues
Health and nursing issues in Australia, with information about education, career trends and resources for nurses and nursing students.
- Nursing Job Information
Information related to the nursing profession, from higher education to legal issues.
- Nursing Challenges
The road to becoming a nurse is not easy. This site discusses the emotional and physical toll that taking care of others can take on a person.
RESOURCES BY NURSES FOR NURSES
The best resources for nurses are other nurses. These sites all offer advice, tips and resources from current practicing nurses. These blogs may discuss burnout, salary, practice issues or give a humorous perspective about healthcare in general.
- Scrubs Magazine Blog
The nurses guide to living well, taking care of yourself, and becoming a better nurse and healthier person. Nurses need to take care of themselves before they can take care of others.
- American Journal of Nursing Blog
The American Journal of Nursing's blog is written by nurses for nurses. Details current trends, career news and medical information that is of interest to nurses.
- Nurse Wing
A site honoring nurses and all they do for their patients and community. They discuss the best schools to attend to receive an online nursing degree.
- The Nursing Site
The Nursing Site Blog is the creation of Kathy Quan RN BSN PHN, and discusses nursing issues from nursing school, everyday encounters as a nurse to retiring from nursing; a retired nurse who covers it all.
- Nursing Voices
A world wide nursing site for nurses to discuss nursing issues, career trends and resources; dealing with healthcare and medical field.
- Reality RN Forum
A nursing forum dedicated to nurses, nursing students and those in the field to discuss trials, tribulations and joys of their job.
- Nursing Assistant Blog
A site created just for nursing assistants, with job links, education resources and advice. Certified Nursing Assistants are important in healthcare, and many go on to become Registered Nurses.
How to Get a Job After Nursing School
After earning a degree the graduate is not automatically a licensed practicing nurse. The nurse to be must still pass their boards and exams. These articles discuss passing national exams, writing resumes and obtaining jobs.
- Getting a Job After Nursing School
Nursing school graduates need to be job savvy and confident to obtain a job in today's tough job market.
- Nursing Exam
What every nurse should know before they take their graduate exams and state exams. Good advice for every potential test taker.
- The Millionaire Nurse Blog
How nurses can earn a six figure income while still helping their patients and doing the job they love.
- How to Get a Job in Nursing
Worldwide forum and site discussing how to pass an exam, interview for a job, and get a job in the healthcare field. While the site is geared towards students, current nurses would benefit from the site if looking to get a new job.
- Nursing Job Finder
Find a nursing job quickly and easily using this one stop nursing job finder. Hundreds of jobs are listed daily, and users are able to register and apply for jobs all on this website.
- Nursing Job World Blog
Are you looking for a job in the nursing field? If so this site gives tips and resources to the job seeker looking for a career in nursing.
- Having Problems Getting a Job?
If you are having trouble getting a job in nursing, read this blog. This blog will give you tips, resources and hints about getting your dream nursing job.
- Twenty Tips For Finding Jobs After School
Twenty tips for getting a job in the nursing industry. Tips include a willingness to relocate, looking for a job while still in school, use recruitment agencies and create both a video and paper resume detailing your goals and accomplishments.
- Choosing a Nurse Specialty
This blog discusses how choosing a nursing specialty will enable a nurse to find a job more easily. Most hospitals are looking for specialized doctors and nurses, and finding a job will be easier with a chosen specialty.
In conclusion, nursing is a difficult profession, requiring patience, high amount of medical knowledge, and a love for helping others. Obtaining a degree in nursing can be expensive and time-consuming. Most nurses are willing to pay these prices as they obtain a degree in the field they love. Many nurses choose specialties of care and prefer to narrow their focus on what type of nursing. These blogs give tips and advice about choosing the right specialty, how to pay for school, and how to avoid burnout during your nursing career.
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