Healing Profession

Nursing is a gratifying profession that is a calling for most nurses. The need for skilled nurses is high due to a severe shortage in the healthcare industry. Incidentally, because of this reason, nurses are always in demand. There are several opportunities for aspirants seeking a breakthrough in their nursing careers. 

Skills Requirement

Often nurses finish an LPN or ADN program in nursing and join a mainstream hospital before they decide to do an advanced RN-BSN program or a specialist certification in a niche nursing area. They can seek certifications in neonatal, ICU, cardiac, renal, neuro, nephrology, palliative nursing, etc. Each medical specialization requires a nurse who is adept in that field apart from general nursing and clinical skills. 

Develop Nursing Skills

Since nursing opportunities are rising, skills development is important for professional growth. As per the healthcare industry’s human resource insights, registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree are desirable for most nursing job openings. There are methods to improve nursing skills through education, namely:

• Explore advanced nursing education
• Certification courses and bridge programs

Not everyone can aspire to go for advanced nursing education and pursue a bachelor’s or master’s program in nursing as it involves more time and money. In such cases, pursuing certifications, especially the ones offered online, is a feasible option. Few certifications are also recognized at a national level. Certifications such as licensed nursing assistants (LNA) are popular among nursing students. 

Online nursing courses

Finding time to study with clinical rotations and regular nursing jobs is difficult. So if you are looking to explore options for advanced nursing education, certifications courses, or bridge programs, online nursing courses from EdTech companies like the Lecturio nursing courses will help you jump-start and be on track. 

These courses cover important topics with numerous explanatory videos and simulation graphics that act as a stop-gap between theory and practice. Issues that are relevant to the exam are accessible through AI-driven apps. The smart quizzes help users recall learning objectives on the fly. Since these courses, can be completed through the ease of a smartphone, whitespace zones like commuting time, can be used to prepare for exam-related topics. 

If as a working or an aspiring nurse you are looking to skill, upskill or re-skill your educational adroitness, then the first step will be choosing the right nursing course or a program. Let us examine 6 nursing courses and certifications that can help an LPN or ADN nurse add value to their credentials and make their resume desirable for potential hiring managers in the healthcare sector: 

• Saint Louis University

Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers SLU’s nursing programs that are flexible and this place attracts diverse student communities. The students and teachers create a great learning experience and interacting with various foreign students helps one understand different perspectives. 

The nursing programs offered are both regular and accelerated, giving students options as per their requirements. Trudy Busch Valentine’s school also offers certification courses for nurses who have completed bachelor’s and master’s programs. Their Nurse Educator Certificate program is eligible for nurses with MSN degrees who would like to be an instructor or teachers in nursing school or the education field. 

• University of Maryland

University of Maryland School of Nursing offers rigorous programs that can help a nursing student study to be a generalist in direct clinical roles or focus on specializations. With excellent faculty that is approachable and helpful in every step of their student’s course journey, this school offers a wide range of courses with both offline and online options to choose from. The certificate programs offered by these schools help one gain experience and opportunities in emerging fields of healthcare like telehealth.

• University of Pittsburgh

Pitts Schools of Nursing has been ranked high by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for years and is maintaining its legacy till today. This school is located in an ideal environment that is conducive to difficult programs like clinicals and nursing. Students gain first-hand experience with research methodologies both at undergraduate and graduate levels. The school offers a wide range of nursing programs and certificate courses that can broaden the chances of career growth.

• Emory University

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing features the best research center that aids faculty and students. It helps them stay abreast with the latest developments in nursing education and profession. This school values the culmination of research and practice through innovative developments in its educational programs. They have good certification courses for continuing education requirements of practicing nurses. 

• American Nurses Credential Center

As part of ANA, the American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) acts as a great community for nurses and supports them with research material, workshops, bridge sessions, and certifications that help nurses. It is dedicated to sharing evidence-based clinical practices that can be ordained in a healthcare setting. It acts as a strong voice for nurses that is resourceful and assists nurses with information for practical use. Through its credentialing programs, ANCC promotes excellence in nursing and healthcare, not just in the country but globally. 

• Delaware County Community College

Delaware County Community College offers an associate program in nursing. The best part for students who pursue this program is that the college has an agreement with numerous local nursing education providers offering BSN programs. After completing the associate nursing program at DCC College, a student can sit for NCLEX-RN exams and enroll in a bachelor’s in nursing program. 

Conclusion:

The right nursing education at every stage helps one advance in their profession. It is important to choose a program that suits their requirements. However, the program should foster high standards of clinical practice and advocate ethics along with nursing knowledge. Only when a nurse is trained holistically while maintaining their psyche and well-being, can they deliver excellent patient care. 

With changing times, more programs are becoming flexible and accessible through their excellent online deliverance. So choosing the right path and program can be a challenge, but if done right, future nurses will perform and enjoy their work equally.