by Unitek College on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Nursing is – and will be for the foreseeable future – one of the fasting growing professions in the country. But for the job seeker, it’s important to remember that the scope and nature of nursing jobs is changing just as rapidly, and competing for the best jobs means you need to strategically position yourself.
“We have a competitive market, because health care is changing,” Donna Cardillo, author of The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses. “Nurses need to look for jobs in a completely different way than they were accustomed to in the past.”
Nearly as important as the degree you list on the resume, is the activities you engage in. Make sure that your resume shows of your volunteer work and professional organizations. Older nurses need to show they are enthusiastic, according to Lynn Berger, a career counselor in New York. New nurses need to show their commitment and eagerness to learn. You need to highlight these on paper and then embody them in the interview. “Many managers will take a chance on the right personality,” Cardillo added.
Furthermore, the best jobs may not be easy to find. You have to be ready to network and present yourself beyond just the formal interview. Leverage your volunteer and professional activities as places where you can find job opportunities.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a low unemployment rate means it’s not a competitive field. According to Cardillo, “Because the job market is more competitive and will stay that way, it’s important for all nurses, at every level of practice, to keep their education current, get further education, and stay current with clinical, communication and social skills.”
Source: Nursezone.com
by Unitek College on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
As the push for nurses with four-year degrees gains momentum, healthcare professionals of all ages are considering nursing school. If you are starting out in your career, pursuing a bachelor’s of science in nursing may make sense. But if you’re later in your career, with a family and a mortgage, do the financial and career rewards justify the time and effort?
“It really does depend on the individual and how much longer they intend to practice,” said Rita Frantz, a registered nurse and a professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing.
In 2010, The Institute of Medicine called for 80 percent of nurses to have a four-year degree by 2020, citing better patient outcomes. Roughly half of nurses have baccalaureate degrees today. As employers seek nurses with more education, job security, prospects and advancement potential is rising for those with a four-year degree, and in some cases it may even be a liability not to have a four-year degree.
“The hospitals are making edicts,” said Karen Goldschmidt, department chair of Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. “If you want to keep your job here, you need to get your bachelor’s degree.”
While financial considerations and job security are usually the main considerations, often overlooked is the transformative experience that education can have on you and your career. “The education opens up doors for them that they couldn’t even imagine before,” added Goldschmidt. Whether you are a seasoned nurse or considering entering the field, going to nursing school requires a commitment, but the rewards will be there at any age.
Source: Nursezone.com
