Day 1: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Lumbrosacral-Hip Complex: Level 1
This workshop will provide therapists with a new approach to effectively treating & preventing Lumbrosacral-Hip Complex pain. Therapists will review myofascial assessment by discussing intake information, as well as using observation, movement, palpation, neurological assessment, referral pain and special tests to translate a patient’s clinical info into an effective treatment plan. The majority of time is spent in hands-on practice of techniques learned for direct and indirect treatment of the lumbar spine, ribcage, pelvis, lower and upper extremities, as they all relate to back and hip pain. Supine and prone lower and upper extremity stretch protocols are shown, as well as how to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation if necessary. In addition, very specific lumbar/trunk, hip/thigh, and ilial/ischial release techniques will be highlighted.
Day 2: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Knee, Ankle, & Foot – Level 1
This workshop will provide therapists with different Myofascial approaches to effectively treat & prevent Knee, Ankle & Foot pain. Therapists will briefly review Myofascial assessment, by looking at ways to take a client’s intake information and translate it into an effective treatment plan. The majority of time is spent in hands-on practice of techniques for direct and indirect treatment of the lower extremity (a great continuation of the Lumbrosacral Hip workshop). Myofascial treatment & joint mobilization of the lower extremity is a necessary therapeutic approach to address sacroiliac dysfunction, back, hip, knee, & ankle pain.
Treatment techniques for the lateral, anterior, and “back”fascial lines are shown, with a very specific direction in effectively accessing gastrocnemius-soleus complex, Achilles tendon, Crural, Hamstrings, Patellar Fascias, & Fascia Lata. Superior & inferior knee joint release, plantar fascial treatment, joint mobilizations/osseous techniques for the lower extremity and correcting pes cavus/planus round out the list of topics covered.
Class Info
Times: Day 1: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Day 2, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
CEU’s: 14
Price: $250
*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.
Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.
Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.
Picture ID required at check-in
If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.
Day 1: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Abdomen, Ribcage, & Pelvis – Level 1
This course will remove any discomfort felt by therapists when working on the Abdomen, Ribcage & Pelvis, by combining in-depth assessment approaches with effective myofascial release techniques. Therapists will spend time doing direct techniques, such as the release of the abdominal/peritoneal fascia, and iliac/inguinal fascia, as well as indirect techniques, such as the release of groin/pubic fascias. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) will be employed, along with passive stretching with traction (limb unwinding), to perform the indirect techniques. Once learned, PNF and limb unwinding can be applied anywhere in the body. Patients will experience improved digestion from the abdominal work, improved breathing from the ribcage/diaphragm work, and better flexibility in the back and hips from the pelvic work. Decreased back, shoulder, and neck pain can be expected from all of the modalities used.
Day 2: How to give a full-body Myofascial Treatment – Level 1
This workshop combines many of the techniques learned in other Taylor myofascial workshops, to form a more generalized full-body “protocolâ€. A full sequence of treatment ideas is shown starting in prone, with discussion on what to do if you find areas of concern/complaint that need more specific techniques applied (yet still be able to fit everything into one session). The supine portion of the session starts on the lower body and ends at the head & neck, once again addressing possible areas where some clients might need more specific work, but keeping the therapist focused on achieving a full body result in the time allotted.
Class Info
Times: Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
CEU’s: 14
Price: $250
*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.
Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.
Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.
Picture ID required at check-in
If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.
This is a manual resistance stretch course. Students will learn about contraindications and safety to perform safe and effective stretches. The student will be educated on the client’s range of motion, limitations and postural observations that would indicate necessary stretches. Students will learn warm-up options to enhance muscle preparations prior to stretch techniques. A massage therapist will use this course to enhance their business. Students will wear comfortable clothing to make it easy when stretches are performed on each other. Students will demonstrate proficiency in manual resistance stretches along with safety breathing
Class Info
Times: Day 1: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; Day 2: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
CEU’s: 12
Price: $199
CLASS CANCELLED
*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.
Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.
Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.
Picture ID required at check-in
If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.
Being a registered nurse requires a college degree, and while having a bachelor’s is helpful, a Registered Nurse (RN) with an associate degree has the same professional standing. Graduates with a four-year education and a two-year education are similar because all candidates take the same test for licensure and must be equally prepared. RNs with bachelor’s and associate degrees work side by side in the same settings from hospitals to doctor’s offices, and they have similar responsibilities, but associate degree candidates can be out of the classroom and earning in just 24 months. There’s no better time to apply.
Why Become an RN?
The healthcare field is growing, and there’s an increasing demand for educated workers in a wide range of health-related occupations from administration to radiology, so why do so many students choose to become associate RNs? Registered nurses make a difference, never stop learning, enjoy a thriving job market, work with caring colleagues, and can grow professionally.
Make a Difference
Patients and their families are physically and emotionally vulnerable. They need knowledgeable and compassionate guides to help them navigate complex healthcare issues. Everything that nurses do matters to their patients, and the impact is lasting. Few careers requiring only an associate degree are this influential.
Never Stop Learning
RNs get a holistic view of healthcare. Unlike occupations with a limited scope, such as radiology, RNs are involved in every aspect of patient care from pharmacology and diagnostics to nutrition and exercise, and there’s something new to learn every day. RNs work with cutting edge treatments and the latest technology. It’s the perfect job for students with interests in both science and medicine.
Enjoy A Thriving Job Market
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for registered nurses are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, 12 percent from 2018 to 2028. To help meet demand, employers offer full-time, part-time and other flexible opportunities. Working as a nurse doesn’t have to mean spending nights, weekends and holidays away from home.
Work with Caring Colleagues
Healthcare is a team effort and while everyone has a job to do, working with caring colleagues toward a common goal creates a mutually supportive environment. Team members share their skills and resources, inspiring one another with successes and sharing the burden of failure, so no one ever feels alone.
Grow Professionally
An associate degree is the end of the line for some careers, but for nurses, it’s just the beginning. Graduates can work while they continue to learn. Associate RN to BSN bridge courses require experience, but they take less classroom time than traditional bachelor’s degree programs.
Where Can an RN with an Associate Degree Work?
Where an associate RN can work is limited only by employer policy. Nurse educators must typically have a master’s degree while top leadership positions require a master’s or higher. But practically speaking, while select institutions may give preference to nurses with a bachelor’s degree, most will hire any professional nurse with the right background and experience. Associate RNs work in hospitals, nursing facilities, clinics, doctor’s offices, home health, and public health.
Hospitals
All RNs have the education and sound judgment necessary to manage patients with complex medical needs. They plan and implement the delivery of all nursing care, including the supervision of paraprofessional staff from nursing assistants to dietary aides.
Under the supervision of a physician, their responsibilities include:
Administering medications
Starting IVs
Inserting urinary catheters
Monitoring intake and output
Collecting biological samples
Operating ventilators
Monitoring pain and vital signs
Assessing for changes in condition
Helping patients with activities of daily living
Assisting with therapeutic exercises
Communicating with doctors and therapists
Educating patients and their families
Providing emergency care
What are the benefits of working in a hospital? The environment is fast-paced, and emergencies are the rule, not the exception. Work is never dull, and it’s always rewarding. Additional perks include gaining experience. Nurses are exposed to a broad range of clinical conditions and the more they see, the faster their expertise grows. There’s always a diverse clinical team to partner with, so hospital nurses know that professional resources are just a phone call away, collaboration is simpler than in other settings.
Nursing Facilities
RNs in nursing facilities have the same responsibilities as hospital nurses, but they play a greater role in managing patient care because there’s no doctor on-site.
Duties include:
Administering medications and treatments
Collecting samples for off-site labs
Monitoring for changes in condition
Assisting with mobility and personal care
Managing outside appointments with doctors
Offering companionship and emotional support
Documenting care
Supporting family members
Supervising nursing assistants
Nursing facilities provide a safe, homelike environment for patients who can’t care for themselves. Health goals are long-term, and the pace is slower. Patients are clinically stable, so nurses have more day-to-day responsibility and less oversight from doctors. Positions offer significant autonomy and room for advancement.
Clinics
Free-standing clinics are growing in popularity. Some are specialty-specific, such as birthing or occupational health centers. Others are general, such as urgent care facilities that offer off-hours treatment for a variety of minor illnesses and injuries.
A nurse’s responsibilities in a clinic may include:
Conducting medical screenings
Checking in patients
Performing minor diagnostic tests
Taking vital signs
Assisting with exams
Suturing wounds
Managing medical records, insurance claims
In a clinic, nurses are more likely to have both clinical and clerical roles. There is fewer staff, so for nurses with an interest in both the medical and administrative sides of healthcare, employment in a clinic is less exciting than a hospital, but it offers broad exposure.
Doctor’s Offices
The role of registered nurses in private practice has shifted in the past few years. Medical assistants, trained to handle minor clinical functions at this level, do many of the tasks once done by nurses. Today, RNs employed in doctor’s offices have more managerial responsibilities, such as:
Patient Triage
Managing complex referrals
In-depth patient teaching
Serving as patient navigators for facility- or community-based care
Patient outreach
Working in a doctor’s office is ideal for RNs with life commitments. Hospitals and nursing facilities operate 24/7, but most private practices still offer regular Monday through Friday hours. It’s a perfect setting for nurses seeking a positive work-life balance.
It’s also a way for RNs who enjoy big-picture care to work with the same patients day after day. Hospital nurses see patients for a brief time before discharge, an RN working in a physician’s office gets to see how their stories end.
Home Health
RNs have the education, experience and autonomy to work independently in private homes. Home care is an increasingly popular alternative to receiving long-term or post-acute care in a nursing facility.
A home care RN’s duties may include:
Assisting with bathing, dressing and eating
Homemaking and meal preparation
Administering medications and treatments
Monitoring changes in physical condition
Environmental safety
Managing medical equipment such as oxygen, ventilators, CPAP and feeding pumps
Supervised transportation
Home care offers a unique opportunity that other settings don’t, to participate in care at the ground level. Nurses who enjoy one-on-one time with their patients can help them be safe at home by providing essential services that would otherwise require a nursing facility. Cases range from temporary post-acute care after a joint replacement to forever care for dementia.
Public Health
Public health nurses work to improve community health. Care is less one-on-one and more group oriented.
Responsibilities involve:
Analyzing health trends and identifying risk factors unique to specific demographic groups
Working with policymakers to improve access to affordable care for all communities
Designing disease prevention campaigns
Advocating for at-risk populations
Disaster relief
Promoting public safety
Contributing to public health policy
Providing direct healthcare services such as vaccination and reportable disease testing
Associate RNs often believe that public health nursing is reserved for bachelor-educated applicants, but nothing could be further from the truth. Nurses with more education qualify for more responsible positions, but most health departments have entry-level jobs for any qualified nurse.
As healthcare costs skyrocket, states are turning to public health departments to tell them how to better manage the well-being of the entire population. And because public health nurses are in demand, many offer tuition assistance programs that help associate RNs get a bachelor’s degree.
Final Thoughts
Nursing is a dynamic and rewarding career with tangible benefits, and the good news is, it only takes an associate degree to become a registered nurse. The only prerequisites are a passion for helping others and the willingness to learn, two years of training takes care of the rest. Opportunities are waiting.
Did learning about where you can work with an RN associate degree interest you? The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse. Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position.
Upon successful completion of the program and demonstrated nursing competence, the college graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.* Upon graduation and licensure, college graduates will be eligible to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private duty, urgent and acute care centers, and various other medical or business facilities requiring the services of registered nurses.
*While Gwinnett Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their entire training program that licensure is a pre-requisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.
Contact us today to learn more about becoming an RN at Gwinnett College.
Today’s modern legal industry has transformed from its pre-Internet past. This inevitable transition is the direct result of several critical factors, including the introduction of technology into almost all aspects of the industry. Law firms have been forced to include advanced technology skills into their practice in order to maintain a competitive edge.
The evolving legal environment has brought numerous challenges to the daily practice of law at all levels. Most law firms are inundated with cases that require the expertise of a highly qualified staff dedicated to supporting its professionals. Well-trained paralegals are stepping into this role by performing tasks that assist attorneys in their daily practice.
Description of a Paralegal
A paralegal is a person who is qualified through substantial training to perform legal work in a law office or for an individual attorney. Paralegals are also qualified for employment with certain government agencies and legal organizations. Attorneys are responsible for a paralegal’s actions. However, it is the responsibility of the paralegal to ensure that all work is checked for quality and accuracy before submitting it to the supervising attorney. A paralegal is not permitted to provide services without an attorney’s direct supervision. Every paralegal is expected to understand and comply with all ethical duties.
Careers Open to Paralegals
Paralegals are in demand according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth is projected to be 12 percent from 2018 to 2028. Paralegals provide a much-needed resource for busy attorneys and other legal entities. The idea of using paralegals in the legal industry was first introduced in 1960 and has grown in popularity in the decades that followed. It is estimated that there are currently more than 325,000 paralegals employed in legal industry today.
Reasons for Hiring a Paralegal
It is because of the ever-changing trends in the legal profession that paralegals are in demand. Law firms are extremely competitive and want to hold the edge over their competition by becoming for efficient and more productive. Attorneys and law firms that make the decision to hire paralegals are doing so to distinguish themselves from other firms. Clients have more options for legal issues than ever before including online firms that offer consulting advice and provide legal do-it-yourself forms and documents. It is no longer necessary to consult an attorney for assistance when the Internet can assist with some common legal tasks. Because of the changing legal environment, attorneys are beginning to recognize that paralegals are a valuable asset to their firm.
What Do Paralegals Do?
Law firms and other legal organizations use paralegals in various ways. Some firms utilize them for general office duties such as answering phones, filing, organizing client and reference files or maintaining attorney’s schedules. Some have the responsibility of calling clients, witnesses or other attorneys to schedule interviews. It is also up to the paralegal to make travel arrangements for attorneys when travel is necessary. Attorneys rely on paralegals to schedule clients for meetings and arrange a time for depositions to be taken. It is also the paralegal’s task to arrange for a court reporter to be present for depositions. Attorneys rely on paralegals to attend trials with them and to attend when depositions are taken. A paralegal for a criminal attorney is expected to perform an extensive search of police records related to clients. All paralegals must demonstrate the ability to multitask in an organized manner.
Why a Law Firm Might Use a Paralegal
All attorneys experience demanding schedules that limit the time they have to spend on important tasks that can make a difference in their presentation of a quality representation. Many firms are discovering that time-consuming tasks can be easily performed by a qualified paralegal. The majority of law firms that employ paralegals find they actually reduce some of the operational expenses, even though they are paid for their services.
Attorneys are able to focus on more challenging cases when they have more time. Their clients are the real beneficiaries as they receive better service and more quality time from their attorney. Because paralegals receive extensive training in all legal matters, an attorney can confidently delegate legal tasks. By engaging the services of a paralegal, an attorney is freed up to concentrate on the more complex aspects of a case. A successful paralegal demonstrates excellent organization skills, which helps an attorney to locate client information in a timely manner. This organization provides a simple solution to keeping the firm running smoothly and allows an attorney to see more clients in a day.
Attorneys who rely on assistance from a paralegal are able to decrease the time required in the discovery process. The process of discovery includes gathering evidence, reviewing documents and taking depositions. This information enables an attorney to build a case. The attorney can be more efficient and speed up this process by utilizing the skills of the paralegal.
Types of Paralegals
All law firms have their own criteria for assigning various duties to the paralegals they employ. Small firms utilize a paralegal’s skills in various roles, including some secretarial duties such as answering phones. Normally, large firms only expect them to perform strictly paralegal duties.
Family Law
Family law firms prefer to hire paralegals with excellent research and litigation skills. Personal injury paralegals must be expert at research and understand how litigation works. Research also plays an important role in insurance cases. Insurance cases demand expertise in pleading and drafting. Paralegals also require extensive knowledge of bankruptcy laws and skills for general civil cases.
Corporate Paralegal
Being a corporate paralegal appeals to someone who is interested in business. Big corporations employ a legal team that is responsible for all legal corporate tasks. Large corporations rely on paralegals for assistance with mergers and acquisitions. They also help in the defense of lawsuits.
Estate Planning and Probate
Some of the duties assigned to paralegals is to work with clients who are dealing with estates of relatives by collecting information regarding estate inventories and helping to distribute property. They also work with clients in estate planning. This requires excellent communication and people skills.
Important Paralegal Skills
All paralegals are expected to possess certain skills that enable them to assist an attorney in interactions with clients. Regardless of the type or size of a law firm, paralegals must assist an attorney by performing many common legal duties. Paralegals receive training that qualifies them to perform various forms of legal work with knowledge of the law.
Technology Skill Requirements
Today’s high-tech legal world requires and rewards paralegals who excel in technology. Paralegals are required to master telecommunications, legal research software, databases, and software for preparing and delivering multi-media presentations. Some firms rely on paralegals to assist in making recommendations for and purchasing technology equipment in their legal department.
Investigative Skills and Researching
All law firms require paralegals to master research techniques. They must become proficient at all Internet research. Paralegals must learn how to use legal databases including Westlaw. They must practice how to use their investigative skills when attempting to locate criminal and civil case records. It is important to find and cite legal precedents relating to the cases. Providing evidence documents and finding witnesses is a primary objective of investigative research.
Excellent Writing Skills
Paralegals must possess the highest level of writing skills for any type of legal assignment. They are responsible for document drafting that can range from simple to extremely complex. In addition to drafting contracts and resolutions, they must prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents. The most successful paralegals will master the art of creating concise and accurate written communication. Being proficient in grammar, spelling, and punctuation and knowing how to present persuasive written material is essential.
Effective Oral Communication Skills
Being proficient in oral communication is essential for all paralegals. The job demands paralegals to possess the ability to convey information in a professional manner. Attorneys rely on paralegals to serve as an extension of themselves. Communication plays a vital part in the daily operation of any law firm. Effective communication is essential for all legal transactions. A paralegal can help reduce much of an attorney’s workload by possessing strong communication skills. A paralegal can interview clients and take witness statements for the attorney. In addition to interviewing clients and witnesses, paralegals can also contact experts and concur with opposing counsel in litigation or other legal transaction.
Ways Law Firms Benefit from Hiring a Paralegal
Attorneys understand the value of paralegals. Those who utilize them to their full potential benefit financially and find themselves having more time to explore new cases. By utilizing the skills of a paralegal, an attorney or law firm is free to assume a larger volume of legal work. The savings realized from utilizing the services of paralegals can be passed on to clients in the form of reduced fees. A successful paralegal possesses strong organizational skills that provides the attorney with more time for client-oriented meetings. When the paralegal is in charge of organizing documents, physical exhibits and evidence, the attorney is more prepared for meetings and trials. Those benefits provide a competitive advantage for the law firm and attorney.
Personality Traits of Successful Paralegals
There are some personality traits that successful paralegals have in common. Those who enjoy a challenge and welcome the opportunity to experience something new every day should consider a paralegal career.
Enthusiastic
Successful paralegals enjoy working with people and are enthusiastic about helping them solve issues. Enthusiastic paralegals maintain a positive attitude that helps relax clients.
Detail Oriented
Good organizational skills are necessary for a paralegal. Attention to detail makes the difference in all legal interactions. There is no room for error in this profession.
Patience and Reliability
Being patient and taking to time to properly finish legal tasks is important. Honesty and trustworthiness are also assets for the paralegal. Having the ability to put others first is a requirement for success in the legal industry.
Being Supportive
Successful paralegals have strong motivational abilities. They can show empathy for clients and still be supportive.
Final Thoughts
There is a need for paralegals in many different legal organizations. Small and large organizations alike have legal entities that utilize the services of paralegals that are not limited to law firms or attorney’s offices. Many insurance companies, non-profit organizations and real estate companies employ paralegals to help ensure that proper procedures and policies comply with legal standards. Working as a paralegal is never boring and helping others can be very rewarding.
Did learning about the role of a paralegal interest you? Ready to become a paralegal or legal assistant?The Gwinnett Colleges & Institute diploma and degree programs in Paralegal Studies provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.
Contact us today or complete the Request More Information form on the top of the page to take the next step towards your new career in the Paralegal Studies field.
Good evening Students, Faculty, and Staff. Across our campuses, we have had the opportunity to speak to most of you directly over the last 48 hours. We wanted to post an update knowing that we’ve likely missed some as we’ve circulated throughout our campuses. We continue to watch as the situation surrounding COVID-19 evolves and we continue to prepare for the likely scenario that our classes will need to move to a virtual format very soon. Our faculty and staff have been involved in many hours of training and planning toward the possibility of the current scenario. We have been in contact with our state agencies, accrediting bodies, and the Department of Education and believe we are very well positioned to be able to transition to a virtual format at this point. We will provide a follow-up update again tomorrow, Friday 13, 2020.
Students – All students should now have access to Gwinnett’s Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas. The url to access is http://gwinnettcollege.instructure.com/ or you can access the link directly from our website under About Us > Canvas Login across the top. We have been building out the content within our courses and have begun adding you to your classes. In Sarasota, we plan to transition from the LMS programs we’ve been using over to Canvas as we begin our next month’s classes. Additionally, through Canvas, we have the opportunity to hold virtual lectures with your instructors through the Conferences feature within Canvas. When you login, please make yourselves comfortable with that feature. We plan to you use this feature a lot.
Most importantly, we are aware of the various school and college closings and will continue to follow the COVID-19 situation very closely. Please continue to be safe. If you experience symptoms such as a fever or dry cough, please do not come on campus but reach out to your campus for guidance. Please also notify us before coming onto campus if you have traveled out of the country, on a cruise ship, or to any known hot zones.
While the entire situation is difficult, it will ultimately pass and we will be able to get the entirety of our focus back onto pursuing your new career.
We are aware that Orange County decided late on Friday, March 13th to suspend classes until March 30th. We have been preparing and are prepared to transition our courses to a virtual format, however, we are waiting for guidance from the Florida CIE giving us approval to make that transition on a temporary basis. We have been in communication with the CIE and hope to receive that guidance very soon. Until then, we do plan to hold class on Monday on campus. We will be in classes with updates on Monday and will be available to make sure you are all also prepared for when the courses transition to the virtual format. We are also aware that those of you with school-aged children may have conflicts with class. Please communicate with the campus during this time. We plan to work with students during this time.
Atlanta Campuses (Lilburn, Sandy Springs, and Marietta) and Raleigh Campus
We have continued to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely and have been in communication with our various agencies in an attempt to be sure we make the best decisions possible on behalf of our students, faculty, and staff. As you are all likely aware, most of the Atlanta area public schools have now made the decision to either suspend classes or transition to a virtual environment beginning next week. Additionally, Wake County Public schools made the decision to cancel classes until at least March 27th in the Raleigh area. Our Atlanta and Raleigh campuses will begin the official transition next week. That transition will proceed as follows:
Monday, March 16, 2020 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020
– Classes will be held on campus. While normal course material will be
covered, instructors and staff will also devote time to ensure that students
are comfortable accessing course material on our learning management system,
Canvas. They will explain and demonstrate videoconferencing during this
time.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and Thursday, March 19, 2020
– There will be no class sessions on these days. Instructors will report
to campus during normal class times and will be available to students to help
troubleshoot any remaining issues you may be having.
Monday, March 23, 2020 and moving forward –
Classes will be conducted in our virtual environment AND instructor lecture
will occur during its normally scheduled time. Updates and information
pertaining to the class will be communicated through the class in Canvas.
Our plan and our hope is that we are able to quickly return to holding classes on campus. We will communicate additional plans as we receive additional information. For now, we anticipate that the Spring quarter will begin on campus and as scheduled on April 13, 2020 (April 4th for Sandy Springs) although we will certainly be prepared to begin the term in a virtual environment if necessary. Our faculty and staff will report as normal during this time so we do not foresee any interruption in our student services.
Regulatory Notes:
For Georgia students, we have two outstanding items in terms
our ability to offer coursework via distance education.
Georgia Board of Massage Therapy – At present, the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy rules do not allow for ANY coursework to be offered in a format that is not “face-to-face”and “at the physical location.†We have spoken to the board and they have indicated that any temporary relief would have to come from the Governor’s office and that they cannot make any allowances. Earlier this week, we submitted requests to the Governor’s office as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s office. As of the writing of this notice, we have received no response. We will continue to move forward in providing material online for massage classes but if the Board and Governor’s office are unable to help, we will simply need to make-up those hours in class when we are able to reconvene. Staff will be in class on Monday to provide additional details as it relates to clinic hours, graduation, and certification.
Veterans’ Administration – To this point, veterans would not be able to receive full benefits if attending distance education courses. We received guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs just after lunch that they are meeting on this and that we should have updated guidance by Wednesday. Should the rule remain as it is, we will provide the opportunity to our veteran students to attend these classes on campus during this time.
Licensed practical nurses work in a wide range of settings, but among the most rewarding is the maternity ward. Also known as labor and delivery units, maternity wards are busy, but the work is exciting. LPNs with an interest in both maternal and child health can use their role for the benefit of both mothers and their newborns. It’s more than a career, it’s a mission.
What
is a Maternity Ward?
A
maternity ward is a hospital unit where women give birth to their children.
There, mothers and newborns receive care from a team of professionals from
admission to discharge. The goals are to promote safe deliveries, manage
complications and optimize care for new families.
What
Do LPNs Do in a Maternity Ward?
An LPNs role in a maternity ward begins with helping families through labor. It’s an unpredictable process that can last from a few hours to a few days, and it can be either simple or complicated. Labor is similar for all women, occurring in three stages, yet no two labors are exactly alike.
Care
consists of both physical and emotional support, and new mothers may seek care
as soon as they begin experiencing early contractions. Lasting from a few hours
to 30 or more, this is the most prolonged phase of labor. It progresses from
mild contractions until the cervix is completely dilated at 10 centimeters, and
the woman is ready to push.
As the
process moves along, pain and anxiety increase. During that time, maternity
ward nurses offer encouragement and reassurance, keeping the family informed of
progress while monitoring the physical condition of the mother and fetus and
preparing for birth.
Responsibilities
for an LPN include:
Welcoming
the mother and family into a delivery room
Promoting
physical comfort by assisting with activity and therapeutic position changes
Checking
maternal vital signs, such as blood pressure, for indications of complications
Recording
the frequency, duration and severity of contractions
Monitoring
pain and offering control measures per the birth plan
Informing
the obstetrician or midwife about progress and unexpected symptoms
Keeping
the delivery area clean
Starting
an intravenous line for medication or fluids
Preparing
instruments for the birth
Assisting
perineal relaxation techniques or episiotomies
Measuring
fluid intake and output
Administering
medications and blood transfusions
During the
second stage of labor, pushing through birth, maternity ward nurses:
Support
the mother and family emotionally
Help
with pain control using medications and breathing techniques
Monitor
for fetal distress
Act
in the event of complications
Assist
with the delivery of the child
The third
stage of labor begins after the child is born and includes delivery of the
placenta and care for the newborn, including:
Collecting
cord blood
Cleaning
the skin and suctioning fluid secretions from the nose and mouth
Weighing
and measuring the child
Conducting
APGAR periodic assessments of heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes and
color
Providing
a clean, warm and safe environment
Encouraging
the first breastfeeding
Recording
vital statistics
Documenting
the nursing care provided during labor and delivery
Unless
there are complications, both the mother and child are moved to a room together
after delivery. There, nurses assume responsibility for the well-being of both
mother and child by:
Watching
for uterine hemorrhage or infection
Monitoring
episiotomies
Administering
analgesics and other medications
Assisting
with lactation
Keeping
the physician informed of changes in the mother’s condition
Assessing
for risk of post-partum depression
Assisting
with post-natal treatments for the newborn
Offering
nutrition guidance
Cord
and circumcision care
Scheduling
aftercare care visits for the woman and child
Family bonding is critical during this time. Maternity wards that were once cold and sterile are now home-like, and partners and siblings may room-in. Families take on the role and tasks associated with newborn care, such as bathing and dressing, while LPNs assist with cord care and lactation.
New
mothers have many questions after the birth of a child. LPNs are their go-to
source for information for a broad array of topics such as:
Newborn
nutrition
Lactation
issues
Circumcision
Elimination
patterns
Immunizations
Environmental
needs
Child
safety
Well-care
schedule
Today, maternity wards offer full-service care, so no newborn falls through the cracks. Recognizing that a mother is a child’s primary caregiver, nurses also help women get back on their feet as soon as possible. Some women suffer few health effects from labor and delivery; others can experience complications from mild to severe. Common issues include:
Fatigue
Anxiety
Episiotomy
pain
Anemia
associated with blood loss during delivery
Depression
linked to post-partum hormonal changes
And
because women are giving birth later and have higher incidences of chronic
disease, LPNs are increasingly involved in preventive care education.
What
Does it Take to Work on a Maternity Ward?
Maternity
ward nurses have a unique role, and beyond professional competence, soft skills
like compassion, communication skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, critical
thinking skills, emotional stability, team management skills, team spirit,
confidence and flexibility are important.
Skill #1:Compassion
Compassion
is the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. Childbirth is an enriching
experience for most families, but it can be a stressful time for those with
physical and emotional challenges. Healthy births are the norm, but there is
always the risk of complications for both mother and child. The role of
maternity ward LPNs is to put themselves in the shoes of their patients and
tackle sensitive issues with both clinical proficiency and compassion.
Skill #2: Communication Skills
No other nursing specialty requires caring for two lives simultaneously. As frontline healthcare providers, maternity ward LPNs guard the physiological health of both mother and child, reporting changes to providers while also acting as a liaison between the family and the healthcare team. New parents want to be informed every step of the way, and the questions they ask can be complicated. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are critical to this role.
Skill #3: A Nonjudgmental Attitude
Giving
birth is usually a joyful time in a woman’s life, but it’s also fraught with
change. New mothers depend on maternity LPNs for guidance and emotional support.
However, maternal health and child-rearing are sensitive issues, and families
may make unconventional health decisions that make LPNs feel uncomfortable. As
long as ideas present no danger to the mother or child, LPNs must offer
guidance without judgment.
Skill #4: Critical Thinking Skills
Critical
thinking is the ability to look at facts and come to sensible conclusions. It’s
a vital skill that helps LPNs prioritize tasks and make quick, accurate
clinical judgments. In a maternity ward, it’s how an LPN decides that an
expectant mother with heavy vaginal bleeding needs to see the doctor before a
woman with indigestion. Critical thinking isn’t a process that comes naturally
to everyone, but it’s a skill that can be learned and nurtured with experience.
Skill #5: Emotional Stability
Crises are
common in a maternity ward, and to function effectively, LPNs need to be
emotionally stable. The labor and delivery process can be stressful, and after
giving birth, physical exhaustion and hormonal changes take their toll. For
some women, it’s a blissful time, but for others, it’s filled with anxiety,
pain and fear that can manifest as negative behavior. Emotional stability helps
maternity ward LPNs stay level-headed during emergencies and guide new mothers
through challenging times.
Skill #6: Time Management Skills
Maternity
wards are busy. Except for cesarean sections, labor and delivery rarely happen
on schedule. Two days of downtime may be followed by around-the-clock
deliveries. LPNs must then care for two patients at a time with different needs
while being prepared for the unexpected. The pace can be stressful some days
but being able to make the most of every minute keeps it from becoming
overwhelming.
Skill #7: Team Spirit
Maternity care is collaborative, requiring input from the family plus a diverse team of health professionals, including doctors and nurses as well as midwives, lactation consultants, nutritionists, doulas and others. Everyone has a role to play while working toward a common goal, and outcomes are best when everyone is willing to work together. As the liaisons between the mother and family and their healthcare providers, team spirit is especially important for LPNs.
Skill #8: Confidence
Childbirth
is a normal physiological process. In a maternity ward, doctors try to make it
less medical by not hovering over patients as they might do in acute care
settings. LPNs tend to bear more responsibility for monitoring, and therefore,
they need to be self-starters with the confidence necessary to take charge of
the process.
As professionals, they’re responsible for their practice, and it’s a nurse’s role to set goals for their patients and create plans of care. It’s a responsible role.
Skill #9: Flexibility
The maternity ward never sleeps. Mothers and newborns need care around the clock, and women may arrive in labor at any time, shifts don’t always go as planned. Managing work-life balance is important to avoid stress, but there are times when new patients exceed the number of LPNs scheduled, and employers expect nurses to be flexible.
Nursing is
among the few careers where there are opportunities available to fit every
lifestyle, but flexibility is essential when working in a maternity ward.
Final
Thoughts
LPNs
everywhere make a difference in the lives of the people they serve, but nowhere
do they make a more significant impact than on a maternity ward. From
celebrating the moment of birth to giving new families the best possible start
in life, maternity ward LPNs are the gatekeepers of mother and child health.
It’s an unforgettable ride and an awesome responsibility.
Did learning about the role of an LPN working in a maternity ward interest you? The Practical Nursing programat Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as an LPN. Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position.
After graduating from
the Nursing diploma program and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN licensure
exam, nursing students will further their career to become a licensed practical
nurse. There is an overall need for LPNs in response to the aging baby boomer
population.
*While Gwinnett
Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students,
it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type
of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their
entire training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as
a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important
requirement.
Contact us today to learn more about becoming an LPN at Gwinnett Institute.
Dear Staff and Students of Gwinnett College, Gwinnett Institute, and Meridian College,
The leadership team at the College is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Florida Department of Health (FDH), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus and protocols around it are changing quickly, and we are working to mitigate any impact on our students and staff.
According to the CDC, this virus is very limited (104 known cases on March 3, 2020) in the United States, and the immediate health risk from coronavirus remains low. However, as global cases rise and the virus continues to spread in more and more countries, the risk for a pandemic is elevated and more likely to occur.
We ask all students and staff who have a fever, symptoms of a respiratory infection, or have been exposed to a person with a coronavirus, the flu or any other communicable disease to speak with your Campus Director. We will be posting signs in our offices, asking screening questions, and following CDC recommendations for screening and management of patients. If you are at all concerned you may have a serious infectious disease, your best course of action is to seek care at your primary care physician’s office or local hospital’s emergency department.
Please remember that the best way to prevent the spread of communicable disease is cleanliness and hand washing. There is still quite a bit of influenza activity in the US which is still more likely to cause serious illness than the coronavirus. If you have not yet received a flu shot, it is not too late and is still being recommended by the CDC.
Again, this is an evolving situation, and we will be closely monitoring it and providing our students and staff with updates as well as posting on our website. We are doing everything we can to keep our students and staff healthy.
What is the Coronavirus?
A virus that causes diseases of varying severities, ranging from the common cold to serious respiratory disease
How does it spread?
Between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet)
Cough or sneeze droplets
Touching your eyes, nose, or face with hands after touching an object containing the virus
What are the symptoms?
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Severe Illness
How do you protect yourself?
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, scrub thoroughly under nails and between fingers, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
It is important to keep children home from school when
they are ill. If you child has any of the
following symptoms please keep them home from school: temperature, coughing,
committing, diarrhea, and rash not yet diagnosed by a physician, red or pink
itchy eye, and/or drainage from eye, and any contagious illness such as
chickenpox, strep throat or flu.
Faculty and Staff,
In order to maintain the safety and reduce the spread of
germs within your respective Campus, the Administration is asking for
assistance in the following;
Encourage the ongoing use of the restrooms to
wash hands and encourage correct handwashing techniques (see following page
titled CDC – Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives).
Encourage the use of hand sanitizers located in
various locations throughout each campus if students are unable to wash hands.
If students are unable to come to class due to respiratory
illness, students must document these circumstances through letters from their
physicians. These letters should state dates of classes missed and when the
student is allowed to return to the Campus.
If students have missed due to a respiratory illness, allow
the students the opportunity to provide their work to you in a way that will
give credit for work. Examples of this are scanning and emailing digital
homework, taking pictures of homework and emailing them to you at your official
Gwinnett College/Meridian College email addresses, or other ways that you deem
to be acceptable in your professional opinions. You must remind students that
if no documentation of a respiratory illness (see above paragraph) is provided,
these items will not be accepted for a grade. If students are presenting signs
of respiratory illness, please send the student home as quickly as possible.
Many of our campuses already use online portals or learning management
systems to interact outside of normal class hours with their students. We have begun to move to formalize this across
all our campuses and will have conversations with each campus to ensure we are
able to continue to deliver material to our students through potential
interruptions. We are already working with campus directors and will
communicate additional information on this in the coming days.
Last, please help sanitize the classroom. This should happen
after last class for the day students as well as the last class for the night
students. Bottles of cleaning solution will be provided. If the cleaning
solution is empty, then fill the bottles by following the directions on the
bottle of water:solution. All frequently touched surfaces shall be cleaned,
including classroom tables, workstations, counters, and doorknobs.
To Our Students,
If you have a respiratory illness, we encourage you to stay
home so as not to further spread the disease. You will need to monitor your
days missed, and if attendance-based withdrawals become realistic for you, we
will work with you as long as you are able to provide documentation from a
physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner who have the abilities
to diagnose respiratory illnesses. Stay in contact, via phone or email, with
your campus to ensure that assignments can be completed and turned in for
credit as expeditiously as possible.
Please continue to wash your hands, whether at the Campus,
at home, or when in public, as per the guidelines from the CDC on the following
page. Within the coming week, the College will provide to you small, portable
bottles of hand sanitizer to keep with you. These will be able to be refilled,
so please buy larger bottles to keep at home and refill when needed.
As always, if you have a question or need help, call!
CDC
Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most
effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from
spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from
your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday”song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
How to use hand sanitizer
Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
By 2035, more than 78 million Americans will be over the age
of 65, according to the Social
Security Administration. Born after World War II, this so-called Baby Boom
generation will soon need more nursing care than the system can provide.
Healthcare has changed drastically in the last two decades, and as nurses take
on more responsible roles, they’re in higher demand. Today, settings from
schools and hospitals to rehabilitation facilities and public health
departments all need more nurses, but nowhere is the shortage more evident than
in home care.
Why is There a Nursing Shortage?
Birthrates in American rose steeply between 1946 and 1964.
World War II was over, the economy was booming, and couples finally felt secure
starting families. Now, the children of this generation are getting ready to
retire, and for healthcare, that’s a double-edged sword.
Not only is the medical system experiencing an influx of new
consumers, but among those retiring are nurses, many in the current nursing
labor pool may be lost to attrition in the next five years. It’s a perfect
storm for a shortage.
Why is the Shortage Affecting
Home Care?
While nearly all sectors of the healthcare industry are
growing, the benefits of home health are making it a leading specialty. The
Baby Boomers would rather receive care at home, and services provided outside
of institutions are proving to be far more cost-effective. It’s a win-win.
But home care is one area of nursing that traditionally
suffers more than most because it’s unique. It’s rare for new graduates to get
jobs in homes until they’ve had experience in acute care settings, but once
they’ve been in one place long enough to learn the ropes, they’re incentivized
to stay, and that means fewer nurses are available.
Thankfully, today’s nursing programs are recognizing the
shift in demand toward home services, and they’re tailoring their curriculum to
match. It’s the perfect time to get into home care.
What Do Home Care Nurses Do?
Home care nurses simply provide medical care to patients in
their residences, either limited or long-term. Some home care nurses, for
example, visit patients after they’ve had surgery to ensure they’re healing
well and get follow-up care. Others manage patients with chronic disease who
might otherwise need a nursing home. Their responsibilities include health
assessments, medical management, personal care, and psychosocial support.
Health Assessments
Home care nurses are a doctor’s eyes and ears. They take
vital signs, perform physical assessments, and report changes in condition to
the physician. They then work with the patient and family to coordinate efforts
and implement the plan of care.
Medical Management
Patients receiving home care are considered medically
stable, but they need many of the same treatments as those in hospitals and
nursing facilities including:
Wound care
Pain management
Therapeutic exercise
Chronic disease education
Medication administration include IVs and tube feedings
Nutrition counseling
Medical equipment management
Safety monitoring
Nurses work independently, but they’re also as part of a
team that may include physicians, therapists, social workers, dietitians, and
home care aides. In fact, they often serve as the gateway for involvement by
other medical professionals when they follow up on a patient’s needs.
Because more than 133 million Americans now have chronic
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, according to the National
Health Council, long-term medical management at home is a growing
necessity. Nurses have the perfect skill set for helping stable patients with
the day-to-day tasks that keep them healthy, such as monitoring their blood
sugar and taking their medications properly.
Personal Care
Studies show that patients readmitted to hospitals shortly
after discharge share a common experience, they have difficulty taking care of
themselves. Many are exhausted and in pain, and their health declines because
they can’t keep up with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and cooking.
Home care nursing addresses those issues.
Nurses directly assist in limited circumstances but will
more often use their medical know-how to create and supervise a plan of care
that family caregivers and paraprofessional staff, such as home care aides, can
follow when helping patients with these tasks. It’s an integral part of
recovery for patients recovering from a short-term illness. For seniors with
long-term needs, it can be the difference between living at home or a nursing
home.
Psychosocial Support
Good health depends on managing every factor that
contributes to a patient’s well-being, whether it be physical, emotional,
financial or social. For example, a senior who could otherwise live safely at
home might have to go into a nursing facility if they can no longer cook or
afford nutritious food. Home care nurses understand that, and they would work
to find a permanent home-based solution such as transportation assistance or
low-cost meal deliveries.
Similarly, for patients burdened with loneliness, they can
provide immediate companionship and emotional support while searching for
long-term solutions such as peer groups and social visit volunteers. Maternity
home nurses play an essential role in monitoring for post-partum depression and
at-risk infant care, while hospice home nurses provide emotional and spiritual
support for patients and families. The ways in which home nursing can improve
the overall quality of healthcare are virtually endless.
Benefits of Home Care
Nursing
Home nursing benefits both patients and the healthcare
system. How?
It’s Safer
Falls and injuries in the hospital are caused, in part, by
having to navigate unfamiliar surroundings while ill. Anyone over the age of 55
is vulnerable to temporal confusion when they’re sick, so unless being away
from home is necessary, patients are safe at home.
Medical facilities care for the sickest among us. Despite
their best efforts, they’re home to some of the most virulent organisms on
Earth — many of which are treatment-resistant. When stable patients are
released to their homes within 72 hours, the rate of facility-acquired
infections decreases significantly.
It Promotes Independence
The longer someone is confined to a hospital or nursing
facility, the harder it is for them to maintain their independence. Someone,
usually a family member or friend, takes over day-to-day activities such as
paying bills, and it becomes harder for patients to remain involved.
When care is delivered where day-to-day activities occur,
patients, especially seniors, are more likely to take an active role in
decision-making.
It Enhances Healing
Research suggests patients heal better in their homes. Why?
In addition to factors such as lowering the risk for infections, people report
being more comfortable, so they’re able to sleep and eat better while
benefiting from more frequent visits from family and friends.
It Costs Less
As seniors live longer, managing their money becomes
increasingly more important. Home nursing care can cost much less than care
provided in nursing facilities or assisted living centers. Patients can also
save thousands every day they receive care at home instead of in the hospital.
It also reduces costly readmissions. Analyses show the risk
of readmission is highest after discharge because patients are weak and may
have unanswered questions. Return rates are consistently lower when home care
nurses follow up in person within the first few days.
Skills for Home Care
Nurses
There are many skills that a home care nurse must possess to
be successful. They include communication skills, confidence, initiative,
open-mindedness, critical thinking, and time management skills.
Communication Skills
Home care nurses are responsible for communicating with
patients, families and associated physicians. It requires the ability to read,
write and speak with authority as well as proficiency with electronic
communication.
Confidence
Nurses working in facilities have immediate back up when
they need it. In a private home, support is available by phone, but it takes
longer, and it’s not hands-on. Nurses need to be professionally competent in
any setting but working in private homes requires they be relaxed and confident
about their abilities.
Initiative
Home care nurses are like case managers. They’re responsible
not only for their patient’s physical health but also for managing other
factors that affect their well-being. From housing and financial needs to
nutrition and transportation, home care nurses have to look at the big picture
and initiate interventions when necessary.
Open-mindedness
Patients come from all walks of life. They have different
worldviews and beliefs about healthcare that may not always align with their
doctor’s recommendations.
Within the walls of an institution, policies and procedures
help insulate nurses from making value judgments to a certain degree, but in
private homes, patients want care that’s more closely aligned with their
beliefs. Home care nurses are called to be open-minded.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to look at data objectively
and make sound, evidence-based decisions. It’s what tells a home care nurse
that a patient’s lack of transportation is more than an inconvenience, it can
affect their ability to do even the most basic activities such as shopping for
food.
Home care nurses have a broad scope of practice and are
involved in many aspects of patients’ lives. Critical thinking skills allow
them to assess complicated situations and make the logical connections
necessary to solve problems.
Time Management Skills
Working in private homes can seem relaxing compared to
racing around a busy orthopedic unit, but it’s just an illusion. Hospital
patients are all in one place. Home care nurses need to plan visits around the
patients’ schedules and allow for both travel and follow-up time. Time
management skills are a must.
Final Thoughts
Home care is rewarding because it supports patients where
they want to be. But as a career path, it’s also the fastest-growing sector of
the healthcare industry and is projected to add up to third of a million jobs
by 2028, according to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s a great time for students interested in
nursing to get involved.
Did learning about the
shortage in home care nursing interest you? The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College provides training to
prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered
nurse. Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs,
simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an
entry-level nursing position.
Upon successful
completion of the program and demonstrated nursing competence, the college
graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN licensure
examination.* Upon graduation and licensure, college graduates will
be eligible to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private duty, urgent and
acute care centers, and various other medical or business facilities requiring
the services of registered nurses.
*While Gwinnett
Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students,
it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type
of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their
entire training program that licensure is a pre-requisite for employment
as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important
requirement.
Contact us today to learn more about becoming an RN at Gwinnett College.
