How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

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Becoming a Registered Nurse, or RN, is a fast and easy way to launch a rewarding career in healthcare. Top talent is in demand, and whether being a nurse is a student’s forever-goal or a stepping-stone to higher credentials, there are valuable job opportunities in nursing just waiting to be filled.

What is an RN?

All nurses are licensed professional caregivers, but their titles and job descriptions vary based on their level of education. An RN’s responsibilities include both patient care and supervising paraprofessional staff. An RN’s training is focused less on patient assessment and more on practical skills.

Where do RNs work?

RNs are needed everywhere nurses are including hospitals, but because they’re best equipped to care for medically stable patients, they’re in high demand in doctor’s offices, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, assisted living centers and home health care.

What Qualities are Needed to Become an RN?

The only real prerequisites are compassion and a desire to help others, but it’s beneficial to have solid communication skills, a willingness to learn and an appreciation of science and medicine.

If a future making a difference in people’s lives sounds exciting, follow these steps to land a job as an RN.

An RN’s Pathway to Success

Education Requirements

The fastest way to become a registered nurse is to obtain an associate’s degree through a vocational school.  Education consists of both classroom time and clinical experiences, so when choosing a school, it’s important to consider its location and how course offerings fit into a busy lifestyle.

Getting Through School

RN programs are fast-paced and demanding. Each is a little different, but core classes usually include:

  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Pharmacology
  • Practical math
  • Adult, child and maternal nursing classes and more

In addition to time spent in the classroom, clinical experiences in different healthcare settings allow students to work alongside experienced nurses and practice what they’ve learned. It’s also a valuable networking opportunity where graduates get to know others in the field and make connections that could lead to a job after graduation.

After Graduation

The good news for students is that in most states, RN program graduates can work under supervision for a designated period while waiting to take the licensing exam — known as the National Council Licensure Exam or NCLEX-RN. This the perfect time for friends to get together and study or sign up for a formal exam preparation course.

Sending Out Resumes

To land a great job as an RN, start contacting potential employers at least a few weeks before the big day. Students should reach out to facilities where they had clinical experiences, check local employment listings and connect with the school’s job placement services.

Healthcare is a rapidly growing field, and new openings are continuously created, so even if a preferred employer doesn’t have an opportunity when it’s time to apply, sending in a resume shows initiative and gives graduates a leg up on future postings.

Resumes are an all-important first contact with prospective employers, so experts recommend that as a reflection of an applicant’s skill and professionalism, they should always be polished, error-free and printed on top-quality paper. Cover letters that address the employer or human resources manager by name make an impression and distinguish candidates from the rest of the crowd.

Skills for Becoming an RN

There are many different skills that make a registered nurse successfully, the main skills include communication, flexibility, work ethic, time management, attention to detail, and leadership skills.

Communication Skills – may be verbal or written. Both show that applicants can express themselves with confidence in a busy healthcare setting, and that’s a must for nurses who interact with the public daily and need to write accurate notes about changes in their patient’s conditions.

Flexibility – means an applicant can adapt quickly to change. For employers, it signals a potential hire will be satisfied working in a fast-paced medical facility where responsibilities vary.

Work Ethic – having a good work ethic means a nurse is committed to a job well-done. That is particularly important to healthcare providers who want staff who are devoted to their clients.

Time Management – noting time management skills on a resume shows an applicant understands the value of using time wisely and can work efficiently and productively without feeling overwhelmed.

Attention to Detail – nurses need to be both thorough and accurate in their work. Any experiences that demonstrate attention to detail are a plus.

Leadership Skills – RNs typically supervise paraprofessional staff like nursing assistants and LPNs. Leadership skills help them guide others effectively while fulfilling an organization’s broader mission.

Preparing for Interviews

Job interviews can be intimidating, and it’s easier for applicants to be confident when they’re well-prepared. These steps will help keep the anxiety at bay.

Get to Know the Employer in Advance

Learning about an organization before the interview helps candidates anticipate tough questions and demonstrates a willingness to be prepared. Have a few questions prepared for the end of the interview so you can show the employer that you did your research and ask relevant questions.

Know Where to Go

Nothing makes a worse impression at a job interview than being late. Before the meeting, candidates should drive to the employer’s location, so they’ll know how long it takes to get there and where to park. Leave at least fifteen minutes early in case there are traffic delays.

Dress Comfortably and Professionally

Looking good for an interview makes a good first impression. Choose clothing in a neutral color that is professional, but not overly formal, and to avoid being distracted by an itchy wool sweater, opt for something comfortable.

Be Prepared to Fill Out an Application

Filling out an application is part of the pre-employment process for many medical facilities, regardless of whether the information is on a resume or not. Impress a future boss by having all the data necessary including contact information for schools, previous employers and references. For nurses, having a copy of their immunization records, CPR card and state license is helpful.

Practice

It’s impossible to anticipate every question an interviewer may ask but role-playing with a friend in advance can help ease the jitters. However, try not to memorize answers as this can make you sound unenthusiastic. Instead, remember the bullet points for each question so you have an outline of what you want to say so it does not sound rehearsed.

Feel Good

A good night’s sleep and a snack before the interview is the best defense against yawning and hunger. When an applicant feels their best, it shows.

After the Interview

Sending a thank-you note after an interview puts an applicant back in the forefront of an employer’s mind. It shows a willingness to go above and beyond to achieve goals and suggests to a boss that a candidate is willing to do the same on behalf of their business.

Notes should be typewritten and thank the interviewer for their time, reiterate contact information and recap how the applicant is a good fit for the position. Should it be sent on paper or via e-mail? Interview coaches say that either way is acceptable, but they recommend sending it in the same way the employer made contact with the candidate.

For Applicants Who Don’t Get the Job

The best jobs usually attract multiple applications, so graduates with limited experience who don’t get a position they really want shouldn’t be discouraged. Always remain gracious with potential employers and thank them for their consideration. Chances are, they will have another opening in the future, and it’s good to leave the door open.

Nursing is a fresh and dynamic field that offers career stability, advancement potential and professional respect. For anyone interested in a personally fulfilling, hands-on career where what they do matters, becoming an RN is the perfect way to get started.

Did learning about how to become a registered nurse 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.

Small Business Administrative Assisting: Accounting & Office Administration

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Interested in getting a job that is at the center of a small business? The administrative assistant is the glue that holds the small business together. An administrative assistant may have the title of the secretary, receptionist, or executive assistant. The fundamental job is the same. Usually small business administrative assisting duties consist of making sure that co-workers have the information they need to complete their daily tasks and managing the day-to-day activities in the office. Additional duties may include:

  • Greet customers and clients
  • Act as a customer service representative
  • Answer phones
  • Maintain document and file system
  • Take memos
  • Send emails and faxes
  • Operate a variety of office machines
  • Manage inventory of office supplies
  • Send invoices
  • Coordinate and schedule events, meetings, and interviews
  • Perform basic bookkeeping

The first person a client or customer interacts with when they enter a small business is the administrative assistant to the manager. It’s essential for the person assisting management to make an excellent first impression since their treatment of visitors reflects on the business.

The person who assists management in a small business must handle a variety of tasks and must always maintain a professional and pleasant demeanor, especially when dealing with clients and customers. It’s vital that the administrative assistant keeps up with business correspondence. The administrative assistant must reply to letters and emails and re-route incoming mail.

Administrative assistant duties require you to be proficient with computer applications including spreadsheets, databases and word processing programs. Many vocational programs train administrative assistants on Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access.

One of the essential qualifications of an excellent small business administrative assistant is the ability to schedule meetings and conferences, special events and interview applicants for positions in the company.

Virtually every business or industry has the need for qualified administrative assistants. Small business administrative assisting is an essential position in:

  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Law firms
  • Medical offices
  • Schools

Small business administrative assisting requires specific tasks depending on the specialty of the administrative assistant, their experience, and their job title.

What an Administrative Assistant Does

An administrative assistant performs an array of clerical duties that are essential for an office to run efficiently. Small business administrative assisting involves all the daily operations in an office from preparing documents and keeping files organized to scheduling appointments.

An administrative assistant must be flexible and well organized because the job provides different challenges each day. The administrative assistant may have to schedule appointments or meetings and update calendars of the management staff accordingly. The minutes of meetings and accompanying notes must be prepared in advance and checked for accuracy.

Another of the duties that a small business administrative assistant may perform is drafting presentations, documents, and billing invoices. Each of these tasks must be done on a schedule. The administrative assistant must be meticulous in making sure that plans are adhered to. When billing or inventory of supplies and assets is involved, the administrative assistant must have necessary bookkeeping skills.

As many as four million jobs in the United States are held in administrative assisting in virtually every industry in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most workers who hold administrative positions work full-time. Depending on the sector, some may work part-time jobs. During the day, administrative assistants have interaction with executive staff, co-workers, customers, and clients.

Small Business Administrative Assistant Employers

Most administrative assistants work in offices for businesses that provide:

  • Education
  • Government agency services
  • Healthcare
  • Scientific services
  • Social services
  • Technical services

Examples of industry specific duties may include an administrative assistant in a law firm who must have knowledge of preparing legal documents that include subpoenas and motions or an administrative assistant in a medical practice that must process insurance claims.

An administrative assistant in a law firm may have to conduct research for a specific case and work with a paralegal to prepare all the legal documents before going to court, under the supervision of an attorney. In medical practice or research setting, the administrator assisting the doctor or scientist may take dictation and prepare articles or reports.

In school and university settings, the administrative assistant may work for a university president or the head of a department, and handle responsibilities that are complex. These responsibilities may include writing reports and managing research. The administrative assistant may be in charge of clerical staff. The person who handles duties in an educational setting must possess integrity and discretion when dealing with sensitive matters. In public or private schools, the administrative assistant may be the person who handles communications between, students, staff, and parents.

Office Administration Duties

The knowledge that an administrative assistant must have is often business and industry specific. For example, an administrative assistant who works for a real estate developer must be competent in geography and know a lot about different areas of the country; while the administrative assisting coordinator in a web design firm may require basic knowledge of web design and programming. Some administrative assistants may even manage libraries or stockrooms.

An administrative position often requires handling tasks including sending and signing for deliveries or handling invitations that aren’t directly related to work. Some administrative assisting management personnel have more duties and higher pay rates than in other businesses; in such cases, the administrative assistant may delegate specific tasks to other co-workers.

Light Bookkeeping Duties

Small business administrative assistants may handle clerical duties, including data entry, sorting mail, and other functions necessary for the small business to operate efficiently. They must possess skills required to prepare invoices, handle company deposits, plan budgets, prepare financial reports, process payments, and submit tax forms.

Core and Advanced Accounting Skills

An administrative assistant must have proficiency in software programs including Microsoft Office and be able to type at 50 words per minute. The administrative assistant must be familiar with using office equipment, including copiers, scanners, and fax machines. The administrative assistant must possess the necessary mathematical skills. They must have basic knowledge of financial principles and accounting.

Some employers don’t require advanced or preferred skills but may include them in job listings. Preferred qualifications include proficiency in QuickBooks or related software.

Skills Needed to Succeed

It takes a special kind of person to succeed as an administrative assistant. Assisting management in a small business setting requires specific knowledge of the field in which you work, a combination of personal traits, and the ability to work well as a team member.

You must be conscientious and have a strong will to succeed. Some administrative assistants tend to be conservative and take their duties seriously. They have excellent organizational skills and earn an orderly approach to business.

Other people who enter the field of administrative assisting take their position equally as serious but have a more adventurous attitude toward life and are enterprising in their business dealings. People who are ambitious and confident inspire their co-workers.

The administrative assistant who is energetic and enthusiastic about their job and is the person who often finds solutions to problems. Being assertive is a plus if you want to succeed in administrative assisting at a small business.

Top Qualities of The Successful Administrative Assistant:

  • Ability to multi-task
  • Collaboration and teamwork skills
  • Courteous
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Customer focused
  • Detail oriented
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Professionalism
  • Productivity
  • Reliability
  • Strong work ethic
  • Technical abilities
  • Time management skills
  • Well-organized

Multi-tasking is part of the job in a successful small business. A successful administrative assistant keeps up to date with their skills and is willing to learn new procedures quickly.

The assistant is willing to collaborate, can work well with a team, and doesn’t quibble about small details that are counterproductive. Presenting solutions rather than discussing problems will get the job done faster and more productively. The administrative assistant always possesses a pleasant demeanor when greeting clients. Since the administrative assistant represents the business and their manager, it’s essential that they are customer focused. Professionalism is vital to the administrative assistant who must always possess a positive attitude in the office. Personal problems must be left at home.

A successful assistant must possess a strong work ethic. They must be well-organized and be able to manage their time effectively to complete tasks on schedule. The administrative assistant must be reliable. A busy office doesn’t have time to deal with a person who is consistently late for work and makes excuses. Punctuality is an essential key to managing an office.

A conscientious assistant has excellent grammar and spelling skills and can interpret their manager’s notes, even if their handwriting is challenging to read. The person who assists the manager must always remember that everyone in the office has schedules and deadlines and should know when a problem should be brought up to their manager and when to find a solution to the problem.

Did learning about small business administrative assisting interest you? The Administrative Assisting diploma program is designed to train Gwinnett College students to seek entry-level positions in the office administration or secretarial field. The Administrative Assisting graduate may work as a secretary, receptionist, executive assistant, or administrative assistant.

Contact us to learn more about becoming an administrative assistant.

Ten Skills Needed for Entry-Level Nurses

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Graduation day for a licensed practical nurse is a time to celebrate accomplishments, but it also marks the beginning of a new phase of learning. School teaches students what they need to know to be confident on the job, but it’s only with real-world experience that knowledge comes full circle. For new nurses, an entry-level job is a safe space where they can gain technical expertise and develop the soft skills that pave the way for success. To make the most of those opportunities, these are ten skills every entry-level nurse needs.

Skill #1: Clinical Skills

Practical nurses provide primary patient care under the supervision of a doctor or a registered nurse. The role is task-heavy and includes taking vital signs, administering medications and performing treatments such as dressing changes and catheterizations on medically safe and stable patients.

It’s expected that an entry-level nurse can safely perform these basic clinical tasks, but employers also realize that new graduates have rarely been exposed to complex situations, so they offer both support and supervision until entry-level nurses gain confidence.

Clinical skills are only grown through practice, and to qualify for positions with greater responsibility, nursing students and new graduates should take every opportunity to practice what they learn and be open to taking on new tasks as soon as they’re ready.

As professionals, it’s always incumbent upon entry-level nurses to not perform functions they are not qualified or trained for, but it’s equally vital that they become proficient in the clinical skills that will define their practice. Nurses working in a cardiology office need to master doing electrocardiograms while those working in surgical practice should hone their skills at removing stitches.

Skill #2: Communication Skills

Practical nurses are front line caregivers, and as the professionals most likely to have dedicated one-on-one time with patients and their families, they serve as an essential link between members of the healthcare team.

Licensed practical nurses are responsible for taking physicians’ orders and communicating them to patients and their families as well as to the paraprofessional staff they supervise like nursing assistants. Since they monitor patients closely for changes in condition, they may be the first person to recognize new symptoms, and they’re often the patients’ go-to resource for information when they have a question.

Nearly every task and human interaction a practical nurse participates in requires some form of written or verbal communication. In a fast-paced medical setting, excellent reading, writing, and medical terminology skills are a must, but more so is the ability to articulate ideas quickly and concisely.

Skill #3: Time Management Skills

Most of an entry-level nurse’s duties are time-sensitive. Doctors’ orders, especially those for medication, come with parameters that must be carefully observed. A dose of antibiotics given too late could be less effective than it should be, while blood pressure medication given too early could result in dangerous hypotension and a serious fall.

Administering medications and treatments on time while assisting patients with activities of daily living and being prepared to tackle emergencies as they happen can be overwhelming without top-notch time management skills. For an entry-level nurse, adjusting to the consistent time crunch is challenging, but the right attitude, tools and support help keep it from becoming too stressful.

Skill #4: A Team-oriented Attitude

When healthcare providers work as a team, everyone wins. As medicine becomes more complex, a single doctor, nurse or therapist rarely has the knowledge it takes to meet all of a patient’s needs. Research shows that the best outcomes occur when care is approached collaboratively by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. Patients’ benefit from input and different perspectives. Individual providers feel supported and less stressed knowing that they don’t bear the entire weight of every clinical decision.

A team-oriented attitude requires excellent communication skills and respect for other professionals’ opinions. It also demands a willingness to share ideas that might not be accepted. As an entry-level nurse, that can be intimidating, so it helps to cultivate trust and openness toward colleagues while learning the ropes.

Skill #5: Motivation to Learn

Experience comes only through practice, and the best opportunities to practice come to those with a strong desire to learn. No two days are the same in healthcare, and the chance to learn new things is always right around the corner.

To make the most of opportunities, entry-level nurses need to stretch beyond their comfort zone to try new tasks that may seem to be ahead of their learning curve. When combined with additional education, it’s the key to both comfort on the job and future advancement.

Skill #6: Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking is the foundation of the nursing process. It’s the combination of education and experience that helps nurses solve problems and make sound, evidence-based decisions that are in the best interest of their patients.

Critical thinking comes more naturally to some than others, but because such a large part of it is based on knowledge and exposure to new situations, it’s a skill that develops over time. An entry-level nurse is expected to make safe clinical decisions within their scope of practice upon graduation, but by being mindful of how they think and observing how seasoned nurses use the critical thinking process, they can quickly learn to be effective problem solvers.

Skill #7: Confidence

After a successful career as a student, it’s tough for an entry-level nurse to suffer their first on-the-job failure. Making an error, especially if it’s a serious one, can lead to cause a crisis of confidence. If it continues, a nurse may become tentative and second-guess their every decision, making practice stressful at best and in some cases, impossible.

As a trait, confidence is hard to quantify, but as a skill, it’s easy to cultivate by remembering that no one is perfect, and that failure can sometimes be the best teacher. It takes confidence to go to nursing school, nurture it by setting realistic goals and allowing room for mistakes.

Skill #8: Flexibility

In nursing school, students have the opportunity to stretch their wings in clinical rotations, but these experiences are limited and carefully planned. In the real world, there won’t be an instructor standing by to take over in an emergency.

A quiet afternoon planned to reorganize the supply room or catch up with documentation might suddenly become a foot race as patients’ conditions take a turn for the worse and new admissions arrive. For nurses, the ability to switch gears, mentally, emotionally and physically, is a must.

Skill #9: Assertiveness

Assertiveness is the ability to express opinions positively and insist they be respected without being aggressive or infringing on the rights of others to be heard. For an entry-level nurse, being assertive can feel uncomfortable, but as a patient advocate, it’s an essential skill.

It’s also a skill that reduces workplace stress and improves job satisfaction. When members of a team feel they can discuss their thoughts without fear of judgment or repercussion, they’re empowered to make suggestions without reservation for the sake of the patient. They are also more comfortable and relaxed working with each other.

Skill #10: Reliability

Reliability is a make-or-break skill in an entry-level nursing position. In a busy hospital, patient care can’t be deferred because a team member couldn’t make it in or couldn’t be counted on to fulfill their responsibilities. Other members of the team must pick up the slack. Like other professionals, a nurse’s success in practice is in part dictated by their reputation and a large part of that is how reliable they are.

Nursing is a commitment, and it can be a balancing act to meet the needs of both family and colleagues, but reliability is measured less by an occasional failure to meet responsibilities as it is the way those instances are handled. A reliable nurse who needs to miss a day of work because of a sick child, for example, calls colleagues and offers to swap shifts to minimize the impact on patients and other staff.

Final Thoughts

Graduating from nursing school is just the beginning of a lifelong adventure in learning, and the first position an entry-level nurse takes teaches them almost as much as the long months spent hitting the books in preparation for it. Every day brings opportunities to master old skills and get the hang of new ones. School teaches students what they need to know, but it’s experience that builds confidence, and ultimately, it’s confidence that paves the way for success in nursing.

Did learning about the important skills needed for an entry-level nurse 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.

Vaccinations & Patient Immunization: A Nurse’s Guide

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Vaccinations have been a mainstay of public health for more than two centuries, and without them, millions might have been lost to preventable disease. As front-line healthcare providers, nurses regularly administer vaccines and have a responsibility to educate patients about immunization, the role vaccines play and how to stay safe. These are the basics.

What is a Vaccine and How Does it Work?

When a person contracts a bacterial or viral illness, the body attacks and neutralizes it. In the process, it creates unique proteins called antibodies that recognize and defend the host against future infection by the same pathogen. A vaccine is a solution containing a weaken or killed bacteria or virus. It can’t cause illness, but it provokes the same immune reaction and protects the host against that disease.

Vaccination vs Immunization

Vaccination and immunization are two terms that are often used interchangeably but mean different things. Vaccination is the physical administration of a vaccine; immunization is the process by which someone becomes immune to a particular illness.

Why the distinction? It’s two-fold. First, because immunity can be the result of actual illness, not a vaccine, non-lethal past exposure to disease can be a part of someone’s total level of resistance. Second, no vaccine is 100-percent effective, and there is significant variability in efficacy rates for a variety of reasons. Booster shots may be necessary for full immunity, and occasionally, less protection is conferred because of differences in people’s immune systems or because they were ill at the time they were vaccinated.

Are Vaccines Safe?

There is no shortage of controversy surrounding the safety of vaccinations, but the healthcare community is clear, they’re safe. The United States has one of the most comprehensive systems in the world for guaranteeing vaccine safety because they’re administered to millions of people each year.

All vaccines are subject to years of testing before the FDA licenses them and once in use, they’re continually monitored both for efficacy and adverse effects. Individual batches are tested for safety and quality, and the facilities where they are produced are routinely inspected. Like any medicine, allergic reactions are possible, but healthcare providers try to minimize that risk with careful patient screening.

Type of Vaccines

There four types of vaccines, each best-suited for certain types of pathogens including inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, recombinant and conjugate vaccines and toxoid vaccines.

Inactivated Vaccines

Inactivated vaccines are made with killed germs. They offer less immunity than vaccines made with weakened versions of a virus or bacterium, so patients may need booster shots to remain immune long-term. Vaccines for influenza, polio, pertussis, rabies and hepatitis A are inactivated.

Live-attenuated Vaccines

Live vaccines use weakened pathogens, and they’re stronger than inactivated types. One or two doses is usually enough. They include smallpox, chickenpox, and the combined measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR vaccines.

Recombinant and Conjugate Vaccines

Recombinant and conjugate vaccines use a specific part of the germ to provoke immunity. Usually, the same the part the body’s immune system looks for to attack it. Booster shots may be required, but these vaccinations offer high levels of protection and are safe most patient populations. Vaccines for pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis B and shingles are examples.

Toxoid Vaccines

These vaccines promote an immune response to toxins germs create, not the whole pathogen. Examples are diphtheria and tetanus. Booster shots are required.

Vaccines Through Childhood

Childhood vaccines are particularly important because they provide immunity before children are the most likely to be exposed to potentially life-threatening illnesses. The most important are measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis a, rotavirus, chickenpox, and meningitis.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

Measles, mumps and rubella, also known as the German measles, are all serious viral illnesses. Measles, characterized by a red, pinpoint rash and flu-like symptoms can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and seizures. The mumps virus causes inflammation of the parotid glands in the neck. Before the widespread use of the vaccine, it was the leading cause of acquired deafness and can cause infertility in men. Rubella is relatively mild by comparison with a light rash and cold-like symptoms, but when contracted by pregnant women, it can lead to severe congenital disabilities. Today, children receive two doses of this vaccine between 12 months and six years of age.

Polio Vaccine

Polio is a viral disease that was once the number-one cause of disability in the United States. While it’s been eradicated in the U. S. since 1955, in large part due to an aggressive vaccination program, it’s still prevalent in some parts of the world and vaccination is always recommended.

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine

The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, or DTaP, protects against three serious bacterial illnesses.  Diphtheria causes respiratory issues, heart failure and paralysis and was once responsible for tens of thousands of child deaths annually.  Pertussis, or whooping cough, is less severe, but it can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and death.  Tetanus, also known as “lockjaw,” causes severe muscle tightening and has a twenty-percent mortality rate.

Because diphtheria and pertussis are more often diseases of early childhood, infants and children receive five doses, and a booster may be required. Tetanus boosters should be received every ten years through adulthood and whenever possible exposure occurs.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A is a severe inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. In this instance, because a child under six may not have symptoms of the disease despite being contagious, the vaccine not only protects children but also their adult caregivers. Two doses spaced six months apart are recommended starting at age 12 months.

Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus is a leading cause of fatal diarrhea in children worldwide. It’s highly contagious, and although it’s not as prevalent in the United States as in other parts of the globe, it’s still responsible for tens of thousands of hospitalizations and can be fatal. Doses are given at two and four months.

Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine

Chickenpox was once a childhood rite of passage, but few parents know that it can have severe and even deadly complications including pneumonia. The CDC recommends two doses, one between the ages of 12 and 15 months and the other between four and six years.

Meningitis Vaccine

Meningococcal disease is bacterial and is the leading cause of childhood meningitis in the U.S. This life-threatening disease is characterized by flu-like symptoms and can lead to brain swelling and death.  Depending on the brand of vaccine used, pediatricians recommend it between the ages of 11 and 18.

Adult Vaccines

Adults who are not sure if they are immune to certain high-risk diseases can request lab testing to find out, or they can simply be vaccinated. In most cases, it’s never too late to receive childhood vaccines. Routine vaccines for adults include varicella, pneumonia, shingles, influenza, and rubella.

Varicella Vaccine

Adults have a higher risk than children for complications from chickenpox, especially pregnant women. Two doses are given about six weeks apart for adults.

Pneumonia Vaccine

The adult pneumococcal vaccine protects against the most common types of bacteria that cause pneumonia. It does not prevent viral pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia kills nearly 50,000 American annually and patients with chronic disease are at higher risk. The shot is recommended for healthy adults over 65, and any adult or child over the age of two with a chronic respiratory disease or a weaken immune system.

Shingles Vaccine

The same virus that causes chickenpox can return as a painful case of shingles in adult life. It produces a blistering rash that can damage the eyes and can stick around long-term as a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. One dose is recommended for adults over 60.

Influenza Vaccine

The seasonal influenza vaccine is based on several strains that researchers expect will be prevalent in the coming year. Occasionally, an unsuspected variant slips in, and the shot is not as effective as it could be. However, nearly a quarter of a million people annually are hospitalized due to influenza and more than 30,000 die. Of those, only a minority were vaccinated.

Rubella Vaccine

Because of the high risk of birth defects, women of child-bearing age may want to ensure they’re immune to rubella.

The Nurses Role

A patient looks to a nurse for education about vaccinations. In addition to the recommended schedules, clients usually want to know more about the disease they protect against and what the potential side effects of each shot may be.

Since vaccine formulas change frequently, nurses need to stay up-to-date in their knowledge and be ready to answer those questions. Epidemiologically, the medical reasons to get a vaccine rarely vary, and their side effects tend to be similar.

These are the seven most important points to share with patients:

  1. Vaccines are both safe and effective, and they do not cause illness. Allergic reactions are always a minimal risk for any patient, but they can be monitored for and treated.
  • A localized reaction at the site of the shot may occur with any vaccine. Comfort measures such as ice, heat and over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to ease any discomfort.
  • Certain vaccinations can cause short-lived flu-like symptoms, but this is not the disease and shouldn’t be a barrier to vaccination.
  • In most cases, minor illnesses are not a contraindication for vaccination.
  • If a vaccine is recommended for a patient, in most cases, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
  • In other parts of the world, diseases that are not common in the U.S. are prevalent. Patients should talk to their physician at least eight weeks before going abroad.
  • Vaccines are available at a physician’s office, through public health departments and in the case of certain adult vaccines, at the pharmacy. In some states, patients who can’t afford vaccines for their children may qualify to get them free of charge.

Explaining Herd Immunity

A common misconception about childhood diseases is that they’ve been eradicated, and vaccinations pose an unnecessary health risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. Illnesses like polio and mumps are only rare because of vaccinations, and as immunization rates fall, diseases like measles and pertussis are again surging, in part because of lower herd immunity.

Herd immunity is the concept that the greater the number of individuals in a group that are immune to an infection, the less likely it is that those without resistance will contract the disease. As a nurse, this is the simplest way to explain to parents how vaccinating their children protects the entire family, other children at daycare or school and the community at large.

Educating the public about the importance of vaccinations is a critical public health mission, and as front-line healthcare providers, it’s one in which nurses should take a leading role.

Did learning about vaccination and patient immunization 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.

Gerontological Nursing: The Baby Boomer Boom

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More than 70 million baby boomers are fast approaching retirement age and with that comes a growing need for gerontological nurses. Gerontology, the study and care of aging adults, is poised to become a top medical specialty in the next two decades. Unlike geriatrics which focuses on the treatment of disease in the elderly, gerontology considers the entire spectrum of wellness issues older Americans face, and it’s a task professional nurses are uniquely positioned to address.

Who are the Baby Boomers?

America experienced a steep rise in birth rates between 1946 and 1964. World War II had just ended, the economy was thriving, and couples took the opportunity to start families. Today, children born in this generation, the so-called Baby Boomers, are in their 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, and as the largest single demographic group in the United States, their evolving healthcare needs will necessarily change the landscape of medicine in the coming years.

How do Gerontological Nurses Fit In?

Getting older has its share of both medical and non-medical issues, but most are inexorably linked. Aging is not an illness, but it is associated with greater susceptibility to disease and loss of functional capacity due to a perfect storm of physical, psychological and social issues.

Aging adults like Baby Boomers have health goals. They want to:

• Age in place in the comfort of their home
• Remain independent and active as long as possible
• Manage their healthcare expenses effectively
• Receive care that is less medicalized and more focused on quality of life

Achieving this, however, requires coordinated care. Unlike younger patients, older adults face a wider range of medical issues including:

• High rates of chronic disease
• Increased vulnerability to acute illness
• Impaired mobility
• Cognitive and sensory decline

But they also face economic and social challenges that impact their ability to care for themselves such as:

• Homes that aren’t mobility-friendly
• Lack of access to shopping and transportation
• Social isolation
• Limited financial resources
• Lack of family support

The role of a gerontological nurse is to manage this full range of complex vulnerabilities that affect older adults’ quality of life and independence. As millions of baby boomers enter the healthcare system as medical consumers, they are needed more than ever. Gerontological nurses work in:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Assisted living communities
• Nursing homes
• Hospices
• Public health departments
• Government
• Private medical practices

From managing acute illness and preventing chronic disease to advocating for safe housing and promoting elder nutrition programs, gerontological nurses are taking a leading role in meeting the needs of aging adults wherever they are.

Common Issues Affecting Older Adults

Consider these distinct health issues older adults at home face from a gerontological nursing perspective. The include Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, diabetes, and influenza.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease. Its course is different for everyone, and in its early stages, symptoms like forgetfulness and changes in vision are manageable. However, when combined with unfavorable environmental and social circumstances, it can prematurely rob seniors of their independence.

Memory lapses and changes in depth perception, for example, can lead to:

• Medication errors
• Loss of ability to drive or cook safely
• Inability to manage finances
• Social isolation

These relatively minor symptoms, for an older adult without regular family or community support, can then lead to:

• Malnutrition
• Loneliness
• Depression
• Acute illness
• Falls with catastrophic injuries

Gerontological nursing treats this type of problem not just as an illness, but as wellness issue that impacts elder independence, recognizing that by addressing co-occurring medical and social concerns, both health and quality of life improve. To help a patient age in place in a case like this, a gerontological nurse might recommend:

• Home adaptations that allow a client to avoid using the stairs
• A medicine reminder system
• Grocery shopping and meal preparation support
• Transportation services for shopping and doctor’s appointments
• A peer support group

Arthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of disability in older adults, and it can impact life in unexpected ways. Impaired mobility makes self-care difficult, increases the risk of falls and can lead to social isolation as seniors struggle to keep up with healthier peers. Pain, when severe, can also lead to changes in mood, depression and overuse of potentially addictive medications that can cause dangerous cognitive side effects. What could a gerontological nurse do for a client in this situation?

• Explore physical therapy, home modifications and the use of adaptive equipment
• Determine if prescribed medications are a risk factor for injury and ask about safer alternatives
• Help the patient to identify meaningful activities that are less physically challenging

Diabetes

Managing diabetes requires attention to both nutrition and medication, and that can be especially tough for older adults. Seniors who don’t drive may struggle to get food, medicine and exercise while others may lack the financial resources to buy critical medications. Adults with cognitive impairment may be unable to manage complex medication regimens. For seniors with arthritis, even self-administering insulin injections can be difficult.

Gerontological nurses help by identifying and addressing these types of challenges on an individual basis. Potential interventions include:

• Obtaining in-home assistance with personal care
• Working with physicians to simplify medication regimens
• Seeking alternative funding for life-saving drugs
• Exploring elder nutrition support programs

Influenza

Nearly a quarter of a million patients annually are hospitalized in the United States due to influenza, and of those, more than half are over age 65. With age, seniors become more susceptible to dehydration and secondary infections, such as pneumonia, as a result of the flu. Gerontological nurses can help prevent hospitalizations by:

• Education seniors about hand washing and the importance of getting a flu shot
• Offering in-home immunizations or help with getting transportation to a doctor’s office

For older adults who want to live out their retirement at home, these interventions are just some of the many ways gerontological nurses can help.

For seniors with an acute illness or chronic medical conditions that require more care than can be safely provided at home, the same wellness-based gerontological principles are applied in hospitals, assisted living communities, nursing homes and hospices. The goals always remain the same, to optimize health, maintain quality of life and maximize independence.

Top Skills for Gerontological Nurses

Critical Thinking

Gerontological nurses have a broad scope of practice, and the ability to think critically is a must. Every day presents challenges that require sound decision-making skills, and to be successful, it takes the ability to analyze data, assess complex situations and make logical connections between the many issues affecting older adults.

Open-Mindedness

Every patient is an individual with the right to self-determination. Patients will have vastly different thoughts about wellness and may make choices that are not always aligned with nursing recommendations. Only by remaining open-minded can nurses help patients make healthcare decisions that best reflect their goals.

Compassion

Compassion is more than kindness. It’s the ability to feel a patients’ suffering and the impact it has on lives from a holistic perspective. The elderly are particularly vulnerable and need nurses who can support them through times of physical, mental, or emotional pain as whole persons, not just as the sum of their symptoms.

Tips for Caring for Older Adults

Seniors are unique individuals with diverse needs and preferences, but they also share common characteristics and generational personality traits that affect the way nurses should approach care. To build a strong professional relationship with their clients, gerontological nurses should consider these tips.

Recognize Sensory Issues

With age, most seniors lose some visual and hearing acuity. Adaptive equipment including glasses and hearing aids can help, but it’s vital to recognize how these impairments affect the lives of patients, their ability to communicate and take care of themselves.

Demonstrate Respect

Older adults have paid their dues and deserve respect. Despite needs that may appear child-like, seniors should never be treated like children. The aging brain does lose some fluidity with age, and it can be harder to learn new things, but the knowledge and wisdom associated with extensive life experience rarely fade.

Keep Things Simple

The older generation is from a simpler time, and while that doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t want to learn new things, they rarely appreciate complexity for its own sake and prefer healthcare providers who give them concise, actionable information.

Build Trust and Rapport

Research shows that older adults are more likely to take action on healthcare advice when the information comes from a trusted source. By building personal rapport over time and demonstrating both knowledge and goodwill, gerontological nurses can be that source. Since nurses are the providers most likely to be on the front lines of care, a trusting relationship is the gateway through which medical recommendations are most likely to be accepted.

Support Their Autonomy

Older adults often feel like their independence is undermined by well-meaning healthcare providers who assume they can no longer make their own decisions. As a group, they are affected by negative stereotypes and struggle to communicate with doctors, nurses and even family members who have different points of view. As a patient advocate, it’s one of a gerontological nurse’s primary obligations to both respect and support aging adults’ right to autonomy to every extent possible.

As a generation, baby boomers are experiencing better health because of advances in medicine, yet many fear that they won’t age successfully because of social, cultural and economic challenges. These challenges include a healthcare system burdened with rising costs and capacity constraints. The good news is that gerontological nurses may be the solution. Their unique blend of medical skills and personal accessibility makes them the perfect front line healthcare providers to bring older adults the comprehensive, cost-effective, high-quality care they deserve.

Did learning about gerontological 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.

Tax Season and What It Means for Accountants

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Anyone who intends to become an accountant and enjoy the financial security that comes with the career should know about tax season. Many professional accountants, regardless of the other business-related tasks they perform, earn up to half their annual income during just a few months of the year.

Of course, individual situations vary, but accountants who focus their practice on taxation fall into one of two general categories: those who specialize in individual tax filing and those whose clients are primarily small businesses. From a professional standpoint, there’s a huge difference. That’s because personal income tax forms are filed once per year, in April. Business filings typically take place on a quarterly basis.

What do these financial experts do during tax season and how do they get prepared for what can be their busiest time of the year?

People who want to enter the accounting field need to arm themselves with a few essential facts about the daily work life of accountants. It’s smart to learn about the different tax cycles, find out how to prepare for the “April rush,” and become familiar with common tax terms and forms. In general, prospective accountants need to know what skills are required to survive a busy tax season.

What is Tax Season?

At least once per year, but maybe more than that, accountants remind everyone that it’s the “busy season.” That usually means overtime, some weekend work, lots of telephone time, and likely some additional client meetings.

Personal Tax Season: Individuals who don’t own businesses make up the largest portion of tax filers, without question. Newly employed accountants, whether in private practice or in the employment of firms, tend to spend most of their time on these cases. Personal tax preparation is less complicated than partnership and corporate filing, so that is the usual entry-level task.

The good news is that there is only one major season for personal filing, and that’s in mid-April each year. In fact, there’s a mini-season as October approaches because a decent number of personal filers get six-month extensions.

Accountants end up with a personal tax busy season that runs from about early March (when they start putting in extra hours on personal filing preparation) until mid-April when the official, heavy filing season is over.

Then, there’s another burst of activity getting ready to file the extended returns from about mid-September until the mid-October deadline. Preparers who do corporate and partnership returns face a different set of deadlines.

Business Tax Season: Many small business owners pay taxes quarterly, which means accountants who do those returns face smaller, but more frequent, filing times each year. The middle weeks of January, April, June and September are the quarterly-filing and paying deadlines for businesses.

Partnerships and corporations are more complicated tax filers, with complex returns and different deadlines. Experienced tax accountants work on these returns. Corporations with a calendar-year cycle, often called S-corps, face a March 15 filing deadline but often opt for a six-month extension. Partnerships that work on a calendar year have an April 15 deadline, but they also like to opt for a six-month extension.

What does that mean for accountants who do these complex returns? It translates into two busy periods; one from February through mid-April and another from August until mid-October.

How Do Accountants Prepare for Tax Season?

How does any business owner get ready for the busiest time of the year? Tax accountants are no different from other independent professionals in this regard. Indeed, auto sales agents, real estate brokers, nurses, painters, entertainers, doctors and hundreds of other people in business for themselves endure seasonal cycles, ups and downs in income that result in slow months and hectic ones. But because the U.S. government mandates tax filing deadlines, accountants probably have the most defined professional “season” of any employment sector.

An Accountant’s Checklist for Tax Season

Every year brings new challenges for tax accountants and it takes a solid month to be adequately prepared for the tax filing season. There are some annual checklist items that every accountant should attend to as the busy months approach:

Make sure software is up to date

All the big suppliers add a few bells and whistles from time to time so it’s a good idea to make sure everything is current.

Stay on top of any changes in the code

Tax accountants need to keep an eye on small and large changes in the U.S. tax code. For example, the most recent Tax Reform and Jobs Act (known as TCJA or “tick-ja” to accountants) includes extensive revisions to personal and business tax laws, so this will be a very busy year for professionals who do all kinds of filings.

Reconnect with clients

Accounting is a business and it’s vital to stay connected with the client base during the “off season.” But as tax deadlines approach and taxpayers begin to receive their documents in the mail, accountants need to gather up important items like W-2s, 1099s and other pieces of the filing packet.

Double-check on secure data transmission

Tax clients should have a secure data connection via the accountant’s website for uploading sensitive documents.

Common Terms and Forms for Tax Preparers and Advisors

Business and personal taxation issues can be quite different but there are plenty of important terms common to both. Each kind of filing has its own forms, deadlines and special obstacles for clients and accountants. The following terms and forms are part of the core elements of tax accounting:

AGI – Wages, dividends, capital gains and interest, minus the allowed business expenses, IRA contributions, alimony and moving costs is the standard verbal formula for this most common of all tax terms. It helps to have it committed to memory.

Tax credits – Like a coupon for “dollars off”the bottom-line price of a retail product, tax credits are amounts that get subtracted from a final tax bill.

Tax deductions – Not like a retail coupon, deductions are amounts the IRS allows taxpayers to subtract from AGI before arriving at “taxable income.”

Standard deduction – A set figure, in dollars, that people can deduct from their AGI in lieu of itemizing. The new tax laws in 2018 changed this number considerably.

Itemized deductions – For taxpayers who don’t want to take the standard deduction, itemization lets them reduce their AGI based on specifically chosen expenses they had during the tax year.

Form 1040 – For individuals and couples filing personal taxes. This is the so-called long form.

Form 1040A – For individuals and couples filing personal taxes. This is the so-called short form.

Form 1040EZ – Taxpayers who are joint filers, single filers and have no dependents can use this simple tax form.

Form 1040NR – The most common non-resident alien tax form.

Form 1040NR-EZ – For non-resident aliens who have zero dependents.

Survival Skills for Tax Accountants

Whether an accountant has one or four tax filing cycles per year, the “busy season” can be a challenge for those who aren’t prepared, both professionally and emotionally. Skills needed to survive tax season after tax season of the peaks and valleys of the profession are part personal and part professional.

Wise business owners make sure to stay aware of changes in the law and to take the required continuing education courses. Accounting is a career that calls for continuous improvement. The U.S. economy is fast-moving with dozens of different business types and tax treatments.

A competent accountant should be ready to acquire new skills and knowledge sets as the business environment changes. At a minimum, successful accountants should possess, or be ready to acquire, the following skills:

Organization – Organization, and “attention to detail,”are at the top of any list for tax accountants’ job skills. Prospective accountants need to either already be good organizers or be willing to learn the steps for getting there. With so many forms, deadlines, rules, changing legal landscapes, and other professional changes, the accountant who has weak organization skills is not ready for tax season. The time to acquire organizational ability and an eye for detail are during the academic portion of an accounting career.

Time Management – Closely related to organization, time management is a specific skill that anyone can learn. It’s about setting priorities, making lists, meeting deadlines and knowing how much time it takes to do common tasks.

A good example is tax season. Preparers with experience and keen organizational skills have learned from experience that it takes about four hours to complete a simple tax return from start to finish. Armed with that data, a tax preparer won’t schedule more than two returns for a typical work day.

Flexibility/Adaptability – Laws change, clients come and go, coworkers are sometimes hard to deal with, and no two days are exactly alike. By embracing change and staying on top of the industry’s changes, accountants can build flexibility and adaptability into their skill sets. That makes every day a little bit less stressful.

Communication: Even solo practitioners need high-grade communication skills. Tax and accounting are idea- and concept-rich fields. Practitioners must explain complex situations to clients in simple terms. Accounting firms thrive on clear, open lines of communication. Prospective tax accountants must sharpen their ability to communicate even before they go into the profession.

Integrity/Honesty – Accountants deal with other people’s money, sometimes great amounts of it. Being responsible for someone’s wealth, prosperity and financial security demands the highest level of integrity.

Many accounting firms ask for multiple letters of recommendation, conduct thorough background checks, and tolerate no financial impropriety. Potential clients often choose individual accountants or firms based on reputation, so an honest image and high level of personal integrity go a long way in the profession.

Accounting, and especially tax accounting, is a financially and personally rewarding career field. It’s also one of the most demanding in terms of knowledge, education, basic skills, and dedication.

Education is the most important of the initial components of an accounting career. Those getting ready to enter the job market do themselves must focus on acquiring the academic background in accounting that will serve them for decades to come.

Interested in learning more about accounting during the tax season? The Accounting diploma program at Gwinnett College is designed to prepare college graduates to seek entry-level positions in the accounting and bookkeeping fields.  The college graduate may work as an accounts’ receivable or accounts payable clerk, bookkeeper, payroll clerk, accounting assistant or inventory control clerk.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become an accountant or bookkeeper today.

Nursing Student Saves Man Overdosing

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Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system in the United States. You can probably remember of a time in your life where a nurse made a tremendous impact. Maybe you broke a bone in middle school. Perhaps you’re a mother who had that one *outstanding* nurse by your side during the delivery of your little one. Your dad might be a cancer survivor and there was one nurse who helped him get through chemotherapy.

For one survivor in Orlando, he will remember the time when our nursing student, David Mizzoli, saved his life. Read below;

Nursing Student Saves Man Overdosing – ClickOrlando.com

Thank you, David Mizzoli, and great job!

How to Manage Massage Therapy Clients

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The benefits of massage therapy are wide reaching. As a massage therapist, you use the power of your hands and the techniques you have learned to relieve pain and tension in your clients’ muscles and soft tissues. Your services can help encourage and increase physical circulation and even help with anxiety and irregular sleep patterns. However, you can be the most skilled massage therapist and still be unsuccessful if you don’t know how to manage your clients.

It doesn’t matter if you are working with a spa, your own business or providing massage therapy in your clients’ homes, you should know how to maintain good relationships with the people who use your massage therapy services. Client management is the nuts and bolts of how you provide and advertise your services to the people who need them. Here are some areas to consider when you are planning to begin your practice, expand your practice or trying to better manage the clients you already have.

Manage Time

Time management is a factor in all facets of massage therapy, but it is especially important when it comes to the time spent with your clients. Knowing how to manage your clients’ time will help you enhance your clients’ experiences and can even help strengthen your profit margins. Being more thoughtful about how you structure your appointment time allows you to be more efficient. There are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when considering how to budget and spend your time with your client.

Accurately Estimate How Long Things Take

The importance of knowing how long it takes you to perform a certain service or task can’t be overstated. It informs your pricing, your scheduling, and your ability (or inability) to take on new clients without fear of disappointing them. You should have a good idea of how long each of your massage therapy services take you to complete without rushing so your clients aren’t disappointed by a massage therapy appointment that was chaotic due to poor time management.

Make a Game Plan

While there are going to be issues that come as a surprise in the middle of a massage therapy session, for the most part, clients know what they want worked on when they make their appointment. Once you are aware of what your client is hoping to achieve you can plan regarding the flow of the appointment based on the amount of time your client is willing to pay for. Knowing what you can and can’t include in an appointment will allow you to make recommendations and help better inform your client of what they can expect in that amount of time. It will also help you structure your appointment in the most beneficial way for your client.

Be Smart About Your Commute

You need to account for things like travel time if you are performing massage therapy in your clients’ homes. Being late to scheduled appointments make clients feel like you are wasting their time and it decreases their confidence in your commitment to massage therapy. While there will be times when you are forced to push or reschedule an appointment, it should be the exception to the rule. If you are a massage therapist who is respectful of your clients’ time, they will be more likely to build a lasting rapport with you and recommend your services to others.

Balancing Client and Administrative Time

Overloading your schedule with back-to-back appointments can be good for money in the short term, but it is not a sustainable business model. Whether you are working in a spa or independently, you should take time out to complete tasks that are unrelated to your clients. Cleaning and purchasing equipment, restocking supplies and calling vendors, along with everyday tasks like maintaining client records and accounting are some of the many areas that will need your attention. Avoiding these areas of your business may not impact your clients immediately, but it will eventually. Make sure you strike a healthy balance between appointments and administration in a way that keeps your profits steady.

Managing Expectations

Keeping your clients happy will keep them coming back and strengthen your reputation. Client disappointment should be avoided whenever possible. There is no way to expect that you will please everyone who comes to you, but you can help manage your clients’ expectations by keeping a few things in mind.

Be Honest with Yourself and Your Clients

Massage therapy has a myriad of benefits. It can increase relaxation, stimulate circulation and enhance the overall wellness of your clients. There are things that massage therapy can’t do. Promising your clients results that you can’t guarantee or exaggerating the benefits of your service will look poorly on you. Be honest and thorough in your explanation of what the client can expect and anticipate from their appointment.

Once you have a clear idea about how to budget your time you will also have a clearer idea of what you can and can’t do with your schedule. There will be times that a client wants to quickly squeeze in an appointment or add a service last minute and you will have to say no to their request. This can be uncomfortable because it feels like you might lose them as a client or disappoint them. When you have a full schedule and a demanding clientele, be transparent about why you cannot complete their request immediately and offer them an alternative time slot or comparable service when you can.

Communicate Clearly

Misunderstandings lead to frustration for both you and your clients. Make your massage therapy services and pricing clear up front. People don’t like to feel tricked into paying money they didn’t expect. People also don’t like expecting one thing and getting something else. When clients have questions about what you provide or if you can help with a problem, take your time and be as truthful in your answers as you can. It is also important that any websites or online ads are simple and easy to understand for this reason.

Be Authentic

People respond to authenticity. There is no question that you should always be professional and appropriate, but it’s also important for you to be yourself. Personality and connection can be an important part of the client relationship. It cultivates a level of comfort and ease in an industry that can make people feel vulnerable. When people feel genuinely cared about and have a connection to their massage therapist, it will likely take a lot for them to go elsewhere. Get to know your clients, and let your clients get to know you.

Prepare for Difficult Clients

Massage therapy is an overwhelmingly positive profession. Being in the business of helping people and making them feel better can be rewarding. But there are going to be clients who are difficult and confrontational no matter what you do. Therefore, it is important for you to think about these kinds of clients before you encounter them. Highly emotional situations can create panic and anxiety for some people and can even shy the massage therapist away from expanding their business. It is important to know your own boundaries, and what you want to say and do if a client crosses the line. Knowing these things ahead of time will keep you from feeling flustered while trying to figure them out in the moment. Being calm, even in the face of confrontational clients, will help you stay in control and maintain your authority in those situations.

Good General Management

When you have established a pattern of personal responsibility throughout every area of your profession, your clients will reap the benefits. Frantic appointments filled with confusion don’t create a conducive atmosphere for relaxation and healing. Make sure that all areas of your massage therapy practice have been attended to, and you are able to give your clients your sincere focus and undivided attention during their appointment. When you give every aspect of your massage therapy the management and attention it deserves, you and your clients feel the effects. While your certified skills are the first step in becoming a successful massage therapist, there is much more to the business than what you can do with your hands.

Interested in learning more about a career in massage therapy? Ready to become a massage therapist? Upon graduation, Massage Therapy Program students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a massage therapist today.

 

Maternal and Pediatric Care Nursing Skills

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Maternal and pediatric nursing are two specialized fields among many nursing options. Although a very natural process, human reproduction is an area in which the skills of the nurse are critical to a successful outcome for both mother and child. As the child grows, preventive care helps promote health and proper physical, emotional and social development. The nurse is often the health care professional who works most closely with both mother and child, and who is uniquely positioned to identify potential problems in development or parent/child interactions. Nurses who work in the area of maternal and pediatric care will find themselves in an array of work settings, including the home. Nurses in these fields can build relationships with their patients that last for many years.

Maternal Nursing Care

Maternity nursing care begins in the prenatal period. Although some women may seek care earlier, an expectant mother is most likely to enter the healthcare system somewhere between the fourth and twelfth week of pregnancy. Should that entry be delayed until the second or even third trimester, the risk of complications rises. The nurse may provide maternal care at any point during the prenatal period, during labor and delivery or in the post-partum period. Few nurses, however, are present during each stage of a pregnancy for an individual woman, so the nurse’s ability to communicate with other members of the health care team is vitally important skill. An offshoot of maternal health nursing is the specialty practice of fertility promotion and preconception maternal health.

Pediatric Nursing Care

Pediatric care begins in the immediate period after delivery and continues until the child is considered an adult, usually at the age of 18. It encompasses all phases of development. Although pediatric care includes nursing a child who is injured, ill or has a developmental disability, in many cases, the nurse working in pediatrics is focused on preventive care and the promotion of normal child development.

Skills Needed in Maternal and Pediatric Nursing Care

The skills a nurse brings to the fields of maternal and pediatric care are similar to those for nursing in general. The nurse must perform a physical assessment and identify both normal and abnormal conditions. Critical thinking and good judgment are important skills in this field. Nurses who work in the field of maternal and pediatric nursing care must have basic knowledge of such issues as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, medical terminology and human psychology. In maternal nursing care all knowledge must be filtered through the lens of the stages of pregnancy, which affects so many biological functions. In pediatric care, the most important aspect is what constitutes normal human development and how illness, injury or disability can affect that development. In both areas, the nurse must have the skills to build rapport across the age continuum.

Nurses in the field of maternal and pediatric care must also be detail-oriented and alert to even subtle changes in their patients. It should go without saying that the nurse should have high ethical standards to prevent such problems as a breach of confidentiality and to ensure the accurate and safe delivery of nursing care.

Personal Characteristics of a Nurse in Maternal or Pediatric Care

Skill and knowledge are only part of the picture in maternal and pediatric nursing. Certain personal characteristics will also help the nurse be successful. For example, empathy, compassion, approachability and accessibility in the nurse are often seen as important qualities, especially by first-time mothers. If the nurse is the sort of person who is naturally good with children, pediatric nursing may be the right field. The ability to build and maintain a trusting relationship with a child who is hurt or scared is vitally important in pediatrics.

Teaching and communication skills are critically important. Nurses must have the ability to communicate concepts clearly but to change the approach according to the child’s developmental level. Nurses who work in the fields of maternal and pediatric care must also have the ability to work collaboratively with other health-care disciplines. Children with disabilities, for example, often require the services of the nurse as well as physical therapists. Mothers who have experienced domestic violence need counseling as well as nursing care. In both maternal and pediatric nursing, the ability for self-care is also important, since both fields offer satisfaction to the nurse.

Nursing Tasks in Maternal Care

Nursing tasks in maternal care include many basics, such as nursing documentation, hygiene, sterile technique and patient transfer techniques. Others that are specific to maternal nursing include:

  • Obtaining a health history specifically related to this and previous pregnancies.
  • Performing pregnancy and other lab or diagnostic tests and interpreting them for the patient.
  • Patient education about the normal stages of pregnancy and child development.
  • Assessment of fetal well-being.
  • Caring for women who have developed complications related to pregnancy, such as toxemia.
  • Assisting a woman through the stages of labor and delivery.

Nursing Care of the Newborn

Pediatric nursing care begins in the immediate postpartum period. Once the child is safely delivered, the nurse must:

  • Provide immediate care such as suctioning mucous, keeping the infant warm, cleaning the baby and administering medications.
  • Assist the mother in breastfeeding or basic newborn care.
  • Assess for signs of problems such as respiratory distress.

Pediatric Care of the Toddler, Child and Adolescent

During the first five or six years of life, children grow and change very fast. Nurses who work in this field must have extensive knowledge of the stages of child and adolescent development. Much of the focus of pediatric care is on physical, emotional and social development. Nursing tasks in this area include:

  • Building relationships with parent and child (outpatient pediatric care occurs over a period of years).
  • Assessing vision, hearing, height and weight.
  • Administration of immunizations according to the standard schedules.
  • Performing child and parent education.
  • Obtaining specimens for laboratory tests.
  • Serving as a child advocate.
  • Identifying signs of abuse and neglect.

Work Settings in Maternal and Pediatric Care

Nurses who work in maternal and pediatric care have three major options when it comes to work settings which include outpatient care, hospital care and community health.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient work settings include doctors’ offices, clinics and outpatient surgical care. Clinics may be freestanding, such as a community health center, or part of a larger hospital system. Home health is often a hybrid of outpatient care and hospital care, as the nurse performs tasks that may occur in both work settings.

Hospital Care

Nurses who work with children in the acute care environment might work in the newborn nursery or in the neonatal unit, caring for high risk newborns. In a general pediatric unit, the nurse works with children who have an illness or injury or who require surgery. Specialty pediatric units in a hospital include the pediatric critical care unit, oncology and other specialty units.

Community Health

Public health departments provide employment for many nurses. Pediatric nurses also work in school settings. Community groups dedicated to the health of mothers and children may also offer employment in this field. For example, community groups might work in the field of nutrition for mothers and children, in child abuse prevention or in parenting education. A final option for a community health work setting is in the field of nursing education.

Nursing is a demanding field but one that also offers the opportunity for great personal and professional satisfaction. In addition, nursing offers considerable flexibility in terms of work setting, time of day and specialty. Maternal and pediatric care nurses can have a major influence in the health of both individuals and the community by promoting healthy child development and good parenting skills through their work. Since they often work with individuals over the course of months or years, they are uniquely positioned to recognize subtle changes with a high potential for problems. It is often the nurse who has the potential to prevent adverse outcomes by recognizing signs of child abuse and neglect, or maternal health issues such as domestic violence and substance abuse.

Did learning about maternal and pediatric care 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.