money sectionmoney sectionNursing home care can be prohibitively expensive for most families. On average, nursing homes cost around $70,000 annually as of 2011, according to Helpguide. Medicare only covers skilled-nursing home care under certain circumstances and after a qualifying event in the hospital. Medicaid, the health insurance for people with limited means, will pay. About 70 percent of nursing home residents rely on it, according to Medicare.gov. To be eligible for Medicaid, you've got to spend down your resources and assets, like your bank accounts, stocks and pension plans. But you've got to do it by the book, or you'll be penalized…
If you are a registered nurse who loves working with children, consider pursuing higher education to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in pediatrics. Becoming a CNS in a specific area of expertise like pediatrics requires completing a Masters or Doctoral program and passing a national licensing examination. There are many subspecialties within the area of pediatric nursing based on the age of patients and focusing on specific areas such as nutrition, social work and acute care.
An OB-GYN specializes in health issues relating to the female reproductive system. In some ways they are a combination of obstetricians and gynecologists, who treat a myriad of problems including sexually transmitted diseases, infections of the urinary tract and vaginal systems, and cancers of the uterus, breast and ovaries. They also treat health issues relating to pregnancy and child birth. An OB-GYN is a fully licensed medical practitioner and must have the proper undergraduate and graduate degrees. The doctor must also have served an internship and residency.
A nurse is a licensed health care professional who cares for patients as directed by a physician. Nurses can work in a variety of health care industries and disciplines such as pediatric, emergency care and psychiatric nursing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated the salary for mid-career nurses in May 2010.
Taxpayers can claim dependent exemptions for certain individuals they support financially during the year. Before claiming an exemption, however, the taxpayer and the dependent must meet certain qualifications set by the Internal Revenue Service. Generally, dependents must live in the home with a taxpayer all year, but some individuals do not have to meet this standard for dependent purposes. This means that those who live in nursing homes may qualify as dependents.
Careful planning is key to a successful experience applying to nursing school. Over 40,000 qualified applicants were rejected from nursing school in 2007 due to limited faculty, resources and budget constraints, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Staying organized can prevent last-minute stress and increase chances of success.
A Clinical Nurse Leader is a registered nursing position within a hospital or health care organization. CNL's are advanced generalist clinicians who have achieved a master's level nursing education. These clinical professionals evaluate patient outcomes, assess risk and posses the authority to change patient care plans when necessary. CNL's also assume a supervisory role among a hospital organization's interdisciplinary, health-care team.
A dermatological assistant works alongside medical doctors and dermatologists to provide specialized skin care and preventative medicine for patients. The responsibilities of a dermatological assistant include office work, medical expertise, the ability to work with doctors and the ability to work with patients by keeping them calm and relaxed during their visit.
A passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is required to become a nurse. There are two NCLEXs available: one for registered nursing (NCLEX-RN) and one for practical nursing (NCLEX-PN). You can receive the unofficial results of your exam in as little as 48 hours by paying a small fee if the nursing board in your state is one of the 47 boards that participate in the Quick Results Service. Official results will come via mail around one month after your test.
The assistant clinical project manager plays a vital role in the successful completion of important projects in a variety of healthcare environments. Understanding your role as the assistant clinical project manager can help you advance your career. While the assistant mostly supports the supervising project manager, there are other important functions the assistant performs.
A CNO (Computer Network Operations) engineer is a computer network operations engineer. A CNO engineer will work in a variety of industries employing his skills to enhance network design and operations. He may conduct research, testing of design of computer networks. A CNO engineer may also help integrate new systems into existing networks. A CNO engineer may find himself working with software or hardware, depending on the employers need.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide daily living care for patients unable to fully care for themselves, often working with residents of assisted living facilities. Acute care CNAs, also called CNA 2, have advanced training and typically work in specialized facilities or hospital areas under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
While all doctors have a certain baseline of knowledge, the specifics of treating different patients and diseases require individual doctors to undergo extensive training to specialize in a particular field. When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, the person is often referred to an oncologist, a doctor specializing in cancer treatment.
Activities coordinators work in nursing homes, senior centers and residential facilities. Their purpose is to help elderly patients, residents and participants maintain their mental, emotional and physical health. A specific degree is not always necessary to get a job as an activities coordinator, though a two-year degree with emphasis on business administration and caring for the elderly can be useful.
Forensic nursing is a specialized field that bridges the gap between medical services and law enforcement. Forensic nurses handle numerous responsibilities regarding a crime or a crime victim. A forensic nurse can collect physical evidence while treating and taking care of a suspected rape or assault victim, for instance. A forensic nurse can also treat law enforcement officers or criminals for wounds suffered during arrests, or investigate a crime scene to help determine cause of death or injury. Becoming a nurse for the FBI requires hard work, diligence and persistence.
Nurse managers play a vital role in health care. They are the essence of any health care system. Their chief responsibilities include taking care of patients and recruiting, managing and supervising staff successfully. Nurse managers need to stay balanced despite various challenges that include efficient handling of stakeholders, work pressures, budgetary constraints, shortages and labor problems. Their ultimate goal is implementation of policies that ensures care, compassion and dedicated health care services.
Geriatric nurses specialize in looking after elderly people who need regular assistance. Nurses in this speciality fulfill a very important role by ensuring that the elderly people in a given community continue to enjoy a high quality of life and that they receive the health care that they require. Geriatric nurses work in a number of different types of roles and facilities.
The National Institute of Nursing Research defines the field as the process of developing knowledge to "build the scientific foundation for clinical practice, prevent disease and disability, manage and eliminate symptoms caused by illness [and] enhance end-of-life and palliative care." Research nurses work alongside doctors and other scientists to perform experiments and analyze data with the intent of achieving those goals.
Careers in health care continue to grow as the nation's population ages. Health care jobs in high demand include registered nurses and health care managers and administrators. To take advantage of the career opportunities in the health care field, outline a list of career goals and a plan to achieve them.
Commercial kitchens differ greatly from home kitchens. Commercial kitchens must encourage efficiency for the best output of quality food for waiting customers. Many restaurants hire commercial kitchen designers to produce an efficient floor plan. Designers and restaurant owners must consider numerous factors, from food type to customer load, before a design can come to life.
When people think of hospitals, one of the first things that may come to mind are nursing staffs. The nursing staff is known for being both vital assistants to the doctors as well as to the patients. Though the nursing staff can be thought of as those who give vaccinations and deliver food, their job encompasses many responsibilities.
Fact-finding is the only way to verify sources and ensure the validity of a topic. Newspapers, magazines and book publishers use fact-finders to verify information provided by the writer. On-site fact-finders look at the sources provided by the writer to double-check the information. In certain cases, such as travel writing, the writer goes on a fact-finding mission before writing.
A college health nurse supervisor has many responsibilities -- practical as well as administrative. In addition to having supervisory responsibilities, nurse supervisors also advise students and university officials on health and safety issues. Sometimes they're responsible for making presentations to the student body, particularly if there's a health scare on campus, and students need to be informed about possible dangers.
Nurses are an essential piece of the medical system. From the moment a patient enters a doctor's office or hospital, a nurse is there to comfort her, provide essential care and see her treatment through to the end. Nurse practitioners have advanced degrees in medicine, beginning with a Master degree. Nurse practitioners go beyond treating a patient when they perform health tests, analyze test results, assess appropriate care and refer patients to advanced care programs.
Nursing works to provide evidence-based outcomes for patients. As the profession has grown it has become necessary to find ways to measure the success of patient care and treatment. Medical professionals develop an evidenced-based practice by setting goals and recording outcomes proved to better measure the efficacies of treatments on patients. This gives nurses and doctors the information necessary to alter treatment for ineffective practices. Oncology nurses face different challenges when coming up with treatment goals and objectives as oftentimes patients are not getting better. In that case, the oncology nurse seeks to improve the cancer patient's quality of life.
The 2.6 million registered nurses employed in the United States in 2011 constitute the largest health-care occupation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Registered nurses perform a variety of tasks in order to treat patients and educate them about their medical conditions.
OB-GYN, or obstetrics-gynecology, nurses provide reproductive and gynecological care under a physician's supervision. OB-GYN nurses have seen their fair share of ruptured uteruses following C-sections and are used to treating many diseases and medical emergencies. An ob-gyn -- obstetrician gynecologist -- is typically a registered nurse who has completed a two- to four-year education and training program and passed a national certification examination.
Obstetric nurses are a crucial part of a healthy delivery of a newborn child. Also referred to as labor and delivery, or "L & D" nurses, they typically work in hospitals and in the offices of obstetricians.
Geriatric rehabilitation group activities are important components in promoting the physical and mental health of elderly patients. They function to foster not only confidence and acumen in a variety of daily tasks ranging from eating to walking but also to develop important social relationships that provide a framework of peer and professional support. The advantage of group rehabilitation activities is that they encourage bonds among geriatric patients while giving each patient a frame of reference for his progress.
A student nurse embarking on a new career wants to be successful. During nursing school, she will attend lectures, perform practical application exercises and gain nursing experience at designated clinical sites. Each element of her education is important, and meeting the objectives of clinical rotation is a major goal.
Clinical laboratory jobs are important to medical science and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists assist doctors in diagnosing and fighting diseases and making sure that treatment is working for patients. Laboratory workers have scientific minds and enjoy analyzing and interpreting data. It is a career that you can pursue with either a two- or a four-year degree, and there is room for advancement.
A doctor's office is a business, even though the main objective of the practice is to service patients and assist in overall patient well-being. The inclusion of a nurse practitioner is one way to increase the level of service an office provides. Knowing the benefits associated with nurse practitioners can help determine whether your office should consider adding one.
Research is a systematic method of exploring questions and solving problems to expand the body of knowledge in a field. Nursing research, in particular, aims to answer questions and improve practices in the nursing profession. There are many types of research methods as well as general principles that professionals in this field use to inform their research.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are three main types of child care workers: those who work in the private homes where the children live, those who operate child care businesses from their own homes and those who work in child care centers, preschools or other early childhood programs. No matter which environment a child care employee operates in, the main roles, responsibilities, skills and technical requirements remain the same across the board.
Teaching is one of the oldest and most respected professions in society. The advantages of being a teacher are well known: summers off and the positive feeling of knowing you are having an impact on the lives of young people. But if you are considering becoming a teacher, you should be aware of the disadvantages that come with the job, some of which are substantial.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse is a smart career choice. Employment for LPNs is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although the growth is driven by an increasing aging population, there are also opportunities in other areas of practical nursing, including maternity.
The specific requirements to begin a career as a commercial building inspector in California will depend on your employer, though many will require you to successfully complete a building inspection course before being hired. Commercial building inspectors have to be familiar with structural integrity and fire and safety codes and have strong analytical abilities, to name a few key knowledge areas. Learning these through a commercial inspection course will help you secure a position as a commercial building inspector.
Academic institutions increasingly rely on adjunct or part-time professors during economic downturns. Practically all departments in all educational institutions employ adjuncts. Whether responding to a want ad or inquiring about possible employment, an effective cover letter describing how your credentials will enhance the prospective employer can open many doors.
Nurses searching for a leadership role in a hospital often apply for director of nursing positions. Nursing directors are responsible for supervising large groups of health care staff. They are usually nurses themselves and have been in health care for a long time. Becoming a director of nurses is challenging, and is a position only reserved for the best of the best. However, with hard work, the right degree and the right mindset, nearly anyone can become a director of nurses.
The nurse literally plays the role of a lifeguard in medication administration. She often provides the last opportunity for the health-care team to identify and correct errors in prescribing and distributing medication. Although the physician prescribes the medication and the pharmacist fills the prescription, the nurse usually administers the medication. She is the last link in medication administration and a safeguard against error.
Neonataology gives health care professionals the opportunity to provide medical attention to babies immediately after birth and can be a rewarding, yet stressful, career path. Making the decision to care for sick newborns requires considering a wide variety of factors, especially because the career requires a major educational commitment.
Every person wishing to become a registered or practical nurse in the United States must pass the National Council Licensure Examination, commonly abbreviated as NCLEX. Kaplan is a test preparation company that offers NCLEX study assistance for both the registered nurse and practical nurse exams. Students enrolled in the Kaplan course are provided access to instructors and study aids to ensure success on the exam. However, students must use the tools provided by Kaplan in a systematic and effective manner to achieve the best results on the NCLEX.
Large organizations need several managers at different levels so that the organization can run smoothly and efficiently. Managers at the top level look after the matters of the organization on a broad spectrum and coordinate external and internal activities. First-level managers look after the workflow of some specific units. Middle-level managers act as the link between the top-level and first-level mangers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, middle level nursing managers earn between $57,060 and $68,160 per year, depending on the size of the institution.
Registered nurses who work exclusively with childbearing women and children are considered maternal-child nurses. Their jobs require clinical skills that help patients before, during and after the birthing process. Many of these nurses possess specialized training, while others choose to earn additional licensing as an advanced-practice nurse. Some maternal-child nurses choose to specialize in at least one area of the maternal-child nursing, such as maternal, pre- and post-partum care or neonatology. Their expertise encompasses gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics.
Nurse navigators educate and advocate for cancer patients from diagnosis throughout treatment. Registered nurses preparing for positions as nurse navigators draw on their existing education and experience, but must also prepare for specific considerations involved in working closely with cancer patients.
Traveling the world moving from one assignment to the other, travel nurses often depend on the help of an agency to find them jobs and sponsor their visas into other countries. Travel nurse agencies specialize in the recruitment and job placement of travel nurses and unless the nurses receive direct employment and sponsorship from an overseas hospital on their own, the services of a travel nurse agency are indispensable.
Nursing students are the future of the nursing profession. Within a relatively short time nursing students are required to successfully achieve a lot: clinical internship, theory, exams and of course, the licensing examination. To make sure you are successful, it is necessary to set some goals. Goal setting does not only apply to school, but also after you have obtained your nursing license and degree. Nurses make commitments to the profession, many of which are ethical in nature. Other commitments to the profession involve taking care of yourself personally and career advancement.
A family nurse, also known as a family nurse practitioner, or FNP, works as a partner with a family or a patient, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention from childhood throughout the aging process. Family nurses can work out of several settings, including a clinic, doctor's office, school or their own private office.
The licensing exam for an LPN is known as the NCLEX-PN. It a test administered via a computer, but it actively responds to your answers in choosing what questions to ask you next and in which way. This type of examination is known as computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and makes each test unique. Thus, unlike the situation in which the same test is administered to different students who each must score a 75 to pass, for instance, the NCLEX has no given number or score to aim for. There are, however, goals for you to aim for to ensure passing…
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) says that careers in the engineering fields are among some of the highest paid for college graduates. In order to obtain a career in any engineering field, you minimally need a Bachelor's degree, but some fields will require a Master's degree. Engineering is a highly technical field with a great deal of responsibility, but there are many ways to achieve recognition and many work opportunities in this diversified field.
