Monthly Archives: December 2021

What Are the Differences Between an LPN, LVN, RN and APN?

If you enjoy caring for others while earning a generous salary, a career in nursing may be the right fit for you. The demand for nurses is never-ending and the employment rate . While hospitals are usually the go-to employers for many nurses, there are several other practice settings where you can apply your skills, like schools, assisted living homes, cruise ships or military bases. There are many titles within the nursing field, including licensed practical nurse (LPN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), registered nurse (RN) and advanced practice nurse (APN). Understanding the differences in qualifications and responsibilities between these titles may help you decide which career path in nursing is right for you.   Despite slightly different job titles, both LPNs and LVNs have the same responsibilities. Both work under doctors and are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Your title will depend on your geographical location. The term LVN is used in Texas and California, while the rest of the United States uses the term LPN. As an LPN, your job responsibilities will involve caring for low-risk patients with relatively simple needs. However, becoming an LPN requires rigorous training, including classroom study and hands-on practice. You’ll be diving into a broad array of subjects ranging from anatomy, pharmacology and nutrition to intercultural awareness when caring for patients.   If you’re curious about a career in healthcare but not quite ready to make a long-term commitment, becoming an LPN may be the way to go. LPN programs are generally a lot less expensive and time consuming than RN programs. With commitment and focus, you can complete the program within a year.   Once you’ve worked as an LPN, you may decide it’s time to advance your knowledge and skills by becoming a registered nurse. As an RN, you will transition from basic nursing care, like checking blood pressure or drawing blood, to more challenging responsibilities, like performing diagnostic tests, analyzing results and supervising LPNs and nursing aides. With an increase in responsibilities comes an increase in salary. While the median annual salary for LPNs in the United States is . Becoming a RN usually requires a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing, but there are several other options available. For example, St. Louis College of Health Careers offers an accelerated for individuals with LPN competency.   Nurses with masters and doctoral degrees may also pursue academic careers working as nurse educators at nursing schools, colleges and universities. APNs are usually the highest-paid nurses, with an annual salary often .   For more than 40 years the St. Louis College of Health Careers has offered academically rigorous, hands-on training for students pursuing carriers in the healthcare industry. We have a diverse array of and a rich catalog of courses to match your professional goals and to help you advance your academic journey. Our on-campus and online classes give students flexibility in both their scheduling and learning preferences. Students of our St. Louis and Fenton campuses find great opportunities to immerse themselves in academic and practical training environments. You can learn more about our programs by calling us at 866-529-2070 or by on our website.

Is There Really a Stigma About Male Nurses?

The nursing profession is a female-dominated field. While times are changing and society is becoming more open-minded to the idea of male nurses, some people still hold the false preconceptions that only women can make good nurses. Stereotypes about men needing to be “tough” and unemotional remain a powerful barrier for some men who would otherwise be interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Simultaneously, females are still largely regarded as the “softer” gender, thus more capable of being caring and compassionate toward their patients. The truth is that nursing is a rewarding career option for anyone, regardless of their gender, who is passionate about helping and caring for people. Addressing and debunking male nursing myths is crucial to empowering men to pursue careers in nursing. While women still comprise , more than 12 percent of registered nurses in the U.S. are men. With a steady demand for new nurses, this percentage is expected to grow. Male nurses are sought after for many innate attributes, including physical strength. For example, nurses frequently need to transfer, move or adjust a patient’s position. There are also scenarios where a nurse may need to deal with patients who pose a threat to themselves or others. Physical strength is one of the many assets male nurses can bring to their workplace. From a personal comfort and modesty perspective, many male patients prefer to have a male nurse. There is no evidence proving that men cannot be compassionate. Men are just as capable of showing care and empathy as their female counterparts. While connecting emotionally with patients is important, an outstanding nurse must be capable of much more than that. Nursing requires critical thinking and excellent communication skills, both of which are not dictated by one’s gender. This notion could not be further from the truth. The American healthcare system is overwhelmed with an aging population and a growing rate of retiring nurses. There are also growing concerns of nursing burnout in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Nurses Association predicts that by 2022 there will be a need for for both men and women. Since of doctors are male and most nurses are female, some people mistakenly assume a male nurse tried to be a doctor but failed to do so. These assumptions may assign a certain stigma that discourages men from pursuing nursing. Many men go into nursing because it’s a challenging, stable and lucrative career that allows them to help people. Obtaining a medical degree or an education in more specialized aspects of healthcare requires many years of expensive coursework plus residencies, while practical nurses can begin their careers quickly after just four semesters of study and passage of the NCLEX. If you’re living in St. Louis or the surrounding areas of Missouri and Southern Illinois and are thinking about a career in nursing, consider pursing a degree or diploma from the accredited St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our academically rigorous prepares you for a wide variety of entry-level nursing positions and makes you eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed practical nurse. Are you an LPN looking for your next career challenge? You might be interested in our   bridge program that helps you prepare to become a registered nurse. If you’re reluctant to study nursing, we have that can prepare you for a career in a healthcare field. At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we actively create and nurture an inclusive environment. We offer financial aid resources, flexible scheduling and year-round program start dates to ensure students of all genders, ages and socio-economic backgrounds have access to our programs. Call 866-529-2070 or for more information.

What Is the Difference Between a Physical Therapy Assistant and an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Do you get satisfaction from helping people overcome challenges and reach their goals? Are you interested in a career in healthcare but you’re unsure which path to take? Do you prefer a job that allows you to move around instead of sitting behind a desk? If you’ve answered to these questions, you may want to consider becoming a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). While these names sound similar, and there is some overlap between PTAs and OTAs, their fundamental goals are different. Physical therapists focus on restoring their patients’ mobility, range of motion, stability and strength, while occupational therapists focus more on fine tuning smaller, more specialized movements like dressing, feeding or using a toothbrush.   Physical therapy helps people recover from injuries or illnesses that limit their mobility and includes techniques like massage, hot or cold therapy, water therapy, exercise and stretching. A doctor may prescribe physical therapy as a non-invasive alternative to surgery or to aid in post-surgical recovery. Patients may also engage in physical therapy to heal injury-related pain or to build strength and stamina in their bodies to prevent future injuries. Let’s say a person who’s out of shape engages in strenuous physical activity and hurts their lower back. A physical therapist may evaluate their condition and develop a personalized care plan to alleviate the patient’s pain while strengthening their core. These exercises will be performed either at a physical therapy clinic or at home, depending on the patient’s preferences and mobility. The PTA may also teach the patient special exercises outside of therapy to accelerate the healing process.   When OTAs work with patients to perform daily tasks, they focus more on helping the person adapt to a disability or limited ranged of motion, rather than focusing solely on building or regaining strength. OT patients may have trouble performing the simplest activities, and the OTA can help them gain back their confidence and independence.   Many PTAs and OTAs work at hospitals where they help patients who have had traumatic brain injuries, strokes, orthopedic surgeries, spinal injuries and more. Other work settings include clinics, private homes, schools and nursing homes.   Both professions offer generous pay. However, OTAs generally have a wider range of responsibilities or career specializations, which allows them to earn more than PTAs. The median salary for was $61,000. With a projected 32 percent growth for PTAs and a 34 percent growth for OTAs within the next 10 years, these salaries are likely to significantly grow as demand for trained OTA and PTA professionals increases.   If you’re thinking about a career is physical therapy or occupational therapy, consider getting a degree from St. Louis College of Health Careers. We are an accredited higher education institution that has been helping students fulfill their educational endeavors for more than 40 years. Our challenging and relevant programs prepare you to work alongside experienced physical and occupational therapists. You will also be eligible to apply for the FSBPT and COTA certifications to become fully certified in either physical therapy or occupational therapy. If you’re interested in pursuing an engaging and fulfilling to learn more.

What Are The Six C’s of Nursing?