Monthly Archives: March 2024

Are There Fewer People Going Into Nursing Post-COVID-19?

Put simply, no. While there are concerns that nurses are .   Hospitals saw a dramatic staffing shortage during the pandemic that they’ve yet to fully recover from. The overwhelming hours brought on by the pandemic, compounded by a high case workload and exacerbated anxiety, took a toll on nurses, resulting in some nurses retiring early or pursuing different career paths.   COVID-19 was a strenuous time for nurses that led to added stress in an already high-pressure job. Nurses faced increased risks of exposure to COVID-19 while caring for an unprecedented influx of patients. The demand on their time and increasing workload made it difficult for some nurses to get back home long enough to recover for their next shift.   Although nurses were on the front line and became familiar with some aspects of COVID-19 earlier than the average person who wasn’t in the medical field, there were still many facets of the condition they learned about along with their patients. Anxiety about exposure in the early months was particularly bad for nurses.   On the front line of the pandemic, many were concerned about their personal safety as well as the safety of their families. They had to wear a sometimes excessive amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) – masks, gloves, gowns, etc. – to protect themselves and their families, which made it difficult to use the restroom, drink water, stay cool or even breathe easily. And that was if they were lucky to have a reliable supply of PPE. Because the general public also wanted to acquire enough PPE to protect themselves, supplies started to run low, which hurt hospitals the most.   All of this contributed to the high-stress environment during prolonged, irregular shifts that sometimes lasted longer than the traditional 12-hour maximum. The conditions made it difficult to maintain an adequate work/life balance.   This led to the massive drop-out in staff during COVID-19 and well afterward. According to NCSBN, approximately after the pandemic, or too emotionally drained and exhausted to keep working.   While a majority of those who retired or are planning to do so soon are older and are merely leaving the workforce a little early, a sizable minority (nearly 200,000) are younger than 40. As a result, of healthcare organizations have reported a significant staffing shortage.   A serious shortage has led to high demand, meaning hospitals and doctor’s offices are having to pay more to attract and keep qualified nursing applicants. Many programs that introduced online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic are still offering them, which makes working while getting your degree easier.   Because of the shortage, nursing is growing more quickly than many other occupations. The RN workforce is projected to expand by . There’s never been a better time to apply to a reputable nursing program that will help you hone your skills and put your best foot forward in your career.   Get the education you need to stand out in your nursing career at St. Louis College of Health Careers. We offer comprehensive LPN, RN and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs that provide the comprehensive education and training students need to sit for certification exams and succeed in their field. Our course offerings are designed to optimize your critical thinking and reasoning skills so you can give your patients high-quality care in any setting.   With online and in-person options, as well as staggered semesters that start throughout the year, students can get an accredited education on their schedule. Explore and start your application today by calling 866-529-2070.

5 Least Stressful Nursing Jobs

To be clear, no nursing job is stress-free. Dealing with the safety, health and well-being of patients can be inherently stressful, and nursing may not be the ideal career path for people who struggle with those responsibilities.   While highly rewarding, nursing is a demanding profession with long hours and high pressure situations, some of which a nurse may have very little control over. That said, some specialties are objectively more draining than others. Primarily, ICU, NICU and emergency room nurses are among the most strenuous positions in the field. Those workplaces require nurses to deal with rapidly occurring, high-stakes situations and physically exhausting work over the course of a 12-hour shift. While these positions have their benefits, including the opportunity to perform meaningful, hands-on and potentially life-saving work, there are other, less fraught positions nurses can fill.                   The experienced staff at St. Louis College of Health Careers will prepare you thoroughly for your desired position. Providing accredited associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s programs, including some with fully online options, we’ll give you the rigorous education you need to start your career with confidence.   At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we thoroughly prepare our students to become LPNs, RNs, healthcare administrators and more. With reputable staff, challenging courses and hands-on clinical training, you can trust that you’ll receive the skills and confidence you need to perform optimally in any nursing profession you choose.   Take the first step toward your dream nursing career. Call 866-529-2070 to learn more about and apply today.

What Job Should I Have While in Nursing School?

Attending nursing school while working full or part time, on top of potentially caring for your family, isn’t easy, but it can be done with thoughtful time management and realistic goals. You can reduce the stress of working while in school by choosing a job that isn’t as demanding as nursing school, that’s amenable to your schedule and, ideally, is relevant to your nursing program.   CNAs assist nurses in routine patient care, helping bathe and feed patients and monitor their vital signs. This job has fewer duties (and thus less pressure) than a full-time nurse while also giving students hands-on exposure, helping them develop essential skills they can utilize in school and their careers.   PCTs are similar to CNAs, but the position can be more demanding, having more responsibilities such as performing EKGs and basic medical procedures. As a PCT, students can gain valuable exposure and experience. However, these positions may offer far less scheduling flexibility compared to a CNA.   Enrolling in an EMT course before nursing school can allow students to work as an EMT during their program, which has the benefit of a personalized schedule and the opportunity to gain crucial healthcare skills such as working in emergency situations, quickly diagnosing patients and administering treatment under pressure. However, this job can be immensely stressful, which can be detrimental if your nursing program is already difficult.   , providing a dual-purpose stepping stone.   Medical scribes document patient visits in real time for patient assessment, helping nurses and doctors focus on interacting with patients without worrying about taking notes for future reference. This position will give students deeper insights into medical terminology and the daily workflow of a clinic, making it useful to those studying to become nurses and administrators alike.   HHAs provide care to patients at their homes, assisting with their daily routines and medication regimens. These positions can give students access to flexible shift-oriented schedules and a comparatively low-pressure work environment, as well as experience in patient care and forming relationships.   will find this job especially useful, as they’ll gain insight and experience into how hospitals operate.   Nursing school represents a significant investment of time and resources for students, and working while in a program may be a necessity. Between rigorous coursework, exams, hands-on training and lab work, it can be challenging to fit a job into your education.   Staying organized, planning ahead and having understanding employers can help make the juggling act easier to balance. The stress of school and work can also take a toll on your mental health – exercising, sleeping regularly and taking some time to relax whenever possible will help protect you from burnout .   Choosing the right program can also make working while in school easier – especially for degree paths that can be . Certain programs can require rigid, in-person coursework that can make earning money on the side nearly impossible.   St. Louis College of Health Careers’ programs have start dates throughout the year and are designed to be accommodating to students’ needs without compromising academic quality. Our staff understands the struggles students face and strives to be accommodating. Some programs are fully online, so working professionals looking to advance their careers can take courses on their own schedule while still enjoying a reputable and accredited medical education.   Receive a comprehensive yet flexible medical education that will thoroughly prepare you for a fulfilling career in nursing at St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our nursing programs offer a compelling combination of in-depth coursework and ample real-world experience so you gain the knowledge you need to tackle your certification exams and be ready to enter your chosen career with confidence.   Reach our admissions team at 866-529-2070 to learn more about and start your application today.

What to Do to Prepare Yourself for a Career in Nursing

Nursing is a fruitful profession with a wide variety of career paths and significant income and professional growth potential. Although educational options to qualify for certification exams are nowhere near as expensive or time-consuming as medical doctor programs, aspiring nurses do have to commit to study and education to gain practical nursing skills and real-world experience.   High school and college students thinking of pursuing nursing can start their careers on the best footing by taking the time and effort to prepare themselves for the rigorous (but ultimately rewarding) path ahead before they’re in nursing school.   Because healthcare is a science, you’ll want to focus on the relevant classes. Prioritize math and science, particularly biology, anatomy and physiology if offered, taking challenging AP courses if you’re in high school or more advanced courses if you’re in college. You should also acquire first aid and life support certifications outside of school, which can be valuable assets to highlight in your applications. Building a reliable foundation of medical knowledge will give you a competitive edge as a nursing school applicant.   One of the most effective ways to find out if a career in nursing is for you is to volunteer at your local hospital. Shadowing nurses and seeing first-hand what their day-to-day duties look like will give you a better understanding of what a career in nursing, both the rewarding and challenging parts, might entail. Volunteer work has the added bonus of bolstering your nursing college application. Volunteering can also give you a sense of the various specializations in nursing and may help you decide if any in particular excite you.   Before you begin your application, you’ll need to choose from a variety of nursing degrees and diploma paths. There typically isn’t just a general “nursing” degree you can apply for. Students will need to decide between a Licensed Nurse (LN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree – each of which has distinct benefits, drawbacks and unique job offerings.   For example, a to qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Registered nurses may have access to higher-paying positions of greater responsibility.   A may technically be the longest program, but students don’t have to pursue all 120 credits in a single, prolonged sitting. Many students pursue the process in parts, starting with the practical nursing diploma before pursuing the LPN to RN associate degree and then finishing the last 60 credits of the RN to BSN coursework entirely online.   Graduates of the RN to BSN program have the educational foundation to pursue a broader range of nursing positions afterward, including leadership positions in a variety of medical practices.   Aside from choosing a specific degree, it’s also helpful if you have an idea of which specialization you’d like to pursue. Nursing specializations include but are not limited to geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, surgery, dermatology, orthopedics and palliative care. While you don’t have to decide your specialization immediately, many students discover a specific area of interest or a type of care they find particularly fulfilling while in nursing school. Having a general direction can ensure your medical education is relevant to what you’re interested in, helping you make the most of the nursing program.   Picking the right school is crucial. While personal success ultimately depends on the student, not the school, the right school will give you ample support, providing you with the guidance and resources you need to perform well in your duties and one day reach your dream nursing career.   At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we offer a wide selection of robust programs that cater to a variety of nursing positions and specialties. Our experienced nursing instructors provide hands-on experience and rigorous coursework so students can hit the ground running and start a fulfilling medical career confidently. We’ll help you develop outstanding skills in your field, including critical thinking, patient communication, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, patient safety and more   At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we mold aspiring nurses into skilled professionals who are well-prepared to meaningfully contribute in hospitals and medical offices the moment they’re hired. You’ll learn from experienced faculty who will work one-on-one with you to strengthen your ability to provide compassionate and effective patient care and implement treatments with hands-on training and clinical experience.   We also offer s.   Get an edge over the applicant pool. Learn more about our programs and today by calling 866-529-2070.