Tag Archives: nursing

How to List Your Nursing Credentials

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Your nursing credentials sum up your education, active licensure, certifications, and greatest professional achievements. Whether you’re filling out a job application or signing a legal document, you’ll need to pay careful attention to how you write them. Here are some tips to help you list your nursing credentials correctly.

Listing Your Nursing Credentials

As a nursing professional, your credentials should appear in the following order:

  1. Highest earned degree (including doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and associate degrees)
  2. Licensure (including RN and LPN)
  3. State designations or requirements (including APRN, NP, and CNS)
  4. National certifications (including RN-BC and FNP-BC)
  5. Achievements and awards (such as FAAN)
  6. Other recognitions or certifications

Your highest earned degree comes first in your list of credentials for multiple reasons: Your degree doesn’t require renewal, and it is the least likely of all your credentials to change. Of course, you may continue your education in the future — replacing what you originally listed with the most recent, highest earned degree. Because licensure is necessary to practice nursing and may or may not be renewed, it is always listed second in your line of credentials.

State designations and national certifications follow licensure because these, too, are required for practice and will expire without continued education. Finally, achievements, awards, and other recognitions are left last on your line of credentials. These additional honors aren’t required to practice nursing, but they are still significant to your professional experience and can help you stand out as a competitive nursing candidate.

Once you have finished listing your credentials complete your resume with your experience listed from your most recent position. There is typically no reason to list any employment that surpasses the last 10 years.

Nursing Credentials Q&A

Below are some of the most common questions that nursing professionals have about their credentials:

  • What should I do if I’m unsure how to list my specific degree or state licensure? Consult your state board of nursing for accurate listing information.
  • Am I required to list certain credentials? You should always list the credentials necessary for your profession in your state when signing legal documents.
  • What if I have more than one degree? List your education in order from the highest to lowest level or simply list your highest earned degree.
  • What if I have multiple nursing credentials? While you aren’t required to list multiple nursing credentials in any specific order, it may be useful to list them from most recently acquired to first acquired or in order of relevance to a specific job if you are applying for one.

Nursing Tips, Tricks, and Preparation

Are you a recent nursing graduate applying for jobs or an experienced nursing professional that’s ready to hop back on the job market? If so, you’ll not only need to get your credentials in order, but also have an interview-ready resume and virtually unlimited access to relevant job postings. That’s where HealthCare Support comes in. Our team of healthcare recruiters will help you find jobs, prepare for interviews, and settle into your new position. To learn more, contact HealthCare Support today at 407-478-0332.

5 Tips to Help Nurses Prepare for the Night-shift

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There are plenty of registered nurses that prefer to work the night-shift, but not all nurses are night owls. Fortunately, any nurse can adjust to a new clock-in time with a few hidden tricks and the right sleep training. To help you make the switch, here are some of the top transitional changes to make ahead of schedule.

Put Stock in Shift Changes

Because you won’t be able to communicate as much with your sleeping patients, you’ll need to rely on the previous shift for essential updates. Knowing even the most minor updates on your patients will encourage you to keep an eye out for subtle changes and prevent critical situations.

Pick the Right Pick-Me-Ups

Energy drinks and premade performance beverages might seem like a convenient choice for the night-shift, but these unhealthy options aren’t good for the long term. Instead of picking up a sugary supplement, reach for healthier forms of energy found in caffeinated teas or a coffee drink you can stir up yourself. If you have an aversion to caffeine, you can still boost your energy by prioritizing activity during your shift or trying an LED light therapy lamp to stimulate your brain.

Stay Hydrated and Satiated

Hydration is essential for day- and night-shift nurses — especially when consuming caffeine. If you have trouble remembering to run to the water fountain, bring your own reusable bottle to keep at your station. While paying attention to your water intake, pay attention to your food intake as well, because choosing the right food options can play a huge part in your night on the clock. You can make healthy eating just as convenient as the vending machine by meal prepping at the beginning of each week.

Set Aside Enough Sleep Time

While adjusting to the night-shift, you’ll need to rearrange your sleeping habits so you can get seven to nine hours of sleep in before the start of your shift. It might be tempting to try and reset your rhythm by pulling an all-nighter beforehand, but this can end up making it harder to get your sleep on track in the long term. Instead, try modifying your environment to be as sleep-friendly as possible by:

  • reminding your family that your sleep is important
  • setting up thick curtains to keep light out
  • wearing an eye mask or ear plugs
  • avoiding caffeine before bed
  • limiting phone and other screen usage before bed

Work With a Healthcare Recruiter

No matter how new you are to nursing, the right healthcare recruiter can help you find a position that fits your wants and needs. In fact, the team of healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support will help you find the perfect fit for and lend you all the guidance needed to navigate your new role as a night-shift nurse. To join our talent network and take the next steps in your healthcare career, call us today at 407-478-0332.

Tips for Floating to Another Unit

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From the patients to the treatments to the actual unit, nearly every part of your job as a registered nurse can change on a daily basis. Shifting constantly can be intimidating as a newcomer to nursing but having some professional tools and techniques can make any transition easier to face. To prepare for your first day floating or to minimize your overall anxiety about switching units, keep the following tips in mind.

Start Your Shift Right  

Some units can seem more intimidating than others, but the staff on each floor undoubtedly appreciate a warm introduction. Introduce yourself to the other nurses on duty, let them know if you’re feeling a little nervous or are new to floating, and offer yourself to be of assistance. A simple conversation like this can make you feel immediately more comfortable in any unit and help you to make connections that will boost your confidence when needing to ask for extra guidance.

Likewise, you must make a point to meet with your resource nurse or the unit charge nurse to ask any questions you have about your daily tasks and understand if they have any beneficial information to give out. Once you’ve made your introductions, get ready to officially gear up for the rest of your shift.

Become Familiar with the Area

Floating to a new unit is intimidating largely because the surroundings are a bit different than what you normally work in. So, once you get to know your fellow nurses, get to know your unit. Whether you can receive a guided tour from someone on staff or have to personally make it your mission to scan the hall yourself, track and memorize locations of key areas. Know these areas ahead of time so you won’t have to struggle to find or guide visitors to them during the busier hours of your shift.

Make the Most of Your Day

Regardless of how intimidating a unit might seem, you are prepared to handle whatever the day throws your way. View the opportunity in another unit as a chance to learn, grow, and gain new skills. Let your education and on-the-job experience guide your decisions and maximize your time on the clock. If you have any questions or concerns, approach the other nurses in your hall and kindly request a helping hand. Since you’ve already made the right introduction, they’ll have no problem understanding your situation and offering their assistance.

End Your Shift with a Smile

To end your day on a high note, give thanks to the nurses and other employees who lent their support. If you end up floating to the unit again in the future, you’ll already have rapport with the stationed staff members. Talk with the charge nurse to gain feedback on your performance and learn what you can do to enhance your time in their unit in the future. When it comes to floating to another unit, practice really can make your experience perfect.

Industry Tips from Healthcare Recruiters

If floating to another unit isn’t the only thing that intimidates you about being a registered nurse, contact the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Our team will equip you with the tools to feel confident in each shift. And, we’ll provide you with expert industry advice to guide you to the healthcare facility that fits your professional style. To receive more information on our services or join our healthcare talent network, call us today at 407-478-0332.

Which States Have the Biggest Need for Registered Nurses?

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According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the largest amount of healthcare careers in the United States are made up of nursing jobs. The country’s healthcare system relies heavily on the services and experiences of nurses, but future projections by the HRSA suggest that multiple states are likely to experience a severe nursing shortage within the next decade. Here’s a look at the supply and demand outlook for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) until 2030. 

Is There a Shortage in Nursing? 

The HRSA’s report finds states may eventually experience a nursing shortage, while others are likely to see a surplus—if the current level of healthcare improves accordingly. However, the report states, “if current level of [healthcare] is maintained,” multiple states will have an alarming outlook of shortages. This potential shortage may be the result of a number of factors, including:

  • Health insurance coverage
  • Location 
  • Population 
  • Retirement patterns 
  • Shifting social priorities 
  • Access to healthcare 

Which States Need Nurses the Most? 

If the healthcare system continues to progress with normal growth, the job outlook for RNs is expected to elevate 12% from 2018-2028. Here’s a ranking order of the top five states with the most significant shortages of RNs or their full-time equivalents (FTEs) if the healthcare system remains the same until 2030.  

  1. California – 44,500 FTEs
  2. Texas – 15,900 FTEs
  3. New Jersey – 11,400 FTEs
  4. South Carolina – 10,400 FTEs
  5. Alaska – 5,400 FTEs

For LPNs, however, the figures are slightly less significant. The states projected to have the greatest shortages of LPNs or their FTEs by 2030 include:  

  1. Texas – 33,500 FTEs
  2. Pennsylvania – 18,700 FTEs
  3. Florida – 10,300 FTEs
  4. Georgia – 10,500 FTEs
  5. North Carolina – 10,700 FTEs

Start Your Career in Nursing 

While it might seem like landing a career in nursing will only get easier, it can still be difficult to find the right professional fit for your experience, goals, and lifestyle. If you’re an RN, LPN, or other healthcare professional looking to start or advance your career, partner with the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Weighing your personal and professional information against the open positions that best fit your wants and needs, our team will help you secure a job where you can truly excel. To join our talent network and learn more about our professional healthcare services, call us today at 407-478-0332.

8 Survival Tips for New Registered Nurses

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Despite how much effort modern nursing programs put into their curriculum, switching from student to working professional can throw any graduate a few curveballs. If you’re eager to get started on your clinical career as a registered nurse, here are eight survival tips to help you land swiftly on your feet.

Ask Questions

Even if you graduated at the top of your class, there’s still much more to learn on the job. And because there’s no guesswork in nursing, you should never be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions helps you to avoid mistakes, learn with little to no error, and get more comfortable with your professional peers. You can find a go-to mentor for your deeper career questions, and turn to coworkers for everyday inquiries.

Improve Your Diet

Stay sharp with the right foods. Yes, candy bars and other processed foods are easily accessible and often more tempting during overtime hours. However, eating the wrong food can be just as bad as eating no food at all. Whether you have to take bites between tasks or bring healthy, on-the-go snacks that you can stash in your scrubs, remember that quality matters just as much as quantity.

Be Honest

As a nurse, you should try to only guarantee what you can to your patients. For example, instead of saying that you’ll return to check on a patient in five minutes, comfort a patient by letting him or her know that you’ll be back as soon as possible. Even if you have the intention of returning in five minutes, as promised, there are countless incidents that could pop up and prevent you from keeping your word.

Get More Hours

A lack of rest can hinder productivity, impair focus, and increase the likelihood of making a mistake. Therefore, both new and veteran nurses can benefit from getting adequate sleep. Because, even if you focus on a high-quality diet, your mind can’t function at full capacity without resting for a full seven to nine hours.

Arrive on Time

Tardiness is totally unacceptable in healthcare. With so many patients in need of critical care, every minute matters to both your patients and your peers. And, because every other RN is also focusing on their health, wellness, and productivity, your tardiness can put some wear and tear on their job satisfaction and team contribution.

Take Notes

If you’re making an important phone call to a doctor or other staff member, don’t try to remember all the details on your own—that includes the key points you may need to bring up or the essential information you may need to receive. Whenever you’re making or taking a call, try to have a writing utensil and pad so you can take notes or prewrite important points that you need to discuss.

Invest in Footwear

As a nurse, you’ll be on your feet more than not, which means it’s essential to invest in the right footwear. The wrong footwear won’t just hurt your feet; lower back pain, knee pain, and even shoulder pain can all stem from the wrong shoes. If you’re able to, invest in a durable pair of shoes with serious support and a great fit. Or, consider purchasing orthopedic inserts and compression socks that can improve the function and feel of your current pair.

Know Yourself

The best way to survive a career in nursing is to find the facility that fits. For example, if you thrive in a fast-paced environment with a lot of variety, a hospital can provide you with constant engagement. However, if you prefer a lower patient load and more structure in each shift, you might enjoy working in a smaller healthcare setting, like a clinic or doctor’s office.

Find the Right Recruiter

To find your healthcare match based on lifestyle, personality, location, and company culture, partner with the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Our team of career professionals will evaluate your personal and professional preferences to match you with fitting positions. To join our talent network and have instant access to relevant job openings, interview preparation, and resume building tips, call us today at 407-478-0332.

 

How to Prevent Common Nursing Mistakes

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The nursing profession is an extremely rewarding one. Nurses frequently interact with their patients multiple times a day and can see the results of all their hard work as they help get the sick and injured back to health.

Nevertheless, it can be stressful trying to stay on top of everything while still administering a high level of care. Understandably, nurses often feel a lot of anxiety about making mistakes because they can be so costly. However, if you are fully aware of the most frequent errors nurses tend to make, you will be prepared and recognize them before they happen. Here are some things you should do to avoid nursing mistakes while on the job.

Check and double-check medications

It is so easy to make a mistake involving a patient’s medication. In a busy hospital, you can easily lose track of who is supposed to take what. There are five key questions you should always ask yourself before administering medication:

  1. What kind of medication is it?
  2. What dose should it be?
  3. Who is it going to?
  4. When should it be given?
  5. How should it be given?

If you keep these in mind, you will never make a medication error.

Be aware of the mobility of patients

So many patients fall in a hospital. Many are weakened by illnesses, surgical procedures, or age, and nurses should check in with them frequently. Otherwise, they might try to get up and move around before they are ready and hurt themselves. Be aware of patients who might need extra attention or who seem to be the greatest liability to fall.

Wash your hands and clean your equipment

Infections can spread easily inside hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities. Nurses can play a crucial role in limiting the spread of diseases by maintaining good hygiene before seeing each patient. Wash your hands after coming into contact with anything, and clean any equipment before and after using it.

Keep proper documentation

One of the most frustrating nursing errors is the failure to document care correctly. Some forget to do it at all, and others either put down inaccurate information or cut corners. Always strive to record as much as possible to ensure that your patients are getting the quality of care they deserve, and so that doctors can accurately monitor a patient’s progress.

Ask for help

If you aren’t qualified or comfortable doing something like lifting a patient who has fallen, don’t attempt the action on your own. Always ask another nurse to help so that you don’t cause any harm to patients. It is never the time to play the hero — the goal is patient care, and there’s no shame in asking for help if it means the safety of everyone involved.

Looking for a nursing job? The HealthCare Support team can find you the perfect fit. We love placing professionals passionate about healthcare in jobs around the country, from entry level candidates to top-level executives. To find out what openings we currently have, view our current openings.

Tips for New Triage Nurses

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As a Triage Nurse your challenging duty is to medically assess the patients’ illnesses and symptoms to determine which patients need immediate attention from the doctor. It’s a tricky job considering having to deal with a room full of worried patients and family members, so doing it as a novice can seem pretty much impossible. But, don’t worry, there have been many people in your shoes and we’re going to simplify it by giving you some tips and tricks to ace your job!

First things first, greet every patient with a smile.

They are already scared, so try and ease their anxiety by treating them warmly. If you make your patients feel more comfortable, they will feel better telling you their medical history. If you were to be cold and emotionless, they might feel the need to withhold some important parts of their medical history that could help you in the end.

Take your time and be efficient.

I know there may be tons of people in the waiting room but rushing your patients won’t do you any good. Take it slow with them. Make sure you’re getting all the information needed to be able to follow the correct protocol. It’s easy to jump to conclusions after you hear the first symptom but you need to explore all possibilities.

Trust your instincts.

So many people come into the emergency room with self-diagnoses that they got from the internet. Take into consideration their concerns, but also give a full assessment and make your decisions based on that assessment. Remember that this is your decision and not theirs, you’re the one with the credentials and knowledge.

Don’t be afraid to ask more questions.

Probe a little further into your patient’s history or ask them questions that could narrow down the list of potential medical problems to improve your chances of finding the cause of your patients’ symptoms.

Have open communication with your patients.

Be sure to make them comfortable enough to want to come in if they have any other symptoms or if any of their illnesses worsen. Don’t fall into the trap of once you hand off the patient to the doctor, you are done. Before the patient leaves, make sure he or she knows that if they have any questions or concerns to come to you. Be approachable.  Also, make sure you’re communicating with your other patients in the waiting room by keeping them updated on delays or just simply checking in on them.

Triage nurses have a big responsibility as they are the first person a patient sees when they are scared and in a time of need.  Figuring out the cause of their illness takes time and careful attention.  To apply for one of our Triage Nurse positions, click here.

Economic News Release: Employment Situation Summary

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October 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of 3.7% remained unchanged in the month of October. Hurricane Michael had made “no discernible effect on the national employment and unemployment estimates.” The unemployment rates showed little or no change for the major work groups: adult men (3.5%), adult women (3.4%), teenagers (11.9%), Whites (3.3%), Blacks (6.2%), Asians (3.2%), and Hispanics (4.4%).  However, job gains did occur in manufacturing, construction, transportation, warehousing, and health care.

The average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents to $27.50 for the month of October and it rose by 83 cents for the past year. In October, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls went up by 0.1 hour to 34.5 hours.

There were 36,000 added Health Care jobs including 13,000 in hospitals and 8,000 in nursing and residential care facilities. In ambulatory health care services went up by 14,000. The employment grew by 323,000 over the past twelve months.

Over the past three months, job gains have averaged 218,000.

Sarah Krufka

HSS Social Media Specialist