Home September 1, 2023 APRN vs NP: What’s the difference? APRNs and NPs hold advanced degrees and certifications in their areas of expertise. But there are differences. Written and reported by: Emily Polner Contributing writer All nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), but not all APRNs are NPs. You can find both NPs and APRNs working in hospitals, clinics, specialty offices among other places.  APRNs and NPs hold advanced degrees and certifications in their areas of expertise. They often have nurse leadership positions within hospitals or pri ..read more

Home March 6, 2023 Everything you need to know about the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Written and reported by: Kendall Upton Staff Writer If you want to become a nurse in another state, you’ll need to know about the NLC. If you’ve done any research on nurse licensure, you’ve undoubtedly come across something called the Nurse Licensure Compact. This multistate agreement, which allows nurses to easily practice in participating states has been around since 2000, with more states joining nearly every year. The compact expands access to care for patients along with a slew of other b ..read more

Home July 21, 2022 Tips for Adults Starting Nursing School Written and reported by: Denice Rackley Contributing Writer Pursuing her dream of a nursing career, Lori Beal, RN, of Burlington, Kentucky, began nursing school later in life. “I have always wanted to be a nurse but going back to school to begin a career at 48 was rather daunting,” Beal said. “Juggling school with family responsibilities was difficult, but it was worth it.” There are many options enabling adults to fit school around their work and home commitments since programs are now available online, in person, during ..read more

Home March 5, 2022 RN and Other Nursing Careers to Pursue in 2022 Written and reported by: Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L Contributing Writer If you are compassionate and want to make a difference in people’s lives, 2022 is a great time to pursue a career in nursing. Nurses have long been recognized as some of the most trusted healthcare providers. Plus, the healthcare industry is growing rapidly and nurses are a big part of the expansion. In this Article Licensed Practical Nurse |Registered Nurse |Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Among the benefits of nursing, nurses ..read more

Home February 14, 2022 How Nurses Can Network on LinkedIn Written and reported by: Mimi Polner Contributing Writer Whether you’re a seasoned nurse or a new graduate, you can use LinkedIn to make connections and showcase your knowledge and experience on a global scale. “LinkedIn is one big networking event,” says Zach Smith, BSN, RN, a healthcare entrepreneur who serves as an advisor to Healthstream, which develops software for the healthcare industry. Every connection is an additional seat in your audience.” “The more people who know who you are and what your story is,” Smith says ..read more

Home December 13, 2021 What’s the Difference Between a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner? Written and reported by: Stephanie Behring Contributing Writer Registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) both provide patient care, but there are significant differences between these two important nursing roles. While RNs provide direct care to patients in a variety of settings, NPs hold a graduate degree and can take on additional tasks such as diagnosing patients and, in many states, prescribing medication. In this Article Roles and Responsibilities | Workplaces | Spe ..read more

Home January 3, 2022 Accelerated Nursing Program Basics Written and reported by: Stephanie Behring Contributing Writer Accelerated nursing programs are designed for people who already have a bachelor’s degree in any other discipline. They allow you to use the credits you earned as part of your current degree toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree—the most common degree held by registered nurses (RNs). In this Article How Does it Work? | How Long Does it Take? | Classes | Online Programs | Is This Program Right for Me? | FAQs This means you won’t have to start fro ..read more

Home December 30, 2021 Why Nursing Is a Solid Career for Men Written and reported by: Lisa Jaffe Contributing Writer Despite the many reasons to consider nursing—including solid pay and opportunity for growth—many men don’t pursue a career in the field. But they are needed in a profession where many patients want to see themselves in the healthcare workers who care for them. In this Article Number of Male Nurses | Stable Profession with Opportunities | Room for Advancement | Needed Diversity | Scholarships for Men | FAQ Number of Males Nurses Inches Up According to the Journal ..read more

Home December 21, 2021 6 Steps to a Second Career as a Nurse with an Accelerated BSN Written and reported by: Anna Giorgi Contributing Writer If you’re considering nursing as a second career, making the change may be easier than you think. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in any field, you can leverage that education in an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and complete your nursing education in less than two years. In This Article Steps to a Second Career as a Nurse | What Is an Accelerated Nursing Degree? | Online Programs | Is Nursing Right for Y ..read more

Home December 17, 2021 Why More Black Nurses Are Needed in Healthcare Written and reported by: Sara J. Nguyen Contributing Writer While Black Americans represent 13% of the population, only 7.8% of nurses are Black, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. This gap is narrower than it used to be, but there continues to be a strong need for more Black nurses. “There are benefits for both the health system and consumer side when you have a diverse population of people who are providing health to the community,” says Tiffany M. Montgomery, an assistant pr ..read more