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Writing is an activity that every student has to participate in no matter what. And for you to excel in this field, you need to have writing skills. This is because writing is simply a skill just like any other. Therefore, in order to improve this skill, you need to practice it on a daily basis. The main challenge remains that so many students have no idea on how they can practice writing. So in this article, we are going to talk about ways in which you can practice the skill of writing.

Activities to Improve Writing Skills

1. Read a lot of Books

For you to become a good writer, you need to do a lot of reading. When you read a lot of books, you’ll get to a point where you can judge whether a writing is good or bad. Therefore, you’ll be in a position to tell whose writing is better than the other. Slowly by slowly, you’ll start internalizing the information and it will start being visible in your own writing. So the secret is to read different books and get to know different styles.

2. Watch Documentaries

This may appear to be a weird but please listen to this. Watching narratives about various subjects will make you more knowledgeable. That recently discovered information will send itself into your writing skills.

3. Read Journals

Research shows that the most successful people in the world read journals daily. Expand on a diary you need and set aside some time every day to write on it. Expound on anything you desire, or discover some writing brief to help point you the correct way.

4. Social Networking

You need to post and message your friends with clear language in the event that you need them to comprehend what you mean. Person to person communication is an incredible method to work on writing without acknowledging it! What an incredible excuse to hop on the web, correct?

5. Think before You Speak

Give this a shot: change your psyche to thinking about what you will say before you say it. Attempt it for the following 30 minutes. Considering how to better your sentence structure or what words to utilize is actually what you do when writing. Do it for speaking to get some additional training!

6. Join a Club

This one isn’t really something you do each day, however it’s as yet a decent one. There are many writing clubs, both on the web and in person meet-ups. You can get input for your work and read different writings to give you a few thoughts of what others are able to do.

7. Work on Your Grammar

This one may not be pretty much as fun as the others. However, it’s successful! Follow a syntax blog or a Facebook page and effectively watch and take an interest in their posts. At the point when you get familiar with how to accurately utilize the English language, your writing will truly begin improving!

Attempt one, attempt all! It doesn’t make any difference. Any of these will be useful when attempting to improve your writing abilities. Pick one to begin with and add another when you feel great. Whatever your methodology is, stay predictable and you’ll see your writing improving and better!

One of the best part of student’s life is college life. This is because at this point most students do not have much knowledge as compared with university life. Life in college has been considered to be the best because there’s less tension in there. However, students are under so much pressure to get good grades so as to graduate and be accepted in the university.

All this pressure around students make them worried about their performance in college. They worry about their assignments and academic performance in general. No need to worry anymore because we are an assignment writing company, and we’ll help you. We’re here to write your essays, dissertations, and other academic papers for you.

Nursingtermpaper.com is one of the best essay writing companies that work toward helping college students excel in their academics. Our reviews speak for themselves. Those reviews are from students who have used our services and they were happy. Below are some of the reasons why we are the best essay writing company:

1. Professional writers

We have a team of professional writers who are experts in different fields. Our writers are qualified and they can tackle your assignment so easily. Moreover, they work on essays and even the higher level assignments. When your paper is being handled by a professional, it’s obvious that the content will be so accurate and relevant.  

2. Authentic Work and No Plagiarism

Once your paper is done, it’s passed through a plagiarism scan and a report of that will be attached to your order. Therefore, our papers are plagiarism free. Plagiarized assignments can destroy student’s average grade. Therefore you need to be careful while choosing a company that will write your essays for you. Plagiarism paints a bad picture of the students, so you need to be extremely cautious. We submit papers that have not been shared before. So be rest assured that your paper will be unique.

3. Free Revisions

If the customer is not satisfied with the content, they’re free to ask for revision. You will be presented with an opportunity of unlimited revisions. This is because we are the best writing service and we would like you to be fully satisfied with our services.

Mostly, college students are very young, and change their mind or thoughts many times, and in such situations they will be needing a feature of revision. If there is any error in work, or either they are willing to add new information in their work, or trying to change the whole content of their essay then in such situations, graduateassignments.com will revise their work again and again. This feature will be as perfect as rain because revision will be for multiple times.

4. 24/7 Support

We have a team of support that operates 24/7. Therefore if you have any enquiry you can talk to us through the chat box. This will help customers interact with us and also if they need assistance placing their orders, we’re there to help. We understand that sometimes students have a hard time due to confusion. Don’t worry, 24/7 support will definitely will work like a magic for them. It will diminish all their problems, and provide answers for all their queries.

When it comes to prices, we are very affordable. We do understand that we are dealing with students and some of them are on a budget. Furthermore, we do compensate our clients in case they want their money back. Place an order with us today and you won’t regret it. All you have to do is sit back and relax knowing that your assignment is in good hands.

Each and every student always look forward to the day they’re going to be experts in writing. It is the best feeling ever! Imagine submitting a high quality essay, watching your professor smile while going through your paper, and scoring A+. It’s a good feeling, right? It could be your dream come true. Well, not all students manage to keep up with this because just a single bad grade, they give up. There’s a lot to learn in school, and most of the time, students say that it’s too much work to learn all the things that will be tested in the paper. Well, that’s not true. If you are willing to learn new things every day and practice a few things to succeed, then there’s nothing difficult in learning everything that you need. So below are a few blogging tips to help you become a good writer.

1. Add pictures

It doesn’t matter how appealing or insightful an image is if it isn’t followed by text that describes how to use it. Make sure the text next to your image supports it not only in the context of your paper, but also in the context of the section where you’ve chosen to include it. You must ensure that the image you use is a stock picture or a copyright-free image. Although your professor may not recognize a picture from a random website, there’s always the possibility that they will. Don’t take a picture you don’t have permission to use while there are hundreds of awesome free pictures available online.

2. Avoid irrelevant information

When writing a blog post, you must get straight to the meat of the matter from the start. When you have 500-1000 words to work with, you don’t have time to waste on rambling sentences or insignificant information. Bloggers are not allowed to go off on tangents, get sidetracked, or engage in navel-gazing. Even if the paper’s duration is a little longer, students should make their papers as easy to read as a blog post.

3. Use a conversational voice

While most academic writing does not allow you to use slang, crack jokes, or share personal information about your life, you can have a much more readable paper if you do not sound stuck-up. Take a look at the blogs of well-known corporations as an example. You won’t feel like you’re reading an inaccessible book because they’re never too casual. Stick to your voice until you’ve decided on one for your paper; you don’t want to be the reader’s buddy one minute and their octogenarian professor the next. When you master a consistent voice, you will be able to write a fantastic essay.

4. Know Your Reader

Consider how much your professor already knows about the topic before proceeding. There’s no need to say your teacher Shakespeare’s birthday or the plot of Romeo and Juliet if you’re taking a Shakespeare lesson. Believe us when we say that he/she already knows. You may appear amateurish if you begin with information that are common knowledge in a specialized class.

Similarly, no one blogging about food will begin a recipe for coffee by instructing readers on how to boil water. If you are uncertain about any specifics, offer a quick description without going into detail; it is preferable to anyone calling you on incorrect information.

Is there a job that you’re looking for and you’re probably wondering if you’re qualified? Well, sometimes you could be qualified but your resume is saying otherwise. So what you need to do is work on your resume since it’s the most important thing. When you have a great professional resume, it will set you up for success before even getting into that interview room. Below are things that you should consider and others which you should avoid. So consider the following points and you will stand out.

Do’s:

1.   Be Precise

Go straight to the point and avoid providing so much information. This will make it interesting to read.

2.   Apply Bullet Points Where Necessary

When you are mentioning about your previous job, outline the details in bullet form. Also, use bullet points for other concise parts.

3.   Use a Resume Template

If you want your resume to look more professional, you need to use a modern template. What really attracts people to read your resume is the layout used. Tis is often the first impression.

4.   Tailor It

Ensure that your resume is matching the specific job that you’re looking for.

5.   Provide your Personal Information

What employers want is to see your contact information in the header. This is because if they’ll need to contact you it will be easy for them. So try and make their work easier.

6.   Include a Cover Letter

What actually sells you the most is your cover letter. So if you want In addition to tailoring the resume, adding a cover letter for that specific job will definitely help you stand out.

7.   Talk about your accomplishments Instead of Responsibilities

Responsibilities of past jobs were things you were supposed to do and can be found in any job description. Instead, say how you did them.

Don’ts:

1.   Avoid being General

When you are general when describing yourself, there won’t be a difference between you and other people. Always find a way of standing out from the rest of the interviewees.

2.   Do not provide inaccurate Information

However how small the false information provided is, it can cost you your job. So ensure that you provide correct information in your professional resume. It is always good to be honest.

3.  Avoid Spelling and Grammar Errors

These errors won’t get you anywhere except for the not interviewing pile. Edit carefully!

4.   Do not use Crazy Fonts and Bright Colors

When we say that you should stand out, it doesn’t mean you should overdo it. Just stick to Times New Roman or Cambria fonts.

5.   Do not Write More Than a Page

Depending on the country you’re in, the USA style is one page. This is because the purpose of your professional resume is to let the employers know what your achievements are. So you’re not telling them the whole story of your life.

6.   Avoid Sounding General

Using tons of keywords and phrases that everyone else does to make themselves sound more professional doesn’t describe who you really are and what you are capable of.

7.   Do not Write Irrelevant Information

What the HR office is more interested in is they want to know more about your achievements and experiences. They do not care about other things that are not work related. So keep other things away from your resume.  

Looking for a job is definitely not an easy task. Therefore, we wish you all the best in the journey of discovering what you love. Make use of the above do’s and don’ts and soon you will land that prestigious job.

Geriatric nurse specialize in the care of older patients and are a crucial part of the healthcare team in helping older adults maintain their mobility, independence, and quality of life. They are trained to anticipate the needs of aging adults and work closely with primary care physicians, attending physicians, social workers, and families to provide individualized care to elderly patients. Geriatric nurses focus on age-related diseases and health concerns, including the following:

• Osteoporosis
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s disease/dementia
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Poly-pharmacy
• Medication tolerance
• Falls
• Nutritional deficiency
• Impaired mobility
• Incontinence

Geriatric nurses can also address psychosocial issues. Older adults may have impaired mobility that can result in feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation. Mental health is as significant in geriatric patients as physical health. Additionally, abuse (physical, psychological, and financial) and neglect are a concern among the elderly. In fact, an estimated 4 million older adults experience abuse and neglect, according to the American Psychological Association, and geriatric nurses can work as advocates for them and provide them the resources they need.

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Those considering a position as a geriatric nurse should have experience and interest in caring for an aging population. These patients present a unique set of challenges and require a unique set of skills to address them. A nurse willing to act as an advocate, resource, and liaison is an added benefit.

What are the Education Requirements for a Geriatric Nurse?

Nursing students can begin their careers in geriatric nursing by completing courses in nursing programs. Many nursing schools have geriatric nursing modules that are incorporated into the program. Nursing students can also perform clinical rotations in healthcare facilities that specialize in geriatric nursing, such as skilled nursing facilities or geriatric-centered hospital units.

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Practicing Registered Nurses can obtain certification in gerontological nursing. RNs must complete an examination for certification, which lasts five years. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification for nurses who:

• Currently hold an RN license
• Have two years of full-time RN experience (or equivalent)
• Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty of gerontological nursing within the last three years
• Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in gerontological nursing in the last three years

Where Do Geriatric Nurses Work?

Geriatric nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings such as:

• Hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Nursing homes
• Retirement centers
• Memory care centers
• Outpatient ambulatory care clinics
• In-home care/ Home health
• Clinical educators in healthcare facilities, universities, and community colleges
• Case management (BSN-prepared RNs)

What Does a Geriatric Nurse Do?

Geriatric nurses are trained to anticipate the needs of an aging patient population, and possess the skills needed to act on their behalf.

What Are the Roles & Duties of a Geriatric Nurse?

The roles and duties of a geriatric nurse may include:

• Patient education
• Medication management
• Liaison between patients, family, and care providers
• Maintaining functional mobility
• Maintaining psychosocial health
• Bedside nursing care of geriatric patients

Geriatric Nurse Salary & Employment

While the field of nursing is rewarding in and of itself, specializing in geriatric nursing can be especially rewarding. In the United States, Baby Boomers are growing older and often account for more healthcare visits than younger Americans. This means the demand for geriatric nurses is increasing. The median salary for a geriatric nurse is $66,169 annually. However, salaries can vary depending on the state and city, years of experience, employer or facility, and degree and certifications held.

Forensic nurses specialize in caring for patients who are the victims of trauma, violence, and abuse. They have a foundation in the criminal justice system as well as nursing. They are on the front lines when victims of crimes need help the most, providing sensitive, compassionate care while meticulously collecting relevant evidence that may be needed later in court. Some forensic nurses choose to specialize in sexual assault/trauma by becoming certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).

Becoming a Forensic Nurse

Those who are interested in forensic nursing should have an interest in not only direct patient care, but also in being a patient advocate. They should also have an interest in criminal justice and the legal system. Strong attention to detail is also a quality valued in forensic nursing. Forensic nurses are exposed to emotionally draining and potentially disturbing cases, so having a stable work-life balance and support from family and friends is essential.

What Are the Educational Requirements for a Forensic Nurse?

Completion of an accredited nursing program is required. Aspiring forensic nurses can obtain an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). While a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) is not required, it may make a nurse more hirable. Additionally, specialty forensic nursing graduate degrees are required for certain types of forensic nursing certifications.

After completion of a nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam is required for licensure as a registered nurse.

A nurse may choose to practice as a registered nurse or advance to a nurse practitioner role specializing in forensic nursing.

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Obtaining certification in forensic nursing is highly recommended. While not necessarily required, certification demonstrates a commitment to the profession and a higher standard of care within the field of forensic nursing.

Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses can complete a formal forensic nurse specialist program. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers comprehensive training in forensic nursing to include 250 contact hours of continuing education. The requirements for this program include:

• Completion of formal training as a registered nurse
• A current/valid RN license

While an Advanced Forensic Nursing certification used to be offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the ANCC retired it in late 2017.

Where Do Forensic Nurses Work?

Forensic nurses can work in a variety of patient care areas. In the hospital setting, forensic nurses may work in the following departments:

• Emergency rooms
• Urgent care departments assisting with trauma cases (intentional and unintentional trauma), injuries, and assault/abuse

In the community setting, forensic nurses may find work with:

• Coroners
• Medical examiners
• Pathologists
• Local government agencies
• Non-profit organizations that serve trauma/abuse survivors

Forensic Nurse FAQs

A Forensic Nurse may be subpoenaed (ordered to attend court) under two circumstances:

• As a “Fact Witness”- This involves the forensic nurse that delivered care to the patient/victim following the crime including interviewing, evidence collection, injury identification, and evaluation. This nurse worked specifically with the patient and can attest to the documentation they have provided. It is important to note that as a fact witness, the nurse may testify about anything observed or said during the exam but cannot provide an opinion on the causation of any injuries. For example, a nurse that collected evidence such as swabs for DNA can testify regarding his or her methods used to collect that evidence. The nurse may be asked to describe in detail how it was collected or stored.
• As an “Expert Witness”- This designation is achieved after a forensic nurse has attained a high level of experience. It qualifies a nurse to provide special knowledge while testifying as to whether or not an injury is consistent with the patient’s account of the assault. An expert witness may not be able to speak to the evidence collected and presented in court, but can provide general information about current practice and protocols that are based on experience and medical literature.

What Does a Forensic Nurse Do?

Forensic nurses have many duties that may differ based on where they work. Forensic nurses basically wear two hats — a nurse hat and a law enforcement hat. This unique, dual role ensures that victims of a crime receive the best quality care during a very emotionally and physically trying time. Victims of sexual assault or battery may not trust caregivers, or they may be afraid to report to law enforcement. Forensic nurses on the front lines can act as both caregiver and liaisons, limiting the amount of interactions which, in turn, can help build trust with victims.

Forensic nurses who work in emergency departments/urgent care may:

• Take a thorough patient history
• Collect evidence such as debris, bodily fluids, bullets
• Perform physical examinations
• Photograph injuries/evidence
• Perform wound care
• Interview the patient and/or family
• Report victims of assault/abuse to local law enforcement and Child/Adult Protective Services

Forensic nurses working in the community may:

• Take blood/tissue samples
• Respond to the scene of accident/death
• Photograph injuries/wounds
• Photograph crime scenes
• Collect evidence
• Assist with autopsies
• Act as a deputy coroner

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Forensic Nurse?

Whether forensic nurses are employed in the hospital or community setting, working with deceased or living patients, their roles are the same. These include:

• Collect data and complete thorough documentation
• Act as a liaison between victims of assault and their families
• Act as a liaison with law enforcement and social services
• Testify in court
• Provide comfort to victims and families
• Provide resources to victims and families including mental health counseling, shelters, etc.

If you have hopes of pursuing a career in nursing, you’ve probably looked into the different specialties available to nurses. Each specialty demands its own skills and characteristics, which is especially true for those working in emergency nursing. Emergency nurses work in a fast-paced, often-stressful environment that requires a unique skill set above and beyond the standard nursing skills.

Your ability to stay calm and collected in urgent situations is one of the reasons you’re considering becoming an emergency room nurse. But the thought of working in the ER is intimidating—what if you can’t handle the pressure? Or is that part of the job overblown? You need all the info you can get as you research the ins and outs of emergency nursing. Keep reading to learn more about the skills and qualities you’ll need in this dynamic nursing specialty.

What do emergency nurses do?

ER nurses treat patients who are suffering from trauma, injury or severe medical conditions and require urgent treatment. Since these specialists work in crisis situations, they must be able to quickly identify the best way to stabilize patients and minimize pain.

“The nursing duties are the same wherever you work—except in the emergency department, everything is compressed,” says former trauma and transport nurse Pat Carroll. She shares that ER nurses are often evaluating and treating patients almost simultaneously, and they work with a team of specialists, such as radiologists and orthopedic experts, to provide the highest-quality care.

Working in an emergency room isn’t all excitement all the time. “Every shift is not as exciting as a shift on TV,” Carroll says. “The interesting and unusual cases they treat in one day may happen over a month or two in a typical emergency department.” Lauren Elliott, author and RN, adds that, depending on the hospital, ER nurses can spend much of their time performing other duties like preparing rooms and updating electronic health records.

Emergency nursing careers may also come with the important role of educating the public. Some ER nurses participate in public programs that promote wellness and prevent injuries, such as alcohol awareness, child passenger safety, gun safety, bicycle and helmet safety and domestic violence prevention.

What are the most common conditions treated in the ER?

Emergency nurses encounter many conditions with varying degrees of severity—ailments range anywhere from a sore throat to a heart attack. According to data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, the top-five reasons for ER visits in 2014 were^*:

• Abdominal pain
• Upper-respiratory infections
• Strains and sprains
• Superficial injury (an injury that does not affect muscles or organs)
• Chest pain

The injuries ER nurses encounter most often depends largely on where they work. Hospitals in large metropolitan areas are more likely to see extreme cases like gunshot or stab wounds, but they also receive patients with less-acute problems who are simply seeking primary care, according to Carroll.

Rural areas typically have more trauma injuries resulting from vehicle crashes or accidents with farm equipment. “And, today, everybody is seeing significantly more overdoses regardless of where we practice,” Carroll adds.

Geographic region also plays a role. Elliott notes that emergency departments in southern states are more likely to see illnesses that affect the elderly, such as chest pain or fractures from falls, since many “snowbirds” head for warmer climates to escape harsh winters in their home states.

Where do emergency nurses work?

The majority of emergency nurses work in the emergency departments of hospitals or medical clinics, but there are a few other work environments you may not have guessed for this nursing specialty.

Emergency nurses can be found working as “Flight nurses, on search and rescue teams, in the film industry as movie medics or in urgent care facilities,” Elliott says. If the prospect of practicing your medical skills in the air or on the set of a Hollywood movie isn’t exciting enough, ER nurses can also serve patients by working on cruise ships. Emergency nurses are particularly well suited for this unique work environment since they’re used to seeing patients with a variety of ailments, according to Carroll.

There are also calmer options for emergency nurses, such as schools or walk-in clinics, where their emergency skills can serve a vital role. “We are particularly valuable if we have emergency department experience and can pick out that one person with symptoms that seem appropriate for a walk-in center but are, in fact, more serious,” Carroll says.

Nurses who specialize in emergency situations are limited only by their own preferences when it comes to choosing a work environment. “I think we could work virtually anywhere,” Elliott says. “ER nurses see and deal with everything.”

Managed care nurse acts as liaisons between patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies and government organizations, working to ensure patients receive quality, cost-effective healthcare. Managed care nurses have specialized knowledge of the managed care system in which patients can only see designated medical professionals, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Plans (PPOs) or government funded healthcare assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Managed care nurses evaluate a patient’s healthcare needs and connect them to cost-effective healthcare providers, counsel patients on the importance of preventative healthcare and work to keep costs down for patients and insurance companies.

Becoming a Managed Care Nurse

In order to become a managed care nurse, students must first complete their Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Managed care nurses generally begin their careers as staff nurses in clinics or private practices before moving into managed care. Others have a background in social work or social services before becoming an RN. RNs who want to specialize in managed care nursing may also seek the Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential administered by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing.

A typical job posting for a managed care nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of institution and patient population:

• ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
• Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential a plus
• Experience working with managed care systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for coordinating with patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies and government organizations on a daily basis
• Strong computer skills for inputting patient health assessments, updating records and completing required insurance documents

To search and apply for current managed care nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Managed Care Nurse?

A position as a managed care nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree in addition to an active RN license. During the course of the nursing education, elective courses in social work are particularly helpful for a career in managed care nursing, as most managed care nurses work with patients who are using social services to pay for their healthcare. Generally, an advanced degree is not required, although some managed care nurses may choose to pursue a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree if they wish to move into nursing management or leadership.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not always a requirement for managed care nursing positions, earning the Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential administered by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing, is certainly a competitive advantage for managed care nurses seeking employment.

Where Do Managed Care Nurses Work?

Managed care nurses often work for health management organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Plans (PPOs) or government agencies and social services programs. They may also work in:

• Hospitals
• Specialty clinics
• Community health centers

Managed care nurses use specialized knowledge of the managed healthcare system to connect patients to cost-effective healthcare providers who can deliver the quality of care they need. Managed care nurses educate patients about the importance of preventative healthcare, such as regular check-ups and vaccinations, healthy nutrition and exercise, which can decrease medical costs in the long term for both patients and insurance companies. Often working with the elderly and low income individuals who rely on government assistance like Medicare and Medicaid for their healthcare needs, managed care nurses act as a coordinator between patients, healthcare providers, hospitals and insurance companies to ensure patients have consistent access to quality medical care.

 What Are the Roles and Duties of a Managed Care Nurse?

• Act as liaison between healthcare providers, nurse facilities, hospitals, patients and insurance companies to ensure consistent and cost-effective care
• Evaluate patient’s plan of care and make recommendations about care alternatives that will aid in the quality of care for patients while keeping costs low
• Educate patients and caregivers about preventative healthcare, such as regular doctor’s visits and vaccinations, as well as disease management
• Conduct physical, psychological and emotional assessments of patients to ensure they are receiving timely interventions and high quality care

Managed Care Nurse Salary & Employment

Managed care nurse supervisors can expect a median salary of around $70,545, with a range of $64,000 – $88,322. Employment of registered nurses overall is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The outlook for managed care nurses should also grow as the population ages and more individuals depend on managed care plans like Medicare.

As all nurses are trained to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, infection control nurses specifically specialize in preventing the spread of infectious agents such as that of viruses and bacteria. With no two bacteria alike, infection control nurse works diligently to prevent dangerous outbreaks from occurring in a hospital setting. All medical professionals are trained to take standard precautions that include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and isolation precautions according to the patient being cared for. Even so, such precautions do not completely eliminate the possibility for infectious agents to spread. It is an infection control nurse’s job to perform and educate others on how to prevent and contain outbreaks and to prevent further incidents from occurring.

How Do I Become an Infection Control Nurse?

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Upon graduating with a bachelor’s of nursing degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), one can secure a position in infection control after obtaining some experience in the nursing field.

What Are the Education Requirements for Infection Control Nurses?

The education requirement to become an infection control nurse is to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Although a nursing diploma or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing has been the minimum requirement, many employers prefer graduate nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing. A BSN degree typically takes four years to complete in a university or college.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

With the proper nursing degree and a couple years of experience under one’s belt, the nurse will then be eligible to sit for the certification exam with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The expertise of an infection control nurse is needed in the following healthcare settings:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• Home Care
• Ambulatory Care
• Hospices
• Emergency Preparedness
• Public Health
• Behavioral Health

The role of an infection control nurse is to determine, prevent, and contain infectious outbreaks in the healthcare setting. Even in a sterile and sanitary environment, an infection can easily spread causing patients to become ill and possibly die. In order to prevent the spread of this infection to a large area, it is the job of an infection control nurse to not only contain these agents within a hospital community but also to prevent such illnesses on a larger scale.

What Are the Roles and Duties of an Infection Control Nurse?

With advanced skills and knowledge, the responsibilities of an infection control nurse include:

• Gathering and analyzing infection data, facts and trends to other healthcare personnel.
• Providing training and education to other medical professionals and civilians on prevention techniques.
• Develop plans to prevent patients from spreading diseases throughout the hospital or other patient care facilities.
• Often acting as a coordinator or leader of an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program.
• Reinforcing the implementation of infection control practices as provided in the guidelines of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
• Bringing rates of infection down within a facility.
• Determining the origin of a particular pathogen by studying the makeup and composition of it.
• Working side by side with scientists and doctors to develop treatments for other infectious diseases.

Infection Control Nurse Salary & Employment

Infection control nurses can earn between $77,403 and $92,923 annually. The median salary for an RN in Infection Control is $84,794 per year. As the salary can vary widely depending on many factors, it is important to keep in mind the type of employer, years of experience, and state when comparing salaries.

Potential nurses should be experienced in proper chemical disinfection and sterilization practices. As a big part of one’s role as an infection control nurse is to instruct and educate patients and hospital staff, one should be comfortable with public speaking and giving direction. As an effective infection control nurse is a big asset to a healthcare facility, these nurses can find employment through hospitals and health care centers.

A burn care nurse specializes in the care of patients who suffer from burn injuries, and in many cases, have also experienced other kinds of trauma. The burn care nurse treats and monitors burn wounds, and plays a critical role in the assessment of emotional and psychological trauma that so often accompanies a burn injury. This specialty calls for a wide range of clinical skills including triage, pain management, critical care, and trauma recovery.

Becoming a Burn Care Nurse

In order to become a burn care nurse, a nursing student must complete their degree and pass NCLEX-RN. Most nurses enter burn care after beginning their professional experience in the ICU or other trauma unit. In fact, most employers prefer an applicant who has at least some professional experience in critical care. Because burn injuries often carry severe emotional and psychological implications for the patient and their families, a high level of compassion is required for those entering the burn care nursing field.

What Are the Education Requirements for Burn Care Nurses?

Burn care nurses must hold either an Associate of Science in Nursing degree or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree, as well as an active RN license. The amount of additional education desired varies from employer to employer. Some hospitals and healthcare employers require a burn care nurse who holds additional certifications such as Advanced Burn Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support before being considered for BCU positions. Most employers prefer a burn care nurse have some level of work experience in the ICU or other critical care unit.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While there is no certification specific to burn care nursing, many hospitals and healthcare employers require applicants to hold other certifications critical to the care of burn patients. These may include:

• Advanced Burn Life Support
• Basic Life Support
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

Where Do Burn Care Nurses Work?

Burn care nurses work primarily in the Burn Care Unit (BCU) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of hospitals. They may also work in a hospital’s Emergency Room or Trauma Center, as well as in outpatient facilities that provide ongoing care and rehabilitation services for patients recovering from burn injuries.

What Does a Burn Care Nurse Do?

Burn care nurses treat a wide range of patients who are suffering from different types of burn injuries, which may include chemical or electrical wounds as well as accidental and non-accidental traumas, such as an automobile or household accidents. Burn care nurses use a variety of equipment and techniques to clean, bandage, and monitor burn wounds, as well as educate the patient and their caretakers on the ongoing treatment and dressing of burns, pain management techniques, and how to prevent infection. They also play an important role in monitoring the patient’s emotional wellbeing and recommending additional mental health care interventions when appropriate.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Burn Care Nurse?

• Stabilization of acutely burned patients
• Assess, dress and monitor burn wounds
• Maintain patient’s comfort, assess pain levels and assist in pain management
• Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally or by other methods
• Monitor the patient’s emotional well-being and determine whether mental health interventions are needed
• Educate the patient’s family and other caretakers in ongoing burn wound care, rehabilitation procedures and provide emotional support
• May also help educate the community-at-large about burn prevention techniques and best practices

Burn Care Nurse Salary & Employment

The median salary for a critical care nurse, which includes many burn care nurses, is $68,250 with a range of $39,453 – $89,794. Factors that affect this salary range include geographic location, professional experience, education level, and quantity of professional certifications.

The employment outlook for RNs as a profession is very positive, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting employment for all nurses to grow by 16% between 2014 – 2024. While this projected growth is mostly attributed to factors not related to burn care (aging population, preventative care, etc.), the demand for skilled critical care and trauma professionals will always be high.