Nursing

Why Nurses Make The Best Doctors

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Wondering if you settled for a nursing degree? You shouldn’t! There are tons of valid reasons to pursue a nursing degree rather than a medical degree—less tuition and time in school, more hands-on training, and starting your career quicker are just a few of the benefits of pursuing a career in nursing. While you might sit there and think “I’m a nurse, not a doctor”, we’re here to tell you that nurses often make the best doctors—and here’s why!

Practice Treating Patients

Nurses have the unique ability to work with patients on a one-on-one basis. As a nurse, you are the first friendly face a patient sees when they enter a clinic or hospital. You take their vitals, record any illnesses and injuries, and (even more impressively) get the patient to open up!

Doctor’s on the other hand don’t always have this personal relationship with their patients. Typically, doctors walk into the room, pick up the chart and begin diagnosing, sometimes without even exchanging words with the patient. It has been said that doctors treat illnesses while nurses treat patients.

Hands-On Experience

Most nursing students have the opportunity to work on the floor with patients before deciding to pursue an R.N. or M.D. This isn’t always the case for doctors, who typically spend so much of their adult life studying that they don’t get a lot of hands-on experiences before their internship prior to working in the field.

Plenty of Healthcare Opportunities

Few nurses actually pursue a career as an M.D. Many nurses that do want to rise up the ranks of the healthcare profession choose to pursue a graduate nursing degree instead. Specializing your skills opens up the doors for new and exciting opportunities and an increased salary, in some cases even a higher pay than some doctors (1).

Nurses who do choose to pursue a career as a doctor are often better at communicating with their nursing staff, having had been a nurse themselves at one point. Without having ever walked in the shoes of a nurses, some doctors don’t appreciate all the hard work nurses do and their importance in the patient’s treatment.

When choosing between pursuing a degree as an R.N. or a M.D., there are a lot of things to consider—cost of tuition, amount of schooling, and potential career paths. While nurses’ and doctors’ career paths often overlap, there are some differences that may sway your likeness one way or the other. An important thing to keep in mind however is that you don’t need to have an M.D. to make a good make a positive impacton a patient, or to have an impactful career as a healthcare professional.

If you’re ready to get started on your healthcare degree,Provo College is here to help. At Provo College our goal is to help students pursue a rewarding healthcare careers, with various nursing programs and short waitlists to get you to where you want to go faster. Contact us today to get started.

Resources

1. ​Powell, F. (n.d.). Nursing Specialists Can Earn More Than Some Doctors. Retrieved March 31, 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/paying/articles/2017-07-17/nursing-specialists-can-earn-more-than-some-doctors

Nursing

Perks Hospitals Are Starting To Offer Nurses

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If you’re considering a career as a nurse, now might be the perfect time to get started. With more nurses retiring than are entering the field, hospitals are having to resort to creative and exciting incentives in order to entice new employees.

Do five-figure signing bonuses, free housing, and paid college tuition for you and your children sounds like something you’d be interested in? Then keep reading to learn how you take advantage of some great perks as a new nurse.

Why The Haste

Similar to how the real estate industry has buyer’s and seller’s markets, right now is what you’d refer to as a “buyer’s” market in the field of nursing. As more nurses age and retire, hospitals are finding themselves pressured to fill open positions —and fast! The nation’s aging population also exacerbates the problem by increasing the demand for RNs throughout the field.

The American Nurses Association estimates that the nation will need to produce more than a million new registered nurses by 2022 (1). That’s a lot of open positions for newly graduated nurses! Because of this high demand of RNs, hospitals have come up with some creative perks to entice new nurses entering the field. Among these perks include generous signing bonuses, but there are other benefits that extend beyond the hiring process.

Let’s Talk Perks

Hospitals have started to offer all sorts of pricey perks as a way to recruit and retain nurses. UCHealth — a nonprofit health system that operates hospitals and clinics in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska —can’t find all the nurses it needs locally and has been forced to look for out of state candidates to fill their many positions (2). To entice these new recruits, it has offered relocation allowances and signing bonuses of up to $10,000. Other incentives UCHealth offers to their nurses include up to $4,000 a year towards continuing education and a traveling RN program, which allows nurses to do a 13-week rotation at different UCHealth facilities, it they wish.

Realizing that signing bonuses don’t always keep nurses in their positions, many hospitals are offering additional perks to sweeten the deal more long-term. Benefits that go beyond the signing bonuses include flexible scheduling, professional development opportunities, and other programs designed to empower nurses and improve the hospital’s corporate culture (3).

Other hospitals have taken to offer free housing to some nurses as part of a commuter program, a perk that aims at attracting new recruits as well as existing staff. West Virginia’s WVU Medicine started offering this program to nurses who live 60 to 90 miles from WVU’s hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. Through this program, nurses are welcome to stay at hospital-owned lodging during days they’re scheduled.

This fall, West Virginia’s WVU Medicine also has plans to start offering tuition reimbursement for employees and their children—another incentive hospitals are starting to offer to new and existing employees as a way to keep positions filled.

What Are You Waiting For?

By now you must be pumped to claim your perks as a new nurse. If you’re wondering where to get started, we know just the place! Provo College offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing that can be completed in as little as 36 months and with little to no wait to start classes. Becoming a Registered Nurse (R.N.) without a bachelor’s degree is possible, but the job market tells us that BSN-trained nurses have higher-paying and more long-term career opportunities. It’s an extra step, but it is well worth it in the end.

If you’re eager and excited to start your career in nursing, contact us today. We’ll help to get you closer to benefits beyond belief in a new career you’ll love!

References
1. ANA Enterprise. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2018, from http://www.nursingworld.org/
2. H., Other Medical Facilities Are Getting So Desperate To Recruit, Retain nurses they’re offering all sorts of pricey perks, & I. (n.d.). Hospitals offer big bonuses, free housing and college tuition to recruit nurses. Retrieved March 25, 2018, from http://money.cnn.com/2018/03/08/news/economy/nurse-hiring-bonuses/index.html
3. Hospitals Offer Creative Benefits to Recruit and Retain Nurses. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2018, from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/creative-benefits-for-nurses-hospitals

Nurses Needed

Utah Nurses in Demand

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There’s a growing job marketing in the Wasatch Front that might peak your interest — nursing! Throughout the state of Utah, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are embracing for a fast-approaching shortage of healthcare professionals in the job market. The reasons might surprise you, and the way you can help solve this shortage may inspire you into a new career in nursing.

THE REASON

It is estimated that roughly one-third of the nursing workforce is planning to retire within the next five to ten years, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (1). Where does Utah rank in this nation-wide nursing demand? Utah is ranked third in the country in terms of severity of nursing shortage. This is because Utah nurses are aging, with roughly 48% of the workforce currently over the age of 45 (2). That, along with Utah’s aging population, is predicted to that wages and salaries for healthcare jobs will increase by approximately 27% by 2022, which is considerably faster than the national average (3).

THE RESPONSE

With a shortage of nurses in the field comes new job opportunities for eager students and career seekers. Currently, Utah’s health care employers report over 1,200 vacancies for RN positions — that’s a lot of seats to fill (2)! In response to this shortage, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities are hiring newly graduated nurses and even offering on-the-job training to satisfy their needs more quickly.

Additionally, healthcare facilities are also starting to implement nurse-patient ratio staffing to help aid in the demand for nurses in the near future (4). Having an appropriate amount of nurses to aid in the recovery of an ever-growing and ever-aging population improves mortality rates and overall patient recovery. This growing demand makes now an ideal time to start your healthcare career.

TAKE ACTION

How can you hop on the healthcare gravy-train? Provo College offers programs in medical assisting and nursing, with many students graduating in as little as 16 months. And with the annual income for a registered nurse in Utah at around $67,000 per year, you’ll earn back the cost of tuition—and then some!—within your first few years in your promising career.

Contact us today to find out how you can start your promising career in nursing today!

 

 

(1) Shutterstock Nursing shortage brings new career opportunities. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46243856&nid=1306&title=nursing-shortage-brings-new-career-opportunities KSL
(2) Utah Nursing Consortium. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2018, from http://provocollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Utah-Nursing-Consortium-PC-2017.pdf Salt Lake Chamber
(3) News Release. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jolts.pdf Bureau of Labor Statistics
(4) Nurse-Patient Ratios and Safe Staffing: 10 Ways Nurses Can Lead The Change. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-patient-ratios-and-safe-staffing/ Nurse.org

Job Opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistants

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It is important to find a career doing something you find satisfying. While there are many factors to consider when deciding on a career path (like education, salary, schedule, and work environment), it is equally important to ask yourself whether you will enjoy the day to day responsibilities of your chosen career. If you are like many other individuals who have found themselves entertaining the thought of a career in healthcare because they enjoy aiding others back to health, you might want to consider a career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA).

Appealing Career

Using their knowledge and compassion, PTAs are able to help their patients heal holistically by using exercise, movement and an intricate understanding of the human body. Unlike other healthcare professions, physical therapist assistants have the unique opportunity to create meaningful relationships with their patients through regularly scheduled sessions. Many aspiring medical workers find the direct patient relationship the most appealing aspect of a career in healthcare. Also, because physical therapy assistants spend a considerable amount of time with patients, it is important that they are able to empathize with them. For many, the more direct relationships with patients makes the job that much more rewarding.

On the Rise

A career as a physical therapist assistant isn’t only a rewarding experience on an emotional level but on a financial level as well. The last reported median salary for a PTA was $56,610, which sounds even more appealing considering it is one of the quickest degrees to complete with many students earning their way to the field in just 2 short years! The demand for PTAs is also in good health as it is projected to grow 31 percent by 2026, which is much higher than average. With that steady growth and the staggeringly low unemployment rate at 2.4%, it is no wonder that it is ranked the #4 best healthcare support job.

Ready to Get Started?

Starting on the path to a career as a physical therapy assistant starts in the classroom. PTAs must earn as associates degree from an accredited physical therapy program, like Provo College. While working on your Physical Therapist Assistant Degree at Provo College, you will learn the required skills needed for you to immediately begin your healthcare career upon graduation. With an average graduation time of just 21 months, you’ll be able to quickly jump into this rewarding and in-demand career. What are you waiting for? Contact Provo College today to get started!

Medical Assisting: A Fast and Affordable Gateway into Healthcare

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With America’s aging population and general increase in size, healthcare is quickly becoming one of the nation’s fastest growing industries. Healthcare is expected to continue to see steady growth as the baby boomer generation continues to grow older and as more Americans gain access to affordable healthcare options. With a projected growth of 4.82% during 2018, this is an industry train you’ll want to get on board with.

A career in Medical Assisting is arguably one of the quickest and most affordable ways to start your career in the ever-growing healthcare industry. Medical Assistants (MAs) play an important role in clinics, physicians’ offices, and even hospitals by performing administrative and clinical tasks. Although the duties of medical assistants may vary, they all work to keep offices running smoothly with the goal of supporting the physician in providing the best possible care for the patient.

Quick

Unlike a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing which can take as little as 36 months to complete, Medical Assisting programs can prepare you for the National Certification Exam for Medical Assistants in as little as 10 months! That means in less than 1 year, you’ll be able to learn the necessary skills to earn you a job title as a Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Office Manager, or even Front Office Manager — to name a few!

Affordable

Since Medical Assisting programs take less time to complete, tuition rates are substantially lower than other programs. Although a certification in Medical Assisting is not always required, employers prefer a to hire candidates who have earned a certification because it shows a level of competence and experience in the position. A certification as a Medical Assistant might initially cost you more with tuition and exam fees, but you’d also be eligible for a higher salary in your position afterwards, which can be as much as $3,000 more per year according to the American Association for Medical Assistants.

Flexible

Since most clinics and hospitals are open late and around the clock, Medical Assistants have the opportunity to work a flexible schedule that works for them. This is good news for students who are working on completing their certification or degree. Early morning, late night or weekend shifts might be appealing to allow you the time you need to actively work towards your education and career goals.

Medical Assistants offer a vital role in the day-to-day operations of any medical facility. Their versatility and flexibility allow them to assist physicians in order to provide the best medical care for their patients. Our Medical Assistant programs at Eagle Gate College help get you the jumpstart in your healthcare career in as little as 10 months. Complete this admissions form or give us a call at (801)333-7133 to hear how we can get you to where you want to go!

Nursing

The Importance of Getting Your Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree

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Are you considering a degree in nursing but aren’t sure which degree to pursue? After all, both an Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree will earn you a license as a registered nurse. So, is one degree really better than the other?

To say one is better than the other implies a “one-size-fits-all” situation for all nursing students, and that is simply not the case. Deciding which degree to pursue is entirely a personal preference and up to each individual student to decide. However, there are certain benefits that come with earning a BSN. Is it for everyone? That’s for you to decide!

Better patient outcomes

While you’ll still be required to take the same prerequisite courses during your BSN as you would for your ADN, you’ll also be required to take more research and critical thinking courses. This is meant to provide you with a more well-rounded education by providing leadership and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills lead to less errors and better patient outcomes. In fact, a study done by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed that there were less patient deaths when more BSN nurses were present in the hospitals observed.

Increase your ability to get hired

With an aging population and more Americans gaining access to healthcare coverage, there is a staggering shortage of registered nurses projected by 2022. This projected shortage highlights the vast need for more educated nurses in the workforce. With more lawmakers advocating for an 80/20 split of BSN nurses in by 2020, hospitals will be mandated to have 80% of their nursing staff be BSN graduates. Most hospitals are preparing for this by hiring BSN nurses now in order to be better able to fulfil this initiative and avoid penalties in the future.

More opportunities to advance

If you like the idea of opportunities for advancement in your career, a BSN may be the way to go. With the additional education, BSN nurses develop more leadership and critical thinking skills than are required of an RN with an associate’s. This puts you in a position where you can learn more and be given more leadership opportunities than ADN nurses. This change of pace can be exciting and keep your career interesting. You’re also just one step away from earning an advanced degree if you decided to add to your education and career options. Many Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees require you to have a BSN before entering their program, so earning your BSN will be one less step you have to take towards that degree.

Easier than ever before

If you’ve already earning your ADN or are in the process of completing that degree, there are bridge programs to help you apply those credits towards your BSN. Some students may want to earn their ASN right away so they can be a licensed RN and begin their career, and there is no problem with that. For many people, earning a BSN is a step towards getting into a management position with a career they’ve already started as a nurse with an ASN. The Bachelors of Science in Nursing program at Provo College can help bridge the gap between an ASN to a full BSN. Our programs are designed to help working students while they finishing their BSN degree, which is good news for RNs who can continue to work as a nurse while completing their degree.

If you’ve already earned your ADN, that is a tremendous success in itself. After all, a nursing degree of any level is always better than none at all. Whether you find yourself working as an RN with an ASN or you are a future student trying to map out your education and career, there are plenty of options to earn a full BSN degree at Provo College in order to increase your opportunities and advance your career.