Nursing schools are growing in popularity due to the recent introduction of various scholarships and grant program in many states to provide financial incentive to students to pursue a career in nursing. Many states all over the country are experiencing a severe shortage in health care professionals, especially nurses. Hence it is imperative that the federal government provides an incentive to students to take up courses in nursing.

These scholarships and grants often cover the full tuition fees along with books, living expenses and other college related expenses. The selected students upon graduation are expected to provide their services to the state for an agreed time period in exchange for the scholarship or grant. Many meritorious students hence prefer these scholarships and grants to obtain a college education that also promises employment. Hence nursing school rankings are of utmost importance to them.

Today, we’re going to review The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing on the basis of various parameters like course fees, course length, employment opportunities, industry exposure, etc. Most of the nursing school reviews and comparisons will give you the basic information about the school based on the information provided by enrolled students, office staff, faculty, prospective students, employers and executives.

About The John Hopkins University School of Nursing:

The John Hopkins School of Nursing is ranked as the country’s topmost nursing school in 2012. The John Hopkins University has had a 130 years tradition of excellence which has reflected in the University’s rankings. The University was founded in 1876 and has since been extremely popular among students in every field of study for its rich history and impeccable standards. John Hopkins University is known to pick only the best students. The first research university in the history of United States, John Hopkins University is located on a sprawling 140 acre campus in Baltimore, Maryland.

Undergraduate students often live on campus for the first two years of their course before they move out to gain real-time industry experience. At least 4 out of every 5 students enrolled in the John Hopkins University has graduated in top 10% of their respective high school classes with an average SAT score of 1320 and average ACT score of 30. The standards of the University are so high that they accept less than 30% of the applicants.

Nursing Programs at The John Hopkins University School of Nursing:

Martha Hill has been the dean of The JHU School of Nursing since 2002 and has developed the nursing school into a global brand attracting students from all over the world. The most notable features of the John Hopkins School of Nursing Programs are that they allow students to receive training in premier and topmost hospitals across the country.

Students are encouraged to attend seminars and conferences related to upcoming research and publication in the field of health care.
The famous faculty also attracts students to this nursing school in which the student population is maintained at 700-800 to achieve better teacher-student ratio and hence quality.

Tuition Range:

The tuition fees incurred at the John Hopkins School of Nursing was recorded to be just above $24,000 for the academic year 2010-2011. This yearly tuition range however does not include room, boarding and other college related expenses. The tuition fees for full time courses which cover 9 credits per semester. Hence the per credit cost is estimated to be just above $1,300. Books expense is estimated to be about $1,800, personal expenses at $1,300 (taking into consideration the rising living expenses and inflation) and travel expenses at $3,000.

Having a health insurance is mandatory for all students hence the health insurance cost for an enrolled student is estimated at just above $2,000. The John Hopkins School of Nursing also charges a one-time fee for students enrolling for the first time in the John Hopkins University of about $500.

Course of Study:

The John Hopkins School of Nursing offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral program in nursing. Students are expected to enroll in the school of nursing after completing pre-requisite courses in Anatomy, Microbiology, Nutrition, etc from an accredited college or university with a Grade B or a better grade.

The courses are divided into 4 semesters hence takes about two years to complete. The semesters are divided on the basis of the number of credits the students can complete and range from 10-14 credits per semester. The last or the fourth semester usually has the minimum number of credits since in this semester students transition into professional practice hence class attendance is kept at the minimum.

Life at JHU School of Nursing:

Baltimore has become literally the heart of health care in the country. The city has several top hospitals which are partnered with JHU to provide real-time industry experience to students. The city of Baltimore offers a wide variety of cultural and educational entertainment sources to the students.

The John Hopkins University School of Nursing offers housing facilities to all its students though on-campus housing facilities is not available to nursing students. The university hence has the John Hopkins housing offices to help students find accommodations within their budget.

The JHU School of Nursing has various clubs and student organizations to encourage students to participate in social and academic events in the University. The university has started the Student Outreach Resource Center (SOURCE) which helps students take advantage of the academic, personal and professional development opportunities.

The university also has a Student Assistance Program to help students cope with the pressure of academic and professional demands. The staff associated with this program counsel students and help them overcome the obstacles with healthy methods.

Career Prospects From The John Hopkins University School of Nursing:

The School of Nursing Career Resource Center helps find suitable placements for all students. It is estimated that nearly 92% of the graduates from the JHU School of Nursing were placed within 6 months of graduation. The Career Center staff helps students prepare resumes, cover letters and help them prepare for interviews.

The JHU School of Nursing promises to be an academic center that will improve the opportunities for its students thus changing their lives for the better. Currently ranked No.1, this nursing school is growing by leaps and bounds and so are the careers of its graduates.

Many nursing colleges have also started their health programs to attract students to pursue a career in health care. Universities like the University of Tennessee is advocating such programs to combat shortage of nurses among the ethnic minority groups like Native Americans and Hispanics. The College of Nursing under the University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville and is rated as one of the best nursing schools in the country.

The rankings of the nursing schools are based on common parameters like fees, location, industry exposure of students, employment opportunities, course structure, etc. The data related to all these parameters is sought from prospective and current students, staff, employers and faculty.

About University of Tennessee College of Nursing:

The University of Tennessee is a medium sized university located in an affordable southern city. Hence the UT attracts students from all across the country. The UT is also very popular among the international students for its affordable fees and location where the cost of living is not high. Despite its size UT prizes its world class education, faculty and resources that it offers to its students.

The UT College of Nursing maintains its impeccable standards due to ideal teacher-student ration which allows personal mentoring of students by the faculty. The UT College of Nursing admits only 40% of the applicants hence enrolls about 450 students in the undergraduate programs, 100 students in the graduate program and just 50 students in its doctorate programs.

The Nursing Programs:
The nursing programs offered in the UT College of Nursing require students to graduate in the top 25% of their respective high schools with top SAT and ACT scores. The College of Nursing admits freshman students and students who wish to return to nursing school to complete their education or further their education.
Students can also transfer to the UT College of Nursing though they are expected to complete a certain number of credit hours before doing so. Their GPA must be a consistent 3.0+ to guarantee admission as a transfer student in UT College of Nursing.

The UT College of Nursing also offers accelerated Bachelor’s program for RNs to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Apart from this the College of Nursing also offers Master’s and Doctorate programs. The admission procedure for each course is extremely stringent to maintain the impeccable standards of the UT.

Tuition:
The tuition at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing is estimated at just above $8,000 for resident students and above $25,000 for non-resident students. The room and boarding expenses on-campus are estimated at approx. $8,000 while off-campus boarding expenses would depend on the type of accommodation the student prefers. Other indirect costs like books, traveling expenses and personal expenses are expected to cost the student roughly about $6,000 per semester.

Financial Aid:
To help students fund their college education the UT College of Nursing provides many scholarships and grant programs on the basis of merit or financial need. Students are required to fill in the FAFSA forms before the deadline to avail the financial aid offered. Freshman students stand to gain the maximum financial aid as they are given priority under most financial aid programs especially if they have graduated in the top 15% of their high school classes and have top SAT and ACT scores.

Course of Study:
The UT College of Nursing prides in providing education to its students even beyond the regular classrooms. The courses in the UT College of Nursing are designed to provide the maximum industry exposure to its students. The courses are divided on the basis of credit hours which students are expected to complete every semester. The last semester is completely based on providing hands on experience to students. In this semester students are placed with top hospitals and medical centers and are not required to attend any classroom sessions.

Life at UT College of Nursing:

Academic life in UT College of Nursing extends much beyond the classroom. The vibrant city of Knoxville provides ample exposure to students on various cultures and other fields of study. This exposure comes in extremely handy when students are required to strike up pleasant working relationships with patients to provide good health care services.

The university also has a wide variety of student clubs and societies which organize events and fairs foe entertainment or educational purposes. A recreational center and fitness center at the UT is bound to keep students rejuvenated on-campus.

Students also initiate various programs like the Go Green program to make the campus more environment-friendly. There is no dearth of opportunities at the UT to make your mark to subsequently impress employers with the achievements listed on your resume.

Career Prospects From University of Tennessee College of Nursing:

The UT College of Nursing provides personal mentoring to its students so that they maintain high quality at their workplace. The College of Nursing also partners with top hospitals and health care centers across the state to improve the standards of education and employ their students.
The College of Nursing has a dedicated department that helps students prepare their resumes and cover letters. The dept. also helps students prepare for interviews with potential employers.

The College of Nursing at University of Tennessee also conducts many career fairs in the academic year to provide a platform to students and employers for interaction and spot offers. The College of Nursing also assists students in looking for employment in other states and countries.

Established in 1971 the UT College of Nursing has since been bypassing and setting new benchmarks in the health care industry. The students graduating are fully prepared to survive in the ever challenging health care system.

The scholarships and grants of the University are designed to provide financial incentive to students to pursue a career in nursing. The award amounts cover tuition, boarding, books and other college related expenses of the selected students. Selected students are also expected to provide their expertise in health care field upon graduation for two years in exchange for every year of scholarship or grant received.

The University Of Washington School Of Nursing is ranked as the topmost nursing school in the country. The nursing school rankings are determined on the basis of information gathered from staff, faculty, enrolled students, prospective students and employers. The nursing school rankings are also determined on the basis of course fees, course structure, industry exposure, encouragement of research and publications, etc.

About the University of Washington:
The School of Nursing under the University of Washington was established in 1918 when it was just a summer school imparting nursing courses. In 1922 the University established a fully equipped nursing school. Subsequently in 1945 the School of Nursing was founded aim at providing excellent services in health care field. The School of Nursing under the University of Washington has been consistently the number one nursing school since 1984.
With famous professionals on the faculty list the University of Washington School of Nursing boasts of world class faculty. Nearly 99% of the faculty teaching at the nursing school have PhDs and hence attract students from all across the world.

The Nursing Programs at University of Washington School of Nursing:

The School of Nursing under University of Washington offers a wide variety of nursing programs which includes Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice. Each degree course is designed to help students specialize in there are of interest. The Master of Nursing program, for example, helps students gain expertise in areas of women health care, mid-wifery, psychosocial and pediatric practices.

While the Master of Science program helps students pursue a career in nursing research and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science equips students with the skills and knowledge to advance in the field of nursing practice, research and education.
There are three departments under the School of Nursing under which a prospective student can enroll: Family and Child Nursing, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, and Psychosocial & Community Health.

The most unique feature of the School of Nursing under the UW is the clinical rotation program. This program is also the reason why this nursing school has consistently been the topmost nursing school since 1984. The clinical rotation program helps students gain hands on experience in topmost hospitals, medical centers and clinics across the state. They can also work in correctional centers, private hospitals, urban and rural health, Indian Health and HMO.

Course of Study:
The University of Washington School of Nursing offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate programs along with an Accelerated Bachelor’s program. The course of study is divided into 8 semester taking 2 years to complete. The semesters are divided on the basis of credits earned. The credits earned per semester range from 7 to 18 credits being the maximum. The last semester is reserved to aid students to transition into professional practice hence this semester has the least number of class attendance subjects.

Tuition Range:
The tuition incurred at the University of Washington School of Nursing was recorded to be just above $8,000 per quarter. In addition to this tuition fees students are expected to incur roughly about $2,000 for books, $1,500 for personal expenses and about $3,500 for traveling expenses. In addition to these expenses students are also expected to have a mandatory health insurance which can cost up to $2,000.

Life at University of Washington School of Nursing:

The course structure at the University of Washington School of Nursing is quite challenging hence enrolled students often find little time for leisure. There is countless student organizations that help students sharpen their nursing skills and combat unforeseen situations they might face at their workplace.

The University has also started a student counseling center for the School of Nursing to help students cope with the challenging course and other problems they might encounter during their study at the nursing school. A separate counseling center has also been set up to help students apply for grants and scholarships. The staff of this department help students look for the right financial aid programs and help them apply with applications and essays.

The University of Washington School of Nursing also provides a dedicated group of faculty to provide personal mentoring to students who wish to further excel in their professional lives or help students facing academic difficulties. The personal mentors also help students realize their aim of publishing research papers or publications. The School of Nursing also provides funding to students who wish to pursue research in the field of nursing.

Career Prospects From University of Washington School of Nursing:

The University of Washington has Student Assistance Programs with every department to help students with any challenges they might encounter. The Career Center of the School of Nursing is especially extremely active in this respect to help students get placed during or after their graduation. Many students wish o take up employment to fund their education, hence the Career Center helps such students get employed within the stipulated guidelines for student employment. It was estimated that more than 90% of the students graduating for UW School of Nursing were placed within 2-3 months of their graduation.

The University of Washington School of Nursing provides the top knowledge and skills required to become a good health care professional for the service of the general public. Hence when looking for the best, University of Washington should be the first choice.

Though most of the grants and scholarships are provided on the basis of merit and very rarely financial need the number of students enrolling for the nursing courses has gone up by 33% because in light of the recent recession many have realized that the health care industry is practically recession proof. Though many corporate have cut their health care contribution and hence employees have had to increase self-contribution the health care industry has not seen job cuts or budget cuts.

Interested students are also constantly on the lookout for colleges and nursing school which will not only equip them with the needed skills to survive in the industry but will also help them get employment upon graduation. There are many universities and colleges that try to combat the employment issue by offering scholarships which require the selected students to provide their expertise in service of the state after graduation. While other colleges have partnered with top hospitals and medical centers to train professionals according the employer’s specific needs.

The Rutgers University College of Nursing currently ranks in the top 20 in the country. The rankings of the nursing school are conducted by popular journals and newspapers. The rankings are based on the data collected from enrolled students, staff, prospective students, faculty and administration. The rankings are determined on the basis of certain parameters like course fees, employment opportunities, industry exposure, financial aid, etc.

About Rutgers College of Nursing:

The Rutgers University was established as a state university in the state of New Jersey in 1766. The Rutgers University has always championed the cause of being diverse to inculcate higher qualities in their education structure. Hence the university and the College of Nursing attract students from all the 50 states of the country and from almost 125 other countries. Rutgers University has been listed in top 5 institutions in country for 14 years consecutively.

Rutgers University tops the list with the most diverse student population. Nearly 50% of the student population at the Rutgers College of Nursing is nonwhite and female students. Apart from maintaining diversity the University also has high academic standards. Nearly every 3 out 5 students enrolled in the University have graduated in the top 25% of their high school class. The median SAT score was recorded at 1350 and ACT score at 30.

Nursing Programs at Rutgers College of Nursing:

The nursing programs at the Rutgers University College of Nursing have been designed to encourage students to even pursue research in field of nursing apart from employment opportunities. The most unique feature of the courses offered by the College of Nursing is that students have many options to choose from to obtain a degree. The nursing college offers a 4 year residential program for recently graduated high school students, a 14 month accelerated program for second degree students and also associate degree programs.

In tune with the mission to maintain diversity the Rutgers College of Nursing offers various other programs to aid students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These students have the flexibility to work while studying. The College apart from the regular counseling also provides financial aid to such students on priority.

Tuition Range:

The tuition incurred at the Rutgers University College of Nursing was recorded to be just above $10,000 for New Jersey residents and above $22,000 for non-residents of New Jersey. Room and other miscellaneous expenses are estimated at $13,000.

Course of Study:

The courses offered by the Rutgers College of Nursing are divided into semesters on the basis of credit earned by the students. The course takes about 2 years to complete where the last semester is dedicated to acclimatizing the student to the real world challenges he/she might face in the workplace. The courses are structured to promote awareness about risk reduction, illness and disease management along with the knowledge about the latest and upcoming technologies used in the health care industry.

Life at Rutgers University College of Nursing:

The Rutgers University boasts of close knit campuses in New Brunswick, Newark and Camden. Students are exposed to a wide variety of 40 different cultures on campus with various events and fair conducted by ethnic groups to promote awareness.

Each campus also provides conducted tours and events to educate students, especially non-resident students about the rich culture and heritage in the cities that the campuses are located in.

Rutgers university College of Nursing also has various student organizations which provide counseling on career planning, alumni networking and other course related challenges. On top of these, The Rutgers College of Nursing also has a dedicated department which helps students look for employment opportunities while studying to fund their college education.

The Rutgers College of Nursing also has organizations that help students gain skills to work with the latest technology in the field of nursing. This student organization also coaches students that help them build relationships with patients for effective diagnosis and treatments.

Career Prospects From Rutgers College of Nursing:

The Career Development Center at Rutgers College of Nursing offers many workshops to help connect with working nurses in the industry. This helps the students understand the kind of challenges they might face and how they can prepare themselves. The Center also provides counseling services related to preparation of resume, cover letter and prep for the interview.

The center also helps the students get in touch with top employers who are hiring for placements and on job training. The Center also sponsors a career fair every year to provide a platform for the employers to directly interact with the students and make spot offers.

The Center has also started the RaiderNet which provides a 24/7 platform for students and employers to interact and hire.

While looking for the top twenty nursing schools the Rutgers University College of Nursing should figure in the list of colleges for the unparalleled opportunities that it provides to create the best in the industry.

What are your options in LPN schools?

You have two options: traditional and online. On-site or traditional LPN training programs are offered by schools, community colleges or nursing homes. This mode of training offer more hands-on training supervised by a Registered Nurse aside from classroom set learning. This is your best option if you have the time to attend the trainings on-site.

Online courses for licensed practical nurses provide flexibility but require much reading. You must have the motivation and dedication to complete the program on your own.

What You Should Consider When Choosing an LPN School

Ask yourself some questions before settling for an LPN training program like what particular LPN specialty would you like to concentrate on? Will you be able to find work after finishing the program or can the LPN school help you find one? Is the program accredited by the Nursing Board in your state of residence?

Answering these questions will help you choose which school to settle on and if you want an on-site or online program. You also need to assess yourself, whether a licensed practical nurse job is right for you or if you want to take further studies or trainings afterwards. You can continue and be a registered nurse after completing your LPN school trainings through various LPN to RN degrees that are available. Having a long term plan is also helpful to making present decisions.

Other things you have to consider include:

•    Training programs offered by various licensed practical nurse schools take about a year to complete. Traditional training programs can be completed sooner than online programs and already include on the job training. Online training courses take longer to complete as the classes are scheduled to fit the trainee’s availability. Hands-on training will also need to be completed in a separate health care facility.

•    After completing the program, a licensure examination must be taken and passed. This examination is computerized and varies in length.

•    LPN school subjects are related to basic nursing concepts and medical-surgical nursing as well as obstetrics nursing, pediatrics, patient care, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition and first aid. Clinical settings include hospitals, nursing homes and other health care environments.

Making sure that the LPN school you choose offers the right subjects and courses increases your employment prospect. You should also know that most schools offer trainings for fields like obstetric nursing, surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, nutrition, anatomy and physiology and basic nursing.

For locations of LPN schools visit: http://www.lpnschoolsu.com/locations/

An aspiring certified nursing assistant needs to complete the required hours of training and be certified before getting a job. During a CNA class, the student learns about basic nursing skills such as dressing up patients, conducting a patient’s exercise routine, turning patients in bed to avoid bedsores, changing sheets, feeding a patient and cleaning the patient’s room.

If you are considering taking online certified nursing aide classes, take the time to know about the advantages and disadvantages of this.

Advantages of Taking an Online CNA Class

• Online certified nursing assistant program schedules are very flexible. A student can take his classes anytime his schedule permits. There are individuals who want to pursue this career but at the same time need to work and online CNA classes are ideal for them.

• A student can cut or extend his training hours depending on how he handles activities. This allows a student to finish the training as soon as possible.

• Since the student is online, this provides an infinite source of information on every medical research that their curriculum would require.

Disadvantages of Taking an Online CNA Class

• Direct interaction between professor and student rarely take place which is a disadvantage since the student is left to his own devices. Not all information available online are helpful or correct and may even be overwhelming on the trainee’s part.

• Online CNA classes do promote the use of forums for queries, however one can’t trust everything people post in such forums since many of these are incorrect or unfounded.

• Employers do observe that almost seventy percent of the students that graduate from online certified nursing aide training programs perform less well on the job than the ones who trained on-site.

• Clinical hours may not be completed as well. It is required by the Federal Nurse Assistant Training Regulations that a student should cover 50 hours of lessons and 100 hours of clinical or hands-on training.

It will still depend upon the student whether he thinks he can perform better by undergoing online training or on-site training. Sometimes, a person’s situation leaves him no other choice but to take the next best thing. A busy person needs a flexible schedule and an online CNA class can offer just that. As for those who can find the time to travel to on-site training programs, they should opt for the traditional method besides, the learning experience is far better here.

Nursing aide certification exam tests the candidates’ knowledge and ensures that they have received the required extent of training. Candidates for certification are required to pay a fee, arrive at the testing site fully prepared for the written exam and properly attired for the clinical exam.

Both sections of the nursing aide certification exam (written and clinical) must be passed for the participant to be included in the state registry.

Nursing Aide Certification

There are 2 portions to the examination:

1.    Written – this is multiple-choice type and the length varies by State. This tests the participant’s comprehension about various nursing assistant skills. A specified amount of time is given for participants to complete this test. After completing this portion of the certification exam, nursing aide candidates will then take the clinical or technical exam.

2.    Technical – this portion lets students show or demonstrate proper patient care procedures. Candidates are required to be in the appropriate attire to complete this test.

The result of the nursing aide certification exam is usually announced by the Board of Nursing or by the testing center.  If applicants have successfully passed both written and clinical exams, their names are included in the State Registry. In some cases, applicants who passed the certification are issued CNA cards.

Some states have different kinds of nursing aide certifications. Such certifications provide additional skills to participants which allow them to tackle additional tasks. CNAs that are able to perform additional duties are offered greater wages than their counterparts.

Additional certifications include the following:

•    Geriatric nursing assistant (GNA) certification – this allows CNAs to work in long term care centers.

•    Home health aide (HHA) certification – this allows CNAs to work with home health care agencies.

•    Certified medicine aide (CMA) certification – this allows CNAs to administer medicine in long term care facilities. This certification program require participants to have at least a year of experience working as a nursing aide and 60 hours of accredited medical aide training course.

As long as CNAs are certified, they can get employment in a variety of health care settings and provide quality patient care to the disabled, the elderly and children under supervision of Registered Nurses or RNs and Licensed Practical Nurses or LPNs.

Written CNA Certification Test

This section consists of choice questions but in some states, reading comprehension questions may be included. Questions typically cover topics like nutrition, infection control, hygiene, appropriate workplace conduct and therapeutic procedures. Participants of the CNA certification test will also be tested on their psychosocial care skills which are basically how they deal with patients’ mental, cultural, emotional and spiritual needs. Knowledge about patient/client rights, ethical behavior and patient communication skills will also be tested.

Clinical Skills CNA Certification Test

This is the hands-on part of the examination where the candidate’s skill on basic tasks like taking and recording patient blood pressure, bathing, dressing and feeding a patient is demonstrated. This exam also requires candidates to demonstrate proper hand-washing procedures before and after making contact with the patient.

CNA Certification Test Application

The application process, requirements and fees differ by state. Most require candidates to be at least 18 years of age, completed a CNA training program approved by Federal state, have a high school diploma, etc.

The re-application process for those who failed previous certification exams also vary. In most states, a person is allowed to take two re-tests within two years of finishing a CNA training program. Others allow three and some require additional training before the person can re-take. Additional training hours may range from 80 to 120 hrs.

CNA Certification Test Instructions

The schedule of the certification exam will be mailed to participants’ mailing addresses. While waiting for this, take time to review and practice at least 5 hands-on skills as preparation.

Typical hands on questions will require you to demonstrate proper methods of taking patients’ vital signs and proper communication. Correct hand washing procedures will also asked so remember to follow the rule regarding this before approaching a patent and after making contact.

In some states, you are given the choice of which exam to take first. Take the written test first. The length of the written test varies but will always be multiple choices. When you are done with this test, remain seated and wait for the instructor to collect the answer script.

Throughout the CNA certification exam, keep your calm and this will help you think better and thus lets you perform the correct procedures.

For a sample of NNAAP practice exam here’s a free download: www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/069912.pdf

From administering medications to performing basic patient care, a registered nurse is expected to be able to manage all her responsibilities. She works under the supervision of a physician and she is compensated depending on her experience, specialty and employment setting.

RN salaries according to specialty

Registered nurses can choose from a wide range of specialty fields from critical care to tele-health. A registered nurse’s chosen specialty can greatly impact her RN salary. This is because of the level of education and amount of training that she acquired to be able to specialize on a particular field or skill. The more specialty a registered nurse earn, the higher her salary will be. There will also be a greater opportunity for career advancement.

If you are a registered nurse looking for a higher paying position, take the time to review the projections and research for RN jobs. There are other jobs increasingly made available outside hospital settings followed by an increase in demand and competition. Expect new jobs to open up in the home health care setting as well as private doctor’s offices offering more competitive Registered Nurse salaries.

In 2011, median RN salaries for registered nurses employed in private sectors are higher than those employed in hospitals. Registered nurses employed in senior homes or nursing care residences occupy the lowest RN salary spectrum.

Registered nurses mean wage in the year 2011 was at $65,130 and median wage was a little lower at approximately $62,500. In the United States, registered nurses belonging to the middle fifty percent of the salary bracket take home around $51,600 and $76,600 and the broader wage range for registered nurses are at around $40,000 to $95,000 per year.

Aside from the field of specialty, other factors dictating the salary of registered nurses are levels of education and training, location of employment, years of experience and the type of hiring medical facility.

Your specialty as a registered nurse and the location of employment you choose impacts your wage greatly so take the time to consider these carefully especially if you are looking into the prospect of moving from a current job to another. Balance the requirements o the work setting and the expectations of the work description with the salary you expect or require. Having enough knowledge about RN salaries will enable you to step into a job that can be both beneficial to you financially and in enhancing your skills.

Certified nursing assistant practice tests are useful as it covers all the important lessons and topics applicable to the actual certification exam you are have to pass to become a certified nursing aide. These topics include psychosocial and physical care as well as your role as a nursing aide.

A Look at CNA Practice Tests

Physical Care

The questions about physical care will focus on the skills a certified nursing aide must possess to assist patients with activities involving daily living like nutrition, sleep, using the bathroom and hygiene.

Basic Nursing Care

The questions asked regarding this topic on certified nursing aide practice tests include ways on how to perform emergency procedures, therapeutic techniques and how to prevent or control infection.

Injury Prevention and Self-Care

Certified nursing aide practice tests also cover self care and injury prevention topics. Questions regarding this are about what skills are required to help patients care for themselves and prevent injury. Questions also include what terms are commonly used when communicating with the rest of the nursing staff or when making reports.

Psychosocial Care

Psychosocial care is all about spiritual and emotional well being. Sample questions on a CNA practice test may ask about proper ways of dealing with patients and their emotional state as well as their families. The psychosocial care section of the exam may also include questions on how to respond to patients’ spiritual requirements including letting the patient talk about her faith, beliefs, religion, etc.

Role of a Certified Nursing Aide

Certified nursing assistant practice exams also ask about the different roles and responsibilities of a certified nursing aide on duty. Proper ways on patient communication and work ethics are also part of the examination.

The practice examination will be a multiple choice type like the actual certification exam for nursing aides. This allows students be more confident as they prepare for the actual test. There are sites online that offer this type of pre-examination as preparation for the CNA certification boards however they require a fee. Before you buy though, you have the option of seeing a preview of the questions so you have an idea of what you are getting.

You can also download sample CNA practice tests and exams for your state free of charge here: http://www.asisvcs.com/indhome_fs.asp?CPCat=0000NURSE