4 Myths about Nursing Schools, Busted!

If you are thinking about going to nursing school, you may have heard some ugly and weird rumors about nursing. If you have, then this post is for you. Here we bust some of the most common nursing myths.

1. Instructors are mean - Nursing schools are well-known for their stringent rules and instructors who have a stern and strict attitude. However, once you become familiar with the rules, and the environment, you will realize that it’s simply that your teachers have extremely high expectations, from you. They treat candidates more like peers and less like students. Instructors are serious about the course, while also being firm and polite. There may be some instructors who are terrifying, but it would be unfair to label them as mean. 
2. Trying to weed out the weak too early - Many students have the notion that schools try to weed out the weaker students. It’s just that Nursing schools have different criteria for passing. Here, students who score 90% get a B and students who score a 74%, fail! Competition is higher in nursing school, and weaker students tend to fall out on their own. Once you are adjusted to this competitive environment, scoring 90% will be perceived as normal. 
3. Exams are impossible to pass - Nursing school exams are certainly tough, but to say impossible to pass is a myth. You just need to be focused and need to acquaint yourself with attempting NCLEX-style questions. NCLEX-style questions have four correct answers, out of which one answer is ‘More Correct’. Students often go through a dilemma wherein they feel either all of the answers are correct, or none of them are. Yet, there is always one answer that is a tad more right, than the others. Therefore, in order to ace an NCLEX exam you need to get used to this style of testing.
4. You will hardly ever see your friends and family again – You will hear this myth quite often. You can turn a deaf ear to it, because it is entirely untrue! You just need to be more organized and able to prioritize your time intelligently. This will enable you to take time out for friends and family. A nurse’s life is hectic but they need to make an honest effort toward some “me” time and family time. Initially it may seem tough but with planning, it can be done.

If you are aspiring for a nursing career in abroad and looking for the right nursing course for you, then explore the International Nursing Programs offered by INSCOL. 

All-New Nursing Technologies that Recently Made Headlines

Without a shadow of doubt, new nursing technologies have entirely changed the way nurses work today. The technologies too are constantly evolving and have made the health care arena much advanced than ever before. Not only have these technologies increased patient satisfaction, they have also helped in reducing clinical errors and decreased the amount of paperwork that nurses were required to do before these technologies evolved. 

These advancements in the field of nursing have been embraced with open arms by most healthcare organizations. Read on to know which new nursing technologies have made it to the headlines recently…

The Point-of-Care Technology

Thanks to this nursing technology, access to patient records, X-rays, medication information and the ability to seek a second opinion from another health care professional have become easier than ever before and can be done directly from the bedside. The bonus point is the fact that software and computer companies are trying to advance this technology and customize them as per hospital requirements. Just by using a wireless network and a computer - nurses in a number of hospitals are able to access a broad variety of information right from the bedside.

The Hot Topic – Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records have been the hot topic since long. The ongoing talk is that there should be a standardized EHR system. However, very few nurses are actually using the technology – less than one in five nurses. According to an industry report, usage of computerized documentation is directly proportional to nursing excellence and good patient outcomes. The higher the number of nurses using the EHR technology, the higher will be the accuracy and the fewer will be the medical errors. Not only will patients be satisfied, there will be an overall hike in the quality of treatment outcomes.

The Increasingly Important – Patient and Staff Identification Systems

Of course, there should be no mix-ups in the people who enter a facility or access the records that are not meant to be accessed by an unauthorized person. Patient and staff identification systems such as radio frequency (RFID) devices, bar codes and wristbands –help in tracking and identifying patients, thereby reducing errors and most importantly in keeping the hospital population safe.

Not to forget the life support systems, smart beds and computerized staff schedules that have evolved through the advancement of technology.

A nursing career is the best option for those who want to enter the healthcare sector. Having said this, are you searching for the best Nursing Programs for International Nurses? INSCOL not only offers international nursing programs, but also provides all the assistance required to pursue a bright and a successful nursing career in countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK and US.

Advantages of Continuing Education in Nursing

Many nurses find it difficult to invest time or money to pursue higher degree in nursing, especially when they are into full-time jobs. However, regardless of the extra effort required, there are many benefits of earning higher degrees such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Let us talk about the Advantages of Continuing Nursing Education -

• Updated Nursing Knowledge: It is vital for nurses to update their knowledge frequently. The healthcare field is constantly changing and new inventions are changing the face of healthcare services. Moreover, we are witnessing new illnesses and advancement in techniques for the treatment and new medications. Therefore, it is important for a nurse to stay updated with current research to provide better patient care services. This can only be achieved by continuing nursing education. 

• Diverse Nursing Career Opportunities: Higher degree will help you to move into a clinical specialty, such as cardiology, emergency, critical care, medical-surgical, transport, neurology, pediatrics, pharmacology, and physical assessment. Various Continuing Education courses are available for nurses such as regulatory, leadership, occupational health and safety, infection control, learning, communication, patient safety and legal.  

• Keeping Your Nursing License: To stay certified, some states require Registered Nurses (RNs) to renew their nursing licenses and for renewal, you may need to complete continuing education classes. If you fail to do so, you are at risk of losing your nursing license. 

• Earning Higher Wages: Many employers consider education as a key factor in their employee evaluations. Nurses with higher degrees can get higher pay package and better growth opportunities.

• Qualifying for Supervisory Roles: Continuing education in Nursing can help to improve your leadership skills, decision-making, critical care skills and to learn better strategies to manage your staff. This makes you eligible for positions such as head or staff nurse, department chief, or an administrative manager. 

• Easy Transition from an RN License to a BSN or MSN Degree: Many nursing schools offer courses structured for those who are into a full time job and looking to complete a degree that fits into their busy lifestyle. With the availability of many different schools and nursing programs, nurses should take their time in choosing, which program is the right one for them. 

Not to mention that you have to choose a college where they teach the specialty you want to excel in. Secondly, do not forget to check the advanced courses offered by INSCOL - Centre of Continuing Education. Here, you'll be trained as per the standards and you'll get exposure to the industry's best simulation equipment. 

Atmosphere Matters - An INSCOL Student Shares Her Experience

Do your colleagues, family, friend come to you for your opinion and guidance? Do you feel that you have the skills to lead others? Do you strive for excellence not only in yourself but in others too? Well!! Then the Nursing Leadership and Management Program is the best option for you. 

There are certainly some people who are born leaders and managers, yet there are some others who learn to develop the qualities of a leader. No matter how proficient and practiced you are , a structured course, along with the practical knowledge and a great study atmosphere impacts the way you understand and learn about the profession. 

Apurva Sharma (INSCOL Student, May'16 Intake – Nursing Leadership and Management, Seneca College, Canada) shares her learning experience at INSCOL and says that she adores the warm and learning oriented atmosphere she experienced here. 

Have a look at the message she has for all nursing aspirants – 

 

INSCOL takes pride in providing the learning atmosphere that will help Apurva excel as a bright student and have a successful career in Canada as a leadership and management nurse.

The truth is – eyes are the mirror to our souls, and they tell a story more truthfully than words can ever do. One look at Apurva’s eyes... tells her story. We want to thank the student for having faith in us.

INSCOL will always strive to provide with the best knowledge, skills and expertise to nursing professionals.

In the meantime, if you are looking for the best nursing leadership and management programs in Canada? Take a look at the courses available at INSCOL. A bright career awaits you.

Until next time.

Changed Canadian Immigration Rules Are a Boon to International Students

Incase you didn't know that the country of your dreams- Canada is to relax citizenship rules for International Students including international nurses in 2016, well its high time that you know it all about it.

If you still have questions like “I am an international student in Canada, how can I become a permanent resident?”, here you go with the latest information about the changed immigration regulations.

International students, clearly, have become a progressively inherent part of Canada's immigration strategy as a result of the ongoing changes to government regulations that aim at recruiting more highly skilled newbies in the country.

We understand that you might be short on time. So, here, first and foremost, have a look at the highlights of the eased down citizenship process for international students:

• The introduced legislation is all about reducing the period of physical residency that was earlier required to apply for Canadian citizenship.
• It is also about restoring a provision that allows the international students to count the time spent working or studying in Canada, against the residency requirement mentioned above.
• The process, further, includes the government committed to review the Canadian Experience Class program – certainly the key path to permanent residency for the international students in Canada.

The change is for sure, from the now governing Liberal Party that took up the issue in its electoral platform in the 2015 federal elections. The story, for a fact, took another turn when the Immigration Minister John McCallum brought forward his new bill – An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act – to repeal many of the changes made in the year 2015.

The new bill goes like-

• As earlier mentioned, there is cut back in the number of days for which a person has to be physically present in Canada, before applying for citizenship – from four out of the previous six years to three out of the previous five.

• For that matter, the legislation has also restored the 50 percent credit for the time period spent in Canada by the international students.

Clearly, 2016 is a lucky year for nurses. A bright and successful career awaits you. And if you looking for the best programs in Nursing Study in Canada for international students? You must check out the top nursing programs in Canada, at INSCOL.com

Welcome to Canada!

To Keep Nurses Safe, There are Standard Precautionary Measures to Follow

It is a known fact that nurses come more closely into contact with patients than doctors. As per the report submitted by ‘Health Care Workers Unprotected’ healthcare workers have been given the ‘most injured’ title. Thus, healthcare workers including nurses suffer more workplace injuries than workers in any other profession do. Therefore, it is highly important for nurses to take precautionary measures to ensure their own well- being and also for the prevention of the spread of possible infections.

Here are some standard Precautionary Measures that Nurses must follow:

• Clean Scrubs - Nurses make sure your scrubs are properly clean. Also, keep a separate pair of shoes for your workplace, as nurses are generally on their toes whole day caring for patients so it is advisable to wear something easy to slip on. Avoid wearing something lacy or pointy.
• Disposable Medical Gloves - When attending patients or handling medical equipment and devices, never miss to slip on a pair of disposable medical gloves at all times. This is important for safety of nurses and also helps in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases through the hands.
• Face Mask - There are a number of communicable diseases that are airborne and are transmitted via nose or mouth. For the personal safety, it is imperative to use a surgical mask when treating patients. Wearing a medical mask reduces the risk of any such infections.
• Personal Grooming - Besides, these standard precautions, nurses also need to pay attention to their personal grooming like having trimmed nails without any nail paints. Long nails are a source of fungus, patient residue and more, longer nails can even pierce through surgical gloves. So keeping long mails is a big no for nurses. Secondly, manage your hairstyles well, don’t keep them lose rather well tied in a bun or ponytail to save them from not only lice but ringworms too. Lastly, wash your hands that come in contact with any of potential secretion hazards.

If you need help in deciding the right career path to excel in nursing profession, just talk to the experts at INSCOL. Thus, to realize your dream and make big in your career, INSCOL in collaboration with leading Universities/Colleges in Canada/UK/USA/AUS/NZ offers a wide range of exclusive nursing programs for international nurses in Emergency Care, Critical Care, Palliative Care, Coronary Care, Acute Complex Care, Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Gerontology & Chronic Illness, Healthcare & Rehabilitation and B.Sc./M.sc. Nursing.

Consider These Advantages While Choosing a Career in Travel Nursing

Not just to visit new places, thousands of nurses are choosing this career to gain diverse training experience in different practice environments while enjoying excellent pay and great benefits. As a nurse if you aren’t sure what it can do for your career and personal growth, here are some advantages of travel nursing you can consider.

It’s Obvious, You Get a Chance to Explore New Places
Nurses in this profession can pick their assignments to travel in any region and can select it as per their priority, whether it’s professional growth, remuneration, climate, or personal interests. Additionally, weather is also a big factor in many nurses decision to choose travel nursing, where some might prefer working in sunny locations and some might want to experience living in a winter wonderland for a couple of months. There are some nurses who choose travel jobs depending on their hobbies and interests. Like, they can enjoy scuba diving or surfing if they get a job in places with coastal region. They will also be able to explore different locations, which means that a well-traveled nursing professional will be able to gain training and develop skills normally not found in any one facility.

Huge Potential of Career Advancement
Travel nursing is a kind of profession that allows all types of nurses to create a clear career path for themselves. They have the option to select the type of practice environment that best suit their professional growth. Travel nurses can choose to work in a large full-service medical facility or a small rural hospital. The challenges of a small 30-bed hospital are different from that of a 300-bed hospital. They will also be able to interact and work with diverse patient populations and to have access to all kinds of procedures and technology. For them, travel assignments are meant only for a couple of months, thus, they don’t feel stuck in a place they dislike for whatever reason.

Biggest Advantage is the Personal Growth
As a travel nurse, you can enjoy a level of flexibility and freedom that regular staff members don’t have. Travel nurses can think of taking an off between the jobs to spend some quality time with their family, go on vacation, or finish a personal project.

On the other hand, getting on new assignments gives them the opportunity to be paid competitively as compared to their earlier job. This helps them to grow in terms of their earning and make a good living out of it. In later point in life, a travel nurse can also decide a location or facility to settle with a permanent nurse job. However, like other career paths in nursing, travel nursing not for everyone. There are people who prefer to live and continue to work in one place.

For more such tips and information on nursing profession, you can visit INSCOL blogs. Moreover, if you want to study and work abroad, you can find detailed information about specialized nursing programs for international nurses at inscol.com.