nursing scholarships for high school seniors

Top Ten Nursing School Scholarships For Highschoolers – Helping You Succeed In Today’s World

Many young people today aspire to be great things. Perhaps a student is interested in pursuing an education in the medical field, such as practical nursing and needs information on nursing scholarships. This career field is always in demand, since medical technology is regularly being improved and enhanced. There is rarely, if ever, a shortage of job opportunities for nursing school and other medical field graduates. Many young people find themselves drawn to this profession because of the sense of helping others while receiving equally rewarding pay.

In a declining economy that plagues society, even high school students realize the importance of having substantial employment. They are bombarded with messages from the media that having a high school education is no longer sufficient. Television commercials make it clear that while staying in school and getting a high school diploma is admirable, employers often require more advanced education in potential candidates. The commercials stress that the medical field is ever expanding and its projected growth. Information on nursing scholarships can be discussed and explored with a guidance counselor.

Success in the workplace is contingent on furthering one’s education and obtaining a degree or certificate from another institution. Motivated students should begin discussing their options with guidance counselors. This discussion should take place long before the end of the student’s senior year. Since most students enjoy browsing the Internet, there is good news. Financial aid and nursing school scholarship information is easily accessible with just the click of a mouse. Most applications can now be quickly and easily submitted through this mode.

Now that you know that there are options that will assist you with paying for higher education, let’s explore some of the best nursing scholarships to consider:

1)The Disadvantaged Students’ Nursing Scholarship:
It is no secret that formal education is, always has been, and always will be extremely costly. Factor in the cost of books, supplies, fees and other expenses and it seems like the cost will insure you’re forever stuck with a debt. It doesn’t have to be that way, particularly for nursing students who meet certain income requirements according to Census Bureau statistics.

Thus, this scholarship is vital in insuring that no one, even low-income students, are not left out. For application information, interested students can call 1-800-221-9393 or visit the HSRA’s website. A visit to this site will also provide information on the numerous schools where the scholarship is typically applied.

2)Minority Nursing Scholarships:
This is an option to consider if belong to a minority class and are passionate about caring for the physical healing of others. You can research a variety of subdivisions highlighting specific minority groups, such as Ethic Minority Scholarships, Philippine Nurses of America, National Association of Hispanic Nurses and others.

3)The Children’s CHANCES Nursing Scholarship
This specialized funding is awarded to nursing students with a goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. The primary requirements are that the student must have been accepted into a nursing program, provide two letters of recommendation, and must be interviewed by staff at the desired institution. The deadline to apply is March 1st of every year. This scholarship offers up to $16,000 every academic year for up to two years.

4)Federal Nursing Scholarships
Students can apply for various government scholarships upon enrollment into the nursing program of their choice and receive up to $1,500 a month as a stipend to offset academic fees. These scholarships offer full tuition coverage. Applications can be completed, submitted and downloaded online.

5)Minority Nurse Magazine Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship awards the motivated minority recipient between $500 to $1000 in scholarship funds. To apply, visit the agency’s website, complete and submit the application prior to June of every calendar year.

6)The National Black Nurses Association Nursing Scholarship
This special program awards both African American men and women nursing students up to $2,000. Young men who are passionate about pursuing a nursing degree should not hesitate – the field welcomes professionals of either sex! Apply through the NBNA website.

7)The Army ROTC Nursing Scholarship
Students can expect to receive virtually all of the academic costs covered upon receiving this scholarship, including academic fees, books, supplies, and tuition. Information on applying is as simple as calling the toll-free Army ROTC Gold Quest Center (1-800-USA ROTC) or writing the center directly.

8)Campus RN Nursing Scholarship
This program serves entry level nursing students, including high school graduates, and provides up to $15,000 in award money for school. Apply online before April 1st.

9)The Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
This program awards a scholarship to a lucky applicant of any race, gender, or nationality with up $500 in funds. This agency upholds its non-discrimination policy and encourages all students to apply online for a chance to win.

10)The Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship
Even if you struggle with a learning disability, your dream of becoming a nurse can still become a reality. This scholarship awards a high school senior with a learning disability $10,000 to encourage pursuit of an undergraduate nursing degree. For further inquiries and application information, candidates or their guidance counselors should email the agency directly.

Since early history, nurses and the services they provide have been valuable. Their dedication to the field cannot be underestimated. Nursing scholarships are definitely worth the research and effort to help you break into this priceless profession.

States with nursing shortages

Nursing shortage by state data

A shortage of nurses exists when the demand for nurses and nursing professionals exceeds the state’s ability to supply nursing staff. Often the demand is measured by the number of registered nurses per 100,000 people in the state. The shortage can also be calculated by the number of jobs in nursing available or the number of nurses per patient.

Shortages in nursing are not always due to a shortage of trained nurses in a state. Sometimes shortages occur because of an increased rate of hospital admittances, or the decreased number of students entering the medical field as nurses. Another factor that implies a shortage could be inadequate staffing ratios in health care facilities. Shortages also arise because of discontinued programs for trained nurses, or poor retention incentives for nurses already on the job.

The shortage of nurses has become a serious issue in the United States, and in some states in particular. The state of Alabama has the lowest ratio of nurses, with only 621 nurses per 100,000 persons. Wyoming has the largest share of nurses per capita, with an estimated 1580 per 100,000 people. While the national average is 860 nurses per capita, there are 18 states below the national mark.

The United States has had a long standing problem with nursing shortage, but the problem will soon get worse. Nursing educators cannot keep up with the growing demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a need for approximately 233,000 additional registered nurses per year through 2016. This comes at a time when fewer candidates can pass the licensing requirements, and when thousands of nurses are leaving the profession each year.

Some nurses are leaving the field, causing shortages, due to insubordination of lesser workers, difficult working conditions and over regulation. Other reasons for dissatisfaction in the working environment include frequent schedule changes, overloaded staff, and not being appreciated by superiors. The difficulty in finding childcare adds to these other issues.

In addition to the problem of the shortage in nursing, Patient care has also decreased. Poor patient care arises due to overloaded patient to nurse assignments, and massive paperwork, coupled with short staffing.

In many states, health policies and practices have not changed for decades. Shortages due to cost is still the priority of the administrators. Nurses are rarely if ever consulted in reviewing and/or revising health policy. Health care reform is already rare, and the recommendations made by those who are actually providing the care, is almost never considered. Working conditions without any hope of policy changes is the major reason why nurses are leaving the field.

The trend in nursing shortage, already on the decline, along with the high turnover rate, means that the problem will decrease the morale of the already frustrated staff. Add to this, the failure of hospitals and medical administrators to attract the younger generation to enter the nursing field. Colleges have noticed a decline among students to consider nursing as a potential career. Many nurses already working would probably not recommend the career to their own children, and some would actually encourage them to avoid it altogether.

Hospitals who put finances above patient care frustrate those who’s calling and emotions tend to lean toward helping the patient, rather than insisting on the patient’s ability to pay. Nurses desperately need encouragement, support and counseling on a regular basis. But administrators see these “extras” as non-justifiable costs. Only clinical responsibilities, such as medicinal administration, dressing changes, catheter insertions, are qualified and included in the budget toward the care of the patient.

Retention of nurses should be an important consideration of medical administrators. Improving job satisfaction, the inclusion of counseling, and the verbal appreciation by superiors must be something that is addressed in order to keep the nurses already in staff. The shortage of nurses is a monumental problem that cannot be fixed easily or quickly. Nor can the problems be addressed when state budgets are severely cutting spending. Still states must consider the future of nursing staff requirements, and adopt plans that will improve the long-term picture.

The following chart lists the state by state registered nurses per 100,000 population:
Nursing shortage statistics by state

Alabama 644 Missouri 927
Alaska 653 Montana 930
Arizona 660 Nebraska 930
Arkansas 669 Nevada 942
California 675 New Hampshire 950
Colorado 690 New Jersey 951
Connecticut 690 New Mexico 953
Washington DC 725 New York 956
Delaware 701 North Carolina 975
Florida 753 North Dakota 984
Georgia 775 Ohio 988
Hawaii 781 Oklahoma 1,023
Idaho 814 Oregon 1,028
Illinois 834 Pennsylvania 1,031
Indiana 834 Rhode Island 1,035
Iowa 842 South Carolina 1,052
Kansas 850 South Dakota 1,053
Kentucky 859 Tennessee 1,056
Louisiana 860 Texas 1,060
Maine 871 Utah 1,103
Maryland 872 Vermont 1,109
Massachusetts 874 Virginia 1,116
Michigan 876 Washington 1,181
Minnesota 876 West Virginia 1,300
Mississippi 900 Wisconsin 1,313
Virgin Islands 635 Wyoming 1,580

So nurse shortage will not be filled until 2020 according to private study.
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NCLEX, NCLEX examination, NCLEX-RN exam, Registered nurse licensure

Know Everything About National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

NCLEX or The National Council Licensure Examination is a uniform exam which is used by each state board of nursing. Through this exam it is determine if Registered Nurse or LPN/LVN candidates are competent for entry-level nursing practice. This has been set by the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It should be taken seriously, as it will be one of the chief determining factors in achieving your qualification. Therefore it is essential to be well prepared for the exam. There are two NCLEX tests. They are NCLEX-RN for the Registered Nurses (RN) and NCLEX-PN for the Practical Nurses (PN).

NCLEX-RN Exam Covers the following:-

To pass the NCLEX-RN exams it is essential to answer at least 75 questions out of the 265 questions asked in the paper. The test is taken to determine your understanding of nursing practice. It covers the following categories

  • Safe and Effective Care Environment under which comes the management of care and issues regarding safety and infection control.
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance which further deals with the growth and development of the human beings at different life spans and prevention of diseases.
  • Psychosocial Integrity has been further extended into adaptation.
  • Physiological Integrity. It covers primary health care, pharmacological and parental therapies, reduction of risk potential and physiological adaptation of humans.

Guidelines for preparing for the NCLEX Exams

There are many people who have difficulty in clearing the NCLEX, even though they have the qualification of a nurse. The biggest mistake one can make in this regard is waiting for the last minute to start studying for the NCLEX. On the other hand there are also people who study years before actually sitting for the exam. Well, the best thing to do is study every day starting from a few months before. This way everything will be fresh in your mind. It is advisable to make use of trusted study guides for your preparation. After acquiring a good study guides you should make a time schedule which you can follow till your exams.

NCLEX examination dates

Once you graduate, get a Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Your program director should help you getting a letter and other formalities. Once you receive ATT then go to http://www.pearsonvue.com/ for nclex examination location and date schedule. NCLEX test dates are available every month. You can take the test 4 times a year every 45 days.

NCLEX Testing Day

When you reach the testing center you will be asked to verify your identification. You will be provided with a reading material, upon the returning of which you will be allowed entrance in the testing room. There you will be provided with an erasable white board with marker. The maximum time for the exams is six hours. You can get the result in next forty eight hours.

Registered Nurse Licensure

Once you have received your Registered Nurse Licensure, you will be paid much more than before depending on the organization in which you are working. It is necessary to renew your license after a year. It is vital to protect your license because it can be accessed by anyone.

Continuing Education To Be A Registered Nurse

To be a Registered Nurse it is essential to complete two to four years of education, with an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree. There are many categories of courses which can be taken and as many institutes which provide them. The candidates should complete a minimum number of hours of CE courses to be competent for the licensure. They are also expected to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The CGFNS certificate program, which is only available for RN applicants, is quite esteemed.

Male nurse accessories

Fun Male Nursing Accessories

Being a male nurse is fun and rewarding. There are lots of things you can do to accessorize your male wardrobe, and there are also some important things to have that make the job easier for you throughout the day as you interact with patients and help others.

A good thing to have with you at all times is a stethoscope. It’s nice to have your own, since it’s going on your ears all day – it’s good to have one that you don’t have to share with anyone else’s ears, as it were. Male nurses often have their own stethoscopes.

Male nurses spend a good deal of the day on their feet, running from place to place. Sometimes that makes for sore muscles. One of the ways to combat those working-time aches is to use kinesiology tape on the sore or affected areas. It can really help take the strain away from those target areas.

If your working in peds as a male nurse, you may want to have accessories that are fun for children or make them laugh. One way to do this is to have some fun and playful reflex hammers at your disposal. They come in all shapes and colors, and there are some even shaped like animals that kids enjoy.

No matter who your patients are, they might benefit from having ‘no chill’ sleeves put over the stethoscope when you check their breathing. It can eliminate that cold ‘brrr’ feeling, and is often a must in any make nurse’s accessories.

If you like, you can also order male nursing scrubs which come in a variety of designs. Some are cute, some are funny, and some just put people at ease when they look at them.

Another male nurse accessory is the Sphygmomanometer. Often the rooms have their own Sphygmomanometers, but you can also have your own in interesting designs, too.

Find more articles on  nursing uniforms for men.

Male nursing stereotypes

Acceptable Discrimination: The Challenge Of A Male Nurse

Nursing offers good pay, fulfilling and challenging work, and job opportunity nearly anywhere. Nursing is one of the professions least affected by recession. In this economy, with record breaking unemployment rates, the male presence in this high demand occupation remains seriously low. Male nurses make up less than 10% of the nursing population. The stigma associated with the society-labeled “female profession” seems to be the only explanation.

Men with the courage to ignore these labels, and go forth with their careers in nursing, report barriers such as discrimination. This claim seems to be supported by the fact that a Google search for the term “Male Nurse” offers “Male Nurse Jokes” as one of the first drop down options (second only to salary). This is telling of how commonplace the stigma actually is. A gender-barrier that is not only commonplace, but seemingly socially acceptable.

Females breaking into male dominated professions also report discrimination. However, the glaring difference seems to be the over-whelming support by other females. They are seen as trailblazers. The opposite is true for males in female dominated professions. Often they are viewed as feminine. To poke humor at, or make insinuations regarding sexual preference is not unusual, especially by other males.

Should male nurses work in labor and delivery?

This is a great debate that has opposers arguing that it is against the comfort of the patients. As long as it is deemed appropriate to argue against well-trained, educated professionals doing a job they are capable of, male nurses are likely to feel the bias sting. Male doctors are common in delivery rooms, which poses the question as to why male nurses wouldn’t be as readily accepted. Blatant gender discrimination seems more allowable to the less esteemed in this particular instance.

Historically, nursing was not a female job. Nursing was a predominantly male profession until the early 1900’s. However, it is Florence Nightingale that is the most historical figure in the field. Florence Nightingale has a well deserved place in history. Her better defined role and methods of teaching are still embraced today. Ironically, at the time of Nightingale’s pursuit of nursing, she had to overcome societal views on who the role belonged to. It was rebellion, and against the wishes of her family to enter nursing rather than a respectable marriage.

Just as the times have changed before and after Nightingale, they continue to do so. Our minds are changed by time, by what we see as normal. As today’s male nurses continue to build in numbers, so they will in strength as well. Eventually a time will inevitably come that nursing will be seen as a profession for both genders. Will our children or grandchildren know that this was once deemed a female profession?

Generations before us experienced segregation that we will never know. History proves we are expected to deliver progression to the generations that come after us. Male nurses are a fine example of how a burden carried by others open doors for those who have yet to arrive.

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Dating a male nurse

Would you date a male nurse? Well who wouldn’t? Listen, there has been entirely enough of this silly male nurse stereotypes. Male nurses are some of the manliest people around. So forget the old outdated images of nurses being effete – it just ain’t true.

One of the most appealing things about male nurses is their ability to care and heal. Who wouldn’t want to date someone that is considerate, caring, and thoughtful? Because nursing means having to have a good bedside manner, who wouldn’t want to date someone with a spectacular bedside manner? It seems pretty appealing.

Male nurses get a bad rap, but really they are very intelligent individuals. The work they do every day takes a lot of thought and smarts. Just to get through nursing school itself takes a lot of brains, and that is very attractive in a dating partner.

Plus, with male nurses’ knowledge of medicine, they are super handy to have around. Because they know so much about the human body (hey, they had to take anatomy, right?), well, you can guess the benefits there without needing them to be spelled out.

Male nurses are also very capable. They have to be able to multi-task and think about and manage a lot of things at once. This talent and skill works very well outside the workplace. It’s nice to be around someone who is able to keep track of things and be on top of things.

Male nurses are great. They put people’s better interests before other things, and they are very considerate and thoughtful. And what better person to be around when you get a boo-boo and you need someone to doctor it up and kiss it better? A male nurse is perfect for that. That is why I would totally date a male nurse. In fact I would not mind being in love with a male nurse.  😉

Male nurse facts

Fun Male Nurse Facts You Might Not Know 😉

More and more men are today joining the ranks of male nurses in the medical field. Here are some little-known facts about male nurses. Did you know that:

•    In third century Rome, groups of male nurses known as the Parabolani, provided care for sick and dying people on the great plain of Alexandria

•    During the Crusades, male nurses comprised the Knights Hospitalers of St. John of Jerusalem, and were set up to help their sick and dying brethren who fought valiantly in the Crusades

•    It hasn’t always been easy. In 1901 the United States military, which up until then had included male nurses, changed to only have women nurses. It was actually many years later, after the Korean War, that men were allowed back into nursing.

•    Today, the chances of having a male nurse are five times greater in the military than in the civilian world.

•    Nowadays the nursing population is between 6% and 7% male. World definitely needs more male nurses. Check male nurses statistics.

•    James Derham was an African slave who saved enough money to buy his freedom. He worked as a male nurse in New Orleans in 1783 and eventually became a doctor. He was the first black nurse in history.

•    Because of the massive nursing shortage in the 1980s and 1990s, more men became nurses during this time.

•    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, men make higher wages and male nurses earn more than female nurses do. Women make only about 86.6% of what male nurses bring in as nurses.

•    Famous poet Walt Whitman was actually a male nurse. He served his nursing time in Washington, D.C. as a volunteer hospital nurse during the Civil War. He wrote down his experiences in nursing in the volume “Drumtaps” and also journaled extensively about it with two other poems entitled “Specimens” and “Collect”

So there you have it, some interesting facts about male nurses.