Benefits of Online Nursing Education
Nursing is one of the many careers that you can choose if you like to associate yourself with the medical field. Besides being a very highly in demand job, this career is a satisfying and thoroughly rewarding on the humanitarian front. Registered nursing is one of the largest nursing fields. Registered nurses, (RN) assist physicians, manage patients in hospital, and also help in the line of treatment assist the patient at every step.
In the coming decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nurses required is expected to grow voluminously, increasing number of trained and qualified nurses are reaching retirement. RN is high in demand for being trained to require the demands of a health care institute.
For higher benefits a masters in the field f nursing is the best way to upgrade your post as well as improve your pay scale. If you have a basic nursing qualification or if you are a diploma holder and if you are already employed in a hospital, then the best option for you is to enroll into an online nursing education program. This way you can pursue your studies and aim for higher goal, and at the same time continue to contribute your service to patients. You can procure your graduation or post graduation in your own pace and time, without interfering your career by opting for an online nursing education program.
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For those who hold a diploma in nursing, you can make use of opportunity available and join a bachelors program. You can study up to PhD too, if you desire. For those who like teaching can choose a tutor program in nursing. This field in nursing profession is very much in demand and loved by those who prefer off clinical job.
If you have decided to pursue nursing studies online, one element that needs to be remembered is choosing an accredited college or school. Since while of a search you may come across many accommodative, and highly flexible offers, at cheap money. Think twice, since, you are here to put both your present career, and future career as well as money and time at risk. The time and money you spend to acquire a degree, should be beneficial and valid. So a keener search and research is mandatory before enrolling into any online nursing education program.
Online education asks for a lot of motivation and systematization. With internet at your behest, the power of knowledge can be suctioned or absorbed in at every juncture at any point of time. Emails, chats, group discussions, virtual classroom, name it and you can experience all that you do in a regular college. You can even get a virtual demonstration of what you might have to undergo in a clinical experience study. Thus online education is not a simple question and answer study. It requires a dedication to undergo education and tuitions after job.
But the rewards are fulfilling and truly rewarding. You can enroll yourself in programs like nurse anesthetist, clinical specialist, nurse midwife, genetic nursing, nursing administration etc. You can choose your subject according to what you aspire to become, and how you wish to see yourself in the coming 5 to 6 yrs.
You can always get online Master’s degrees very easily. Click here to know more about online Master’s degrees
Understanding the Career Scope of a Registered Nurse Major
In practical terms, doctors are only present when surgeries, examination and direct treating is done; during all the other times, nurses act as a point of contact for the patient (and the immediate family) and the doctor. People who know Florence Nightingale might have a good understanding of what nursing is all about, but actually it involves many finer aspects as well. Nursing is a study which involves procedures related to caring of the sick. It also involves working towards promotion of good health practices.
Often termed as the well-wishing job, the nursing field provides ample of scope for learning. To understand the career scope and educational movements in the nursing field, it is necessary to understand the concept from south to north. Firstly, a registered nurse is someone who has completed a nursing program and has successfully passed the national licensing exam system.
A registered nurse can major in many fields like physical therapy, pre-medicine care, health care & administration and public health. A RN (registered nurse) can also major in fields like bacteriology, pharmacy, histology and embryology. On a rough estimate, most registered nurses move on to the fields of health care related administration and public health.
In terms of hospital and clinic based promotions, a registered nurse can become a nurse supervisor (clinic manager in case of a clinic), dietician, food and drug inspection specialist and a freelancer teacher at a institute.
Educational AspectsWith almost 900 U.S colleges and universities offering nursing programs coupled with health centers expanding tremendously, career prospects in nursing are growing like anything. Bachelors is nursing is a prerequisite towards your journey in the nursing field. For doing a major, related experience will always help a registered nurse. Some good campuses which provide excellent nursing programs include University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, Excelsior College and University of South Alabama.
In terms of online education, university of Phoenix leads the race with many other campuses offering equally attractive nursing education. Any U.S. University Directory will give you a broader aspect of nursing majors. All in all, it can definitely be concluded that the field of nursing combines science and social work.
Autism and Nursing
The Autism Act 2009 and Autism Strategy 2010
The Autism Act and strategy developed over that last 2 years has highlighted the new obligations and guidance given to the NHS. This will thetrfore effect nursing and the healthcare they provide.
In order for the strategy to be successful guidance has be given to include guidance about:
the provision of relevant services for the purpose of diagnosing autistic spectrum conditions in adults;
the identification of adults with such conditions;
the assessment of the needs of adults with such conditions for relevant services;
planning in relation to the provision of relevant services to persons with autistic spectrum conditions as they move from being children to adults;
other planning in relation to the provision of relevant services to adults with autistic spectrum conditions;
the training of staff who provide relevant services to adults with such conditions;
local arrangements for leadership in relation to the provision of relevant services to adults with such conditions.
It is important that the NHS as well as other statatory bodies embrace these guidance.
In addition Valuing People (2001) and Valuing People Now (2009) outline govenment commitment to people with Learning Disabilities including those with ASD.
Current Literature
When examining Nursing and ASD there seems to be a limited literature available. The National Autistic Society (NAS 2008) has one information sheet on this topic, which in turn has only one reference Kagan-Kushnir.T, Roberts S.W and Snead O.C (2005). This is a study of the use of screening electroencephalograms (EEGs) in Autistic spectrum disorders and does not deal with nursing issues.
Other further reading suggested by the NAS is Fay (2004) and Shellenbarger (2004) however; both these articles are not generic and are not UK specific.
Fay (2004) is a leaflet that describes some good practical tips for health practitioners. It covers five key steps when a health care visit is imminent for someone with ASD. These are Assessment, Consult, Planning, Be familiar and Implement. What was in this leaflet was the sentence-
‘It is essential the health care team be creative, keep their sense of humour and when possible prepare in advance.’ (Fay 2004)
Shellenbarger (2004) is a case study that brings some of the issues to life. There are some facts about Asperger syndrome, some strategies for intervention, dealing with stressors and administering medication.
The only book discovered has been by Alison Morton –Cooper (2004) which looks at some of the issues to consider from medical appointments to screening and check ups.
Aylott (2001) is an excellent article that looks at trying to put you in the position of someone with autism. She states-
“. lack of positive autism awareness has led to individuals with autism being oppressed within environments that can cause harm, anxiety and distress”
Jill Aylott clearly understands the world of people on the spectrum and this quote can easily relate to health environments such as hospitals, health centres and community-based facilities. She includes with a table of issues to consider for staff working with people with autism from some literature by Peeters (1999). This is generic advice but applies to nursing staff.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum disorders (or referred to as Autism) were first described by Leo Kanner in 1943 and Hans Asperger (Asperger syndrome) in 1944.
“The National Autistic Society estimates a prevalence rate of 91 per 10000 of the population for an autistic spectrum condition. With an average GPs list of 2000 people, every family doctor is therefore likely to have up to 18 people with autism on their list “
(National Autistic Society 1999)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which includes autism, is receiving a greater profile than it has for many years mainly due to the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine controversy of the early 2000s. The link of these jabs to the development of ASD has led to many parents investigating what is this condition. Moreover, what are the risks associated with them? To date the claims that MMR causes ASD have not been substantiated yet the uptake of jabs has been poor. Therefore, what is this ‘frightening’ condition and how does it affect Nursing.
Autism Spectrum Disorders is a term used to describe a livelong developmental disorder that has a range (or spectrum) of features including autism and Asperger syndrome. (National Autistic Society 2006) All people with ASD are diagnosed by and experience three main areas of difficulty known as the ‘Triad of Impairments’ –
-Social Interaction (e.g. social relationships, indifferent, aloof and not understanding others viewpoints)
-Social Communication (e.g. verbal and non verbal understandings)
-Social Imagination/flexibility (e.g. play, imagination copied rigidity and repeating)
(Wing 1996, NAS 2008)
Social Interaction
People on the Autism Spectrum often present as being egocentric or lacking empathy. This self centred and demanding behaviour can be problematic.
There is often Social isolation amongst peers, regarded as odd or eccentric can result in the behaviour of children sitting on their own on the edge of a group or a playground. There is also tension when social demands or approaches are placed on the person with ASD. Anxiety in social situations, crowds, birthday parties and Christmas is common.
There is failure to pick up on social clues and unwritten rules and behaviour such as talking inappropriately –not in context, no turn taking, talking excessively or no talking by electing to be mute can happen.
Often there is inappropriate social use of language, in the wrong context or situation e.g. laughing inappropriately – An example such as saying “Scoring a goal” means they are excited.
Social Communication
People on the Autism Spectrum can have ‘superficially’ perfect spoken language. They can have the understanding of words rather than their meanings. Rote script and language that is monotonous and repeating can occur. A persons
voice may lack expression or have peculiar characteristics
such as copying of expressions, videos, adverts which can be spoken out of context. There can be a highly literal understanding of language
In addition, Jokes using innuendo and irony are fort with problems. An example is the phrase “draw the curtains” which can be interpreted in two ways.
There are difficulties in understanding and expressing
Non-verbal communication such as gestures. Sometimes people with ASD can present with
Flat facial or eye expressions resulting in a glazed ‘lifeless’ face.
Social Imagination/Flexibility
People on the Autism Spectrum can have unusual all absorbing interests such as using computers, spinning objects, even tidying up! They can have a
strict adherence to certain routines (In a certain order and time, unable to change) and be inflexible with these.
Often there will be a
limited development of play and creative thought and a difficulty in imagining as something else – to visualise this.
There can be
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problems in generalising skills that is they can perform a task in one environment and not in another.
Sensory Challenges
Many people on the spectrum suffer from sensory processing difficulties such as hyper (over) or hypo (under) sensitivities. The effects of these can be profound and be very distressing to a person with ASD. Some examples are-
Hearing -People being oversensitive to different pitches of noise, ‘high’ pitch e.g. whistle bagpipes etc. or almost not hearing being hypo sensitive.
Smell- People having a reaction to acute/certain smells e.g. perfumes or not having much of a sense of smell at all.
Sight – People having a reaction to certain colours, patterns, lights and becoming stimulated or upset by them.
Touch – People being sensitive to textures (clothes, surfaces, foods) can cause great distress. Touch may be under developed and there can be a high pain threshold.
Taste -People on the autistic spectrum can be seen as ‘Fussy’ eaters because they find tastes intolerable. They may be particular over textures and colours eat inedibles or prefer acute tastes such as spices.
(Bogdashina 2003)
These sensory difficulties are very significant when creating an autism friendly environment for any patient that needs nursing care.
Some people with ASD have severe learning disabilities whilst others such as those with Asperger syndrome have average or above average intelligence.
Jordan (1999) estimates
“…up to 75% of all people with autism may present with general learning difficulties that is with an IQ below 70″
It is worth noting that it is very rare for people with ASD to have special abilities such as those portrayed on the movie ‘Rain Man’. Many people have also never been diagnosed as the disability can be somewhat hidden.
The ‘difficult’ odd often-eccentric man who was a nightmare to care for because he would not stop talking about his interest (Star Trek or Computers or his Collections) maybe on the spectrum.
Some famous celebrities throughout history have thought to perhaps have ASD characteristics such as Albert Einstein and Bill Gates (Head of Microsoft Computers). The condition is predominately male with a ratio of 4 in 5. The exact cause is still unknown yet the National Autistic Society (2006) estimates it touches the lives of over 500,000 families in the UK alone. With that kind of figure, it will be inevitable that most nurses will have some contact with a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Impact on Nursing
The impact on Nursing needs to be considered and how patient care could improve from what you now know about Autism Spectrum Disorders. The challenges and possible solutions as an individual and/or part of a team may include- Training, Planning After care /discharge and Multi agency working.
Morton-Cooper (2004) dedicates a chapter in her book examining nursing care issues. She suggests skill and sensitivity in observing the patient is needed to see where the person with ASD vulnerabilities lies. She continues by suggesting Roper Logan and Tierney (1996) activities of living nursing model to support this. The activities are-
· Maintaining a safe environment
· Communication
· Breathing
· Eating and Drinking
· Elimination
· Personal Care
· Controlling Body Temperature
· Mobility
· Work and Play
· Expressing Sexuality
· Sleeping
· Dying
“People on the autism spectrum may have contributing factors that make care decisions more complicated. Sleep disorders and hyperactivity or conversely, extreme slowness of movement to the point of catatonia can have implications for care and treatment of medical problems “
(Morton-Cooper 2004)
Significant Nursing issues include problems managing personal hygiene, self care, patient safety, nutrition, eating difficulties, wound care, sleep, and night time wandering and dying.
Personal Hygiene –Difficulties with washing and maintaining personal hygiene will take skilled nursing care to ensure any infection or cross contamination. Some people with ASD may not even acknowledge different aspects of their bodies. The management of menstruation may need specific attention.
Safety-The boundaries need to be made clear to the person with ASD. This could be the physical parameter of a ward to the rules about what not to touch.
Nutrition- People on the Autistic Spectrum can have specific dietary needs/preferences. The textures and colours of foods and the habitual order of eating can limit diet. There can therefore be certain nutritional deficiencies in patients. Specific Advice should be sought.
Wound care- if the person has touch sensitivities they may not tolerate dressings and/or scratch wounds.
Sleep/Night time wandering- many people on the spectrum have problems with sleep. Difficulties can include intolerance of bedding, sensitivities to sound, not being able to relax and limited motivation to sleep.
Dying-The concept of death can be confusing for many people. The person with ASD may not always respond with a common emotional response and could even seem aloof. There is limited literature on this subject.
The quality of aftercare and discharge planning needs to be thorough to avoid re admissions and effective multi-agency input is vital.
Awareness
There are few pieces of work, articles are written about ASD and nursing so, it is vital to bring awareness of this issue. There is also limited training that nurses received to deal with disability issues let alone Autism Spectrum disorders. Most nurses would say none or ‘not much at all’. Depending where you trained, what part of the country you live in (for example if there are specialist ASD services established in your area) or what branch of nursing you are in, the experience will differ. Mental Health and Learning Disability Nurses seem to be more aware of ASD issues and with the recognised incidence of people with Asperger syndrome with the prison population forensic/prison nurses are becoming more knowledgeable. Another issue has been where to treat patients with ASD, in respect of what service they should access. Depending on the NHS trust or area you are served by may determine this. This can be Mental Health, Learning Disability, Generic or a combination of these services.
Discussion and Implications for practice
For people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome that has an intellectual ability of average or above this can be confusing. Some people think that as ASD could be considered a social disability and people on the autistic spectrum should be treated in disability services however many people with Asperger syndrome reflect on this as a difference rather than any deficit.
Those NHS trusts with no clear ASD service or policy on this could result in many nurses receiving referrals or admissions of anyone with an Autism spectrum disorder. Many will be unprepared due to a lack of knowledge and training resulting in stress for all including a poor patient experience (See Case Study)
People with Autism Spectrum Disorders will continue to access mainstream services whether that being Accident and Emergency, Community health centres or Inpatient facilities. Some will be treated by specialist professionals with knowledge however most will not. The NHS including the nursing profession needs to take action by-
· Including basic training on ASD for all nursing students
· Any nurse working in any form of community or outpatient facility should reflect on their knowledge of ASD and update their practise.
· All nurses need to consider how ASD friendly their health care environment is, taking into account that, the more suitable, the better the service and experience.
· Recognising people with ASD cannot be excluded from health care; this population will continue to increase, as there is no cure for Autism spectrum disorders.
The consequence for the NHS if this group of people continue to have difficulties accessing health care no doubt is a huge financial burden. Without adequate access to screening programmes, people with continue to develop poor health that could have been avoided.
There are a number of suggestions to help could be-
1. Get a full history about the person with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
2. Take note of the person with ASD s likes and dislikes including any sensory difficulties, routines and obsessions. These are very important!
3. Note: The person may be hypersensitive or hypo sensitive to pain. Carry out a thorough pain assessment.
4. Examine the care environment. Use an environmental checklist to recognise any potential problems if possible.
5. People on the Autistic spectrum can have problems with interpretation of language. They sometimes interpret phrases literally therefore avoid any slang, sayings e.g. as good as gold, as light as a kite
6. Listen to and get help from specialist practitioners.
7. Allow extra time for appointments and avoid the person with ASD the minimum waiting times.
8. People with ASD often find change difficult therefore, you need to plan transitions. Even moving a patient to the other side of a ward may be problematic.
(National Autistic Society 2008)
Conclusion
This article examined the current literature on nursing and the autistic spectrum. Although there are no specific nursing articles there were, some very good information aimed at health care professionals from other countries. To bring these pieces of work together is valuable to see the whole picture of the challenge nursing faces.
The care of the person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is a test for the nursing profession. It is one that needs to be embraced rather than feared. There is an obligation to provide a quality service equitable to any NHS user. The patient with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is something the Nursing profession needs to get to grips with. A condition can go unnoticed and undiagnosed. Effective communication skills and knowledge are essential therefore in implementing quality care.
The most important issues to note are-
· The lack of knowledge and subsequent training for nurses in this area,
· The poor unfriendly clinical areas for people on the autistic spectrum
However, more importantly the great health inequalities that exist in this patient group.
References and further reading
Attwood.T (1998) – Asperger Syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals. Jessica Kingsley publishers. London.
Aylott.J (2001) - Understanding and listening to people with autism. British Journal of Nursing Vol.10 (3) 166-172
Aylott, J (2004)-Autism: developing a strategy for nursing to prevent discrimination. British Journal of Nursing Vol.13 (14) 828-833
Bogdashina. O- (2003) -Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism: Different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual Worlds, Jessica Kingsley
Publishers. London
Clements, J. and Zarkowska, E. (2000) -Behavioural concerns and autistic spectrum disorders: explanations and strategies for change. London Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Department of Health (2001) –Valuing people: a new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century – a White Paper.London. HMSO
Department of Health (2009) -Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities. London. HMSO
Fay .J – (2004) –Autism Steering Committee, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System-Your next patient has autism. Bethpage NY, Linder Center for Autism.
www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=2851 (accessed 02/09/2005)
Jordan.R (1999) – Autistic Spectrum Disorders: An Introductory Handbook for Practitioners, London, David Fulton.
Kagan-Kushnir.T, Roberts S.W and Snead O.C (2005) –Screening electroencephalograms in spectrum disorders: evidence –based guideline Journal of Child Neurology (2005) Vol 20(3) pp 197-206.
Morton Cooper. A (2004) – Health Care and the Autism Spectrum: A guide for Health Professionals, Parents and Carers. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London
National Autistic Society (1999) –Factsheet; Autistic Spectrum Disorders-An Introduction for GPs. National Autistic Society. London.
National Autistic Society (2006 a)-Information sheet: What is autism? National Autistic Society. London.
National Autistic Society (2006 b) – Information sheet: What is Asperger syndrome? National Autistic Society, London
National Autistic Society (2008) –Information sheet: Patients with autistic spectrum disorders: information for health professionals. London
National Autistic Society (2010)- Autism Act 2009.London National Autistic Society
Ngugen.A (2006), Creating an autism-friendly environment,The National Autistic Society, London.
Peeters .T (1999) – The training of professionals and parents in autism. In Peeters T, Gilberg C eds. Autism: Medical and Educational Aspects. Whurr publishers. London.
Roper, N., Logan, W.W. and Tierney, A.J. (1996) –The Elements of Nursing: A Model for Nursing Based on a Model of Living (4th Ed). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Shellenbarger .T (2004) - Overview and helpful hints for caring for the ED patient with Asperger‘s syndrome. Journal of Emergency Medicine 30(3), pp278-280
Wing.L (1996)-The Autistic Spectrum; a guide for parents and professionals. Constable and Robinson. London.
Career in Nursing: Advancing from RN to BSN
One of the reasons nursing is such a widely popular career choice is the relative ease with which you can enter the profession. Unlike medicine, one does not require the same extent of schooling to become a nurse. Entry-level jobs are available for individuals who have completed a two-year Associate’s degree in nursing or have a hospital-administered nursing diploma.
However, the rules of career advancement for nursing are the same as those of any other profession. Upward mobility is greatly enhanced by up-gradation of skills through higher education. That’s why RN to BSN programs have mushroomed over the last few years.
An RN to BSN program is meant for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have an Associate’s degree or diploma to pursue more specialized education required for positions of higher responsibility. It gives them a chance to not only progress to supervisory or specialist roles, but also take back home a bigger paycheck. There are several other benefits of pursuing an RN to BSN program:
It gives you a wider choice of career options, as some paths are only open to RNs who have a BSN degree.
It trains you in clinical and non-clinical aspects of healthcare and prepares you for senior-level roles.
You can develop skills like communication, leadership, and critical thinking required for managerial or supervisory positions.
Your understanding, knowledge, and expertise in the field increases with a BSN degree, which employers are likely to value.
A BSN program can help meet your long-term aspirations by preparing the ground for a Master’s degree.
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Once you have completed your RN to BSN degree, you can move from being a staff nurse to preferred clinical or non-clinical roles. While some RNs choose administrative or management-level nursing positions, others move into the business side of healthcare. Research, faculty, and advance practice nurse positions usually require an MSN or higher degree.
Some colleges and universities allow practicing Registered Nurses to complete their RN to BSN programs in a shorter span of time than a Bachelor’s degree would typically require. Many employers also offer educational benefits to nurses. As a practicing RN, you may be able to get part of your tuition fee reimbursed by your employer.
Admittedly, managing school with personal and professional commitments may turn out to be more than you can handle. If you are looking for more flexible study options, RN to BSN online programs could be the answer. While some such programs may be completely online, others may require you to spend part of your time on campus.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, even though the nursing profession is headed for fast growth over the next few years, the competition for quality jobs is likely to be fierce and those who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will enjoy a distinct advantage over those who don’t. So, what are you waiting for? Grab the opportunity to grow in your career by both hands and enroll in an RN to BSN program today!
Singapore Business Setup For Western Clinic
The licensing of medical practices in Singapore is presided by the Mini
stry of Health (MOH). Applications are made to Central Licensing Branch (CLB) of MOH.
Singapore allows individuals with medical licenses, societies and organizations to start a medical practice. You can choose to register the medical clinic under a business entity; however, you will first have to register with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA). Rikvin is Singapore’s leading specialist on company formation with ACRA. We can help advise you on the ideal business structure suitable for your medical practice. Once you have establish a business entity with ACRA, you will then apply for a license with CLB.
The procedure to set up a medical clinic are rigorous. The application for license and fees are to be made to CLB. Application will only be processed when the license fees and complete required documents are submitted. If you plan to have more than one branch for your medical clinic, you are required to file a separate application for each branch. MOH licenses each medical facility individually, and requires a separate license for x-ray laboratory. Each license is valid for two years. The medical clinic has to be issued a license by MOH to practice before you can start offering your services to the public.
Choosing a Name
An important thing to note is choosing the appropriate name for the medical clinic. As of June 1, 2009, The name for any medical facilities cannot have the words ‘Singapore’ and ‘National’ without prior approval from MOH.
Choosing a Premise
When securing a premise for the medical clinic, be sure that it has been zoned for commercial use and approved for healthcare or medical operations by URA.
Once you have secured a space, do make sure that it is current on building codes and fire safety measures. If the existing premise is not set up to accommodate medical activities, you can discuss with the landlord to apply for a Change of Use with the Urban Redevelopment Board.
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There are stringent rules and guidelines for the design and layout of medical facilities. CLB has set up online PDF guides to facilitate the process of setting up a medical facility. These guides will help you in preparing for the on-site inspection of the premise by CLB, which is part of the licensing procedure.
If the existing space needs to be renovated to comply with the regulations , you will need to apply for a building work permit through Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA). When the building works are complete, you will also need to obtain from BCA: a Certificate of Statutory Completion and/or a Temporary Occupation Permit before you can occupy the space. All renovation works are to be performed by certified or licensed contractors including the architects.
You will also need to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) prior to occupying the building. You can obtain an FSC from Singapore Civil Defense Force through a registered architect or engineer. A business signage that is placed on the building will require an application of an Advertisement License from BCA.
Additional Licenses
There are several more licenses to obtain depending on the needs of your clinic. If you plan to dispense medicinal drugs, you will have to apply for a Certificate of Registration of a Pharmacy with Health Sciences Authority. You will also need to obtain a L3 License from National Environment Agency to use irradiating equipment such as x-ray machines. The license applies to a single machine. You have to apply for a separate license for each additional machine.
You may also need to apply for L4 and L6 licenses from NEA. Both of these licenses allow you to keep, handle and transport hazardous and radioactive materials.
On-site Inspection
When the facility is renovated and ready to provide services, you will have to arrange for an on-site inspection by CLB. Once inspected, it will take CLB up to three weeks to process all the paperwork and to confirm the compliance with licensing requirements before issuing the license.
Healthcare Professionals and Practicing Certificates
All healthcare providers including the nurses are to be registered with the appropriate governing boards. Doctors and medical specialists will have to obtain a Practicing Certificate (PC) from the Singapore Medical Council; and nurses from Singapore Nursing Board. Each PC issued is valid for one to two years.
Authority
Ministry of Health
Processing Time
Up to 21 working days
License Fees
S0 for one Doctor
S,000 for 2-5 Doctors
S,500 for more than 5 Doctors
S,600 for X-ray Laboratory
S,600 for X-ray Laboratory
S,000 for Clinical and X-ray Laboratory
Validity
Two Years
Article Source: Setup a western clinic business setup http://www.rikvin.com/business-setup/singapore-western-clinic/
Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, America’s Healthcare Heroes?
Out of the hundreds of healthcare recruiting firms that recruit for Nurse Practitioner Jobs and Physician Assistant jobs how many of these companies know how important these Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are for our healthcare costs in this economy (or any economy, for that matter)? Does the country know of their value or the effect that they can have on all of our lives?
As long as Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants stay within their scope of practice, everyone could see them in lieu of a Physician. Their scope of practice and supervising physician rules vary from state-to-state, but for the sake of healthcare here in the U.S., they need to be uniform and expanded somewhat to accommodate having a primary care practice.
Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners have different training. Go and search Wikipedia. You will find that both of these professions require a good deal of education with clinicals and rotations. A lot of Physician Assistants have worked in other healthcare fields such as an EMT or Paramedic. Nurse Practitioners have a background in nursing before getting their masters or doctorate in Nursing. (There are a few exceptions, but that’s another artcle in itself).
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants primary care practices should be the first step in our healthcare process. If our health problem is beyond their scope of practice, they will refer to a specialist M.D.
So, how does this help us, the people of the United States? These practitioners will charge less per visit than a first-step Physician (family practice or primary care) for the same care.
These days, the majority of medical students are opting for specialties (I suspect a lot of them are doing this for purely economic motives). Very few are dreaming of being good ole family docs who (only in economic terms) rate the lowest on the M.D. totem pole.
Who are we to see as a first step before possibly having to see a specialist? We certainly don’t want to go to the specialist first. If we don’t know what’s wrong with us, what specialist should we choose? And (OMG!) the price of specialists!
So to whom do we turn? The advanced practitioners – Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, that’s who.
The national salary range for most Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants is ,000-0,000. There are some who get paid higher and some lower, but most fall within that range. Compare that to a primary care physician who’s making upwards of 0,000 a year. So what if we raised Nurse Practitioners’ and Physician Assistants’ salary up by ,000 on all ranges for their future expanded scope of practice in primary care? That brings us to a
range of ,000-5,000 with all outside of the range going up ,000 also. Again, compare the Nurse Practitioner salary and Physician Assistant salary with the salary of a primary care physician who makes 0,000+ a year performing the same medical procedures for which these Advanced Practitioners are fully trained and capable of doing.
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Take economics out of the equation. Look at the compassionate goodwill these practitioners bring to the mix. Nurse Practitioners practice with a compassion that most of us have never received from a physician. Their background in nursing, an extremely compasionate field, translates beautifully to a primary care Nurse Practitioner. A wonderful combination of knowledge and compassion!
Most of us have been seen by either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant, though many of us didn’t even know it. The television show, Royal Pains, shows a Physician Assistant, Divya, who is so capable that she takes over quite a bit for Hank, the physician. She also makes it clear that because of her training, she can only go so far. This show portrays the very well trained Physician Assistant in a true manner. It also gives the public some idea of what a Physician Assistant is.
Ask the average person what a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner does or is. Want to bet the majority doesn’t have the foggiest?
So, America, wake up, and help our “heroes of healthcare” (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) obtain what they need to help our healthcare system. They aren’t the total solution to our healthcare problem, but they certainly represent a nice piece of it.
What help do our Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants need? Write to your legislators. They all seem to know there is a problem with affordable healthcare, but we never hear of any solutions from these politicians. Tell them that, from the physician billing perspective, utilizing Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in primary care jobs can cut that billing. This should excite the very strong insurance lobbyists along with the forces who are trying to reduce Medicare/Medicaid costs.
Here are just a few issues that need addressing: For one, they need nationally uniform licensing rules. When they relocate from one state to another, the waiting period for the new state licensure can be months! Also, in some states, these practitioners enjoy a great deal of independence and autonomy along with reasonable prescriptive privileges. In other states, doctors must “babysit” these advanced practice professionals. In many states, Nurse
Practitioners can only prescribe medications like Percocet in 24 hour increments and only with the doctor’s approval.
The American Medical Association is the real culprit in holding back the careers of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. At every opportunity, they show how threatened they feel in regards to what these advanced practice professionals may do in their healthcare jobs. Instead, physicians should be helping pave the way for NPs and PAs to take over primary care here in the USA. They obviously don’t want to go into primary care themselves. Just look at the statistics at medical colleges.
A new grad Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant should not be able to go right out and hang their shingle as a primary care practitioner, but 5 years of working in primary care with a physician should be plenty of time to prepare them to go out on their own. Eventually, after many years when there are no primary care physicians left to train them, they can train each other.
The whole discussion boils down to this: money…money…money! We, as patients, want to spend less of it on our healthcare, and physicians don’t want to share the wealth with these “underlings”. If Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants become our new primary care practitioners, the good ole boy physician network will be disrupted as it will be these new practitioners who will be referring patients out to specialists, not physicians as is the case now. Most of the NPs and PAs won’t refer to a specialist just because they play golf
together or belong to the same clubs. They will consider who is best for the particular patient who is sitting there in front of them.
Do you really want to help solve the healthcare crisis? If so, don’t just sit there after reading this. You have this information. Do with it what you can.
Does Forensic Nurse Only Deals With Dead Bodies?
Many people have strange perceptions regarding a forensic nurse. They generally associate a forensic nurse with dead bodies, pathology and stuff. There are forensic practices which let you deal with living patients too. Forensic nursing is growing much in popularity and many of the graduating nurses have started to divert their minds to this field. But in spite of so much of information available people still have confusion over what actually is a forensic nurse.
The term ‘forensic’ is defined as concerning the law, legal. While many forensic nurses are trained for death investigations, many of them are taught to deal patients who are the survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and many other violent forms of trauma. Forensic nurses vary in experience. Like some of them have experience in emergency departments, care or women health nursing. Forensic nurses having psychiatric training have to work with the mentally affected individuals in the special institutions for the psychiatric patients.
These nurses are exposed to advanced training in traumatic identification of wounds, which includes skills to recognize prototype injuries and injuries in the healing process. These nurses also develop skills in the documentation procedures which are generally photographic. Plus, they also have to excel in the techniques of effectively testifying the evidences in the various criminal and courtly consequences.
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Job opportunities are innumerous in the field of forensic sciences and they are still expanding day by day. The forensic nursing jobs require their nurses to play key-roles in serving child and adult protective and investigation teams, to develop and run hospital based anti-violence programs, to work in police crime labs, to work in investigating deaths and providing complete sexual assault examinations in hospitals and even examination centers. These nurses certainly have a bright future waiting for them in the form of specialists as consultants, clinicians, examiners and educators.
A forensic nurse specializes in many different and various fields.
A forensic clinical specialist assists the victims by providing them with both medical as well as emotional treatments.
A forensic investigator nurse has to be present at the crime scene to collect the major evidences like collecting blood samples, tissue samples and other related and suspicious evidences. A forensic investigator nurse is also expected to team up with the detectives on duty and the policemen on guard.
A death investigator nurse has to come up with the approximate time of death and has to investigate the best possible reasons for the death. If the nurse has experienced the massive background in medical training and terminology, then it will be possible to determine the medical reasons, if any, which may have triggered the death.
A sexual assault examiner is an expert in the field of dealing with the victims of sexual assault. These nurses are responsible for providing clinical as well as emotional treatment to their patients. A sexual assault examination specialist has to be present at the court proceedings with the possible gathered evidences to prove her point, if the need arises.
Nursing Employment
Nurses are growing demand but there is lacking for supply which is indeed a global threat. Many lives of people are at risk! Many health and care works are needed to be done but there are only few nurses serving the people with their skills. Then as the necessity is increasing but the supply is only minimal – nursing offers profitability when chosen as a course.
There are many nursing duties and positions vacant for those healthcare organizations seek for solution especially to provide numerous nurses to fill the shortage. As the shortage is alarming, positions needs to be occupied. Nurses work in a variety of settings ranging from the hospital to outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, community health centers, visiting nurse agencies, schools, work places, nursing homes, and the military. Just about anywhere!
Last May 2006, the estimated average annual income for registered nurses in the U.S. was ,710 and the average hourly wage was .71. Aside from that, many hospitals provide signing bonuses and offer generous continuing education benefits for nurses who want to continue their education beyond the associate and bachelor degrees. In addition to that, attractive salaries, bonuses, and job security are also proposed for the advantage of nurses.
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Nurses work in a variety of roles—staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical specialists, nurse researchers, nurse educators, nurse midwives, nurse managers, and also as health educator. Military opportunities for nurses exist in most nations with active militaries.
With endless job opportunities, variety in settings and roles, flexibility in work schedules, and many options for advanced education, you are always learning and growing. There is never a dull moment as a nurse! Most important of all—you are making a difference in the lives of others.
The nursing field remains a lucrative one for new hires and for nurses looking to advance within the field. The field of nursing provides tremendous opportunities for anyone interested in making a difference in the health care field. Nurses today are in high demand and can help reap the benefits of great pay coupled with career satisfaction.
In the modern world, there are a large number of specialties within nursing. Nurses work in a variety of roles—staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical specialists, nurse researchers, nurse educators, nurse midwives, nurse managers, and also as health educator. Military opportunities for nurses exist in most nations with active militaries. Just about anywhere!
Recruiting enough people, and the right people, is an ongoing challenge in healthcare. To keep your organization effectively staffed in both the short and long term, you’ll need to do some creative recruiting, improve your systems and processes and maybe even make some changes to your organization’s culture.
We have also provided a comprehensive guide for you to establish you own nursing business / agency. Starting a nursing agency is not just a familiar business opportunity but also a societal help to minimize the nursing shortage. The guide is composed of simple strategies and system that is known and proven to help you establish the business and make it prosper.
For more info see: Nursing Employment
Look Online for Nursing Jobs Worldwide
If you are interested in finding a career that is interesting, rewarding and challenging, then you should seriously think about nursing as it offers plenty of opportunities both in the UK and abroad. Nurses are the largest group of employees within the NHS and an important part of the healthcare industry. A career in nursing can involve working in a NHS hospital, a private home, in the A&E department or in a school with the chance to meet people of all ages and backgrounds.
If you are a people person and have a genuine interest in caring for others then nursing could be for you. Whilst some people start off by working in support roles which require no qualifications before going on to study for a registered nursing degree or diploma to qualify as a nurse, others go straight to university to get their degree first.
The opportunities in nursing are wide and varied so it’s important to read up on the different skills and qualifications you need to acquire if you are interested in a particular specialist field. Consider being an adult nurse where you will be working with adults of all ages with an assortment of health conditions, both chronic and acute. You will have to be caring, give counselling, manage workloads and be a teacher in your role of improving the quality of each patient’s life. You could be based on a hospital ward, a clinic or within the community setting.
Or perhaps being a practice nurse appeals? Working alongside a GP as part of a primary care team that includes doctors, nurses, dietitians and pharmacists. In a small practice you may be the only nurse in the area, whilst if it is a larger surgery you are likely to share duties with other practice nurses. To become a practice nurse, you first have to qualify and have experience as a registered nurse. Depending on your previous experience and skills you may be responsible for organising and running clinics.
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Mental health problems can affect anyone of us regardless of age or background and conditions range from personality and psychological disorders to neuroses and psychoses. Nurses who choose to specialise in the mental health branch of nursing work with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others, to help care for patients with mental illnesses. Care in the community is more common these days and your role would involve visiting patients and their families at home, in residential centres, in prisons or in specialist clinics or units.
An occupational health nurse is one specialist area that attracts many nurses as it has many important and interesting aspects to it. You may be involved in setting up and maintaining safe and healthy practices in the workplace or delivering health and safety programmes to staff to prevent illness and injury or you could be working for a big organisation designing disease-prevention programs, or based in the operating theatre assisting the surgeon.
An OHN plays a significant role in a large business as employees who are away from work either through poor health, or work-related accidents, can cost an organisation a lot of money. An effective OHN can help a business to improve employee productivity and increase sales.
Occupational nurses have a varied and interesting role to play in the medical world, every day has something different to offer from assessing the workplace or mentoring and training co-workers, to giving talks to staff on health and safety issues. A career in this type of nursing can be very rewarding and with training and qualifications you can expect to be paid well for your knowledge and skills. Occupational health nursing guarantees a diverse range of opportunities and you can choose to make your living as a clinician, educator, corporate director or consultant.
Nursing is the largest field of healthcare employment and the perfect method of merging a love of science with the chance to work in a very social setting. If you are searching for nursing jobs then take into account the qualifications and experience you are required to have, the salary on offer and the environment you will be working in.
How To Become A Nurse
Nursing can be a career for life. There has never a more exciting time to join the nursing profession if you decide that a career change in this direction is definitely for you. There are many nursing jobs and positions available to suit a host of people with a variety of skills. The number and variety of roles is big. However, the common role of a nurse is to tend to and concentrate on the needs of the patient, rather than the illness, disease or condition.
As a nurse it is possible to work in, among others, clinics, hospitals, GP surgeries, nursing and residential homes, occupational health services, voluntary organisations that run hospices or residential care and the pharmaceutical industry. Once you have completed your pre-registration course, there are a multitude of module options available.
Nurses also work in the prison service, university education, on leisure cruise ships or for the armed forces.
They help individuals and their families to live more comfortable lives by providing care, advice and counselling.
Nursing education
Before working on the national health service, you will need to complete a pre-registration course as mentioned above. There are many pre-registration courses available throughout the UK, and at present there is no set minimum entry qualification across the board.
The course is fifty per cent theory and fifty per cent practical. The first year is a Common Foundation Programme, which will introduce you to the basic principles of nursing. You will then specialise in either adult, children’s, mental health or learning disability nursing. Full time diploma courses last three years. Degree courses last three or four years.
You will need to be resident in the UK for at least three years to be eligible to apply for a place on a diploma or degree course.
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Choose your Specialty
It is possible to choose to only work with a certain type of patient, and in a certain type of environment. You actually have the choice about which specific place you would be most comfortable working in. If you prefer to work in a clerical environment, you may choose to work in a clinic or in a nursing home. If the fast-paced situation is what you are looking for, perhaps you would like to work in a hospital emergency room or assisting in surgery. Some of the other nurse jobs you may pursue are: resident nursing, nursing for the armed forces, nursing education, or in the pharmaceutical industry.
Lets look at some of the most preferred nursing jobs:
Learning disability nursing
About two to three percent of the population has some sort of learning disability. Nurses who qualify in this branch of nursing help those with learning disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives. This may involve working with people in supported accommodation – typically three to four people with learning disabilities live together in flats or houses, with 24 hour support. Some nurses work with individuals who require more intensive support – for instance, in hospitals or in specialist secure units for offenders with severe learning disabilities. Others specialise in areas such as epilepsy management or working with people with sensory impairment so that you can choose the direction and area of healthcare that you’d like to work in.
Mental health nursing
Mental health nurses work with GPs, psychiatrists, social workers and others to co-ordinate the care of people suffering from mental illness. The vast majority of people with mental health problems live in the community. Nurses plan and deliver care for people living in their own home, in small residential units or specialist hospital services. Some are based in health centres. It is possible to develop expertise in areas such as rehabilitation, child and adolescent mental health, substance misuse and working with offenders.
There are opportunities to specialise in public health, women’s health and to run specialist services, such as teenage pregnancy clinics.
Children’s nursing
Those qualified in the children’s branch of nursing work with 0 to 18 year olds in a variety of settings, from specialist baby care units to adolescent services. Children react to illness in a very different way to adults, which is why they need to be cared for and supported by specially trained nurses who understand their particular needs. Children’s nurses also support, advise and educate parents and other close relatives. Once qualified, it is possible to specialise in hospital and community settings in areas such as burns and plastics, intensive care, child protection and cancer care.
Nursing for adults
The number of opportunities for those qualifying in the adult branch of nursing is very wide. It is possible to work in hospitals or the community – in peoples homes, attached to a health centre or in nursing homes. You will care for, support and educate people of all ages. Once you have qualified, many nurses take extra courses to specialise in areas such as cancer care or women’s health or accident and emergency also preferred choices are critical care, practice nursing, health visiting or school nursing.