Latest News from Marian College, School of Nursing

Embarking on nurse training is exciting, yet it can also be terrifying. You are scared about everything, from your social skills and ability to make friends to your ability grasp the academic content, especially if you spent a few years outside of school. There are many things nursing students are nervous about, which can easily make them forget just how exciting being in school and acquiring new skills can be as they prepare themselves for a rewarding career.

Being a student nurse may cause you to struggle, but it is a privilege and a great experience. Students before you have faced several fears and anxieties, and somehow managed to cope with them, and become successful in their career. You can, too!

Commons Fears All Nursing Students Have Experienced At Least Once

1. Criticism

As optimistic as you may be when joining a nursing school, it would not do you much good to think that you will be the best nurse ever. You have to develop thick skin to protect yourself from the constant criticism as everything you do or say for the next few years is being scrutinized and pulled apart. You will be criticized both constructively and otherwise, like when nothing needs to be said for the disapproval to hit home. You have to get used to it, as personal appraisals are part of your job and training.

2. Inability to cope in the ward

This may be connected to the previous point, as you will be constantly reminded that you are not perfect. While you should not be too sensitive, you should also not be overly tough and gnarly. Listen to feedback, as it is probably not personal, and use it to mould yourself. Trainers and mentors are there to mould you into a strong, capable, insightful, and well adjusted nurse who can handle the demands of the work environment.

3. Not smart enough

Often times a bad grade will send us further down into the pits as we begin to self-analyze and come to the conclusion that “maybe I’m not cut out for this…”. Did you know some of the most successful people probably had the same thoughts at some point? The difference between them and the average person is their ability to learn from these mistakes while still pushing forward. Don’t give up, stay motivated, and keep your eye on the prize. It’s tough of course, but you will feel that much better when you reach your destination.

Visit our Student Services for NCLEX-PN Prep, Exam Tips, and More.

4. Might not get a job after graduation

Some people are concerned that they might invest a lot of time and money in a program and still not be able to find their dream job. But nothing in life is guaranteed. While it is hard to tell your fate after graduating, you can look at current statistics for the demand and annual pay for registered nurses. The Bureau of Labor statistics claims that employment of registered nurses will continue to grow at 26 percent between 2010 and 2020. Career opportunities for nurses are as high as ever.

There are many other concerns, like your ability to juggle school, work and family life, or where you will get your fees from, or even whether you can get the time to go to school. There are many challenges, so you have to establish the right support systems – family, friends, and mentors – and stay focused on your dreams and the ultimate reward.

We definitely do not recommend high heels to work!

Being on your feet for extended periods is a familiar story for health care workers. The effects are almost evident right away, in the form of soft tissue injuries, leading to problems such as low back pain, knee problems, swollen or painful feet, varicose veins, bunions, plantar fasciitis, stretched Achilles tendon, muscle soreness and fatigue, restricted blood flow, neck and shoulder stiffness, and poor posture, among others.

Nurses are trained on how to protect themselves from back pain, but there is little information provided on how to prevent or deal with foot pain. So, here are some tips to help you manage being on your feet all day:

Buy new shoes more often.

While proper shoe maintenance can keep them looking neat and clean for a couple of years, after six months of being on your feet constantly, the structural support that you need for your arch will start breaking down. With the attractive salary that comes with being a nurse, it shouldn’t be too difficult to invest in a new pair of shoes to help ease the pain on the job!

Manage your weight.

Being overweight is one of the factors that contribute to foot pain. When you have to stand all day, and walk on hard concrete floors, increasing your weight puts a considerable amount of pressure on your feet. Losing some pounds could make you more effective on your feet.

Wear the right shoes.

Many people think that flat sole shoes are the best for people who work on their feet, but they are not. On the contrary, health professionals suggest that your heel should be elevated by at least 0.25-inches. So, your work shows should give you good arch support to help reduce weakness and soreness in your feet and legs. If your shoes don’t offer enough support, you can buy arch support insoles from an athletic store or drug store.

Marian’s Guide on Wearing the Right Shoes

Make sure your shoes fit.

Shows that are too small obstruct proper blood circulation in your feet, which not only makes standing and walking uncomfortable, but also makes you more prone to blisters. Certified foot surgeons claim that feet are naturally larger at the end of the day, so it is best to fit your shoes at this time. Buy a slightly larger shoe if you have to fit custom orthotics or arch supports.

Stretch occasionally.

When you stand or walk all day, your muscles will become painful and stiff. So, take some frequent breaks to relax, stretch, and lengthen tightened muscles.

Lastly, it is important that you take some time to help your feet recover from the day as you prepare for tomorrow at home. You can accomplish this by elevating your feet, massaging them, or icing them down.

Nursing is one of the most popular entry points for a long career in medicine. The work is highly rewarding, though unglamorous and demanding. Working as a nurse gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your patients, but you need a great deal of education and training to acquire the necessary skills to handle the demands of the profession.

Before you commit to the cost, time, and effort of nursing school, you should consider whether you have the qualities that make a great nurse, so you are sure that this is the right career for you. These include:

1. Diligence and physical endurance

Nurses are often required to work for more than 10 hours a day, which means that they must be hard-working and energetic to cope with the demands of their work, and also have the energy to take care of their families.

2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Good communication skills are essential for any career, but nurses must have exceptional communication skills to be able to interact clearly and effectively with patients, their families, and other medical professionals. With proper listening and speaking skills, they can solve problems and communicate effectively based on patient feedback.

3. Empathy

The best nurses are able to feel compassion for the suffering patients and provide comfort when needed. Considering the long working hours, they must be prepared to handle the occasional spell of compassion fatigue, so they don’t compromise on patient care.

4. Emotional stability

While there are many heartwarming moments in nursing, you will also be faced with many traumatic situations. This means that you must be prepared to accept suffering and death, and manage the stress of sad situations, without letting it get personal.

5. Attention to detail

Each and every step in the medical field can have far-reaching implications, so a good nurse should be extremely careful not to make any errors, from reading a patient’s chart correctly to administering the proper dosages, to noticing any complications from medications.

Also, the best nurses are respectful of everyone around them, truly compassionate, and willing to continue to learn how to engage in new approaches and improve patient care.

Where to go/what to do after passing the NCLEX.

The NCLEX-PN refers the National Council Licensure Examination for Practitioner Nurses, which is a test that all nurses have to sit for after completing their nursing education. The examination is provided by NCSBM and is designed to test skills, abilities, and knowledge that is essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry-level. Passing this test means that you are ready to become a full-fledged nurse. So, how do you proceed?

Step 1: Prepare your resume

There are numerous resume samples online, but since you are a fresh graduate with little experience and few references, you can include information about your education and clinical experiences. It is also important to include any health-related jobs you have had, memberships, and Honors related to nursing or your nursing school. The font and layout is not as important as using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as quality paper. Just one page should be enough – for now.

Step 2: Start applying for jobs

There are many different settings where you can work, including providing direct care for infants or communities, providing preventive care in health and safety programs, teaching, research, and even administration. Start looking for vacancies online, in the region where you received your nursing license – if there are work restrictions, and apply by sending your application and resume. If there is no response in one week, you can call the recruiter to follow up on your application.

Step 3: Prepare for the interviews

You should be optimistic that some of your applications will lead to interviews, so prepare for them. Dress conservatively and modestly, and plan ahead how you will respond to commonly asked interview questions. If you get nervous a lot, try practicing in front of a mirror before the interview.

All three steps are easily done online, so you will probably find yourself doing multiple items simultaneously, like filling out applications and looking for jobs. There are continuous changes in the health care system that broaden the opportunities for vocational nurses, so you have more freedom to choose a setting that interests you the most – scientific procedures, promoting healthy practices, working with children, working in hospitals, or teaching.

We wish you the best of luck!

As a nurse, you’ll be in a field where talking is encouraged – it’s the nature of the job. It’s not your typical 9-5 office job where many people have limited communication because they are too busy doing technical work on the computer, etc. In the nursing field, you’re always interacting with your co-workers, your manager, and the patients. Social skills in nursing will surely benefit you.

I’m Shy and Introverted… Is Nursing for Me?

Many people who are shy and introverted have a tendency to be much less social than their counterparts – extroverted people who live off of social interaction. Those who are shy question whether or not nursing is the right field.

The quick answer: anyone can be a nurse.

Just because you’re shy doesn’t mean you’ll make a bad nurse. You may even be able to perform your actual job duties better if you aren’t as worried about initiating small talk with everyone. Also, sometimes people would rather not be spoken to – but the safest play is to always remain courteous and at the very least “act” interested in someone’s life. We’ll tell you how this can be easily accomplished.

The Secret Ingredient: Validation

Validation goes a long way. Validation is something we all crave as human beings –it’s at the heart of our existence. In short, validation is simply giving someone attention in any manner. This can be done several ways:

• Complimenting is a common way to validate someone’s existence.
• Congratulating someone on an achievement.
• Giving thanks.
• Asking how someone’s day is going. (not recommended for patients as if they are in the doctor’s office their day probably isn’t going too well)
• Simply saying “Hi” or “Good morning”.
• Actively listening and asking questions is basic validation – can’t go wrong there!

The important takeaway here is that by validating someone, you will quickly see many conversation doors open based on their response. From their response you’ll be able to judge or pick up on whether or not the conversation will develop further. A patient may want to discuss his or her ailments to you and going into detail – listen. A coworker might dive into conversation about his or her plans for the weekend – comment on fun that sounds (you may even get invited!). Your manager might validate you back by commenting on your performance on the job – thank them.

Social Skills is an Ongoing Learning Process

Building social skills is not something we’re magically born with – it’s something that is learned from childhood interaction with families, friends, and others while growing up. You can still remain shy and introverted and develop just enough social skills to become a star nurse!

Trust me on this one and absolutely do not give up simply because you believe your shyness will make you unable to function as a nurse – scrap that mentality and realize that many nurses are introverted just like you!

Some of our very own Marian College students!

There has been a stigma against women in so many industries for years and years. The inequality has been accepted and fought against, but like many stereotypes, the notion sticks. Virtually every occupation other than nursing has been male-dominated. Nursing is one of the few industries where patients expect to see women – if not prefer to be cared for by a female nurse.

When men started showing an interest in the occupation, and the number of male nurses began growing over the years, men were met with a taste of that disdain women have felt. Luckily for men, the span of time they’ve had to spend with that stigma has been much less than what some women have experienced. There’s even AAMN, the American Association of Male Nurses, who make up a foundation of support for men in the nursing field. This sort of support has contributed to alleviating so many painful experiences men have endured during their path to equality in the nursing field.

Of course, with any struggle for equality, there’s still work to be done, but many articles highlight the positive perspective of male nurses. There are many more fantastic things about being a male RN than there are things to be deterred by. Here’s a small list we have comprised that reveal male nursing benefits:

1. Respect –

There is no question that the education and clinical training required to even test for an RN or LVN license is demanding and challenging. You’ll gain discipline like you may never have had before, and carrying that experience with you naturally attracts respect.

2. Low-maintenance uniforms –

Who doesn’t like wearing comfortable shoes and basically pajamas to work? The hours may be long but it takes mere minutes to get ready, allowing for an extra 30 min to an hour of sleep you may miss out on with those suit and tie jobs.

3. Hours that allow for a life outside of work –

A typical nurse’s schedule is 3 days on, 4 days off. Seriously? That’s more time off than stay-at-home-moms get! With 13-hour shifts, your work week is half of a typical 9-5er. You literally could take a mini-vacation every week.

4. Great salary –

More often than not, the trade off of workload to salary for an RN is one of the best around. People work way harder for much less money, and they don’t necessarily get to help people for a living.

5. Hero status –

Isn’t it every man’s fantasy to play the hero? Well, as a nurse you get to be one everyday. Patients count on you, and they’re very grateful. Their lives are truly in your hands. Much like a police officer or fireman, nursing is a civic call to duty. You’re contributing to society on an intimate level that few other careers can offer.

6. Amazing odds for co-worker romance –

Because the percentage of men on a given nursing staff is still around 10%, the odds are in the male RN’s favor for finding love with a female staff member – despite how cheesy it may sound.

This laundry list fulfills many a male’s fantasy job checklist. Not to mention, nursing is a career that will always be in demand. Caring for people will never be obsolete. So guys, there’s no shame in the nursing game, in fact, a career in nursing is calling your name!

I’m Interested. Where to Start?

Marian College is a great place to start your nursing career with a dedicated LVN program in Los Angeles.

LVN vs RN – Tell Me… What’s the Difference?

An LVN, or Licensed Vocational Nurse, provides nursing care and may oversee other LVNs and unlicensed medical personnel on staff. An LVN’s duties include:

• monitoring a patients’ health
• administering basic nursing care
• helping patients bathe and dress
• discussing health care with patients and reporting patients’ status to RNs and doctors

An RN, or Registered Nurse, not only coordinates patient care, providing education and emotional support to patients and families, they also:

• administer medications and treatments
• consult with doctors and specialists
• operate and monitor medical equipment
• record medical histories and ongoing observation of patient symptoms
• perform diagnostic tests, analyzing results and reporting findings to the doctor

Education Requirements

LVNs are licensed via a one-year educational program, covering nursing, biology and pharmacology, with clinical training as well. They must pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN in any state.

RNs take one of three education tracks: a BSN, Bachelor of Science in nursing, an ASN, Applied Science in Registered Nursing, or a diploma degree from an accredited nursing program. No matter the path they choose, their education includes nursing, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, social and behavioral sciences, and liberal arts. RNs also train in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery and maternity, for the portion of their clinical education requirements. If an RN candidate is working toward a BSN, they will have more training in physical and social sciences, communication, leadership and critical thinking.

ASN and BSN graduates must apply for their license, passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, and register with the state board of nursing for the state in which they would like to work.

LVNs can continue their education to become an RN, where they can apply their LVN education toward an ASN or BSN at a four-year college program. Both occupations serve the community in their own right, working in the same facilities. There is always a need for nursing care, thus LVNs and RNs have careers that will never become obsolete.

New Year’s resolutions are something people can be very serious about, while others merely have the false sense of hope that something will be accomplished – when in reality nothing gets accomplished. We’ve all been there because we’ve all said that we were going to lose at least 30 lbs in time for the summer.

“Stop Telling People that I’m a Nurse”

The one New Year’s resolution that every nurse can relate to is the one where we say we aren’t going to let any more people know that we work as a nurse. The reason why? Because it will lead to a never-ending stream of questions.

The minute you let someone know you work as a nurse, you instantly become the next Web MD sensation: “Hey X, why do I have this weird feeling in my head?” and so on and so forth. So a resolution many nurses give themselves is to keep the fact they work as a nurse on the down low to certain people they believe will barrage them with Qs.

The Golden Rule

“Treat others as you would want to be treated.”

Nurses deal with ill people day in and day out. It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse – generally someone with a heart and empathy. You should be able to put yourself in other’s shoes in order to connect with patients better. At the end of the day, be grateful for being able to touch others’ lives.

Learn From Mistakes

This one works well when we don’t have any other measurable resolutions or goals to focus on. The best advice we can give is to approach this resolution by first analyzing the mistakes you have made that are worth fixing – jot them down on paper or on your smartphone.

Once you’ve done this, then you’ll know exactly what to work on and then test yourself when the time comes – helping to make it a measurable goal.

Stay S.M.A.R.T.

S.M.A.R.T. goals are goals that are [S]pecific, [M]easurable, [A]chievable, [R]esults focused, and [T]ime-bound. If you can manage to come up with a resolution that fits the bill – then give yourself a pat on the back. And then treat yourself to something incredibly indulging upon completion of that goal.

So we have to ask … what’s your New Year’s resolution going to be? For students, how about setting a new GPA goal? <– S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Happy 2015 from Marian College Nursing School of Los Angeles!

Good Luck!

It doesn’t matter who you are or how much time you have – one thing is certain: finals are stressful. Even for A students. If you haven’t tried these nursing school finals tips yet, then give them a shot. You never know, they might ease the pain.

Share the Pain

Misery loves company – so they say. Many students enjoy studying together in groups. Not only does it help make studying a bit more fun, but it allows people to ask each other questions. By answering a question, it gives you the chance to explain a concept – which is the ultimate test as to whether or not you truly understand something.

Give Yourself Some “Me” Time

Experts say that learning is best when we do it in short bursts. Group studying can help this. But if you decide to go solo, not a problem. This will vary from person to person, but a good regimen to follow is to study for roughly 30-45 minutes, and then give yourself a nice 20 minute break. This 20 minutes of “me” time may sound counter-productive, but it has been shown to work really well in helping students retain information. Let’s face it, most of our attention spans cannot even surpass 10 minutes before our mind starts wandering – and at that point you aren’t learning anything.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

A simple concept: keep your phone away from you while you study. It’s best to keep it out of sight because the minute you lock eyes with it – you’ve already stopped studying. By keeping it out sight, you also keep it out of your mind, which would allow you to focus better.

Stay Healthy

Finals are stressful and when we are stressed we tend to stuff our faces with unhealthy food. Why? Because it makes us feel better. Unfortunately, this isn’t good for our bodies, including our brains. You know that feeling after consuming too much pepperoni pizza – you feel slow, lazy, and overall in a “blah” mood. Save the delivery pizza for after your finals when you ace them. In the meantime, stick to Mother’s wisdom: fruits and vegetables. Also, be sure to get at least 6.5 hours of sleep instead of pulling the unhealthy all-nighter binge with energy drinks. Water is your best bet.

We also offer valuable advice when it comes time to actually sit down and take the test. Best of luck to all you nursing students!

Thanksgiving has different meanings for everyone, but for most of us this is a time to spend with our friends and family giving thanks for the positive aspects in our life. So the question becomes: what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving (2014)?

For many, we might immediately be thankful for getting a day or two off from work. However, a large majority of us will not have to worry about working on Thanksgiving Day, but some of us will.

As a nurse, you may be scheduled to work this Holiday (as well as other Holidays). Nurses are known for flexibility, but in the medical industry – there’s always someone that must be available or on the call as it would be entirely disastrous if all doctors were closed on a day where accidents do happen. Two common accidents on Thanksgiving include car accidents and burns from preparing/cooking foods.

To prevent you from getting immediately bummed out after hearing this news, we’ll tide it over with some of the perks associated with working on Thanksgiving as a nurse.

Perks of Working Thanksgiving Day as a Nurse (and other Holidays!)

Awesome Holiday Meals

Most healthcare facilities provide their patients, family members, and staff with awesome meals. You might miss out on Grandma’s turkey dinner, but at least you’ll have something to look forward to – and it’s on the house!

More Pay

If you’re working Thanksgiving, then you’ll get to enjoy the perks of being paid with overtime pay. That in itself is a large reason why most nurses do not mind taking the plunge this day – especially if they are not able to spend the day with their friends or family anyways due to location.

You Don’t Work the Whole Day

Chances are you may be working a 12-hour shift – which can be tiring. However, this still leaves you with time to spare after your shift is over. If energy levels permit, then schedule to do something either with friends, family, or even your coworkers if they are not busy. Also, you may not be working the next day so you can get all your Thanksgiving ya ya’s out on the day after.

Here’s one thing you can be thankful for as a Marian College student – having the opportunity to attend a nursing school with an excellent licensed vocational nursing program. We had to say it.

Happy Thanksgiving from Marian College! 🙂