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How to CNA License Transfer from State to State

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to CNA License Transfer from State to State

Traveling nursing is the best way for Certified Nursing Assistants to find lucrative, high-paying temporary gigs. It also lets them build a varied work portfolio while taking in sights and experiences unique to the states they temporarily reside in. All this is true and a huge benefit, but licensing can be an issue. Your CNA practice license is specific to the state you acquired it in. You may need to jump a few hoops in order to transfer your license and practice cross-state. If your heart is set on travel CNA nursing, this guide will teach you all you need to know about CNA license transfer.

Misconceptions about the NLC and “multi-state CNA licenses”

You may have heard about the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). This is a cross-state agreement that allows nurses to practice across different states, with minimum hassle or paperwork. You may be asking yourself: Does your CNA license transfer between states, under this legislation? Sadly, the NLC only applies to Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses(LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). Other HCPs, like Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) must hold licenses in individual states.

 If you wanted to know how to get a multi state cna license, you are asking yourself the wrong question. Luckily, obtaining cross-state licensure does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. 

Reciprocity and you

If your home state has a reciprocity agreement with your target work state, life will be far easier for you. For the uninitiated, nurse reciprocity between states allows nurses to transfer their licenses without having to start from scratch. More often than not, you will simply be asked to fill in some paperwork and pay a fine after you apply. It is that simple. Reciprocity requirements will vary depending on the state, but you typically want to have active CNA certification and a clean reputation with your home state (which usually means a clean criminal record, among other things.) 

Before anything else, you will want to contact your State Board of Nursing to ask whether or not they have nurse license reciprocity with your target state. If the answer is yes, you may ask them for a reciprocity form that you will fill out and fulfill as soon as possible. Most states will provide you with a reciprocity form that will contain every task and requirement you will need to complete, in order to transfer your licensure. For example: CNA license transfer to California will require you to submit the following: 

  • CNA Reciprocity Application
  • Fingerprints obtained from a Live Scan Agency and a properly completed Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA8016) form
  • Copy of your out-of-state CNA license
  • Proof of paid nursing or nursing-related work over the last two years.
  • Verification of Current Nurse Assistant Certification (CDPH 931) 

Even if they do not have a reciprocity form, you can rely on your State Board of Nursing to fill you in on what you need to do, and who you need to talk to to transfer your license.

What if there is no reciprocity? 

Not every state is a nurse reciprocity state. If this is the case, then you have no choice but you have to start from the beginning of the certification process. You have to take their exams, go through the mandated classes and fulfill the state’s various unique requirements. 

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5 Common Career Changes for Nurses

Pretty smiling lady doctor with stethoscope holding laptop computer and looking aside isolated
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

5 Common Career Changes for Nurses

By nature, nursing is a stressful and demanding line of work. In recent times, the long hours and immense workloads have led to widespread burnout across the industry.

Luckily, your options are not constrained in the slightest. A background in nursing work is a desirable trait in several different industries. 

If you are second-guessing your future in clinical work or you simply want a change in scenery, you have come to the right place. This article will go over a handful of good jobs for ex-nurses. 

Medical Writer

Your nursing knowledge will be highly sought after, in content marketing spaces. Medical content writers are tasked with writing informed and well-researched healthcare pieces of varying types. This makes it a great career change option for nurses. 

From research papers to clinical trial reports, to medical equipment manuals and more, you will be dealing with various assignments and duties. With the BLS projecting a 6% growth rate in the technical writing space in 2021-31, and a median salary of $78,060, the future of medical content writing is bright.

Nurse Educator

As a nurse educator, you will be in charge of assisting HCPs with their Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and developing/updating nurse training programs for facilities. Outside of hospitals, you can even find work in educational institutions, nursing facilities, laboratory settings and more. 

You will need a bachelor’s degree in health education or nursing and a valid RN license at the bare minimum. Depending on where you apply, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may increase your hiring ability.

In the wake of the ongoing nursing shortages, facilities are looking to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. Since training and onboarding is a vital part of that process, nurse educators are expected to surge in demand over the coming years. 

The BLS currently estimates a median annual salary of $79,640 and a staggering 22% growth rate from 2021-31. This is undoubtedly one of the most promising new nursing careers. 

Clinical Informatics Specialist

Hospitals handle all kinds of sensitive, classified data regularly. As a Clinical Informatics Specialist (CIS), you will be in charge of managing these digital databases, maintaining their security and integrity, and proposing and implementing plans to improve the pre-existing data framework.

CIS nurses are also in charge of creating user-friendly interfaces and teaching HCPs how to navigate them, to access the needed information. At the bare minimum, you will need a couple of years of nursing experience and a background in IT. 

As the healthcare world continues to digitize, CIS will remain hotly demanded. The BLS predicts that the profession will grow up to 7% over the next decade, while Payscale estimates a median salary of $78,234. 

Director of Care Management 

Understandably, several hospital administrators have a base of nursing experience. As Director of Care Management, you are tasked with ensuring that your hospital’s care meets a certain standard of quality. This involved developing hospital policies and staff procedures while considering feedback on all levels. 

On paper, you need a bachelor’s degree at the bare minimum. Master’s degrees are also common, and undoubtedly provide an advantage to your application. 5 years of clinical or administrative experience in hospital settings is highly recommended.

With regards to median salary, directors top the list at $101,340 annually. The profession is also set to grow by 28%, from 2021-31. 

Social Worker

Social workers are a perfect fit for nurses looking to “make a difference” with their labor. You will be in charge of providing care and much-needed guidance to the underprivileged and marginalized. This includes (but is not limited to) low-income families, incarcerated individuals, and people afflicted with crippling disabilities. 

Though regular social workers just need a bachelor’s degree, clinical social workers need at least a master’s. Compared to other professions, the median annual salary sits at a modest $50,390, with a 9% projected employment growth rate. If this is a concern, keep in mind that a background in social work can serve as an avenue to higher-paying positions in the future. 

Go out There! 

This just scratches the surface of career change options for nurses. For HCPs looking for different scenery, the options are vast and numerous.

It may seem daunting initially but fret not. With enough time, patience and dedication, you will find a new nursing career that suits you best. 

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HCP

Certified Nursing Assistant CNA Salary Guide

CNA Salary Guide
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

CNA Salary Guide

CNA Salary Guide

As direct care providers, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are responsible for moving around patients and medical supplies, bathing and dressing patients and assisting RNs and doctors with their duties. No matter how you slice it, good CNAs are essential to any successful facility.

Compared to other nursing positions, the average Certified Nursing Assistant salary of $30,290 is relatively modest. In reality, the range of salaries for Certified Nursing Assistants is vast and depends on a number of conditions.

 To help you maximize your earning potential, we will cover must-know CNA salary facts, in this extensive guide. Keep in mind that all the numbers listed are subject to change.

 

Industry

 CNAs can find work in a variety of different facilities. Naturally, some industries pay better than others.

 Government facilities and hospitals lead the way, according to the BLS. With median salaries of $37,310 and $35,870 respectively, these will be your most lucrative opportunities.

 Nursing assistants are also needed in care facilities and care homes for the elderly. Their respective median salaries of $29,970 and $29,900 are more modest.

 Home healthcare has risen in recent years, with the pandemic keeping everyone locked in place. CNAs can find work in these spaces and they usually earn around $29,280 doing so.

 Education

 RN programs are 4-year long and cover both theoretical and practical nursing knowledge, in-depth. By contrast, CNA programs only take six months or less to complete.

 Since their training and experience are not as advanced, CNAs have fewer qualifications, responsibilities and earning power.

 Although the gap cannot be fully closed, CNAs can increase their earning potential with additional certifications like IV Therapy, Long Term Care, Basic Life Support and more.  Provided they are relevant to the facility or department you are applying for, they will look incredibly good on any resume.

 You can find these certifications in many community colleges and healthcare facilities.

 Location

 How much does a Certified Nursing Assistant actually make? Where you live will play a massive role in how much you can earn as a CNA.

 Listed below are the BLS’s highest-paying states:

  •    Alaska: $43,000
  •   New York:  $40,530
  •   California: $30,760
  •   District of Columbia: $39,380
  •   Oregon: $38,830

 

The annual salary in a vacuum only paints part of the picture. CNAs also have to consider employment level, which can determine the difficulty of finding jobs in the first place.

  •    California: 94,450
  •   New York: 85,490
  •   Florida: 83,010
  •   Texas: 71,700
  •   Pennsylvania: 68,180
 Cost of Living

 On paper, California and New York are the most tantalizing CNA spots. Seeing as they boast the highest employment and annual nurse associate degree salary, you cannot go wrong with either location.

 It would be dishonest to discuss these locations without mentioning the additional expenses. High-income tax and expensive cost of living rates will bring down your adequate buying power, overall.

 If you plan to relocate, your job offer’s salary must be accounted for alongside a state’s cost of living. This cost of living calculator, but you can find a number of other resources available online.

 Experience

 Facilities will always take proven HCPs over rookie ones. As a result, experienced nurses typically have a higher CNA salary, hourly. According to Payscale, for year-one nurses, the Certified Nursing Assistant’s salary per hour is $13.38. Comparatively, nursing assistants with 20+ years of experience make $15.70/hr.

 Is CNA a good job?

 A Certified Nursing Assistant’s salary cannot compare to higher nursing positions. Despite this, it is a job well worth considering.

Thanks to its lower bar to entry, students can become HCPs cheaper and faster. It is the perfect entry-level position, as a result.

 You get to gain work experience earlier than others while saving money for further RN education. Though not a traditional route, it is one worth considering. 

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HCP Facilities

WHO Unveils Free Mental Health Training Program for HCPs

sad female nurse at hospital corridor
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

WHO Unveils Free Mental Health Training Program for HCPs

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Quality Rights e-training course for community inclusion, recovery and mental health have been officially endorsed by the International Council of Nurses (ICN). It covers recovery, community inclusion and mental health in the nursing space. With this free mental health training online, nurses learn how to tackle mental health problems, workplace abuse and prejudice in a firm but level-headed manner.

Thanks to the ICN’s approval, the course is now recognized as a legitimate continuing education source. Upon completing their online mental health training, nurses are rewarded with 24 International Continuing Education Credits (ICEC). This can be placed on a nursing portfolio for licensure renewal, and registration. Proof of continued competency, career advancement and more.

The value of such a program cannot be understated. Nursing education has to adapt its material to reflect the current needs and developments of the healthcare industry. Recent developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic shone an unflattering light on the state of mental health in the nursing industry. Due to unforgiving working conditions, countless nurses experienced “high anxiety, depression and stress.” According to a survey conducted by the American Nurses Association, 71% of nurses felt “overwhelmed” while 66% of critical care nurses considered leaving the profession in 2021.

 Indeed, this widespread burnout naturally feeds into the current wave of nursing turnover. The 2022 NSI National HealthCare Retention & RN Staffing Report revealed that turnover rates increased by 8.4 percent in 2021, resulting in a 27.1% national average. Although mental health training online does not solve all problems, it is a step in the right direction. Nurses deserve to be sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle common mental health problems that affect nurses worldwide.

 Mental health is also a growing sector in the healthcare industry. Per Indeed, the median mental health nurse practitioner salary is $137,397, annually. As the public perception of mental health continues to shift, demand for the field will only continue to grow. If you are a nurse looking to commit to a speciality, it is well worth considering.

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How to Care For your Body as a Busy Nurse

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to Care For your Body as a Busy Nurse

The grind of a typical nursing shift leaves little time for self-care. It may not seem like much, but the stress of eating, inactivity and bad nurse home health adds up. Unhealthy nurses get tired more quickly and are less equipped to handle the rigours of a shift. 

In this guide, we will go over how nurses can stay fit in spite of their busy schedules. With some commitment, you can incorporate these healthy habits into even the most packed schedules.

 Light Exercise

Exercise helps you stay in shape and boosts your body’s production of feel-good hormones like serotonin and endorphins. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to incorporate a rigorous, 

3-hour routine into a nurse’s life.

Taking 30-minute walks before or after work will suffice. At home, yoga is perfect for low-intensity cardio that produces fruitful results over time. Ultimately, how hard you work out is not as important as your daily commitment.

 Get Rest When you Can

 Well-rested nurses are healthier, less likely to stay sick and more productive. Between lengthy shifts, getting the rest you need is easier said than done.

When you are at home, getting the prerequisite 8 hours of sleep is crucial for nurse health care. At work,  take short 20 to 30- minute naps in your break time, whenever you can. If you work the night shift, you want to sleep at least 3 to 4 hours during the day in preparation.

 Eat Healthy While working Long Nursing Shifts. 

Munch on Healthy Snacks

When you feel light hunger pangs, you may be tempted to munch on chips or candies somewhere off in the corner. For nurse healthcare, consider replacing these unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives.

 Snacks high in protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients will give you the energy needed to make it through the day. These include, but are not limited to:

  •  Mixed nuts
  • Chicken salad
  • Hummus
  • Eggs
  • String chees
  • Greek yogurt
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How Nurses Can Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Disorder

If ever you feel your mood going down once fall folds into winter, that is completely normal. Seasonal affective disorder symptoms affect nurses across the country. These include (but are nor limited to) Running low on enthusiasm or energy, overeating and oversleeping, or being unable to focus on your current tasks.

 If you find yourself feeling SAD this holiday season, then the following tips may be of use to you. With the right mindset and the right seasonal affective disorder treatment, anyone can dig themselves out of this funk.

 Take in Some Natural Sunlight

One of the root causes of SAD is the lack of sunlight in winter. You start producing more serotonin and less melatonin, and this imbalance feeds into SAD depression. Beyond that, dark surroundings just naturally feed into a gloomy atmosphere.

To combat this, you want to soak in sunlight at every opportunity. Open your windows in the morning to let the natural light in. If you can, make it a habit to take early walks. There are also specialized sunlight lamps that are specifically designed to imitate natural light.

This “light therapy” can be used early in the day, as an alternative to natural light. This seasonal affective disorder treatment is not perfect, but it is effective in a pinch. 

 Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

 When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that help combat seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Additionally, it provides an outlet for any pent-up tension and worries.

 Slowly but surely, you will also start feeling better about yourself and your body image. You do not have to pick up a brutal 3-hour regiment (although nothing is stopping you). Taking low-intensity walks, doing yoga, or committing to a light cardio routine is more than enough.

As long as you can commit to 30+ minutes of regular exercise, your hard work will eventually pay dividends.

 Spend Time with your Loved Ones

 Working through a busy nursing work week, in a cold dark winter can be an isolating experience. Spending time with your friends, family and loved ones can make a huge difference. Quality time with others is the essence of the holiday spirit, after all. Whenever you are free, it is never a bad idea to plan an outing to watch a movie or go shopping at the mall. If you still want to stay home, you can invite friends over for a board game night, dinner or a movie watch party. If your friend invites you to a Christmas party, think twice before turning down the offer. Seeing new faces may be just what you need, to freshen things up in life.

Consult a Professional

 There are times when you cannot “power through” seasonal affective disorder. At its worst, SAD can completely derail your sleep or eating schedule. If your condition is crippling your ability to function in daily life, consider seeing a therapist, doctor or another qualified professional.

You may need seasonal affective disorder medication and this is completely normal. Always remember that mental health problems are just as valid as physical ones, and the two are deeply intertwined. You have to do what is best for you.

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Nursing Licensure Compact: Benefits and Drawback

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Nursing Licensure Compact: Benefits and Drawback

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement that lets nursing licenses carry over across the states under the compact. On paper, this is great news for nurses looking to move or travel nurses looking to expand their options.

While this sounds like an excellent system on paper, there are still states that have not bought into the NLC. To understand why this is the case, we will go over the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the NLC.

Advantages

 Less Needless Paperwork

Applying for a nursing license for every new state you visit can be seen as a cumbersome and outdated process. The NLC cuts through the paperwork and allows qualified nurses to pick up work in a new area as soon as possible.

Considering how fast and digitized the healthcare industry has become, this shift allows facilities to catch up with the times.

Addresses the Nursing Shortage

 The pandemic has accelerated a nursing shortage that has crippled various facilities. Certain areas of the country simply do not have enough manpower to resolve the cases in front of them.

In theory, the NLC tackles this problem head-on. Nurses from other states can relocate to areas in dire need for job opportunities, without having to repeat the licensure process from scratch.

Disadvantages

States will have to Compromise

Certain states have unique educational requirements that, in their mind, ensure a certain level of quality from their HCPs. Accepting the NLC means accepting nurses who might not have these required continuing education units or documentation, which some states may be unwilling to budge for.

Not Universally Accepted

 Unfortunately, some hospitals will not recognize any cross-state nurses, even if they are technically under the NLC. Certain facilities may only look to accept nurses with local nursing licenses, as a matter of principle.

Before you relocate or apply for a particular job, make sure that that specific hospital accepts NLC-covered licenses.

Conclusion

The NLC is not perfect. There is no doubt that full implementation will require compromise and some extra administrative headaches, on the part of state governing bodies.

For the average working nurse, however, they present an overwhelming breadth of opportunities. Under the NLC, nurses can find work across state lines without having to go through red tape or extra licensure fees.

No longer are HCPs confined to the arbitrary borders of their states. With the right travel agency or the services of the VitaWerks staffing app, nurses can maximize their earning potential with the best rates in the country.

States have much to gain from the arrangement, as well. With the NLC, manpower can be reallocated to areas in dire need of nursing work.

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How Nurses can keep Holiday Anxiety Under Control

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How Nurses can keep Holiday Anxiety Under Control

The holidays are a stressful and hectic time for anyone. For nurses, the winter rush is stacked on top of their regular, occupational pressure.

Between lengthy shifts, negotiation-free time and all the Christmas-related obligations, anxiety naturally begins to build up. This stress cannot be completely mitigated or removed, but nurses can do their best to keep things under control.

So that your holiday season is as merry and jovial as possible, this guide will go over tips on how to regulate holiday anxiety, as a nurse.

 Recognize that Stress is a Problem

Admitting that you have an issue is the first step towards addressing it. You want to recognize that the holiday season is getting to you, in a real way.

Holiday stress can take on many different shapes. Irritability, depression, and uneasiness are just a couple of its manifestations.

If it is severe enough, you could end up feeling a host of physical symptoms. Indigestion, insomnia, overeating, fatigue and regular headaches are natural products of stress.

 Do not let it Build Up

 You may be tempted to keep all these thoughts to yourself. You could justify it by telling yourself that “others do not need to get as stressed as I do.”

If you keep holding it to yourself, you will eventually reach a boiling point. Suffering silently will only lead to further suffering.

Instead, you want to talk it out with someone who is willing to lend an ear. Whether it is a close family member, a friend or a lover, solidarity can make a world of a difference.

 Create a plan of Attack

 Working off the cuff is the perfect way to get yourself tangled and stressed out of your mind. Instead of improvising, try to make a holiday plan that covers all the possible bases.

Make a list of all the obligations and tasks you would like to accomplish. Get-togethers, gift-buying, workplace dues and more all fall under this umbrella.

 

Be Realistic

A lot of holiday stress can be linked to overextending. You cannot go to every Christmas party, buy every gift you want or make all your obligations work.

 It pays to be realistic. You need to know the constraints you are working under and make compromises, whenever necessary.

 You will not hit all your holiday goals perfectly and that is completely fine.

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Why the 12-hour Shift Could Cause Nursing Burnout

Medical assistant falling asleep while using computer and keyboard for healthcare. Woman nurse using monitor on desk, feeling exhausted and working late at night. Tired practitioner
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Why the 12-hour Shift Could Cause Nursing Burnout

In 2015, BMJ Open published a study examining the correlation between the 12-hour nursing shift and burnout. Its sample size consisted of around 31,627 registered nurses across 488 hospitals and 12 countries.

The results were somewhat predictable. Compared to healthcare professionals (HCPs) working 8 nursing shift hours or less, nurses who took 12-hour shifts were “more likely to experience burnout, depersonalization, and high job dissatisfaction.” Naturally, these correspondents were also more likely to express interest in leaving their jobs altogether.

An increase in working hours was found to have a correlation with other negative outcomes. More burnout was linked to a stark decrease in the quality of care and significantly higher risks of medical error. The economic damage due to “increased absenteeism and higher turnover” was also notable. Too many long nursing night shifts burn patients, facilities and HCPs alike, in the long run.

Concerns about mandatory overtime skyrocketed during the pandemic. Reflecting BMJ Open’s findings, increased work hours (among other factors) lead to burnout and increased turnover rates.

Eight years later and the results of this study are hauntingly relevant. 12-hour shifts for nurses are not uncommon, in the current environment. In extreme cases, some HCPs may have a schedule of 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week.

Hospitals will not change their operations overnight. However, if they want to avoid further short-staffing problems in the future, then reevaluating the 12-hour nursing shift will be an essential step forward.

A packed nursing shift report sheet may look nice at the moment, but the consequences of such overwork could prove dire in the long run. All the available evidence points to a similar conclusion: The 12-hour nursing shift causes burnout.

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HCP Facilities

HCP of the Month January 2023 – Ibrahim

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month January 2023 – Ibrahim

VitaWerks is proud of what the marketplace has become, and just how many lives we have been able to improve. We partner with so many excellent HCPs, that it is hard to count them all. With our platform, we want to bring attention to some of the best healthcare professionals picking up shifts on our app. 

This January we have happily selected Ibrahim as our HCP of the Month. Ask any co-worker, or healthcare facility he has ever worked with, and the first thing they will mention is his drive. He is easily one of the most driven and resilient healthcare professionals that we have ever seen. In any setting and no matter the task, you can always count on Ibrahim to provide 100% effort and attentiveness. All this is driven by an unstoppable passion for helping people in need. 

“No matter what we assign him, we never hear any complaints,” “Under no circumstances has Ibrahim ever called sick. He is one of the most hardworking individuals we have ever worked with. His character is exceptional as well,” noted a manager at one of our partnered facilities. “Very easy to work with, and he follows every single instruction without any issue whatsoever. I am not exaggerating when I say that everyone in the facility loves him.” 

On his off days, you can commonly see Ibrahim staying fit and active. He loves getting his reps in with a nice workout, shooting hoops at a nearby rec center, and playing football. When he is not on the move, he loves nothing more than taking his time with a compelling novel. It is clear that approaches his hobbies with the same kind of enthusiasm.

With an industry as demanding as healthcare, HCPs who stay motivated and energized are irreplaceable. They can galvanize and motivate their whole team, at the best of times. They can even inspire and uplift patients who are going through difficult personal struggles. 

HCPs like Ibrahim are why we developed the VitaWerks app. These heroes deserve the highest rates you can find on the market. They also deserve the flexibility to set their schedules and achieve work-life balance. That is why we have made it our mission to pay back the HCPs who have given our communities so much. “VitaWerks has been such a great agency to me,” Ibrahim lauded. “Customer service is excellent and always available. The staff always offers me competitive rates, as well.” 

We look forward to all the great things he will certainly accomplish! 

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