Category: HCP

While HCPs are in demand across the country, New Jersey’s situation is unique. Currently, they sit among the top ten states with the most healthcare practitioner vacancies in the entire country. In 2030, they are expected to carry the biggest nursing shortage in all of the United States. Local governments and facilities are working to fill these positions with HCPs from within and outside the state. None of this exempts NJ-based HCPs from renewal requirements. Every state has their own unique renewal processes and requirements, and this article will go over how to renew your nursing license in NJ.

Renewing your HCP License

Knowing when your license expires comes before anything else. With this in mind, you can plan ahead so that all your requirements are in order right on time, or even well before the expiration date. For both New Jersey’s Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, licensure expires every two years on May 31. If your license was provided in an even year, you renew every odd year and vice versa. Certified Nursing Assistants will also be asked to renew every two years. For each case, you will be notified 60 days in advance of expiration.

Fulfill Your Continuing Education Requirements

As was mentioned earlier, HCPs need to keep their knowledge updated and their skills sharp. State nursing boards accomplish this by mandating continuing education requirements for HCPs. The classes you will be asked to take, and just how much continuing education you need to complete per renewal cycle depends on the state. RNs and LPNs will be asked to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education before they can renew. Instead of continuing education, CNAs will be asked to complete 7 hours of salaried nurse aide work, before they can renew.

Apply for Online Licensure Renewal

New Jersey’s HCPs can renew their healthcare licenses online, from the comfort of their own houses. First off, you want to log in to the portal for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Here, you can apply for renewal and check for RN license verification in NJ. If you have not already registered, click “Register a Person” and follow the instructions. Once you are in, fill out your renewal application. Be sure to provide accurate and truthful information, and review your answers carefully. Submit proof of completion for your requirements and pay the renewal fees. Currently, RNs pay $125 while LPNs are charged $120 for license renewal.

Contact Information

For more details or clarifications, you can refer to the New Jersey Department of Health’s official website. You can also contact them via the following:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Address:

New Jersey Department of Health

55 North Willow Street
Trenton, NJ 08608-1203

Phone Number:

1-800-367-6543

How to Renew Your RN License in New Jersey

Registered nurses are a crucial part of any successful healthcare operation. With the margin of error in healthcare being so slim, state boards of nursing want their RNs to remain sharp, knowledgeable, and in the know. To accomplish this, RNs are made to periodically renew their licenses. Since requirements and processes will vary from state to state, this article will outline how to renew your New Jersey RN license.

Figure Out the Renewal Period

When you know when your license expires, everything falls into place. This allows you to handle everything you need to, well before the expiration date. RNs in New Jersey have to renew their licenses every May 31, every two years. Put simply, if your license expires on an odd year, you must renew every even year and vice versa.

Fulfill Renewal Requirements

There is only one major NJ RN license renewal requirement in 2023. HCPs are asked to complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing education, every renewal period. It is important that the provider of said continuing education is accredited and recognized by the state, or else your hours will not count.

Apply for online licensure renewal

New Jersey’s RNs have the opportunity to send their applications online. HCPs can start by registering and then logging in to the official portal for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. From there, you can fill out your renewal application and pay the renewal fee of $125. Remember that you must fill every form with accurate and updated information. Review your answers carefully, to check for inaccuracies or spelling errors.

Contact Information

For more details or clarifications, you can refer to the New Jersey Department of Health’s official website. You can also contact them via the following:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Address:

New Jersey Department of Health

55 North Willow Street
Trenton, NJ 08608-1203

Phone Number:

1-800-367-6543

 

How to Renew Your LPN License in New Jersey

Every level of healthcare professional has to renew their license periodically, and Licensed Practical Nurses are not exempt from this. Unfortunately, different states have different renewal requirements and methods. For your convenience, and to help you prepare for your next license renewal, this guide will show you how it is done in New Jersey.

Figure Out the Renewal Period

Everything falls into place when you are knowledgeable about the license expiration date. You can form a plan of attack and prepare all your requirements in time, without any cramming or the unwanted stress that follows it. Just like with Registered Nurses, LPNs need to renew every two years, on May 31. Nurses who get their licenses in odd years renew on even years and the other way around.

Fulfill Renewal Requirements

To successfully renew, LPNs are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education. Bear in mind that these hours must be completed by a provider that is approved and accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. If this is not the case, your time would have been wasted.

Apply for online licensure renewal

LPNs can now submit their renewal applications entirely online. First, you must register and log in to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website. After that, go to your renewal application and provide accurate and honest information. Once you have submitted your application and proof of continuing education completion, go ahead and pay the $120 renewal fee.

Contact Information

The New Jersey Department of Health’s official website provides additional answers and clarifications if needed. You also have the option of contacting them directly:
Mailing Address:

PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Address:

New Jersey Department of Health

55 North Willow Street
Trenton, NJ 08608-1203

Phone Number:

1-800-367-6543

 

How to Renew Your CNA License in New Jersey

CNAs have to renew their licenses periodically. State nursing boards want their HCPs sharp, prepared and well-learned. Because of this, they require HCPs on all levels (CNAs included) to renew their license and fulfil continuing education requirements. Since every state has different licensure requirements, this step-by-step guide will help you with CNA renewal in NJ, specifically.

Figure Out the Renewal Period

CNAs in NJ renew their license every 24 months or two years. They also receive notifications 60 days in advance. With this in mind, you can prepare your requirements well in advance. This lets you avoid last-minute cramming, cancellations, and the ensuing headaches.

Fulfill Renewal Requirements

NJ-based CNAs have to complete 7 hours of nurse aide work. These hours must be salaried and documented, in order to be counted. In addition, you need to have avoided suspension or revocation of your CNA license, and you also have to submit a criminal background check (with fingerprint) that happened within the licensure period.

Apply for online licensure renewal

To renew your license online, register and log in to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ official portal. Answer your forms honestly and truthfully, and review each answer before submitting. Send the form, and proof that you completed your renewal requirements.

Contact Information

For more details or clarifications, you can refer to the New Jersey Department of Health’s official website. If this does not suffice, you can contact the NJ Department of Health directly:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Address:

New Jersey Department of Health

55 North Willow Street
Trenton, NJ 08608-1203

Phone Number:

1-800-367-6543

You may be tempted to say that looking fashionable has no tangible benefits, but that is not telling the truth. Looking good (while still complying with the facility dress code) can provide a much-needed boost in self-image. This can help you perform your clinical tasks with the confidence and positivity needed of healthcare professionals at the highest level, beyond all that, dressing well just feels nice. In a line of professions that can get hectic and stressful, these comforts and allowances can go a long way.

On the face of it, HCPs are not working with much. Most of them usually wear similar scrubs, and have to comply with a strict dress code. Even within these boundaries, there is room for improvement and self-expression. Before you pick up your next set of scrubs, consider these 4 fashion-forward tips.

Get an Outfit That Compliments Your Frame

You do not want a baggy set of scrubs, but you also do not want an overly tight, ill-fitting pair. You want scrubs that compliment your form while fitting comfortably. It starts with finding the right size. Find your three measurements (bust, waist, hips) in centimetres and inches before you go out clothes shopping. That way, you can ensure that whatever you buy fits you perfectly. You also want to find outfits that specifically compliment your form. Some people look better in v-necks, while others should pass. HCPs with hourglass figures, for example, should find scrubs that accentuate your natural curves without being too provocative. These are just a couple of examples of what to consider when you are looking for scrubs.

Find High-Quality Fabrics

This tip blends considerations for form and function. More than anything, you want high-quality fabrics that look good, while being comfortable to wear and durable enough for the machine wash. A stylish set of scrubs is not much use if it feels tight in places or gets easily damaged in the dryer. Cotton is breathable and comfortable, while rayon, spandex and polyester are wrinkle-resistant and highly durable. A lot of the best scrubs use some combination of these fabrics. If you are shopping online, you can look at the fabric blend on the item listing, and check reviews or ratings to confirm their quality.

Accessorize Within Reason

In most cases, gaudy and overly intricate accessories are frowned upon in healthcare settings. Not only are they distracting, but intricate necklaces or jewelry can cause problems in the workplace, while they dangle above sensitive medical equipment or snag at your outfit. That being said, you can still accentuate your outfit while complying with the dress code. A lovely undershrub or a facility-approved jacket that compliments the colors of your outfit is entirely acceptable and welcome. A nice pair of shoes can tie the outfit together and provide a ton of utility. Seeing as HCP work is mainly done on your feet, a nice pair of shoes eases the burden and can make things that much easier for you.

Find the Right Colors for You

Do not be afraid to experiment with scrub’s colors. Certain people look better in different colors, depending on their skin tone, the aesthetic they are aiming for, and their other items of apparel. For example: people with darker skin tones can look better in brighter pastel colors like blue or royal purple, but more washed-out tones are better avoided. That being said, this is not a universal rule and some people may disagree. Feel free to experiment with different colors to see what works best for you. You can even consult your more fashion-forward friends for feedback, as you explore the different spectrums of the color wheel. Even when you have found a handful of colors that suit you, do not be afraid to experiment even more.

Rhode Island has officially become the 41st state to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. RI Governor Daniel J McKee signed the NLC agreement on 24 June 2023. At the time of writing, more than 80% of America’s states are now members of the licensure agreement. This is expected to have huge ramifications for HCPs across the country, on all levels. What does this mean for nurses, exactly? How will the NLC change the healthcare labor landscape, as we know it?

What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Before the NLC, licensure for HCPs was not cross-state. If you wanted to pick up a travel nurse job in another state, or you wanted to move, have two options: apply for reciprocity or reapply for a new license altogether.

The Nurse Licensure Compact simplifies the process by providing Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) with a multistate license that carries over between the states under the NLC. To achieve this, licensure requirements are aligned in such a way that HCPs can meet the standards and requirements for each of the 41 states.

How Will This Affect Hcps in Rhode Island?

Multistate licenses will give Rhode Island HCPs a host of different career opportunities. They can work within Rhode Island, or take up roles in other states. This opens the door for travel nursing, booking shifts with VitaWerks, or taking up positions in prestigious facilities in other areas. Rhode Island HCPs can even take up telehealth jobs hosted in other states, from the comfort of their own homes.

The NLC will also have a positive effect on the current state of the RI workforce. Senator Joshua Miller, who is one of the major supporters of Rhode Island joining the NLC, explained that the compact would “make it easier for cross-state HCPs to accept jobs here” and directly address the ongoing shortage.s

Does the NLC immediately Take Effect?

Although RI has officially joined the NLC, no changes have taken place overnight. The state needs to go through an implementation process to ensure that the state complies with the NLC’s specific standards and requirements. With no date of implementation announced yet, at the time of writing, this is an ongoing process that has to be monitored.

Do Certified Nursing Assistants enjoy the same benefits?

At the time of writing, only RNs and LVNs enjoy multi-state licenses, under the NLC. Nurse aides or certified nursing assistants still have to apply for reciprocity or a new CNA license, outright.

Where Does the NLC Apply?

Along with Rhode Island, there are 39 other states that have joined the NLC:

● Alabama
● Arizona
● Arkansas
● Colorado
● Delaware
● Florida
● Georgia
● Guam
● Idaho
● Indiana
● Iowa
● Kansas
● Kentucky
● Louisiana
● Maine
● Maryland
● Mississippi
● Missouri
● Montana
● Nebraska
● New Hampshire
● New Jersey
● New Mexico
● North Carolina
● North Dakota
● Ohio
● Oklahoma
● Pennsylvania (NLC enacted, but implementation pending)
● South Carolina
● South Dakota
● Tennessee
● Texas
● Utah
● Vermont
● Virginia
● Virgin Islands (NLC enacted, but implementation pending)
● West Virginia
● Wisconsin
● Wyoming

On the other hand, there are 7 states that are still pending NLC-related legislation:

● Alaska
● Illinois
● Massachusetts
● Michigan
● Minnesota
● New York
● Washington

Burnout has become an epidemic in healthcare facilities. From nurses, to nurse aides, to doctors, no one has been spared from its effects. It feeds into a self-perpetuating cycle of turnover, and short staffing, which only feeds into more burnout. Unfortunately, this is not a storm that can simply be weathered. If left unchecked, burnout could cripple the industry for years to come. How exactly does burnout affect HCPs, in particular? Why are its effects so crippling to both the worker and the facility? This article will look into what causes burnout, what its most prominent effects are, and why facilities should feel obligated to stop it.

What Is Burnout?

Before proceeding any further, it is important to understand what burnout entails, exactly. The World Health Organization defines burnout as a byproduct of “unsuccessfully managed workplace stress.” This syndrome leaves patients feeling constantly exhausted, mentally distant from the job, and less productive from work as a result. Attributing this to laziness or a “lack of motivation” would be misplaced. In reality, burned-out workers have been so physically and mentally drained that they are literally unable to provide their full, best efforts to their workplace.

What Causes Burnout Among Hcps?

Burnout is a possibility in any workplace and industry. That being said, HCPs are uniquely susceptible to suffering burnout, even when compared to other workers in different sectors. This is because of a number of factors and realities that are somewhat unique to the business.

It cannot be forgotten that healthcare is an extremely stressful line of work, in and of itself. Patients entrust their lives to their patients, and that burden weighs deep. Whether you are a nurse aide or a physician, you are expected to follow procedures, think critically, and pay extreme attention to detail, within time constraints. HCPs also commonly shuffle between multiple patients in a single shift and must learn how to multitask and think fast as a result. This is especially the case with the emergency department or intensive care unit, who frequently have to work fast to save the lives of their patients. Healthcare demands a lot out of its workers, and that stress can naturally lead to burnout.

Not helping things is the long shifts that HCPs have to take. It is commonplace for nurses to work up to 12 hours a shift. These long hours can weigh on someone, as they provide intensive skilled labor without many breaks. HCPs also spend the majority of their time standing. This may not seem like a big deal, but being on your feet for 12 hours (without much interruption) can cause serious damage to your lower body. Healthcare workers are also commonly tasked with lifting heavy medical equipment, and patients from their beds to their wheelchairs. The demands of the long shift and the physical strain it puts on an HCP all add up and contribute to the ongoing burnout epidemic.

Finally, HCPs are still contending with the consequences of the pandemic. At COVID’s peak, facilities were vastly understaffed to handle the influx of patients afflicted with the Coronavirus, on top of the patients who were already admitted for different reasons. Because of these skewed staffing ratios, HCPs were stretched thin and expected to take on more work than was reasonably expected.

This issue exacerbated the aforementioned problems, as the work-related stress seemingly ramped up and the shifts only seemed to grow longer. Although the pandemic was officially declared to be over, its consequences can be felt to this day. It was reported that more than 100,000 nurses left the industry, as a direct result of the pandemic. Nursing shortages continue to afflict the nation as a result, which only increases the stress for the HCPs who have chosen to remain in the industry.

How Does Burnout Affect Hcps?

The burnout epidemic cannot be ignored. Facilities must feel a responsibility to protect their HCPs from potential burnout. Its effects are crippling and can hamper a healthcare professional for the rest of their lives. They will be unable to provide their best efforts to the facility. At worst, once promising nurses may leave the industry altogether, as a direct result. Burnout has many symptoms and side effects, but these are among its most common and dramatic byproducts.

Stress and Depression

Burnout can sap you of all your positivity and mental energy. HCPs suffering from burnout are more prone to stress, depression, and anger. They are also sensitive to anxiety, irritability, and other mood swings. This emotional volatility can severely damage your personal relationships at work and with your loved ones. Burned-out HCPs also do not have the energy to communicate with fellow HCPs or with their friends and family.

Substance Abuse

Left unchecked, it can push HCPs to resort to alcohol or drug abuse, in order to feel something positive or calm down. Though fine in moderation, alcohol abuse increases the possibility of developing liver diseases, digestive problems, heart conditions and a host of other physical problems. When severely inebriated, HCPs can become emotionally unstable, and unable to control their own actions or focus. If you show up to work drunk or inebriated, you will be incapable of working and may be subject to serious legal charges.

Exhaustion

Burnout causes both massive mental and physical fatigue. HCPs start their shifts emotionally detached, and physically exhausted before a single task is carried out. Whether it is handling a sensitive surgical procedure or following instructions from your physician, precision in healthcare is absolutely essential. When you are too exhausted to focus, let alone work, the services you provide will suffer as a result.

Worse Patient Outcomes

Studies show a direct correlation between burnout and worse healthcare quality. More burnout directly results in more errors and worse care results in higher mortality rates, and more costly medical mistakes. Naturally, patient satisfaction will dramatically decrease, as they grow frustrated with the lower quality and standard across the board. Over a long enough period of time, this will destroy the goodwill and reputation of a facility and its HCPs. Patients do not want to be admitted into a facility that would put their lives at risk. Without addressing the burnout problem, hospitals can end up putting themselves out of business or in serious legal trouble.

Increased Risk of Illness

Victims of burnout can also develop crippling chronic illnesses and physical problems. Because of the increased stress and potential drug abuse, they can develop hypertension, diabetes, and a host of respiratory problems. If left unchecked, this can severely cripple your day-to-day routines and work schedule.

Mass Resignation

For many HCPs, the mounting tension and fatigue eventually prove to be too much. Burnout has pushed many professionals to leave their jobs to find less stressful opportunities. Sometimes this is another healthcare role, while other times they have decided to leave the industry altogether. Research has shown proven links between burnout and increased rates of turnover, in healthcare facilities. This can prove to have a snowball effect since the turnover leaves facilities understaffed and handling skewed patient-to-staff ratios. This increases the work-related stress and anxiety among the remaining HCPs, which leads to burnout, which worsens the turnover issue.

Healthcare is constantly evolving. Shifting best practices, new technologies, and new medical discoveries requires healthcare professionals to stay on their toes and constantly learn. HCPs also need to keep their skills sharp at all times. In a field like healthcare, the most marginal mistakes can have massive consequences. To ensure that all HCPs are up-to-date and sharp, most states require HCPs to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs), to renew their licenses. One CEU is equivalent to one contact hour, and each state has its contact hour requirements. 

Where can you get these contact hours? Just how many do you have to complete? This article will go over all this and more. 

What is Continuing Education? 

As was mentioned earlier, the medical field is constantly changing thanks to technological advancements and brand-new discoveries. Continuing Education Courses are made with the most up-to-date medical information, and are designed to keep HCPs informed and in-the-know, regarding the current state of healthcare. 

Different courses have different focuses. Some lectures are designed to test you on your academic medical knowledge. Other courses were made to help you hone and practice your clinical skills. Some lectures are even centered around more “soft” HCP skills like communication and leadership. When you complete a course, you earn “contact hours” for each hour spent. You will need a certain amount of “contact hours,” to renew your HCP license. 

Where can I find Continuing Education Courses? 

You can find CE Courses from a variety of providers and formats. CEUs can be found in nursing schools, healthcare associations, and/or peer-reviewed publications. Traditionally, these courses are held in person. Although the skills portions still have to be completed on-site, the academic lectures themselves can now be done remotely. A bevy of legitimate online CE Courses is available for HCPs across the country. 

How do I know if a Continuing Education Course is legitimate? 

Regardless of whether it is remote or on-site, you have to be sure that the CEUs are accredited. If the providers are not approved by your state’s Board of Nursing, then your contact hours will not be recognized when you apply for licensure renewal. Check on the site of the provider if they are accredited and recognized in your home state. If not, contact your state’s nursing board directly for a list of approved programs 

How many kinds of Continuing Education Courses are there? 

At the time of writing, Continuing Education Courses come in all kinds of formats. HCPs can still avail themselves of in-person conferences and academic lectures. With the dawn of remote learning, however, the list of options has begun to expand. Students can join online lectures and webinars. They can either join them live or watch an archive as a part of a self-paced learning scheme. On that note, entire self-study courses are provided, complete with the relevant course material which is conveniently archived. 

What are the Continuing Education requirements? 

As was mentioned earlier, different states have different CEU requirements. On top of contact hours, some states will require you to pick up specific kinds of Continuing Education Courses, as part of their renewal policy. 

As an example, we can look at the current RN CEU requirements, state by state. Not included are the states with no CEU requirements. 

Alabama: 24 contact hours every two years. Can include 12 hours of self-study courses.

Alaska: 30 contact hours every two years. 

Arkansas: 15 contact hours every two years.

California: 30 contact hours every two years. 

District of Columbia: 30 contact hours eerie two years. 3 hours on AIDS/HIV Training and 2 hours on cultural/LGBTQ+ sensitivity.

Delaware:  30 contact hours every two years. 3 hours on dealing with substance abuse. 

Florida: 24 contact hours every two years. 2 hours on the nursing laws of Florida and 2 hours on human trafficking.  

Georgia: 30 contact hours every two years. 

Hawaii: 30 contact hours every two years. 

Idaho: 15 contact hours every two years. 

Illinois:  20 contact hours every two years. 

Iowa: 36 contact hours every 3 years. 2 hours on addressing child abuse.

Kansas: 30 contact hours every 2 years.

Kentucky: 14 contact hours every year. One time 3-hour courses on domestic violence and 2 hours of HIV/AIDS lectures. 

Louisiana: 5 contact hours every year. 

Maryland: 30 contact hours every two years. 

Massachusetts: 15 contact hours every two years. 

Michigan: 25 contact hours every two years. 

Minnesota: 24 contact hours every two years. 

Mississippi: 20 contact hours every two years.

Montana: 24 contact hours every two years. 

Nebraska: 20 contact hours every two years. 

Nevada: 30 contact hours every two years. 2 hours on cultural competency, and a one-time 4-hour bioterrorism course. 

New Hampshire: 30 contact hours every year. 

New Jersey: 30 contact hours every two years. 1 hour on donating organ tissue. 

New Mexico: 30 contact hours every two years. 

New York: 2 contact hours on recognizing child abuse (every 3 years) and 3 hours on controlling infections (every 4 years.) 

North Carolina: 30 contact hours every two years. Can be reduced to 15 contact hours, if submitted with extra requirements. 

North Dakota: 12 contact hours every year.

Ohio: 24 hours every two years. 1 hour on Ohio’s nurse laws.

Oklahoma: 24 hours every two years.

Oregon:: 20 or 30 contact hours every two years, depending on how many practice hours you have logged. If 600 practice hours, the former. If 800, the latter. 2 hours on cultural competence. There is also a one-time 7 hour pain management course.

Pennsylvania: 30 contact hours every two years. 3-hours on recognizing and reporting child abuse. 

Rhode Island: 10 contact hours every two years. 3-hours on substance abuse. 

South Carolina: 30 contact hours every two years. 

Texas: 20 contact hours every two years. 2-hours on bioterrorism. 

Utah: 15 or 30 contact hours every two years, depending on how many practice hours you have logged. If 400 practice hours, the former. If 200, the latter. 

Virginia: 30 contact hours every two years OR teaching 30 contact hours. 

Washington: 45 contact hours every 3-years. 

West Virginia: 12 contact hours every year. Two hours on mental health and one hour on safe prescription and drug diversion training. 

Wyoming: 20 Contact Hours every two years. 

Keep in mind that CEU renewal requirements are always changing. Be sure to check the official Board of Nursing websites, or contact your local Board of Nursing directly, before you proceed with fulfilling your continuing education requirements. 

There is no doubt that healthcare work is immensely rewarding. Not only do healthcare professionals earn generous compensation, the work itself is personally fulfilling on a level that most jobs cannot compare. Nurses, nurse aides, doctors, and other staff have an opportunity to touch the lives of hundreds of patients in need of life saving care. All this comes at a cost, however, as HCP work is among the most demanding and stressful.

Healthcare workers deal with heavy expectations, high stakes, and loaded shifts on a regular basis. They can spend a combined 7 to 11 hours on their feet in one shift alone. If you are not careful, the physical and emotional stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and (worst case scenario) burnout. In the face of this, meditation has gained popularity among medical professionals, over the years. How effective is meditation, when it comes to daily workplace stress? And should you incorporate it into your daily routine?

What is meditation?

Meditation comes in different shapes and sizes. Some variants have deep religious or spiritual roots, while others are more secular in nature. Moving forward, this article will refer to the Transcendental Meditation variant. This form of meditation involves getting into a comfortable position and breathing from your diaphragm. From there you close your eyes, while repeating aloud a phrase or “mantra” to yourself. This is done for 15-20 minutes a day, every day. The idea is that this calms you down to a state of relaxation. From there, you think inwardly, and achieve a deeper level of self-consciousness. Although you are settled and calm, your mind is active and entering a “fourth state of consciousness.” For reference, the other three states consist of waking, sleeping, and dreaming.

Another popular form of meditation is mindfulness. At the beginning, you must clear your mind of all thoughts. You become consciously aware of your lived experience in the present moment, without being informed by prior attachments or worldly thoughts. Compared to Transcendental Meditation’s passive nature, mindfulness asks you to take a more proactive approach.

Where did meditation come from?

Transcendental meditation traces its roots back to the 1950s. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi taught meditation based on a number of traditional Indian practices. Despite this, this variant of meditation is viewed as divorced from traditional religious or spiritual connotations. Most commonly practiced forms of meditation take on a more secular angle, as practitioners learn these techniques for physical and mental health reasons. From that point onwards, meditation exploded in popularity. It has become a billion dollar industry with millions of practitioners, worldwide. Celebrities such as Martin Scorsese, Julia Fox, The Beatles, and Oprah Winfrey have observed meditation, and have celebrated its various benefits.

What are the benefits?

Numerous studies have shown that meditation provides a variety of tangible health benefits to its practitioners. Most famously, it allows you to lower your blood pressure levels in a safe and sustainable manner. Some organizations, like the American Heart Association, even want to integrate meditation into clinical practice. Along with lower blood pressure, practitioners can experience a reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress after some time. This does not completely do away with these conditions, but it helps with managing them.

Some even claim that meditation has changed their mindset for the better. Practitioners become emotionally more at peace with themselves, and grateful of the blessings they enjoy in life. With a clearer mind, their productivity and performance in the workplace shows marked improvements. They have an easier time thinking outside the box, and have more energy to focus on the task at hand.

Some of the studies regarding the benefits of meditation have been noted to have bias. That being said, mediation has been shown to have a tangible and positive effect on a practitioner’s mental and physical wellbeing. Its efficacy and the potency of the effects will vary, from person to person.

How can I start meditation?

To begin transcendental meditation, you need to find a certified instructor. There is a preliminary one hour lecture, followed by a one hour instruction period. Here, your instructor will try to find a “mantra” and approach fits the best for you. These sessions are one-on-one, and the instructor will adjust the course to suit your needs. Once you have found your mantra, and after three follow-up sessions, you will be able to practice meditation on your own schedule. Normally, it is done on a daily basis and twice a day. There are free instructionals and resources available to you online, but finding a certified instructor helps you ensure the best possible results.

It should be noted that these courses can be rather expensive. The price can range between $380 to $960.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Not everyone will be able to afford close to $1000 for a meditation practice. If you want to save money, but you still want to enjoy the benefits of meditation, mindfulness is a worthwhile alternative. There are a host of different resources available online, with sites like the New York Times providing their own guides. You can also sign up with a number of courses, like Harvard’s mindfulness program, though this will cost you.

Why is mediation so useful for HCPs?

Healthcare work is extremely time consuming. 12 hour shifts and weekend shifts are extremely common in certain departments or facilities. Even when they get home, it is common for HCPs to be too tired to indulge in their hobbies or any recreational activities. Meditation, however, is a brief daily routine that does not take much time. As has been stated before, transcendental meditation is done twice a day, and 15 to 20 minutes each time.

HCPs can meditate before a shift, during their lunch break, and/or after their shift. It is not time or energy consuming in the slightest, and the potential health benefits are numerous. Mindfulness meditation can also be practiced while doing your daily routines, or practicing yoga. For stressed HCPs without much free time, meditation is the perfect fit for them.

Registered nursing has soared in demand over recent years. It is a profession that provides numerous avenues for personal growth, career advancement, and greater earning potential. With all this in mind, it is easy to see why interest in nursing schools and training programs has risen in recent years. However, a rise in interest has directly resulted in a rise in competition. More and more applicants are competing over a limited number of slots, at the best nursing programs in the country. Getting into a nursing school is a costly process that students invest a great deal of time, effort, and money towards. Fulfilling the bare minimum requirements will not do. To ensure that you get into the nursing school of your choice, you must be ready to go above and beyond.

Fulfill Base Educational Requirements

 Before sending any applications, hopeful nursing students have to complete the bare minimum educational requirements for nursing programs. Most entry-level programs require students to present either a General Education Degree (GED) or a high school diploma. Most nursing programs also have a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) requirement, so you want to make sure you excel in your studies, even at an early age. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) classes typically have a 3.0 GPA minimum, while ADN lessons sit at around 2.0 to 2.75.

Some nursing schools will require you to take prerequisite high school classes, before they consider your application. High grades in Chemistry, English, Biology, Anatomy/Physiology, and Geometry will open a number of opportunities for you. Good grades in Advanced Placement (AP) classes will also catch the eye of college admissions offices. In a field like nursing, every advantage matters.

Ask Yourself Difficult Questions

As was mentioned earlier, nursing is not a profession that you enter at a whim. Attempting to enter nursing school requires much investment, preparation, and commitment. You need to be sure that this is the right path for you before you dive headfirst into submitting your university applications. At this stage, you must be ready to look within and ask difficult questions such as:

On multiple levels, pursuing a BSN is a huge investment. You should only commit to this path if you are 100% sure that you are absolutely ready. Before you put pen to paper, here are a couple of things to ponder on:

• Are you alright with the monetary cost?
  • From CNA to BSN, nursing programs are incredibly costly. Very few people can pay for the tuition fees upfront. To cover the costs, you may have to apply for financial aid, like a scholarship or loan. In theory, the high salaries of registered nursing work will allow you to cover these expenses over time. This only works if you are able to complete your nursing training, however.
• Can you handle the competition?
  • Each nursing program only has so many slots available for students. To maximize your career and enter the best schools, you have to devote time and effort to study for entrance exams and gather optional requirements that will help you stand out from the crowd.
• Are you prepared for the time commitment?
  • Most nursing programs will take two to four years, in order to complete. You have to be prepared to dedicate that time towards building the knowledge and developing the clinical skills necessary to excel in a healthcare setting.

Choose your Nursing Career Path

Once you have decided that nursing is the profession for you, you want to consider the career path you want to take. Nursing student hopefuls have a number of degree options available to them, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The best choice for you will depend on your short-term plans and long-term career goals. High school graduates can typically choose from four different options:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nursing/Licensed Vocational Nursing (LPN/LVN) degrees are popular options for entry-level nursing. These HCPs are typically entrusted with direct patient care duties under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs), which includes bathing and dressing patients, moving them from room to room, and assisting with other basic daily tasks. Although these programs are less expensive and quicker to finish (four to twelve weeks for the former, and one year for the latter.) Be aware that they are not as well compensated as their other counterparts. CNAs make $36,220 annually, on average, while LPNs will earn $55,860 within the same time span. Students must also be prepared for very physically demanding work.

In comparison, RNs take on more complex, clinical responsibilities. They assist with the creation and implementation of care plans, prepare patients for diagnostic tests, help with medical procedures in a more involved capacity, and more. This greater role is reflected by their compensation, as RNs earn $89,010 every year, on average. To become an RN, you have two degree options available to you: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). ADN degrees will take just two years to complete, while BSN programs are traditionally four years long. The shortened length also makes the Associate’s Degree a more affordable option, with regard to tuition. On the other hand, the BSN provides a number of key advantages over the ADN.

Healthcare facilities will prioritize BSN applicants over Associate’s Degree RNs, because of their more advanced training and education. There is proof that BSN nurses ensure better failure-to-rescue ratios and lower mortality rates, compared to ADN RNs.For this same reason, BSN RNs are compensated better in comparison. Finally, a BSN degree is the minimum educational requirement for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) courses. If you plan to advance your career in the future, a BSN is far preferable.

Research, Research, Research

Once you have a clear understanding of your HCP career path, you can start looking for the best programs for you. You want to send multiple applications but do not do so indiscriminately. Do a sufficient amount of research, to ensure that the programs you are applying for are the right fit for you. Consider your location and budget constraints, while you are browsing through nursing program options. Keep them in mind when you look at a program’s length, tuition fee, and address. Be sure that the programs you choose are accredited by the State Board of Nursing, to make sure that any certification you acquire is officially recognized. Bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are also reliable accrediting bodies, in most circumstances.

Finally, you want to make sure that the program will prepare you for success in the healthcare world. Look at the specializations they offer, the number of clinical rotations you will be asked to carry out, the reputation and success rate of former graduates, and the course material covered. Write a shortlist of programs that perfectly line up with your future plans and career goals. From there, you can look at application requirements, deadlines, and step-by-step instructions.

Prepare your Requirements

 When you apply for a nursing program, you must prepare to submit the required documentation. What is asked of you will depend on the school you apply to. For reference, most BSNs will ask you to present the following:

• High school or GED diploma
  • You will also be asked to provide official transcripts. If your program has a GPA requirement, this proves that you have met it.
• Letter of recommendation
  • Universities will typically ask for a faculty recommendation from at least two of your former teachers. Ask well in advance (about six weeks) of your application, so that you have your letter of recommendation on time.
• Prerequisite courses
  • The required classes you will be asked to take, before applying to nursing school, will depend on the level of your class. For lower-level programs, you will be asked to finish subjects like English, Math, Anatomy and more. Advanced programs could ask you to take Physiology or Microbiology. Be sure you meet the requirements of your desired program before you send any applications.
• Entrance test results
  • Nursing students will be asked to submit the results of their entrance exams before they are admitted. This can come in a myriad of formats: From the Standardized Admissions Test (SAT), to the ATI Test of Academic Skills (TEAS), and Kaplan Admissions Test. Research the scoring, content, and format of your test, to ensure that you are sufficiently prepared.
• Supplemental Essay
  • In some cases, you will be required to write an entrance essay or a documented statement of intent. Here, you will explain in written form why you have chosen healthcare as a profession and what drew you to the profession in the first place. Answer these essay questions with honesty.

Though technically optional, consider submitting proof of volunteer work if applicable. Volunteering in healthcare facilities lets you gain valuable work experience that shines in any nursing school application. It also demonstrates your commitment to helping and serving patients in need.

Once you have prepared all the necessary requirements and documentation, you can send your application to your universities or colleges of choice. Feel free to check through everything, to make sure that you are presenting accurate information.

Ace the Interview

Last but not least, you can expect a final admissions interview. This allows nursing programs to see if you are a fit with their organization’s standards, culture, and mission statement. To ensure a smooth interview process, you want to do a great deal of preparation beforehand. Research on the school, so you have a better idea of what they look for in students. With that knowledge, sell yourself confidently but honestly. Highlight the skills and qualities that you know you possess, and why they would be a good fit for what the school has to offer. Finally, you want to do research on common interview questions. This lets you practice and create responses in advance that are well-reasoned yet concise.

Nothing puts a damper on your mood quite like a heatwave. It is hard to stay focused and motivated when the sun is beating down on you and you are sweating over half of your body weight. Heatwaves in California are an especially unwieldy beast, as the Golden State seems to get hotter and hotter with each passing year. Just sitting there and taking it is not an option, unless you want to suffer an unnecessary heatstroke. Instead, it pays to fight back with these five essential techniques. With the right approach and mindset, anyone can beat the heat.

What are the Health Risks Posed by a Heat Wave?

Heat waves are not merely a comfort issue. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to a host of different health complications.

Heat strokes occur when your body cannot control its temperature, anymore. When you can no longer cool yourself down, your internal temperature can reach as high as 106° F. You start losing consciousness, you become confused and your speech is slurred.

If left untreated, heat strokes can lead to seizures and (worst case scenario) death. While you can recover in one to two days, it is possible to incur long-term organ damage that can take either months or a year to heal from.

High temperatures can also lead to further respiratory complications. Increasing temperatures correlate to rising ozone pollution on the ground level. If you already have asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, or any other respiratory diseases, you have to be extra careful when you are dealing with heat waves.

The heat can also cause skin damage. As you expose yourself to the sun, your skin gets dried out and exposed to UV rays. The damage can add up, leading to wrinkles, acne, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

How can I Avoid Heat-Related Complications?

 With the right preparation, any of our healthcare heroes can beat the heat. Listed below are some tips on how to stay cool, without breaking the bank.

Drink Water Periodically

Staying hydrated is always important, but especially so following a huge heatwave warning. On top of regulating body temperature, water keeps organs functioning, staves off illnesses and infections and lubricates your joints to keep them spry and flexible.

Drinking water also keeps you energized and awake throughout the day, as opposed to being completely worn down and groggy. Conversely, not hydrating throughout the day will lead to further complications such as fever, diarrhoea, and excessive sweating. This may seem like a simple reminder, but it can be easy to forget to drink water periodically throughout the day, especially when you are busy with your HCP schedule.

Bringing a large jug of water and making it a habit to drink throughout the day is a great remedy for this. Though 8 cups of water is the “accepted” minimum, appropriate fluid intake depends on the person.

Consume Lighter Meals, Throughout the Day

Heavy, protein-packed dishes will stimulate your metabolism, which can lead to increased body heat. Oily and fatty meals like pizza or burgers also take more effort for the body to digest, which leads to a sense of sluggishness and heat. When heatwave news hits, it is recommended that you eat light and healthy meals throughout the day whenever possible. A nice salad or fruit bowl in the middle of a summer’s day may be just what you need to beat the heat.

Not only are they nutritious, but the high water content of many fruits and vegetables can help you stay hydrated throughout the day. Strawberries, cucumbers, onions, lettuce and apples are just a couple examples of ingredients with high water content. Stews and soups with high fluid content are also similarly helpful, in this regard. If you enjoy meat and are looking for good summer alternatives, grilled fish provides healthy fatty acids that come with a host of health benefits.

Steer Clear of Alcohol

Somewhat paradoxically, drinking alcohol is the last thing you want to do to stay hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic that causes fluids to leave your body from your blood through the renal system (i.e. the kidneys, ureters and bladders).

If you drink excessively, you will get dehydrated at a quicker rate. Drinking with friends may be tempting in the middle of a heatwave in California, but you ideally want to either limit your intake or drink lots of water to compensate for the loss. It is important to note that caffeine has a similar diuretic effect but at a milder capacity. You need to drink at least 5 cups of brewed coffee before you see any significant fluid loss.

Protect your Skin

 As was mentioned earlier, heat waves can lead to significant skin damage. Use umbrellas or sun hats to avoid direct exposure to the sun, when you go outside.

Even if you are staying inside, you want to protect yourself from UV rays. Incorporate sunscreen into your skincare routine, and apply it religiously, every morning.

Let Air Circulate Throughout your House

When air circulates, the temperature goes down and polluting substances disperse and filter out of your home. You want to do your best to promote this kind of air circulation. On cool evenings or afternoons, open your doors and/or windows while turning on your fans. Box fans and ceiling fans can be used to get the air moving through these openings.

At peak hours, when the sun is up and temperatures are steadily climbing, close the windows, doors, curtains and blinds to keep your room cold. If you have an air conditioner and you can shoulder the cost, turning it on during some brutal heatwave weather is highly recommended.

 Make use of Essential Oils

These home remedies may be unorthodox for some, but they can be potent if used correctly. Certain essential oil blends have cooling properties like menthol, which activates the cold nerves of your skin. Orange oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and vetiver oil are just a handful of prominent examples.

There are numerous ways you can apply these oils. For one, you can put them into your home diffuser, which will disperse the oils in your home area with no further input. If you use a body mist and you need to cool down while on the go, that is also a perfectly viable way to apply these natural substances.

Turn off your Electronics

Electronic devices like your computer generate heat, when you use them. This is normally negligible, but you can feel the difference in the middle of a heatwave. If you can help it, consider turning off electronic devices you are not using during the early-to–mid-afternoon. This will also save you money in the long run, since you are putting on your electricity expenditure.

Wear Proper Attire

Tight-fitting clothes or outfits made of heavy materials will trap heat. In the middle of a heat wave, you want to turn to lighter and more breathable outfits. Cotton, nylon/polyester, linen, and silk are a few examples of perfect clothing materials for the summer.

Cool off Directly

If all else fails, a splash of cold water may be what the doctor ordered. At home, HCPs can take a cold shower to beat the heat.

You can also take a damp washcloth, and wipe all of the hottest parts on your body. If you feel like going outside, a dip in the pool may be what you are looking for.

Modify your Exercise Routine

Even in a heatwave, you still want to do your best to stick to your exercise routine. That being said, you may want to make a few changes to your regimen, to account for the heat. Working out or taking walks in the evening, when it is cooler, is a good way to continue burning calories without risking a heat stroke. If possible, you can try working out indoors with the air conditioning on. You can do this at a gym, or with your own personal home exercise setup.

Swimming is another good workout to adopt, during the heatwave. You can continue with your regular intensity while keeping cool and remaining at a healthy internal temperature. Just be sure to put on sunscreen and stretch, before each swim.

The work of an HCP is uniquely taxing, physically and mentally. Many healthcare workers get burned out to the point that they reconsider their futures in a clinical setting. Luckily, healthcare experience is a strong foundation for various alternate career paths. For the HCP in desperate need of a new profession or change of scenery, we have listed 5 popular career changes worth considering.

Physical Therapist

Average Compensation: $95,620/yr

To become a PT, HCPs need to complete a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy course. If you can accommodate additional education, it is a fruitful career path filled with opportunity. Physical therapists assist with recovery, pain management, and preventative care. They assist patients dealing with various chronic or acute physical conditions, injuries and illnesses. The field is expected to rapidly increase in popularity, with an expected 17% growth in employment from 2021 to 2031. For reference, the average annual growth rate sits at 6%. PTs are well compensated and can work full-time or dictate their own hours.

Clinical Manager

Average Compensation: $74,715/yr

HCPs commonly leave their patient care roles, in search of more management and leadership opportunities. As a clinical manager, you must coordinate the day-to-day clinical processes and communicate between the various HCPs. Their work ensures a smooth healthcare process and an efficient operation. Though demanding in its own right, an HCP’s communication skills and knowledge of healthcare processes ensure a smooth transition.

Social Worker

Average Compensation: $50,390/yr

Compared to Registered Nurses or even Licensed Practical Nurses, Social Workers make a modest salary. For HCPs who want to directly contribute and assist their communities, however, it is a path well worth considering. They work to help people or groups in dealing with serious behavioral or mental problems. Social workers offer assistance to people dealing with chronic illness, alcoholism, unemployment, and more. Once the problem has been assessed, they identify the appropriate interventions, offer critical advice, and perform periodic checkups to monitor progress. An HCP’s knowledge of physical and mental conditions, connecting with patients, and identifying the symptoms of bigger problems help a great deal.

Clinical Informatics Specialist

 Average Compensation: $91,927/yr

The world of healthcare is rapidly shifting towards a digital future. More and more, healthcare facilities are adopting new technologies, electronic record-keeping, and all-in-one proprietary nursing portals. Clinical Informatics Specialists sit at the forefront of the digital healthcare revolution and are compensated accordingly. They collate all kinds of healthcare data, develop information systems for facilities to use, and share said information with HCPs on staff. In addition, they educate said staff on how to access electronic records databases and how to navigate new nursing software. This role requires a combination of direct nursing experience and a sufficient level of knowledge, regarding Information Technology.

 School Nurse

Average Compensation: $54,767/yr

Technically, this role still requires you to provide healthcare services to patients in need. However, it is a unique environment and atmosphere that may be the change of pace you have been looking for. School nurses are in charge of caring for students in need. Typical problems range from minor wounds and bruises to allergic reactions to their lunch to providing basic healthcare education such as dental hygiene or washing your hands before you eat. On average, it is not as high pressure as a regular RN shift, but it will still require a lot of patience, compassion, and communication skills.

Tip of the Iceberg

 These are just some of the roles available to HCPs. You can take up a writer role, and apply your industry knowledge towards writing blogs, newsletters, and other forms of healthcare content. Some HCPs even take up real estate roles, thanks to your communication skills and critical thinking. As was mentioned earlier, it is common for nurses to shift towards managerial positions over time. The opportunities are endless, as long as you open your mind to them. HCPs are uniquely qualified individuals with a wide range of marketable skills and attributes.