But let’s take a look at some familiar and some not-so-familiar job roles of RNs today and how the duties have changed over the years.

What RNs Do; The Familiar…

Typically, most of the job duties registered nurses are required to do include:

• Maintaining records of patients’ medical histories and symptoms.
• Administering medicines and drugs prescribed by the doctor.
• Recording observations of patients’ results and maintain details about the progress of their treatment.
• Operating and maintaining medical equipment.
• Assisting doctors in performing diagnostic tests and physical examinations.
• Guiding patients about their illness and help they manage it.
• Counseling patients about at-home care after a treatment is completed.

…And the Not-so-Familiar

• Developing a rapport and bond with potential and actual patients.
• Providing emotional and psychological support to patients, as well as their friends and family.
• Staying up-to-date about the latest developments in nursing and healthcare by attending educational workshops and reading professional publications.
• Working cohesively as a team with other nurses, managing certain patients, filling-in in the absence of a colleague or on-the-spot coordination in cases of emergency.
• Taking ownership for their patient’s safety and care.
• Being VERY adept at time management and looking after several patients at the same time.
• Being understanding of cultural differences in patients and how to deal with them.
• Handling patients’ families, who, at times, can get very anguished and at times angry because of the stress of a loved one being ill.

Major Changes in the Nursing Profession…How Today is Different from Yesterday

Besides these roles and related changes in them, the nursing field itself has seen many changes that have taken place compared to, say, 10 years ago:

• Nurses’ roles have expanded, sometimes coming close to the duties of a physician, a nurse midwife, for example.
• Nursing specialization is becoming more and more important, such as specialties like OR nurses, geriatric nurses, pediatric nurses, emergency nurses, cardiac nurses, ICU nurses, etc.
• Nurses are evolving from being care givers to patients’ advocates, helping the patient understand his/her illness and make informed decisions.
• Employment opportunities have expanded beyond hospitals to home healthcare facilities, doctors’ clinics, nursing care facilities, schools, community centers, etc.
• More men are entering the field today than 10 years ago.
• Salaries for RNs have gone a notch higher with their expanded job roles.
• Technology is playing a greater role in healthcare, requiring nurses to stay abreast with latest technologies in medical equipments and healthcare.

Despite the challenges and varied job duties involved, nursing continues to be a very interesting and regarding profession for Americans today. Therefore, going for studies in this area, even for a career change, or getting it from an accredited online college or university, is an idea worth a shot.

Check out our top picks for some of those classes you should definitely not be shirking. The best part is that you can even opt to take some of these courses online, making it a smarter, more convenient option for you.

Computer Science

From algorithms and programming languages, to operating systems and theory of computing, this course will teach you all the basics of computer science. Being well-versed in computer science can be very useful for getting into this field, which offers a wide scope of careers such as computer systems administrators, academic computing research, computer systems analysts, all of which pay handsomely at over $70,000 per year.

Finance

The finance industry has seen some of its worst days in the last few years, but that has only made the importance of finance professionals more prominent. That’s why finance is one course you should not miss as these can be some very useful semester hours for a prosperous career in the finance industry. Financial planners, financial analysts, financial managers, personal financial advisors are some in-demand, and well-paying occupations in this field.

Healthcare Support

Everyone knows that careers in the healthcare field in America are thriving. Some of the most booming careers belong to the healthcare support group, making it a promising course to start off with if you have given any thought to getting into this field. A course in healthcare support becomes your stepping stone for careers such as nursing and home health aides, physical therapist assistants, dental assistants, occupational therapist assistant, medical assistants and other healthcare support occupations which are quite high in demand in 2013.

Actuarial Science

An especially important course for the ones who’ve always liked math and statistics, Actuarial Sciences will prepare you for figuring out the probability of any event happening, especially from the point of view of risk, helping businesses and clients develop appropriate policies. With this course, you’ll have a great grounding to get started into the field, with actuaries earning handsome salary of over $80,000 the need for these professionals being high.

Dental Hygiene and Nursing

These careers are so high in demand that many skilled workers are getting into these fields or changing careers to get into them. A course in nursing or dental hygiene will go a long way in preparing you for a career that promises not just great income benefits, but a fast-track growth and promises of great employment prospects.

We strongly suggest you study some of these courses through a top online college or university. These will become your foundation stones for some of the most lucrative careers in the US today.

Don’t mind doing menial tasks

The first rule you should follow is to show interest even in doing minor tasks. Internees are rarely offered major tasks at first, so feel happy to follow the instructions, provide quality work and don’t frown if you are asked to brew the coffee one too many times during the day.

Dress properly

You need to look professional to be taken seriously, so dress accordingly. See how your coworkers dress-up and try to dress like them.

Observe office culture

Office culture is another important aspect which might affect you; therefore, you must first observe how people behave and then do the same. Follow the time schedule, be punctual and lower your voice on the phone. Offices are always formal than the casual campus life so you must follow certain rules and regulations and behave formally in every manner.

Think before you talk

We usually do not pay attention to what we say when we are around friends or at home, but this casual attitude can be dangerous at work. If you do not have complete knowledge of an area don’t talk of it or if you have less information about the company then soak it up rather than blurting out something wrong which might embarrass you later.

Get to know your coworkers

If there are more internees around you, don’t just hang around with them only, think of expanding your circle and talk to other employees too. For career advice and work related issues, you need assistance of older, more experienced employees, therefore do not neglect them as the connections made today will be useful tomorrow.

Ask for feedback

In many cases managers or immediate supervisors do not give feedback on your work. At this stage you need to ask them of your performance and how you could improve. Do not make the mistake of following your instincts!

Stay in touch with your colleagues

After completing the internship program, stay in contact with your manager or colleagues. It would be good for you in the future when you apply for a fulltime job after finishing off with your degree program.

Be grateful

Above all, be grateful of your coworkers if they help you learn a new task. Do not in any case neglect people; instead appreciate them the way you would like to be appreciated.

Most of this is common sense; this is just a primer for you lest you ignore these little things and get overwhelmed with internship responsibilities. All the best!

California is One of the Top Paying States for Dietitians and Nutritionists

On average, dieticians and nutritionists in California earn about $68,700 per year, which is much higher than the national average for people in this occupation. The mean hourly wage at $33.03 is also fairly good, promising a great income potential for all students pursuing an accredited degree in nutrition or a related field.

Great Pay in Some Metropolitan Areas

Californian metropolitan areas such as Vallejo-Fairfield, Salinas, Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, Stockton and Sacramento—Arden-Arcade—Roseville are among the top ten metropolitan areas in the US that pay dietitians and nutritionists the most. Seeking a job in this field in one of these areas is therefore a wise decision.

Besides the Pay, Employment Levels are also High

California has the highest employment level for dietitians and nutritionists in all of the US. With 6,300 jobs for people in this field in CA, that’s over 10% of all dietitians and nutritionists in the US! The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale has the highest employment level here with 1,740 jobs for this occupation.

Best Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities in California

Nutritionists and dietitians usually work in hospitals and nursing care facilities. Some of the best hospitals in the US are in California, assuring a great working environment for aspiring entrants in this field. Examples of top hospitals include the UCLA Medical Center, White Memorial Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Methodist Hospital, and many more.

Nutrition and Related Degree Programs in CA

In order to work as a Nutritionist in California, the first step is to get the requisite education from an accredited college or university, or go for a top quality Online Degree in Nutrition. Examples of degree programs at various levels include:

• Associate of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition
• Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Management
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition
• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition Science
• Master’s in Applied Nutrition
• Master’s in Clinical Nutrition

There are many more programs you can go for, depending on the schools or institutionsyou are applying to.

Courses and Curriculum

As a student of a nutrition degree program, you’ll be studying various courses such as:

• Human Physiology
• Introduction to Food and Nutrition
• Applied Nutrition Research
• Public Health Nutrition
• Microbiology for Health Sciences
• Community Health Nutrition
• Organic and Biochemistry
• Food Production

Besides the courses, students are also required to undertake a training program in the form of an internship before they can start practicing as a dietician or nutritionist. Some colleges have this training program as a part of their curriculum.
All in all, pursuing this career through an accredited program in nutrition or a related field in California is a great choice that you must strive for.

Pennsylvania Is Amongst States with the Highest Employment Level for Dietitians And Nutritionists

That’s true. With 3,550 jobs for dietitians and nutritionists in Pennsylvania, if you want to be assured that there will be a job for you on completion of your nutrition degree, you definitely should consider pursuing your career goals here. There are many colleges and universities in this state offering nutrition programs for students; while many schools also offer affordable Online Nutrition Degrees that you can go for, especially if you are too busy to be able to attend school.

High Not Just In Numbers, But Also In Concentration

Before you start thinking that the high number of jobs in PA is by virtue of its population size, let us assure you that the location quotient, which shows the area concentration of employment relative to the national average, is the second highest in the US at 1.42. So there’s a higher share of employment for nutritionists and dietitians in Pennsylvania than in most other US states.

Top PA Metropolitan Areas Promise Great Job Prospects For Nutritionists

In some cities and metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania, employment opportunities for nutritionists are quite good. For example, Reading, Altoona, Erie, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are great areas for nutritionists and dietitians to work in.

Getting an Accredited Degree in Nutrition Is Essential

While it may be tempting to just go for any online nutrition school, especially the ones that require minimal studies, you have to beware of diploma mills ‘selling’ substandard nutrition degrees. Whichever school or program you are considering, research well to make sure it is accredited by a professional or state agency, proving its legitimacy.

Pennsylvania Offers Many Degree Programs and Options to Choose From

What’s great is that with top schools and universities offering accredited Online Nutrition Degrees, there are many different degree options for you to pursue. From associate’s degrees to specialized master’s programs, you can go for a degree in nutrition or any related discipline. For example, the following could be possible choices of degree programs for you:

• Nutrition Sciences
• Food Sciences
• Public Health Nutrition
• Nutrition Science and Policy
• Nutritional Biology
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Food and Nutrition Management
• Applied Nutrition
• Clinical Nutrition
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Holistic Nutrition

Challenging Careers to Pursue With a Nutrition Degree

With a degree in nutrition or a related subject, you have a wide variety of career options. Besides becoming a certified nutritionist or registered dietician, you can also become a health educator, food production manager, food services manager, or even in education and research.

Remember, a nutrition degree in Pennsylvania can take you to great places and towards a rewarding career. Just make sure you choose your college and degree program wisely.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ accrediting agency for education programs related to nutrition and dietetics. Only if you have graduated from one of the program accredited by the ACEND will you be able to take the exam to become a registered dietician.

Beware Of Diploma Mills

As with any other online degree, the problem of diploma mills exists for Online Nutrition Degrees too. These are institutions that are not supervised by a state or professional agency. The courses and degrees they offer are substandard and worthless, not requiring students to do much work. In order to ensure that the Online Nutrition Degree you are going for is accredited and approved by the US Department of Education, make sure you do your research thoroughly, assess various options, and go for a legitimate nutrition school.

Degrees and Programs Offered

Many degrees come under the ambit of nutrition and related programs. From associate’s to master’s degrees, online schools in various US states are now offering top quality programs in nutrition and dietetics for students to pursue.

Some examples are:

• Diploma Programs in Nutrition
• Diploma in Dietary Supplement Science
• Associate of Science program in Applied Nutrition
• Bachelor of Health Science program in Nutrition
• Master of Science programs in Nutrition

There are many other programs offered, such as those in Health Sciences, Food Sciences, Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition Education, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc. depending on the particular college or university you go for.

Nutrition Specialties

As a student of a nutrition program, you’ve got the option of choosing from many different specialties. These include sports nutrition, pediatric nutrition, women’s nutrition, nutrition management, or management and nutrition, geriatric nutrition, cardiac nutrition, diabetic nutrition, etc. You can opt for the particular specialty depending on your own individual interest.

Regardless of the degree or specialty you go for, one thing is certain: your choice should be a legitimate program accredited and recognized by a state or professional accrediting agency. So while it’s a great idea to search extensively for a nutrition school that meets your particular requirements, don’t forget to do the research and ensure that you get enrolled in a reputed, accredited, top-quality college.

Here’s a list of top nursing careers that require a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

1. Clinical Nurse Specialist, Median Salary = $81,589 per year

The job of clinical nurse specialists (CNS) is all-encompassing. They have to maintain case management, as well as counsel and educate patients, community and staff. Besides general nursing duties such as administering medications or taking patient history, they are also involved in diagnosing and treating patients, in addition to conducting research in a field of specialty.

2. Nurse Practitioner, Median Salary = $83,122 per year

With a specialty certification in a special area such as family, pediatrics or geriatrics, nurse practitioners (NP) work at a more advanced level with patients than a registered nurse. Besides general nursing tasks such as taking vital signs or maintain records, NPs also diagnose and treat conditions, sometimes without a physician’s help. In some states, they can even prescribe medications.

3. Certified Nurse Midwife, Median Salary = $84,275 per year

As a certified nurse midwife (CNM), you’ll be working extensively with families and women in particular regarding pregnancy and childbirth. You’ll learn basic obstetrics and gynecology care skills, and your education and training will prepare you to undertake tasks such as treating pregnant women, delivering babies, providing postpartum care, etc.

4. Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Median Salary = $139,393 per year

This is definitely the most well-paying career of the lot. As a certified nurse anesthetist (CNA), you’ll be involved in everything required to anesthetize a patient for surgery. So the tasks involve assessing a patient and administering anesthesia prior to surgery, monitoring levels of anesthesia during the surgery, as well as all postoperative care.

5. Nurse Educator, Median Salary = $66,900 per year

This is one nursing career with a lot of prestige and a lot of responsibility because you will be teaching and preparing LPNs and RNs for entering into this field. Besides patient care settings, nurse educators may also teach at the master’s and doctoral levels, and they can also choose to teach in a particular nursing specialty. They also analyze and suggest solutions to improve nursing education and practice, and even participate in performance evaluation of clinical staff.

All of these careers require you to get a Master’s Degree in Nursing to start off in these job capacities. Whether you choose a traditional college degree, or opt for an Online Nursing Degree, just make sure that your master’s degree is from an accredited institution.

1. We Value the Small Things in Life

That’s true. We see so much each day, and meet so many different people with so many different complications that we know how precious every moment of life is. That’s why we appreciate every little thing that our partner does for us, be it a simple text message, or even a cup of tea after a long day at the hospital.

2. We’re More Compassionate And Affectionate

C’mon, you did see this one coming, didn’t you? If there’s one gift that we RNs are proud of, it’s these two qualities that are quite rare in today’s world. We understand and empathize with our patients and we know the magic of a kind word or two. So our husbands or boyfriends know that every time they feel low or if they’re going through any hard time in life, we’ll be there for them in every way we can.

3. We Promise TLC Any Time Of The Day

Whether they get hurt while cutting tomatoes for the dinner salad or whether they go through any major accident that leaves them bed-ridden for long; our spouses / partners can rest assured that they have a professional care for them to bring them back to health. We do it for our patients any time of the day, but for them, our tender loving care is available 24/7, not just on a rotational basis!

4. We Learn From Others And Apply It To Our Own Lives

Trust me; RNs see a lot of different people every day. Sometimes, the cause of some major accidents is really small like leaving not wearing the seat belt. At other times, emotional traumas can scar one for life because of a single act of extreme anger. Because we see it every day, together with the repercussions, we are more careful than any average person about avoiding the avoidable mistakes in our personal lives.

5. Our Income Contribution is Quite Good, Actually

Everyone knows that RNs make a handsome pay close to $70,000. With that money, we are contributing generously in the financial matters of the house as well, which, our partners appreciate, is quite a blessing in these recessionary times.

Besides all of these, we also know how to look young and beautiful, thanks to a tip or two shared by a dermatologist or a patient from the fashion and beauty industry (wink, wink). So all in all, we really do make great partners and soul mates. Who amongst you is going out with an RN? Please share your thoughts too.

There’s No Right or Wrong Here…

Let us assure you that those with an ASN are not at any disadvantage at all. Many successful registered nurses (RNs) have made it big in their careers starting off with just an associate’s degree. Regardless of your qualification, what’s important is that you work with dedication, always try to learn from more experienced colleagues, and do the best you can at your job.

Differences in Curriculum

A BSN typically spans over 4 years and covers more courses in nursing theory, such as nursing research and nursing and technology. An ASN, on the other hand, is shorter over 2 years, and is more focused on basic nursing education and training. With a 4-year BSN degree, additional courses in management, leadership, communication and community nursing are taught, and students also get a chance of more clinical experience than in an ASN program.

Advantages of the ASN Degree

Just because it’s shorter doesn’t make it any less sweet. For many, the ASN is a much better option than the BSN because:

• It’s more affordable
• It takes only 2 years
• It prepares you as well as the BSN to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam

Advantages of the BSN Degree

There are benefits of going for the BSN too, such as:

• Greater opportunities for career progress into higher positions such as a Nurse Manager
• Direct admission into a Postgraduate Nursing Program such as a Master’s of Science (MSN) in Nursing

Both Degrees Prepare You for the NCLEX-RN Licensing Exam

Regardless of which degree you go for, what’s essential is that your degree is from an accredited institution, be it an internationally recognized university in your state, or an accredited online nursing school. Whether you take the ASN degree at, say, a community college, or opt for a BSN from an accredited university, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam after completing either of the degrees, as per the requirement for licensure in most states.

RN-to-BSN – A Good Option for Those Wishing To Further Their Education

Many current RNs who have an associate degree can go for an RN-to-BSN program that will shorten their way towards a BSN degree. In fact, going for an Online RN-to-BSN Program means that you can even pursue this program without leaving your current job.

So the next time someone questions your 2-year ASN degree, you know how to tell them that it’s totally worth it!