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Are you starting to apply to nursing schools?

Looking for nursing programs to get your nursing degree can be a stressful task. Whether you are high school student looking to become a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse or an RN looking to do advanced practice nursing as a nurse practitioner, you will have to deal with the nursing school transcript process.

As a side note, remember to verify that the RN or LVN programs that you are applying to are accredited nursing schools. To learn more about this issue, please visit our post about accredited nursing schools.

If you are looking to start your nursing career or just advance it, you will need to have transcripts sent for your previous schools and jump through the application hoops. It can be time consuming and costly with application fees.

Dealing with nursing school transcripts may be getting a bit easier.

There is a new trend happening at nursing schools as they are beginning to offer unofficial transcript evaluations. But before we get into that, I suppose we should talk a little bit about what transcripts are.

What is contained in a transcript?

In short, a nursing school transcript contains your academic career record from your High School and/or college or university. It will itemize all sorts of information. The primary elements are as follows:

• Name of Student
• Previous Schools Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers
• List of Courses You Took – Usually by Year
• Dual Enrollment and/ or Any Honors – As Applicable
• Your Class Grades (either letter or numeric)
• Total GPA [Grade Point Average]
• Number of Credits Taken/ Achieved Per Semester & Year
• Grade Scale Used by That School
• Any State Proficiency Exams [if any]
• Graduation Date and Degrees Achieved

So as you see, there is quite a bit of information that each school keeps record of and includes in your transcripts. You will most likely need a transcript from each school that you have graduated from, or at least partially attended and what classes you had learning experiences.

Are transcripts different for RNs vs LVNs?

The transcript information will be the same whether the student is applying for RN or LVN schools. There are many different types of nurses made up of RNs AND LVNs. For those contemplating Licensed Vocational Nursing, becoming an LVN is still a viable nursing career pathway. Going into 2020, the average LVN salary continues to climb.

Unofficial vs Official Transcript

There are a couple of types of transcripts that you can order from each school. Usually there is a resource center at each university and sometimes a location online from where you can order your transcripts.

The official transcript is the type that each program to which you are applying will need from you. An official transcript is sealed in an envelope by the originating school to prevent tampering.

You can request the official transcript be sent directly to the nursing programs to which you are applying (and some require that) or to your home so that you can package everything together and send off as one unit to avoid missing information later down the line.

An unofficial transcript is all of the same information that is in an official transcript but it is not sealed. You can order these, and in fact can sometimes print right from the school’s website for your records.

At many Nursing Schools you can now ask for an unofficial or an official evaluation.

A major benefit of an unofficial evaluation is the availability of this service before the submission of a full application. This helps to give you more guidance on what your chances of being accepted are. This would give you time to correct any deficiencies.

This unofficial evaluation can give you time to take additional classes, or retake classes with less than desirable grades while you are getting an official evaluation submittal compiled and therefore you will be saving some time. Most nursing schools are doing unofficial transcript evaluations in less than 24 hours.

Be certain to keep back-up copies of your official unopened transcripts.

You should order and have several copies of official unopened transcripts from all of your schools in a file at home to be ready to send to the nursing school programs to which you are applying.

This is just in case they somehow get misplaced at the intended school, or get lost in the mail from your previous school.

Unfortunately this happens quite often and if you have spare copies of the official unopened transcripts at home, you can provide them right away instead of waiting the weeks it can take to get new ones sent from the originating school.

There has always been talk to one level or another about nursing burnout. However, these days I seem to be hearing it vocalized much more than in the past. And appears to be an increasing problem in today’s institutions.

So, it seems prudent to have a discussion on nursing burnout, what it is, what its effects are, and how to avoid it.

What is Nursing Burnout?

Basically it is a condition that some registered nurses experience that shows itself as being fatigued all of the time, readily irritable, insomnia and poor performance. Physical manifestations can be chronic headaches, back pain, weight gain and/or GI problems.

Nursing burnout can happen to nurses with years of experience, newly graduated Registered Nurses and even students in nursing school experience burnout. You must take care to avoid it in your nursing career.

Nursing school burnout happens to students in both LVN programs and RN programs.

We all know nursing is a stressful occupation in which most full time nurses work 12 hour plus shifts- sometimes without even getting time for a toilet break!

There are some different types of nurses that work even longer shift, however that is not the norm. This can be a major factor in nursing burnout. But I am getting ahead of myself here.

What Are The Signs of Nursing Burnout?

There are several signs. I mention some above, but others may include: Depression, negative attitude, difficulty focusing on your tasks, high blood pressure, and worst of all for your patients and your family life- emotionally detached.

What Causes Nursing Burnout?

Under-staffing is a big culprit in promoting nursing burnout. Usually, I see a 3-4 days on the hospital floor and the rest of the week off as far as work schedules go. And as I said, the shifts are often 12 hours or more.

Now, with budgeting cut backs and an overall shortage of nurses already underway, the risk of burnout is heightened.

Nurses get exhausted, which in turn brings on higher levels of stress and aggravation. Thus is the path to staff dissatisfaction, higher risk of errors, and a greater exodus of nurses from the profession… which only compounds the problem of nursing burnout.

In addition to staffing issues, there is an overwhelming complaint of the lack of support from managerial staff and the physician community.

Low pay for nurses can also lead to burnout. Although wages have risen significantly in recent years, the average LVN salary and RN salary is still below occupations with similar educational requirements.

With the emotional strain of caring for patients, long hours, dealing with frustrations of poor management and disrespect from doctors, it is no wonder we are seeing an increase in nursing burnout!

What Are The Effects Of This Issue?

Well, there seems to be a relationship between the ratio of the number patients per nurse as a factor. When nurses get overloaded with patients they become more dissatisfied with their job and thus it promotes burnout.

And because burnout tends to leave a nurse emotionally detached and lacking in focus, there is a great chance of error. Therefore the level of patient care and satisfaction also goes down.

How Do You Avoid Burnout?

This is a good question. The answer will be a little different for everybody depending on their situation. However, here are a few ideas to help you:

The first thing to do is to actually look at yourself as you would a patient. Are you showing symptoms? What are they? What is causing them? Etc. Then you need to take action to rectify the causes.

Be sure to get enough sleep, eat a good diet and get some exercise.

Just these three things can alleviate a great amount of stress. And the mere factor that you are not doing these things can add stress.

Know your limits. You can only do what you can do and sometimes you need to be able to delegate tasks- whether they are at work or in your home life. And you must speak up when you get overwhelmed. Talk to your manager about your workload, or how you might improve your efficiency.

Talk to other nurses that are feeling the same way. Don’t just have a bitch session- though this can reduce stress at times- but speak constructively about the issues and how to rectify the situation.

Some nursing programs have tutorials on how to avoid this dilemma, and recently I have seen an increase in healthcare administrations providing information sessions and classes on the factors related to nursing burnout.

Keep an Eye Out!

Hopefully this post has alerted you to some of the factors involved with nursing burnout and you can keep a watchful eye on yourself and your co-workers to head off the burnout before it becomes a major issue in your life and nursing career.

When 200 new students started nursing school alongside me, an instructor gave us some tips for success in nursing school that has stuck with me ever since. “Nursing can be a sink or swim career, but you can all be dolphins,” she said. After the first weeks, at least 10 students dropped out. Let me explain. Nurses are often rumored to eat their young.

While some nursing wards are highly collaborative, some wards have high levels of bullying and lack of proper communication. This teacher reminded us to be dolphins and to support each other to swim.

She reminded us to smile through the difficult times and difficult conversations. She reminded us to reach out and support each other through the challenges and successes in our careers. Here are some tips for success in nursing school from one dolphin to another.

1. Do Research

Some students enroll in nursing only to drop out in the first weeks. Do some your research before applying for nursing school. You likely will know a nurse in your social circles. Most nurses are willing to share tips for success in nursing school and stories about their career paths and work history.

Research student loans, scholarships and grants well in advance of applying. You might also want to consider researching the many different types of nurses out there. This may give you an idea about which specialty you wish to pursue.

You should also look into other costs such as medical screenings, updating immunizations and the cost of supplies such as your uniform or stethoscope. Before you begin applying for schools, it is a good idea to speak with your career counselor in high school or college.

Compare nursing to other fields in healthcare and evaluate if you have the skills and aptitude to pursue a career in nursing. Also, it may be interesting to do a personality test to explore whether you would be a good match to working in the caring sector. The O*NET Interest Profiler (IP) is one online resource.

For example, you might be an amazing nurse but you have a phobia of bodily fluids such as blood. Perhaps you would be better suited to a career in social work or ultrasound technology. Doing some research will help you avoid pursuing a path that may not fit with your skills and personality. This is just the first of many tips for success in nursing school.

2. Start Building Healthy Habits

Nursing and shift work is challenging. Burnout is common. When you begin nursing school, you can easily spend all your time studying. Instead, build healthy habits to manage stress well, eat healthy foods and include regular exercise in your schedule.

Not only will this help you handle the physical demands of the job, it will also help you stay mentally healthy. It is important to learn how to balance your workload with other pursuits early on. Socialize with friends and engage in healthy activities together.

3. Make Friends

The people that sit beside you in class will end up being your study buddies, your classmates in clinical placements and your colleagues. Nursing school is tough and forming study groups early on can help share the load of studying.

Nurses are collaborative by nature, so you might as well start this practice at the beginning of your career. Nursing friends will most likely be the only ones who can understand the challenges and joys of this field completely. They will become great sounding boards to debrief challenging situations, or if a meaningful patient you cared for has died.

Also, they can help you maintain your work/life balance. Try to maintain friendships outside of the field as well, especially if you have other interests and hobbies.

4. Being a Nurse is Much More Than Clinical Skills

Nurses take care of the whole patient: this is called holistic care.

Being a nurse is much more than clinical efficiency and being able to memorize and apply knowledge. You are a patient advocate and often the staff member who has the most contact with the patient.

A nurse develops relationships with the patient or client, and you care for people in their most vulnerable times. You also are many other things such as a cheerleader, a waitress, a translator, a family mediator, a waitress, a coach and a teacher.

One of the greatest tips for success in nursing school is, if If you are not an adaptable person with a great deal of patience, nursing may not be for you.

5. The Rewards of Nursing Outweigh the Challenges

These tips for success in nursing school will never completely prepare you for things like witnessing your first death or dealing with difficult patients.

With all the challenges that come with nursing, the rewards greatly outweigh them. If you have chosen nursing as a career, you likely possess a great deal of emotional intelligence and altruism. Being able to support a complete stranger to make empowered decisions and to overcome challenges is a great feeling.

Of course, the pay you receive will also play an important role in your career search. In nursing, there is a HUGE difference between the average pay for a registered nurse as opposed to the average LVN salary. 

Also, being able to support a patient and their families through difficult times is also a great gift. Nursing is a career that is built on teamwork and shared knowledge, so be a dolphin and good luck with school!

Men in nursing school are on the rise! When I started nursing school in 2010, there were less than ten male nursing students in a class of 200. A few of them were transitioning from careers in firefighting, surgical technology, and para-medicine to nursing.

Some had careers in other fields such as pharmaceutical sales and decided they wanted to work on the front lines instead to provide direct patient care. They stated that job security, job satisfaction, pay, and the many different types of nurses specialties were factors in their decision.

Despite the prestige of studying to be a care provider, nursing holds the unfortunate stereotype of being viewed as a less masculine career than studying to be a physician.

In a survey of almost five hundred men, 73 percent of men claimed that the negative stereotypes contributed to the shortage of men in nursing.

About 60 percent claimed that in previous generations, nursing was viewed as a female profession. Interestingly, 42 percent felt that men lack “male models and mentors in the field” (Weber, 2008: Finding Their Niche: Why Men Choose Nursing, Despite these perceptions, men can make excellent nurses and can defy the status quo.

Men in Nursing: Gender Bias

Gender biases are in our heads – Men are equally as capable at providing care as women, and the present gender biases can be broken with the quality of care provided.

Unless it is a cultural consideration, you will find most patients are accepting of male registered nurses. In fact, I have worked with patients on a ward who will listen to no one but the only male registered nurse on the floor.

Approach patients with empathy, confidence and perhaps a sense of humor or humility. It can be helpful to have a male mentor who can give you tips on skills such as how to teach breastfeeding to a new mom, or how to perform physical assessments.

Overcome the discomfort you may feel in your role – You are a nurse, not a male nurse. We would not identify a lawyer as a female lawyer. Some nurses find that patient’s assume they are a doctor when they walk into a room.

Rather than be discouraged, just remind the patient you are their nurse, and your job is to advocate for and care for them as part of a care team. According to Robert Sabbara, an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, “ one of the hardest things he faces is people automatically assuming he is gay and that female nurses have more empathy.”

The only way you can change perceptions is by providing excellent care and building trust with patients. Trust is built on therapeutic relationships. Research has shown that patient’s rate a doctor’s competence on their bedside manner rather than their actual clinical competence.

Don’t Take Things Personally!

Occasionally, patients will refuse personal care from you, or request that a female nurse take care of them. Do not take this personally. Recognize that patients have the ability to exercise autonomy over their care.

You may find that you are a minority in your work environment. It is important to seek out the greater community. There are groups for men in nursing such as AAMN where men can seek camaraderie and mentorship.

Play to Your Strengths

Men may be physically stronger. You can play to your strengths by assisting other nurses with transfers or boosting patients in bed.

Nurses rely heavily on teamwork and if you help a coworker, they are likely to help you in return. As a man in nursing, you are likely to be a newer graduate. You have been privy to the latest evidence-based practice, so you can likely be a clinical resource for others. As stated before, some patients respond better to a male therapeutic relationship.

Male Nurse Career Mobility

Interestingly, men in nursing are over represented in leadership roles and other prestigious specialties. Men in nursing earn more than women on average (Kleinman, 2004). Being a male nurse can benefit rather than hinder your career.

If we capitalize on the benefits offered to both men in nursing we can recruit and keep them in the field. Earning a great nurse salary and career advancement do not discriminate by gender. Having the privilege to care for others is a universal benefit.

Taking nursing courses through an accredited, established university is the best way to go. But, students who are new to the nursing profession may be better off attending a community college or vocational school first.

Making the right choice means knowing what these schools offer.

Types of University Degrees

Here is a list of degree programs most commonly offered by universities:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – This is a 4-year degree for first-time freshmen that will result in licensing as a registered nurse. If a student decides to enroll part time, it will take longer to complete the program. Students who already have an LPN, RN or any kind of bachelor’s degree should consider one of the other programs in this list.

• LPN to BSN – Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can earn their BSN in as little as two years with this bridge program. It is a great opportunity for LPNs to not only become registered nurses but to also earn a bachelor’s degree.

• RN to BSN program – Licensed RNs can upgrade their diploma or associate’s degree to a BSN in as little as two years with this bridge program, which is widely offered in universities across the US. A Registered Nurse can earn more money and open the door to more opportunity by earning a bachelor’s degree, which is quickly becoming the standard in the field.

RN to BSN programs are almost always designed to accommodate working nurses. Classes are often offered at night or online. Students who are worried about the time commitment should talk with a university counselor about the program’s flexibility.

• Accelerated BSN/Second degree BSN programs – These programs are for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to nursing. They allow the general education (or lower division) classes students have already taken to count toward their BSN, allowing them to jump right in to nursing courses.

Second degree programs follow a normal pace, with students graduating in approximately two years. Accelerated BSN programs, as the name implies, are fast-paced, full-time programs that graduate students in as little as 12 to 18 months. Students who can’t go to school full time or aren’t sure if they’re suited to a nursing career shouldn’t apply to an accelerated program.

A 3.0 GPA is often an entrance requirement for both types of programs.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurses who have a BSN may want to get further training in a particular specialty to become advanced practice nurses (APNs). Nurses have the option to study administration/management, nurse education, informatics, anesthesiology, midwifery or any of the many clinical nurse specialties, such as pediatrics, medical-surgical, maternity and mental health.

MSN programs take about two to three years to complete and are almost always designed to fit the schedules of working nurses. Many programs are offered online or have an online component, but clinical work will be required and may cause a nurse to juggle her full-time job to accommodate.

• RN to MSN program – RNs who have an associate’s degree and know they want to pursue a master’s degree immediately after earning a BSN are ideal candidates for this program. This program streamlines the process of getting the two degrees because the student doesn’t have to apply separately for the master’s program after finishing a BSN, and care is taken to ensure that no repeat courses are taken.

• Doctorate programs – MSNs who want to pursue a doctorate can choose from two types of degrees:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): This degree focuses on clinical practice rather than research. MSNs can further hone specialty skills with doctoral-level training. These programs can take upwards of three years to complete. although there are many different types of nurses, most don’t require doctorate-level education.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): This degree focuses on scholarly research, preparing students to become nursing professors. Nursing programs are perpetually in need of teachers, so Nursing PhDs are in high demand.

Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) and Doctor of Nursing (ND) programs are slowly being replaced by one of the two programs above.

Can I get an associates degree from a university?

No. Universities only award bachelor’s degrees and graduate (master’s and doctoral) degrees. Students wanting to obtain an LPN, nursing diploma or an associate’s degree in nursing should investigate community colleges or vocational schools, which are the institutions that offer these degrees.

While an LPN, diploma or associate’s degree can be a great place to start, a BSN is quickly becoming the standard for employers, and advanced degrees are coveted in the profession. A higher degree also means a higher salary and more opportunity for advancement.

Students wanting an LPN, diploma or associate’s degree should look at it as a stepping stone to a higher level of education.

According to the 2018 U.S. Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing ranks third below law enforcement and accountants as the highest annual median earnings by occupation. In other words, it pays to be a nurse. Another interesting fact is that a 2000 JAMA, or Journal of the American Medical Association, projection showed a shortage of 800,000 nurses by 2020. With so many open registered nurse positions available, the career opportunities are endless.

Career Opportunities

As modern medicine evolves, more people are living longer and will eventually need healthcare. With the right training, a nurse can land a job in numerous facilities or areas including:

• Hospitals – This is the largest facility in which nurses are employed. In fact, a majority of the staff is nurses, and each one provides bedside care or assists in medical regimens. Nurses employed at the hospital generally work in one designated area such as the emergency room, surgery, pediatrics or intensive care.

• Clinics – Nurses employed in clinics such as a surgical facility or emergency medical center typically care for outpatients. These nurses administer injections, assist in minor surgery, dress wounds and maintain records.

• Public-health – Nurses employed in public health work primarily in schools, retirement communities or government and private agencies. The nurse works to improve the health of the community; in addition, the nurse may plan or implement health programs for the community and can also instruct people on disease prevention, nutrition and other health issues.

• Home-health – These nurses visit and provide periodic healthcare to people living at home. The nurse cares for the patient while instructing the family on proper care. Home-health nurses provide aid to patients recovering from illnesses, accidents or those suffering with cancer.

• Occupational Health – Occupational health nurses provide healthcare at work sites to assist employees or customers. These nurses file accident reports and provide emergency care, health counseling, examinations and inoculations.

• Teaching at Universities or Hospitals – Nurses are hired by universities and hospitals to assist in staff development. In addition, the nurse provides orientation and educates new nurses.

• Nursing Homes – Registered nurses provide care for residents and spend a majority of the time working on administrative tasks. Additionally, RNs work in specialty departments caring for patients suffering from stroke or head trauma. Registered nurses also supervise licensed aides, perform sophisticated procedures and develop treatment plans for patients.

Moreover, head nurses or nurse administrators take on leadership roles, provide training and assign duties. Head nurses also maintain records and observe other nurses in the facility.

Educational Training

Numerous levels of medical practice are available, each with its own educational requirement. Some prerequisites for nursing programs offered for include:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – The only prerequisite is a high school diploma or GED and some training. After one year, students earn a diploma or certificate. Upon graduating, they are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam. Many current practical nurses are enrolling in LVN to RN programs to become registered nurses.

• RN Associate’s Degree (ADN) – It takes approximately two years to complete the Associate Registered Nurse Program; however, it may take up to three years if preparatory courses are required.

• RN Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) – At least 120 credit hours are necessary for the bachelor’s degree, which means an additional two years of education after the ADN.

• Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) – Uninterrupted, a full-time master’s degree program takes two years to complete. However, it can take even longer if attending school part-time while working in the field.

For an LPN, it only takes one year of training, but it must be completed before advancing in the career. Students have a long list of job opportunities to choose from upon graduating. Graduates can work as pediatric nurses and care for children or deliver babies as a nurse midwife. Other types of nurses include:

• School nurse
• Clinical nurse specialist
• Flight nurse
• Geriatric nurse
• Orthopedic nurse
• Certified RN anesthetist

Earnings

Depending on the facility, many employers offer added benefits and bonuses. In addition, flexible work schedules and childcare is available. According to the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics, RN Salary & LPN Salary is in the median percentile made $31.10 per hour with an annual wage of $64,690. With an increased level of training and experience, RNs in the 90th percentile earned $45.74 an hour and an annual wage of $95,130.

General medical and surgical hospitals offer the highest levels of employment, and median RNs average $68,610 annually. RNs with a doctoral degree earn $74,180 on average when instructing at universities and other professional schools.

Summary

A career in nursing offers financial stability and the satisfaction of helping people in need. In only one year, students can achieve a diploma as an LPN and start working in the field. With additional training, students can work in every area of healthcare from pediatrics to education.