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Why a BSN?
Nursing is a fulfilling career that is constantly evolving. That’s why it’s more important than ever to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN provides more in-depth research that will enhance students’ professional development and interpersonal skills with their patients.
In February 2019, the Campaign for Nursing’s Future, an initiative of the Center to Champion Nursing in America, highlighted the increasing number of nurses who have earned baccalaureate degrees. Approximately 56% of RNs have earned a BSN or higher, which has drastically increased from 49% in 2010 when the Institute of Medicine’s report on the Future of Nursing was released.
So, what does that mean for a new nurse in the field or an experienced RN who might not see the benefit of going back to school at this stage? We can all agree that nurses are already stretched on time as it is.
While there are a growing number of hospitals that are beginning to require a BSN, something also worth noting is that a bachelor’s degree offers broader professional opportunity. BSN-prepared nurses can work in some of the highest-paying nursing specialties including nurse research, pediatric endocrinology, orthopedic nursing, or neonatal nursing, to name a few. In the long run, a bachelor’s degree can open a lot of doors and create more financial freedom.
We are hoping to help fulfill this growing need for BSN degrees in the healthcare industry, and offer several paths, based on a student’s current education level and licensure status. Galen’s Online RN to BSN is designed for real life, and lets you earn as you learn – meaning you don’t have to put life or your career on hold to pursue your degree. You can complete the program in as little as 16 months, or more if you need it, all while continuing to work in the field as an RN. Some employers also offer tuition-assistance or reimbursement programs, which can ease the financial strain that we all know is associated with advancing your education.
Life can get complicated but earning your BSN doesn’t have to follow suit. At Galen, our goal is to help you achieve your goal in a way that makes the most sense for where you are in your career. If this is something you’ve been thinking about, there’s no better time than the present to begin a career-changing endeavor.
‘Branching Out’ recognizes past and present nurses
“Branching Out” honors past and present African-American nurses during Black History Month. Student Resource Coordinator and 504/Title IX Coordinator LaKecia Dudley-Jenkins, Clinical Learning Lab Coordinator Dashanda Stanton, Clinical Learning Lab Tech Sandra Cole and Galen alumna Britney Polluck played key roles in the design of the exhibit, which stands tall in the Student Success Center at the Louisville campus.
Polluck and Cole brought the tree to life last year with a 3-D design concept. Other student volunteers provided background information about the various trailblazers.
The exhibit’s roots feature photos of the pioneers who have paved the way for African Americans to enter in the field of nursing. These historical figures include Mary Eliza Mahoney Mary E. Merritt, Adah Belle Samuel Thoms, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth.
The photos featured in the trunk, branches, and leaves include Kentucky leaders, notable figures and some Galen faculty in the nursing field. They include Hazel Johnson Brown, Betty Smith Williams, Dr. Beverly Malone, Dr. Vicki Hines-Martin, Dr. Eric J. Williams. Galen faculty: Gregory Frodge, Dashanda Stanton, Sandra Cole, Dakeisha Cook, Jacqueline Wilson, Tonya Newton, and Karla Hopkins.
The soil represents the herbal remedies and collaborative practices by Native-Americans used in slavery. Words such as motivation, tradition, survival, spirituality, sacrifice, determination, faith and necessity cascade down to the roots are symbolic to help the tree’s growth.
Recognizing African-American Nurses Who Led the Way
The persistence, sacrifices, and success of pioneering African-American nurses did more than blaze a trail for the generations of those who followed them. They lifted the stature and professionalism of every nurse who followed in their paths.
During February’s celebration of Black History Month, Galen College of Nursing is highlighting the contributions of notable African-American figures in nursing. Knowing the obstacles they overcame, and the advancements they made, serves as an inspiration to all of us.
Sojourner Truth: More Than an Abolitionist
Isabella Baumfree – better known as her self-given name Sojourner Truth – was born into slavery in Ulster County, New York, in 1797. Although Truth is widely known as an impassioned abolitionist who escaped slavery and advocated for the rights of women and African Americans, she originally served as a nurse to the Dumont family.
In her later years, Truth became a member of the National Freedman’s Relief Association, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of African Americans. Truth often spoke eloquently before Congress, promoting nursing education and training programs.
The Groundbreaking National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses
While the Civil War ended slavery, discrimination against African Americans continued for several decades. Mary Elizabeth Mahoney was no stranger to the indignities of racial strife. Mahoney was the first African-American woman to work as a professionally trained nurse in the United States. She was also one of the first African-American members of the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States, which later evolved into the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Frustrated by the Nurses Associated’s unequal treatment of its African-American members, Mahoney, Adah B. Thoms and Martha Franklin, RN, founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) in 1908. Franklin became NACGN’s first president. The organization became a passionate crusader for integration and better opportunities for African-American nurses. As a result of the NACGN’s efforts, the number of African-American nurses doubled between 1910 and 1930. After years of its trailblazing efforts, the NACGN finally merged with the ANA in 1951.
There are many more African Americans who have made significant contributions to nursing. We need to remember and honor these pioneering figures. Check Galen College of Nursing’s Facebook page throughout the month of February to learn about some of the most notable contributors.
Sources:
https://www.workingnurse.com/articles/African-American-Nurses-Who-Changed-A-Nation
https://nurse.org/articles/black-history-month-nursing-leaders/
Galen Stories: Lauren Lacount – I couldn’t have asked for a better school.
Audio Transcript
Hi, my name is Lauren Lacount. I completed the Vocational Nurse program here at Galen, and currently, I’m enrolled in the Vocational Nurse to ADN Bridge Program.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
Unfortunately, my brother was shot back in 2015, so when he was in the ICU for about four days on a ventilator, he just had a nurse that wasn’t maybe up to par. So I ended up doing a lot of the care for him. It made me angry, but it fueled my passion to become a great nurse and set the standard for my practice.
How did you end up at Galen?
I took my pre-reqs at another big name four-year university, and then I noticed that I was just a check and a number on my forehead, so that really got me to a point where looking at a more private smaller school. Then I went on the Board of Nursing website and I just clicked on Galen and I was like, ‘Oh well, check it out.’ So I came down and just from the very beginning when I took a tour here, my enrollment advisor was really great. Almost every staff member, current student that was here at the time stopped to talk to me and just smiled. It was like I was a part of their family.
What did you like about the Vocational Nursing program?
I think it’s really great. Not only do they have four start dates throughout the year, which I think is very awesome, I feel like the teachers here really care and they’re accessible almost 24/7 even on weekends. And I think they’re very great about incorporating nursing even in your general education classes, so that way you’re truly understanding the Galen slogan of ‘Pure Nursing.’
Talk about the VN to ADN program.
So the Vocational Nurse to ADN Program is really great because it helps a lot of students have more flexibility with their scheduling of their classes. If you have a lot going on in your life, it makes it really nice, you can take one class instead of three classes per quarter, or if you have more time and more flexibility, you can take more classes. The instructors in the ADN Program, they’re very nice, they’re very caring, and even though you’re not in class as much, you still get that feeling as if they’re accessible 24/7 and you can go to them for anything.
Describe your hands-on experiences at Galen.
So in the VN Program it was great because just from the jump you get a ton of hands-on experience, not only in the clinical learning lab but out in clinicals. Then for the VN to ADN Bridge Program, going out into the hospital and really seeing the things that you’re learning about in theory really brings it all home.
Final thoughts?
I think nursing is a call, and I think Galen makes you understand why you were called to nursing, especially the mentors here and the teachers here, they’re lovely. I couldn’t have asked for a better school. I would scream it from the rooftop if I could, that Galen is one of the best schools and I wish I would’ve come here sooner.
Home for the Holidays
Due to the generosity of a group of caring Galen students at our Cincinnati Campus, their fellow student, Nayeli Fernanda Acosta, will be spending Christmas with her mother back home in Mexico. Hearing that Nayeli wouldn’t be able to afford airfare home to be with her family, and would even be alone for the holidays, a group of Galen students decided they wouldn’t let that happen. With dedication and compassion, they collected $2,300 in 72 hours from students across the campus, to cover her travel expenses.
Then, what looked like an ordinary day of class, turned into tears of joy and celebration. As a study group walked to the front of the classroom for a presentation, Nayeli was confused as she felt unprepared for this surprise presentation. “What presentation?” she whispered to a classmate. Little did she know this was no ordinary presentation.
Nayeli’s classmates announced that they wanted her to spend the holiday season with the ones she loved most and presented her a check for $2,300. As many witnessed this heartfelt moment, even more donations poured in, (someone even offered frequent flyer miles!) showering Nayeli with continued love and support.
Nayeli contacted her mother through Facetime right there, surrounded by her Galen family, to share the big news! As the tears flowed, Nayeli’s mother could hardly contain her gratitude for this incredible act of kindness and for making her holiday a joyous one, knowing her daughter would be coming home.
Galen is fortunate to have some of the most generous and caring students, faculty, staff, and friends, who cherish giving and compassion throughout life’s journey. We are thankful every day that they found their way into our lives at Galen.
Galen Stories – Brittany Hodge: Should I Take the Leap?
— Audio Transcript —
Hi. My name’s Brittany Hodge. I completed the associates program here at Galen, and in about a couple weeks, I’m going to finish the online RN to BSN program.
When did you decide to be a nurse?
I started out being a pre-K teacher, and I remember one day at school, one of my students becoming really sick. I was like, “Oh, her fever’s so high. What do I do?” I remember getting ice packs for this girl, and it was that moment that I knew, “Okay, I don’t need to be a teacher. That’s not my career path. I need to go into nursing.”
How did Galen compare to other colleges?
One of the things I really loved about Galen was the fact that it’s solely nursing. You don’t really have to worry about, “When do I finish my prereqs so I can start my nursing classes? I just want to do clinicals. I just want to get to that part of nursing.” That’s the beautiful thing about Galen, is actually, you start doing your clinicals towards the beginning of the program, and it continues throughout.
One clinical instructor that is very near and dear to my heart is Mr. Chalk. I remember, he was very compassionate, very helpful. He was not only just a great instructor, but as a person, he was just so wonderful, and he felt almost like family, really.
When did you start the Online RN to BSN program?
I remember the moment I signed up for Galen’s online RN to BSN program. I actually was sitting in my last course before graduating, and I remember looking at all of the information online, and I actually went to my school’s counselor in between classes and signed up for the program. So for me, I remember graduating Galen, I took the NCLEX, and I think it was like three or four days later I actually started the online program. So for me, I never took a break. I just kept rolling and kept going on with school.
How has the program been?
The online RN to BSN is wonderful. Online can sound intimidating, but honestly, through Galen it’s really not. They provide videos that you’re able to watch. Sometimes, it’s through the actual instructor videoing themselves going over the material, able to explain it a little bit better than you would normally just reading through a textbook. They have online discussion forums, so you’re able to communicate and interact with your classmates. It felt very family-oriented, very small. Even though it was online, I still had that same feeling as I did when I did the first program here at Galen.
Any advice for future nursing students?
So, if you’re sitting there and you’re wondering, “Hmm, should I do a career change? Should I go back to school? Should I even consider nursing school? Will I be able to do it?” Absolutely, I think you should. At first, it all seemed intimidating: “Oh my goodness, I’m changing my whole life. I’m going back to school.” But for me, with Galen, it was so easy and so flawless, and I had no issues. So if you’re wondering, “Should I take the leap?” Absolutely.
12 Non-Traditional Career Choices for Nurses
When you think of registered nurses, where’s the first place you picture them working? Chances are, you see them practicing in a hospital setting to provide direct patient care. And that’s true for many RNs. According to American Nurse Today, just over 62 percent of all employed registered nurses work in hospitals. This means that more than a third of the 2.7 million working RNs in the U.S. are employed in settings other than hospitals. RNs, and especially those who have their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), have many options open to them outside of hospitals and clinics.
Here are 12 non-traditional careers that allow nurses to really shine! Many offer you additional control over your hours, or even the opportunity to work on your own.
Medical Device or Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Having a background as an RN gives you a significant advantage in this lucrative industry. First of all, sales representatives (reps) who are RNs have great credibility. They also have the knowledge to understand the product and clearly explain how it can be medically beneficial to patients.
In addition to selling products, most reps are also responsible for training and educating the staff on how to use them. Nurse reps may even work with surgeons in the OR to train them on how to use a new device. These reps are also often employed by manufacturers in the product development phase, where they are responsible for testing and evaluating the products. That means you could have a hand in the actual creation of a new medical device!
Nurse Health Coach
Another option for an RN is to work as a nurse health coach, helping people adopt healthy lifestyles. Nurse health coaches often work with individuals who have complicated health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. They help their clients make choices designed to reduce complications and hospitalizations, and help them achieve an improved level of wellness. Many insurance companies hire nurses as health coaches in an effort to keep their customers as healthy as possible and reduce costs. The career also offers nurses the opportunity to go into business for themselves. Certification is required for nurse health coaches.
Nurse Researcher
If you like numbers and enjoy working with data, a nurse researcher could be an interesting career choice. Although nurse research scientists typically need to have master’s or even doctoral degrees, nurse researchers with BSN degrees often work in other capacities alongside these scientists. The responsibilities of nurse researchers at the BSN level may include the following:
- Compiling and organizing clinical data
- Reviewing and analyzing collected data
- Collaborating with other members of the research team, including investigators and statistical consultants
- Screening and recruiting subjects for clinical studies
The National Institute of Nursing Research reports that research nurses develop knowledge that is “designed to manage and eliminate symptoms caused by illness, enhance end-of-life and palliative care, prevent disease and disability and build the scientific foundation for clinical practice.” Pretty heady stuff!
Hospice Nurse
Being a hospice nurse offers an opportunity to provide direct patient care outside the traditional hospital or clinic setting. Hospice nurses spend much of their time caring for patients who are at the end of their lives in a home setting or long-term care facility. They help provide pain relief and promote the patient’s independence for as long as possible. They also offer much needed emotional support for the families of patients in their care.
Cruise Ship Nurse
If you love to travel, meet new people and discover new places, here’s a career option that could be a very appealing choice. Cruise ship nurses are responsible for the day-to-day health of the passengers. They report directly to the onboard physicians and nurse practitioners. They are also the first ones called in an emergency to provide first aid care until the ship doctor arrives at the scene. Of course, your lifestyle has to allow you to travel and spend a great deal of time away from home. But oh, the places you’ll go!
Nurse Educator
A variety of organizations draw on the expertise of nurse educators, including medical device manufacturers, community clinics and government offices, pharmaceutical companies, research facilities, textbook publishing companies, and of course, colleges and universities. The opportunities are growing fast, too, because of the growth of online jobs, such as teaching through online educational institutions. This career also offers possibilities for self-employment. Many nurse educators offer speaking engagements, make continuing education presentations or teach patients to manage complex health conditions.
Legal Nurse Consultant
As legal nurse consultants, nurses work within a legal team. They are the medical experts who help attorneys read medical charts and understand medical terms and lab work. They may even testify in court and have the opportunity to travel to wherever they’re needed. This career path can be a fascinating and well-paid option, but it does require additional certification through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.
Public Health Nurse
Public health nursing focuses on improving community health by emphasizing prevention. The American Public Health Association recommends nurses with BSNs for this career, because BSN programs provide study in areas such as clinical prevention, healthcare policy and finance, which are essential to this job. These nurses are usually employed by state, public or government groups and focus on the health of the community. Schools, community organizations (such as those that provide disaster relief) and community health clinics are some of the places where public health nurses work.
Case Manager
RN case managers coordinate the various elements involved in caring for an individual patient. It is their responsibility to use resources and services in the best, most efficient way possible. They work with many different types of patients, such as the elderly who need in-home care, people with disabilities, and hospital patients with complicated needs.
Case management is a highly collaborative career that requires nurses to work with physicians, other nurses, social workers, nursing home and assisted living personnel, and many other medical and non-medical professionals. It also requires a deep understanding of insurance reimbursement. In short, a case manager must think and work holistically, to see that care and discharge plans meet the physical, social and emotional needs of patients. Case management certification is desirable.
Nurse Manager
If you prefer to remain in a traditional hospital setting, you may choose to move into a leadership role. One of those is nurse manager. BSN level nurses can use their skills and experience to provide leadership and guidance to other nurses. They are responsible for department administrative duties, and deal with personnel issues to help create a productive and supportive atmosphere. Another responsibility is to keep a close eye on the quality of patient care.
Medical Writer
If you love to write, you may find medical writing is a very satisfying career. These nurses write for medical research and healthcare websites as well as marketing literature for medical products and more. An academic nurse writer can author textbook chapters in their specialties or write and publish their own books. For this level, a graduate degree is usually required.
Healthcare Recruiter
When it comes to recruiting and screening applicants for healthcare jobs, nurses are often the go-to people to fill the job. Medical recruitment involves evaluating CVs and résumés, conducting interviews and verifying credentials. The main places to find a job as a healthcare recruiter are at recruitment agencies, hospital HR departments, and staffing firms.
As you can see, being an RN or a BSN nurse can open a lot of interesting and rewarding doors. The skills and experience of these nurses are keys to a lot of great career opportunities!
Learn how great nurses get their start at GalenCollege.edu.
Sources:
The Facts about Your Nursing Career; American Nurse Today; Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/facts-nursing-career/
The Truth about Nursing; Retrieved from https://www.truthaboutnursing.org/faq/rn_facts.html
10 Non-Clinical Nursing Jobs: Forget the Hospital or Clinic; Retrieved from http://differentmedicalcareers.com/10-non-clinical-nursing-jobs-forget-hospital-clinic/
The BSN and Career Mobility, Retrieved from https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/bsn-career-mobility.html
15 Super Great Non-Hospital Nursing Jobs for Nurses; Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/community/15-great-non-hospital-nursing-jobs-for-nurses/
Accelerate Your Nursing Career: BSN Career Guide; Retrieved from https://www.bsnedu.org/careers/#opportunities
10 Jobs for Nurses Outside the Hospital (Can I Have #6 Please?!) by Heather Hawkins; Retrieved from https://www.nrsng.com/jobs-nurses-outside-hospital/
What Does an Independent Nurse Educator Do?; National Nurses in Business Association; Retrieved from https://nnbanow.com/nurse-educator/
Nursing Explorer – Case Management Nurse, Retrieved from https://www.nursingexplorer.com/careers/case-management-nurse
Galen Stories – Leeann Riddle: The Only Regret I Have Is Not Coming Here Sooner
— Audio Transcript —
My name is Leeann Riddle. I’m in the two year ADN program at Galen. I graduate March 2018 and I have a seven-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter.
Why pursue a career in nursing?
I decided to go to nursing school because I knew that my kids needed someone to look up to and I wanted to be a good role model for them, so I started at a local community college doing pre-reqs.
But things weren’t working out like you hoped…
After a year and a half of pre-reqs at the local community college, I wasn’t even in a nursing class. I felt like I was getting the runaround. I would talk to my advisor and she didn’t even know my name and I was meeting with her very frequently. After realizing that I wasn’t getting anywhere at the other school, I decided that I needed to look into other actual nursing schools. Working in a nursing home, I was able to talk to many nurses and ask them about the schools that they went to. And every nurse that I spoke to that graduated from Galen in their ADN program said that it’s the best program you can go to, and it’s accelerated so you’re able to get into the classes right away.
How was Galen different?
Galen College of Nursing was completely different than the other schools that I attended. I walked in and they gave me a tour of the school. Everyone was nice and they remembered my name. I actually received follow-up emails not long after coming for my tour because they wanted me to succeed also. Even if it was just a, “Hey, how are you doing,” email, they are more than happy to help. I felt welcomed here. Honestly, I have never felt more at home than Galen has made me feel. Luckily, I was able to have the majority of my credits transfer from my other school so I didn’t have to retake my pre-reqs that I took before.
What did you like about the Galen ADN program?
The teachers are amazing. I have never had a teacher tell me they couldn’t stay after to explain something to me that I didn’t understand or even come before class to explain something to me. Unlike bigger schools, you’re able to have that one-on-one with your teacher. If you don’t understand something, you don’t have 50 other people in your class. It’s very small classes so you’re able to connect with each other and ask personal questions.
They even have an entire class devoted to student success…
The success class that we have here at Galen actually helps us become successful in nursing classes. It introduces you to critical thinking questions. And the school and the staff, everyone is so welcoming in that class. It’s really to help you make friends and to get to know each other because you can’t be an island, you have to make friends in nursing school because you guys are going to spend a lot of time together. It’s really based on having you succeed early on so you can succeed in the long run.
Final thoughts?
Coming to Galen has been the best thing I have ever done. I know that my kids are going to be so proud of me when I graduate and that I’m going to be proud of myself. And I know that I’m going to have job security and, being a nurse, I’m going to be able to make a difference in a lot of people’s lives, just like a lot of people at Galen have made a difference in my life. Galen has made me by far the strongest I have ever been. The only regret I have is not coming here sooner.
Finding Balance: A 3-Step Approach
Let’s face it: Nursing school can be tough. So is being a parent or a spouse, or sometimes even a friend.
There are a lot of articles written about balancing school, work, and home life. And there’s no doubt that nurses and nursing students can face extraordinary stress. The study and practice of nursing are both physically and emotionally demanding.
That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t achieve balance, although “balance” may not be the perfect word for it. Very rarely will you experience an even three-way split between school, work and life. So right off the bat, consider thinking about achieving satisfaction in each of your roles.
How do you go about doing that? There are definitely some common themes in the literature and also in the advice shared by Galen College’s nursing faculty.
Manage Your Time
Time management can be especially challenging for those who are called to nursing. Many of these individuals aren’t typically known for their likelihood to say “no.” But creating a schedule and sticking to it can go a long way to alleviating stress.
It’s important to set boundaries. Look for ways to define time limits, and then enforce those limits. Set aside specific time to study; find the best time and place where you can focus on your studying with minimal interruptions. But make time for friends and family, too — as a nurse or nursing student, it’s important to nurture those supportive relationships.
Dr. Kathy Burlingame, Dean of Galen’s Online RN to BSN program, has this concrete advice for nursing students: “Start your assignments early and don’t procrastinate. Develop a plan for success by mapping out your coursework, work and family schedules all in one place. And celebrate small milestones with your loved ones!”
Nurses must face the catch-22 that their dedication fosters — being prone to overwork because it’s hard to feel like you’re off-duty. Unfortunately, this leads to burnout, which in turn can lead to less effective patient care and unsatisfactory self-care.
During your day or shift, don’t forget to plan for and take breaks. Not taking a break is actually more detrimental than taking 10 minutes for a walk or finding a quiet place to meditate. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people can sustain a maximum level of concentration for no more than 90 minutes. After that, your ability to retain information decreases dramatically. It’s hard to practice nursing or “ace” a test when you’re not thinking clearly!
Remember, time management is a skill that can be learned. It will be important to master this skill as a student because you’ll definitely need it in your nursing career. So, put some time into managing your time!
Practice Positivity
Take a tip from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT): the way that individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than the situation itself. In other words, the way you think about a situation will impact the way you feel about it.
As a nurse, many of the situations you experience will be difficult emotionally. In their article on “The Power of the Positive,” Roberts and Strauss point out that negative emotions in nurses can be exacerbated because nurses are trained to look for the negative – that is, negative indicators about a patient’s health.
Importantly, as Roberts and Strauss also state, “being positive isn’t all about happiness and smiles. It’s about finding ways to increase the whole range of positive emotions.”
One helpful habit to get into: At the end of your day, take a few moments to reflect on the positive things that occurred. And work on positive self-talk — that internal dialogue that frames your reactions to life’s circumstances. Just like time management, positivity can be practiced.
It’s also okay to ask for help. Students and nurses need a home and a work support system, and sometimes you also may need the extra support of a professional counselor.
Acknowledge & Accept
“The first step toward change is awareness.
The second step is acceptance.”
– Nathaniel Branden, Canadian-American psychotherapist and writer
Acceptance is a powerful state of mind. First, there is no escaping stress — it’s a fact of life, if not specifically a fact of nursing. A little stress is a good thing because it can motivate us to try harder, to learn from our mistakes. But of course, too much stress isn’t good for you and it isn’t good for the patients in your care.
Start by acknowledging the stressors in your life that are and are not in your control. Accept those stressors that you can’t change and work on developing healthy coping strategies for them.
No one’s perfect, right? Admit your mistakes and move on. Be open to reasonable feedback. Ask for help when you need it, and learn how to delegate, even at home, trusting that others will do their jobs. Enjoy the process, not just the outcome.
In his article for Greater Good Magazine, Leif Haas talks about the compassion paradox often experienced by health care workers. First, there’s an overwhelming desire to problem solve when it comes to patient health, yet sometimes it’s more helpful to listen before jumping into fix-it mode. The second part of the paradox is that compassion requires a certain amount of detachment from the outcomes. The only way to show true compassion is to stay present and focused in the moment, rather than worried about the future.
Even while you practice positivity and mindfulness in your role as a nurse, you will sometimes need to give yourself permission to grieve. When it comes to working with others and caring for others, try not to judge — rather, ask questions and try to see from others’ perspectives.
The Last Word
According to Dr. Nancy Bellucci, a member of Galen’s online nursing faculty, when it comes to competing responsibilities, there are six basic principles of management:
The learning journey requires one to be:
- Patient and kind to oneself
- Open to change
- Patient with the process
- Willing to spend priceless time away from family and friends
- Dedicated to working to the final goal
- Persistent, resilient, and motivated to meet the demands of the degree
Achieving balance — or gaining the skills that make you feel more satisfied — is not going to be a one-shot deal. Students and nurses must work at it, and periodically it’s a good idea to reevaluate your goals and priorities. Along the same lines, remember you don’t have to change everything at once. Try making a small change and see if it makes a difference, and then try something else.
Will nursing school and your nursing career be tough sometimes? Of course. Will it be worth it? You bet.
“Be prepared to put your heart and soul into your nursing education and career,” says Dr. Connie Cooper, Dean of Galen College’s Louisville Campus. “As challenging as nursing is, you’ll get back much more than you put into it.”
Resources
Beck Institute. What is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)? Retrieved from https://beckinstitute.org/get-informed/what-is-cognitive-therapy/
Bellucci, N. (Sept. 10, 2018). A personal interview: Dr. Nancy Bellucci’s path to persistence. Galen College Faculty Focus, 8 (9), 6-10.
Boertje, J. & Ferron, L. (Nov. 2013). Achieving a work-life balance. American Nurse Today, 8 (no. 11). Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/achieving-a-work-life-balance
Haas, L. (2018, July 30) The Compassion Paradox Faced by Health Care Workers. Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_compassion_paradox_faced_by_health_care_workers
Jantz, G. L. (2016, May 16). The power of positive self-talk. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-relationships/201605/the-power-positive-self-talk
Johns Hopkins University. School-life balance. Retrieved from http://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance/index.html
Mayo Clinic. Work-life balance: Tips to reclaim control. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/work-live-balance/art-20048134?p=1
Roberts, P. & Strauss, K. (July 2015). The power of the positive. American Nurse Today, 10 (no. 7). Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/the-power-of-the-positive/
Thew, Jennifer. (2018, Feb. 20). Is nurse work-life balance a myth? Retrieved from https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/nurse-work-life-balance-myth
University of Texas. (2017, March 9). Why work-life balance is important for nurses. Retrieved from https://degree.utpb.edu/articles/nursing/worklife-balance-for-nurses.aspx
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Galen Stories – Paul Tankersley: You Definitely Hit a Glass Ceiling
— Audio Transcript —
Hi my name is Paul Tankersley. I’m the director of infection control and transplant with an LTAC in Houston, Texas. Currently completing Galen’s online RN to BSN program.
How did you get into nursing?
My first profession was working for a police department as a dispatcher doing police, fire, EMS dispatch. After doing that for seven, eight years I decided that I wanted to get on the other side of it with the actual patient care, taking care of the people. As a dispatcher you’re hearing the stories, you’re taking on 911 phone calls, but then you always wonder what happens on the other end. So I decided at that point that I would retire early, take that money and go back to nursing school.
Why pursue a BSN?
After working as a nurse for almost a decade, you definitely hit a glass ceiling, especially if you wanted to go into a specialty. My passion I found was lung and heart transplant and it was impossible to go any further without having a bachelors or higher.
Why did you choose Galen’s Online RN to BSN?
So as a full time nurse one of the things you definitely look at is cost, quality and ease of access. For me, Galen hit all three. The different online reviews were excellent. The tuition was very reasonable and they also partnered with my employer, Kindred Healthcare, so with that partnership – it really enabled me to have a lot of flexibility and one of the things that was very impressive with Galen’s online program is the critical thinking and the requirement to critical think. Galen really focuses on that. It gives you the A to Z, why, the rationale and how to be successful in that so it’s very impressive.
What do you like about the program?
Galen offers a wide range of different learning styles so if I’m an auditory learner, if I’m an interactive learner, if I like to read, whichever – you have the option for each of the classes. You can either use your iPhone, your iPad, Android based, laptop, desktop, you can listen while you’re in your car, you can do something interactive either on any of those other electronic devices or you can just literally participate online with the other different interactive platforms that they have.
What if you have a question or problem?
Galen’s online program enables you to ask really any questions to either the faculty or the students or the entire class. It has a great mobile application from your phone or if you have a question, you did a discussion post and you’re not quite sure about the topic, it pops up on your phone and you’re able to see that somebody had a question. You can either respond yourself or you can wait to see what the response is but it’s pretty much almost immediate. The faculty itself is very, very quick to respond. If you do have a question late at night or if you need to physically speak to someone, FaceTime’s available or they’ll respond or you can even call or text them. If you’re working 12 hours during the day and you have a question late at night, it’s not like you’re gonna have to be waiting for a day or two for a response because you’ll ordinarily get it that same day even when it is late.
Final thoughts?
When you’re choosing schools, you’re definitely worried about prestige. You’re worried about respectability, is it an excellent school to go to and Galen definitely is. You have the quality of not only the program itself and the curriculum but also the staff. The staff is excellent. The enrollment process was seamless. The courses are very in-depth, very challenging. But at the same time you’re able to get through that challenge very well supported either with the online content or with the interactivity of the other students that you have in that course or the professors themselves or all of the above.