Credit by Examination award students credits that go toward earning an associate’s college degree, bachelor’s degree or college and vocational certification. Students take the examinations needed in their chosen field of study, which tests their knowledge in the subject. Testing sites throughout the US sponsor The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams at various times during the year. Most colleges consider the credits earned by the Credit by Examination program as transfer credits, so the college policies determine the earned credits for the degree.
The American Council on Education (ACE), approves other examinations recognized for college credit, such as the Excelsior College Exams and Dantes Subject Standardized tests, among others.
Top Benefits for Adult College Students
Most adult students have experience in the workforce that can go toward a degree program, saving them the time it takes to receive a four-year degree. Many adult students earn up to 40 credits toward a degree program through testing.
Another advantage of the Credit by Examination program is the money saved on college tuition. Most adult college student have families to provide for and spending under 100 dollars for an exam, saves thousands of dollars for college courses.
These examinations also help adult students who have already earned a degree but have been in the workplace for a number of years. They can earn continuing education credits for a graduate degree, using their work experience and specialized skills.
Preparing for Credit by Examination
Many adult students lack the confidence to take these exams because they are out of practice with testing and studying. This is especially true of those seeking medical careers, such as nursing because of the technical and medical facts needed to pass the exams.
Programs are available to help prepare for the exams in specific college fields if independent study is difficult or students feel intimidated by text book learning. One of these study programs is RNBridgeprogram.com, an LPN to RN bridge programthat provides all the study skills needed to pass the nursing exams and earn credit for a nursing degree. This program allows students to study according to their own schedule using videos, webinars, practice tests and live support.
Programs like RNBridgeprogram.com help adult students remember what they study, boosting the self-esteem they need to pass the Credit by Examination exams. The program actually helps students pass all exams and courses needed to earn an ASN-RN, studying from home.
RNBP is in the news: The U.S. Nursing Shortage Leads to Training Reform for Busy Learners
With a national vacancy rate for registered nurses at more than 4 percent, the demand for nursing education programs to support the nursing profession, like RNBP , are critical. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "the U.S. will require 1.2 million new RNs by 2014 to meet the nursing needs of the country, 500,000 to replace those leaving practice and an additional 700,000 new RNs to meet growing demands for nursing services."
“Social media use is ubiquitous, but inappropriate posts by nurses have resulted in licensure and legal repercussions. NCSBN has developed guidelines for nurses and nursing students for using social media responsibly. Key points of these guidelines are summarized, along with dramatization of potential scenarios of inappropriate social media use.”
With RNBP you will earn your ASN-RN degree entirely through assisted self study, video instruction, live virtual lectures and by earning college credits through examination. As a healthcare professional you already have clinical experience, practical skills and academic credit that you can use toward an RN degree. After having your past college credits evaluated to see which ones you can transfer in you will bridge the gap of lacking credits by earning credits through examination. Check out the video for more information.
The NCLEX is the most important exam that you’ll need to take in your career as a nurse. Need to prepare for the NCLEX review?Follow these tips to ensure that you are getting the most from your NCLEX Review.
Know the exam. Become familiar with topics, format, and types of questions covered on the exam so you know how to focus your preparation efforts.
Study area. Have a dedicated study space where you can keep your study aids and focus on regular basis.
Practice schedule. Set up a reasonable practice schedule that you can complete each day.
Concentrate. Studying with short, scheduled breaks will keep you focused and improve your ability to be sharp on test day.
Study partners. If you can find some study partners, not only can you motivate one another, but you can collaborate on study techniques.
Flashcards. Make or buy a set of flashcards and keep them with you so you always have the opportunity to get in a little extra studying.
As you study for the NCLEX keep in mind that most people are visual learners and can retain more information this way. As an RNBP member you understand how powerful video based learning can be. Our brains are wired to recall information a lot easier when we’ve first heard it using multiple senses. Video-based learning is the fastest way to learn, retain and apply useful information in a way that makes sense.
Thenclexreview.com is also a video based study program designed to feed you the right information in the best way so that you can learn both efficiently and effectively. It teaches you what you need to know to pass this important test. It lets the video be your guide as you test your knowledge through the practice exams. Thenclexreview.com will revolutionize how people prepare for the NCLEX.
When you transition from a nursing student to a working nurse, it’s important for the process to be as seamless as possible. Consider the following tips before beginning your first nursing job.
Ask About First-Year Nurse Turnover Rates
High turnovers are an indication of how the employer treats first year nurses. Generally you want to work at a facility that has less than a 20 percent turnover rate.
Find Out About Orientation and Preceptor Programs
A preceptor is a trainer or coach who assists nurses with becoming more acclimated with a facility’s routines, procedures and people. New nurses are more likely to stay if they have an experienced guide to inform and nurture their progress. A great question to ask would be “Will a preceptor be available on my shift after the orientation to answer questions and help with clinical decision making?” If the answer is now, then follow up with a question the facility’s orientation process. You want to make sure that you have enough support as a first year nurse to lessen frustrations and uncertainties.
Ask the nurse manager about the level of clinical, social and emotional support available for first year nurses. This support should include having experienced nurses on hand who are willing to help debrief a new nurse when they need help or extra support
Observe the Unit
A walk through of the unit won’t give you a realistic idea of how people work together. It takes a while for people to let their guard down and be their true selves when someone is watching. Therefore, make sure you observe for a few hours so you get a clearer picture of the unit’s interpersonal dynamics. You may even want to come back the next day and observe more. Try to picture yourself operating in the environment. If you’re having difficulty doing so, then this may be a red flag.
Consider Working on a Specialty Unit First
It’s easier for many new nurses to start on a specialty unit, such as labor and delivery or a highly staffed pediatrics unit, because the patients on those units are more standardized than those on a medical/surgical unit where there are a broad range of cases. There environments in these units are more controlled and the circumstances are more consistent.
Get Your Feet Wet
After getting the proper credentials, assessing potential job environments and doing your research, it’s important to just begin working. You’ll find that most of your learning will come from actually performing your nursing duties. The more experience you get under your belt, the better you’ll feel and the more confidence you’ll have.
If you are thinking of making the transition from LPN to RN you will find this article informative and motivating. Registered nurses make up 60% of the medical field because they work in every area of medicine.
The most familiar role of the registered nurse is the nurse who works in a hospital, a clinic or a doctor’s office. The basic duties of a registered nurse are:
Treat patients according to instructions by a physician
Educate patients, their caregivers and the public about illnesses and conditions
Provide emotional support to families
Keep records of medical histories
Perform diagnostic tests
Administer medications
Write up management plans for home use
Instruct patients in diet, nutrition and exercise
And many other duties
However, there are many more career paths a registered nursing degree can take you. A few of those career paths are:
The perioperative nurse works in the operating room assisting surgeons.
Perianesthesia nurses take care of patients before and after surgery or other procedures
Transport nurses are emergency nurses who monitor patients while they are being transported by helicopter or plane to a hospital.
Nephrology nurses specialize in working with patients with kidney disease.
Some nurses combine two specialties such as pediatric oncology nurses who work with children who have cancer.
These are just five of the 62 different areas of nursing that are available to a registered nurse. Some nursing positions are more stressful than others. For instance, nursing positions in hospitals, especially in the emergency room, tend to be more stressful than positions in private practice. Some of the specialties also require certification by a certifying board but the first step to take is to get an ASN degree in nursing from an accredited college institution.
Nurses’ salaries depend on the specialty and what city the position is located. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook registered nurses can look forward to making from $43,410 to $92,240 per year. Job growth is 22% between 2008 and 2018 which is much faster than average for all occupations. You could not go wrong investing a few years in becoming a registered nurse.
If you’re ready to make the transition from LPN to RN the RNBP video learning system can help make it happen faster and easier!
One of the most crucial provisions in the healthcare reform act that is important to the careers of nurses is Obama’s promise to increase funding for the education of nurses. Nursing organizations have been carefully monitoring the status of healthcare reform to gauge its impact on the shortage of nurses in the healthcare industry. Many people who oppose healthcare reform believe that the cost to instrument the plan is exceedingly expensive. In general, nurses believe people can have access to quality medical care without any increase in the cost. Some nurses believe that healthcare reform is really more about reforming health insurance. Nurses would prefer that the passing of the healthcare reform act will cause more money to go towards funding patient care, as oppose to lining the pockets of insurance companies.
Healthcare reform cannot solve the critical shortage of nurse alone. It will take additional help from the state and federal government, and donations from private investors to provide money for nurses to attend school. The American Nurses Association supports healthcare reform legislation, because it will provide increase funding for the education of nurses. The Public Health Service Act has initiated programs which are the primary source of federal funds stipulated for research and the education of nurses. These provisions were put into place to make sure there will not be a shortage of nurse in the future.
Nursing organizations across the Unites States appreciate the fact that healthcare reform has made registered nurses and nurse practitioners an integral part of the healthcare team by given them more leadership responsibilities. Some doctors fear that with registered nurses and nurses practitioners assuming more responsibility, the quality of patient care will deteriorate, and their salaries will decrease. Under the healthcare reform act, federal funding will be provided to Nurse-Managed Clinics, so that nurse practitioners can provide primary and preventive health care in areas that has a shortage of doctors.
Despite strong opposition to the healthcare reform act, many nurses believe that health care reform is needed to improve the overall quality and cost of patient care. Nursing organizations has work closely with the Obama administration to make changes to the healthcare reform bill that will have a positive impact on nurses and patient care in the medical field. Healthcare reform legislation mandates that all Americans must have healthcare insurance. This law will make it necessary to employ more nurses in the future. Nurses will play a vital role in implementing the provisions of healthcare reform, and they will continue to advocate for changes in the healthcare reform laws when needed.
Although the current recession has resulted in tremendous downsizing and job losses across the country, at least one career path has flourished. Registered nursing continued to add jobs and saw salary increases at the same time many other industries or contracting. There are currently more than 2 1/2 million active registered nurses now working in the United States.
Registered nursing has once again emerged as one of the top 50 careers for 2011. By its nature, nursing can encompass a wide variety of roles within the health care industry. And as our society continues to age, the need for health care providers continues to grow. That has driven the need for more nurses particularly as the last influx of highly trained nurses has begun to hit retirement age and is now leaving the workforce.
The role of registered nurses can range from working in delivery rooms to hospice care at the end of life. And as more medical facilities are trying to see more and more patients, the need for highly trained reliable registered nurses is also on the rise.
According to workplace experts, growth opportunities for nursing will rise faster than average compared to other occupations. The US Department of Labor predicts the country is expected to add just under 600,000 new registered nurses job by the year 2018. Most of that hiring will take place to fill positions in private physicians offices.
Nursing salaries have continued to increase as well. In the middle of the great recession the median salary for a typical nurse was around $64,000. The highest earners in nursing were making nearly $100,000 in 2009.
The nursing field has also remained attractive because of its chances for advancement. As incentives to attract top nursing candidates, many medical facilities are offering fast track career paths. In addition to signing bonuses, these facilities may pay for education which can lead to faster career advancement and higher pay. That has allowed many nurses to obtain masters degrees which can allow them to enter into more advanced practices such as becoming a nurse practitioner.
In order to obtain an entry-level job in nursing, employees must first have a bachelor of science or Associates degree in nursing. Associates degrees can be completed in two years which can get a nurse on the job more quickly. However those who have already obtained a four year bachelor of science degree can start at a higher pay level. For that reason many employees with an associate degree try to quickly obtain a bachelor’s degree soon after being hired.
As the economy shrunk the past three years the need for highly-skilled health care workers did not. That especially has created a need for more people to fill nursing positions. With a predicted 22% growth rate in hiring, the future for careers in nursing remains bright even if the economy remains bleak.
The nursing profession has been considered to be a traditionally female dominated field. However, while it is true that males currently only make up about 5% - 8% of the nursing workforce, this number reflects a 71% increase over the last 20 years. There are several factors which suggest that this pattern will continue.
A 2006 survey of male nurses conducted by American Mobile Healthcare found that among respondents, 85% were “mostly” or “very” happy with their jobs, 82% would recommend nursing to other males, and over 91% responded that they planned to remain a nurse throughout the next five years. The survey also found that most men find nursing to be a desirable occupation for the same reasons that most people find other jobs to be desirable: it offers good job security (the unemployment rate for registered nurses is less than 2%), nurses are needed everywhere, it offers good pay, and helping people makes a rewarding career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated a mean annual income of $66,530 for registered nurses in 2009, which is over $15,000 above the mean U.S. household income. The average salary for nurses is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years as the demand for registered nurses continues to increase as well. Males will make up a larger portion of this growing workforce, as some studies found that over 13% of students enrolled in nursing programs in 2000 were men.
The arbitrary stereotype that nursing is only for women is quickly being undone. As more men realize that nursing is a very respectable profession and that there is no essential reason for it to be seen as an exclusively feminine role, the numbers of male nurses will continue to grow. It can be expected to follow the pattern that is emerging around most roles that have typically been assigned to one or the other gender for arbitrary or historical reasons.
Credit by Examination award students credits that go toward earning an associate’s college degree, bachelor’s degree or college and vocational certification. Students take the examinations needed in their chosen field of study, which tests their knowledge in the subject. Testing sites throughout the US sponsor The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams at various times during the year. Most colleges consider the credits earned by the Credit by Examination program as transfer credits, so the college policies determine the earned credits for the degree.
When you transition from a nursing student to a working nurse, it’s important for the process to be as seamless as possible. Consider the following tips before beginning your first nursing job.
If you are thinking of making the transition from LPN to RN you will find this article informative and motivating. Registered nurses make up 60% of the medical field because they work in every area of medicine.
One of the most crucial provisions in the healthcare reform act that is important to the careers of nurses is Obama’s promise to increase funding for the education of nurses. Nursing organizations have been carefully monitoring the status of healthcare reform to gauge its impact on the shortage of nurses in the healthcare industry. Many people who oppose healthcare reform believe that the cost to instrument the plan is exceedingly expensive. In general, nurses believe people can have access to quality medical care without any increase in the cost. Some nurses believe that healthcare reform is really more about reforming health insurance. Nurses would prefer that the passing of the healthcare reform act will cause more money to go towards funding patient care, as oppose to lining the pockets of insurance companies.
Although the current recession has resulted in tremendous downsizing and job losses across the country, at least one career path has flourished. Registered nursing continued to add jobs and saw salary increases at the same time many other industries or contracting. There are currently more than 2 1/2 million active registered nurses now working in the United States.
