Author Archive, Terri Polick

Nursing school is expensive, and just like everything else, the cost of a nursing education is going up. If you are a nursing student, or plan to attend nursing school in the near future, don’t despair. With a little bit of digging, you can find a treasure trove of nursing scholarships that will help finance your nursing education. There is good news and bad news when it comes to paying for nursing school. Tuition, nursing books, and nursing uniforms are ... More »

Have you looked at the want ads lately? The help wanted section is full of nursing positions, and the need for nurses keeps growing every day. Hospitals and other health care facilities are scrambling to find more nurses to fill the gaps in staffing schedules. Many employers are taking a lesson from the past, and are hiring LPNs to meet their staffing needs. A licensed practical nurse (LPN), also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), provides ... More »

When I went to nursing school many years ago, there was no such thing as the Internet, and everyone attended a traditional nursing school. School was tedious, and the class schedule was rigid. Today, students are attending LPN to RN degree programs, RN to BSN programs, and many other online nursing schools with a click of a mouse. These programs are gaining in popularity, and offer nursing students a way of going to school that fits ... More »

I’ve been a nurse for a long time, so people are always asking me for career advice. I just received this letter the other day: I have been looking on the Internet and researching about becoming a nurse. I wanted to get some advice from someone who knows what nursing is like. I am afraid I will start and decide that nursing is not for me. Any advice? I am interested in nursing, but I’m just not sure what ... More »

There is no doubt about it. Going to nursing school is an expensive proposition. It’s hard keeping up with school expenses when the bills keep rolling in. Do you want to save money while you’re in nursing school? Savvy nursing students know how to stretch their textbook dollars, and by following a few tips, you too can fill up your bookshelves without emptying your pockets. There are many ways of avoiding sticker shock when it’s time to buy ... More »

You’ve decided to become a nurse. Congratulations! You are about to embark on the most exciting journey of your life. Now you have to decide on which school to attend in order to enter the nursing profession. Here is some advice on how to find the best nursing school for you. Keeping your career aspirations in mind is helpful when choosing a school of nursing. That’s because there are several educational pathways into the nursing profession. Back ... More »

Are you a nurse who wants to retire, but you can’t afford to quit your job? Retirement can seem like a pipedream when you need a regular paycheck in order to pay your bills. Fortunately, nurses nearing retirement age have options. Travel nursing allows nurses to experience a retirement lifestyle while the paychecks keep rolling in. Aging baby boomers are facing the hard cold facts about retirement. No one can survive on social security alone, and you can only ... More »

A long time ago, nurses worked in one of three places when they graduated from nursing school. A new graduate could work as a bedside nurse, an office nurse, or as a school nurse. Today, nurses can find jobs in all areas of health care, and they are finding those jobs around the corner, as well as around the world. Travel nursing is a great lifestyle for nurses who love to explore new areas of the country ... More »

The nursing jobs marketplace is changing, and more nurses than ever are choosing travel nursing as their career. The job outlook for travel nurses is phenomenal, and it’s getting better everyday. Here are some reasons why nurses are pulling up stakes and are choosing to live out of a suitcase. Great Pay and Benefits There are many benefits to working as a travel nurse. First and foremost is the salary. Travel nurse jobs are lucrative. We all ... More »

Nurse Paulette Castle sure looks happy, and why wouldn’t she? She’s taking a break from her job. I’m not so lucky. I’m working 40 hours a week at my regular job instead of my weekend alternative hours, so for the next month I’m taking a hiatus from my column. More time at work means I’ll have less time for blogging. I bet there is a laptop computer in Paulette’s briefcase, and ... More »