How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse

How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse Jobs for nurses are predicted to grow by nearly 20 percent in the 10 year period between 2012 and 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is credited to a â€Å"perfect storm,† of factors, including the entrance of millions of new Americans into the healthcare system due to the Affordable Care Act and the aging of the Baby Boomer population resulting not only in more patients in need of care, but also in an exodus of retiring nurses. If you’re one of the many people considering field of nursing, here’s what you need to know about what it takes. Many Different Educational PathwaysThere are several types of nurses, each of which involves a different time commitment. For example, to become a certified nurse assistant (CNA), an Associate’s degree from a two-year community college program and the passing of a certification exam suffices. Registered nurses (RNs) require a four-year Bachelor’s degree along with licensure, while nurse p ractitioners (NPs) must meet the requirements of RNs and also undertake a Master’s degree in the field. Additionally, nurses looking to advance their careers or take on administrative and teaching roles may choose to pursue the Ph.D. in Nursing.In additional to traditional routes, accelerated and online programs offer more opportunities than ever for prospective nurses to get the education they need to enter the field.When choosing a nursing school, selecting one that is accredited is paramount. Not only will a degree from an accredited institution help you get a job, but it also ensures that your education meets the prescribed standards of excellence in the field.What to Expect in Nursing SchoolWhile there’s no universal nursing school curriculum, students enrolled in nursing programs can expect to take coursework in a broad range of topics, including biology, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, psychology, chemistry, and nutrition.However, a nursing education is not s trictly procured in the classroom. The typical curriculum also includes a clinical portion in which students learn and practice skills in healthcare settings while interacting with patients and their families.The Cost of Nursing SchoolDepending on the school you attend and type of program, the cost of nursing school varies widely. For example, programs at community colleges and states schools will cost significantly less than at private institutions. According to Nursing360, the total cost for nursing school - including everything from tuition to supplies to state nursing license exams - can range between $5,000 and $40,000 per semester.Online nursing schools can also offer a reduced cost nursing education, particularly if you factor in funds saved on everything from commuting costs to living expenses. Nursing360 further estimates that the average semester cost of attending an online nursing school is approximately $7,500 per semester.While nursing school involves an investment of both time and money, there are also plenty of rewards. Not only does a career in nursing promise job security and an average salary of just under $70,000 for RNs and just over $95,000 for NPs, it also comes with something truly invaluable: the chance to make a difference in the lives of people in need.

Workplace Discrimination Prohibited by Title VII Laws

Workplace Discrimination Prohibited by Title VII Laws Title VII is the portion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which protects an individual from employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Specifically, Title VII prohibits employers from hiring, refusing to hire, firing, or laying off an individual due to those factors. It also makes illegal any attempt to segregate, classify, or limit the opportunities of any employees for reasons related to any of the above. This includes promotion, compensation, job training, or any other aspect of employment. Title VIIs Significance to Working Women With regard to gender, workplace discrimination is illegal. This includes discriminatory practices that are deliberate and intentional, or those that take on a less obvious form such as neutral job policies which disproportionately exclude individuals on the basis of sex and that are not job related. Also illegal are any employment decisions based on stereotypes and assumptions regarding the abilities, traits, or the performance of an individual on the basis of sex. Sexual Harassment and Pregnancy Covered Title VII also offers protection to individuals who encounter sex-based discrimination that takes the form of sexual harassment including direct requests for sexual favors to workplace conditions that create a hostile environment for persons of either gender, including same sex harassment. Pregnancy is also protected. Amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions. Protection for Working Mothers According to the Georgetown University Law Center: Courts have ruled that Title VII prohibits employer decisions and policies based purely on an employer’s stereotyped impression that motherhood...are incompatible with serious work. Courts have found, for example, that the following conduct violates Title VII: having one policy for hiring men with preschool aged children, and another for hiring women with preschool aged children; failing to promote an employee on the assumption that her childcare duties would keep her from being a reliable manager; providing service credits to employees on disability leave, but not to those on pregnancy-related leave; and requiring men, but not women, to demonstrate disability in order to qualify for childrearing leave. LGBT Individuals Not Covered Although Title VII is wide-ranging and covers many workplace issues faced by women and men, it is important to note that sexual orientation is not covered by Title VII. Thus lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender individuals are not protected by this law if discriminatory practices by an employer occur that are related to perceived sexual preferences. Compliance Requirements Title VII applies to any employer with 15 or more employees in both the public and private sector including federal, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor unions, and training programs.