Nursing MSN & DNP

Nurse Burnout: Risks, Causes, and Precautions for Nurses

  No job is stress-free. But because clinical nurses work in an environment that is high-stress by nature—making decisions that can impact patients’ lives—they need to take extra care to avoid the mental and physical condition known as “burnout.” This piece outlines what nurse burnout is, the dangers it poses, how to prevent it, and

Read More

How to Work the Night Shift and Stay Healthy: 12 Tips

In many hospitals and long-term care facilities, newly hired nurses are asked to work the night shift. While a few true night owls prefer this schedule, working through the night is challenging for most nurses. You mightfind yourself spending a chunk of your time off recovering from your time on. But there are ways you

Read More

The Differences Between a Nurse Practitioner and Doctor

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and medical doctors (MDs) spend their days making a difference in people’s lives. Providers in both professions are dedicated to treating patients’ illnesses and injuries with the best available science and acute care techniques. In the U.S. healthcare system (depending on the state), both can serve as primary care provider. The main

Read More

What is the Role of an Infection Control Nurse?

Outbreaks of infectious diseases are rising globally, ((Christiansen, Jen, “Global Infections by the Numbers,” Scientific American, May 1, 2018:  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/global-infections-by-the-numbers/)) and infection control professionals are constantly facing new challenges, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the spread of highly contagious viruses like COVID-19. ((Baylor College of Medicine, “Emerging Infectious Diseases”: “https://www.bcm.edu/departments/molecular-virology-and-microbiology/emerging-infections-and-biodefense/emerging-infectious-diseases)) The COVID-19 pandemic

Read More

The Importance of Professionalism in Nursing

Part of being a great nurse is the ability to demonstrate professionalism. Regardless of their level of nursing, a successful nurse is someone who exhibits compassion, empathy, and commitment—and who dedicates their career to personal growth and professional development. This post defines professional values in nursing, discusses how you can best demonstrate it, and explores ways

Read More

Celebrating Nurses Week: ‘Thank You for Who You Are and All That You Do’

The World Health Organization designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. This designation occurred before any thoughts about a global pandemic. It was never anticipated that this would be a year that would showcase the knowledge, skills, dedication and courage of nurses. Our nursing students and alumni are out there saving

Read More

Double Robots Are Now On All USAHS Campuses

  USAHS now has a Double 3 telepresence robot from Double Robotics on each of our five campuses. Faculty across programs can begin using this cutting-edge technology in their simulation classes in our Centers for Innovative Clinical Learning (CICPs), as well as other learning contexts. The Double 3 telepresence robot is a recent advancement in

Read More

What Is the Role of a Nurse Executive?

If you see yourself taking on a leadership role in healthcare, consider studying to become a nurse executive. It’s a great way to make a positive impact on your organization’s success and the quality of patient care. Nurse executives are the brains of an organization, creating new policies, inspiring collaboration, and ensuring that it achieves

Read More

The Importance of Effective Communication in Nursing

To be a successful healthcare provider, clinical nurse or nurse leader, you need exceptional communication skills—and you need to be able to use them during high-stress situations. Why Is Communication Important in Nursing? Having good communication skills is essential to collaborating on teams with your fellow nurses and colleagues from other disciplines. It’s also important

Read More

How Hard is Nursing School? 5 Things You Should Know

Is it hard to become a nurse? Yes. Will it be worth the effort? Definitely. If you’re thinking about getting an associate degree or bachelors degree in nursing—or if you’re a working registered nurse who’s contemplating earning your graduate degree—it’s normal to feel nervous about the idea of school. Nursing requires more dedication than many

Read More

Staying Connected: MSN Alumna Continues a Path of Lifelong Learning

With her kids all grown up, Tina Belanger wanted to do something for herself and focus on her personal and professional development. As an experienced nurse with a history of working in various health settings, she started searching for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs. When she got a call from the University

Read More