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4 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Nurse

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Nursing is one of those fields that is marred by preconceptions and stereotypes. However, nursing has changed dramatically from work practices to expectations to the number of roles nurses can fill. And there’s a huge gap between the idealized image of nursing versus reality. Here are four things everyone should know before becoming a nurse.

You’ll Get Over It Eventually

If you’re going to be a nurse, you have to be ready for everything that comes with it. Nurses may deal with serious injuries, and you can’t be squeamish about the sight of blood or other bodily fluids. You’ll need to get over the “ick” factor to deal with patients effectively, though it may take time.

You’re a Highly Trusted Resource

Nursing was ranked the most trusted profession fifteen years running in surveys by Gallup. Patients tend to share information with nurses they may be reluctant to share with doctors. And nurses tend to be the lynchpin of the healthcare system, providing critical information regarding self-care, referrals to specialists and guidance on paperwork. The fact that you’re a support for your patients is one reason why the job can be such an emotional roller coaster, though it is one more reason why patients trust nurses so much.

It Isn’t One Degree

There is an amazing array of credentials related to nursing. A practiced practical nurse or LPN and certified nursing assistant or CAN are considered nurses, and they’re both considered entry-level positions.

Spend another few years in school to become a registered nurse or RN; they typically have a bachelor’s degree. Nurses may have additional certifications or graduate degrees to become a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or certified nurse midwife.

It is actually possible to earn a doctor of nursing practice or DNP; this is a terminal degree for nurses. You can earn one of these advanced degrees through Regis College Online. The Regis Nursing certificate program includes a post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate as well.

Note that learning never stops. Even if you don’t pursue a higher degree, your nursing license will typically require continuing education hours completed every few years.

You Have Schedule Flexibility

Many nurses work 12 hour shifts straight; that’s especially true in hospitals and nursing homes. However, you could find jobs with far more flexibility. School nurses, for example, work during the school day. You could work in a nursing home or urgent care center, and these facilities need people on weekends and holidays, often with higher pay for doing so. You could work the day shift or night shift in a hospital. Work as a travel nurse and you could choose both when and where you work. Work for a nursing agency and you could choose what weeks you’re working and which you’re off.

Conclusion

Nursing is far more than giving out shots and taking someone’s temperature. Nursing is an emotionally and often physically demanding profession. Yet it provides diverse opportunities and the flexibility to work almost anywhere and anytime.

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What Can You Do With an Electrical Engineering Degree?

For students approaching graduation, it can be both an exciting time in their lives and a very scary and often overwhelming time. Students know they are almost done with their studies and assignments, but that also means they almost ready to enter into the workforce. Just because you’ve gone ahead and obtained a degree, it doesn’t mean you know exactly what you want to do with it.

If you are nearing the end of your electrical engineering degree program at a school such as the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and you find yourself starting to think about your future and what you plan on doing with that degree, you’re going to want to read on. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the top careers out there that will make use of your NJIT Online degree, or an electrical engineering degree from another school. The great news is that jobs exist in a number of different industries, giving you lots of choices.

Automotive Industry

One of the biggest industries you can break into with your electrical engineering degree is the automotive industry. In order to excel in this field, you’ll need to have a deep understanding of automotive technology specifically, as well as technical expertise. Most in the field spend their time designing, testing, and then troubleshooting the various electrical components in a vehicle.

Aerospace Industry

Maybe you’re thinking really big such as aerospace. This is another industry that employs a fair number of electrical engineers. In this industry, you’ll be working with avionic systems again, to test, troubleshoot, maintain, and manage the systems. This particular industry traditionally pays a bit better than the automotive industry.

Design Engineering Industry

Here’s a field that is growing and definitely in-demand. In this industry, you’d be working on designing and then building electrical hardware that adheres to safety guides and regulations. You may end up working in the design department of a big company, or you can always go off on your own.

Electronics Industry

While on the topic of in-demand industries, the electronics engineering field is also big. Here, you’ll need to be very comfortable working with various electrical equipment and components when it comes to medical applications, software, and even navigation systems.

What About the Job Prospects and Salary?

If you’re curious as to the number of jobs that exist and the type of salary you can expect, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is expected to grow by 7% in the next eight years and the average median pay is $96,270.

It Doesn’t Stop There

When it comes down to it, an electrical engineering degree is able to open all kinds of doors in various industries. Some of the other industries it can help you break into including IT consulting, straight electrical engineering, network and systems engineering, nuclear engineering, and more. You may need additional courses and schooling, but the initial electrical engineering degree is certainly able to open a fair amount of options.

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Why to Become a Teaching Assistant

There are so many jobs out there, so when one is choosing a career, it can be a bit overwhelming. Are they ready to commit to one? What if they don’t like it? What if they have trouble finding work in it? There are a lot of things to worry about when it comes to this, and a lot of the time people are not fully educated on what jobs are out there. One that people might not hear about quite as much is becoming a teaching assistant, which can be quite a wonderful job. What is great about becoming a teaching assistant? There are many different things and here are a few of them.

It is fun.

There is so much fun in getting to be a teaching assistant. For one, they get to spend time with children all day, so for those that like spending time with kids, this is a great job. They get to somewhat experience what it is like to be a teacher without the entire workload. They may get to do fun activities like monitor lunch and recess. They’ll often grade papers or lead simple classroom exercises, run errands for the teacher, or help answer questions. Each day will be new and exciting, and there will always be something new to look forward to. When the kids do something fun, the teachers get to do something fun too.

It is often flexible.

Want a flexible work schedule? Then this is the job to have. Teacher’s assistants don’t always come in every day, and this can make the schedule flexible to one’s needs. This will entirely depend on the school, so it is good to know ahead of time, but in the right place, it can be flexible. And who doesn’t want a flexible job?

The pay is decent.

While everyone knows that being a teacher isn’t the highest paying job, it is enough to get by on. It is the same as being a teacher’s assistant. The pay is plenty to pay the bills with some extra. With the job being fun and the pay being decent, what else could one want? With criteria like this, it is a job that everyone should consider, as long as they like children. There are so many good parts of it.

The breaks are convenient.

Speaking of good parts, this is another one. Who doesn’t love breaks from work, even if the job is fun? One of the best parts of being a teacher’s assistant is that the breaks are for the most part the same as the student’s breaks. That includes a summer break.

One can complete their degree online.

Training for it can be easy. There are level 2 teaching assistant courses that can be completed online within a couple of years from institutes such as Brighter Learning. It’s definitely a job to consider, since getting the degree for it can be so simple with the right tools for the job.

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4 Lucrative Careers That Don’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree

For many years now, people have started looking at alternative options to the traditional bachelors or master’s degree for a variety of reason. For some, it’s mainly because of the uncertainty of actually being able to land a position once they finish college. Furthermore, there is a growing number of lucrative, high demand positions for which bachelors or masters would actually be overqualified. Here are some of the best, most high paying jobs for people without a bachelor’s.

HVAC Technicians

HVAC technicians are in charge of installing, repairing and maintaining heating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They may be required to work with residential clients as well as businesses. HVAC systems are very complex, and technicians will have to have a well-rounded knowledge of the field and have the proper preparation as well. HVAC technicians can earn between $40 to $55k a year, depending on the market. States like Michigan for instance pay students slightly higher than the national average. If you want to know more about how to get certification in Michigan as well as job prospects, you can visit best-hvactraining.com for more information.

Real Estate Appraiser

If you were interested in real estate but didn’t want the income insecurity that comes with being a real estate agent, this could be a great alternative. Real estate appraisers are in charge of evaluating the value of homes relative to their market.

They are essential in the home buying and selling process since there might be discrepancies between a home’s advertised price and its real value. They also give completely unbiased information and rely solely on data to provide an opinion on the house’s real value. Home appraisers work with both buyers and sellers as well. While you will need certification to work as a home appraiser, you won’t need to get a degree. Home appraisers can stand to make up to $63,000 a year.

Carpenter

Carpenter is an often forgotten and overlooked trade for some reason, but carpenters are actually in great demand right now. Carpenters are responsible for repairing wooden structures and can also work in the manufacturing of finished wooden products. Carpenters can make up to $60,000 a year and even more if they decide to work as private contractors. This is another career that doesn’t require a long formation, however, skill is absolutely essential. But there is a huge demand for wooden products and creative carpenters are highly sought after for their skill.

Property Manager

Property managers work in conjunction with real estate developers and owners. They are in charge of maintaining properties, dealing with tenant complaints and renting units. In addition, they will also be asked to advertise vacancies, run the property, collect rents and deal with any problems that might occur in the property. Property managers can earn up $54k a year, but that largely depends in which market you live.

All these career choices don’t require advanced education and often pay just as much. So, before you decide on which career path you choose, take a second look at these options and see if they’re the right fit for you.

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Understanding the Benefits of the IGCSE and How You Can Prepare For the Exams

For international schools in Singapore, like the Global Indian International School, preparing for the IGCSE exams are of paramount importance. The results of these exams will be the key to getting into their dream universities and in setting up their path to their dream career. Assuming that they know what career path they want to take, all they need to do now is to familiarize themselves with the grade requirements of their desired degree program and pass the exams with flying colors.

If your school offers an IGCSE program, the worst thing you can do is feel the pressure. Yes, there is a lot hinging on your results, but there are a lot of ways you can prepare for it. All you need to do is make a little adjustment to your normal study habits. In this article, we will explore the benefits of the IGCSE program and how you can prepare for the exams to get the results you want.

Understanding the IGCSE program

The goal of the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education Program (IGCSE) is to encourage a child’s propensity to learn. All of us grow up to be naturally curious, asking lots of questions about the world and how it works. What the IGCSE program does is to nurture that curiosity by putting emphasis on holistic education. Much of what the exams are contain real life problems that can be solved easily if the school has provided the students with a means for them to apply what they have learnt in class.

Some of the key focus of the program are:

  • Students should be confident with coming up with their own ideas, but are willing to listen to other people’s perspectives
  • Students should be respectful of others and should understand the consequences of what they say and do
  • Students should be able to adapt to different learning environments and come up with a different learning scheme for each
  • Students should be prepared to face challenges through innovation
  • Students should be socially responsible and should engage with others through sound discourse

As a student, you know that being a critical thinker is more than just knowing theories, concepts, and definitions. In this world, having the penchant to listen first before taking action is incredibly important. Understanding where people are coming from and taking that into consideration is the difference between showing off what you know and producing critical thought. The latter encourages informed discourse, while the former antagonizes people.

Benefits of the IGCSE program

The Cambridge IGCSE program is globally recognized. Not only are you ahead for studying in an institution that offers it, but passing key subjects for your career path is a ticket to getting into your dream university. Passing the exams mean that you have shown mastery in school. Not to mention, the results can also help you get into some of the most respected organizations and companies in the world.

Effective study habits to help prepare for the exam

Don’t worry, you do not have to change your own study habits drastically. But it is important that you remain focused as you start your revisions. So here are some effective techniques that you can consider.

Know your preferred learning method and study environment

Ask yourself if you are more of an audio kind of person or more visual. Additionally, do you prefer complete silence when studying or do you like mildly noisy environments?

The reason this is important is so you can cut unnecessary time leafing through your notebook drawing diagrams and concept maps work better for you. You will also save time looking for the best place to study if you know the kind of environment you need in the first place.

Note that sometimes, it is different per subject. So it is best to schedule which subjects you will focus on for the day. If you still do not know your preference, think back on your previous exams regarding where you studied Science when you got a high score? Did you remember most of what you studied when you drew pictures of the concepts for it? Did you retain more information when you were listening to Kendrick Lamar or Ludovico Einaudi?

Get past the pointers

Teachers usually give students a syllabus and pointers to study for the exam. The best way to study is always to get ahead of the recommended parameters. If the IGCSE aims to prepare your for undergraduate university life, the best way to prepare is to learn more than what you are required to learn. You do not need to finish the whole book, just be ahead a chapter or two.

Download mock exams

The best part about growing up in the digital age is the amount of resources that are available to you whenever you need it. There are a lot of mock exams that you can download so you can practice every after study time. Schools also provide the students with mock exams, so make sure you get to review those once you receive the results.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

Another way to cut unnecessary time is to know which subjects to prioritize. Are you better at Physics than Trigonometry? Then maybe you should start studying Trigonometry first before delving into Physics. You only have the school year to study the subjects required for your career path, so you need to make efficient use of it.

Do not feel pressured

This might be the most difficult thing to do, but it is the most important. You will notice that a huge chunk of the study tips is on how you can create a comfortable study environment for yourself. Being comfortable and relaxed makes a great difference when you are studying. So forget about passing first, just focus on what is in front of you.

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International schools: what you need to know

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Choosing the right school for your child is an incredibly important, and often difficult decision that must be made. For many parents, international schools are a highly regarded option worth consideration, but what exactly are international schools, and are they really any different from the other types out there?

An international school has a curriculum that always differs from that of the host country. These schools, instead, utilize an international curriculum within a global environment. Adopting a worldwide curriculum enables students to move from one international school to another without disrupting their studies. That is certainly an advantage, especially if you and your family often relocate, but how else can an international school be of benefit to your child?

While you are considering the best option for your son or daughter, consider these four ways in which international schools differ from the rest:

Diversity

Hands down, you will not find a more diverse environment for your child than that provided by an international school. Students come from all parts of the world to attend the schools, so your child will have the advantage of encountering other young people coming from a completely different cultural background.

Languages

With students coming from all over the world to attend an international school, your child will be immersed in not one, but several different languages. Stamford American in Singapore develops fluency in either Chinese or Spanish, in addition to English, which is the language of instruction at the school. If you consider the foreign language requirement, the language of instruction, and each student’s native tongue, you’ll soon have a multilingual child on your hands!

Communication skills

The mutual respect that is built between students from different cultural backgrounds promotes an understanding and acceptance for one another that carries real benefits, not just for your child, but for the world as a whole. Teaching children from a young age to accept and love others that are different from them has an enormous value. Learning to interact with so many people from different cultures will also enhance the social skills of your child and increase his or her self-confidence.

Better opportunities

It’s true; the international curriculum is able to open doors that other curriculums cannot. Students of international schools are more likely to continue their education at a college or university, and because they have been immersed in such a diverse environment, the international schools are literally preparing your child to go anywhere in the world for further study or work.

The many benefits of attending an international school cannot be denied. With exposure to so many different languages and cultures, and with so many connections and friendships made, your child will be fully equipped for a highly successful future, no matter what career dream they are determined to pursue.

If you have decided that an international school is the best choice for your child be sure to do your research. Ensure that the school in which you are interested has been accredited by certified international accreditation agencies.

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How to pick student digs

So, you’ve got your sights set on moving to new student accommodation, or you’re on the lookout for some when you start your studies? Choosing a place to live, often for three years or more, is a big decision, and one that you shouldn’t take lightly. After all, it’s a place which you need to be able to call home. A place where you can relax, party and socialise, and, of course, get your head down and study. Here are some of the things you should be thinking about when picking your digs.

Know the area

Going to university often means moving to a completely new city, town or district. It may be somewhere that may well be completely alien to you. So, before you start putting pen to paper, and signing a tenancy agreement, make sure you have a good look around the area to see where you want to live and whether it’s convenient to where you will be studying. Will you be able to get to and from home easily? Are there good public transport links? Talk to other students who live in the area and see what their top tips are.

‘In-hall’ accommodation

Most universities offer a variety of their own accommodation for students, often built in complexes on or near campuses, or in central locations. When you’re heading off to start your studies, speak to your university about what kind of accommodation they offer and who is eligible. Places are often limited. In-hall accommodation usually offers a good standard of accommodation and can be a great opportunity to get to know fellow students and make new friends.

Going private

Away from halls, you can also find a wide range of other student accommodation available to see you through your studies. For example, private providers offer complexes where you can choose higher standard and luxury student accommodation. You can ask your university for full listings or check the web and social media for information.

Rent a flat or house

As well as tailored student accommodation, you could also look to the wider property market to pick yourself up a place to live. Rental agents often offer a variety of properties, including flats and houses, which you can take up on your own, or share with friends and fellow students. However, don’t be pressured into signing on the dotted line before taking a good look at what’s available to ensure that it bests suits your needs.

Budget, budget, budget

When it comes to picking student accommodation, be realistic in your expectations. Yes, you want somewhere that’s comfortable, safe and convenient, but you also have to make sure it’s within your budget! There is no point getting yourself into a rental agreement that, in the longer term, is going to push your finances over the edge.

Think about how much you can afford and stick to it. Your monthly budget should include your rent, food costs, transport tickets and any study expenditure. Leaving some spare for a night out or two as well!

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How to Decide on a Career (Even When You Have No Idea What You Want to Do)

Truth be told, choosing the perfect career path is often a difficult process. Everyone wants to end up in a career that not only allows them to live comfortably such as software engineer jobs, but also aligns with the things they are passionate about. Salaries Hub has a large database of information on an array of careers you can consider and the potential yearly income you could be making. Nevertheless, knowing what you want to make as a professional may be exciting, but a lot more goes into the decision on the perfect career you should pursue. Consider the following tips to help you finally make that decision:

Create a List of Careers You Like and Those You Don’t Like

Although you may be unclear on what exactly you want, you are most probably very aware of what you want as well as what you don’t want. Listing these careers will help you start narrowing down on the possible career path options you can consider. For example, you may like traveling but dislike the idea of big cities, or you could be the type of person who enjoys working remotely. Understanding these things will help you list career paths that would weigh you down versus those that would give your personality an opportunity to shine.

Research Career Trajectory and Prospects

Passion and commitment is never enough when choosing a career. The bitter truth is that some career paths do not have good prospects. What use is a degree if there are no jobs available that align with your skills and training? Before settling on a particular career, you need to do due diligence and find out that career’s trajectory.

Find out if the career will still be relevant in the years to come and your potential career trajectory once you go down that path. What opportunities will be there for you ten years down the line? What impact will years of experience have on your earnings? Answering these questions will help you make a decision that will be sustainable by the events that are likely to unfold in the future.

Get Practical Experience

Sometimes even with the best analysis, it can still be quite difficult to decide on a career path. That is why it can be necessary that you go into a career for a time in an effort to experience it firsthand. This way, you can make a decision based on how doing the daily tasks involved made you feel, as well as how well you executed them.

In addition, practical experience improves your employability score (PDF). For students, getting some practical experience might mean looking for internships and work experience placements in industries and jobs you have an interest in. You could also do some volunteer work that can increase your value and that will work well for you in the marketplace once you begin your job search.

If you ask people about the path they took to end up in the careers that they now are in, you might be surprised to learn that a notable number ended up in their careers by accident. Therefore, don’t be afraid to try out various jobs and opportunities even when they make you a little uncomfortable. You may be surprised to land a job you would never have thought you would be interested in and find yourself thriving in it and deriving satisfaction and enjoyment from a passion you never knew you had.

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How Using the Internet can help a Guitarist

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There has never been a better time to be a guitar player because of the amount of resources we have available to us via the internet.  Whether it is to improve your overall skills or for self-promotion, we now have the likes of social media and Youtube to sink our teeth into. The technology we have available today can really help your progression as an artist.  I have included a few tips below which will help you make the most of the internet’s resources, which can benefit you in numerous different ways.

Online Shopping

Travelling from music shop to music shop on a busy schedule is never easy and is there anything more frustrating that not being able to find what you need?  This is never ideal especially if you have a lot of practicing to do for a gig approaching.  Thankfully we are graced with online music and guitar stores, so whether you need replacement strings or a new gear next day delivery has got your back.  Obviously online shopping is a mystery to nobody but the best thing about it is the competition, as there is endless amounts of sites that offer the same product you will tend to find that there is huge opportunity to save yourself some money.  So whether it is your profession or a hobby before paying retail prices have a look around online and let the bargain hunting commence.

Improving your Skills

I can always remember how much of an issue it caused me to attempt to find the time to get some much needed lessons under my belt.  Let’s face life at the best of times can be extremely busy and finding the right time around your schedule for a lesson can cause issues.  With the internet access we now have this is something we no longer have to worry about, there are countless amounts of ways you can improve your skills online.  Whether you are starting out or have been playing for years, websites such as Youtube have endless amounts of videos helping out with learning a particular song or tips to support you.  Beyond free websites like that you can lose you self in e-learning books or even get guitar lessons online.

Self-Promotion

I have been speak with an old friend of mine Tom Hess Guitar player recently about how much of an impact using the internet can have on a budding guitar player’s career.  Tom has had a lot of experience with this due to his career spanning over 30 years in the industry.  Through those thirty years Tom has had success with bands such as Rhapsody of Fire and Holyhell and has also charted albums across Europe.  Whilst having all of this success, Tom also has his own tutoring and mentoring company online which helps many a guitar player around the world in which he shares knowledge gained from his experiences and two music degrees.  As Tom has throughout the years it is so easy to get your work out there and try to gain a following.  Whether the output is social media, streaming sites or online advertisement everyone knows the wildfire of viral popularity and how quickly it can take off.

Use it!

There are so many options you have and I really hope that you can use the online service you have available to you.  It is in your own hands!

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Why a telescope is a great investment for your kids education

Optical instruments, in general, and telescopes, in particular, aren’t necessarily popular when it comes to getting perfect presents for children. In many cases, parents will think that these devices are far too complicated to work with, and that’s why they might steer clear of them.

The fact of the matter is that microscopes, magnifiers, as well as a variety of telescopes and binoculars, be they made for terrestrial or astronomical observation, are quite useful, and some of them are especially user-friendly.

One of the first things that you ought to consider if you are in the market for an educational present and have no idea how to go about things is the child’s age. If he or she is three years old, it’s very likely that you will have to purchase a plastic and somewhat cheaply made handheld telescope or binocular. Toddlers are more or less clumsy, and that’s only natural.

But if you take the time to create a habit when it comes to the kid’s interaction with science-related objects, it won’t take long before he or she actually develops a genuine interest in them. The age of the gift recipient should be the primary factor you ought to take into account also because you need to ensure that the child is capable of handling the device.

As you probably know already, kids tend to get bored fast. Therefore, ease of use is one of the significant aspects you should consider if you want to get a highly usable telescope. Looking at the stars is a great activity, but you also have to take into account that telescopes made for this purpose are often outfitted with slightly fragile optical components that might easily break when they are handled roughly.

Moreover, astronomical observation calls for a bit of a schedule. You can’t look at the sky when you’re in the center of your town because light pollution is particularly high in that area. You might not be able to look at the moon efficiently if there’s too much light pollution around you.

So, the ideal setting for looking at the sky is outside of town in a field where there’s little to no light available. What this means is that parents will have to organize trips with their kids to show them how the device works. If you aren’t prepared for that kind of commitment or if your busy schedule prevents you from doing so, we recommend a terrestrial telescope.

Most of the time, handheld telescopes are convenient, easy to use, and light to pack in any bag. You can take them with you when you travel, and you can look at various items and living beings in your garden or yard. They can be designed by a variety of brands ranging from Celestron to Meade, and if you want to get the right one for your endeavor, we suggest checking out a professional review on this subject.

With the assistance of a telescope, you’ll be able to explain to your kid that the world that surrounds us is far more magnificent and mysterious than we might think, judging by what we can see with our naked eye.

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