Men Can't Take Nursing In India?

HC upholds govt's decision not to admit boys in nursing course
source: Timesofindia.com

The Tamil Nadu government's decision not to admit any male candidate for the diploma course in nursing received the judicial nod on Monday, with the Madras high court dismissing a writ petition challenging the new norms.

The government, which was allotting 10 per cent of the available seats to male candidates till 2007-08, decided to make the diploma an all-girl course from 2008-09 following the introduction of a new syllabus by the Indian Nursing Council.

U Ashad Ali, whose application for admission was rejected by the health and family welfare department in November 2008, challenged the decision on the ground that discrimination on sex grounds was violative of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. He said male nursing assistants were very much needed in various hospitals.

The government, however, submitted that male nurses were required only in a few places like jail, ortho department, mental health hspitals and operation theatres. Government hospitals have enough male nurses, who would be in service till 2045, it said.

Referring to the new syllabus of the Indian Nursing Council, it said midwifery had been made a mandatory requirement to complete the course. As no woman prefers to have the assistance of male nurses during delivery, antenatal, post-natal and labour ward for care, it is not possible to impart the training to male candidates, it said. Without the midwifery training, they cannot complete the course, it was explained.

Accepting the rationale, Justice K Suguna said male students cannot complete their courses without training in midwifery. "Nursing services must meet the health needs of the society most effectively and for that, whatever is essential has to be implemented. If the service of the male nurse is not in need, in my opinion...the decision of the government in restricting admission to female candidates alone has to be accepted. Also, it is not disputed that already sufficient number of male nurses are available. As on date sufficient male nurses are available to serve up to the year 2045. It is seen that the authorities have examined the matter in depth and this can be seen from the documents enclosed," she said.

She then dismissed the writ petition and upheld the legal validity of the health department's notification dated December 7, 2008.

Read more...

Why Isn't ‘Nurse Jack' on TV yet?

by Valerie Newitt

Television producers seem to be cashing in on the dynamics of the nursing profession. "Mercy" will feature three female nurses - all somewhat glammed-up, I might add - when it debuts Sept. 23 on NBC. "HawthRNorne" has already weighed in, with Jada Pinkett Smith in the lead role of a "tough-yet-caring chief nursing officer," according to TNT hype.

Most provocative is "Nurse Jackie," deftly played in a street smarts-meet-compassion tone by Edie Falco, late of "The Sopranos." It's a tough role, and a portrayal sure to raise questions, debate and eyebrows. Think Florence Nightingale in a biker jacket.

Kudos to the "Nurse Jackie" folks for catapulting her out of the realm of the ever-benevolent, all-giving, angel-like aura that cheats nurses out of their true human complexities. Hurray for giving her spirit, backbone and even misguided decisions. Falco's Nurse Jackie seems "real" in the standards of that fiction-and-fact collision known as a television series.

But here's what I want to know: How long will it be before we see "Nurse Jack" on the tube? Why not a series about a feisty male nurse who can battle sexism in this healthcare profession that still seems embued with an over abundance of estrogen? How about some testosterone to add a little heft to pop culture's portrayal of nurses?

I mentioned this to my mother, a strong-willed woman of 92, and she scoffed. "Male nurses? It still just doesn't seem right to me," she said, without any logic behind her words. What was behind her words was history, stereotyping, and yes, sexism. When will society wake up to the fact that men, too, are human beings full of compassion and the ability to render care on all levels? Why are males limited to only 5.4 percent of the U.S. nursing population?

TV producers are missing an opportunity to "up" our collective thinking, impact our understanding and explore a new dimension. They thought "Star Trek" was the final frontier? Nah, "Nurse Jack" is still light years away.

source: Advanceweb.com Blogs

Read more...

Doctor Nurse?

Raleigh Nursing School Examiner
Dwayne Jeffcoat

Doctor of Nursing Practice:
A new concept for the field, and the region!

Have you ever thought of going to school to become a Nurse? Have you ever thought of becoming a Doctor? Did you ever think you could become both...simultaneously? Well, there is a relatively new field for Healthcare Professionals and it is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNPr or DNP). You may not become a physician but it is as close as you can get via nursing.

This "new" field is based on the principle that nurses who want to go beyond the BSN (baccalaureate) level of study, but do not see themselves becoming bogged down with the research and/or the teaching positions assumed with obtaining a PhD can do so. It is meant for those who want to continue to "get down and dirty" in the hospital systems and make a difference "on the front lines." Once you have obtained your BSN you can apply to a program of study encompassing a Masters curriculum (which you must first obtain) then, through obvious progression, one can move into the designated area of study for the DNP program. This pathway is usually a four year program because of the added Masters courses. However, if one has obtained their Masters in Nursing (in any one of the advance practice fields) can enter into the program with a two year coursework curriculum.

Most programs accommodate those of you who are willing to continue working while taking on this great task as well. They are Doctorate programs that "provide students with the skills and tools necessary to assess the evidence gained through nursing research, evaluate the impact of that research on their practice, and as necessary, make changes to enhance quality of care."

These new programs have "popped up" all over the country but the surprising notion is that the southern areas are not joining the band wagon so quickly. In fact, Duke University is the only school in North Carolina who is running the program. Their program has only been available to students since 2008! University of South Carolina and University of Virginia are the next two closest schools to offer the program (although Shenandoah University and Old Dominion University also offer the program).

The ability to bring in this new degree program will depend on its success and the interest of professionals in a more practical advanced professional degree.

source: http://www.examiner.com

Read more...

Top 10 Reasons Traveling Nurses Choose to Earn Their Bachelor's Degree Online

Jacksonville University's Online RN to BSN Program Provides Flexibility for Nurses

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Labor Department analysts predict that by 2012 the country will need 1 million nurses to care for the more than 60 million aging baby boomers population. By 2016, it is estimated that 587,000 new nursing jobs will be created nationwide - the largest number of new jobs created in any industry.

Institutions of higher learning, such as Jacksonville University (JU), are developing nursing degree programs to not only meet the needs of the healthcare industry but also the needs of those seeking the degrees. JU's online RN to BSN program is run in conjunction with the University Alliance (UA), the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country.

The challenge for registered nurses who are working but want to earn their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is how to schedule courses around their work schedules and other commitments. This is particularly true for traveling nurses, who typically work 13-week shifts then move on to another assignment, often in another locale.

Jacksonville University's administrators understand that traveling nurses do not want to put their education and careers on hold. JU's online BSN program is designed to overcome scheduling obstacles, and its administrators cite the following reasons why traveling nurses are choosing online programs like theirs:

1. A bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) degree makes a traveling nurse more marketable. Additional fields open up, including medical-surgical, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and many others.

2. Traveling nurses usually earn a higher hourly rate and can earn even more with a BSN. Pay scales range from $21 to $42 per hour, plus benefits.

3. An online program allows nurses to study while they travel. E-learning systems such as JU's provide the same information, material and degree as offered in a traditional classroom setting. In fact, a recent Department of Education study showed that, for adults, online learning is more effective than face-to-face learning, on several measures.

4. Online BSN programs are as flexible as the lifestyles of its students. "I am able to continue to work full-time and go to school part-time," said Candice Jewett of Massachusetts. "I have been able to work full-time and maintain a 4.0 in my online classes."

5. An online BSN program allows the flexibility to take sessions off. There are six 8-week sessions in a year, so students can tailor the program to match their own schedules. Students can opt to attend part-time and take off a session or two if needed.

6. Students can complete their BSN at their own pace. Most students complete the online BSN course in about two years.

7. Practice projects (clinicals) can be completed wherever there is a BSN-trained nurse. No travel is required to complete practice projects. At JU, two courses require projects, which are self-directed and allow students to work one-on-one with mentors.

8. Money is available to pay for nursing school. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's "Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources for Nursing Students" is a good place to start. Also, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. Individual states also may offer grants and loans. JU offers a helpful resource on how to pay for nursing school.

9. Many traveling nurse agencies offer tuition benefits. American Mobile Healthcare, NursesRx, Medical Express, RN Demand, Platinum Select, Nurse Choice and Preferred Healthcare Staffing have partnered with the University Alliance. A 10 percent tuition discount from JU and UA is available to traveling nurses who work for these agencies.

10. An Internet connection is all that's needed to get started. "The JU website is easy to access at any computer - whether I'm at home, at a friend's house or at the hospital," said Susan Cardona of Massachusetts.

For more information about JU's online RN to BSN program, visit http://www.jacksonvilleu.com.

About Jacksonville University
Founded more than 70 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville University has more than 18,000 alumni. With students from 44 states and 55 foreign countries, the university offers seven bachelor's degrees in more than 30 areas. JU offers one of the largest online RN to BSN degree programs in the country and is recognized as one of the nation's foremost teaching institutions. The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Jacksonville University was named one of "America's Best Colleges" for the fifth consecutive year in 2009 by U.S. News & World Report.

Contact:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Jacksonville University Online/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.jacksonvilleu.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Jacksonville University Online

Read more...

Nursing degree program expands, offers more flexibility

By Barbara Hollenbaugh
source: The Tribune Review

Registered nurses who seek bachelor's degrees may find it difficult for class and work schedules to jive.

To ease the burden, Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus, is taking classes to the nurses through satellite programs and adjustment of class schedules.

"We were receiving calls from these nurses," said Melissa Miner, coordinator of the nursing program. "They work during the day, so traditional classes don't always work for them. I worked with the continuing education department here to set up classes that worked with these nurses' schedules."

Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education, said that his goal was to make it "as accessible to as many students as possible."

Both Miner and Segilia said that the curriculum is student-centered. Segilia said that students could take one course every seven weeks.

"At the end of a 15-week semester, students will have taken two courses. That's six credits, which will make them eligible for financial aid."

Miner said that students would have the opportunity to earn as many as 33 credits, based on their portfolios.

Segilia said students can work in groups.

"Being in groups will promote team work," he said. "Also, students will have a strong support system amongst other students."

Miner said demand for nurses with bachelor's degrees is strong.

"The demand for nurses who hold a bachelor's degree is high. Nurses who hold this degree will be able to go into specialty areas or into management and administration," she said. "This program will focus on research, on community nursing and also on integrating computers into nursing care."

The program was launched in 2001 and held at several locations, including Somerset Hospital and Uniontown Hospital. Westmoreland County Community College is the next location at which it will be held.

"Many of the students who were interested in the program lived closer to WCCC than to Penn State Fayette," Segilia said. "These nurses have their associate degrees from WCCC and feel comfortable there. This program will allow them to continue their education there."

Ruth Irwin, director of the nursing program at WCCC, said this program allows students to continue their nursing education at Penn State.

"It opens doors for them into management and administration. Some of the nurses may even earn their master's degree in nursing."

Read more...

Nursing Scholarships from MinorityNurse.com

Announcement: If you are interested in a Scholarship Directory that has been helping parents and students from various countries to find the best scholarships since 2003, Click Here!

Minoritynurse.com made a great effort to compile available nursing scholarships for minority nursing students. Scholarships can be awarded based on various criteria such as financial need, academic achievement and involvement in community service. Some scholarships even requirepost graduation work. Contact the sponsoring organizations for more detailed information.

Try their custom scholarship search tool.

Or find out more from their website:
http://www.minoritynurse.com/browse-our-nursing-scholarship-listings

Read more...

Scholarship to Honor Nursing Student’s Heroic Act

A $1,000 scholarship is being developed by Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, Texas) and United Regional Health Care System in honor of a nursing student who performed a heroic act, according to a news release.

In June, senior-year student Richard Duncan used his training to save the life of a 5-year-old boy. While vacationing in Turner Falls, Okla., he responded to the cries of a mother in chest-deep water holding the limp body of her little boy. After assessing the boy’s condition, Duncan began CPR and, after several minutes, was able to bring the boy back to consciousness. He continued life-saving procedures until the local EMT and police departments arrived. Since that time, the boy has shown no negative side effects from the ordeal.

Duncan, who is currently employed at URHCS in Wichita Falls, was praised by the police and the EMTs for his heroic efforts that saved the boy’s life.

To honor Duncan, the $1,000 scholarship is being jointly developed by MSU and URHCS. The first scholarship will be awarded to Duncan at a URHCS board meeting this month.

source: http://news.nurse.com/article/20090810/SC02/108100089

Read more...

Increase in male nurses causes social change

Stereotype of mostly female nurses dispelled due to more men entering nursing program

A.J. Dugger
source: www.theallstate.com

Male nurses do exist, and many of them are learning the tricks of the trade at Austin Peay State University. One of them is Kenneth Chessman, sophomore nursing major. "I always wanted to do something medically," Chessman said.

When the word "nurse" is mentioned, a womanly figure is instantly placed into the minds of most people. The stereotype of all nurses being females has been consistent ever since nursing became a common job.

"All the guys were going to war, and the females would help them out when they were shot or blown up," Chessman said, referring to the early wars when nursing became common. The word "nurse," along with "teacher" or "secretary," is most commonly associated with women.

"There's a stereotype that goes with it," said freshman Ceantanna Harrison. Some of these stereotypes spilled over into punch lines in the hit movie "Meet the Parents" where Ben Stiller plays a male nurse (and no one lets him forget it). As the years go by, male nurses are increasing slowly, yet they are still looked at strangely.

"It is typical that when you go to the hospital or doctor's office, you do see female nurses," said Marissa Chandler, director of Trio Student Support Services at APSU. "But with times changing, and there being such a high demand of nurses, I think that slowly it will evolve. Male nurses can add a whole new ballgame to the field."

Mark Gray, the tutor coordinator and computer lab supervisor for Trio Student Support Services, agrees with Chandler. "There are times when a nurse has to move or roll a patient over, and a male nurse might be stronger and able to move a bigger patient," said Gray. "I think male nurses are definitely a good thing," Chandler added.

With the world always evolving and changing, many people find male nurses can be very helpful. Jeanine Thurmond, junior nursing major, has been a licensed practical nurse for seven years. "I've had the experience of working with many male nurses," Thurmond said. "I found it to be phenomenal. They're really awesome when it comes to carrying out duties."

Thurmond also had a male nurse when she had her baby three years ago. "He was wonderful," Thurmond reflected. "He was sensitive. I thought it was kind of strange to actually have a male nurse instead of working with one, but he was the best."

In 2005, out of 189 nursing majors at APSU, 26 of them were males. "The world is more open and accepting of male nurses," said Joeann Burteff, the interim director of nursing at APSU. "There is a place in nursing for the male gender. We see more males going into this predominant female profession, and it could be because you see more females going into the predominant male professions now."

Burteff is right. Along with male nurses, male beauticians are also becoming more common. Another aspect is the different techniques employed by men and women for the job.

"A woman might be real soft and gentle," said Kaya Ray, junior pre-med chemistry major. The gentleness of a female nurse may really come in handy at times, especially when they have child patients. On the other hand, some male patients may feel awkward talking to women nurses about certain things.

"They [male patients] may feel comfortable talking to another man about their issues. That may be one contributing factor," said Kendra Dunn, academic counselor for Trio Student Support Services.

All in all, there are probably still some men out there who would love to become a nurse, but are too frightened of the stereotype to step up to the role. "If you have the knowledge and the work ethic to achieve that (nursing), I think that anyone should go for it," said Sally Allen, the admissions manager at APSU.

In fact, the lack of male nurses these days could actually help more men to get the nursing jobs a little easier. "Male nurses have a better chance of getting into the nursing program than women do, because there is a lack of them," said freshman Jeannie Williams.

While male nurses may still be somewhat rare, the increase is steadily building. Perhaps maybe less than 40 years from now, male nurses might be as common as female nurses.

Read more...

Male Nurses

Many men think that nursing is an occupation for females, or they think that others believe that, and this holds them back from what could be a very satisfying career. But the idea that “nursing is for women” is a myth, and it’s time to put that myth to rest once and for all. There are a few nursing specialties that are off limits for men, like labor and delivery, for understandable reasons, but otherwise nursing is a wide open field for males.

And more and more men are recognizing that fact all the time, and switching careers to become nurses. Right now, men make up around 9 percent of all nurses, but that’s a huge increase from recent decades. In fact, the percentage of nurses who are men continues to climb every year. By some reports, men now make up nearly 20 percent of all nursing students. There’s no basis in history for believing that nursing is a female profession, either. Yes, we’ve all read about Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale in school, but historically, up until relatively recently, nursing was a very male profession.

Walt Whitman, the famous poet, was a military nurse during the civil war. There have been entire orders of monks who’ve dedicated their lives to the calling of nursing. Even the Knights of Malta started out as a group of nurses, way back in the Middle Ages. So there’s nothing unmasculine about nursing. And nursing is attracting more men these days for the same reason more women are thinking about a nursing career-it’s a highly respected occupation, it’s an opportunity to serve and help others, there are far more job openings than nurses to fill them, the pay and benefits are great, the flexibility and ability to specialize in different areas are far more abundant in nursing than in most other occupations. So if you’re thinking of becoming a nurse, don’t be held back because you don’t think it’s a job for men. You’ll have plenty of other male coworkers in the nursing field. There are even professional associations, magazines and websites just for male nurses. Far from being a misfit, as a male nurse, you’ll be something of a trendsetter.

article source: http://www.nursingjobshelp.com/male_nurses.htm

Read more...

All Nursing Schools Sheds Light on Online Nursing Degree Opportunities in a Rough Economy

Online nursing degrees provide students with an excellent option for a less expensive education in the thriving nursing industry.
According to All Nursing Schools, the nursing shortage creates opportunity for the qualified nurse, and online nursing degrees are becoming a popular and effective way to capitalize on that opportunity. While the economy is suffering, nursing career prospects are plentiful as baby boomers age and seasoned nurses retire, and convenient, online degrees offer flexibility and financially prudent options for the modern student.

All Nursing Schools continues to provide its industry-leading resources to help current and prospective students learn more about the many online nursing degree program options available in today's Web 2.0 world. Many people earning their nursing degrees can write their own ticket to success, but because nursing schools are increasingly finding themselves at or near full enrollment, schools are developing high-quality online nursing degree programs to accommodate the influx of new students.

"Online nursing degrees have many perks, including no commutes, flexible study schedules, accelerated degrees for the motivated student, and economical program choices," says Dana Larsen, career researcher for All Nursing Schools. "But students need to do their research and be conscientious about finding accredited schools and courses, and All Nursing Schools is an excellent resource to help students with their online nursing degree search."

source: PRWeb

Read more...

Unemployed men create social upheaval

by Judith Kleinfeld
Source: Anchorage Daily News

"Rodney Ringler is an unemployed bluecollar male without a college degree. Men like him have been the main victims of the current recession in the United States," points out a recent story in Reuters.

"'I haven't worked since December of 2007, around the time this recession started. I've been looking into law enforcement because it's a growth area.'"

He hasn't been able to get a foothold.

In July, male unemployment hit 10.5 percent. Ten percent is the tripwire, a signal of a serious social problem.

Unemployment for women is just 8 percent.

More than 4 out of 5 jobs lost in this recession have been to men.

This is historically unprecedented. In 2006 and 2007, male and female unemployment rates were about equal, under 5 percent, In 2008, male unemployment skyrocketed.

The men hit the hardest are blue-collar workers without a college education. This is going to get worse because colleges have become increasingly female (almost 60 percent).

The reasons for this dangerous male plight are easy to find. Construction and manufacturing, two high-wage areas dominated by men, are declining, as are some white-collar fields like banking.

Many skilled and semi-skilled jobs have gone overseas.

Women, on the other hand, have jobs in sectors that are doing better -- health, education and government. In health, for example, women are 75 percent of the job market, which expanded by nearly 3 percent in 2008 alone.

Male unemployment brings social disruption, not just less money. Most women still expect men to be the major breadwinner, and they are in 75 percent of American families. Further, it is the man's job that usually brings health insurance to the family.

For men, work is far more apt to be the pillar of their identities, and the loss of their job is a body blow. The stress and anxiety of unemployment increases male depression. Unemployed men have four times the rate of depression as married men.

As unemployment drags on, self-esteem drops, and men find it hard to summon the energy to look for a new job.

Family conflicts are as negative a result of employment as economic problems. Unemployment increases divorce, many longitudinal studies show. Unemployed men are not attractive partners on the marriage market.

Divorce creates a cascade of problems of its own, especially for children. For many, academic achievement drops, behavioral problems increase, and school dropouts rise. Parenting becomes erratic, with some parents getting overly close to the children, looking to them for the companionship their spouse used to provide.

Overworked mothers have less time to devote to the children and are dealing with new stresses, from worries about their own financial viability to the shock of starting to date again.

What can be done? Men need to move out of occupations with bleak prospects and to move into fields like education, and, especially, health.

Male nurses are in high demand. Just 6 percent of the nursing profession is male, according to the magazine Male Nurse, which features hunks as nurses. Salaries are high, the magazine points out, and male nursing school graduates are snapped up.

Renaming nursing jobs with titles more palatable to men would also help, and the stigma of men entering female fields will decrease as more and more men do enter these occupations.

We need to pay more attention to the schools, which are increasingly becoming less hospitable to boys. Male literacy is at a historic low, dropout is high, and schools have less and less tolerance for rough-and-tumble play, labeled as aggression.

The country has hit the tripwire for male unemployment and the future is not hard to predict. A large and growing cadre of unemployed men, especially young men, is a formula for social instability.

Judith Kleinfeld is co-director of Northern Studies and a professor of psychology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Read more...

Nursing Schools Aim To Increase Enrollment And Educators

By CityTownInfo.com Staff

Nursing schools in Maryland, Florida and California are taking steps to stave off a severe nursing shortage that experts expect will occur within the next decade.

In Maryland, $15.5 million--financed through contributions from healthcare providers, insurers and individuals--will be provided to 17 nursing schools through the Maryland Hospital Association over the next five years. Institutions that will receive the grants include Montgomery College, Prince George's Community College, Anne Arundel Community College, the College of Southern Maryland, Howard Community College and the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

"We're getting older, getting ready to retire, and the demand is going to increase," explained John M. Colmers, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who was quoted in The Washington Post.

According to Catherine Crowley, vice president of the Maryland Hospital Association, the state will require 10,000 more nurses to meet the needs of the aging population and to replace the many nurses expected to retire within the next few years. Yet the problem, she explained, is a lack of qualified nursing educators and a lack of available open slots for students in nursing schools. The funds are aimed at helping nursing schools accept more students and hire more nursing educators.

In Florida, a recent report by the Florida Center for Nursing indicated that the state will also face a nursing shortage within the next decade. "Shortages in nursing are cyclical. They tend to respond to economic drivers," noted Mary Lou Brunell, executive director of the Florida Center for Nursing, who was quoted in The Orlando Sentinel. "This shortage is different. It's not driven by the economy, but by an aging population--both nurses and patients."

Yet as in Maryland, staving off Florida's crisis would require expanding nursing schools and hiring more nursing educators. In 2007-2008, more than 12,000 qualified applicants were turned away from state nursing education programs in Florida due to lack of space.

The Sentinel reports that the University of Central Florida's nursing school is addressing the problem by working with local community colleges to retrain nurses to work as teachers. Additionally, they offer teaching opportunities to nursing staff from local hospitals. According to Judith Rutland, coordinator of nursing education at UCF, school administrators have met with healthcare and government officials to try to increase the number of teachers.

In California, the Senate Education Committee last week approved Assembly Bill 867, which is aimed at ultimately increasing the number of nurses in the state. The bill will allow California State Universities to offer doctorate of nursing programs so that the institutions will be able to train teachers of nurses.

But such efforts are not likely to help significantly unless nursing students are given the financial incentive to become educators, notes California's Ventura County Reporter. "The real issue," the article points out, "is that a career in education just isn't worth it to many nurses looking to work their way up in the healthcare system."

Read more...