felbrymaster, Author at Felbry College

Posted on August 2, 2017

Enrollment into Felbry’s Nursing School Program is a great step for individuals looking to receive a quality education in the field of nursing and propel them toward a rewarding career as a nurse. There are several steps required to enroll in our nursing program. We encourage anyone that has considered a nursing career to browse our website and learn how to get started. We’re ready for you when you’re ready to begin!

Enrollment

The following are some steps to take when considering enrollment in Felbry’s Nursing School.

Schedule a campus visit to speak with an admission representative and tour facility
Complete an application form and pay registration fee
Schedule an entrance exam if a program requires one
A valid driver’s license, proof of US residency, and social security card are required
Check admissions criteria for required documents
Apply for FAFSA to gain financial aid
Schedule a financial interview to determine various payment options available
Schedule time to attend orientation session once your offer letter is received

Grants

Felbry College School of Nursing awards grants and scholarships to potential students. Outside organizations and agencies which provide grants and scholarships are accepted. Students who attend Felbry and withdraw are expected to repay student loans regardless of success in the program.

The admissions process is, for the most part, pretty straight forward. We encourage all students who are considering Felbry to take time to review enrollment options and make sure all required documents are filled out and submitted for review to ensure the best opportunity for success.

Felbry College is all about student success. We are here to help guide you in the process of discerning whether we are the right school for you including how to enroll in our programs.
Call us to find out how to get started!

Posted on July 20, 2017

Applying for financial aid is necessary for most students to make college affordable. The Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the process. Completion of the form on a yearly basis helps students acquire funds to continue schooling. Learn more about how to make nursing school affordable with financial aid from Felbry.

Nursing School Financial Aid

Felbry College provides flexible options for making payments towards tuition and other fees associated with our programs. The first step is to connect with representatives at Felbry who work with you directly to identify specific financial needs. Affordable payment plans or referrals for educational grants are part of the process. Felbry loves to help students find the right financial aid programs to support an education.

FAFSA

A new FAFSA form can be found online through the federal student aid website. The FAFSA must be filed every year after January 1st and before the state deadline. Flexible, interest-free payments are available. Financial aid is rewarded based on information provided on the form. Contact financial aid for more information at Felbry for more support at (614) 781-1085.

Scholarships Awards and Grants

Scholarships do not have to be repaid. They are financial donations to your education and serve to propel you along your desired career path. Many scholarships exist through employers, individuals, private companies, communities and more. Felbry provides generous opportunities to apply for scholarships and grants based on criteria such as academic achievement and financial need. The following are just a few of the scholarships on offer:

Academic Excellence and Merit provided for a one-time benefit for a student whose GPA is 3.7 along with demonstrated leadership qualities and good conduct among other requirements.
Grants for all new students enrolled in any program (LPN, LPN-RN, RN or ADN). Students must demonstrate financial need and enroll in a 3 or 4 semester schedule.

Additional Financial Assistance

A few additional resources exist for individuals who want to apply for tuition assistance and educational grants. The following include:

Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Juliana Tolani Scholarship

The aim of Felbry’s financial aid programs is to provide opportunities for students who demonstrate need and a commitment to education at Felbry. Contact us to find out how we can support your educational journey.

Posted on July 11, 2017

People study nursing for many different reasons and often have differing goals for the resulting career. One of the big drivers for nursing students is that the field has plenty of job opportunities and comes with a great degree of respect and satisfaction. Nursing is about caring for others and there’s nothing more noble in our world. A nursing career can be quite lucrative too, if you find your niche and specialize your skills for high pay job sectors. Let’s run down a list of other reasons that nursing is a great career choice.

Nursing Jobs are In Demand

One of the fastest growing occupations in the United States is nursing, with a greater need for caregivers and qualified nurses to care for our aging elders and patients combating chronic disease. Opportunities for nurses will continue to expand in the next several years. The aging population within the United States will drive demand ever higher, along with some of the following reasons:

Retiree vacancies will continue to see openings grow in the coming years. Predictions demonstrate hundreds of thousands of nurses will be needed in the next few years.
Population growth is fueling demand with increased longevity and the need for healthcare services. Advanced practice nurses will be needed for preventative and primary care with a huge need to fill openings for elderly populations.
Rural healthcare programs and grants will become available to those seeking employment in high need areas. Typically remote, isolated and understaffed regions of the United States, rural regions will see an uptick in need with a desire to fill positions.

Job Security

The overall career field of nursing provides economic stability and job security, both highly attractive to nursing graduates. Options for work will increase while the opportunity to specialize and expand your career continue to unfold. It might mean taking a less than desirable job in a location that is not the primary choice at first, but jobs will become available with more experience, allowing nurses to continue their education and seek out new jobs tailored to their unique skill set.

Nursing is a Diverse Field

A wide-ranging career field, nursing is one that never has a dull moment on the job. A person working with other individuals who have any variety of ailments and concerns will never be bored. New patients come in daily which require new decisions, present new problems to solve, and keep everyone on their toes. Some fields in nursing are as varied as they come including:

Travel nurses who relocate to cities with the highest need or go abroad to help manage health clinics, treat patients, or educate local staff in other countries.
Flight nurses provide pre-hospital, emergency, and critical care to individuals needing medical evacuation via air transport or tend to individual victims of a natural disaster.
Research nurses work with some of the front leading researchers in medicine and science around the world. Typically these nurses are among the first to know about medical developments and advances.
Emergency room nurses enjoy the work of a fast-paced environment treating patients who need immediate attention, have been in an accident, or are in a high risk situation.

Nurses Make a Difference

Commitment and dedication is needed to be a nurse. Nurses experience a rewarding career but not without hard work, grit, and determination. The work put in is equal to the reward. Skills will be learned that can be adapted to life and work situations. Nurses help patients and families during high times of need. Listening, thinking, organizing, and leading are all skills needed to be a high level nurse. An individual not only makes a decent living but also feels good about the rewarding nature of the work over the lifespan of one’s career.

Felbry College supports students in finding the career path of their dreams. If you desire a rewarding profession with room for professional and personal growth, call us. Let us help you find the right educational path.

Posted on July 5, 2017

Finding the right nursing job out of college can be one of the first big challenges facing graduates. A little work goes a long way towards securing that desired position. It takes putting some effort into the job search to make things go smoothly and quickly. Learn some helpful tips to get started on the job hunt here in Columbus and elsewhere in the USA.

Reality Matters

It may take some sacrifices up front, but sometimes the reality of the job market does not allow for the dream job or location right away. While using loans or working part time in school both help build the course for graduation, getting out into the real world is a much different story. Come to terms with what is realistic, apply for jobs where they exist, and start somewhere before looking for that dream location. We all have to build up our resumes and work experience to get to that position we’ve been eyeing for so long. Stay focused and do the work, you’ll get there!

Be Flexible

Specific goals are the best way to get organized for the job search. Some helpful tips for staying flexible but goal-oriented include:

Know what population feels good to work with
Think about the kind of role that will be most rewarding
Pick some specific areas and start by applying there

Use Clinicals

Clinicals, for those who get them, are a great opportunity to seek out the nurse manager or other person in charge and introduce yourself. Tell them about how your nursing school experience is shaping a future in medicine for you. Nurse managers typically love to hear from students in clinicals. Show genuine interest and have a great personality that shines while producing quality work with an open attitude. This will show positively if and when a student chooses to apply for work at that location.

School Credentials Don’t Matter (Much)

Hiring managers do not pay as much attention to GPAs or school extracurriculars as one might think. A few of the traits managers may be looking for include:

Great personality
Professional attitude
Integration into the team
Honesty about strengths and weaknesses
Accountability for actions
Strong desire to learn and be teachable

Write Cover Letters

First impressions matter. Put in good effort and don’t be too generic. People can read between the lines so be genuine. Create a resume that stands out but is still professional. Go to networking events and use nursing school contacts to help score connections. Getting a degree in nursing or any profession is not a guarantee of employment. Potential employers look for people who apply and follow up, then demonstrate their ability to back it up with action. Be willing to work hard and the jobs will come.

Felbry College helps prepare graduates for the job market by providing support and resources for the search. We are there every step of the way. Call us to find out how we can help you get started on an education that will take you places.

Posted on June 28, 2017

Felbry College School of Nursing is one of the best options for prospective students to select from when looking for the perfect educational experience. One of the best things about choosing Felbry College is that it’s more than a school, it is a community with a family of instructors committed to student success beginning to end and beyond. Learn more about the key benefits of choosing Felbry College for a nursing school education.

Overview

Individuals from various cultural backgrounds thrive at Felbry College due to the imparting of skills taught by world class faculty committed to student success. The knowledge needed on the job as well as softer skills such as demonstrating compassion and care for patients is part of the well-rounded experience of a Felbry College education. Every student will have the opportunity to be active in the community and benefits from a student-centered approach, focused on engagement and interaction in and out of the classroom. Felbry College helps nursing students become lifelong learners in the ever changing profession of nursing. Other benefits include:

Comprehensive programs that are challenging and build confidence in nursing skills
Faculty and administrative staff dedicated to success of every student
Provide support for underprivileged, under-served, and underrepresented populations of students
Dedicated to helping students who may have lost hope for a career in nursing find a home at Felbry College
Smaller class sizes
In person and online course offerings
World class city in which to study and do clinical experience if so desired

Thrive at Felbry

Students who pursue a nursing degree at Felbry College can request information over the phone or online. Programs are offered in person and online to suit student needs. Some of the following are also reasons why students thrive at Felbry College:

Accredited by Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools including ACICS program recognized by United States Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Students with a high school diploma or General Education Development Test (GED) are welcome to apply
Financial aid in various forms is offered through the Office of Financial Aid and through FAFSA
All classes currently offered on campus with small classes for individualized attention
Qualified instructors focused on their area of discipline to teach challenging curricula
VA benefits accepted

Felbry Family

Joining the Felbry family is not something students or the school take lightly. Every student who comes through Felbry College’s doors is going to have a unique, individualized experience and bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. Instructors provide lots of opportunity for one-on-one attention and keep an open door policy to discuss coursework and work-life balance issues with a demanding career ahead. Courses are made flexible to maximize opportunities for student growth and accelerator programs are a great way for some students to take on the challenge of fast tracking an education in a short period of time. Felbry College is not just a school, it is a community of students and faculty moving together to create change now and in the future.

Considering joining the Felbry College family?
Call us to find out how we can help you get started on the next step in your educational journey.

Posted on June 25, 2017

To be a nurse is a great personal and professional choice. The nursing field provides many opportunities to be successful while working to help educate, transform, and save lives. The first year of nursing school may be filled with excitement and mixed emotions but it will also set you up for a lifetime of rewarding work and personal satisfaction. With the right attitude and information, any person can get the most out of a first year on through to graduation.

What to Expect in Nursing School

A four-year nursing program may see a student taking classes that also exist in the associate’s degree program, as well as general education and nursing theory classes. Four year programs also offer more advanced training for Registered Nurse credentials and other specializations. Regardless of the degree, whether two or four year, a nursing education will provide ample opportunities to learn in the classroom, work hands-on in labs, and get a feel for the job during clinical rotations. Nursing schools may provide affiliations with hospitals, mental health clinics, and nursing homes as part of residential education. Nursing Programs vary so it pays to find out what the expectations are early on and work to maintain the best outcome possible.

First Year of Nursing School

Learn as much as possible that first year and be prepared! Enjoy the experience but also consider some of the following ways to make the most of it:

School will be challenging and time-consuming. Nursing school is not as easy as some people think. There is so much to learn and contend with. Accept the fact that things will be hectic for a time and prioritize accordingly.
Not everything will be amazing but some classes and aspects of rotations may be challenging. Try not to get discouraged if a class is not fully enjoyable or if you aren’t an expert on your first try. You’re here to learn and acquire skills, which means lots of practice.
Keep an open mind before and during nursing school. The plan may be to become an emergency room nurse but it is a great idea to know what you want while trying to keep an open mind towards what is most interesting and available.
Rotation through different hospitals may come up as a possibility. Take advantage and speak with medical workers in different specialties to learn more about the various areas of work available.
Learning time management skills is important early on. Nurses need to have great time management skills to juggle caseloads, orders, treatments, and charting requirements.

Troubleshooting

Everyone is bound to encounter some problems during the first year of nursing school. What helps is not ignoring the situation. Whether in regards classes or experiencing challenges of coping with what is seen on the job, help is available. Speak with a trusted adviser or individual. It pays to be honest with oneself and try to determine the problem that exists. Use the situation to speak with instructors and find a way to make adjustments where needed to improve study habits, grades, or other issues which may have risen up.

Nursing is a great career choice. The field provides many opportunities to learn and grow as a professional and to help others in a way that few other fields can. The choice of attending a nursing school is the first step along a lifetime of fulfilling work and care. Take heart and realize that everyone deals with all of the stress in different ways. Stay open to new experiences and believe in yourself. We’re rooting for you!

Felbry College is the right place to be if you are ready to start a nursing school education that makes a difference. Call us to find out how to get started.

Posted on June 20, 2017

An alarming trend is taking shape across America. A shortage of nurses is happening for the first time in decades. Due to an aging population, the rising incidence of chronic disease, and an aging workforce of existing nurses has led to a shortage in qualified nurses in the medical field. While this is some cause for concern among hospital administrators and other industry leaders, it means a great deal of opportunity awaits today’s nursing student. With a larger job market ready to accept qualified candidates, the prospects for nursing school grads are better than ever!

Expanding Profession

Nearly 3 million nurses exist in the healthcare field with nursing making up one of the fastest growing occupations in the country. In spite of growth, demand is going up exponentially. Millions of vacancies will emerge for nurses between 2017 and 2022. By 2025, the shortfall is expected to be more than twice as large as any nurse shortage experienced since Medicare and Medicaid was introduced in the mid-1960s.

Industry Drivers

There are many reasons why the nursing profession and industry for healthcare professionals is growing rapidly. Some of the reasons include:

Looming Baby Boomer crisis of people over age 65 needing medical support
Healthcare demand for chronic conditions
Aging population and chronic disease are creating a perfect storm
Country’s nurses are aging rapidly and retiring

Filling vacancies for retiring nurses is not as simple as training more nurses. Potential qualified nurses are being turned away due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, and graduate programs amidst budget constraints. Nursing faculty members are also facing retirement which makes it challenging to expand cohorts.

The Right Fit

Students who train to become nurses are looking for many things upon graduation. Among them are a good salary, strong cultural fit, flexible hours, and manageable expectations. Working where a nurse can practice in full scope of licensing is most desirable and each state allows for different things depending on guidelines. Nurse practitioners, for example, are more limited in some states and have more freedom in others. Education in rural areas may be limited to associate’s degrees but should not limit prospects to practice. Other strategies to address the nursing shortage have included:

Public-private partnerships and incentives for nurses to become educators
Launching a campaign featuring TV commercials, videos, website and brochures to promote benefits of a nursing career
Fellowships and loan forgiveness offered to nurses who teach after graduation
Federal grants for nursing schools and organizations to advance educational programs, promote diversity, repay loans and train nurses for seniors

A nursing shortage is one of the greatest assets to training in the field. For prospective nursing students who are considering a degree in nursing, the field is ever growing and ever changing. The dynamic nature of nursing will guarantee a place for qualified nursing graduates now and in the future for a long time to come.

Now is the time to consider a nursing degree. Felbry College is focused on excellence in teaching a diverse student body to enter the workforce with the highest level of education possible with support and resources provided throughout the process. Give us a call to find out how to get started.

Posted on June 15, 2017

Nursing school can seem like a long and arduous trek through an intense curriculum, challenging information, and new ways of thinking. The first week will be filled with a mixture of emotions ranging from excitement to fear, anticipation to joy, and of course, stress. As millions of nurses in America can attest, it is not only possible to survive the first week of nursing school, but also to set yourself up to thrive throughout your nursing education.

Know Your Classmates

Once school begins, your classmates will be the ones you come to rely on for pretty much everything. Whether taking courses in person or online, this group is the cohort that will be present throughout your program. Whatever emotions you experience in the first week, rest assured that your peers are facing the same challenges. At the very least, this helps an individual not to feel so alone. Some classmates may become good friends while others are passing acquaintances. Rely on this support network to get through the stress of school, air any grievances, and connect over studies.

Get Organized

A course syllabus is the student’s best tool to stay organized throughout nursing school. Whether it is a calendar app on your phone or a paper organizer, a good tool for keeping track of your responsibilities is invaluable. Some helpful hints to get organized using the syllabus include:

Entering all dates and projects into a calendar system
Lay out the semester ahead once your syllabus is released
Mentally give space to processing all the deadlines to stay ahead
Being organized and prepared will help relieve stress now and in the future

Meet the Teachers

Instructors will be instrumental to your success in nursing school. Become acquainted with each instructor by introducing yourself and letting them know your goals for their course. Instructors want to get to know who is in their classes and always appreciate feedback from students eager to learn. Sharing knowledge and empowering students is part of the teaching process. Establishing a connection with instructors now can help navigate expectations for the course including grading and other issues that may arise later. These instructors may turn into lifelong colleagues as you progress in your career.

Check Expectations

Even the best student with high grades prior to nursing school can struggle with the shifts in expectations. Most students receive great grades in high school and college but find nursing school to be an entirely different process. Getting straight A’s may not be possible for every student but getting a B is not necessarily a failure. A good nurse is always learning throughout his or her career so take this one step at a time and commit yourself to digesting and understanding the material. Grades are an indicator of your progress. If they need improvement, spend more time on your trouble spots. Remember, this is about setting you up to help others in your career as a nurse so take it seriously and absorb everything you can.

Get Excited

Lots of emotions will be present when starting school but it helps to remember the journey lasts a lifetime. Get excited, be proud, and get ready to buckle down. Think about all the friendships that will be made and knowledge that will accumulate but don’t forget about all the great things ahead of you. Relationships are a big part of the equation so take time to digest it all and get excited to be a nurse.

Felbry College provides a diverse, student-centered approach to education.

Call us to find out how we can support your dream of becoming a nurse.

Posted on June 2, 2017

If you’re having difficulty finding a job as a nurse, there are other ways to put your degree to work.

These days, a nursing degree doesn’t necessarily equate to a job right out of school.

Employers looking for experience and older nurses delaying retirement have made it more difficult for the next generation of nurses to find work after graduation. However, all is not lost and there are options.

With intricate knowledge of the health care system, your nursing skills could prove useful in alternative careers you may not have thought of.

A nurse needs to possess certain qualities to succeed and many of these characteristics can be useful in other fields. A few important attributes include:

Problem-solving skills
Excellent attention to detail
Organized
Team player

What else can you do with these skills? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that some nurses find work at blood drives, health screenings, in research and consulting. Here’s a look at some of your other non-nursing options:

Medical Writer

If you’ve got a way with words, you may find a thriving career as a medical writer. Your medical background gives you the expertise to write in a variety of mediums, including:

White papers
Online articles
Textbooks
Grant proposals
Marketing materials

This is a career where your attention to detail is important. Strong grammar and spelling proficiency is imperative as are solid research skills.

How to Get Started

Many medical writers work as freelancers which gives you flexibility and a way to be your own boss. However, be prepared to spend a lot of time marketing yourself at first in order to secure regular work.

Another option is to find employment with a health care facility or marketing agency. This can give you a bit more job security and benefits.

What you can do:

Create a portfolio of your work, ideally with health care writing samples.
If you don’t have enough material to create a portfolio, start a blog. If you’re interested in a certain area of nursing, carve out a niche and market yourself as an expert in the topic.
Join professional organizations such as the American Medical Writers Association.

Patient Advocacy

While many roles in public health require a degree in psychology or social work, many nurses with bachelor’s degrees or higher are turning to patient advocacy as a full-time career.

As a trained nurse, you’re accustomed to making patient care your top priority. Problem-solving skills and a supportive nature are two of the most important qualities you’ll need in this role.

Some of your duties might include:

Communicate to patients and their families about procedures
Explain patient rights
Support people of varying backgrounds

Some nurses who go into patient advocacy open their own firms, but if that doesn’t interest you, these companies can still be a good place to look for a job.

How to Get Started

Decide on the area of health care you plan to advocate for, particularly if you don’t have a nursing specialization.
Brush up on your communication skills. Enroll in seminars offering help with public speaking, diplomacy and general communication practices.

Sales

It may seem like the furthest career path from nursing, but pharmaceutical or medical device sales is not an uncommon career choice for people with nursing degrees. Since you have the medical expertise, as well as familiarity with certain medical equipment, you can provide knowledgeable explanations to potential buyers.

If you enjoy talking to people, have a knack for networking and are thick-skinned, a sales position may provide a good salary and the potential for career advancement.

How to Get Started

Include any previous sales experience on your resume.
Consider earning the voluntary Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) certification. You’ll need to complete a training program as part of the process.
Stay up to date on the latest developments on pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

While these are just a few non-clinical career options, take solace in knowing you may find opportunities available to nurses of all experience levels and specializations.

Posted on May 15, 2017

Approximately six percent of the registered nurse (RN) population works in home healthcare services. They travel to patients’ homes, schools, community centers, or nursing homes to provide secondary or tertiary care. Home health nurses offer hands-on treatment, and they educate patients and family members about proper care and prevention. They work with a broad range of patients including the elderly, the terminally ill, the physically disabled, patients in accident rehabilitation, mothers recovering from childbirth, and sick infants.

Home health nurses may fill some of the same duties as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), such as bathing and dressing patients. They are also licensed to provide specialized care like administering medicines and treatments, performing diagnostic tests, operating medical equipment, recording medical histories and symptoms, treating wounds, and establishing care plans.

To become a home health nurse, you must first gain licensure as a registered nurse. There are well over 2,000 state-approved RN training programs across the country. Many are taught at technical schools, community colleges, and hospitals, while the most prestigious are offered at four-year colleges and universities. Three common pathways to RN licensure are the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), and hospital diploma. ADN and hospital diploma programs require two to three years of fulltime study, while a BSN program takes four years to complete. Although it may take longer, the BSN pathway is the preferred credential of many top healthcare employers.

All pathways prepare graduates to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is mandatory in all states. Additional certification is not required for home health nurses. This option was once available, but the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has since retired both the home healthcare nurse and the home health clinical nurse specialist exams. Certification renewal is the only option for home health nurses that already have the credential.

Another credential, the Certificate for OASIS Specialist-Clinical (COS-C), is a voluntary certificate that enables home care providers to demonstrate their expertise in Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data accuracy. According to Wolters Kluwer’s Lippincott Nursing Center, certification in OASIS completion is becoming critically important. This certification could enhance a home health nurse’s earnings potential and employment opportunities.

A successful home health nursing career starts with an RN degree from an accredited college or university.