Posted by Centura College on May 12, 2017 in Adult Education, Career Change, Centura Chesapeake, Centura College, Centura Norfolk, Centura Richmond, Health, Lifestyle, Practical Nursing, Spotlight Feature
By Esperanza Poquiz Edited by Jul DeGeus
International Nurses Day is a day for people around the world to give thanks to the subtle heroes who quietly help save lives, daily. Though nurses should be appreciated every day, it’s always nice to have a dedicated time to celebrate these hard working professionals. International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12th, which is the anniversary of the birth of one of the most famous nurses in history, Florence Nightingale. Today, Centura College acknowledges a few nurses that helped changed history and say thank you to all the nurses around the globe.
Source: Library of Congress
Florence Nightingale is widely known as the founder of modern nursing. In 1854, the Secretary of War, Sidney Herbert, requested Nightingale to assemble a unit of nurses to help aide the soldiers of Crimea. Not only did Nightingale care for the wounded, but she also improved the hospital’s living conditions. Before her arrival, soldiers were dying more from infectious diseases than actual battle wounds obtained on the field. She was able to help drop the mortality rates in the hospitals by changing the sanitary methods in the facility. Her work did not go unnoticed and she was honored with the title of “the Angel of the Crimea.” (1)
Source: Library of Congress
Clara Barton, or “the Angel of the Battlefield,” is the founder of American Red Cross. Barton traveled with Army ambulances during the American Civil War. She tended to the victims of the battlefield, distributed supplies, and provided comfort and support to patients in hopes to keep the moral high. After the war was over, Barton headed a program that helped locate and identify men, both alive and deceased, to notifying their families of their statuses. When her duties to the Civil War were complete, Barton traveled to Europe and came into contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Inspired by what the organization stood for, Barton petitioned to begin a branch of the Red Cross in America. Though she was met with resistance from the government at first, the request was granted in 1881, with Barton as the American Red Cross’s first president. (2)
Source: Library of Congress
Dorothea Dix is known for bringing to light the terrible treatment of the mentally ill and fighting for their rights. After seeing the horrible conditions patients were living in, Dix decided to bring matters to the United States Congress. With her carefully noted research and data, she was able to get the support and funds needed to help provide more humane living conditions and treatment for the mentally disabled. Dix’s efforts resulted in the creation of more than 30 institutions for the mentally ill across the United States and Europe. (3)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mary Eliza Mahoney is the first registered African American Nurse. She began her “health care” career working as a janitor, cook, and laundry woman at the New England Hospital. Between her three jobs at the hospital, Mahoney became an unofficial nurse aide. This unsanctioned hobby helped kick-start Mahoney’s passion and career in nursing. In 1829, Mahoney became “official.” She was admitted into the hospital’s nursing program and was one of only three students to graduate. Her perseverance helped African American students become widely accepted for nurse training. After experiencing racial discrimination in the field, Mahoney helped co-find the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, NACGN, in 1908. This improved the statuses of African American nurses nationwide. (3)
So there you have it, just a few nurses whose actions and passions helped mold the field of nursing as we know it. Centura College thanks these incredible ladies and nurses all over the world for the hard work, toiling hours and dedication that goes into helping better the health of others. If you are feeling inspired and can see yourself in a health care field, a great way to start that new journey is looking into the various health programs we offer here at Centura College.
Sources:
- Biography.com Editors. “Florence Nightingale.”Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017. Web. 5 May 2017. < http://www.biography.com/people/florence-nightingale-9423539 >
- History.com Staff. “Clara Barton.”History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 5 May 2017. < http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/clara-barton#>
- “25 Famous Nurses – Past to Present World’s Popular Nurse Professionals | Coffee Time – Pulse Uniform.” Pulse Uniform – Medical Nursing scrubs. N.p., 01 Feb. 2016. Web. 05 May 2017. < http://www.pulseuniform.com/coffee-time/index.php/2016/02/01/25-famous-nurses-past-to-present-wolrds-popular-nurse-professionals/ >
Posted by Centura College on May 2, 2017 in Adult Education, Career Change, Centura College, Centura Norfolk, Centura Richmond, Health, Practical Nursing
Licensed Practical Nurses help meet the nation-wide need for health care workers.
By Brian Stauss
Centura College’s Norfolk and Richmond campuses announce new classes enrolling now for Practical Nursing. Students learn to work with patients, to evaluate patient health status, and develop individualized care plans. Classroom instruction and supervised clinical (patient care) experiences are integrated to reinforce learning and to help develop the attitudes to succeed. This program prepares students to work in a variety of settings including: doctor’s office, a clinic, hospital, long term care facility or in a private home care setting.
“Nursing is a dynamic and expanding profession, ideal for individuals looking to help others, be intellectually stimulated, and have a variety of employment and educational opportunities,” says Tara Crosby, Nursing Director of Education at Centura College’s Norfolk campus.
The program is designed to take only 15 months to complete and teach the student the skills and qualifications to begin a career in the world of nursing. Completion of the program, and subsequent Practical Nursing licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia, qualifies the graduate for an entry level position as a Practical Nurse as defined by the Virginia Nurse Practice Act.
Centura College’s Norfolk campus is located at 7020 N. Military Highway, Va. For more information, call (757) 853-2121.
Centura College’s Richmond campus is located at 7914 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield, Va. For more information, call (804) 330-0111.
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, legal studies and trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
Posted by Theresa on Jun 12, 2014 in Practical Nursing
Nursing Jobs Are Becoming Harder to Fill
Nursing Jobs Are Becoming Harder to Fill
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for nurses is expected to grow by 19 percent over the next decade. That’s one of the fastest growing industries in the country! There are several reasons for the growth, such as an increase in need for healthcare services as the population ages and a growing trend to dismiss patients from hospitals sooner, increasing a need for home care nursing staff. However, many employers are finding it difficult to fill open positions with qualified applicants. This could mean disaster for the healthcare industry in the very near future as positions remain unfilled and patients do not receive quality care. …Read More Here
Posted by Theresa on Mar 7, 2014 in Practical Nursing
Being a Practical Nurse is rewarding!
Are you interested in a rewarding career in the health care field but can’t afford to wait four years to attend a traditional university? Maybe you’ve even done some research into being a Licensed Practical Nurse and have stumbled across some common misconceptions that may have you second guessing your original plan. Make no mistake about it; becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse is one of the fastest ways to enter the health care profession at the nursing level. There are however, some misconceptions about this profession as a career choice. So let’s take a look at some of the top misconceptions about being an LPN. …Read More Here
Posted by Theresa on Sep 4, 2013 in NCLEX-PN Exam, Practical Nursing
How to Prepare For the NCLEX-PN Exam
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. There are two types, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. After graduation from a school of nursing, one takes the NCLEX exam to receive his or her nursing license, a requirement before practicing nursing in any state. NCLEX examinations are developed and owned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). For public safety reasons, each state board of nursing issues a license based on the successful completion of the appropriate NCLEX examination. NCLEX examinations are designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the safe practice of nursing for entry level personnel. Before you can take the examination, you will need to attain an “Authorization to Test (ATT)” from your local Board of Nursing. …Read More Here
Posted by Theresa on Aug 12, 2013 in Practical Nursing
Centura College, North Chesterfield Campus Celebrates High NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for the past 3 years and into 2013!
We work to make sure you are successful in the classroom and beyond!
To say we are excited about our Centura College North Chesterfield Campus high NCLEX-PN Pass Rates is an understatement! Developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Practical Nursing was implemented to ensure public safety by testing the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing throughout the industry. All US state and territorial Nursing Boards require a passing result on the exam for licensure as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). …Read More Here
