The nursing field is expansive, with opportunities to work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, elementary and high schools, colleges/universities, etc. Nurses can work in many settings, and there are numerous opportunities to advance their careers through degree advancement. One option that many nurses pursue is a Master of Science (MSN) in nursing. Continue reading to learn more about the different MSN degrees and tips on choosing the best option.
Different Types of MSN Degrees
Nurses can pursue several different MSN degrees based on their passion and long-term goals. Here’s a quick summary of six MSN programs for nurses.
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator is a nurse with an advanced degree who works for a college or university teaching nurses at all levels, including LPN, BSN, MSN, and doctoral programs. While there is an MSN in nursing education, it is important to note that many advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, can also teach at the college and university level.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice providers who can assess, diagnose, and treat patients in a specific population and care for patients with acute and chronic diagnoses. They are also educators and can hold leadership roles.
The scope of practice for a CNS varies from state to state, and they are not utilized equally in all states.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses whose primary role is to assess, diagnose, and treat their patients, including prescribing medications as needed. It is important to note that each state determines the scope of practice for the NP, which includes whether they can practice entirely autonomously or must work under the supervision of a physician.
There are multiple NP degrees to choose from, such as pediatric acute care, psychiatric mental health, family practice, adult gerontology, and the list goes on. Before applying to an MSN program, you must know which NP specialty you want to pursue.
Besides providing direct patient care, NPs can teach and work in leadership roles.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A CRNA is an advanced practice nurse who cares for patients before, during, and immediately after surgery by closely monitoring and administering anesthesia and other medications. In addition to caring for patients during surgery, they also perform epidurals and assist patients during minor procedures to help manage their pain.
Nurse Midwife
Nurse midwives are advanced practice nurses specializing in women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, provide family planning services, provide primary care for individuals from adolescence throughout the lifespan, and care for healthy newborns during the first 28 days of life.
Nurse midwives can practice in all 50 states, but each state determines their scope of practice.
Nurse Leader
A nurse with an MSN in leadership has received specific education to develop further leadership skills, including strategic thinking, evaluating complex problems using evidence-based practice, and working towards achieving organizational and systemwide goals.
It is important to note that advanced practice nurses like CNS and NP often work in advanced leadership roles.
How to Choose Which MSN Degree is Right for You
So, how do you choose which program is right for you? Some people know their goal as a nurse before starting their BSN program, while others figure it out along the way.
Regardless, I recommend you gain at least one year of experience as a nurse. This allows you to get more comfortable with your role and dig deeper into what you enjoy about nursing and what you may want to change.
List what you like about nursing and where you see yourself in two years, five years, and ten years. For example, is providing direct patient care a big passion of yours? If yes, pursuing a job as a nurse practitioner may be your goal. Do you want to continue to work in a hospital setting, which may lead to a job as an acute care NP or CRNA? Or are you looking at transitioning into a clinic or office setting as a nurse leader or educator? Do you see yourself leaving direct patient care?
How to Complete Your MSN
Now that you have decided to pursue your MSN, what are the next steps? Below, I have provided eight steps to lead you to your new career!
Graduate from an accredited BSN program and obtain RN licensure
I recommend gaining at least one year of experience as a nurse before applying to MSN programs.
Research MSN programs and determine which one is the best fit for your career goals.
Once you have chosen the MSN degree you want to pursue, ensure you complete all prerequisites before applying.
Complete the application for the MSN program selected.
Receive acceptance letter and start MSN program.
Graduate from an accredited MSN program and pass board certification if applicable.
Enjoy your new career!
Nursing is a wonderful career path as it offers much room for advancement and growth. Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career?
Minority nurses are uniquely positioned to leverage their influence to help combat racial disparities in the healthcare industry. As climate change increasingly and disproportionately affects people of color, empowering minority nurses through environmental health education is becoming imperative.
Through educational initiatives, minority nurses can help counter environmental racism and its associated adverse health outcomes. In this article, we’ll examine racial disparities in climate change, why environmental education is important, and how minority nurses can take action to affect greater change.
Disparities in the Impact of Climate Change
Numerous studies and research on racial disparities have made it evident that climate change disproportionately affects people who suffer from socioeconomic inequalities.
Air pollution poses the most significant threat to children of all races, but it’s particularly problematic for racial and ethnic groups in poor communities who face higher exposure to pollutants. Children in these communities are at higher risk because they’re lower to the ground and thus more likely to breathe the toxic air that stays close to the Earth’s surface. Babies are also at higher risk because they have weaker immune systems and need clean air to develop and grow in a healthy way.
As a whole, 75% of African American people are more likely than white people to live in communities with higher odor traffic, carbon emissions, and other harmful pollutants, which can cause numerous health problems, including asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Ocean acidification is also an issue due to increased CO2 levels, disproportionately affecting indigenous coastal communities whose diets rely on seafood. An increase in natural disasters as a result of climate change also has a more significant effect on minorities in lower-income communities due to fewer resources and inadequate infrastructure.
Recent reports from the EPA have also shown that Black people are 40% more likely to suffer higher mortality rates due to living in places that are more affected by extreme temperatures driven by climate change. The study also analyzed various American cities, revealing that Black people are 41-59% more likely to die due to poor air quality.
Education Is Key to Environmental Stewardship for Minority Nurses
As climate change worsens, incorporating environmental awareness in nursing education will be vital to improving minority patient care and community outcomes. Minority nurses play an essential part in representing and speaking for these communities, so they must educate themselves to ensure they’re empowered to serve their community through diverse healthcare initiatives.
Many nursing programs already recognize the need to increase environmental health literacy to empower future nurses and improve public health outcomes. Nurses are in a powerful position to act as environmental stewards to help reduce the healthcare industry’s carbon footprint and improve patient care for minority communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Though only 16.8% of the RN workforce is from minority backgrounds, many voices still have the power to push for change, especially if they’re more educated on environmental issues and how they affect minority health outcomes.
Education on environmental laws is paramount, as these can affect how medical facilities are run and impact patient outcomes. For example, the Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates air emissions in healthcare facilities, and the Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates the discharge of pollutants into local bodies of water.
Nurses must ensure that these laws are being followed, especially in minority communities that are already disproportionately affected by pollution and air and water quality.
How Minority Nurses Can Take Action
Healthcare doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When engaging with patients, nurses should consider additional factors that could affect their health, such as their race and where they live. Minority nurses, in particular, can advocate for patients of color, especially if white practitioners overlook the disparities they face.
This is the intersection of nursing and justice. Nurses and even other healthcare professionals are responsible for educating themselves and understanding how various factors can heavily impact communities.
Nurses must proactively educate themselves and raise awareness to promote a more culturally responsive healthcare system. Likewise, educators must promote environmental awareness and understanding of racial disparities by expanding learning opportunities, recruiting support for more diverse nurses, and strengthening diversification in health education programs.
However, minority nurses can also act by joining organizations like Health Care Without Harm and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. Many local communities also offer sustainability and public health advocacy groups that provide numerous resources and opportunities for continuing education. Joining these groups and organizations can help minority nurses become better advocates in their communities and practices.
Final Thoughts
As a minority nurse, it is important to seek opportunities to improve patient outcomes. This includes asking patients about the disparities they may be facing and listening to what they have to say. Nurses should also be aware of culturally insensitive workplace practices so they can speak up if something happens.
Getting involved in advocacy groups and supportive organizations helps, but a critical part of enacting change is being proactive in the workplace to address racial disparities as they occur. This obligation applies not just to minority nurses but to all practitioners who recognize when a patient is being affected or mistreated.
Technology can significantly help nursing students learn the complexities of nursing practice or act as a source of frustration that takes valuable time away from education. Here is a brief look at some of the technologies in use in nursing education, the impact of AI, and practical tips for using educational technology effectively.
Tech in Use
Technologies advancing nursing education include simulations and virtual reality. “Simulations are a cornerstone in nursing education, offering students a risk-free environment to practice clinical skills and make critical decisions,” according to Sandra Russo, PhD, RN, director of the nursing program at Touro School of Health Sciences. She notes that the simulations at her school involve high-fidelity mannequins, standardized patients, and scenario-based learning that closely mimic real-life situations.
According to Russo, virtual reality creates immersive scenarios, and its ability to provide repetitive practice in a controlled environment ensures that students are well-prepared for various clinical situations. Virtual reality has the advantage of engaging students in multiple locations in one virtual environment, notes John J. Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN, professor/clinical nurse specialist, program director for simulation strategy and innovation, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. This eliminates barriers related to travel to a specific location, he suggests and can support interdisciplinary education hampered by differing schedules and sites.
Russo notes that other technologies include mobile apps, games-based learning platforms, and in-class participation tools such as clickers.
AI Arrives
Today, educators are beginning to see AI used in high-fidelity simulation, where AI can provide a dynamic learning experience based on a student’s action, notes Shermel Edwards-Maddox, PhD, RN, CNE, RN-BC, clinical assistant professor, Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing, University of Houston. From a faculty perspective, she notes, AI can be used to help write case studies and simulation scenarios, help develop NCLEX-style exam questions, and aid in plagiarism detection.
AI can save time with specific tasks such as creating forms, course descriptions, checklists, and evaluations. Still, according to Gallagher, it has significant limitations in performing functions such as critical analysis and comparison of ideas/concepts. Appropriate integration of AI into coursework is essential to prepare students to use this tool, according to Gallagher, while setting limits on its use in completing assignments. AI isn’t without its challenges, agrees Maddox, who warns of its potential to facilitate academic dishonesty.
Practical Guidance
When it comes to deciding whether to use technology, educators need to ask the question, “Why use this technology over a different method?” according to Kate Lindley, MSN, RN, CHSOS, CHSE, national simulation director at Rasmussen University. Sometimes,” she notes, “simple tools can be more effective than high-tech solutions.” Basic simulations, for instance, might be more suited for teaching fundamental skills, while advanced VR scenarios can be used for complex clinical situations.
Educators need to align technology with educational objectives and allow it to complement other teaching methods, notes Jenna Sissom, MSN-Ed, RN, assistant professor, school of nursing at Lipscomb University. “More technology does not equal more learning,” she says.
“Take one piece of technology at a time,” suggests Maddox. She notes that using the department’s instructional designer can be a way to get nursing faculty familiar and on board with using technology.
“Faculty do not adopt new technology easily,” notes Sunny G. Hallowell, PhD, APRN, PPCNP-BC, associate professor and nurse practitioner, Villanova University. She notes that faculty and students have to succeed in the basic operation of technology before they can become comfortable using it for learning. Faculty must “clearly articulate the learning objectives to be achieved by using a new technology, rather than to apply an innovation because it is new,” she says.
Nurses have the opportunity to advance their degrees, which allows them to pursue other jobs within the nursing field. Completing a master’s in nursing (MSN) allows nurses to practice with greater autonomy, hold a higher position in leadership, or educate future nurses.
Types of MSN Degrees
There are numerous types of MSN degrees, making it essential to know your long-term goals as a nurse before selecting which path you will follow.
Now that you know more about an MSN, why should you pursue one? Below, I have provided ten reasons why you should advance your degree; please note that these are in no particular order.
Higher Salary
Nurses with an MSN typically make more than nurses with a BSN or associate’s degree, often due to the increased responsibility and advanced degree. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average starting salary for an MSN-prepared nurse practitioner, CRNA, or nurse midwife is $129,480 per year or $62.25 per hour.
Specialization
Having an MSN allows you to become an expert by specializing in nursing. For example, if you become a nurse practitioner, you can specialize in family medicine, adult gerontology, pediatrics acute care, psychiatric-mental health, etc. You can also specialize in anesthesia as a CRNA, as well as education or leadership.
Impact on the Healthcare System and Policy
As an MSN-prepared nurse, you will have the opportunity to impact the healthcare system and healthcare policy in a greater capacity. This is achieved through active membership in professional organizations such as your state’s nursing association, attending local and state public meetings, reaching out to state representatives, and advocating for positive nursing and healthcare policy changes.
Ongoing Education and Learning
To maintain your MSN, you must complete a specified number of continuing education credits every couple of years. This will ensure you stay current on changes in healthcare and utilize the most up-to-date information in your daily practice. If you work in leadership or education, education credits are specific to these areas to ensure best practices are used.
Leadership Roles
Part of the MSN curriculum is to develop further leadership skills, which is why most leadership roles, or those higher up in the healthcare system, require an MSN. Examples of these leadership roles include office manager, director of nursing, and CNO.
Job Opportunities
An MSN degree will lead to more job opportunities regardless of the degree pursued. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job outlook for NPs, nurse midwives, and CRNAs will increase by 38%, which is higher than average.
Career Advancement
If desired, an MSN degree leads to career advancement as a nurse. An MSN allows you to work in higher education, pursue leadership roles such as a nurse manager or even chief nursing officer (CNO), or become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or CRNA. These roles will lead to higher salaries, increased responsibility, and a greater impact on healthcare.
Job Satisfaction
Nurses with MSN degrees typically have greater job satisfaction. This may be due to the ability to specialize in an area of nursing they are passionate about or the increased salary, autonomy, and responsibility. In 2017, advanced practice nurses were surveyed and found that 96% of NPs and 97% of CRNAs were happy with their jobs. When asked if they would choose the profession again, 82% of NPs and 80% of CRNAs said yes.
Increased Responsibility
Nurses with an MSN degree often have increased responsibility. This can include prescribing medication, developing treatment plans, educating future nurses, or administering anesthesia to surgical patients.
Opportunity to Practice Autonomously
Completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can result in greater autonomy in nursing practice. This is evident in roles such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. For nurse practitioners specifically, each state has its scope of practice. Some states still restrict the practice of NPs, while others grant NPs full practice authority and the ability to work independently.
Obtaining your MSN can lead to more job opportunities, higher salary, and greater job satisfaction. So, what are you waiting for to take the next step in your career?
Nursing education can be a lifelong process. When you started, you may have earned your LPN, RN, or BSN, and you moved forward into your career with all sorts of hopes, goals, and aspirations. You may have wanted to work in a particular specialty, had your sights set on the traveler lifestyle, or were focused on making sure you could pay the bills, give your kids a good life, and plan for your eventual retirement.
During the many years of your career, you may have chosen to pursue various certifications, joined workplace committees, and accumulated countless skills and competencies. But how do you know when it’s time to advance your education?
The Educational Edge
Going back to school is a big decision with far-reaching implications. There’s the financial cost, of course. Still, there’s also the time commitment, the potential inconvenience to your family, and how going to school and working can complicate your life unless you’re lucky enough to be in the position to take time off from work while you’re back in school.
For LPNs/LVNs, the decision to return to school can directly relate to wanting more career mobility. Many acute care and other facilities only employ RNs, and if you want to move up the nursing career ladder, earning your RN can be a very practical step, with the added benefit of increasing your earning potential.
When you have your RN, advancing to a BSN can boost your earnings, and we know that some facilities lean much more heavily toward nurses with a BSN. In the original 2011 Future of Nursing Report by the National Academy of Medicine, the recommendation was for the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to be increased by 80% by 2020. The 2020 updated report states that the number of nurses with a BSN has now surpassed the number with an associate’s degree.
The same 2020 report also makes the following statements:
“…Nationally, a higher percentage of Black/African American, Hispanic, and particularly Asian RNs relative to White RNs have a BSN,” and “proportionately, more Black/African American and Asian RNs than White and Hispanic RNs have a master’s degree, or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or a PhD in nursing.”
The report adds, “Analysis of data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shows that between 2010 and 2017, the number of RNs who obtained a doctoral degree increased rapidly, with those obtaining a DNP far outnumbering those obtaining a PhD.”
And finally, “…the proportionate growth among POC RNs was even greater. For example, the number of Black/African American RNs who obtained a DNP increased from 139 in 2010 to 826 in 2017 (a nearly 5,000 percent increase), while the number earning a PhD increased from 52 to 107 (105 percent) over this same period.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses (without distinguishing between RNs and BSNs) earned a median annual salary of $86,070 in 2023. Meanwhile, nurse practitioners enjoyed a mean yearly wage of $128,490. For nurse anesthetists (a specialty that requires a doctoral degree), we see an annual base salary of $183,025.
We can conclude that educational advancement in nursing most definitely impacts earning potential. As we can see from the statistics, nurses of color have been increasingly embracing the career mobility offered by advancing their education. This translates into a more educated nursing workforce and likely a more competitive job market based on the proportions of nurses who have that extra educational edge.
Taking the Plunge
So, when do you go back to school? Is it best when the kids are young, or do you wait until they’re teenagers and need you less? If your spouse is shouldering more of the childrearing burden, how will that impact their life and career?
Like anyone else, nurses may find themselves caring for elderly parents, possibly while also raising children. What do you do if you’re a so-called “sandwich generation” member?
There’s also the question of getting older. How does it feel to return to school in your 30s instead of your 50s or 60s? How much energy does it take, and can you summon the stamina for what’s to come?
When it comes to choosing between strictly online learning, a “brick-and-mortar” school, or a hybrid program, making the right choice is imperative. Sometimes, getting out of the house and sitting in a classroom is a welcome break from the distractions of home. Online learning can be convenient, but if kids run around and have constant messes to clean up, you might find it hard to get any schoolwork done.
Whether it’s timing, cost, type of program, or other concerns, there’s a lot to consider when advancing your nursing education is on the table. Considering the potential benefits and weighing your options, you’ll decide what makes sense for your career. School isn’t for everyone, but for those who take the plunge, it can open countless doors along the nursing career pathway.
While much of the world has moved forward from the pandemic, the healthcare industry grapples with a significant shortage. The growing and less discussed shortage of nurse educators extends beyond the well-known nursing shortage. This critical gap threatens the future of nursing itself. As burnout, chronic stress, and compassion fatigue from the pandemic have led more nurses to exit the workforce, the pool of those nurses seeking to advance into educational roles becomes increasingly limited.
A recent survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) revealed a startling reality: over 1,900 full-time faculty vacancies across 922 nursing schools in the U.S. This shortfall severely limits the ability of many institutions to enroll and train new nurses, compromising the quality of education and the overall healthcare system’s ability to meet evolving demand. Addressing this shortage is not just about filling vacancies; it is about safeguarding the future of nursing and, by extension, the health of our communities.
The Hidden Crisis: Why Nurse Educators Are More Important Than Ever
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates that the demand for nursing professionals is expected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth amplifies the need for qualified educators to train new nurses. However, barriers such as the aforementioned burnout, inadequate compensation, and additional qualifications requirements hinder the path to academia, which deter many experienced nurses from pursuing educational roles. This underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to support and incentivize experienced nurses to transition into academic positions.
Transitioning to academia requires a shift in practical duties and a significant mental and emotional adjustment. Nurse educators must acquire new skills, including effective communication, pedagogical strategies, and a broad understanding of educational theories – skills not typically emphasized in a clinical setting. Economic factors also play a role, as academic compensation often falls short of clinical salaries, deterring skilled nurses from making the switch. Institutions must address these issues by providing better support systems, including mentorship programs, offering incentives for advanced education, and outlining clearer pathways for advancement in educational roles. These efforts are crucial for ensuring a sustainable influx of educators to train the next generation of nursing professionals.
The Role of Diversity in Strengthening Nursing Education
Enhancing diversity in nursing education is critical for enriching the learning environment and improving health outcomes across diverse populations. Diverse nursing cohorts bring varied perspectives crucial in understanding and meeting the healthcare needs of different communities. For instance, by incorporating a wide range of cultural competencies into nursing programs, graduates are well-prepared to provide sensitive and effective care to patients from all backgrounds. This commitment to diversity also helps to break down barriers in healthcare disparities, fostering a more inclusive healthcare system. Post University champions a diverse educational approach that aligns with the evolving needs of today’s healthcare landscape through personalized mentorship and adaptable learning modalities.
Why an MSN Degree Is Essential for Aspiring Nurse Educators
An MSN degree is pivotal for nurses transitioning into various educational and leadership roles within nursing education. However, finding a program that meets the needs of nurses interested in advancing their careers while still working in the field can be challenging. Post’s MSN program offers unique modalities to suit different learning preferences and schedules: a traditional 8-week term and a 16-week competency-based model. This flexibility ensures that nurses can find a format to fit their life circumstances while gaining the comprehensive skills needed to become nurse educators. The program includes practical, hands-on experiences facilitated through innovative online methods, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to lead and educate.
Post’s fully online MSN program is structured to accommodate working nurses, offering various modalities to suit different lifestyles and learning preferences. Additionally, the faculty consists of experienced nurses who provide mentorship to support student’s academic and professional growth as they transition from nurse to nurse educator.
Shaping the Future of Nursing Through Education
For nurses interested in transitioning to educational roles, including a nurse administrator or chief nursing officer, the journey begins with understanding the significance of their contribution to shaping the future of healthcare. Nurses who aspire to become educators should start by exploring advanced degrees like the MSN, which equips them with the necessary skills in teaching and leadership. Engaging in continuous professional development and seeking mentorship from experienced educators can pave the way. When researching an MSN program to fit a working nurse’s needs, search for programs that have flexible options and comprehensive support that guide nurses through this transformative journey. This will help boost the confidence of these new nurse educators and enhance their ability to educate and inspire the next generation.
Caffeine drinks are a lifesaver for nurses with morning shifts or healthcare workers who need to get through demanding work hours. At best, caffeinated drinks can boost energy and put us in a better mood. However, other times, they can cause shakiness or irritation.
Thankfully, there are different drink options to choose from if you need a break from caffeine. Read on to discover drinks that are more tolerable for you.
Although caffeinated drinks can give us sustained focus and concentration during periods of drowsiness, too much of it can also trigger stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can make us feel too alert and cause jitters within our bodies, Which are even more elevated in people sensitive to caffeine.
These symptoms aren’t pleasant to experience and can lead to mistakes at work from too much caffeine in the nervous system.
It’s not just coffee that can cause these side effects— energy drinks with a high sugar content can also cause a physical hangover that may leave you feeling tired and groggy.
Types of Caffeine Drinks That Won’t Make You Crash
Fortunately, there are less caffeine-heavy alternatives to coffee if you don’t want to give up your coffee habit. Try these drinks if you want to switch to a different flavor once in a while.
Black Tea
Drinking tea is a great way to reduce caffeine intake. A cup of black tea contains around 50 milligrams, while a regular cup of coffee contains approximately 138 mg.
There are different types of black tea available. Some you might already be familiar with, but if you go to your local grocery store, you’ll probably find other less common types that you can experiment with, such as English breakfast, Darjeeling, or other artisanal blends.
Chai Tea
Also called masala tea, this type of beverage is like black tea but with different spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamon that give it a soothing aroma. A cup of chai has around 21 mg of caffeine, and its ingredients can aid in digestion and support energy production in the body. The cinnamon and ginger can also reduce insulin resistance and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
With its low caffeine content, this drink isn’t likely to give you jitters or any other uncomfortable symptoms. Store-bought chai can contain large amounts of sugar, so it’s best to avoid brands that lower the natural health benefits of this tea.
Earl Grey
Earl Grey tea is a popular blend of black tea and bergamot oil. It has a citrus-like flavor with notes of lemon and spice, although the taste can depend on each person. A cup usually contains 40 to 120 mg of caffeine.
Despite being a tasty, well-known tea, Earl Grey tea has few health benefits. However, some pros to drinking it include lowering blood pressure, promoting weight loss, and reducing total cholesterol.
Green Tea
Another type of tea to try is green tea. This drink is more earthy in flavor and has less caffeine than coffee or black tea, at around 35 mg per cup. Several varieties exist, including Sencha, Jasmine Leaf, and other blends.
Matcha
Matcha is a tea with unique health benefits. This drink is created by crushing tea leaves into a fine, thin green powder. If frothed, it’s been described as having a leafy, grassy flavor with a rich texture.
It also has the most caffeine, with one cup containing 72 mg. However, this tea is different because, unlike coffee, which enters your bloodstream quicker, the caffeine in matcha takes time to be absorbed by your body. As a result, you’re likely to sustain energy for extended periods.
Matcha also contains antioxidants that increase energy, fight oxidative damage to cells, and even promote relaxation in the body. Thus, you’ll feel more focused and calm while energized.
If the taste of matcha is too bitter for you, you can mix the powder with milk and honey or try sweeter variations that match your taste preference.
If All Else Fails, Drink Lighter Loads of Coffee
Drinking coffee can be a hard habit to break, so if you guzzle it every morning and regret the caffeine buzz soon after, start with one cup and notice how you feel with a smaller amount.
Another suggestion is to order a latte or a single shot of espresso only. A shot of espresso has 75 mg of caffeine, compared to 138 mg in a cup of brewed coffee. For a cheat sheet on how much caffeine your favorite caffeinated drinks have, refer to this chart by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Caffeine is great, but too much of it can wreak havoc on your nervous system. Incorporating alternative caffeine drinks into your routine can provide the support you need for your overall health so you can continue to care for others with the same dedication and vitality you bring to every shift.
When we think about nurses getting published, our thoughts naturally turn to nurses in academia doing research or teaching. However, being published is actually for everyone.
Any nurse has the opportunity to be published, which can open the doors of possibility and reveal unforeseen career opportunities.
Why Get Published?
Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, MACI, RN, OCNS-C, CMSRN, CNE, has been the editor of the MEDSURG Nursing journal since 2002 and sees getting published as an equal opportunity.
“We think of publishing as something done by researchers and academics,” Roberts states. “However, all nurses are responsible for communicating information about practice innovations, particularly those impacting patient outcomes.”
Roberts continues, “Publishing allows nurses to share their knowledge and expertise and provides the foundation for evidence-based practice. Peer-reviewed journals offer an excellent medium for publication because of their high standards and wide readership.”
Roberts encourages a focus on peer-reviewed journals affiliated with nursing specialties.
“Dissemination of our experiences is critically important to benefit other nurses in their practice,” Roberts submits. “We share the results of our quality improvement or evidence-based activities or describe our encounters with patients with uniquely thought-provoking diagnoses.”
She adds, “We need to communicate research results to help nurses understand current challenges and mold future practice. Presenting at a conference is valuable, but publication benefits the profession more broadly by reaching a wider audience and building a body of literature that benefits current and future practitioners.”
For an individual nurse’s career, Roberts sees many potential benefits.
“Being a published writer brings recognition. Peers admire the nurse’s knowledge but also the ability to bring that knowledge to the profession. Along with presentations, publication can be recognized within clinical ladders and impact the potential for promotion. For nurses seeking entry into a competitive graduate program, being a published author brings an application additional attention.”
Roberts adds that sharpening writing skills can lead to career opportunities such as freelance writing, which can help a nurse earn extra income while educating others.
She describes her first major publication as “a book chapter for my member organization, the success of which gave me the confidence to take on other writing assignments for that association but also to write for national nursing textbooks and international journals.”
“I wrote exam prep materials and white papers for nursing certification programs. One opportunity led to another, and I know many nurses who have followed that same path in building their writing skills and resumes as reliable, effective authors.”
But How Do I Get Published?
Roberts advises, “Writing for publication requires work, but it’s open to anyone willing to devote the time to create an excellent product, and it’s not reserved solely for academics.”
“Nurses don’t need to be researchers to have a message worth sharing.” Roberts reflects. “Before that book chapter, I wrote a reflection for my hospital newsletter about a patient who had touched me greatly through her resilience.”
She continues, “I know every nurse has unforgettable patients, and experiences with those patients can inform peers and keep memories of patients alive. While journals don’t always publish personal reflections, they often publish case studies informing readers about specific patient care situations. Turning a reflection into a case study is a great way to start as a novice author.”
When seeking the right publication, Roberts states that editors always look for valuable topics for their readers. She recommends nurses familiarize themselves with specific journal styles and audiences to find the best fit for their writing.
She advises, “Although not all publications require it, you might submit a query letter explaining how your manuscript would benefit the journal’s readers. After the work of writing, finding the right publication will make acceptance much less difficult.”
Getting Involved
Nurses interested in being published can get involved in workplace projects and initiatives that lend themselves to being captured in writing. In this regard, Roberts shares:
“Quality improvement and EBP activities represent great opportunities for authorship. For example, clinical nurses may be involved in QI efforts to prevent falls or decrease CAUTI.”
“Readers are always looking for innovations to improve the quality performance of their units and may choose to replicate a project they read about. A nurse involved in developing a new policy can synthesize the relevant literature in a systematic or narrative review. Nurses who have returned to school often implement capstone or DNP projects in their practice settings; these reports also make great manuscripts.”
Where to Begin?
If you’re wondering how to get started, consider these steps shared by Dr. Roberts:
Identify journals representing your specialty
Examine journals’ websites for author guidelines, topic wish lists, and types of articles the journals seem to prefer
Submit queries about topics you’re considering writing about
If an editor is uninterested, ask for a referral to a more appropriate publication
Identify yourself as a novice author, and ask directly if the editor and editorial board mentor less experienced writers
Roberts states, “At MEDSURG Nursing, we give a writer’s award each year to a first-time author to recognize this important step in professional growth. Unfortunately, there is no list of novice-friendly publications I can identify, but there’s no substitute for simply communicating with editors. The editor is likely hearing from readers and editorial board members and knows very well what topics would be valuable to them.”
The importance of finding the right journal cannot be overstated. “It all goes back to identifying the right journal for your planned writing effort,” Roberts concludes. “It may take some patience and willingness to try again if you receive an uninterested response. However, if you identify a topic that would be helpful to you and your peers, chances are other nurses would also benefit from its publication.”
In the final analysis, being published can help nurses gain recognition, advance in their career, and contribute to the growing body of nursing literature. While it may not be for everyone, the experience of being a published author can offer a significant career boost and a sense of great personal and professional accomplishment.
We generally don’t study the classics of philosophy in nursing school. Unless we encountered philosophy in high school, a previous time in college, or out of personal interest, we nurses may not frequently think about Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, let alone Heidegger, Kant, and the rest.
Nurses aren’t alone. Even though philosophy could be argued to be the underpinning of civilization, not many people spend much energy trying to understand it. We know it’s essential, but it’s not easy reading, and we have a lot of other things to do, like managing our careers, planning our next vacation, paying bills, and raising our families.
However, certain philosophical questions and statements are part of the popular consciousness, and sometimes, a brief reflection can yield some valuable gold for our life’s journey.
The Unexamined Life
The statement that “an unexamined life is not worth living” has been attributed to Socrates for thousands of years. While the exact wording is sometimes slightly different, the general idea is there: if we don’t look deeply at our lives and consider our motivations for what we do and the truth of who we are, life may not hold as much meaning as it could otherwise. Whether that examined life is not worth living is a matter of opinion, but we get Socrates’s point.
If you take a good look at your nursing life, what do you see? What gold is there to mine from your experiences, and what has being a nurse brought you? Have your original motivations remained with you, or have your experiences significantly changed how you view your career?
This is not to say that you can’t simply go to work each day, do your job, and come home to your family. There’s nothing wrong with doing your job well and enjoying the rest of your life. You probably work pretty darn hard, and you deserve enjoyable and restful time away from work.
Not everyone is predisposed to philosophical reflection. But when we realize the potential value in taking a deeper look at what we do and why we do it, sometimes we’re led down a path that bears the fruit of what Socrates was getting at.
A Precious Gem
Taking the above statements to heart, there’s much to say for periodically pausing to reflect on your nursing journey.
You could visualize your career as a precious gemstone expertly cut into multiple facets, be it a diamond, a ruby, a tourmaline, etc. Holding your faceted nursing career up to the light, what do you see? Consider these questions as a place to begin:
What were my original motivations for becoming a nurse?
What has changed for me since I first graduated? Do I see my career differently?
Is there something I’ve always wanted to do in my career that I haven’t yet accomplished?
How do my colleagues perceive me? What do they see and experience when interacting with me?
What impact do I have on patients? How do they experience and perceive me?
What have I learned about myself in the course of my career? Has anything about me fundamentally changed based on my experiences as a nurse?
Does my work as a nurse hold enough meaning for me?
What would I tell my younger self if you could message the nursing student or new grad I once was?
The precious gem of your nursing career has many facets; depending on how you hold it up to the light, you will see different things. If you take the time to examine your life and career, you may discover things about yourself that you’ve never realized. Focused self-examination has the power to reveal a great deal.
To Examine or Not to Examine
There are no rules about how introspective anyone has to be. Life in the 21st century is complicated, and as mentioned earlier in this article, we have a lot of other things to do just to keep afloat. If you’re raising children, have aging parents, or are feeling your own aging process, there’s plenty demanding your attention.
You probably work hard, have many responsibilities, and always have a lot to think about and do. There’s no need to take a deep dive into your deeper motivations and desires, but if you do for a moment, there may be some valuable insights about you, your life, and your identity as a nurse.
Is an unexamined (nursing) life worth living? You don’t need Socrates to tell you — you know the answer that works for you.
As the new school year kicks in, nursing students everywhere are bracing themselves for another round of intense lectures, clinical rotations, hours of reading, skills lab, and study marathons.
Balancing coursework, long clinical hours, and possibly even a job or family responsibilities can make it feel like you barely have time to breathe, let alone think about what you’re eating. But trust me, as a family nurse practitioner who’s been through the grind of nursing school, I can tell you that what you eat can make or break your success. Your nutrition directly impacts your energy, focus, and overall performance, and those late-night snacks can be your best ally or your worst enemy.
The Common Food Challenges in Nursing School
“I don’t have time to eat healthy.” I totally get it -time is a luxury in nursing school. Between rushing from lectures to clinicals, squeezing in study sessions, and trying to maintain some sort of personal life, who has time to worry about healthy snacks? Grabbing something from the vending machine or drive-thru is all too easy. But those quick fixes usually leave you crashing when you need to be at your sharpest—like when you’re finally sitting down to write that care plan at midnight.
“Healthy snacks are expensive.” With student loans, cutting back work hours to study, and just the general costs of living, it’s easy to think that eating healthy is a luxury you can’t afford. But healthy eating doesn’t have to drain your bank account. There are plenty of budget-friendly, nutritious snacks if you know where to look. It’s all about planning ahead, just like you would for your patient care—because, honestly, isn’t that what you’d tell your patients?
“I need caffeine and sugar to keep me going.” I’ve been there—late nights and early mornings are practically a nursing school requirement. Reaching for that extra cup of coffee or energy drink and that sweet snack might seem like the only way to stay awake, but while caffeine and sugar give you a quick boost, they often lead to an energy crash that leaves you more tired. Over time, this cycle can lead to burnout—something no nursing student needs, especially with finals around the corner. Who wants to stay in fight or flight all the time?
When your schedule is jam-packed, the last thing you need is to worry about where your next meal is coming from. That’s why portable snacks are your best friend. Stock up on snacks that are easy to grab and go, like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits that don’t require refrigeration. Freeze-dried snacks like Crispy Green’s Crispy Fruit are lifesavers—they’re lightweight, easy to carry, and packed with natural nutrients, minus the added sugars and preservatives. Just toss a bag in your backpack, and you’re ready to tackle your day.
2. Balance Your Macros
Not all snacks are created equal. A well-balanced snack includes a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to keep you energized and satisfied longer. Try pairing Crispy Green’s freeze-dried fruit with a handful of almonds for a quick snack that covers your bases. Or mix Crispy Green fruit into your yogurt or trail mix for added crunch and flavor. You could add them to a protein smoothie for a tasty, nutritious boost.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
It’s easy to mistake dehydration for hunger, and can really zap your energy and focus. Keep a water bottle with you at all times—extra points if you infuse it with lemon or cucumber slices for added flavor. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to keep your mind sharp and your body functioning at its best. Besides, you’ll be educating your future patients on the importance of hydration—let’s lead by example.
4. Incorporate Brain-Boosting Foods
Nursing school demands a lot of brainpower. Certain foods can help give you that cognitive edge. Berries, dark chocolate, and nuts are all known for their brain-boosting properties. Keep a small bag of Crispy Green freeze-dried strawberries or a piece of dark chocolate in your pocket for those moments when you need an extra mental boost.
5. Listen to Your Body
It’s easy to ignore hunger when you’re in the middle of a clinical shift or deep into studying, but skipping meals or snacks can backfire, leading to overeating later or an energy dip when needed most. Keep healthy snacks within reach—whether it’s a bag of Crispy Green freeze-dried fruit in your pocket or some trail mix in your backpack—so you’re ready when hunger strikes.
Here’s My Snack Cheat Sheet for Busy Nursing Students
Nuts and Seeds: A mix of almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds makes for a satisfying, protein-rich snack.
Freeze-Dried Fruit: Crispy Green’s Crispy Fruit comes in delicious flavors like apple, mango, and pineapple—perfect for a sweet, crunchy snack on the go.
Greek Yogurt: Add a handful of granola and Crispy Green freeze-dried fruit for a tasty and nutritious treat.
Whole-Grain Crackers and Hummus: A savory option packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and focused.
Dark Chocolate: A small piece of dark chocolate satisfies your sweet tooth and has brain-boosting benefits.
Protein Smoothie: Mix some Crispy Green freeze-dried fruit into your protein shake for added flavor and nutrients.
Oatmeal with Crispy Fruit: For a fiber-rich breakfast, start your day with a bowl of oatmeal topped with Crisp Green fruit. Every once in a while, switch it up with bran cereal.
The Bottom Line
As you dive into another demanding academic year, remember that what you eat dramatically affects how well you perform. By planning ahead and choosing healthy and convenient snacks, you can keep your energy up, stay focused, and take on whatever nursing school throws your way. With some forethought and the right choices, you’ll fuel your success—now and in your future nursing career.
