Nursing World

There mottos is “Caring for Those Who Care” and they mean it. This web site belongs to the American Nurses Association. They represent more than 3 million nurses, and are actively seeking to purse the best interests of all nurses. There’s lot of information that covers a broad spectrum of issue when it comes to nursing, and there are lots of resources as well.

Nurse.com

This web site belongs to the Gannett Healthcare Group. The site is a gold mine of information that ranges from regional news, events, education and nursing specialties all the way to finding a job in the nursing field. They’re a community of professionals whose aim is to enrich the lives of nurse, and celebrate the unique contributions they make to society. Check out the community area of the site that includes a blog where you can glean eons of knowledge from.

School Nurse News

Thinking about becoming a school nurse? Even if you aren’t, this is an excellent site to learn what it’s like to serve children, and adolescents. You can bet that at one point or another you will be caring for people in these age groups. Check out this site, and read about the experiences of a host of nurses who have cared for children and young adults in a school setting. Whether you’re planning on working in a school or not, there’s lots of good information when it comes to hands-on caring for these young ones.

Student Aid

Embarking on a nursing career can be costly. For some students it can seem almost impossible for them to become a nurse because of the cost involved with the schooling. Student Aid is a site where you can find all sorts of information on financial aid from the federal government. Don’t let money, or rather the lack of it, prevent you from perusing your dreams.

Medi-Smart

This site is packed with all sorts of different information and resources that any nursing student can benefit from. Find out about nursing degrees, check out the blog, learn about the different types of nurses, check out nursing school by state, or ask a nurse anything you want. This is an excellent web site.

ERNursey

If you want to know what it will be like to work in an emergency room after you become a nurse, then check out this blog that details the experiences of nurses in the emergency room setting. Gain valuable insight into a piece of the nursing world that almost every nurse will surely experience.

What happens to a city neighborhood when houses are torn down and absentee landlords leave behind abandoned lots? In a dense urban neighborhood of row houses, it creates an eyesore, is a hazard for residents, and dramatically reduces property values.

Finding Lots for Vacant Lot Project
In 2009, after having success creating the Youth Organics Garden in an unused open field at the Creighton Story Housing Project, the Director of Grand Street Community Arts, Tom McPheeters, approached the city about vacant lots in the Mansion Neighborhood and adjoining South End Neighborhood.

Properties were researched to determine ownership and the master plan for the South End revitalization was studied by volunteer Rebecca Platel, who has a background in community organizing and planning. It was found that a number of the vacant lots were now taken over by the city and available.

Employing Teens from City Summer Work Program
The city of Albany Youth Employment Program (YEP) hires, pays, and assigns teens to work at various not-for-profit organizations or at city sites during the summer vacation.

Four teens from YEP were assigned to Grand Street Community Arts to work on the Vacant Lot Project with three volunteers – a community organizer and planner; an architect and University at Albany MFA student; and an artist/educator – to design and implement the transformation of a vacant lot for public use.

The YEP teens meet 4 hours daily during the week with the goal to understand the issues surrounding abandoned urban vacant lots, to learn about art in public places, and to visit local salvage warehouses where unusual materials are available.

The teen’s work is a combination of facilitated dialogue, creative design, and hands-on work:
• designing a logo for the Vacant Lot Project
• drafting a plan for potential use of the lot
• talking with neighbors about their ideas
• establishing a working plan for lot transformation
• physically building or finding ways to obtain necessary materials

Without current operating funds for this project, work is being done on a shoestring encouraging the teens to think “out of the box” about discarded materials that can be found, gathered and used…like tires, doors, or wrought iron railings.

Making a Difference
The Vacant Lot Project will make a difference in Albany New York – one lot at a time. Public interest is mounting as the teens are out in the community and as residents become engaged in the process. Interest and community engagement will continue to grow as the abandoned lot begins to change. Vacant lots can go from being an eyesore to a useful public space with a lot of hard work from organizations and individuals dedicated to making a difference.

They assist patients, families and caregivers with short term and long term planning. They can also provide counseling services to assist with such issues as loss and grief or coping with lifestyle changes and other issues involving health status.

The MSW (Master’s in Social Work) assesses for the social, physical, financial and psychological needs of the patients and assist them in attaining these. For instance, they can assist the elderly to find care in their own homes or an appropriate level of care in assisted living or total care environments. They can assist parents with their needs and issues in caring for infants and children with birth defects and chronic illnesses.

MSWs also help patients and families to cope with the challenges of hospice care and the bereavement issues after the death.

Education and Training
For social workers, the minimum level of education is a bachelor of science in social work (BSW). However, for reimbursement purposes, a master’s degree is usually required (MSW). For those who wish to teach social work, a PhD in social work is most often required.

Course work beyond general education requirements includes classes in behavioral sciences, human growth and development, social sciences, basic psychology, social environment studies, social welfare policies and methods of social work.

License/Certification
All states in the U.S require that social workers be either licensed, certified or registered. Certification is offered to MSWs with two years of experience who are members of the National Association of Social workers and pass a written examination. Most states require 3,000 hours/2 years of supervision to become a licensed social worker (LCSW).

There are a variety of other credentials which can be earned through specific areas of study for social workers to advance in their particular career path.

Work Environment and Salary
Many social workers are employed by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities or the public health department. They also work for home health agencies and hospices, crisis centers, mental health facilities, schools, and substance abuse facilities. Some work in private practice.

Median salaries vary depending upon the nature of the work, but ranged between $35,000 to $43,000 in May, 2006 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall salaries ranged from $24,480 to slightly over $68,000 per year according to these statistics.

Job Outlook
The job outlook for social workers is expected to grow faster than most other occupations well into the next decade. The health workforce is growing due to the demands of an aging and growing population which will continue to require sophisticated care. Social workers provide a necessary dimension to this field.

March is designated as National Professional Social Work month to honor social workers and the contributions they make in improving the quality of life for patients and their families.