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If you're preparing to start a career in nursing or are looking for a new specialty to expand your skill set, shadowing a nurse is a great idea. Even a few hours of shadowing gives you an idea of whether you'd like the job you're planning to apply for or not! What is Nurse Shadowing? Shadowing a nurse gives students (and nurses seeking a new job) a chance to follow another nurse as they perform their daily tasks. The nurse you shadow will typically share stories and advice while answering questions you have about their job. You'll also see a sample of their workday, what the culture of the unit looks like, and the reality of their job description. Benefits of Shadowing a Nurse If you're considering shadowing a nurse, know there are many benefits to consider. Diving headfirst into a nursing job without any experience often leads to some serious shock once you begin your new role. Nurse shadowing gives you a sneak peek at what to expect. It can also keep you from accepting a job you won't like without having to go through the hiring process and orientation. The benefits don't stop there, though. Here are a few more key benefits of shadowing a nurse. Start Your Career On a Good Note If you're currently a nursing student, shadowing a nurse is one of the best things you can do for your future career. You may already have a post-graduation dream job lined up. Or you might be searching for something that fits your passion. Before accepting any job, take the time to shadow a nurse on that floor. You'll learn a lot about whether the environment is where you want to start your nursing journey. Create a Professional Network Opportunities in nursing can come from unexpected places. When you shadow a nurse, you begin to form a relationship with them. Most of the time, you'll shadow a more experienced nurse who has lots of expertise and advice to share. If you form a good working relationship with them and stay in touch, you can ask for a letter of recommendation down the road. You'll also have a mentor to turn to when you need a helping hand. They may even be able to help you find new opportunities for promotion or leadership as you advance your career. Find Your Specialty Many nurses who gain a few years of experience working on a general care floor decide they'd like to specialize. But finding a specialty you think you might like is often different than liking it in real life. Shadowing a nurse allows you to experience life as a nurse in that specialty before leaving your job and diving in head first. Better yet, you can shadow nurses in several different specialties to get a feel for which one you might like best without having to commit to just one! How to Shadow a Nurse If you're sold on the benefits of why you should be shadowing, now you're probably wondering how to shadow a nurse. There are a few key things to consider. How to Find a Nurse to Shadow Finding a nurse to shadow can be daunting if you don't have contacts in the healthcare world. If you're still in school, consider asking one of your professors or clinical instructors. They may be able to reach out to their network of co-workers. You can also reach out directly to the facility where you want to shadow. Consider sending a professional email or calling to inquire about shadowing opportunities. Hiring managers and HR coordinators are typically a good starting point—and you can usually find their contact information online. If this doesn't work, consider applying for a job you're interested in. Then, when you have an interview with the hiring manager, you can ask them directly if there are any opportunities to shadow one of their nurses before accepting the job. Come Prepared Nurses are busy people. So when you're ready to shadow one, it's important to come prepared. You don't want to hold your nurse back by not knowing where to go or having questions to ask. You also need to dress and act professionally when interacting with other staff and patients. The facility you're shadowing at may give you specific instructions on what to wear. If not, a clean pair of scrubs and comfortable shoes typically works well. Follow Instructions Your job while shadowing is to learn as much as possible without interfering with the nurse's tasks. Be sure to follow instructions closely at all times. This includes instructions from the nurse you're shadowing as well as other hospital personnel. Ask Questions If you want to get the most out of your shadowing experience, be sure to come prepared with plenty of questions. Most nurses are happy to answer your questions and offer advice. But they won't be able to give you answers if you don't ask! Coming up with a list of questions in advance can help you be present and soak in everything you're learning without distractions. Conclusion Shadowing a nurse is a great opportunity, whether you're just starting your career or are looking to advance it. Make the most of your time by being professional, prepared, and curious. Chances are, what you learn while shadowing will help shape your nursing career into the one of your dreams. Share your knowledge, insights, and/or questions

Organ transplant surgeries are life-saving procedures that give the recipient a new lease on life. But did you know that nurses play a vital role in the transplant process aside from post-op care? So much so that there is an entire specialty dedicated to it. This fulfilling role is one of the most exciting nursing specialties out there. So you might be wondering how to become a transplant nurse. This specialty allows nurses to care for patients during every step of the organ transplant process. It's both incredibly rewarding and provides a great professional challenge. To celebrate National Donate Life Month this April, we're looking at what a transplant nurse does, how you can become one, and the transplant nurse salary you can expect. What is a Transplant Nurse? Like other nursing specialties, a transplant nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who focuses on one area of patient care. As a transplant nurse, you'll work with patients who are donating or receiving organs and help coordinate their care before, during, and after surgery. Depending on the hospital or facility you work in, you may focus on specific types of transplants, such as kidney or liver transplants, or work with patients who need a wide variety of transplants. What Does a Transplant Nurse Do? When caring for living organ donors, a transplant nurse's role is often focused on education. Those donating an organ—whether to a friend, family member, or stranger—have lots of questions. You'll help answer those questions and provide education about what to expect. Transplant nurses also provide physical care for patients after they undergo surgery for organ donation. The same is true for organ recipients. Often patients who need a transplant have other chronic health conditions to manage. Transplant nurses provide care and comfort for patients around the surgical process. They also provide care for their other physical, mental, and emotional needs. Some transplant nurses even help in the operating room during the transplant surgery. Once the patient's transplant is complete, nurses monitor for complications like organ rejection and provide specific post-operative care as the patient recovers. How to Become a Transplant Nurse If you're wondering how to become a transplant nurse, the first step you'll need to take is the same as most other nursing careers—completing your degree. You can earn either an Associate's Degree in Nursing, but a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred in today's healthcare job market. You'll then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed in your state as an RN. From there, you may be able to get a transplant nursing job right away. Or you may need to gain some experience by working as a nurse in another, such as on a medical-surgical floor or in the ICU, before applying. Transplant Nurse Qualifications When applying for a transplant nurse job, what should you expect? Aside from the basic requirements of having your degree and passing the NCLEX, here are a few typical qualifications you'll want to consider: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Excellent communication skills with patients, families, and other healthcare providers Previous experience in operating room nursing and/or critical care Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse Certification (not required, but often preferred) Do I Need a Certification to Be a Transplant Nurse? Those wondering how to become transplant nurses often worry about getting additional certifications before they can find a job. The good news is that you don't need to be certified for this specialty. But RNs who want to become transplant nurses might want to consider sitting for the American Board for Transplant Certification exam. Being certified helps you stand out from other jobseekers and shows that you're an expert in your specialty. To take the certification exam, you'll need at least 12 months of experience caring for patients undergoing organ transplants and at least two total years of nursing experience. Where to Find Transplant Nursing Jobs More than 42,000 organ transplants were performed in 2022. This means there is no shortage of jobs if you want to become a transplant nurse. And with more than 104,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, this need isn't going away anytime soon. The majority of transplant nurse jobs exist within larger hospitals and health systems. However, you can also find jobs in other settings. Minor transplant procedures can take place in outpatient ambulatory surgery centers. You can also find a job in specialized organ transplant facilities that only focus on transplant procedures. Transplant Nurse Salary Since being a transplant nurse is a specialty position, you might be wondering how much you could make. Transplant nurse salaries can vary depending on the state you live in and which type of facility you work in. The current national average transplant nurse salary is $106,105 per year. That's about $51 per hour. By comparison, the national average salary for a non-specialized RN is $77,976 per year. So, while transplant nurses don't make quite as much as nurses in other specialties, you can expect a nice paycheck. Not to mention the priceless fulfillment you receive from helping patients through a life-changing procedure.

As a nurse, money probably isn't your number one goal. Getting into this profession means you probably care about helping others and finding fulfillment in your career. But no one says nurses can't make good money, too! The good news is there are lots of high-paying nursing jobs that don't require an advanced degree. Although an advanced degree is necessary for certain paths to advancing your career (like becoming a nurse practitioner), these aren't for everyone. Many nurses can't stomach the thought of going back to school for another degree. That's okay! If you love what you do as an RN but want to see a bigger paycheck, these high-paying nursing jobs might be interesting. When in doubt, don't be afraid to make a change. Who knows, you might even find a unique role that takes your career in an exciting new direction! Do You Need an Advanced Degree for a High-Paying Nursing Job? The short answer is no! You can absolutely make good money as a nurse without an advanced degree. You just need to know where to look. Although there is always talk about nurse practitioners and CRNAs making the most money, plenty of nursing jobs offering excellent pay don't require an advanced degree. Even so, many people still believe you need a master's or doctoral degree in nursing if you want a high-paying job. It's true that an advanced degree can open doors to more pay. But you can also find high-paying nursing jobs even if you just have a bachelor's degree. How Much Money Does a Staff Nurse Make? Before exploring some of the highest-paying nursing jobs that don't require an advanced degree, we need something to compare them to. Staff nurses make up the bulk of the healthcare workforce and are an essential part of any hospital. But how much do they make? According to data from ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for a staff nurse is just under $78,000 per year. That number equals $37 per hour and doesn't include overtime or bonuses. And if your salary as a staff nurse isn't the same, remember this number varies greatly by location. Nurses in Washington and New York make significantly more than those in states like North Carolina or Georgia. Factors like years of experience and specialty also have a big impact on salary (as you'll see shortly). 10 Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs for RNs Now that we've looked at the average a staff nurse can expect to make, you're probably ready to find out just how much you can earn without an advanced degree. Keep in mind these ten jobs are only a fraction of what's out there. But if you're looking for a bigger nursing paycheck and don't want to go back to school, they could be worth considering. 10- Informatics Nurse If you've got a knack for technology and are the person everyone on the unit turns to for help with charting, you might be interested in nursing informatics. With the current technology boom, this job is in high demand. Healthcare systems need people who understand both technology and the role it plays in patient care. Don't expect to just be confined to a hospital, either. Informatics nurses can often find jobs with tech companies, medical record companies, and even research institutions. National Average Salary: $78,350 per year 9- Nurse Researcher If you enjoy diving deep into case studies and policies, a career as a nurse researcher could be a good fit. Many nurse researchers step away from the bedside and hands-on care. But you may also find yourself in a hybrid role that involves both research and clinical time. If you plan to make a career out of nursing research, you may need to get your master's or Ph.D. eventually. But you can certainly find a high-paying nursing job without an advanced degree in this field and get started. National Average Salary: $85,499 per year 8- Unit Nurse Manager Do you like having your finger on the pulse of your unit? Do you thrive in a leadership role while managing a team of people in high-pressure situations? Nurse managers are often the backbone of their units. In this role, you'll have an opportunity to create a positive culture, improve patient outcomes, and find ways to brighten the work environment for your peers. This isn't a job for everyone, but if you're up for a challenge and like the idea of leadership, becoming a nurse manager can be a highly fulfilling career path. National Average Salary: $87,904 per year 7- Operating Room Nurse If fast-paced life on the unit isn't your speed, the OR may have something to offer. An OR nurse works with patients before, during, and after surgery. You'll spend lots of time communicating, answering questions, and providing home-going education. Nurses working in the OR can also expect to see a wide variety of surgical cases and work with a diverse team of providers. National Average Salary: $89,390 per year 6- Oncology Nurse Caring for those at their most vulnerable is at the heart of what nurses do. Oncology nursing takes this to the next level. You'll provide care to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. This is a great opportunity for nurses who like to build relationships with their patients and work with them over a longer period of time. Although oncology nursing can be emotionally taxing, you'll also enjoy some of the best moments the human spirit has to offer. National Average Salary: $90,088 per year 5- Nurse Educator If you're ready to step away from patient care, becoming a nurse educator can be a great career move. This allows you to share your nursing knowledge with the next generation of nurses and continue having a positive impact. Of course, this doesn't just mean teaching classes at a university. You can also work as a nurse educator in the hospital and help train nurses on the latest in evidence-based practice and new equipment. National Average Salary: $96,932 per year 4- Travel Nurse This one is more flexible since you can find travel nursing jobs in many different specialties. The title "travel nurse" is more of a starting point than an all-inclusive description. But if you want a high-paying nursing job without an advanced degree, look no further. With a nationwide nursing shortage, you'll have plenty of opportunities to pack your bags (and secure the bag) while helping patients in exciting locations across the country. National Average Salary: $106,030 per year 3- Emergency Room Nurse If you've built up strong clinical nursing skills and can think on your feet in a fast-paced environment, the ER might be a good fit. You'll also need to be good at dealing with stress and balancing several important tasks at once. For those who fit the mold, ER nursing is a great way to advance your career and make more money in the process. You'll also find plenty of fulfillment as you're often the first person helping a patient in their time of need. National Average Salary: $114,970 per year 2- ICU Nurse Working with critically ill patients isn't something all nurses want to do. In fact, many nurses are just as reluctant about taking a job in the ICU as they are about going back to school. But if you're up for a challenge and love caring for patients with complex and serious diagnoses, a career in the ICU can be incredibly rewarding. Since ICU nurses need lots of training and experience, these roles come with a higher salary. National Average Salary: $119,473 per year 1- NICU Nurse Topping our list of the highest-paying nursing jobs that don't require an advanced degree is NICU nursing. Much like the regular ICU, you'll be caring for critically ill patients in a high-pressure environment. The catch? Your patients are all babies. NICU nurses work with premature infants and newborns who have other serious conditions. You'll also work closely with parents and families as you teach them how to be involved in their baby's care. National Average Salary: $129,142 per year What Comes Next? If you want to take your nursing career to new heights, remember there are plenty of ways to do so. Higher-paying jobs are always out there if you know where to find them. No matter your interests, skills, or specialty, you can land a job you love that doesn't require an advanced degree.

As nurses, we will frequently hear the phrase 'patient experience' being discussed. Have you ever thought about what the patient experience really means to you? Take a minute to think about what the patient experience means to you as a nurse. Take another minute to realize that the patient experience and your facility's patient satisfaction scores are not solely your responsibility. Who Plays a Role in the Patient Experience? Imagine this scenario: You have a patient that is calling to make an appointment, and they are left on hold for over 15 minutes. Then, the representative they speak with is curt and unfriendly or otherwise not very helpful. The patient may form a bad interpretation or opinion of the facility, even with that first phone call, before they ever come in for treatment! The front desk, secretaries, and office staff all play a role in the patient experience. Upon their arrival for their appointment, the appearance of the healthcare facility will play a role in the patient's experience. If maintenance or housekeeping is not keeping the facility clean and safe, it can give the facility a poor appearance, which patients will notice right away and could even sustain injury from. Keeping the facility clean, maintained, safe, and in good working order is not the sole responsibility of the nurse, but it does play have an effect on the overall patient experience. Having good medical assistants, nursing assistants, nursing care techs, phlebotomists, dietary workers, therapists, and social workers is essential for a good patient experience. In some cases, these support staff members spend more time with the patient than the nurse or physician does. Having good support staff can make or break the patient experience. Physicians play a large role in the patient experience. If the physician does not take the time to listen to the patients, answer their questions thoroughly, perform a good assessment, communicate well, and write the needed orders in a timely manner, then it sets up the rest of the staff for failure. Nurses and support staff follow physician orders, so if the physician does a poor job, then it is unlikely that the rest of the staff will be able to recover the patient's experience from there on. Even though they may not have physical contact with the patient, management and administration play a huge role in the patient experience and are not to be forgotten about. Part of their job is to make sure that they have an adequate amount of quality staff to meet the needs of the number of patients in the facility. They also need to make sure that they are hiring, retaining, and keeping good, quality staff. A Reminder for the Nurse Creating a good patient experience is not just the nurse's responsibility. Nursing is a large part of the patient experience but there are many other people and factors that affect it. The nurse can only control so much, and they have to work with the resources they have. There are many variables that are out of the nurse's control. The patient experience does not just fall on the nurse's shoulders. It is impacted by every single person the patient comes in contact with in the facility, from the cleaning staff to the administrators. Next time you are having a difficult workday, remember that the patient experience and patient satisfaction scores are not solely the nurse's responsibility.

Starting a new job is exciting but oftentimes causes anxiety. Whether you are a new grad nurse starting your first nursing job or a seasoned nurse switching facilities, the first days can be hard. It is normal to have butterflies in your stomach, sweat a little more, and feel nervous when starting a new job. Use these 8 steps to make your first day at your new nursing job a success! Make a Plan Having a plan for logistics before starting your new job will make you feel more comfortable. Ask yourself these questions to begin creating a plan for your first day: What time do you have to wake up? How long will it take you to get ready? What will you wear? How long will it take to get to work? How will you be getting to work? What do you need to bring with you? Are you going to bring food with you? Is there food available there? Where will you park? Will it cost money to park? How long will it take to park? What time do you have to be there? Who should you ask for when you get there? When planning out your logistics, make sure to leave extra time in your schedule in case something unexpected happens. This will help take some of those first-day jitters away. Take a Test Run Before your first day of work, take a test drive to your assigned facility, so you know how to get there and where to park if needed. You can time your travel to see how long it will take. Don't forget to consider traffic also. Traffic may be worse during the time of day that you have to travel to work. Pack Ahead of Time Lay your clothes out the night (or day) before. Pack your food and drinks. Gather anything you think you may need to take with you and place it by the door. If you plan on driving, make sure there is gas in your car. Set Your Alarm and Get Some Sleep Don't forget to set your alarm. You may want to consider setting two alarms just to be safe. Though it may be difficult, try to get some good quality sleep, so you have energy for your first day. Get There Early and Introduce Yourself Being early for your work day will give you time to get acclimated to the unit and introduce yourself to the other staff. Take a look around. Make a note of any door codes you may need and where the supplies are kept. Take some time to look over your patient assignment and orders. Introduce yourself to every single person you come across. You will be working around these people, and you want to make a good first impression. Take Notes Bring a notebook to jot down any notes or reminders throughout the day. This can also be helpful to learn the staff's names and what their jobs are. At the end of the shift, you can review your notes and jot down any questions you may have. Ask Questions Don't be afraid to ask questions! You will probably have a lot of questions during your first day, but it will get easier. Every facility will have different policies and procedures, so make sure you know where they keep these documents and who your go-to person should be for questions or difficult situations. Have a Positive Attitude, Jump Right In, and Be Helpful Be friendly and have a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude will show people that you are excited to be there and get to work. If someone needs help, be the first one to lend them a hand. This shows that you are a team player. If you are always willing to help others, they will be more willing to help you when you need it.