Abstract
The paper discusses the United States' serious nursing crisis and predictions that this trend will only get worse in the future, showing that the changing demographics of an aging population are largely to blame. The paper also shows that nursing shortages are greater in areas requiring higher levels of education, such as Masters or Doctorate Degrees and that not enough nurses are pursuing educational paths to fill this need. Congress has offered tuition reimbursement and grant programs to help fund higher education and Nursing Associations are working to create faster tracks to a careers in nursing. Other methods discussed are media campaigns which have highlighted the advantages of nursing. This research examines the factors that influence a nurse's decision to pursue higher education and gives insight as to how to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent them from entering into higher education.

Table of Contents:
Literature Review
Scope of the Nursing Shortage
What is Being Done?
Have these Measures Been Effective?
Motivating Factors for Nurses to Pursue Continuing Education
The Traditional Career Path
Distance Learning and the Nursing shortage
What this Research Hopes to Answer
Methodology
Data Collection
Subject Selection Criteria
Data Analysis
Assumptions
Limitations
Biases
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Distance learning offers many advantages over traditional programs. The first advantage is cost. As distance learning facilities do not have the high costs of maintaining all of those classrooms as in a traditional setting, they have lower over head costs and can offer their services at a much lower rate. Convenience is the biggest advantage. Many nursing students start families and must begin working as soon as they obtain their license. They often have many job and family responsibilities that would prevent them from having a career and going to school, without sacrificing family or professional life. Distance learning allows them to work at home, many times at their own pace, and still enjoy the benefits of family and professional life."

Tags:AACN, Labor, Statistics, FNHP, TriCouncil, Distance, Learning

Abstract
This paper introduces and discusses Senate Bill 2529 which focuses on the licensing and education of nurses within the New Jersey State's health care system. It begins with an address to senators regarding the Bill and then provides a statement discussing the necessity of the Bill. It further describes the issues that Senate Bill 2529 is intended to address.

Table of Contents:
Address to Senators
Statement

From the Paper
"The fact is that within that new health care system we are still impacted by issues of nursing migration, nursing retirement and globalization that will not cease to affect the process of nursing or the delivery of care without policies that are intended to provide positive results. One such policy is Senate Bill 2529 that gives us the opportunity at this time to mold our nursing professionals through education and not only ensure that they have the ability of universally achieving goals in health care delivery, but that they are the most knowledgeable and skilled nurses throughout the world."

Tags:medicine, legislation, degree

Abstract
The paper reviews the arguments offered by both sides in the debate on whether nursing certification should be given to graduates of two-year programs or only to graduates of four-year programs. The paper cites studies which have been presented as proof by proponents of either course. The paper concludes that additional education makes sense when it is qualified with more practical experience.

From the Paper
"The issue of RN education has been much debated. Proponents of the BSN cite increased managerial skills, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and improved patient safety, while advocates of the two-year program stress the value of pragmatic, hands-on clinical experience and point out that the demands of the nursing shortage require a more immediate source of trained registered nurses. Finally, some have advocated a third-course, which involves programs that enable both BSN's and ADN's to pursue graduate qualifications."

Tags:licensing, baccalaureate, certification

From the Paper
"ISSUES CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR NURSES
Introduction
This research examines issues concerning professional education for nurses. The issues examines are (1) the need for nurses educated at several levels of preparation, (2) continuing education as a criterion for license renewal, and (3) the incorporation of differentiated nursing practice levels in hospital staffing.

Need For Nurses Educated At Several Levels Of Preparation
In the contemporary health care environment, the traditional differentiation in nursing education primarily between two-year programs and baccalaureate programs, with a much smaller number of doctoral programs, has been superceded by an environment wherein several preparatory levels for advanced .."

Abstract
This paper explains that the registered nurse RN acts as the guide and definer of a patent's treatment, in absence of the physician; whereas, the licensed practical nurse LPN assists the registered nurse in observing the patient and administering the treatment under the supervision of the registered nurse. The author points out that, unlike the LPN, the RN is registered with a professional organization and must obey the organization's ethical codes and legal strictures and must maintain certain levels of competency to comply with evolving standards. The paper relates that the RN has a unique responsibility to manage a patient's long-term treatment; thus, unlike an LPN, an RN can act as a director and a decision-maker in the home healthcare environment as well as an observer, advisor and caregiver.

From the Paper
"The RN can aid the physican in the diagnosis of the patient, remit specific orders about how the patient's treatment, medication, and care ought to progress according to the goals set at the onset of the treatment, and make decisions regarding patient care that alters such goals and treatment, provided these decisions are vetted by the physican responsible for the patient in the home healthcare setting. The RN can manage the care given by other nurses, such as the LPN and RNs possessing less seniority and advanced expertise and education in the caregiving setting."

Tags:physician, professional, education, long-term, decision-maker

Abstract
This paper describes Senate Bill 2529, introduced to the New Jersey State legislature on February 8, 2007 by Senator Joseph Vitale, which focuses on the licensing and education of nurses within the State's health care system. According to the paper, it is the intention of this bill to create a law whereby all newly trained nurses must obtain a bachelor's degree by their tenth year of licensure in order to continue to practice in the State.

From the Paper
"There is no doubt that one of our greatest social concerns at the present time is the delivery of health care. In the past several decades the issues surrounding health care have been monumental and as our society continues to evolve added concerns are evident. However, there is a manner in which everyone that is responsible for changing the future of health care can do so, with positive results."

Tags:nursing, health, care

Abstract
This paper explains that one of the reasons for the shortage of nurses (RNs) in the United States is the expanding demands of the aging population as well as the advancing age of the nurses themselves. Next, the author evaluates potential solutions of the nursing shortage situation. The paper stresses that an effective solution to this shortage would be for hospitals to hire Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) not as a replacement for RNs but for general health care services within the LPN's skill set, such as perform vital signs, baths and checking IV.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Uncovering the Problem
Solutions to Nursing Shortage
Possible Economic Solutions to Nursing Shortage
Pros and Cons of Solutions
Most Effective Solution
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Congress introduced the TNT program, also known as the Troops to nurse program. It was developed to address the nursing shortage, which could reach nearly 500,000 by 2025. It would offer financial incentive to nursing schools to collaborate with the military since both since both civilian and military recruitment for nurses are below goal. The legislation would pay the nursing schools to train the military nurse, which would relieve much of the financial burden on the student, and once the student is done with an agreed tour of duty they would be already trained to work in the private sector."

Tags:lpn, patient safety, working environment, costs educator

Abstract
This paper examines the role of nurses in our society. It demonstrates how they are on the front line of the medical field in both aiding health care and social issues. The paper states that nurses are legally responsible to report physical abuse. The author describes the education, licensing, and state regulations of nursing.

From the Paper
"Nursing is both a science and an art. Through nursing, individuals are provided with health care and their societal needs are met. In the health care industry, nurses are at the forefront of patient care, interacting with individuals, families, and communities to promote good health, provide medical education, encourage disease prevention, care for the ill, and rehabilitate those in need (Potter, Patricia, et al, 2000, pp. 24-25). Nurses must multitask, acting in collaboration with other health care disciplines to promote a healthy environment."

Tags:licensing, regulations, education

Abstract
This paper explains that, in the early years, until the use of certified specialty nurse anesthetists, many patients died or had severe complications during and after surgery because the person administering the anesthesia had little training and the physician had to divide his attention between the anesthesia and the actual surgery. The author points out that Agatha Hodgins did much more than teach nurses how to administer anesthesia under combat conditions because she also looked to the future of the profession and where it could go. The paper relates that, in 1939, Agatha Hodgins established the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, which lead to the first national certification exam in 1945 and continues today as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), professional licensed nurses who have extensive training in nurse anesthesia required after obtaining a Registered Nurse (RN) degree.

From the Paper
"During World War I, Agatha Hodgins served in France from 1914 to 1915. It was during this time that she helped train physicians and nurses from France and England in the administration of anesthesia. At this time the United States had not yet entered the war. Thank to the efforts of Agatha Hodgins and those she trained, nurse anesthetists have been the primary anesthesia administrators in combat areas. This has been the case in every war the United States has fought since World War I."

Tags:combat, certification, education, specialty, lakeside

Abstract
This paper discusses advanced practice nursing, defining advanced practice nursing, identifying the various specialty areas and comparing and contrasting two of the 6 identified (4 formal, 2 informal). The roles chosen for this paper are Educator and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Ultimately this paper discusses the need for greater recognition and delineation of roles, definitions and legislation on licensure (i.e., 8 states still don't recognize and license the clinical nurse specialist) and the need for insurance reimbursement to allow for greater practice opportunities.

From the Paper
"A cursory literature review of advanced nursing practices seems to vacillate on providing a fixed singular definition of advanced nursing practices; but they do agree on one point, they all encompass the following characteristics, some more than others depending on the role and environment: advanced clinical practice, advanced educational, advanced research, and advanced administrative responsibilities. While advanced education and degree designations often constitute a significant piece of the advanced practice nurse through specific labels, roles and responsibilities are more typically looked at. There are four main advanced practice nurse roles acknowledged in the medical world at large: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Practitioner."

Tags:educator, nursing, specialist