Networking for nursing students
January 19, 2012
Nursing is a popular major among mothers pursuing a college education for several reasons. A career as a nurse can be emotionally-rewarding, lucrative and offers many moms a flexible schedule that helps them master the work-life balance.
In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the job prospects for registered nurses are expected to be excellent over the next decade.
The profession also offers moms a great opportunity to help ensure their family's financial independence. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in the U.S. is more than $62,000 per year.
However, nursing school is not easy, especially for women who are trying to balance the demands of their education and their family.
"When you are in nursing school, it can consume your life," nursing student and mom Diane Brandsrud wrote on the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) website. "You eat, sleep and breathe nursing. But it is still important to me to be there for my family, and particularly, to be a good mom."
Those pursuing a nursing degree have a variety of places to go for support at school, at home and online.
According to OnlineColleges.net, several groups on LinkedIn cater specifically to nursing students and help offer support for those in school, taking exams and preparing to enter the profession.
"LinkedIn offers some amazing opportunities for nursing students to reach out to others in the community," according to the OnlineColleges.net blog. "Simply create your own profile on LinkedIn and you'll be able to instantly connect with thousands of other nurses who are already taking part in online discussions through the wide range of groups available on the site."
Among some of the favorite LinkedIn groups for students are the Nursing Student Network, NursingLink Users Group, American Nurses Credentialing Center, Stressed Out Nurses and MedicalExams.com.
Recent or future graduates may find groups such as ADVANCE for Nurses Professional Group, Hospital Jobs Healthcare & Medical Jobs, Health Care Opportunities, Jobs for Nurses and Recruit a Nurse helpful, according to the website.
Moms who want to pursue a degree in nursing - or any other field - should consider alleviating some of the financial stress of going back to school by researching college scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships, grants for parents and other financial aid options.
