Respiratory Therapist | Distance Learning Systems (DLSI)

Can Online Education Be The Solution To Addressing The Nursing Shortage?

The nursing shortage is a significant challenge facing the healthcare industry today. According to the National Library of Medicine, this problem has complex roots, including a need for more potential educators, high turnover rates, and an uneven distribution of nurses.

However, the issue is not new and has been a concern for years. The demand for registered nurses has consistently outpaced the supply, as reported by U.S. News, and this gap has only grown wider due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a staggering 203,200 job openings for registered nurses through 2031. We urgently need a solution to train and prepare new nurses to meet this demand.

The Role of Online Education

One promising solution to address the nursing shortage is using an online education platform that is more innovative than traditional solutions. This innovative approach offers an accelerated and accredited nursing degree program that provides flexibility and addresses the issues of cost and time constraints.

Revolutionizing Nursing Education

Online EdTech companies are revolutionizing how we approach college education. Their cutting-edge platform allows students to start courses at their convenience and complete them in weeks, all at a fraction of the cost compared to the national average tuition fees.

Overcoming Traditional Barriers

Traditional four-year bachelor’s degree programs at colleges or universities often present formidable obstacles to aspiring registered nurses. Many students face rejection from nursing programs, prolonged on-campus commitments, high tuition fees, inflexible schedules, curriculum challenges, and a sense of isolation. The right online education program overcomes these barriers.

Affordable and Accessible Education

One of the primary obstacles to becoming a registered nurse is the high cost of education. However, the more innovative online education programs and platforms offer 100% online courses, allowing students to maintain a flexible lifestyle while reducing costs to half the national tuition average. Moreover, these courses are taught by experienced Master’s and PhD instructors, ensuring the quality of education.

Endorsement and Accreditation

The recommendation of its courses, such as the American Council on Education, sets the right online education program apart. Furthermore, they facilitate the transfer of students to partner universities, which then confer accredited university degrees upon qualifying students. The right online program will also work with several university partners, giving students various options to earn a respected and accredited nursing degree.

Bridging the Gender Gap

According to Forbes, women in nursing roles often earn higher salaries than their male counterparts. For example, women make 3% more than men as vocational nurses. Therefore, online education programs that use a more advanced platform particularly benefit young people and women.

The Solution Summarized

The shortage of nurses is a long-standing challenge exacerbated by various factors. The solution is not just an online nursing education program but an online nursing education program that uses an innovative platform that differentiates itself from others in accessibility, affordability, and flexibility. By embracing such a solution, we can work towards resolving this critical issue and ensuring a steady supply of qualified nurses in the healthcare industry.

Written By: Justin Hart

20 Shocking Facts About Nursing

Ellen Dougherty was the first to be registered on January 10, 1902. She was the first Registered Nurse in the World.
After 1905, it became a misdemeanor to claim to be an RN without a certificate of registration.
Only 3 of 5 nurses actually work in hospitals. Some non-hospital nursing careers include nurse-midwife, forensic nurse, nurse educator, school nurse, academic nurse writer, and legal nurse consultant.
Nurses walk 4 miles every shift! On average, nurses walk four to five miles every 12-hour shift they work. The average person only walks about 2.5 miles a day. Nurses walk double the distance every shift than the average population does daily. This interesting fact about nursing proves why nurses need a comfortable pair of shoes!
Nursing is considered the most honest and ethical profession in the United States! Every year, Gallup asks U.S. adults to rate the honesty and ethics of a number of professions, and for 18 years in a row, Americans overwhelmingly rate nurses as the most honest and ethical.
The first known nursing school was established in India in 250 BCE. However, only male students could attend nursing school at the time.
Linda Richards was the first American to earn a nursing degree. She enrolled in the new nursing program at the New England Hospital for Women and Children, was the program’s first graduate in 1873.
The famous poet Walt Whitman, worked as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War! “The Wound Dresser” was just one of his pieces that reflected on his experience.
Nursing is a fast-growing profession. The federal government predicts that 200,000 new nursing jobs will be created each year between 2016 and 2026. That’s 2 million nursing positions!
Men are a growing portion of nurses in the United States. In 2018, men made up 9.6% of the total nursing population which was an increase from 7.1% in 2008.
The first documented travel nurses were present in the late 1970s when nurses were brought to New Orleans specifically to help care for the surge of people present for Mardi Gras.
As of October 2020, the pass rate for the NCLEX was 74.73%.
Most of the women (90%) who served in the Vietnam War were Army and Navy nurses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 84,200 RNs are employed as school nurses: enough to staff just 64% of schools with a full-time nurse. However, many nurses are responsible for covering multiple schools, or they work part-time.
As of 2020, there were 2,986,500 working in the United States.
The average annual earnings for licensed practical nurses was $29,440 in 2000. In 2020, the average annual earnings were $48,500.
Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first professionally trained and licensed African American nurse in the U.S. She went on to co-found the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN).
Accelerated-degree programs are making it easier for people to go into nursing as a second career. As of 2018, there were 282 accelerated baccalaureate programs, according to the AACN, with 30 more in the works.
Last year, 30,390 nurses were accepted into university. According to the UCAS, 2019 saw an increase of 6.1% of nursing course applications.
There is a serious shortage of nurses. Despite the facts revealing that more nurses are joining the register and more students are choosing to study nursing, there is a global shortage of nurses.

We’d Like to Hear From You!

To those of you that read these blogs consistently, thank you so much. Having an audience rather than feeling like I am writing into the void is a rewarding experience, so again, thank you. Seeing the reactions to articles, stories and interviews never gets less heartwarming for me. Especially when I can relate to even just one person.

Now I typically write about different topics that I come up with or that seem like a good fit at the moment, but now I want to hear from you guys! To our students, prospective students, and just general followers of our page, what do you want to read about?

We get great feedback especially when I do interviews and personal pieces. So, what type of topic would be personal to you? Do you need motivation? Time management tips? More information on the nursing field? Or would you like to hear about different job opportunities in different areas of study? Let us know!

Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would like to hear next. I’m all ears!

– Lucy

Letters to Yourself: A Gift for Graduation Day

Have you written a letter to your future self before? When I was in eighth grade, I had a history teacher that had us write a letter to our future selves, which would be opened at a later date close to high school graduation. We were instructed to write about our current hobbies, favorite music, friends, and our future hopes and goals. I wrote about how my volleyball and track seasons were going and how I hoped one day I would be a college athlete. I wrote about the Black Eyed Peas and how much I loved them and my favorite songs. Cringey, right? I finished my letter by telling my future self what I hoped I would accomplish in the next four years and reminded future me to not be so hard on myself.

Over the course of the next few years, I forgot all about the letter I wrote, until the day before graduation when I finally was able to read it. When I unsealed the letter and read what 13 year old me had written, I laughed and cringed and eventually was brought to tears. I was shocked by what had changed, but thankful for the personal growth I saw. I was heading to college to major in Secondary Education and as a member of my university’s volleyball team. I no longer listened to the Black Eyed Peas (except for the occasional throwback), and I was still working on being an advocate for myself and finding my voice. The letter was such a breath of fresh air, I then came up with the idea of writing a letter to my future self for when I graduated college. Being 17, my goals for the future were different. I sat down and wrote another letter to myself, this time, to open the day before I graduated from college.

Three years later, I unsealed yet another letter from myself. The emotions I felt while reading that letter were indescribable. My younger self had written about how I was nervous to leave home, moving to a place where I didn’t know a soul.

She was scared of living up to the standards she had set for herself but was determined to make her family proud. The last thing she wrote about was finding happiness.

Younger me had been struggling with knowing where she belonged and just wanted to find her place in this world. Reading my final letter urged me to reflect on my past three years. Three years full of switching majors, an athletic career cut short by injury, one too many crazy hair phases, gaining lifetime friends, goals I reached and even the ones I fell short on. Reading my letter made me more conscious of how I have changed and grown. It reminded me of some of my past visions that I lost track of along the way. It made me appreciate how far I have come and it made me look forward to the future.

Memories tend to fade and become distorted over time, making them unreliable by the time you graduate. It’s far better to put pen to paper and write down all of your hopes and dreams, your visions and aspirations, as well as ask some mindful questions that only your future self can answer.

As you write your letter, your current thoughts and consciousness will be stored in your words. And as you read it after graduation, months or years later, you will be provided with a different perspective, letting you see just how much you have changed since then. Write to yourself. Include your goals and your fears. Ask yourself questions, and offer advice to your future self. There are no restrictions on how far you should project your letter to — you can write to your future self 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or even 10 years from now!

A few quick few prompts to start your letter could be…

Ambitious: “In (number of years) I would like to achieve…”
Goal-driven: “My goal for (date/year) is…”
Motivating: “Dear future self, I would like to encourage/motivate you to…”

What I Wish I Would Have Known Before College

There is no step by step guide to survive school while pursuing a higher education degree. Many people describe college as some of the best years of their lives. However, higher education is a dramatic lifestyle change that can be hard to adapt to for many students. As a recent graduate reflecting on my college years, there are a few things I wish I had realized before I entered college. Here are a few things I wish I would’ve known, including stress, studying and money management.

In high school I was a three sport athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, the secretary for the student council and part of many other committees. I balanced these activities very well and loved every minute of it. However, the set schedule I was used to changed when I came to college. You are in charge of managing your schedule. No one is there to guide you along. This can be a major change of pace for many people. So my tip to you is to set a schedule. Sit down and plan out your week. Designate times to do assignments, tests and to study. Stick to your routine. Your grades will thank you.

If you had poor study habits in high school, it’s time to make a change. Students are often shocked by how much effort they must put into their classes. Even though students are often told how much time and effort they will have to put into their classes, they are typically stunned when they are actually expected to do it. If you’re really struggling, reach out to your advisor for helpful tips on how to manage your course work. They may also have resources available to you to make studying easier or more enjoyable! Don’t take on more than you can handle. Some students can handle four courses at a time while others may only be able to focus on one. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, that’s okay! Progress isn’t linear. Lastly, ask friends and loved ones what worked for them or look up studying tips online. If one method fails, don’t give up! Everyone is different, you just need to find your niche.

In all honesty, college was the most stressful time of my life. When my routine was no longer existent, I found that I had to discover new ways to manage stress and anxiety. It wasn’t until my junior year that I was able to find ways to manage that stress that worked for me. I found that what worked for me didn’t necessarily work for my friends. I had always been an extremely active person, so I naturally gravitated towards fitness to take my mind off of whatever I was stressed about. Going to the gym at the end of the day helped me relax and refocus. Other stress relievers can be painting, reading a book or even just watching a movie or tv for a little while. Find a healthy coping mechanism and make sure to incorporate it into your new routine.

Last but not least, money. Money can be a huge concern while earning your degree, and managing it can be difficult. My advice would be to set a budget or allowance for yourself. You can make it weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. Factor in the cost of your loans, along with other expenses such as books and materials. When I made my budget, I also included money for food, extracurriculars along with how much money I would put into savings. I really stress putting money aside for savings. When my senior year rolled around, I was able to pay off my whole first semester with what money I had put aside which saved me the stress of paying more interest on my loan. Every bit counts, save what you can, when you can.

For many students, college is a whole new world and what comes along with it can be stressful and overwhelming. Finding what works for you during this time is extremely important. Sometimes, though, a little guidance can be helpful — take it from people who learned the hard way.

Distance Learning Systems Bolsters College Partnership Program by Adding Indiana Wesleyan University

Distance Learning Systems and Indiana Wesleyan University partner to provide aspiring nurses with a flexible and affordable option to obtaining a Bachelor of Science In Nursing.

December 12, 2018

– Distance Learning Systems (ec2-54-149-168-207.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com) announced today that Indiana Wesleyan University (www.indwes.edu) has partnered with Distance Learning Systems and joined its network of regionally accredited institutions.

This partnership provides a flexible and affordable online alternative for students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. The program provides a unique online platform provided by Distance Learning Systems that includes accelerated courses that save students both time and money. This partnership provides a means by which any RN aspiring to earn a BSN degree may do so simply by completing online college-level courses through Distance Learning Systems and apply those credits toward their BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Indiana Wesleyan University has evaluated and approved 15 DLSI courses (a total of 41 credits) as eligible for transfer into the RN to BSN program offered by Indiana Wesleyan University.

“We believe today’s college student deserves a more affordable, accelerated option for degree completion, and that’s what we provide” said Dave Christy, President of Distance Learning Systems. “Our partnership with this regionally accredited university, makes available exciting degree opportunities benefiting the student population we serve.”

Distance Learning Systems offers a high-quality, low-cost path for RNs to earn their BSN degree. Courses are completed 100% online with all the benefits of a traditional classroom and the convenience of a flexible self-paced program. This is truly a hybrid program for students who cannot attend class on campus, but require the same level of support available in a traditional campus based program. The DLSI program provides college-level courses that allow individuals to earn transferrable college credits through competency-based learning. Each college-level course is instructor-led, live or recorded, and requires taking only 1 class per week.

Distance Learning System courses are recognized by ACE, The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service. Distance Learning Systems is accredited by ASIC and maintains a long standing A+ BBB rating, and has saved students over $200,000,000.00 in tuition and fees. Their program boasts a 97% national average pass rate.

About Distance Learning Systems
Based on its 97% National Pass Rate, Distance Learning Systems, headquartered in Greenwood, Indiana, is believed by many to offer the nation’s most effective online learning platform. Distance Learning Systems (DLSII), currently serves over 10,000 clients nationwide with customizable, structured, instructor–led online classes. Students will rapidly complete multiple college level courses recognized by Indiana Wesleyan University. 2,000 additional U.S. institutions of higher learning also recognize and accept ACE course credits. NOTE: The decision to accept specific credit recommendations is at the sole discretion of each college or university; however specific credit transfers between DLSII and Indiana Wesleyan University have been established. For more information visit: ec2-54-149-168-207.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com or call toll free 1-888-955-3276.

About Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church that is committed to global liberal arts and professional education. The university system includes IWU—Marion, where about 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the main campus in Marion, Ind.; IWU—National and Global, which includes more than 10,000 adult learners throughout the world who study online or at 15 education centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio; and Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, which offers a practical and student-centered approach for busy, working ministers. IWU’s DeVoe School of Business, the School of Nursing, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Educational Leadership, the School of Service and Leadership, and the Division of Liberal Arts are all housed within the National and Global campus. More information is available at www.indwes.edu.

Becoming a Certified Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists examine patients who show breathing issues, seek advice from medical professionals to figure out a remedy plan, perform the treatment plan and monitor development for the affected person. A few respiratory therapists operate in hospitals or nursing facilities, while some visit patients’ homes to set up and sustain respiratory system devices for at-home use. RTs are required to stand for long periods of time as well as lift patients. Respiratory therapists who are employed in healthcare facilities often work evenings as well as weekends.

The associate’s degree in respiratory therapy is occasionally adequate, however some companies search for candidates which have a bachelor’s education. Respiratory therapy is extremely regulated; nearly every state demands license for therapists. Certification is elective in some instances, yet it’s normally a requirement for state license.

1. Acquire an Associate’s Degree
A lot of community and also technical colleges provide associate’s degree courses in respiratory therapy. RT students may want to finish initial college-level courses in English, anatomy, chemistry, math and physiology prior to starting a respiratory therapy course. A number of programs additionally demand that candidates display dedication to the career by showing documented volunteer or perhaps experience hours in a respiratory system healthcare environment.

2. Finish the Examination for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
It is a computer-based CRT test through assessment centers situated across the nation (www.nbrc.org). The National Board for Respiratory Care administers and provides a free online practice examination to familiarize candidates with all the format of the accreditation examination.

3. Acquire a State License
Each state besides Alaska manages licensure for respiratory therapists. A lot of states demand that professionals move the NBRC exam and be accredited as CRTs to be eligible for a state licensure. A few states require a advanced level of certification, like Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

A respiratory therapist is someone who treats patients with cardiopulmonary disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, and other cardiovascular disorders.

The respiratory therapist first interviews the patient, perform chest exams, and analyze specimens of tissues. After they diagnose a patient of any cardiopulmonary disorder, they will recommend treatment methods. They play a vital role in responding to trauma and emergency cases.

Aside from performing diagnostic procedures and responding to urgent calls in the emergency room, the respiratory therapist also supervises technicians and equipment for respiratory treatment. The respiratory therapist also consults with other healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurse staff to adjust patient care. In some cases, they perform duties that are beyond their conventional roles like counseling smokers, rehabilitation for pulmonary cases, and seminars on how to prevent cases of pulmonary diseases.

The range of patients that a respiratory therapist treats and provide service ranges from newborn infants to the oldest person. These professionals are also responsible for diagnosing infants, children, and adults that have cardiopulmonary diseases and sleeping problems.

In order to become an official respiratory therapist, you should complete a degree from a post-graduate program. There are numerous colleges and online classes you can take that offers an Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program.

In order to obtain a license in the field, you need to pass the National Board for Respiratory Care examination. When you graduate from an accredited program, a licensed or certified respiratory therapist can take the advanced practitioner registration examination in two sets and achieve the Registered Respiratory Therapists credential. There are also other specialty exams that provide additional credentials that they can take.

Types of Medical Therapy

Therapy usually involves a kind of treatment that is repetitive or recurring on a regular basis to heal an affected person of a physical or mental illness. Therapy is a remedy for condition or disorders, as by some restorative, rehabilitating, or medicinal process.

Generally, an individual who offers any kind of therapy is referred to as a therapist. There are lots of forms of therapy and there are various sorts of therapists.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, as its title suggests, offers relief or remedy for a patient’s physical health problem. The affected person might be dealing with a surgery, or might have been in an accident or injury. Also, physical rehabilitation can be used on patients with degenerative illnesses or other issues that deteriorate their physical condition.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapy is among the therapy careers that doesn’t need a graduate education. Nonetheless, job opportunities are better for respiratory therapists who definitely have at least a bachelor’s degree, although some respiratory therapists only have an associate’s degree. The majority of respiratory therapists work in hospitals. The majority of their patients are having trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists make use of equipment, machines, or physiotherapy to aid and relieve patients’ breathing difficulties.

Psychotherapy and Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy is a form of therapy usually utilized by mental health professionals like psychologists or psychiatrists. This is used to help treat a variety of mental conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based utilization of music treatments to perform customized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who may have finished an authorized music therapy program. Music Therapy is a recognized health profession in which music is utilized within a therapeutic relationship to deal with physical, psychological, intellectual, and social needs of a person.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves the usage of touch, and massage, to deal with stress, muscle pains, and other conditions. Massage therapy doesn’t require a high-level degree, and this profession is exclusive in that many massage therapists are self-employed and contract their work out by appointment, which requires good business skills.

Respiratory Therapist Job Description

Respiratory therapists also known as the RTs have a big role in the medical health care industry. A respiratory therapist helps patients who have difficulty in breathing and with cardiovascular problems. The usual patients of RTs are infants born prematurely which don’t have fully developed lungs. They deal with adult patients suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. In general, the RTs examine the patients through the advice of a physician and provide treatment.

Respiratory therapists employed in emergency rooms usually provide medical attention to cardiac arrest and drowned patients. Respiratory therapists employed in home health care usually setup ventilators along with other life-supporting equipments.

Respiratory therapists need at least an associate’s degree. There are also many respiratory therapists that have bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Many RTs have finished programs that concentrate particularly on respiratory therapist training. Students who want to get a career in respiratory therapy must complete classes including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology along with other science-related courses. They may also be prepared to complete studies in therapeutic and diagnostic methods, medical terms, and patient assessment practices.

The main tasks of a respiratory therapist are to maintain patient charts with therapy information as well as inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipments. It is vital that they monitor the patient’s physiological reactions to the therapy or medicine to determine the efficiency and the status of the treatment by monitoring the vital signs, arterial blood gases and blood chemistry changes. Once they finished the monitoring of the patient, they must go and talk to the physician if adverse responses occur.

RTs must also determine the treatment type needs of the patient, method and time period of therapy according to the physicians’ orders. They must also set up and operate mechanical and therapeutic products following specified parameters of treatment. The presence of a respiratory therapist in a hospital will lighten the load being carried by the physician as well as improve the efficiency and quality of the health care services.