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Archives for January 2020

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Nine University Reviews – The Way Online Studying Should be Presented

Nine University Reviews – The Way Online Studying Should be Presented

Studying online is something that many people are now looking to do, and much of that is down to the convenience which this type of studying provides. In terms of how an online course is presented however, it appears that there is a great amount of variation amongst those who deliver an online course well, and those who do not. If you ate a look at some reviews you’ll find people who have been greatly underwhelmed by the way in which the course was structured. Conversely if you take a look at something like the Nine University reviews, they tell a very different tale. So what should people be looking for when they are thinking about studying online?

Resources

One of the most important things that people should look out for when deciding on where they are going to study online is a course which offers plenty of resources for students. This should feature written information, videos and a clear structure to how the course should be studied. Furthermore students should expect forums where they can chat with other students about what they are learning and most importantly they should expect to have real time support from their mentors and teachers. Being left to one’s own devices is not always the best way of learning a new skill.

Success Stories

Whether someone is looking to learn about the world of business, a new language or the sciences, it is essential that they choose their online course based on success stories of those who have already completed such a course. Taking the Nine University example again, they teach a course in launching an Amazon FBA business and the success stories are absolutely incredible. This is what new students should be basing their decision on, giving themselves the best possible opportunity to find their own success stories after they have finished the course.

Simplistic

Regardless of what course someone is going to study it is fair to say that there will be plenty off hard work expected. With this being said however, it is up to the people who have designed the course to ensure that it is simple and easy to digest. This is what the very best courses do, they mould the teachings that they are giving into easy to manage modules which help the learner to gain that knowledge with ease. So many fall into the trap of providing masses of information about a particular subject, when in reality it isn’t required and the plethora of information only serves to confuse. Students should seek courses which are direct and well mapped out for maximum success.

Ultimately learning online should be just as structured as it would be at a school or college, there should be plenty of support for the learner and they should feel confident in the fact that they are studying at a place which is going to give them the highest chance of doing well, both in the course and following it.

 

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Diamond Clarity Grade: What Diamonds Are Better Than VVS?

Are you planning to obtain some diamonds? You may want to try getting an engagement ring or a wedding band. Or you may be thinking of buying a diamond as a gift. Whoever the recipient is, that person must feel so lucky to be receiving no less than a sparkling gem!

However, before making that purchase, you have to become familiar with the diamond 4 Cs, specifically the diamond’s clarity grade. The diamond 4 Cs refers to the cut, carat weight, color, and clarity of the gemstone. In this article, we will talk about the clarity grade of diamonds.

Moreover, if you are still unfamiliar with the diamond terms and abbreviations, you will be asking, “What are VVS diamonds?” Lucky you, we have answers as clear as crystal!

VVS Diamonds

VVS stands for very, very slightly included. It denotes the diamond clarity grade of the stone. When a professional jeweler says “VVS diamonds,” it means that the diamond has blemishes and inclusions that are barely visible to the naked eye. Blemishes are chips, dark spots, and scratches while inclusions signify cavities or internal graining, which experts refer to as composition properties.

In addition, you don’t have to worry about having these blemishes and imperfections on your VVS diamonds because only an expert’s eye can detect them using a 10X magnifying glass. Your loved one will not even notice.

Two Types of VVS

There are two categories under the VVS clarity grade:

1. VVS1. Diamonds with VVS1 clarity ranks higher than the VVS2 when it comes to the clarity grade. In this category, the flaws are found at the bottom half of the diamond and can only be distinguished from the pavilion view.

2. VVS2. On the other hand, VVS2 has a lower clarity grade. The imperfections are located towards the upper half of the diamond.

Do note, however, that the flaws are not visible to the eye. Only an expert jeweler that will use a 10X loupe can see the imperfections.

The Bottom-Line

When you see VVS diamonds, you are looking at a superb-quality gemstone that is next to an internally flawless gem, which is an atypical discovery nowadays. However, if you want to get a diamond that is better than VVS, you will have to look for an FL/IF (flawless or internally flawless) clarity grade at a much higher cost.

Find a dependable dealer and don’t be deceived.

 

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Why You Should Hire a Licensed Electrician in Parramatta

Parramatta, a suburb in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan, was founded in 1788 and is now regarded as the oldest inland European community in Australia. Apart from being home to the Westfield Parramatta, which is one of the biggest shopping centres in the country, this suburb also boasts of an efficient transportation system, a thriving commercial district, and a booming economy.

Parramatta is steadily making a mark as one of the most liveable suburbs in New South Wales (NSW). With its spacious yet affordable apartments, tons of employment opportunities, and numerous heritage sites, it is not surprising that many Sydneysiders are moving here and loving it.

If you recently moved to this suburb and are in the process of fixing your place, you may be tempted to do your electrical work by yourself. Even if you are a fan of the DIY method, it is still best to hire a licensed electrician in Parramatta for the following reasons:

It is Mandatory.

According to the Home Building Act of 1989 and the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act of 2017, only licensed electricians can do electrical wiring work or installation in NSW. Whether you like it or not, the most you can do with electricity without needing a license is changing the light bulbs in your new apartment.

Before you even attempt to circumvent the law and try the recent “How to Do Electrical Wiring Work” video you watched on YouTube, know that you can be penalized for this. You can receive a fine of $22,000, and if you fail to do the job correctly, you may even get hurt or killed in the process.

It is the Safest Option.

Hiring licensed professionals to do high-quality electrical work is an investment and not an expense. Note that 1 out of 5 fire incidences in Australia is caused by faulty wiring. Why risk property damage or the emotional and social pains of electrical fires when you can avoid them by hiring licensed professionals?

Apart from the risk of house fires, doing illegal electrical work exposes you to the harmful consequences of getting in contact with electricity. You may not even realize that you are mishandling the electrical issue, given your limited knowledge of electrical systems, until you get hurt.

Keep in mind that this job is dangerous for the untrained individual. You can suffer from serious injuries, like losing a limb, or worst, losing your life.

It Assures Excellent Outcome.

A licensed electrician does not only have the qualification, experience, and expertise to do the job but also has stock knowledge to ensure outstanding results. They would know if you need more than just installation after inspecting your electrical system.

You may think that you just need wiring work, but a professional can see beyond the obvious. Licensed electricians can offer cost-effective solutions that would work best for your needs and have the right tools and equipment to do an efficient job.

It is Hassle-Free.

Hiring a licensed electrician in Parramatta can save you valuable time, effort, and even money. Why spend hours doing a dangerous task that you know very little about when you can hire someone who can do it well at half the time? When you hire professionals, you can focus on more critical tasks that will bring more value to your life.

A licensed electrician in Parramatta would have received the right training, passed all licensing requirements, and acquired proficiency to do high-quality work. It is unwise to think that you can match the expertise of a professional by merely spending hours watching how-to videos or reading instructional materials. Ponder on the reasons discussed above and make sure to find a credible and licensed electrician to do the electrical work in your new home.

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Can one make a living out of forex trading?

In Singapore, many people are trying out their hand on forex trading putting the country among the top three largest forex trading countries in the world. Some of the traders trade in FX to boost their income while others depend on it solely as their means to an end. With the popularity growing every day, it shows that there is something good about forex trading that people like.

When you read through online views from forex traders, or listen to them, you will want to get into the market almost immediately. The trading market to newcomers looks colourful which is understandable due to the many success stories. Even with all the success stories, is forex trading good enough to make a living out of its proceeds?

The answer to the above question is yes, you can make a comfortable income out of forex trading to boost your living. This will however depend on several factors one which includes your choice of the trading platform. One of the reasons for the trading success in Singapore is because the country also has some of the best forex trading platforms such as Saxo Singapore, which boasts of a rich satisfied clientele and offices in 15 other countries.

How to make a living out of forex trading

Forex trading is not as easy as some people try to make it sound. It is also not as hard as others make it appear. Everything you do in forex trading depends entirely on how much you understand the intricate details of the market and the risks the trading involves. The road to making a successful living out of forex trading will include the following factors.

Create a workable routine for trading

For any venture to succeed you, need to have an airtight routine in place. Forex trading is no exception and you should go at it with the mind of a professional trader. Maintaining a regular routine brings about discipline in your trading activities because forex trading requires the adoption of a positive mindset. A routine allows you to plan trades and plans for less trading mistakes.

A trading routine will largely depend on how well you understand the trading and currency markets. You also need to know and recognise things about you that make you who you are. These are things such as follow-through, patience and discipline. A routine also includes learning about the risks involved and how to manage the same risks. Lastly, a routine is adapting to the trading strategies in the market, tracking, and monitoring all the progress using a journal.

Set some money aside as your starting capital

The good thing with forex trading is that you do not have to start very high and there is no set amount to begin trading. You can start with as low as $150 though you should not expect much gain with such a low capital. You can start as part time trader, meaning there is something else you are doing as your main source of income.

Starting as a part time trader requires less capital as that of a full time trader. Starting small also helps you to test the waters and decide whether you want to continue or count your losses and leave. It also helps you to develop your trading plan and strategy and to build your trading confidence.

Starting small and with little capital also has less attachment emotionally as you still have something else to fall back to if things do not well. If you are new in the business of trading, the best option would be to trade through an expert. While at it, you also need to learn the role the central bank plays on forex trading.

Find out the average amount of money other traders make

Before you get into trading, ask around to learn how much other traders ask. Some of the stories are very inspiring that you may end up going at trading with your mind set on making profits only. You have to remember that not all traders are the same.

Some trade with large stating capital and make more gains while others are still struggling. Learn everything about their tolerance to risk, money and risk management skills and their trading experiences among many other things.

Wrapping it up

If you go into forex trading with the mind set on a get rich quick scheme, then you may not want to continue if things turn otherwise. Treat trading as just any other business that needs dedication, a flexible mind, never ending learning opportunities and practice. If you do everything right, then yes, you can turn forex trading into a major source of living.

 

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How to Prioritize Your Self Care

Staying healthy and paying attention to the self shouldn’t just be as a reaction to illness or negative situations. It should be a constant priority, with self care not only seen as an enjoyable way to live, but also as a preventative measure for worsening health, whether that’s the mind, body or soul.

If you feel as though your self care could do with a significant boost, try the following steps to help you get a better handle on it.

Make Self Care an Official Schedule

You’re not required to explain your self care needs to anyone. However, you may find it a lot easier to relax and keep up with your self care routine if you are open and honest about it. If you have friends who regularly like to socialize, be sure to let them know when you are in need of some time spent alone, or if there is an official day of the week you would like to avoid social plans in order to concentrate on yourself. If you are honest, they will understand. This is better than saying yes to all social and personal life responsibilities, and then becoming frustrated trying to fit self care time around all that.

If you live with others, whether roommates, a partner or a family, be sure to speak about when you need time alone, or which rooms are off limits when you need privacy.

If others know and understand, they can work with you to achieve your self care goals.

Set Up a Home Retreat

For those moments when you need relaxation time spent in a quiet environment away from the pressures of life and from others, you’ll require a room or space within your home where you can comfortably retreat to. You’re more likely to be able to relax and concentrate on yourself when you find a spot which isn’t usually spent working or as part of your living area. It’s much better for your self care retreat to only ever be used for self care, so that your mind can focus while you are there.

Consider how you would best optimize the space for your own comfort needs, and which surroundings and furnishings will best help to relax you.

Decide what function you want the space to serve – will it be a comfortable place to meditate? A place to sit and write in your journal? Perhaps just a cozy spot to curl up with a book?

Once you know how you best intend to use the space, fill it with things you love. Consider relaxed seating like that from Comfy Sack, fill with soft furnishings and relaxing colors, and add finishing touches like scented candles or incense. Anything that helps you to relax.

Pay Attention to Your Health

During a busy and demanding lifestyle, it’s easy to either ignore symptoms of declining health or fail to notice at all. These could be subtle symptoms, such as constantly feeling exhausted, feeling less positive about things or maybe just feeling run down. These are clear indicators that more focus is needed on your self care and personal routine.

If you are feeling run down, try the following methods to take better care of yourself:

  • Always try to get enough sleep. If you feel exhausted, this could be a sign that you’re not getting enough – even if you always thought that you were. Try going to bed earlier and taking measures to eliminate distractions, and set your bedroom up to be a relaxing haven. A lack of sleep can also contribute to a less effective immune system and lower cognitive function, so it’s important to hit the hay in the best way.
  • Consider whether you are working too hard. When was the last time you had a proper day off, or a full vacation? Being overworked can lead to strains on your body and your mind, so think about your work schedule carefully and take time off regularly.
  • Ensure that you are getting plenty of exercise. A healthy fitness routine will not only keep your body in shape and working as it should, but can also help to make you feel more motivated. Find an exercise you enjoy and couple it with relaxation exercises and stretches, like yoga, as these can really help the mind, too.
  • Make sure that you are consuming a healthy diet. Good food will make you feel better, it’s as simple as that. Having a healthy and varied diet will keep you energized, feeling your best and keep your body in the best shape. This includes drinking enough water, as dehydration and lack of water consumption can lead to feeling sluggish and contribute to headaches.

Care Less About What Others Think

This can often be difficult to accomplish. It’s a natural desire to not want to upset others and to spend time helping those around you, especially family and friends. However, in order to truly fulfil your own needs, you need to learn when to say no – without feeling guilty. Trying to please everyone, at all times, is impossible, and it’s only you who will end up suffering due to the effort you’re going to.

Say ‘yes’ to plans and people when you want to, and when it’s right – and always be sure to say ‘no’ if you don’t want to do something, or if you know that you need some time spent alone for a change. The people that matter will always understand, and the people who make you feel guilty for it perhaps shouldn’t be part of your plans anyway.

In Summary

Self care shouldn’t be considered a luxury or an afterthought. Self care is fundamental to your own wellbeing, health and happiness – and not only that, but it’s your base right. Be honest with yourself in regards to what would make you happy and help you to relax when it comes to self care, and make sure you never feel guilty about taking the time to put these plans into action.

 

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5 Relaxing Games to Play

Even if you enjoy playing fast paced battle games or shooters, from time to time you may enjoy playing more sedate, relaxing games. To discover a few stress free games to play when you’re looking to relax and unwind, simply continue reading to discover a list of highly relaxing games.

5 Relaxing Games to Play:

Stardew Valley:

Stardew Valley is a relaxing role playing simulation game in which you’ll get to play as a character who has inherited a plot of land to farm from their grandfather. Stardew Valley is a simple, relaxing game which primarily revolves around farming and earning enough coins in order to transform your run down section into a thriving, working farm. Part of the fun of playing Stardew Valley is exploring your new town and getting to befriend some of the locals who call Stardew Valley home.

Animal Crossing:

Animal Crossing is a social simulation game in which you’ll take control of the only human in a friendly town of animals. Some of the relaxing activities which you’ll be able to complete in Animal Crossing include fossil collecting, fishing and bug hunting. One of the unique features of Animal Crossing is that there is an in game clock and day soon turns to night. So you’ll have to wisely plan out your day, so that you’ll be able to complete all of your necessary tasks before nightfall.

Candy Crush Soda Saga:

Candy Crush Soda Saga was produced by the same company behind the original Candy Crush puzzle game, which took the world by storm. Just like Candy Crush, Candy Crush Soda Saga is a fun match three puzzle game which boasts fun high quality graphics. Just be warned though, while Candy Crush Soda Saga is a relaxing game to play, just like its predecessor it’s extremely addictive. So don’t be too surprised if you forgo going to sleep in order to complete as many levels as you can.

Casino games:

Casino games such as slots, bingo, keno, blackjack and baccarat are relaxing to play as they don’t have a steep learning curve and usually have simple rules to follow. So if you’re looking for fun casual games that you’ll be able to play while you’re lying in bed or sitting on your sofa watching TV, it’s well worth visiting 13Wins, one of the top rated online casinos. Just be sure to look for special bonuses and offers on 13Wins, in order to get the best possible value for your money.

Minecraft:

Why is Minecraft a relaxing, pressure free game to play? While you can explore the perilous yet beautiful world of Minecraft, if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience you can choose to focus on building 3D structures. As examples, you may want to have a go and building a replica of your own home in Minecraft. Or you may be up for the challenge of recreating a famous real life tower in Minecraft such as Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building.

So if you’re looking to unwind and relax after a long, hard day it’s definitely well worth playing one of the stress free, relaxing games which are listed above.

 

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Deep Cleaning Your Teeth: 7 Ways to Brighten Your Smile

Nothing boosts your confidence like a bright healthy smile. And the good news is there are lots of things you can do right at home to give you the smile you are after. Here are 7 tips for a brighter smile.

1. Stay Away from Red Wine and Coffee

Food and drinks that are dark in colour will not only stain your carpet, they can also stain your teeth.

Red wine, coffee and coloured drinks can leave a residue behind and dull your pearly whites. One way to get around it is to limit the amount of red wine and coffee you consume and if you do partake, be sure to rinse your teeth immediately with water after drinking. This will rinse away the residue before it can leave a stain.

2. Ditch That Smoking Habit

If you are a smoker, it is very difficult to keep your teeth bright and healthy. To get a bright white smile, the best thing to do is to quit smoking. Nicotine and tar from your cigarettes are absorbed into the pores of your teeth, turning them yellow.

Often tobacco stains are difficult to remove because they occur over years of smoking and nicotine stains both the surface enamel and the inner layer of dentin. Smoking not only stains your teeth but also contributes to bad breath and puts you at higher risk for oral cancers and gum disease. So do your teeth and gums a favour and quit smoking.

3. Get To Your Dentist Every 6 Months

Your 6-month dental visit ensures that your oral hygiene is on track and a regular cleaning from your hygienist gets rid of plaque and tartar build-up that can dull your smile. Dr. Pamela Li, a dentist in downtown Ottawa can also advise you on a professional teeth whitening treatment to make your teeth shine.

4. Brush With a Whitening Toothpaste

Your dentist may recommend a whitening toothpaste to help polish your smile Whitening toothpastes can help get rid of surface stains on your teeth from drinking coffee, or red wine but it won’t help with deeper stains beneath the surface. Many brands of whitening toothpaste also contain small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to help whiten your teeth over time.

5. Brush after each meal and floss every day!

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy through regular dental check up at a dental office in Oshawa goes a long way for a brighter smile. Use a fluoride-based toothpaste. It will help strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Also, avoid rinsing your mouth after brushing as this rinses away the benefits of fluoride.

Flossing alone won’t change the colour of your teeth, but it removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which makes your whole mouth healthier.

Dentists also recommend brushing at least twice a day and after every meal, if you can manage it. This rinses food particles from your mouth after a meal and prevents plaque and harmful bacteria from building up.

6. Eat Some Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables or Chew on Some Gum!

If you can’t get to your toothbrush after a meal, take a bite of a crunchy apple, or a piece of celery or carrot. The vitamins in the fresh fruits and vegetables will help build strong teeth and bones, and they will also help clean your teeth as you eat them.

Chewing sugar-free gum is also a great way to clean your teeth. As you chew it removes debris from your teeth and it stimulates the production of saliva which can reduce the harm acid and bacteria causes in your mouth and strengthen your tooth enamel.

7. Try Some Bright Red Lipstick

If all else fails, try wearing some bright red lipstick with cool blue undertones. The colour makes your teeth appear whiter next to your lips. Pick a berry or deep red for the most dramatic effect and stay away from yellow-based reds, these tend to make your teeth appear more yellow.

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Financial Tips For Purchasing A New Home

If you’re looking into purchasing a new home, prepare yourself for a lengthy journey. You can’t buy a home overnight, and it takes quite a bit of preparation to be ready to take the plunge. If you’ve never bought a house before, the process may be even more cryptic.

It’s wise to invest in some research early in your endeavour, so you don’t find yourself in a questionable financial situation. Take the time now to start that research, and check out a few financial tips for purchasing a new home.

Get serious about your credit

Purchasing a home means that lenders will want to know all about your financial history. Your credit score should be above 600 (at least), and you need to make sure your debt to income ratio isn’t out of control.

If these concepts are foreign to you, you may have a lot of work to do. Get to know everything about your credit, and do what it takes to clean it up.

Save a substantial down payment

You likely won’t ever purchase a home without a substantial down payment. It’s safe to save at least ten percent of the total projected cost of a home.

Whatever price range you decide you can afford is a wise basis for your down payment savings goal. Don’t try to move forward in your house buying process without achieving a savings goal that is significant enough to make a dent in the price of a home.

Get a preapproval letter

You will need to present a preapproval letter for the loan before you can make a home purchase. Show sellers that you are serious and financially competent by showing up with a preapproval letter in hand.

This is the step where you research the various mortgage loan options from which you have to choose. Delve into the specifics of each format, and choose a mortgage option that works for you.

Always include an inspection

Never purchase a home without requiring that the current owners pay for a competent home inspection. This is the key to making a smart purchase.

You won’t have to worry about common breakdown issues on your new home purchase with the assurance of a thorough inspection. You can have your realtor work that stipulation into the sales contract, and wash your hands clean of the cost of the inspection.

Prep for closing costs

Don’t forget to budget for closing costs on a new home. To overlook these costs is to make a grave financial mistake. Don’t let closing costs sneak up on you. Do the necessary research to obtain a firm number, and make the necessary adjustments to your savings budget.

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Digital Tech Tips For Your Oil & Gas Business

Integrating digital technology into your oil and gas operation is one of the most useful things you can do with your new year. Your business will benefit in a variety of ways, and you’ll find a slew of solid efficiency boosters.

Explore the various ways in which digital technology can help to boost your business. Here is a quick look into a few general pieces of info that will help you take the next step towards a digitally enhanced operation.

Work to spread knowledge about the industry

Creating digital content for web users to explore gives your business a chance to connect with people all over the world. Building a blog is a great way to get ahead on this goal.

Develop a collection of relevant blog posts that offer inside information about industry-related topics. This blog post, for example, highlights information regarding centrifugal pump wear ring clearance. The specificity of the topic will draw a targeted crowd.

Build a website for your operation

Your oil and gas business will benefit from a well-built business website. There’s no type of business in this century that doesn’t find value in building a business website.

Take the time and resources necessary to develop a well-built, super functional website for your operation that offers opportunities to a targeted group of web users.

Optimize all of your digital content

Search engine optimization is a good fit for all industries. Learn to design content that is well-suited to communicate directly with Google’s many different search algorithms. The algorithms work to sort information in a flash.

Your job is to make your information easily recognizable for what it is. Delve into the specifics of SEO, and apply what you learn to every piece of digital content your business produces.

Aim to connect with a younger workforce

Direct your professional recruitment efforts towards a younger applicant, and bring in fresh new minds in the realm of tech.

Your business will have a better chance to succeed in the digital world with people who have grown up with the changes in technology and know the ropes. Hire minds that can help find new ways to new technology to streamline processes in your operation.

Use tech to boost communication

Communication is crucial in any business, and your oil and gas business needs efficient communication as a foundational building block to your future success. Communication, in general, in the oil and gas business has needed an overhaul for quite some time.

For instance, a run-of-the-mill refinery can likely be found running machines composed of parts made by several different manufacturers.

When something goes wrong with those machines, it’s much harder to find a solution. Boosting communication and collaboration between manufacturers could actually save lives.

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How to Know if Nursing is Right for You

Many individuals see nursing as a vocation and a calling, a career choice that is based on an inner conviction that this is the job they are meant to be doing. However, having a strong conviction is not always enough to help you decide whether nursing is the right career option for you. If you are thinking about training to become a nurse, or even considering a career switch, it is vital that you ask yourself some key questions to determine whether a job in nursing would suit your personality and lifestyle.

Are you interested in learning?

Nurses need to be constantly willing to learn and adapt to new job roles and responsibilities, with numerous nursing theories and research being conducted all the time, much of which nurses will be expected to know about. Not only this, but to become a nurse, there is a large range of nursing training and courses that you will need to take throughout your career in order to advance and be able to be considered for different positions.

A registered nurse will usually take a:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
  • Training courses or extra qualifications in their specialism
  • Master’s degrees in leadership responsibilities
  • Licensure examinations, especially if you want to register in another state

However, the need to constantly learn new information does not have to be difficult or a large commitment, with many colleges providing online courses that will allow you to take BA and MA qualifications from anywhere in the country, or even alongside your current job role. For instance, nursing leadership courses at Baylor allow you to prepare yourself for more advanced responsibilities and managerial positions in nursing without any on-campus commitments, meaning that you are still able to work alongside this training.

Do you want to help others?

One of the biggest factors that you need to consider when thinking of becoming a nurse is whether you want to dedicate your life to helping others. Nursing responsibilities are usually centered around ensuring that sick patients are comfortable and able to get the treatment they require, and this can help nurses who are struggling with long hours and underappreciation to find constant meaning within their roles.

Nurses help others by:

  • Giving them the resources that they need to look after themselves
  • Treating disease and increasing positive outcomes
  • Helping patients to cope emotionally with their illness
  • Giving patients the information they need to prevent illness

Not only do nurses help others, but they can also work to benefit their community, such as working at care homes and assisting seniors, running sexual health clinics, and helping pregnant women and new mothers, ensuring that you can give back to the community as well as contribute in a hospital setting. There is a huge demand for these types of roles, with the need for home healthcare roles on the increase.

Are you prepared for the commitment and long hours?

However, it is important to mention that becoming a nurse has its cons as well as its pros, and to become a nurse, you should ensure that you have the resilience and determination needed to stay successful and positive in the face of challenging situations. For instance, the findings of a 2014 survey suggested that long hours and underappreciation are some of the issues that nurses face on a daily basis, with 12-hour shifts being the most common shift pattern. Not only this, but the level of commitment demanded of nurses can lead to emotional stress and exhaustion, as well as physical issues such as back pain due to the length of shifts and the pressure put on the body while caring for others. However, although you need to be prepared for these situations, if you are committed to your job, the positives easily outweigh the negatives, as you are able to see the positive affect your hard work is having on others.

What character traits should you have?

Not everyone is suited to a career in nursing, though, and there is a reason why nurses are stereotyped as being empathetic, patient and caring people. Nurses need to be:

  • Empathetic

As a nurse, you need to be empathetic with your patient’s concerns in order to offer them the best care possible, put them at ease, and understand their needs.

  • Patient

Most nurses are patient in order to deal with challenging situations that are brought upon them.

  • Independent

Nurses also need to be independent and be able to make quick decisions with the outcome of saving lives and do the best that they can for their patients.

  • Good Listeners

They also need to listen to their patient’s concerns and problems in order to give them the right care and attention.

  • Good Conscious

Nurses also need to have a good conscious in order to provide their patients with ethical treatment and to follow the moral codes inground into the nursing way of life.

  • Emotionally Strong

Nursing can be extremely draining on your emotions, and you may find yourself in difficult situations or become overly attached to one of your patients. Therefore, you need to stay emotionally strong in order to remain professional and detach yourself from your personal feelings, ensuring that you can cope in difficult situations, while still providing the empathy and care needed in the role.

What soft skills do you need?

You cannot learn everything from a textbook, and there are some soft skills that nurses should have, which they can cultivate themselves. These skills will help them to become naturally effective nurses and include skills such as good organization, which you will need in order to arrange patient files and records and ensure that each patient receives the care they need when they need it. Nurses also need to have good communication skills in order to placate and connect with patients, including providing them with treatment plans and helping them to understand procedures, as well as to write reports. They also must be able to communicate with other colleagues effectively, especially if they decide to take on a management position, in which case they will also need to have good leadership skills in order to delegate tasks to others.