| How to Obtain a RN License Posted: 14 Jan 2018 04:00 PM PST Becoming an RN, or registered nurse, is a rewarding job that will allow you to help many people. The first thing you'll need to do is graduate from a nursing program through an accredited school. Then, you must apply for a license with your state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. With dedication and effort, you can obtain an RN license in 2-3 years. EditGetting the Right Education - Take college prep classes in high school. If you know you want to work as a registered nurse, you can get a head start while you're still in high school. Sign up for college prep classes in math, science, and the medical field. Courses to take include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology, statistics, and microbiology.[1]
- Choose a nursing program. You can choose to obtain a diploma of nursing or an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing. Regardless of which of the 4 options you choose, completing the program will make you qualified to receive an RN license. Typically, higher degrees are preferred by employers and also result in higher pay rates.[2]
- A diploma of nursing can be completed in 1-2 years, depending on the program.[3]
- An associate degree typically takes 2 years to complete.[4]
- Bachelor's degrees are usually completed in 4 years.[5]
- Getting a master's degree takes an additional 2 years to complete after receiving your bachelor's degree.[6]
- Apply to an accredited nursing school. Many colleges and universities offer nursing programs, but it's essential that the nursing program you apply for is at an accredited school. Most schools advertise their accreditation on their website, and you can also check with the organizations that accredit schools.[7]
- Visit the website for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education to find out if your school is accredited.
- Choose a school that has a 70% or higher NCLEX-RN exam passing rate to ensure that you receive adequate instruction and preparation.[8]
- Beware of online programs that don't require clinicals—it's unlikely the program is accredited.
- Complete and pass all the required coursework and clinicals to graduate. Coursework will differ by program and school, so speak with a guidance counselor to plan out your schedule. No matter what program or school you attend, clinicals will be a part of your studies. During clinicals, you put your newfound knowledge and skills to practice, treating real patients under the supervision of a licensed RN.[9]
- A diploma of nursing program will focus on basic skills like recording patient information and working with medical equipment.[10]
- An associate degree program will focus on technical skills, like educating patients and working with other nurses and doctors, rather than on theory.[11]
- A bachelor of science in nursing program will include lectures, lab time, and practical lessons focused on preparing you to work in public health or educate patients.[12]
- A master's degree in nursing will prepare you to specialize in a certain field, on clinical training, or on research.[13]
EditPassing the State Board Exam - Apply for a nursing license from your state board of nursing. Each U.S. state has its own board of nursing. To obtain a nursing license, you must apply with the board of nursing and provide them with your transcripts after graduating from your nursing program. You can find contact information for each state board of nursing here: https://www.allnursingschools.com/articles/nursing-state-boards/.[14]
- There are no time restrictions dictating how quickly you must apply for a license after graduating.
- You will need to become licensed in each state you want to work in, as the license is only valid in the state it was obtained. However, you can apply for a multi-state license that lets you practice in multiple states.[15]
- Register to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The state board will make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, including graduating from an accredited nursing school and passing a background check, before allowing you to register. Your state board will provide you with instructions on how to pay the fee and sign up to take the exam at a time and location that are convenient for you.[16]
- Prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are print books, online tests, and even preparation courses available to help you study for the NCLEX-RN exam. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), along with many other companies and websites, offer NCLEX-RN test preparation. Do an online search to find the right tools to help you prepare based on your personal learning style.[17]
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The same exam is used in all 50 states and each state has the same standard for passing. The exam is multiple choice, graded pass/fail, and is adapted for a computer. Your medical knowledge and nursing competencies will be tested. [18]
- It will take about 1 month for you to receive the results of the exam in the mail.[19]
- If you fail the exam, you must wait 45 days before retaking it. There is no limit on how many times you can take the exam, but you will have to pay the registration fee each time.[20]
- Pay the licensing fee. The licensing fee varies by state, ranging from $35 to $240. Once you pass the NCLEX exam, you'll need to pay the licensing fee to your state board of nursing.[21]
- Begin working as an RN. Create a resume that includes your education, experience, and skills. Apply and interview for positions you are qualified for and interested in. As a registered nurse, you can work for a hospital, physician's office, home healthcare company, or the government. You could also specialize in a certain field, such as emergency medicine, cardiac care, or pediatrics.[22]
- If you know in advance what area you want to work in, you can begin preparing for that specialty while in school. Alternatively, you can choose a specialty and gain experience while working in the field.
- Renew your license and continue your education as required. You must renew your license each year, or every other year, depending on the state you live in. The fee is the same each year. Some states also have continuing education requirements every renewal period, while others do not. Check with your state's board of nursing to find out the requirements for your area.[23]
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| How to Build an Igloo Posted: 14 Jan 2018 08:00 AM PST While the Eskimo or Inuit word "igloo" can represent many kinds of habitations in a snowy environment, this article describes what most people imagine when they picture an igloo: a dome-shaped structure built from blocks of snow (also referred to as a snow house).[1] A properly constructed igloo can have an inner temperature ranging from to , even if the temperature outside dips to ![2] Building an igloo is relatively simple, and can be done over the course of a few hours. All you need is the right kind of snow and some know-how, and your igloo will be sure to impress. EditPlotting out Your Igloo - Build on a slope to save effort. Of course, an igloo can be built on flat land without any problems, but by building your igloo into a hillside, the slope will cut down on the surface area of your igloo dome. Less surface area means fewer bricks, and fewer bricks mean less work for you.
- In survival situations, a hillside building site should be prioritized.
- Avoid free-standing mounds, as these are likely logs or boulders buried in snow.
- Use a snow prod or a long stick to verify usable space for your igloo.[3]
- Use a snow prod to test the snow for consistency. Ideally, you'll want to cut the bricks of your igloo from snow that is hard packed with no soft layers of soft snow in it. Use your snow prod or a long stick to check the snow, which should offer firm, uniform resistance if hard packed throughout.[4]
- Measure the depth of your snow while checking consistency. You'll want the snow to be at least deep to make your igloo.
- Outline the outer wall of your igloo. Use the heel of your boot to scuff out a line marking the circular outside of your igloo. The snow on the inside of your circle should all be consistently hard packed, and your circle should be regular in shape.
- A poorly outlined outer wall will result in your igloo's design being less stable and sturdy.
- Never build a dome with a diameter larger than , as it will require you to build a perfect dome. This is a nearly impossible task, even with special tools.[5]
- Know your general plan for igloo construction. You'll soon be using snow blocks cut from the snow inside the outer perimeter of your igloo to build the walls of your igloo dome. You'll be building from the inside out, cutting the door of your structure after finishing your dome from the inside.[6]
- Cut a narrow rectangular trench to prepare to harvest blocks. Depending on the size of your igloo, the size of your blocks can change, but traditionally igloo blocks are long, high, and about thick. Cut a narrow rectangular trench with your snow knife to accommodate several blocks this size.
- Cut your trench in a way that places one of its short ends flat against the outer perimeter line of your igloo.
- The place your trench and outer wall boundaries meet will eventually become your outside door.
- If working on a slope or building your igloo into a hillside, dig your trench directly toward the slope.
- A handsaw or machete can be used in place of a snow knife.[7][8]
EditMaking Your Igloo Dome - Harvest your blocks and begin assembling your first row. Section the hard packed snow inside the perimeter of your rectangular trench into equal rectangular blocks. Stubborn blocks can be broken free by sticking your snow tool into the cut around the block and gently wiggling it back and forth until the block is broken free. Then arrange your blocks around the perimeter of your igloo to create the first layer of your dome.[9]
- Your blocks should be long, high, and about thick, and should taper slightly as you build upward.
- Run your snow knife, machete, or handsaw along the edges of your first row of blocks where one block joins the next. This will smooth contours and help fit each block together tightly.
- When your rectangular trench no longer has snow for blocks, cut another trench the same dimensions as the first. All the snow used in building your dome should come from within the perimeter of the igloo.[10]
- Cut a slope into your first row of snow blocks. Due to the rectangular shape of your blocks, you will need to cut a gentle slope inclining from the ground all the way to the top height of your first row of snow blocks. This incline should extend part way around your igloo (perhaps even as much as halfway), and should be cut with your snow knife, machete, or handsaw.
- This incline will allow your blocks to be stacked in a vertical spiral, creating a snug fit.[11]
- Level and shape igloo walls when necessary. This will make stacking and layering the ice blocks much easier. Additionally, as you build your dome upward, you will need to shape your snow blocks to fit the reduced space at the top of your dome. Use your snow knife, machete, or handsaw to do this as necessary.
- Each row of your igloo dome should slope gradually inward. Use your snow knife, machete, or saw to create a very gentle inward slope for each row of snow blocks.
- Using your hand, plug any gaps you find in your dome from the inside with snow. Simply pat snow into the gap until it is filled.[12][13]
- Add blocks cut from the snow inside the igloo perimeter. Continue to liberate blocks from the snow within your igloo perimeter with your snow knife/machete, and then stack your next layer starting from the sloping end of your first row. As your dome wall rises, blocks will begin to decrease in size and slope inward.
- To increase stability and prevent ceiling blocks from falling, bevel the edges where ceiling blocks meet the row beneath.
- To bevel, cut the inside corner of your ceiling block so that it forms a flat base with its neighboring block beneath.[14]
- Fit your cap-hole blocks carefully. The topmost blocks in your igloo dome are notoriously tricky to fit into place, so take your time and work carefully during this leg of your igloo building. Use your snow knife/machete to sculpt these pieces to fit tightly together.
- Since your final hole will be exceptionally small, you will have to turn your final block on its end and feed it through the hole on its side.
- When your final cap-hole piece is balanced on the outer top part of the dome, cut it down to fit in place snugly with your snow knife/machete.[15]
EditFinishing Your Igloo - Carve vents in your igloo to prevent CO2 poisoning. Your body heat will cause the snow of your dome to melt and then freeze again, creating a barrier between the inside and outside of your igloo. Without ventilation this seal will prevent the CO2 that you exhale from escaping, and could seriously harm you.[16]
- Cut small, crescent shaped vents into the top or sides of your igloo to prevent the buildup of CO2.[17]
- Cut your entrance. Now that you have the dome of your igloo created and some vents carved into place, you're ready to make an entrance. Use your snow knife/machete to cut a rectangle from the bottom of your block deep igloo base to about eye-level high, while crouching, in your dome wall. Your cut should be as deep as your dome wall is thick.[18]
- Try to preserve this block by pulling it inside the igloo. You can save this block to create an overhang for your entrance.
- Clear your entrance way. Remove the remaining snow from your entrance in an gentle upward slope. You can pull this snow inside your igloo and use it for further patching gaps from the inside, or you can simply push it outside. Once your sloped entrance is finished, take the rectangular block you cut free of your dome wall and turn it on its side to remove it from your igloo. Then:
- Cut the rectangular dome-wall block in half.
- Lean each half of your block inward over your entrance trench so that each one holds the other up in an upside down V shape.
- This upside V overhang for your entrance should be as close to the mouth of the entrance as possible, to provide the most protection.[19]
- Strengthen your exterior with snow and enjoy your igloo. Your igloo can be made even more durable to patching thin spots and gaps with more snow. Some gaps may be most easily patched from the inside, while you might have better access to others from outside. In either case, use your hand to press the snow into the gap and then smooth the area to pack it together.[20]
- You should be able to assess the stability of your igloo by touch. If the blocks feel solid and sturdy, your igloo should withstand the elements.
- Even if your igloo is a little on the rickety side, in the event of a cave-in, you'll be able to dig yourself free from the snow easily.
- Spraying your igloo with a moderate amount of water will cause a shell to form around its outside. If you use water to do this, be sure to check your air vents to make sure CO2 can escape.
- You might reinforce the final cap-hole piece with a long stick or twig.
- Get a partner if possible. Two experienced igloo builders can make an igloo in under two hours.
- Be picky about your snow. It must be very solid.
- A waterproof picnic rug can make sitting in your igloo more comfortable.
- If your area does not have suitable snow, you can make use of store-bought snow block molds. These can be purchased from some winter sports stores or general online retailers.[21]
- Make your own block molds by making a rectangular frame from four boards. Rectangular containers, like wastebaskets, will also work.[22]
- Small cooking stoves can be used in your igloo as long as it is large and well-ventilated. You should use the stove sparingly, and not for warmth. Position the stove where the fumes can freely flow out of the igloo, such as beneath an air vent.
- Building an igloo is not the most convenient way to create shelter in a survival situation. See How to Build a Snow Cave for a more emergency-appropriate solution.
EditThings You'll Need - Cold weather clothing (boots, gloves, hat, jacket, etc.)
- Hand shovel (optional)
- Ice axe/pick (optional)
- Lots of snow – at least of well packed snow.
- Shovel
- Snow block mold (optional)
- Snow knife, machete, or handsaw
- Snow probe or long stick
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| How to Make a Diorama Posted: 14 Jan 2018 12:00 AM PST A diorama is a fun way to build an exciting scene in a small space. They usually display a historical time period, a nature scene, or a fictional situation. Dioramas allow a lot of room for creativity and innovation. Whether you are making it for a school project, a base for a model, or just for fun, building a diorama is an easy and enjoyable project! EditPlanning the Diorama - Choose a concept or theme. Dioramas are small scenes created of layers of materials, all depicting a similar concept or theme. If you're making a diorama for a school project, your theme may be assigned to you. Otherwise, you can choose to portray a scene from a book, a historical time period, an example of an ecosystem, an animal or plant group, or something else entirely.[1]
- For instance, you could choose to create a diorama that depicts the rainforest or the desert. Alternatively, you could stage a scene from the Civil War or the first lunar landing.
- Research the subject. Once you've chosen a theme, you'll need to do research to make your diorama as lifelike as possible. Find out as much as you can about your chosen theme so you can include both large and small details.[2]
- If you've chosen an ecosystem, find out what kind of soil or water, plant life, and animal life are found there. For instance, an ocean ecosystem has salt water, coral, seaweed, algae, sharks, rays, turtles, crustaceans, fish, etc.
- For a historical time period, think about available technology, popular fashion and art, how people spent their time, and what buildings looked like.
- Make a rough sketch of your ideal diorama. Look for inspiration online, like on Pinterest or YouTube. Sketch out what you want the diorama to look like, including the background and foreground. Think of the composition of the piece, and the layout of all the figures.[3]
- For instance, you could make a scene of a 1950s diner that includes figures dressed in poodle skirts or jeans and a leather jacket, a jukebox, red vinyl stools at a counter, and a black and white checkerboard floor.
- Make a list of the items you'll need and gather your supplies. Though the items you'll need depend on the concept or theme, you may want modeling clay, construction paper, glue, scissors, paint and a paintbrush, markers, felt, and fabric scraps. You may also want miniatures, like figures or furniture, found objects, like rocks and twigs, and printed pictures or magazine pages. Browse your local arts and crafts store to find everything you need.
- Make sure that the miniatures will be appropriate to the scale of the rest of the diorama.
- You might need Styrofoam balls of different sizes, paint, hot glue, and fishing line if you're recreating the solar system.
- For a nature diorama, collect flowers, berries, leaves, and seeds.
- Select a container. Because dioramas have layers of background, they should be made in a box or frame that is several inches deep. The container must have an open-faced front so that viewers can see the scene. A shoe box or shipping box turned on its side works incredibly well for creating a basic diorama. Larger dioramas can be created out of a large wooden crate or frame attached to a box.[4]
- Get creative with the frame for your diorama. For example, a diorama depicting a family scene or people could be done in a refurbished dollhouse.
- Take into account the design of the diorama when selecting the container. For instance, a diorama about the rainforest will need to be tall enough to accommodate the trees and layers of vegetation you'll be showcasing.
- You can paint the outside of your box for a more finished look. Do this first and let the paint dry before you start work on the inside of the diorama.
EditBuilding the Scene - Create your background first. Begin at the back of the container and work your way forward, adding layers of details and images to create depth in your scene. Make the background first against the farthest and inside walls of your box. Consider painting a basic scene or printing an image and gluing it on. You could also create a collage out of magazine cutouts to act as the background for your diorama.[5]
- Coloring on the cardboard with markers will just make everything look dark. Cut out construction paper and glue it on the box for brighter colors.
- For an indoor scene, glue a magazine cutout of a living room to the back of the box to make it look like a house.
- For a solar system diorama, glue dark blue or black construction paper to the box and paint small white or silver stars on it.
- Build up the ground or landscape. A realistic diorama should include details on the bottom of the box as well. You can use pictures, paint, or modeling clay to create a realistic ground or floor for the diorama. Leave it flat or add hills or depressions as appropriate.[6]
- For instance, shape a hill with a depression at the bottom from modeling clay. Once it's dry, fill it with blue nail polish to make a pond or lake.
- Glue sand or gravel to the bottom of the box to simulate the ocean floor if you're making an underwater scene.
- Add details to make the scene realistic. Work from the back of the box toward the front, and place smaller items in front of larger ones. Space your items out from the top of the box to the bottom to make it visually appealing. Lay everything out, but wait to glue it down until you're sure things are where you want them.[7]
- For instance, make clouds from cotton balls for the walls, then spread small rocks and flowers on the ground for an outdoor scene.
- Place scraps of fabric on the bottom to act as rugs or make a mirror out of aluminum foil for the wall of an indoor scene.
- Set up the miniatures, if applicable. Complete your scene with the addition of miniature figurines, furniture, or models. Make sure that these items are to scale with the rest of the scene! Or, print and cut out simple photos of figures or furniture and place them throughout the scene.[8]
- For a nature theme, add small toy animals or bugs to the ground or hang birds or tiny airplanes from the top with fishing line and hot glue.
- For an indoor scene, place a tiny table and chairs in the diorama and add small figurines for the people or characters.
- Glue everything down when you're happy with the arrangement. Take a few moments to inspect the diorama. Make adjustments until you are pleased with the overall look. Try to space out the objects evenly throughout the diorama so the scene is balanced. Now, go ahead and glue everything into place!
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