It’s that time of the year again – winter is beginning, the temperatures have started to drop, and the holidays will soon be upon us. No matter what holiday you celebrate, gifts are likely on your mind, and while you might be ticking items off your shopping list for your loved ones, you might not know what to ask for yourself.

The best gifts tend to be the ones that you can use in your daily life. We know how passionate nurse practitioners are about their jobs, and asking for some fun, nursing-themed gifts can help make your workdays a lot easier. It can also help your family have a little fun with the items they buy for you, while not breaking the bank if money is tight.

Whether you are already a nurse practitioner or working toward becoming one, here are ten practical, but fun gifts you should ask for this holiday season:

1. Smartwatch

Timing is everything to a nurse practitioner, and having the right tools can make staying on top of it all much easier. That’s why you should ask for a watch this holiday season. With a smartwatch, you can easily set reminders for yourself, check your notifications and keep track of your calendar—all while on the go.

2. Coffee tumbler

If there’s one thing every nurse practitioner needs to get through the day, it’s energy! However, with your busy schedule, you might not have time to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee before the start of your shift. Ask for a well-insulated coffee tumbler to keep your coffee warm on the way to work so you can stay energized all day.

3. Water bottle

Being a nurse practitioner can be physically demanding. Not only do you spend a lot of time on your feet, but you might also be running from room to room with limited time for breaks during a busy shift. Ask for a new water bottle this holiday season so that you can remember to stay hydrated even on your longest days.

4. Comfortable shoes and compression socks

When you are on your feet all day long, you need a pair of good shoes. There are plenty of comfortable shoes designed especially for nurses so that you can survive your shift without ever feeling the ache of tired feet. Compression socks can also help improve blood circulation to your feet and ankles, which reduces soreness and swelling. They can make a long shift feel much more comfortable.

5. Stethoscope

Depending on where you work, you might be allowed to bring your own stethoscope. Not only can you ask for a higher quality one, but you can also personalize it with a stylish, monogrammed ID tag that attaches to the tubing. With your own stethoscope, you never have to rush to find an available one, and you never have to worry about someone misplacing or losing yours.

6. Clipboard

Just like stethoscopes, clipboards are a hot commodity in a medical setting. The front desk uses them, nurses use them, and even doctors use them. Sometimes, clipboards go missing from where they should be. Ask for your own clipboard so you never have to search for one again. You can ask for one that’s personalized with your name on it, so everyone will know it belongs to you.

7. Retractable badge clips

As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have some sort of ID badge that you’ll have to carry on you at all times. Typically, it’s put on your shirt/scrubs with a normal clip. However, as technology advances, many hospitals are combining these IDs with key FOBs to get into locked doors. If you weren’t provided a retractable clip, it can become annoying to have to line up your shirt with the lock or remove your ID every time you need to go in a door. If you weren’t provided a retractable clip, you should ask for one for this holiday season to improve your daily quality of life at work.

8. Pocket organizer

Are you constantly misplacing your pens, scissors and other supplies? Ask for a medical pocket organizer to tuck into your scrubs. These are must-have for any nurse practitioner and will help you stay organized with everything you need.

9. New scrubs

You can never have too many scrubs! Start the year off right with a new set, or ask for a scrub jacket so you can stay warm during the chilly winter months. Underscrub t-shirts can also be game-changer when it comes to staying warm and comfortable throughout your shift.

10. Bag/Backpack

A nurse practitioner’s life can be chaotic, busy and unpredictable. You probably have a lot of items to carry between work, school and home — and a tote bag or backpack can make it a lot easier! Ask for a new one this holiday season so that you can keep everything you need in one convenient place!

A group project is an ideal opportunity to sharpen your problem-solving and team-building techniques, which are important skills you’ll need throughout your career. In a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 82 percent of employers said that the ability to work well with a team was one of the most highly-valued qualities in an employee.

While group work is an important part of your learning experience and professional development in college, it can sometimes be a source of stress and anxiety. Working in a team isn’t always easy, especially when those in your group have different schedules or working styles than your own.

But don’t get discouraged! With the right approach, you can set your group up for success and take away valuable lessons for your career.

Follow these five steps for an effective and productive group project:

1. Have a kickoff meeting

The first meeting is an opportunity to get to know your fellow team members, brainstorm ideas and create a plan for the project. For example:

• Does your group want to appoint a group leader?
• How often will the group meet?
• Will you work independently for some parts of the project, or will all tasks be a group effort?

It’s important to set these expectations up front so that you are all on the same page before getting to work. As you discuss each of these questions, be sure to find solutions that work well for everyone.

You’ll want to create an open dialogue around important decisions so every team member feels comfortable voicing ideas or concerns. Be open to others’ suggestions and come to an agreement together.

2. Establish deadlines and responsibilities

After you’ve introduced yourselves and discussed project parameters, determine responsibilities for each member of your group. Make sure that each member has an important role in each phase of the project, from research to writing to the final presentation. Let your team members volunteer for the parts of the assignment that they find most interesting. This way, they will be more engaged in the project and likely more productive as a result.

Next, figure out deadlines for each phase of the project. Work backward from the final due date to set timelines for each task. For example, you will need to complete the research component of the assignment at least a few weeks prior to the final due date.

3. Schedule regular meetups

These meetings could be virtual, via a video conferencing app, or in-person, depending on what works best for your group. Have an agenda, or a list of items to discuss, for each meeting. This helps your team stay focused and ensures that no one is left out of the loop of communication. This is also a good time to check in on project status and see if you’re on track to meet the deadlines you set in the initial meeting.

There are also a variety of tools you can use to collaborate with your group outside of these meetings. Google Docs and Google Slides are free, online, cloud-based applications that allow you to share documents and presentations with your group via a custom link. These tools make it easy for your group to work together in real time, even if you aren’t able to be in the same room.

4. Be a team player

You must keep in mind that this is a group project and an effort on behalf of everyone, not just you. That means everyone should have an important role to play and an effort should be made to make sure all members are working together.

That’s why it’s important to establish clear lines of communication, determine responsibilities and set expectations at the beginning of the project. If you find that members of your group aren’t abiding by the guidelines you’ve agreed upon, it’s OK to let them know. Which brings us to our final point…

5. Hold everyone accountable

Perhaps one of the more difficult aspects of working with a team is the possibility of a confrontation, especially when people aren’t pulling their weight or there are disagreements about how to approach the project.

Try to find a balance between being kind and being firm when issues come up. Coming off too harsh will do absolutely nothing but harm your group’s motivation, but being too easy won’t help the project stay on schedule. Holding others accountable is a very important part of working as a team, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or call attention to a problem. Sometimes, it’s the only way to get the work done right, and that’s what you’re all there to do.

A study by Google researchers found that trust and communication were the most important factors to a team’s success. By following these steps, you can learn how to create a productive team environment and positive project outcomes. While disagreements might occur, being honest, upfront and respectful in your communication with other team members will help you be successful in resolving any issues. Good luck!

Employers have tough decisions to make when hiring for their open positions. There might be several candidates who are well-qualified on paper, and it can be difficult to determine who is the best fit for the job.

One sure-fire way to differentiate yourself is to have strong references – people who can speak to your work ethic, professional skills, and the qualities that make you a good employee. In some cases, your professional references can make or break your chances of being hired, or help you stand out from other candidates who interviewed similarly.

According to a study by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), more than eight out of 10 human resource professionals regularly check a candidate’s references. Speaking to a former supervisor or employer helps hiring managers gain better insight into your skills, experience, and your qualifications for the role.

Not sure how to approach a potential reference or what to ask for? We have all the tips you need to secure solid references and land the job:

Tips for Asking for References:

1. Who to ask:

Your references should be people who have worked with you directly and recently (within the last 7 years). It’s also important that you have a good professional relationship with the references you list. You want that person to be able to speak to your strengths in a confident way and advocate for you, if needed. For recent graduates, examples of who to ask include (in order of importance): current or past supervisors or managers, professors, coaches, and co-workers.

Occasionally, an employer might ask for a personal reference, such as a family member or friend. In this case, the employer is looking for someone who can speak more about your character and personality than your professional qualifications. Employers will usually specify if they are looking for a personal reference; otherwise, provide professional references. It’s a good idea to have 3-5 solid professional references ready to go in case you are asked during an interview or the application process.

2. How to ask:

The best way to ask for a reference is to be gracious and understanding of their time, as well as straight to the point. 

“I’ve sincerely enjoyed my experience working for you and have learned so much. Would you be willing to be a professional reference for me throughout my job search process?”

Once your references accept, make sure to keep them up to speed on your career situation. Let them know when you are looking and applying for jobs; they might be able to network for you and help you make connections. Let them know when you are interviewing and when they might expect to receive a phone call or email from your prospective employer. You don’t want your reference to be caught off guard when they receive the call. It puts your reference in an uncomfortable situation and reflects poorly on you and your planning.

Always thank your reference after they have spoken on your behalf and update them on whether you were offered the position. Always offer to return the favor for them as well, if they should ever need you.

Establishing good professional relationships is important and will make it easier for you to ask for references down the road. Stay in contact with your references, and don’t just reach out when you need something from them. Check in from time to time to see how they are doing, wish them a happy holiday or birthday, or share a recent article or best practice. Having a mutually beneficial relationship means you will have a reference for life!

3. What to ask for:

It’s a good idea to prepare your references beforehand. Let them know what kind of position you are applying for and what was discussed in the interview. You can even jog their memory of successful projects you worked on together, or instances when you were able to generate good results. This will help them tailor the conversation to highlight your skills and achievements most relevant to the position. For example, you could say: 

“When asked about my ability to work on a team, can you bring up how I worked with Jenny and Rick to pioneer the new app technology and took the lead on marketing initiatives that drove membership through the roof?”

Giving your references a few talking points beforehand will make it much easier for them to speak on your behalf.

Bonus Tip: Using your references to your advantage

There are other ways to leverage professional references. Written evaluations of your work or letters of recommendation can help you develop language around your skills and accomplishments on your resume or cover letter, in a networking situation, or during an interview.

For example, if on your quarterly evaluation, your supervisor indicated that you excelled in sales, you can include this accomplishment on your resume by saying something like:

“Recognized by the regional director for excellence in sales during 3rd quarter, increasing profitability by 20%.”

You can also submit letters of recommendation along with your application materials, or after an interview to showcase your proven ability to perform well in the job, especially if the market is super competitive.

When it comes to choosing good references and asking for a reference, Herzing’s Career Development Team is always here for you! You can reach us at careerdevelopment@herzing.edu or by calling (866) 508-0748 x240.

Most, if not all, careers involve some computer-based work and require strong typing skills. Information technology professionals, for example, must be efficient typists in order to write code for computer and software programs. Accuracy is equally as important as speed, as a simple typo could result in a system-wide error.

In today’s technology-driven world, students and young adults become familiar with computers at an early age. Some schools have stopped teaching typing altogether, assuming students already possess the skills necessary to be successful in the modern workplace, according to an article in MIT’s Technology Review.

However, without proper training and practice, many individuals resort to hunt-and-peck typing, or looking down at the keyboard to select the right keys one-by-one. Mobile technology, such as tablets and smartphones, have also increased reliance on hunt-and-peck strategies.

The preferred typing method is known as touch-type, or typing without looking at the screen. This is much more efficient than hunt-and-peck; the average person types at an average of 40 words per minute, but a person who relies on the touch-type method can exceed 75 words per minute, allowing them to complete their work much more quickly and with minimal errors.

As you prepare to enter the workforce, here are some pointers to improve your own typing skills:

1.) Use the correct starting position

When practicing your typing skills, it’s important to use proper hand placement. To start, keep your fingers positioned over the home row keys (left hand over the A, S, D, and F keys, and the right hand over the J, K, L, and ; keys), with your thumbs hovering over the space bar. From here, you can move your fingers slightly to reach neighboring keys. Your hands should always return this starting position.

These conventions are meant to help you familiarize yourself with the keyboard. As you become more experienced, you can experiment with different variations of this starting position to find the placement that is most comfortable and natural for you.

2.) Don’t look down your hands

Instead of looking down at your hands, focus on your screen. This can be difficult at first, especially if you have not yet mastered the exact placement of the keys. However, looking at the screen will help improve your accuracy because you will be able to catch your typos as they occur. You’ll also begin to memorize the placement of the keys, so you’ll be able to type more quickly as you practice.

3.) Maintain good posture

Sitting in an upright position is going to make it easier to type faster. If you are used to slouching in your chair or working from the couch, try moving to a straight-backed chair or working at your desk.

4.) Find a comfortable position for your hands

The wrong hand placement can make it uncomfortable to type for extended periods of time. The space bar of your keyboard should be centered with your body, so that you are not reading your screen or typing from an angle. As you type, rest your elbows on the table and keep your wrists slightly elevated. You should never bend or angle your wrists dramatically.

5.) Practice!

Nothing is mastered overnight, and in order to really improve your typing accuracy and speed, you need to practice every day. There are many websites that offer free typing skills tests and practice, such as Typing Academy, TypingClub and How To Type. It’s important to take your time with these typing exercises and assessments. Attempting to rush through them will only result in more errors at first. Trust that your speed will improve naturally as you become more familiar with the keyboard.

Improving your typing skills will not only make your student life much easier, it will benefit you in your future career as well. It might take a lot of practice to see improvement, but don’t give up. You’ll be typing like a pro in no time!

Are you taking advantage of all that Canvas has to offer? Canvas is Herzing University’s new learning system, designed to make students’ lives easier. It’s ranked as one of the top learning platforms for higher education institutions, due to its user-friendly interface and its ability to integrate seamlessly with other tools and platforms.

Are you on the go and need to submit an assignment from your phone? Running late to class and need to send your professor a quick note? With Canvas, it’s easier than ever to stay on top of all of your assignments, communicate with professors and classmates and manage all your to-dos.

Check out these four features that will make your life easier:

1. Canvas Calendar

Your Canvas Calendar allows you to see all of your assignments, exams, events and courses in one place, making it easier for you to stay on task and keep track of your weekly activities. You can choose to view one course at a time, or all courses at once. You can add events and to-do items to your personal calendar at any time by clicking the “Add” button in the navigation bar.

Your professors can also schedule appointments and class events on this calendar, so it’s a great place for you to get instant class updates. Conveniently, the Canvas Calendar can also sync with another calendar on your device, such as Google Calendar or Outlook.

2. Canvas Conversations

Canvas makes communication with your instructors easier with a simple, user-friendly messages feature. Rather than visiting each course page to find your messages with specific instructors, you simply have to click on the inbox on the left side menu to see all of your messages with instructors, tutors and career coaches in one place.

Canvas Conversations works much like an email account, with the ability to reply all, forward messages, include attachments and more. With Canvas, you have access to one central hub for all your course-related communications, so that nothing gets lost in your personal email.

3. Canvas Student App

Canvas designed to be mobile-first, so you can access the website from a mobile browser and still perform many of the functions you would be able to do from your computer, such as submitting assignments, participating in discussions, viewing course materials and accessing your grades.

Canvas also offers a free mobile app called Canvas Student, available for Android and iOS devices. The app also provides access to course calendars, to-do items, notifications, and Conversations messages.

4. Canvas Notifications

Canvas can send you notifications via email, text, or push notifications if you have the mobile app installed on your phone. You can ask Canvas to send you alerts for just about anything, such as when an instructor posts an announcement, when a due date changes, when you get feedback from an instructor, when somebody posts to your discussion post, and a lot more.

You can also choose from four different notification types: notify me right away, daily summary, weekly summary, or don’t send. This is another highly customizable feature that will help you stay on task and up-to-date with everything happening in your courses.

Whether you’re an online student or on-campus, Canvas is a hub for all of your learning activities. By taking advantage of these four features, you can stay connected and on top of your schedule no matter where you are.

Note: While Herzing University is extending mobile friendliness by moving to Canvas, not all of our curriculum is 100 percent mobile friendly, so students may come across an assignment or quiz that cannot be completed on a mobile device. Enrolling in a Herzing University course still requires access to a computer, per our technology requirements.

Whether you’re a traditional or non-traditional student, online classes can help you fit your education into your busy life. Many students are discovering the added flexibility of online programs. For example, one-third of all undergraduate students currently take at least one course online, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

While online courses offer many benefits, they’re also different than traditional classes, and it’s important to know what to expect before you get started.

Here are seven success-tips for online students.

1. Be a responsible self-starter

It’s a myth that online classes are easier than on-campus ones. While you’ll have a lot more flexibility in your schedule, the coursework will be just as challenging as an on-campus class. As an online student, you need to hold yourself accountable and have a good sense of personal responsibility. Being a self-starter who can prioritize assignments and plan ahead is key to your success.

2. Make an effort to communicate with your classmates and professors

Even though you likely won’t meet your classmates or instructors in person, there are many ways online students can stay connected and feel like they are a part of the college community. Some students use social media groups to communicate with their classmates, and instructors often make themselves available to online students through video chat or by phone.

At Herzing, both online and on-campus students also have access to Canvas, which is a learning management system designed to help you stay organized. It also has a section called Canvas Conversations, which functions a lot like an email account and allows you to communicate with your classmates and instructors with ease. Check out this this blog post for more tips on using Canvas.

It’s also important to keep up on your emails as an online student, since you don’t have the advantage of hearing important reminders in class. You should check your school email at least once a day so that you don’t miss any important coursework or announcements. Respond to emails as soon as they come in, or you risk forgetting about them.

3. Studying is still necessary

Some online students don’t think they need to study because they can get away with using notes and other assistance while taking a test at home.

WRONG! Online classes aren’t free-for-alls where anything goes. Online learning software has dramatically improved over the years and many systems incorporate cheating detection technologies to deter students from cheating. Also, it’s not uncommon to be required to have a computer with a webcam so that you can be recorded taking your exam.

Make sure you’re paying attention to lectures, doing your readings, taking notes, and taking advantage of all the academic resources provided to you, just as you would in an on-campus class.

4. Learn to manage your time 

When you’re an online student, your regular life doesn’t stop. If you don’t manage your time well, you’re going to struggle in finding a balance between school, work and your other commitments. Create a routine that works for you and helps you stay on top of your schoolwork. For example, if you regularly schedule a time each week to write out your upcoming to-dos, prep meals for work and school and do other housekeeping tasks, you’ll go into the week feeling more confident and organized.

Need some tips on how to get better at time management? Check out this blog post.

5. Get a planner or use a digital calendar

A planner or digital calendar can help keep you organized. Some people like old-fashioned, hand-written reminders, while others like to be able to manage their to-do list on the go in a calendar app on their smartphone. Whichever option you choose, a planner of some form will certainly help you succeed.

6. Find a quiet place to study and work

In order to perform well in a class, you’ll need a quiet place to study and take your exams and quizzes. If you’re a parent, finding a time and place to do your schoolwork can be difficult with children running around. If you have roommates, they could be a bigger distraction than you realize. No matter your situation, you need to find a location that allows you to focus.

Try to find a time at home when you can be alone without distractions, such as when your kids are at school or after they’ve gone to bed. If that’s not possible, see if you can take time out of your schedule to go to your local library. Many libraries have study rooms that you can reserve ahead of time for as long as you need. You’d be amazed at how much work you can get done when you set up a quality study environment.

7. Don’t forget to ask for help

If you are struggling in class, you should use Canvas to get in touch with your instructor and fellow students. Asking for help is a far better solution than struggling in silence. No matter the issue, your instructors can help you work through it and find success. They are there to help you, so don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance!