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Nursing Careers and OpportunitiesNursing is one
of the largest occupations in the health care industry with well
over 2 million jobs held. Nurses who work in hospitals make up the
largest group, specializing in providing nursing care and medical
regimens. They are usually assigned to one specific area such as
emergency room or trauma center, intensive care, surgery, and maternity,
for example. Others work in clinics, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation,
home care, and specialized areas such as assisting the physician,
assisting in minor surgery, A nurse has the opportunity to specialize in many different areas. Nurses also interact with a wide range of people: patients, families, and doctors. Some choose to specialize in clients such as children, women, seniors, and even people with disabilities or challenging diseases. Options A nurse is required
to care for and treat patients, administer tests and evaluate the
results, interact with the public, operate different kinds of medical
equipment, manage families and patients about diseases or injuries,
plus many other duties, depending on place of employment. Often, nurses
take classes in continuing education that may enable them to work
in critical care, holistic care, home health care, radiology, to
name a few. Other options include specialization in a certain type
of disease, (diabetes or HIV/AIDS, etc.), a type of treatment, (respiratory
problems or gynecology, etc.), or an outside health care situation,
(correctional facilities and schools, etc.). An advanced nursing
degree, including some management and business classes, may enable
you to work closely with physicians and / or manage a nursing staff.
Each field requires its own skill set so keep this in mind to make yourself more employable. Mastery of a number of skills is an important consideration. And, of course, it is important to specialize in something you will enjoy. Working Conditions:
What to Expect It is realistic
for nurses to expect to be on their feet for long periods of time
and to move patients, which can involve lifting someone larger than
themselves. Hospitals often require long shifts because patients
require 24-hour care. Nurses will usually have to work night shifts,
holidays and weekends, especially when newly hired. On the other
hand, nurses who work in a private setting wail probably work normal
hours. Others elect to work part-time. Nursing has
its hazards. Nurses come into contact with patients with infectious
diseases and handle or are around toxic and hazards substances,
and many different types of drugs. Those on the job may experience
back injuries, being stuck with needles, and more. To stay safe,
it is essential that nurses adhere to guidelines and follow established
procedures. Taking all that into consideration, nurses will probably work most of the time in a comfortable situation. That said, they must be alert, be aware, and be careful of their own health and well-being. Necessary
Education Appropriate
degrees, diplomas, and licenses are necessary to enter the field
of nursing. Starting out, most opt for an associate degree or diploma
in nursing and then may go on to complete a bachelor’s of science
degree or even a master’s degree in nursing. No matter which
path is chosen, when a person finishes the nursing program, the
next step is to get a nursing license. To receive the license, the
aspiring nurse must pass an exam to show that he or she is competent
and knowable enough to practice. The required
exam is said to be comprehensive and demanding and it is common
for candidates to prepare for it by studying exams of prior years
and taking practice tests, where available. More information can
to found at http://www.ncsbn.org. ADN and Diploma
Programs. Two or three years of study are usually required to
obtain an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a community college
or a diploma from a hospital program or vocational school. These
degrees give a foundation for additional education. After working
a few years and gaining some experience, some who began with an
ADN or diploma may go on to earn a BSN or MSN and to specialize
in a particular field within nursing. BSN and MSN.
A bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) can be earned
at a 4-year college. A nurse who has a BSN can complete a master’s
degree in nursing (MSN). These degrees are necessary for those who
want to take on a supervisory or management-level position. Choosing A School. With all these degree programs available, remember that, because of the worldwide web, there are many more options for study than there were ten years ago. Do a thorough investigation before deciding on your school and your short-term and long-term career goals. Check out the programs at your local college, hospital, or vocational school. And, remember: You now have the option and convenience of an online education. There are many schools that offer accredited, high-quality classes and programs for those in nursing careers. Job Outlook The job outlook is excellent for registered nurses (RNs). From 2006 to 2016, growth in jobs is expected at a rate of 23 per cent. This is higher than 21 per cent average predicted across all occupations. In fact, the U.S. government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics expects registered nursing alone to generate close to 600,000 new jobs in addition to the 2.5 million jobs held by registered nurses in 2006. They also predict that RNs with a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunity than those without the BSN degree. Expected
Salary Nursing salaries
vary across the United States depending on the region of the country
you live in. Nurses who live in a large city are usually paid more
than those who live in a small rural community. And, of course,
the pay scale differs depending on the position a nurse may have. Check out the information on job outlook and projected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. They say to expect the median (middle) salary to be around $57,280 (as projected in May of 2006). Resources: |
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