Nursing Careers and Opportunities

Nursing 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:
NSNA - National Student Nurses Association
ANA - American Nurses Association
Federal Student Aid
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook
ANCC - American Nurses Credentialing Center
Allexperts Nursing Q & A
Healthlinks Directory
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN)
Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow