NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. This exam is for everyone who wants to practice nursing inside the United States. This licensure exam needs to be taken after attending nursing school. There is a separate licensure exam for registered nurse candidates (NCLEX-RN) and practical nurse and vocational nurse candidates (NCLEX-PN). A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing needs to pass the NCLEX exam to become a licensed registered nurse.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Fast Facts about Nurses in America
About America’s Nurses
Listed below are fast facts according to the 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.- Number of licensed registered nurses (RNs) in the United States grew by almost 8 percent between 2000 and 2004 to a new high of 2.9 million
- Average age of RNs climbed to 46.8 years, the highest average age since the first comparable report was published in 1980.
- Just over 41 percent of RNs were 50 years of age or older (33 percent in 2000 and 25 percent in 1980).
- Only 8 percent of RNs were under the age of 30, compared with 25 percent in 1980.
- Average annual earnings for RNs were $57,785.
- Real earnings (comparable dollars over time) have grown almost 14 percent since 2000, the first significant increase in more than a decade.
- Employment in nursing rose to more than 83 percent of RNs with active licenses, the highest since 1980.
- RNs with master's or doctorate degrees rose to 376,901, an increase of 37 percent from 2000.
Your Nursing Career: A Look at the Facts
Nursing is the nation's largest health care profession with more than 3.1 million registered nurses practicing nationwide. Despite its large size, many more nurses are needed into the foreseeable future to meet the growing demand for nursing care. As you plan or consider a career as a registered nurse, you should know these facts:
Helpful Tips for Finding a Job as an RN Nurse
The nursing profession is one of the most in demand jobs today. A manifestation of this is that the United States and Canada have been hiring Registered Nurses from other countries, especially from the Philippines.
However, most nursing graduates who recently passed the board exams find it hard to get a job. Partly because they don’t have specializations yet or they don’t have enough clinical experience yet, which are important requirements if you want to work as an RN overseas.
Facts about Today’s Nursing Workforce
Every high school senior always has a tough job of choosing which college course to pursue. Most people would opt to study anything about technology and computers because of its obvious high demand.
Nursing Yesterday & Today
Sometimes the significance of today will not be truly apparent unless seen against the backdrop of yesterday. Changes and trends in nursing now, can be understood and interpreted not only by nursing's contemporary context but also by its past.
Urology Nursing
Urologic nurses care for patients across the lifespan, providing guidance and treatment and preventative care for a variety of urologic diseases and concerns in all health care settings where acute problems and chronic conditions can be resolved. These issues usually focus on the female and male urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, ureters, and the urethra; however, some urology nurses may be involved with the male and female reproductive systems, depending on the implications.
Triage Nursing
The word, “triage” comes from the French, “trier,” meaning ‘to sort.’ It is a system used by emergency medical personnel to ration physical resources during an emergency situation. Triage nurses usually are found at accident scenes, a battlefield, in bombing events and at the emergency room of a local hospital. Triage nurses treat everything from perceived emergencies to terminal cases, but they’re always found in environments where help is needed with acute and critical care.
Telemetry Nursing
Nurses in this field provide care by comfortably connecting patients to machines that measure heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate, as well as blood-oxygen level and electrocardiogram information. Nurses then monitor the data sent from these machines to computer screens. The duty of the telemetry nurse is to read and interpret the data to better determine patient care. The telemetry nurse may work cooperatively with ancillary nursing and other patient team personnel in maintaining standards for professional and safe nursing practice in the clinical setting.
Telemetry nursing allows graduates to exercise technical skills as well as interpersonal communications skills. The combination of compassion and expertise required for telemetry nursing makes it the ideal career for many men and women around the country.
Telemetry nursing allows graduates to exercise technical skills as well as interpersonal communications skills. The combination of compassion and expertise required for telemetry nursing makes it the ideal career for many men and women around the country.
Substance Abuse Nursing
Substance abuse has been rated as one of this country’s top medical issues for over two decades. Nurses who can provide medications and care to those who suffer from addictions to drugs and alcohol continue to be in demand. These men and women are pain management nurses who help regulate medications and provide care for those addicted to drugs or alcohol, or who are suffering from other types of substance abuse. Statistics show that one in every 10 Americans actively abuses a substance and that one in every four people knows someone close to them who is experiencing problems with substance abuse. Therefore, many substance abuse nurses often deal with both patient and family members during the treatment and recovery process.
Radiology Nursing
Radiology nursing, also known as cardiac catheterization lab nursing, involves supporting patients as they undergo radiation imaging. Radiology nurses must know how to use ultrasonography, radiation oncology, or magnetic resonance while providing physical and emotional care to patients. Radiology nursing also involves ultrasounds, sedation, PET scans, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, MRI and CT (Cat) scans. The advances in radiology are resulting in the need for increased training for radiology RNs. This is not an easy job, yet it can offer rewarding challenges, as advances in medical technology and higher levels of care for an increasingly sicker patient population are changing the face of imaging departments.
Psychiatric Nursing
Nurses in this field aid and support the mental health of patients with acute or chronic psychiatric needs in a variety of settings. The need for psychiatric mental health nursing began near the end of the nineteenth century, when it was believed that patients in mental hospitals should receive nursing care. Psychiatric mental health nursing has since evolved, with psychiatric-mental health content incorporated into all diploma and baccalaureate nursing programs. As new needs for services developed in the health care arena, the role and function of the psychiatric-mental health nurse expanded, leading to advanced practice registered nurses in psychiatric-mental health nursing (APRN-PMH).
Plastic Surgery Nursing
Men and women who choose this nursing field will care for patients who undergo cosmetic procedures to correct physical abnormalities or perceived abnormalities. These surgeries range from small, elective procedures such as dermabrasion to complicated events such as facial reconstruction or a breast replacement.
Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric nurses specialize in the care and treatment of young patients ranging in age from infancy to late teens. But, the role of the pediatric nurse continues to evolve and expand to meet the increasingly complex health care demands of the pediatric population. Although pediatric nurses initially provided pediatric primary care, these nurses now practice in a variety of settings that now involve secondary and tertiary care. This evolution from primary pediatric care often requires additional credentialing and privileging from an institution, which varies from state to state and institution to institution. A pediatric nurse needs to understand what hospital credentialing, privileging, and reappointment means for his or her scope of practice as well as the clinical practice setting, in addition to all other skills required for this position.
Orthopedic Nursing
Orthopedic nursing focuses on the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopedic issues range from acute problems such as fractures or hospitalization for joint replacement to chronic systemic disorders such as loss of bone density. Orthopedic nurses have specialized skills such as neurovascular status monitoring, traction, continuous passive motion therapy, casting, and care of patients with external fixation. An important part of this job is educating the patients and the families about self-care and available support systems.
Operating Room Nursing
If you want a meaningful career that pays well, you might consider employment as a perioperative nurse, also known as an operating room or OR nurse. OR nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs) who work in hospital surgical units, ambulatory surgery units, clinics, and physicians’ offices. They are relied upon for their professional judgment and critical thinking skills. Additionally, these nurses may work closely with the patient and his or her family members as they plan, implement and evaluate that patient’s treatment. In addition to good pay and a growing demand for nurses, a career in nursing appeals to many people because it can provide a more flexible work schedule than many other occupations.
Oncology Nursing
Nurses in this field provide care and support for cancer patients who are either chronically or critically ill and to their family members. Oncology nurses are responsible for administering chemotherapy and for monitoring their patients’ physical conditions and medical needs. Patients range from pediatric to adult, include a wide range of diagnostic categories and all phases of treatment from evaluation to long-term follow-up of cancer survivors. Many times, oncology nurses will work within a multidisciplinary team that consults with a group of professionals offering different specialties.
OB Nursing
Obstetrical nursing is an exciting and challenging profession that requires care and patience. OB nurses deal with an entire family — from the baby to the grandparents, and to any individuals connected to the birth mother. You may need to comfort a nervous father, help a new baby learn how to breathe, rectify birth complications and shuffle paperwork. On the other hand, you will experience the joy of successful births, the relief of a productive first breast feeding, and the satisfaction of a complication that was resolved. While the OB nurse may occasionally deliver a baby if the doctor isn’t available, they do not have delivery privileges. In all cases, education is a vital foundation to a successful OB nursing career.
Neurosurgical Nursing
A health institution’s neurosurgical ward presents a challenging yet rewarding place for nurses who choose this specialty, which is a sub-specialty within the field of medical-surgical nursing. Patients in this ward have a wide range of conditions and needs and many complex medical and social problems. Those patients have been in accidents, in emergency admissions due to a range of conditions such as brain hemorrhages, and elective surgical patients.
Complications that neurosurgical patients may develop include a high risk for infection due to the level of invasive monitoring required. Finally, the neurosurgical nurse faces political and government issues involve working out how to best decrease the waiting list and receive maximum funding for each patient are present daily; therefore, these nurses face unique ethical challenges as they assess patients with neurological illnesses or impairments.
Complications that neurosurgical patients may develop include a high risk for infection due to the level of invasive monitoring required. Finally, the neurosurgical nurse faces political and government issues involve working out how to best decrease the waiting list and receive maximum funding for each patient are present daily; therefore, these nurses face unique ethical challenges as they assess patients with neurological illnesses or impairments.
Neonatal Nursing
Neonatal nursing was developed in the 1960s, and the nurses who are involved in this specialty take care of babies during the first 28 days of life.
Military Nursing
These nurses provide medical care for fellow soldiers in all branches of the US military, including Army, Navy, Air Force, as well as in the US Public Health service. Military nurses provide all aspects of traditional nursing care and practice in both peace- and war-time settings through various branches of the military service. Classifications include active duty, reserves, civilian employment, and employers include the U.S. government as well as contract agencies for civilian employment.
Duties of a Military Nurse
The important duty to understand in the military nursing profession is that military comes first and nursing comes second. With that said, the military provides an ideal environment for nurses to continue their education in their specialty and/or in leadership training. Unlike traditional warfare, current warfare offers a different nursing situation. There are fewer gunshot wounds and other typical military injuries and more land-mine injuries, injuries from car accidents and blast injuries. The majority of wounds tend to be to the extremities because of the use of body armor that covers the thoracic region with Kevlar and ceramic plates. Expect to work with shock trauma units and closely with other branches of the military while in the field.
When not on the front line or in the field, many military nurses are sent to school to upgrade their degrees at college campuses or through online courses. Additionally, nurses in the military could be assigned to research or teaching units to help other military nurses along.
Related Types of Nurses
Since military nurses are trained for leadership, including the use and knowledge of military weapons and combat leadership skills, a similar profession might include forensic nursing. And, while not all military nurses see front line action, their ability to deal with shock and trauma might prove similar to nurses who work in surgery, triage and hospitals. But, since nurses from all specialties are welcome in the military, many who leave this field might find leadership roles in their specialties if they leave the military for civilian life.
Duties of a Military Nurse
The important duty to understand in the military nursing profession is that military comes first and nursing comes second. With that said, the military provides an ideal environment for nurses to continue their education in their specialty and/or in leadership training. Unlike traditional warfare, current warfare offers a different nursing situation. There are fewer gunshot wounds and other typical military injuries and more land-mine injuries, injuries from car accidents and blast injuries. The majority of wounds tend to be to the extremities because of the use of body armor that covers the thoracic region with Kevlar and ceramic plates. Expect to work with shock trauma units and closely with other branches of the military while in the field.
When not on the front line or in the field, many military nurses are sent to school to upgrade their degrees at college campuses or through online courses. Additionally, nurses in the military could be assigned to research or teaching units to help other military nurses along.
Related Types of Nurses
Since military nurses are trained for leadership, including the use and knowledge of military weapons and combat leadership skills, a similar profession might include forensic nursing. And, while not all military nurses see front line action, their ability to deal with shock and trauma might prove similar to nurses who work in surgery, triage and hospitals. But, since nurses from all specialties are welcome in the military, many who leave this field might find leadership roles in their specialties if they leave the military for civilian life.
Military Nursing Degrees
Although individuals can enter the army and choose nursing, it helps to have a nursing diploma or certification already under the belt. For instance, RNs go into the Army through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or by direct commission after graduating from college. Usually, their first mission is not medical, as military aspects predominate. Instead, leadership training is instilled from the beginning, as military nurses have the opportunity to earn rank. Command schools and nursing management courses such as head nurse development and advanced nursing leadership are mandatory and every Army nurse begins with an Officers Basic Course, an immersion into military culture and standards. At the top level, senior nursing officers study leadership at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where issues range from military strategy to national security. This military discipline and leadership training bodes well for nurses who leave the military, as their exposure to such education can lead to leadership roles in the civilian nursing world. However, to stay in military service often means the ability to obtain higher degrees and rank and a decent retirement plan.
Although individuals can enter the army and choose nursing, it helps to have a nursing diploma or certification already under the belt. For instance, RNs go into the Army through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or by direct commission after graduating from college. Usually, their first mission is not medical, as military aspects predominate. Instead, leadership training is instilled from the beginning, as military nurses have the opportunity to earn rank. Command schools and nursing management courses such as head nurse development and advanced nursing leadership are mandatory and every Army nurse begins with an Officers Basic Course, an immersion into military culture and standards. At the top level, senior nursing officers study leadership at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where issues range from military strategy to national security. This military discipline and leadership training bodes well for nurses who leave the military, as their exposure to such education can lead to leadership roles in the civilian nursing world. However, to stay in military service often means the ability to obtain higher degrees and rank and a decent retirement plan.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Medical-surgical nurses are RNs (Registered Nurses) who work in hospitals, acute care units, home care and long-term care facilities to provide care for primarily adult patients before and after surgical procedures. They also attend to those who are being treated with pharmaceuticals (medications) to manage illness. Medical-surgical nurses also assume responsibility for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluating health care needs of all assigned patients.
Duties of a Medical-Surgical Nurse
Medical-surgical nurses are essential players in providing care to adults who go through surgery. Clinical knowledge and skills, an ability to synthesize patient information and implement individualized patient care interventions and a capability to efficiently organize care for multiple acutely ill adults make these nurses an invaluable part of the health care team. Nurses who work on medical-surgical units have the opportunity to interact with and care for patients with a wide variety of clinical conditions. Some patients on medical-surgical units are recovering from surgeries. Others may be hospitalized for an acute condition, and others may be in the final stages of a progressive and chronic disease. Medical-surgical nurses also work closely with professionals from other disciplines in patient assessment, the development and implementation of individualized plans of care, recovery planning, patient and family education and discharge planning.
An exciting new trend for medical-surgical nurses has emerged in California. In addition to formal clinical practice, students study imagery, energy healing, relaxation therapy, herbs, and dietary supplements as a means of complimentary healing. They also learn about acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, and Reiki; however, these practices do not include a view toward incorporating them into the traditional environment at this time.
Related Types of Nurses
Traditionally, medical-surgical nursing often is considered the foundation of nursing, as it is the clinical area where new graduates begin their practice to get basic experience. Medical-surgical nursing practices have served as the launchpad for specialization in oncology, cardiology, neurology, forensics and more. More recently, medical-surgical nursing has been looked upon as a specialty nursing practice, as it is not limited to a disease or a body system; the focus is holistic in nature and demands a broad knowledge base that spans adult health. Nurses who begin in this field are fit to work as triage or medical nurses or they can work into management and case supervision.
Medical-Surgical Nursing Degrees
Registered nurses (RNs) at all educational levels are capable to work in medical-surgical nursing. Many nurses in this field may want to pursue graduate education and develop advanced expertise with a specific focus in medical-surgical nursing practice. In this case, many schools may require two years of medical-surgical nursing experience before acceptance into a master’s degree program. Graduates of the medical-surgical nursing programs are employed in a variety of clinical settings and are eligible for national certification.
Duties of a Medical-Surgical Nurse
Medical-surgical nurses are essential players in providing care to adults who go through surgery. Clinical knowledge and skills, an ability to synthesize patient information and implement individualized patient care interventions and a capability to efficiently organize care for multiple acutely ill adults make these nurses an invaluable part of the health care team. Nurses who work on medical-surgical units have the opportunity to interact with and care for patients with a wide variety of clinical conditions. Some patients on medical-surgical units are recovering from surgeries. Others may be hospitalized for an acute condition, and others may be in the final stages of a progressive and chronic disease. Medical-surgical nurses also work closely with professionals from other disciplines in patient assessment, the development and implementation of individualized plans of care, recovery planning, patient and family education and discharge planning.
An exciting new trend for medical-surgical nurses has emerged in California. In addition to formal clinical practice, students study imagery, energy healing, relaxation therapy, herbs, and dietary supplements as a means of complimentary healing. They also learn about acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, and Reiki; however, these practices do not include a view toward incorporating them into the traditional environment at this time.
Related Types of Nurses
Traditionally, medical-surgical nursing often is considered the foundation of nursing, as it is the clinical area where new graduates begin their practice to get basic experience. Medical-surgical nursing practices have served as the launchpad for specialization in oncology, cardiology, neurology, forensics and more. More recently, medical-surgical nursing has been looked upon as a specialty nursing practice, as it is not limited to a disease or a body system; the focus is holistic in nature and demands a broad knowledge base that spans adult health. Nurses who begin in this field are fit to work as triage or medical nurses or they can work into management and case supervision.
Medical-Surgical Nursing Degrees
Registered nurses (RNs) at all educational levels are capable to work in medical-surgical nursing. Many nurses in this field may want to pursue graduate education and develop advanced expertise with a specific focus in medical-surgical nursing practice. In this case, many schools may require two years of medical-surgical nursing experience before acceptance into a master’s degree program. Graduates of the medical-surgical nursing programs are employed in a variety of clinical settings and are eligible for national certification.
IV Therapy Nursing
An IV therapist, also known as a phlebotomist, is trained for clinical procedures such as drawing blood samples from humans, injecting fluids, and injecting drugs. Specially trained phlebotomists collect arterial blood samples from the radial or ulnar arteries near the wrist. Phlebotomists do not administer intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, as these tasks must be performed by doctors or nurses who have IV therapy training. In some states, depending on state law, phlebotomists are authorized to administer Heparin or Saline flushes. This often includes more training and is widely used in some states where the phlebotomist is hired as a dialysis technician.
Duties of an IV Therapy Nurse
Intravenous therapy nursing is practiced in practically all areas of the health care spectrum and in just as wide a variety of settings. Outside the hospital environment, IV therapy nurses can be found in alternate care settings such as outpatient chemotherapy clinics, ambulatory infusion centers and the patient’s home. Home health care accounts for an expanding number of demands for IV therapy nursing as the American population ages. New technologies, drugs and equipment have brought this nursing field to another level, and it requires that IV therapy nurses maintain up-to-date education in this field.
IV therapy nurses, also known as infusion nurses, are responsible for monitoring patients, maintaining their tubing and bandages, and recognizing potential drug interactions and complications. The IV therapy nurse also is responsible for overseeing pain management medications, patient and family education, patient documentation, and research.
Related Types of Nurses
Nine skill areas are considered in IV therapy nursing, and these include pharmacology, infection control, clinical application, fluid and electrolyte balance, antineoplastic therapy, parenteral nutrition, pediatrics, transfusion therapy and quality assurance. In each case, the IV therapy nurse becomes specialized, yet that nurse also becomes capable of entering the similar professions of trauma care nurse, forensics and triage nursing, among other specialties.
IV Therapy Nursing Degrees
Training for an IV therapist comes as part of the process with nursing and or clinical/medical technician degrees. However, there are certification programs that will help you to begin your career as an IV therapist. The usual education required to enroll in a certification course in IV therapy nursing is a high school diploma or its equivalent or higher. IV therapist certification courses usually contain 27 to 33 college credits. They also involve 100 to 130 clock hours of work, depending on the program, in a clinic under supervision. In most cases, the credits can be transferred over toward an associate’s (ADN) or bachelor’s degree (BSN). A physical examination, background checkup, good math skills, and good high school grades in chemistry and biology are needed. When coursework has been completed, students are usually eligible to take the certification examination. National certification makes the employee more attractive, although requirements for certification vary by state. Currently, California and Kentucky are the only states that require certification.
Duties of an IV Therapy Nurse
Intravenous therapy nursing is practiced in practically all areas of the health care spectrum and in just as wide a variety of settings. Outside the hospital environment, IV therapy nurses can be found in alternate care settings such as outpatient chemotherapy clinics, ambulatory infusion centers and the patient’s home. Home health care accounts for an expanding number of demands for IV therapy nursing as the American population ages. New technologies, drugs and equipment have brought this nursing field to another level, and it requires that IV therapy nurses maintain up-to-date education in this field.
IV therapy nurses, also known as infusion nurses, are responsible for monitoring patients, maintaining their tubing and bandages, and recognizing potential drug interactions and complications. The IV therapy nurse also is responsible for overseeing pain management medications, patient and family education, patient documentation, and research.
Related Types of Nurses
Nine skill areas are considered in IV therapy nursing, and these include pharmacology, infection control, clinical application, fluid and electrolyte balance, antineoplastic therapy, parenteral nutrition, pediatrics, transfusion therapy and quality assurance. In each case, the IV therapy nurse becomes specialized, yet that nurse also becomes capable of entering the similar professions of trauma care nurse, forensics and triage nursing, among other specialties.
IV Therapy Nursing Degrees
Training for an IV therapist comes as part of the process with nursing and or clinical/medical technician degrees. However, there are certification programs that will help you to begin your career as an IV therapist. The usual education required to enroll in a certification course in IV therapy nursing is a high school diploma or its equivalent or higher. IV therapist certification courses usually contain 27 to 33 college credits. They also involve 100 to 130 clock hours of work, depending on the program, in a clinic under supervision. In most cases, the credits can be transferred over toward an associate’s (ADN) or bachelor’s degree (BSN). A physical examination, background checkup, good math skills, and good high school grades in chemistry and biology are needed. When coursework has been completed, students are usually eligible to take the certification examination. National certification makes the employee more attractive, although requirements for certification vary by state. Currently, California and Kentucky are the only states that require certification.
Hospital Nursing
If you want a versatile career where you can satisfy your need to help people, then hospital nursing might be for you. The demand is on for hospital nurses, as recent research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and others has shown that hospitals with low nurse staffing levels tend to have higher rates of poor patient outcomes such as pneumonia, shock, cardiac arrest and urinary tract infections.
More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation in the coming decade. This demand can be attributed to an increase in elderly patients as well as a greater awareness of the need for good health. You will establish close personal relationships with patients and their families, a vital component in making that patient feel comfortable. The most fulfilling aspect of your job would be to watch patients become healthy again through a combination of compassion and technology.
Duties of a Hospital Nurse
The hospital nurse cares for patients who may be ill or infirm in the hospital environment. Some nurses directly assist doctors in emergency and surgical situations. Depending on their level of training, nurses may also help diagnose illnesses and develop patient care plans. The duties of a hospital nurse would depend upon the level of education and experience that nurse obtains before landing a job at a hospital. Many hospitals also are teaching institutions, which allows a nurse to work in a variety of settings within that hospital. Upon graduation, the hospital nurse can branch out into any given specialty, such as cardiac care, critical care, case management, OB nursing and more. In most cases, hospitals only will hire nurses who have obtained an RN, LPN/LVN or a higher degree from an accredited institution.
Related Types of Nurses
If you begin a career as a hospital nurse, you have a world of opportunity that can open to you. The hospital environment contains a number of specialty practices where nurses can learn where they feel most comfortable. Nursing professions include nurse assistants, registered nurses, gerontologic nurses, nurse practitioners and more. Each of these specialties has different requirements with regards to education, training, and certification. For instance, a hospital nurse who works in the emergency room may be attracted to a job as a traveling nurse on a cruise ship. A nurse who likes working in a birthing center of a hospital may decide to take more courses to learn how to become a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). Other nurses who work in a surgery center of a hospital may decide to work as a plastic surgery nurse. The hospital environment provides numerous opportunities for the nurse to try various skills and to learn more about where that nurse can best apply his or her skills.
Hospital Nursing Degrees
Hospital nurses are required to earn an RN, LPN/LVN or a higher degree from an accredited institution.
More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation in the coming decade. This demand can be attributed to an increase in elderly patients as well as a greater awareness of the need for good health. You will establish close personal relationships with patients and their families, a vital component in making that patient feel comfortable. The most fulfilling aspect of your job would be to watch patients become healthy again through a combination of compassion and technology.
Duties of a Hospital Nurse
The hospital nurse cares for patients who may be ill or infirm in the hospital environment. Some nurses directly assist doctors in emergency and surgical situations. Depending on their level of training, nurses may also help diagnose illnesses and develop patient care plans. The duties of a hospital nurse would depend upon the level of education and experience that nurse obtains before landing a job at a hospital. Many hospitals also are teaching institutions, which allows a nurse to work in a variety of settings within that hospital. Upon graduation, the hospital nurse can branch out into any given specialty, such as cardiac care, critical care, case management, OB nursing and more. In most cases, hospitals only will hire nurses who have obtained an RN, LPN/LVN or a higher degree from an accredited institution.
Related Types of Nurses
If you begin a career as a hospital nurse, you have a world of opportunity that can open to you. The hospital environment contains a number of specialty practices where nurses can learn where they feel most comfortable. Nursing professions include nurse assistants, registered nurses, gerontologic nurses, nurse practitioners and more. Each of these specialties has different requirements with regards to education, training, and certification. For instance, a hospital nurse who works in the emergency room may be attracted to a job as a traveling nurse on a cruise ship. A nurse who likes working in a birthing center of a hospital may decide to take more courses to learn how to become a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). Other nurses who work in a surgery center of a hospital may decide to work as a plastic surgery nurse. The hospital environment provides numerous opportunities for the nurse to try various skills and to learn more about where that nurse can best apply his or her skills.
Hospital Nursing Degrees
Hospital nurses are required to earn an RN, LPN/LVN or a higher degree from an accredited institution.
Hospice Nursing
A movement toward sensitive and caring hospice care has evolved in the United States over the past twenty-five years. Hospice nurses provide psychosocial, emotional and spiritual care and pain relief to patients in the final stages of life, as they protect patients from unnecessary painful therapies. Hospice providers promote quality of life by protecting patients under the guidelines of the Medicare Benefit Act of 1983, a federal program that allows patients to die in their homes with their families and friends at their side with limited unnecessary interventions.
Palliative care, the more recent area of specialization, is defined by the Last Acts Task Force (1999) as the “comprehensive management of the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and existential needs of patients, particularly those with incurable, progressive illness. The goal of palliative care is to help them achieve the best possible quality of life through relief of suffering, control of symptoms, and restoration of functional capacity, while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, believes and practices.” The care that both hospice and palliative care nurses provide is essentially the same as demonstrated by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Role Delineation Study; however, hospice and palliative care nurses differ in their preparation and practice settings.
Palliative care, the more recent area of specialization, is defined by the Last Acts Task Force (1999) as the “comprehensive management of the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and existential needs of patients, particularly those with incurable, progressive illness. The goal of palliative care is to help them achieve the best possible quality of life through relief of suffering, control of symptoms, and restoration of functional capacity, while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, believes and practices.” The care that both hospice and palliative care nurses provide is essentially the same as demonstrated by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Role Delineation Study; however, hospice and palliative care nurses differ in their preparation and practice settings.
Duties of a Hospice Nurse
Hospice and palliative care nurses work in collaboration with other health providers within the context of an interdisciplinary team. This team, which may include physicians, social workers and religious leaders, is expected to blend strengths to anticipate and meet the needs of the patient and family facing terminal illness and bereavement. Hospice and palliative care includes 24-hour nursing availability, management of pain and other symptoms, and family support. By providing expert management of pain and other symptoms combined with compassionate listening and counseling skills, hospice and palliative nurse promote the highest quality of life for the patient and family.
Regardless of the setting, hospice and palliative nurses strive to achieve an understanding of specific end-of-life issues from the perspective of each patient and his or her family through a cultural understanding of that family. To that end, hospice and palliative nursing is practiced at the bedside and beyond, to community and professional education, participation in demonstration grants and in end-of-life research. Hospice and palliative care nurses often are called to public policy forums, including the legislative process, as society’s needs change and awareness of the issues that surround end of live issues increase.
Related Types of Nurses
Some hospice and palliative care nurses elect to sub-specialize in areas such as oncology, pediatrics, or geriatrics. These nurses often pursue advanced practice credentialing to achieve these goals. This skillset and goal orientation is similar to the substance abuse nurse, a person who treats addicted individuals and their families, but who may specialize in a particular drug of choice, or specialize in either patient or family care. Like hospice nurses, substance abuse nurses also must deal with death, dying and the grieving process.
Hospice Nursing Degrees
Employers expect hospice and palliative nurses to be registered nurses prepared at some degree level, from associate to master’s degree. A small percentage of hospice and palliative nurses hold doctoral degrees. In addition to these degrees, hospice and palliative care nurses may be expected to obtain certification in IV therapy, CPR and other emergency-care therapies.
Geriatric Nursing
Older adults are the core business of health care in this country today, representing the majority of primary and home care visits, hospital admissions, and long-term care residents. Recent Census Bureau projections show that the rapid growth rate of those over 65 will not even begin to slow until after 2040. For nurses, geriatrics is a particularly challenging and exciting career choice. It often involves combining biological, psychological, and social changes associated with aging. And unlike in the acute care setting, nurses in geriatric-centered environments often build long-term relationships with their clients and clients’ families.
Duties of a Geriatric Nurse
Learning about what makes older people “tick” along with their health care is what draws many nurses into this field. Many older adults have multiple medical problems and may be on many medications, so they often do not present with typical signs and symptoms. While patients might experience the typical geriatric syndromes such as incontinence, falls or changes in mental or emotional status, those incidents may be symptoms of an underlying acute medical problem. These “atypical presentations” present a mystery, a puzzle to be solved that is both engaging and puzzling, involving intense research and investigation to find that underlying problem.
Gerontological nurses also need to determine functional needs of older adult patients. The ability to assess whether an older adult can live and function alone, to drive, take medications, walk or eat. A basic functional assessment provides a base from which an underlying medical problem can be discovered. This long-term relationship with an elderly patient can be rewarding, as many nurses feel a great sense of pride in helping their elderly patients with preventative care and treatment.
Typical venues for a geriatric nurse include hospitals, community health centers, senior centers, long-term care facilities and patients’ homes. While this career can prove exciting, many challenges are present in this specialty. The geriatric nurse may need to deal with patients’ deaths, and decreased mental capabilities of some patients may make it difficult to involve them in the decision-making process to maximize their independence.
Related Types of Nurses
The geriatric nurse maintains a long-term relationship with patients and families, a career that is similar to those nurses who work in pediatrics. While both careers represent opposite ends of the age spectrum, they both deal with the special needs of patients during a patient’s lifespan. Also, forensic nursing, with its implications of solving a puzzle in each case, is similar to understanding elder patient care.
Geriatric Nursing Degrees
Recognizing the strong need for geriatric nurses, many nursing schools integrating the gerontological nursing content in courses and clinical experiences in their BSN and MSN programs. Some schools of nursing also offer elective courses, specifically in geriatric nursing for undergraduate students. At the doctoratal level, graduates can find nursing educator careers, as many nursing educators are retiring. At this level, geriatric research also is in high demand. In all cases, the nurse must obtain an active RN licensure to work as a geriatric nurse.
Duties of a Geriatric Nurse
Learning about what makes older people “tick” along with their health care is what draws many nurses into this field. Many older adults have multiple medical problems and may be on many medications, so they often do not present with typical signs and symptoms. While patients might experience the typical geriatric syndromes such as incontinence, falls or changes in mental or emotional status, those incidents may be symptoms of an underlying acute medical problem. These “atypical presentations” present a mystery, a puzzle to be solved that is both engaging and puzzling, involving intense research and investigation to find that underlying problem.
Gerontological nurses also need to determine functional needs of older adult patients. The ability to assess whether an older adult can live and function alone, to drive, take medications, walk or eat. A basic functional assessment provides a base from which an underlying medical problem can be discovered. This long-term relationship with an elderly patient can be rewarding, as many nurses feel a great sense of pride in helping their elderly patients with preventative care and treatment.
Typical venues for a geriatric nurse include hospitals, community health centers, senior centers, long-term care facilities and patients’ homes. While this career can prove exciting, many challenges are present in this specialty. The geriatric nurse may need to deal with patients’ deaths, and decreased mental capabilities of some patients may make it difficult to involve them in the decision-making process to maximize their independence.
Related Types of Nurses
The geriatric nurse maintains a long-term relationship with patients and families, a career that is similar to those nurses who work in pediatrics. While both careers represent opposite ends of the age spectrum, they both deal with the special needs of patients during a patient’s lifespan. Also, forensic nursing, with its implications of solving a puzzle in each case, is similar to understanding elder patient care.
Geriatric Nursing Degrees
Recognizing the strong need for geriatric nurses, many nursing schools integrating the gerontological nursing content in courses and clinical experiences in their BSN and MSN programs. Some schools of nursing also offer elective courses, specifically in geriatric nursing for undergraduate students. At the doctoratal level, graduates can find nursing educator careers, as many nursing educators are retiring. At this level, geriatric research also is in high demand. In all cases, the nurse must obtain an active RN licensure to work as a geriatric nurse.
Forensic Nursing
Forensic nursing is a relatively new field that combines the health care profession with the judicial system. In 1995 the American Nurses Association officially recognized it as a specialty of nursing. As the incidence of violent crime increases, the need for forensic nurses expands as well. Forensic nursing encompasses the ability to provide care to crime victims, collecting evidence, and providing health care services within the prison system.
Specialty areas within this field include clinical nurse specialists, nurse investigators, nurse coroner/death investigator, sexual assault nurse examiner, legal nurse consultant, gerontology specialist psychiatric nurse and correctional nursing specialist. The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is the professional organization for the field. The main advantage of this field is that this field is in its infancy. Forensic nurses often have the advantage of helping to create their own positions, and even whole forensic nursing departments.
Duties of a Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses work with law enforcement officials as well as with perpetrators and crime victims. Duties may include collection of clinical evidence, determination of origin or circumstances of trauma, evaluation and alleviation of crime victims’ injuries and rehabilitation of criminals. Forensic nurses can find employment in arenas such as correctional facilities, community health centers, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, public health departments and law firms. Many forensic nurses work with victims of other types of interpersonal abuse, including domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect and physiological/psychological abuse. Forensic nurses can examine victims of near-fatal or fatal traumas, such as shootings or stabbings. Some even work as death investigators. Often they work in environments that lead them straight into surgical units to finish collecting evidence.
SANE nurses, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, provide another venue within forensic nursing. SANE nurses are specifically trained in how to collect forensic evidence and to listen to the victims. These nurses have filled a valuable niche that was originally occupied only by busy physicians. Now, women who have been sexually assaulted may have the advantage and comfort of working with a SANE operative in hospital environments.
Related Types of Nurses
Nursing occupations that are similar to forensic nursing may include medical-surgical nurses, military nurses and triage nursing. Domestic violence nursing is another occupation similar to forensic nursing.
Forensic Nursing Degrees
A forensic nurse must be at least an RN and must complete specialized training to meet the standards IAFN outlines for forensic nurses. National standards include 40 hours of didactics and 40 hours of clinical work. Nurses are trained in handling and collecting evidence, such as hairs, fibers and swabs of fluids collected for DNA testing. Additional forensic training is required to work with children. Forensic nurses also need to learn how to handle specific tools in order to help document a victim’s injuries for court cases. This equipment ranges from digital cameras for photographing visible injuries to an Omnichrome, which can detect bruising beneath the skin’s surface.
Specialty areas within this field include clinical nurse specialists, nurse investigators, nurse coroner/death investigator, sexual assault nurse examiner, legal nurse consultant, gerontology specialist psychiatric nurse and correctional nursing specialist. The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is the professional organization for the field. The main advantage of this field is that this field is in its infancy. Forensic nurses often have the advantage of helping to create their own positions, and even whole forensic nursing departments.
Duties of a Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses work with law enforcement officials as well as with perpetrators and crime victims. Duties may include collection of clinical evidence, determination of origin or circumstances of trauma, evaluation and alleviation of crime victims’ injuries and rehabilitation of criminals. Forensic nurses can find employment in arenas such as correctional facilities, community health centers, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, public health departments and law firms. Many forensic nurses work with victims of other types of interpersonal abuse, including domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect and physiological/psychological abuse. Forensic nurses can examine victims of near-fatal or fatal traumas, such as shootings or stabbings. Some even work as death investigators. Often they work in environments that lead them straight into surgical units to finish collecting evidence.
SANE nurses, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, provide another venue within forensic nursing. SANE nurses are specifically trained in how to collect forensic evidence and to listen to the victims. These nurses have filled a valuable niche that was originally occupied only by busy physicians. Now, women who have been sexually assaulted may have the advantage and comfort of working with a SANE operative in hospital environments.
Related Types of Nurses
Nursing occupations that are similar to forensic nursing may include medical-surgical nurses, military nurses and triage nursing. Domestic violence nursing is another occupation similar to forensic nursing.
Forensic Nursing Degrees
A forensic nurse must be at least an RN and must complete specialized training to meet the standards IAFN outlines for forensic nurses. National standards include 40 hours of didactics and 40 hours of clinical work. Nurses are trained in handling and collecting evidence, such as hairs, fibers and swabs of fluids collected for DNA testing. Additional forensic training is required to work with children. Forensic nurses also need to learn how to handle specific tools in order to help document a victim’s injuries for court cases. This equipment ranges from digital cameras for photographing visible injuries to an Omnichrome, which can detect bruising beneath the skin’s surface.
Emergency Nursing
Emergency nurses care for patients in the critical or emergency phase of an illness or trauma, but they are not limited to working in a hospital’s emergency room. They must be able to recognize life-threatening problems and rapidly arrange necessary care. They are expected to respond quickly to a wide variety of single- and multi-system trauma involving different patient needs, ages, cultures, and severity of presenting symptoms. Also known as trauma nursing, the individuals who choose this specialty must respond with decisiveness and clarity to unexpected events by assessing, intervening, and stabilizing patients about whom there is minimal information.
Duties of an Emergency Nurse
There are approximately 90,000 emergency nurses working in the United States. These nurses specialize in rapid assessment and treatment when every second counts, particularly during the initial phase of acute illness and trauma. Emergency nurses must tackle diverse tasks with professionalism, efficiency and with a caring attitude. To provide quality patient care for people of all ages, emergency nurses must possess both general and specific knowledge about health care to provide quality care for patients of all ages. Emergency nurses must be ready to treat a wide variety of illnesses or injury situations or any emergent condition including major multi-system trauma and shock from drowning, diving accidents, poisoning and other medical emergencies.
Emergency nurses must possess medical/surgical, emergency, trauma and/or critical care experience, which includes hands-on skills with IV therapy, ventilators, cardiac monitoring, pain management and pre- and post-operative care. Nurses who seek this profession might consider the personality traits that would help the nurse cope with emergency situations. These attributes include the ability to manage stress, assertive and positive decision-making skills, the ability to communicate clearly, role autonomy and independence, innovative thinking and the ability to work with a team of other professionals.
On the less stressful side of this nursing specialty, emergency nurses also can provide education to the public through programs to promote wellness and prevent injuries, such as alcohol awareness, child passenger safety, gun safety, bicycle and helmet safety, and domestic violence prevention. Emergency nurses also may work as administrators, managers, and researchers who work to improve emergency health care.
Related Types of Nurses
Emergency nursing, because of the inherent stress, conflicts, high pressure, patient/family grief and difficult contacts, short-term patient relationships, language and cultural barriers, is similar to trauma nursing, flight/transport nursing, cruise ship nursing, telephone or triage nursing, domestic violence nursing and forensic nursing. Because emergency nurses must be prepared to provide patient care for almost any situation they may encounter, specialization is rare. However, common areas of specialization include trauma, pediatrics, geriatrics, and injury prevention.
Emergency Nursing Degrees
Duties of an Emergency Nurse
There are approximately 90,000 emergency nurses working in the United States. These nurses specialize in rapid assessment and treatment when every second counts, particularly during the initial phase of acute illness and trauma. Emergency nurses must tackle diverse tasks with professionalism, efficiency and with a caring attitude. To provide quality patient care for people of all ages, emergency nurses must possess both general and specific knowledge about health care to provide quality care for patients of all ages. Emergency nurses must be ready to treat a wide variety of illnesses or injury situations or any emergent condition including major multi-system trauma and shock from drowning, diving accidents, poisoning and other medical emergencies.
Emergency nurses must possess medical/surgical, emergency, trauma and/or critical care experience, which includes hands-on skills with IV therapy, ventilators, cardiac monitoring, pain management and pre- and post-operative care. Nurses who seek this profession might consider the personality traits that would help the nurse cope with emergency situations. These attributes include the ability to manage stress, assertive and positive decision-making skills, the ability to communicate clearly, role autonomy and independence, innovative thinking and the ability to work with a team of other professionals.
On the less stressful side of this nursing specialty, emergency nurses also can provide education to the public through programs to promote wellness and prevent injuries, such as alcohol awareness, child passenger safety, gun safety, bicycle and helmet safety, and domestic violence prevention. Emergency nurses also may work as administrators, managers, and researchers who work to improve emergency health care.
Related Types of Nurses
Emergency nursing, because of the inherent stress, conflicts, high pressure, patient/family grief and difficult contacts, short-term patient relationships, language and cultural barriers, is similar to trauma nursing, flight/transport nursing, cruise ship nursing, telephone or triage nursing, domestic violence nursing and forensic nursing. Because emergency nurses must be prepared to provide patient care for almost any situation they may encounter, specialization is rare. However, common areas of specialization include trauma, pediatrics, geriatrics, and injury prevention.
Emergency Nursing Degrees
Emergency nurses are registered nurses. Many emergency nurses acquire additional certifications in the areas of trauma nursing, pediatric nursing, nurse practitioner, and various areas of injury prevention. Emergency nurses continually update their education to stay informed of the latest trends, issues, and procedures in medicine today. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is the specialty nursing association serving the emergency nursing profession, and they often update emergency nurses in new trends within this specialty profession.
Dialysis Nursing
Dialysis nurses provide extensive care for patients who suffer from renal failure or chronic kidney conditions. The need for dialysis nurses has expanded in recent years, thanks to the growth of kidney problems created by high blood pressure and diabetes, and to the evolution of dialysis technologies, which requires nurses who know how to operate this equipment. Registered nurses (RNs) who care for patients who have kidney disease also are called nephrology nurses. Most nurses who work with patients who have kidney problems will find employment in hemodialysis centers, or they can treat a patient at the patient’s home.
In 1973, treatment for end stage kidney disease (ESRD) by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or transplantation was funded by the federal government through the Social Security program. This action made ESRD the only disease-caused disability and became more readily available to people with this disease. As a result, the role of the nephrology nurse grew in scope, practice boundaries broadened, and the number of nephrology nurses climbed steadily.
Duties of a Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis nurse responsibilities vary, depending upon educational and work experience. Some dialysis nurses may monitor and implement nursing procedures and practices, and it may be their responsibility to ensure that drugs and keys are properly secured and equipment is in good working order and stored safely. Many nurses in this field maintain an inventory and order supplies. At the minimum, dialysis nurses often perform patient assessment, develop and administer dialysis plans and administer medications, fluid therapy/blood products and other treatments according to physician’s orders. They may also assist with teammate and patient scheduling, training new teammates, along with preparing, monitoring and maintaining dialysis machines and systems.
A dialysis nurse who has a history of higher education may be thrust into a leadership role, where that nurse provides leadership for the clinical staff in the day-to-day clinic operation, collaborates with the center’s director in personnel actions and plans and directs the nursing care of the patients. In all cases, a role for all dialysis nurses is teacher, as this nurse must educate the patient and family members on treatment issues, and educate the patient who is at risk for kidney disease about preventative care.
Related Types of Nurses
Dialysis nursing, or nephrology nurses, can be compared to nurses who deal with patients who have chronic illnesses such as cancer (oncology) or heart (cardiac) problems. Since health conditions such as these are ongoing, nurses tend to develop long-term relationships with those patients. Many nurses seek this type of employment, in contrast to those who wish to work in emergency or trauma situations. In the latter case, those nurses seldom experience long-term relationships with their patients.
Dialysis Nursing Degrees
Most employers seek dialysis nurses who have obtained an RN license from the state where that nurse works, a CPR certification, a CNN (Certified Nephrology Nurse) or CDN (Certified Dialysis Nurse) certification and hemodialysis or peritoneal experience. Many employers may ask for at least an associate’s degree and at least two years’ experience in this field, or a BSN or MSN depending upon the role desired within the dialysis care situation.
In 1973, treatment for end stage kidney disease (ESRD) by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or transplantation was funded by the federal government through the Social Security program. This action made ESRD the only disease-caused disability and became more readily available to people with this disease. As a result, the role of the nephrology nurse grew in scope, practice boundaries broadened, and the number of nephrology nurses climbed steadily.
Duties of a Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis nurse responsibilities vary, depending upon educational and work experience. Some dialysis nurses may monitor and implement nursing procedures and practices, and it may be their responsibility to ensure that drugs and keys are properly secured and equipment is in good working order and stored safely. Many nurses in this field maintain an inventory and order supplies. At the minimum, dialysis nurses often perform patient assessment, develop and administer dialysis plans and administer medications, fluid therapy/blood products and other treatments according to physician’s orders. They may also assist with teammate and patient scheduling, training new teammates, along with preparing, monitoring and maintaining dialysis machines and systems.
A dialysis nurse who has a history of higher education may be thrust into a leadership role, where that nurse provides leadership for the clinical staff in the day-to-day clinic operation, collaborates with the center’s director in personnel actions and plans and directs the nursing care of the patients. In all cases, a role for all dialysis nurses is teacher, as this nurse must educate the patient and family members on treatment issues, and educate the patient who is at risk for kidney disease about preventative care.
Related Types of Nurses
Dialysis nursing, or nephrology nurses, can be compared to nurses who deal with patients who have chronic illnesses such as cancer (oncology) or heart (cardiac) problems. Since health conditions such as these are ongoing, nurses tend to develop long-term relationships with those patients. Many nurses seek this type of employment, in contrast to those who wish to work in emergency or trauma situations. In the latter case, those nurses seldom experience long-term relationships with their patients.
Dialysis Nursing Degrees
Most employers seek dialysis nurses who have obtained an RN license from the state where that nurse works, a CPR certification, a CNN (Certified Nephrology Nurse) or CDN (Certified Dialysis Nurse) certification and hemodialysis or peritoneal experience. Many employers may ask for at least an associate’s degree and at least two years’ experience in this field, or a BSN or MSN depending upon the role desired within the dialysis care situation.
Cruise Ship Nursing
Most employees wait until retirement to travel extensively, but cruise ship nurses (CSN) can travel while working. While this deal sounds irresistible, cruise ship nurses need extensive education and experience to serve on board. Most cruise ships require nurses that have the ability to work well with other people and solid ER and ICU skills to meet the challenge of medical emergencies at sea.
Duties of a Cruise Ship Nurse
CSNs deal with colds, flu, chronic illnesses, work-related injuries, births, deaths and medical emergencies. And, they face these challenges with a minimal staff. A ship that carries 2,500 passengers and 1,000 crew typically carries two physicians and three nurses as mandated by law. Smaller ships may employ just one doctor and two nurses. Additionally, cruise ship nurses often need to go through security and ship evacuation training since they are expected to organize emergency medical evacuations and accompany a crew or passenger by helicopter to a hospital. Another requirement is paperwork as ship nurses do not have clerical staff support. Ship nurses typically file insurance claims and keep a set of medical records on every crew member and passenger.
Related Types of Nurses
A person with the educational and work experience that would qualify him or her for a job as a cruise ship nurse might also be interested in careers or jobs as a traveling nurse. These jobs are offered through various nurse employment agencies, and they provide qualified nurses with part-time jobs in various states and/or countries. Other considerations include overseas, development, volunteer, missionary or refugee nursing.
Another route to consider that includes travel is the military nurse. Army ROTC Nurse Cadets have an opportunity for a unique summer nursing experience. The paid, three-week Nurse Summer Training Program assigns Cadets to Army hospitals throughout the U.S. and Germany. The program introduces you to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and to the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer. Under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer, you will obtain hands-on experience.
Cruise Ship Nursing Degrees
Most cruise lines require a diploma from an accredited nursing school with a minimum of two years’ recent hospital experience. Some cruise lines require up to ten years of experience, especially in ICU. Experience with simple laboratory and x-ray procedures is recommended, and a proficiency with IV cannulation and venipuncture is a priority. Additionally, the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), the industry’s governing body, requires all cruise ship nurses to be certified in, or have equivalent training in, advanced cardiac life support. In all cases, experience with cardiac care, trauma, internal medicine and fluent English language skills are required. According to a recent ad for a ship’s nurse for Carnival, their applicants must pass a medication administration exam, demonstrate adequate experience with nursing procedures on their skills check list and must pass a pre-employment physical examination and be deemed fit for duty at sea.
Cardiac Nursing
Cardiac nursing includes many sub-specialty areas that relate to patients with heart problems. Since the heart is vital to life, the cardiac nurse must be skilled in all areas that pertain to heart function so that they can help to heal or to treat conditions such as unstable angina, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and cardiac dysrhythmia among others. Cardiac nurses work in arenas such as coronary care units (CCU), cardiac catheterisation laboratories (CCL), intensive care units (ICU), operating theaters, cardiac rehabilitation, research, cardiac surgical wards, cardiac medical wards and other environments where heart care is a focus or is part of another procedure.
Duties of a Cardiac Nurse
While many cardiac nurses work on teams that provide a collaborative approach to patient care, these nurses also are expected to have specialized skills such as electrocardiogram telemetry monitoring, advanced cardiac life support, defibrillation and medication administration by continuous intravenous drip. Additionally, cardiac nurses interact with patients, families, visitors, and all members of the health care team to develop, coordinate and manage the plan of care. The cardiac nurse must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and assess data reflective of the patient’s status.
Since heart care, like cancer care, is a growing field thanks to research, the cardiac nurse must stay informed about new developments. In some working environments, evidence-based practice and nursing research is an important part of cardiac nursing practice. In these cases, nurses in all roles become engaged in inquiry, discovery and innovation. Often, support for nursing research is provided by a designated nurse researcher for experienced and novice cardiac nurses.
Physical therapy plays a role with cardiac nurses as well, as they meet the needs for education and support of patients with coronary heart disease who are making lifestyle changes to prevent worsening of the disease. They often monitor patients during physical workouts to prevent overexertion and/or injury. These practices require the cardiac nurse to develop strong educational cardiac assessment skills.
Related Types of Nurses
Cardiac nurses may go on to work as case managers who manage a team of cardiac nurses. Or, they may become clinical educators, providing staff training and making sure newly hired nurses are following treatment protocols. The specialty also needs research nurses who can investigate factors affecting heart disease outcomes and conduct clinical trials so that new treatments for heart problems can be developed. And there are opportunities to move up into administrative and managerial positions, such as clinical managers. Critical care nurses also are in demand, and this career is very similar to cardiac nursing.
Cardiac Nursing Degrees
Nurses who seek a cardiac nursing position must have current Registered Nurse (RN) license or eligible to sit for the a licensure exam, although in many cases a BSN degree and RN license is preferred. In most cases, qualifying nurses may need to complete orientation and competency requirements, obtain/maintain CPR certification, and possible ACLS, PALS, NRP, certifications based on specific work units.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
List of nursing specialties from Wikipedia
In the modern world, there are a large number of specialties within nursing. Professional organizations or certifying boards issue voluntary certification in many of these specialties.
- Ambulatory care nursing
- Advanced practice nursing
- Burn nursing
- Camp nursing
- Cardiac nursing
- Cardiac catheter laboratory nursing
- Case management
- Community health nursing
- Correctional nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Emergency nursing
- Environmental health nursing
- Faith community nursing
- Flight nursing
- Forensic nursing
- Gastroenterology nursing
- Genetics nursing
- Geriatric nursing
- Health visiting
- Home health nursing
- Hospice nursing
- Hyperbaric nursing
- Immunology and allergy nursing
- Intavenous therapy nursing
- Infection control nursing
- Infectious disease nursing
- Legal nursing
- Maternal-child nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Military and uniformed services nursing
- Neonatal nursing
- Neuro-surgical nursing
- Nursing informatics
- Nursing management
- Obstetrical nursing
- Occupational health nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Orthopaedic nursing
- Ostomy nursing
- Palliative care nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Perianesthesia nursing
- Perioperative nursing
- Private duty nursing
- Psychiatric or mental health nursing
- Public health nursing
- Pulmonary nursing
- Quality improvement
- Radiology nursing
- Rehabilitation nursing
- Renal nursing
- School nursing
- Sub-acute nursing
- Substance abuse nursing
- Surgical nursing
- Telenursing
- Telephone triage nursing
- Transplantation nursing
- Trauma nursing
- Urology nursing
- Utilization management
- Wound care
Nursing Informatics Programs from The RightHealth Community
Nursing Informatics is a specialized area of study within the larger content area of nursing focusing on computer-based data collection, storage and retrieval of data. Nursing informatics is a relatively new area of student, but it is one that is becoming more and more critical in the health care field. A student in an nursing informatics program would initially cover broad-based topics on how data collection works, systems to organize and store data, and programs used to perform these tasks. It is considered a specialty area of nursing and most individuals entering this field have an advanced degree in nursing informatics.
Students wanting to study in nursing informatics should place an emphasis on taking science, math, and computer classes in high school. There are multitude of colleges and universities around the world offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing informatics, but most schools and states require that students have a graduate degree. Some of the top rated colleges in nursing informatics are the University of Washington, New York University, and the University of Chicago.
Students graduating and seeking a career in nursing informatics will find a lot of opportunity in the job market. Projections have been made that show an expansion in the need for people who have a degrees and qualifications in nursing informatics. Depending on the level of education and the location, salaries for those in the field of nursing informatics run between $40,000 and $100,000.
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