Nurse

Nursing is a profession which is focused on the care of families and individuals and is found within the healthcare sector. Nurses practice in a wide diversity of areas. Most nurses provide care within the guidelines set by physicians, although nurses can prescribe medications and make diagnoses on their own with more education. This falls in line with the new wave of nursing education which is changing many of the traditional regulations of nursing.

Education

Once you have your high school diploma, there are three different ways to become a registered nurse. The first is by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (https://nursing.jhu.edu/academics/programs/bachelors/). These programs are usually four years long, and include more training in social sciences than other nursing programs. The second way is to complete an associate’s degree in nursing (https://www.collegeamerica.edu/healthcare/associates/nursing). This program lasts around 2-3 years, and many students move on to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in nursing after they have completed the associate’s degree. The last way is to attend an accredited nursing program and receive a diploma. Following the completion of your schooling, you need to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse. This test is the licensing exam you must pass to become a registered nurse. After this, it is time to find a job in the field. Nursing is the largest profession in the healthcare field, and there a variety of settings in which you can work, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, and schools. Nurses who have a bachelor’s degree will find work easier than those who do not, although the nursing shortage has made it so almost any registered nurse can find a job somewhere. You can become a nurse practitioner by obtaining a master’s degree in nursing and passing a national examination. Nurse practitioners make diagnoses, treat acute conditions and can make diagnoses.

Job Description

Every day will be a different experience for a nurse. These are some of the duties you may perform depending on what is happening during your shift.

• Monitor patients and record and report any symptoms or condition changes
• Record patients’ vital signs and medical information
• Modify patient treatment plans depending on patients’ conditions and responses to treatment
• Plan and implement patient care plans and evaluate their effectiveness with other health care team members
• Monitor all aspects of patient care, including physical activity and diet
• Prepare patients for and assist with treatments and examinations
• Ensure all supply stocks are maintained, sterile instruments and equipment, and prepare rooms
• Administer anaesthetics
• Recommend drugs, medical devices, or treatment such as physical therapy or inhalation therapy
• Educate individuals and families on topics such as childbirth and disease prevention, and help develop health improvement programs

These are just some of the many duties you may perform daily as a registered nurse.

Pros & Cons

Nursing is a profession in high demand, which is a rare thing in this economy. Nurses are in short supply, and thus there are numerous job opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that registered nurses should generate over 500 000 new jobs through 2016. There are also many opportunities for career advancement. Many nurses can move up the administration ladder without additional education, becoming a nurse supervisor or manager. Nurses also receive excellent benefits, including paid holidays, sick leave, vacation time, health insurance benefits, shift differential, and retirement plans. The nursing shortage has created a wide range of benefits acting as incentives to help fill vacancies. Some of these include sign on bonuses (as high as $20 000 in some places), tuition reimbursement, and day care. The biggest advantage of being a nurse however, is the difference you make each day. You may help deliver a baby, ease the pain of an injured child, or help someone who has been seriously injured. Nursing is a very psychologically and physically demanding profession. The nursing shortage has caused nurses to have more clients, resulting in less time per client. Many nurses are forced to work overtime because of the shortage. Nurses also spend most of their day on their feet, which can result in leg, foot or back pain. They may also experience dangerous work conditions because nurses often come into contact with patients who are sick or injured and may transmit diseases through blood or saliva.