My Colleges and Careers Blog » nursing

Registered Nurse (RN) Career Spotlight

alexi — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:25:17 +0000

Becky, a university graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing, took time out of her busy week going through hospital orientation as a recently certified Registered Nurse, to answer some questions about the world of nursing.

When did you become interested in nursing?

I became interested in nursing after my freshman year of college. I was Pre-Med and the fit just didn’t seem right for my long term goals. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but at the same time, I wanted to have a career. I love that nursing will afford me the opportunity to identify with something outside of mothering. Also, after a few years of work experience, I plan to go back to school and get my master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner, or possibly even get my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. I love that I have these choices!

What is your favorite part of being an RN?

I love that I am always learning! It can be frustrating at times to not know everything, but the learning and growth can be so rewarding because you really see the impact in people’s lives! As a nurse you get to be with your patients during some of their most vulnerable times–being a part of that and helping them through the process of healing, loss, whatever their situation may be is really fulfilling.

What has been particularly memorable about your job now or nursing school?

I can’t pinpoint one single patient. You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.

“You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.”

I love the growth that I have seen in myself throughout nursing school, and even now as a RN- I learn something new each day, and have so much left to learn. I also love knowing that I really helped someone in my day.

What is the “NCLEX-PN” exam?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) are required to take the NCLEX-PN exam in order to become licensed. Each state has different standards that it requires for certified Registered Nurses.

Registered Nurses (RN’s) come from associate degree programs, bachelors degree programs, or nurses with an associates degree that return to school to get their bachelors degree (called an RN-to-BSN program). They all require the individual to take the NCLEX-RN exam before becoming certified.

What can new RNs expect in terms of responsibilities?

Depending on what unit you work, nurses manage the care of anywhere from 2 to 8 patients. We communicate with Doctors, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, Physical/Occupational Therapists as well as our patient care assistants (PCA’s aka CNA’s) to ensure patients receive the best care available. Managing all of our patient’s physical, social as well as psychological needs can become quite complex and requires a lot of organization–something that I as a new graduate am learning a lot about and comes with time and practice.

What are some misconceptions about nursing?

I think a lot of people think that nurses are people who didn’t go to medical school because they thought it would be “too hard.” From someone who has been down that road, I can honestly say that I didn’t go to medical school because I thought it would be too hard, It was a conscious decision. I could go to medical school if I wanted, I have no doubt about it. It’s just not what I chose to do.

Also, some think that nurses are just the “gophers” or “shadows” of the doctor. In all reality, we let the doctor know what is going on with the patient and then he writes the orders. Doctors couldn’t survive without nurses, and nurses couldn’t survive without doctors: it’s a team.

“Doctors couldn’t survive without nurses, and nurses couldn’t survive without doctors: it’s a team.”

Without that team mentality, communication breaks down and the best care isn’t being given.

What are some personality traits that work well in nursing?

A strong sense of right and wrong
Strong work ethic
Ability to think on your feet
Flexibility
Organization!

What is something most don’t realize about nursing?

It’s a lot of work!

Thanks Becky! Best wishes to you in all of your endeavors!

For more information about nursing degrees and careers, visit My Colleges and Careers.

Career Spotlight: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

alexi — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:24:30 +0000

Nursing is a virtually recession-proof job that will always be in demand. My Colleges and Careers asked pediatric nurse practitioner SueAnn Hyland (R.N., P.N.P.) of Orange County, Calif., more about what she does on a daily basis.

Fun Fact: Married with two children, Hyland just completed her first triathlon last weekend. No big deal at all…

What made you interested in nursing?

My grandma was a Labor and Delivery nurse and growing up, my family and I always talked with her about her career which made me very interested in health care. As I got older, I recognized I really enjoyed working with and helping people and I was particularly keen on the variety of opportunities and flexibility within the world of nursing.

What are your typical daily responsibilities as a nurse?

Currently I work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with two pediatrician’s in a pediatric office. I work completely autonomously in the care of children with ages ranging from birth – 21 years. My responsibilities include baby/child/teenage check-up’s and sports physicals, diagnosing and treating illnesses, writing prescriptions, and ordering and interpreting labs, x-rays and other tests.

What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite of my job is building relationship with the families and children I take care of. I particularly enjoy helping new moms during the challenging transitions with a newborn and watching the baby grow as they visit the clinic regularly during the first 2 years of life. Also I really enjoying working with teens and helping them better understand and take care of their bodies. In my nursing career I have worked in a variety of settings and specialties including pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), neonatal ICU, pediatric ICU, and general pediatrics. Every area of nursing has its pros and cons, with unforgettable patients in each setting.

Every area of nursing has its pros and cons, with unforgettable patients in each setting.

What are some of the different levels of training and certification involved in the nursing field?

There are a variety of of training and certifications in the nursing field which one of the reasons nursing is so appealing to me. I received my BSN as a registered nurse (RN) and then completed a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics (PNP).

What are some misconceptions about nursing?

The only misconception about nursing that comes to mind is that it’s only for women. I have worked with a lot of men (particularly in the ICU settings) and they are amazing nurses: patients and families love them. Nursing is a great career that is flexible, in high demand and you can make great money- male or female.

What are some personality traits that work well in nursing?

Personality traits that work well in nursing include being detail-oriented, compassionate, a good listener, multi-tasker, and the ability to work well with people.

What is something that most people don’t know about nurses?

Most people don’t realize how hard nurses work: it is physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging at times, but also well worth it.

Most people don’t realize how hard nurses work: it is physically, emotionally and mentally challenging at times but also well worth it.

Thank you SueAnn! We realize you are doing phenomenal things in nursing, and wish you continued success!

For more information about careers in nursing, visit My Colleges and Careers.

Nursing: From A-Z, you can find a specialty

alexi — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:56:50 +0000

Are you caring, sympathetic and love working with people? Are you emotionally stable, able to withstand human trauma, suffering and other medical-related stresses?

NATURE OF THE WORK

From Ambulatory care to Urology, there is something under the umbrella of nursing that could be right for you. Registered nurses (RNs) tasks include everything from recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms, educating patients on various medical conditions, providing support to patients’ family member, operating medical machinery, or administering medications.

RNs can specialize in various areas of patient care, like operating room nurses who assist surgeons, or according to specific health conditions, like diabetes management nurses. Other RNs specialize working with one or more organs or body systems (like dermatology nurses), or with a specific population demographic (like pediatric nurses who work with children).

Some RNs combine specialties. For example, a ‘pediatric oncology‘ nurse deals with children who have cancer.

Most RNs work as staff nurses as members of a team providing critical health care. Some RNs choose to become advanced practice nurses, who work independently or in collaboration with physicians. Examples include nurse anesthetists (who provide anesthesia and related care before and after surgical or other procedures) or nurse practitioners (who serve as primary and specialty care providers to patients).

Some nursing careers are limited in direct patient care yet still require an RN license. Some examples include forensics nurses (who participate in the scientific investigation of treatments), nurse administrators, (who supervise medical staff and maintain inventory), or nurse educators (who develop and deliver educational programs and curricula).

Some nurses move into the business management side of health care. In management, nurses can advance from assistant unit manger or head nurse to more senior-level administrative, which more often require a further graduate or advanced degree in nursing or health services administration.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor’s of science degree (BSN), an associate degree (ADN), and a diploma from an approved nursing program. Nurses most commonly enter the occupation by completing an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program. Prospective nurses then must complete a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license. Further training or education can qualify nurses to work in specialty areas, and improve advancement opportunities.

Advanced practice nursing specialties require at least a master’s degree. Most programs require a BSN for admission and involve 2 years of full-time study. Furthermore, some graduate programs require at least 1 to 2 years of clinical experience as an RN for admission.

All nursing education programs include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other health care facilities. Prospective students can expect to take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and nursing. Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery.

Licensure and Certification: Upon graduating from an approved nursing program, students must pass a national licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license. Nurses may be licensed in more than one State, either by examination or by the endorsement of a license issued by another State. The Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement allows a nurse who is licensed and permanently resides in one of the member States to practice in the other member States without obtaining additional licensure. In 2006, 20 states were members of the Compact, while 2 more were pending membership.

All States require periodic license renewal. Foreign-educated and foreign-born nurses wishing to work in the United States must obtain a work visa in addition to passing the above stated certifications.

BY THE NUMBERS

Registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation, with 2.5 million jobs held in 2006.
About 59 percent of jobs are in hospitals.

JOB OUTLOOK

Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, growing by 23 percent and generating 587,000 new jobs from 2006 to 2016: among the largest number of new jobs for any occupation.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $57,280 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,710 and $69,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,440.