A nurse is a healthcare professional who is focused on the care of communities, individuals and families. They ensure maintenance, attainment and recovery of these individuals and of their functioning and optimal health. They capable of planning, assessing, evaluating and implementing care of their patients independently and they provide medical support through the nursing process.

Nurses in general have larger scope of practice compared to nurses working in particular fields. They generally work for hospitals, clinics, physician offices, private homes, retirement homes, hospice facilities, long term care facilities, and other non hospital settings such as military facilities, military camps and cruise ships. They also work in various industries as occupational health practitioner such as schools as practitioner and educators, while some work as consultants for firms and companies in the healthcare, insurance, and legal industries where they work part time, full time, per diem basis or as traveling nurses.

Duties performed by nurses

perform investigatory procedures such as take medical history and vital signs

perform minor operations such as sutures, administer injections and vaccinations for infants, perform routine procedures, such as eye washing, applying and removing dressings, treating wounds, and ear syringing

conduct first registration checks

give advice on contraceptives and provide contraceptive devices such as condoms, IUD and injections as prescribed by a physician

offer pregnancy tests and cervical smears

take urine samples, blood samples, other specimens and swabs for laboratory exams

offer advice and information on weight control, blood pressure, and heart conditions

administer travel immunizations and offer advice on health care while traveling

administer emergency and first aid treatment

re-stock and maintain consult rooms and clinical areas

take notes accurately and legibly of all the treatments and consultations and records these information on a patient’s note or chart

To be a licensed practical nurse, you must have at least one of the following nursing credentials:

Diploma in Nursing – You must complete a Licensed Practical Nursing program from a vocational school, or community college that is approved by the state’s Board of Nurses. Students take 30-60 credit hours in subjects such as physiology, anatomy, nutrition, microbiology, chemistry and other minor subjects. Students then move on to intensive nursing classes. This takes about three years to complete.

Associate Degree in Nursing – This is the most common initial nursing education that is a two-year degree and emphasizes on clinical knowledge and skills. The pre requisites and co requisites extends the program from 2 years to about 3 years or longer.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – A four-year degree that prepares nurses for graduate level education that emphasizes on research, leadership and clinical practice.

Licensure Examination

After completion of the educational requirement, would be nurses are required to take licensure examination NCLEX-RN. It is to test adequacy of knowledge, skills and competency of the new graduates.

Career Advancement

Registered nurses can further their career by taking graduate studies such as Doctorate degrees and Masters. These advanced educations prepares them for specialization as advanced practice nurses including nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse leader, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist.

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Category: Career
Keywords: nursing profession,health care,nurse shortage,issues facing