nurse-now

How to Apply for NCLEX Examination

2011-07-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

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.

The US requires that the practice of nursing in the country be regulated by licensing authorities to ensure public protection. All aspiring nurses need to pass this examination which assesses the knowledge of an individual to effectively and safely perform medical care.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing or the NCSBN is the agency that administers the NCLEX exam. As mentioned earlier, there are two NCLEX tests being offered. The difference between the two tests is the number and difficulty of correctly answered questions that is required to pass the NCLEX exam.

To illustrate, there are 265 questions in an NCLEX-RN exam, an examinee needs to have answered at least 75 questions to pass the exam. For the NCLEX-PN exam, you need to have answered at least 85 questions out of the 205 to pass.

These two exams require a certain level of understanding of the nursing field, both cover categories related to medical care like Effective Care Environment, Psychosocial Integrity, and Health Promotion and Maintenance, among others.

The exams are administered with the use of Computerized Adaptive Testing or CAT. With this special method, each exam is unique and all the questions are derived from a database as the exam progresses.

With this process, the computer can change the degree of difficulty and topics for succeeding questions, based on an examinee’s answers to the previous questions. The computer can select harder questions if the examinee answers correctly and can eventually choose easier questions when the examinee gives out incorrect answers.

Both the NCLEX exams for registered nurses and practical nurses have multiple choice questions. But still there are cases when an NCLEX exam has more difficult questions with fill-in-the-blank questions or an examinee would need to supply an answer.

In order to take an NCLEX exam, you need to submit an application to your state board of nursing, which will determine if you are eligible or not for the NCLEX exam. Once you are declared eligible, you will have to register with the Authorization to Take the Test or ATT that will provided by the board of nursing in your state. You will be provided with a list of several testing centers and additional instructions on how to schedule and take the exam.

If you are going to take the NCLEX exam, you might want to consider these things:

It could help you more if you attend an NCLEX review class
Haste makes waste. Make sure you understand a question before answering
Changing an answer will not be allowed. Once you have inputted an answer, you will be lead to another question
Always choose the answer that you think is the best answer
Keep in mind the safety of a patient when answering questions

Once you’re done taking the NCLEX exam, you need to wait for the results. Depending on how results are given in your state, you might be notified through phone, email, online, or mail. If you fail the exam, you will be given a summary of your performance, showing which topics you excelled in and which topics you need to focus on. After a mandatory waiting period, depending on which state you are located, you can take the NCLEX exam again.

Best of luck to you chosen field!

Fast Facts about Nurses in America

2011-07-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

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.

The Nursing Shortage

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment opportunities in the nursing profession will have greater than average growth.
This RN shortage will continue to grow if current trends continue.

Appropriate Staffing and Other Issues in Patient Safety

The risk of making an error greatly increases when nurses work shifts longer than 12 hours, when they work significant overtime, or when they work more than 40 hours per week.
Adding half an hour of RN staffing per patient day could reduce pneumonia in surgical patients by over 4 percent.
Higher nurse-to-patient ratios are associated with a lower incidence of nearly all adverse outcomes. One major study found a 10-percent increase in the number of licensed nurses is estimated to decrease lung collapse by 1.5 percent, pressure ulcers by 2 percent, falls by 3 percent, and urinary track infections by less than 1 percent.
In hospitals with high RN staffing, medical patients had lower rates of five adverse patient outcomes (UTIs, pneumonia, shock, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and longer hospital stay) than patients in hospitals with low RN staffing.
Higher staffing at all levels of nursing was associated with a 2- to 25-percent reduction in adverse outcomes, depending on the outcome.

Nurses on The Job

In 2004, 3 out of 5 nursing jobs were in hospitals.
Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $52,330 in May 2004.

Your Nursing Career: A Look at the Facts

2011-07-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

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:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered nurses will grow faster than most other occupations through 2018.

Nursing students comprise more than half of all health professions students.

Nurses comprise the largest single component of hospital staff, are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the nation's long-term care.

Most health care services involve some form of care by nurses. Although 62.2 percent of all employed RNs work in hospitals, many are employed in a wide range of other settings, including private practices, public health agencies, primary care clinics, home health care, outpatient surgicenters, health maintenance organizations, nursing school-operated nursing centers, insurance and managed care companies, nursing homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the military, and industry. Other nurses work in careers as college and university educators preparing future nurses or as scientists developing advances in many areas of health care and health promotion.

Though often working collaboratively, nurses do not simply "assist" physicians and other health care providers. Instead, they practice independently within their own defined scope of practice. Nursing roles range from direct patient care to case management, establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, and directing complex nursing care systems.

With more than four times as many RNs in the United States as physicians, nursing delivers an extended array of health care services, including primary and preventive care by advanced, independent nurse practitioners in such clinical areas as pediatrics, family health, women's health, and gerontological care. Nursing's scope also includes care by clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists, as well as care in cardiac, oncology, neonatal, neurological, and obstetric/gynecological nursing and other advanced clinical specialties.

The primary pathway to professional nursing, as compared to technical-level practice, is the four-year Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN). Registered nurses are prepared either through a four-year baccalaureate program; a three-year associate degree in nursing program; or a three-year hospital diploma program. Graduates of all three programs take the same state licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. (The number of diploma programs has declined steadily -- to less than 10 percent of all basic RN education programs -- as nursing education has shifted from hospital-operated instruction into the college and university system.)

The Need For The Baccalaureate Nurse

The Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is the critical first step for a career in professional nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), American Nurses Association (ANA) and other leading nursing organizations recognize the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. While graduates can begin practice as an RN with an associate degree or hospital diploma, the BSN degree is essential for nurses seeking to move up the career ladder and provide a higher level of quality care.

The BSN nurse is prepared for a broader role. The BSN nurse is the only basic nursing graduate preferred to practice in all health care settings -- critical care, ambulatory care, public health, and mental health -- and thus has the greatest employment flexibility of any entry-level RN. The BSN curriculum includes a broad spectrum of scientific, critical-thinking, humanistic, communication, and leadership skills, including specific courses on community health nursing not typically included in diploma or associate-degree tracks. These abilities are essential for today's professional nurse who must be a skilled provider, designer, manager, and coordinator of care. Nurses must make quick, sometimes life-and-death decisions; understand a patient's treatment, symptoms, and danger signs; supervise other nursing personnel; coordinate care with other health providers; master advanced technology; guide patients through the maze of health resources in a community; and teach patients how to comply with treatment and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

In particular, a report by the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, an advisory panel to the federal Division of Nursing, noted that baccalaureate nursing programs are far more likely than other entry-level tracks to provide students with on-site clinical training in non-institutional settings outside the hospital. As a result, the BSN graduate is well-prepared for practice in such sites as home health agencies, outpatient centers, and neighborhood clinics where opportunities are fast expanding as hospitals focus more on acute care and health services move beyond the hospital to more primary and preventive care throughout the community.

The BSN nurse is preferred. More nurse executives are indicating their desire for the majority of their hospital staff nurses to be prepared at the baccalaureate level to meet the more complex demands of today's patient care. In fact, the words "BSN preferred" are appearing more frequently in classified ads for registered nurses nationwide.

Aware of the expanding opportunities, RNs are seeking the BSN degree in increasing numbers. In 1980, almost 55 percent of registered nurses held a hospital diploma as their highest educational credential, 22 percent held the bachelor's degree, and 18 percent an associate degree, according to figures from the federal Division of Nursing. By 2008, a diploma was the highest educational credential for only 13.9 percent of RNs, while the number with bachelor's degrees had climbed to 36.8 percent, with 36.1 percent holding an associate degree. In addition, 13.2 percent of the current nursing workforce hold master's or doctoral degrees. According to a report released by the Health Resources and Services Administration in July 2002, associate degree in nursing graduates are declining at a somewhat faster rate than baccalaureate graduates, with the net result that baccalaureate graduates now comprise an increasingly greater share of total graduates. These numbers indicate the high premium that nurses place on advanced education in today's growing market, and the demand by employers for RNs who are baccalaureate-prepared.

The Changing Job Market: Some Needed Perspective

Federal figures project that if current trends continue, the shortage of RNs will continue to grow throughout the next 20 years. By 2020, more than 800,000 RN positions are expected to go unfilled nationwide, according to the National Center for Workforce Analysis, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But already, in an expanding number of markets, hospitals and other employers are struggling to meet the rising demand for RN care and have stepped up recruitment.

Today's intensified hiring of RNs is being spurred by:

the mounting health care needs of increasing numbers of elderly;
a growing population of hospitalized patients who are older, more acutely ill, and in need of more skilled RNs per patient;
the rapid expansion of front-line primary care to many sites throughout the community;
technological advances requiring more highly skilled nursing care; and
an aging RN workforce. The average age of working RNs in 2008 was 47.0 up from 40 in 1980.

As nursing and health care delivery expand, opportunities abound outside the hospital. Between 1996-2008, the number of registered nurses in community health settings, including home health care rose to 14.2 percent. An estimated 10.5 percent of RNs were practicing in outpatient settings in 2008, including health maintenance organizations and physician- and nurse-based practices, and 5.3 percent of RNs work in long-term care facilities.

The average annual earnings of registered nurses employed in nursing was $60,970 in 2007, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Clinical Nurses Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, and other nurses prepared in graduate degree programs command much higher salaries.

With patient care growing more complex, ensuring a sufficient RN workforce isn't merely a matter of how many nurses are needed, but rather an issue of preparing an adequate number of nurses with the right educational mix to meet health care demands. The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice has urged that at least two-thirds of the basic nurse workforce hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing by 2010. Currently, only 50.0 percent do.

Moreover, a 1995 report by the Pew Health Professions Commission called for a more concentrated production of nurses from bachelor's- and graduate-degree programs. Today's rising need for registered nurses does not appear to be a repeat of the widespread nursing shortage of a decade ago, when employers hired qualified entry-level RNs virtually regardless of their nursing degree preparation.

Rather, today's demand is different because:

Employers are seeking nurses prepared at the bachelor's and graduate-degree levels who can deliver the higher complexity of care required across a variety of acute-care, primary-care, and community health settings, and to provide other needed services such as case management, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Demand is particularly acute for nurses in key specialties, such as critical care; neonatal nursing; emergency, operating room, and labor and delivery units; and for advanced practice RNs such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.
Though hiring of RNs is accelerating in more cities, today's demand varies region by region, market by market, contrary to the pervasive nationwide shortfall of RNs in the late 1980s.

BSN and BS in Nursing Degree Titles

Depending on the nursing school you attend, graduates of the baccalaureate program may receive a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) or a BS in Nursing degree. Please note that there is no substantive difference in the degrees offered, and graduates of both programs are expected to possess the competencies outlined in AACN's Essentials document.The degree title used is purely an instutitional decision and does note connote differences between BSN and BS programs in nursing. This same rationale is true for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the MS in Nursing degrees.

Flexibility is the key. All projections forecast accelerating demand for nursing care and for nurses with expanded education and skills. Still, the accelerating demand for RNs varies by region and market. As a result, flexibility will be key both for entering and moving within the profession. Some graduates may need to pursue employment in different parts of their home states, in another state, or even in another region where hiring in certain clinical settings or specialties may be more plentiful.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Extending Primary Care's Reach

The health system's increasing demand for front-line primary care, and the accelerating drive toward managed care, prevention, and cost-efficiency, are driving the nation's need for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and other RNs with advanced practice skills.

Prepared typically in graduate programs, advanced practice nurses (APNs) include the following four categories of clinicians:

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) conduct physical exams; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic problems; order and interpret X-rays and other lab tests; and counsel patients on adopting healthy lifestyles and health care options as a part of their clinical roles. In addition to practicing in clinics and hospitals in metropolitan areas, the nation's estimated 158,348 nurse practitioners also deliver care in rural sites, inner cities, and other locations not adequately served by physicians, as well as to other populations, such as children in schools and the elderly. Many NPs work in pediatrics, family health, women's health, and other specialties, and some have private practices. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all states, while 23 states have given NPs authority to practice independently without physician collaboration or supervision.

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) provide care in a range of specialty areas, such as cardiac, oncology, neonatal, and obstetric/gynecological nursing, as well as pediatrics, neurological nursing, and psychiatric/mental health. Working in hospitals and other clinical sites, CNSs provide acute care and mental health services, develop quality assurance procedures, and serve as educators and consultants. An estimated 59,242 clinical nurse specialists are currently in practice.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) provide prenatal and gynecological care to normal healthy women; deliver babies in hospitals, private homes, and birthing centers; and continue with follow-up postpartum care. In 2002, CNM deliveries accounted for 8.1 percent of all births in the U.S., up from 6.5 percent in 1996, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. There are approximately 18,492 CNMs nationwide.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) administer more than 65 percent of all anesthetics given to patients each year, and are the sole anesthesia providers in approximately two-thirds of all rural hospitals in the U.S., according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). Of the 24 million anesthetics given annually, about 20 percent are administered by CRNAs practicing independently and 80 percent by CRNAs in collaboration with physician anesthesiologists, says AANA. Working in the oldest of the advanced nursing specialties, CRNAs administer anesthesia for all types of surgery in settings ranging from operating rooms and dental offices to outpatient surgical centers. There are more than 34,821 CRNAs in practice nationwide.

Mounting studies show that the quality of APN care is equal to, and at times better than, comparable services by physicians, and often at lower cost. For example,

Even after acknowledging flaws in some of the studies it reviewed in 1986, the congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) concluded that nurse practitioners can deliver as much as 80 percent of the health services, and up to 90 percent of the pediatric care, provided by primary care physicians, at equal or better quality and at less cost. In the 12 studies reviewed, OTA found that the quality of care by nurse practitioners -- including communication with patients, preventive actions, and reductions in the number of patient symptoms -- was higher than comparable care by physicians.

At the University of Rochester, researchers reported that intensive-care babies cared for by neonatal nurse practitioners averaged 2.4 fewer hospital days and more than $3,400 less in charges than those cared for by medical residents, despite the fact that the NPs' infants were younger and had significantly lower birthweight. Unlike residents, nurse practitioners don't rotate, are "more consistent caregivers" who can follow infants through their entire stay, and need to rely less on support services to stay apprised of a patient's progress, the authors suggest in the 1994 study.

2010 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

Helpful Tips for Finding a Job as an RN Nurse

2011-07-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

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.

More and more Filipino students take up Bachelor of Science in Nursing with hopes of having the opportunity to work overseas. Just for the July 2010 Nursing Board Exams, 91,008 graduates took the board. What is unfortunate is that only 37,679 passed the board exams. As a result of this, the Commission on Higher Education sought the review of some colleges and universities which have not produced board passers in the last four years.

Given this scenario wherein thousands of RNs vie for one or two vacancies in a clinical institution, if you are one of the 37,679 new RNs, you will definitely be wondering how you can get a job locally or how will you be able acquire the required experience requirements for you to be accepted as an RN abroad.

We will give you some tips on how you can get a job as a registered nurse.

As a fresh graduate, you need to have an edge over other applicants who like you are newly graduates. It would be important that you did well in school – so include distinctions or citations that you received while in school in your application form. In order to improve your chances of getting hired as an RN, you need to have performed well in nursing school because employers will be looking at your academic credentials in the absence of your actual clinical experience or specialization.

It would also help if you can build a good nursing image. Experienced RNs usually build up their image in the nursing community for at least a year or two. Most big and well known hospitals only hire RNs with specializations so be content if you get hired by a small hospital or health care institution outside the city. Take this as an opportunity to study further and gain more experience.

If you have acquired a few years of experience of general nursing in a small institution, you should be bold enough to request your employer to assign you to a specific field for you to specialize on. Of course, having the right attitude towards the job and towards the people you work with will be crucial to your employer’s decisions.

If you want to work as a nurse, do not limit your options to hospitals and other health care institutions. There is also a demand for private nurses – this field will also give you a higher paycheck compared to RNs working in a hospital setting. The trick lies in finding a good private employer.

Recommendations from respected people in the nursing or medical field will definitely help you get a job as well.

Being a Registered Nurse definitely gives you varied choices. You only need to broaden your horizons and think outside the box – you will be surprised at finding RN positions outside hospitals and health care institutions.

Best of luck finding a job!

Facts about Today’s Nursing Workforce

2011-07-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

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.

However, medical courses like nursing and medicine are still popular. People who choose to pursue a career in nursing have varying reasons why they choose to go that route – some people have a compassionate and caring nature, others opine that the nursing profession is lucrative because of its pay, while there are still others who recognize the fact that nurses are in high demand.

Statistics show that in the United States and United Kingdom there is an alarming shortage of nurses that both these countries have to employ nurses from other countries.

One of the main reasons of this shortage in the nursing workforce is the fact that in the US alone, there is an aging population. As a result of this, there is a great need for skilled nurses to take care of the elderly.

Aside from hospitals, registered nurses also play key roles in retirement homes. The fact that only about 62% of the total nursing workforce is employed in hospitals shows that nurses can assume different roles. If we look at the statistics further, the remaining nearly 40% work in other medical institutions. About 14% work in community health centers, there 10.5% of the nursing workforce working in outpatient care centers, and still about 5.3% are employed in long term care facilities.

Add to the fact that today’s nursing workforce is aging and there are a huge number of nurses who are set to retire in 15 years. Studies also show that the average age for active nurses right now is 47 compared to just 40 years old back in 1980. Because of an almost guaranteed employment after college, more and more incoming college students take up a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

In a data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS, in the year 2018, there will be a need of 580,000 new or replacement nurses to be able to fulfill the demand. The increased demand for nurses in just eight years is due to the increasing roles that are given to registered nurses, as well as the aging nurse workforce.

Aside from the fact that the nursing profession is a very in demand profession, the salary levels are also lucrative. Back in 2007, registered nurses have a take home pay of about $60,000. It is a different story all together when an RN has a master’s degree, plus several years of clinic experience; these RNs receive almost $100,000.

Nursing students far outnumber students studying to become doctors – 4:1. A lot of incoming college students are drawn to take up BSN due to the obvious fact that nurses are the largest health care providers in hospitals and other medical institutions.

The BLS also predicts that by the year 2018, the nursing field will be the fastest growing sectors that would definitely result in thousands of new nursing jobs that will be created.

So if you are still undecided on what to take up in college, look at the facts, you will definitely never go wrong.

Nursing Yesterday & Today

2011-07-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

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.

The history of modern nursing is integrally bound up with the history of the Christian church. Josephine Dolan who wrote the classic nursing text, "Nursing in Society" claimed, "Even after nineteen hundred years it is difficult to fully comprehend the impact of the birth of Jesus Christ and His teaching on society and the care of the sick". There is ample evidence for this. In the early Christian church, caring for the sick was seen as a ministry to Christ. During the middle ages nursing was an important part of community life in religious orders. In Benedictine monasteries one of the rules stated, "The care of the sick is to be placed above and before every other duty, as if indeed Christ were being directly served by waiting upon them". Additionally these monasteries provided an opportunity for women to pursue a career in which they could use their intellectual and spiritual gifts and develop nursing skills. In this era, nursing attracted many women who were well educated and wealthy, including some of royal birth.

The spread of plagues; trends to more crowded urban living; as well as the wars and feuding of the times, created an ever urgent need of care which led to a further expansion of nursing. As well as the services provided by traditional religious orders, some orders were established for lay persons who wanted an opportunity to share in this charitable work. Eventually some hospitals were built outside of the monasteries, and so bringing those nursing services under lay management. The women were sometimes called 'sisters' and the male nurses 'brothers', even though not members of a religious group.

Throughout the 19th century, the number of hospitals and community nursing associations continued to grow rapidly. Due to a resurgence of religious nursing orders, particularly the Anglican Sisterhoods, a conflict was created. The physicians and surgeons of the day were critical of the nurses who they claimed were more interested in the spiritual needs of patients than the physical. They required nurses who would be answerable first to them and who could accurately observe their patients and monitor the treatments they ordered (naturally enough!). They also favoured an authority structure modelled on the middle class Victorian family. That kind of hierarchical model was perpetuated in nursing beyond the middle of this century. It was perhaps given new impetus by the world wars and the fact that many ex. army nurses held leadership roles in nursing.

Thus even before the dawn of what we might term modern "scientific medicine", nurses were favouring a holistic approach to care for the sick - caring for the needs of the soul or spirit as well as the body. They rejected a strictly mechanised approach to health care and still do. The famous 19th century nurse, Florence Nightingale not only saw nursing as autonomous of the medical profession, but took the view that the needs of the spirit are as critical to health as the individual organs which make up the body. Nightingale's services to soldiers in the Crimea, brought her world wide recognition, and the system of nursing she developed was to revolutionise nursing.

BETWEEN THEN AND NOW

On the eve of the 21st century, younger nurses and nursing students have a difficult time imagining what nursing was like at the turn of 20th. During this century there have been enormous changes in our society, health services and even the concept of a nurse. An investigation of the nursing history archives highlights this.

Here is an extract taken directly from a book on nurses and nursing published in the 1890's.

"The qualifications required to be a successful nurse are necessarily of a high order, and this applies not only to the trained nurse, but to her embryo sister who wishes to adopt nursing as a calling. In the first place she must be not only be physically, but constitutionally strong. She must be not only well formed, but must have certain powers of resistance. A girl, for example, who is subject to sick headaches, or who readily "knocks up," will never make a good nurse. The best type of nursing girl is one who is tall and strong, and who has a certain suppleness of movement. One who is accustomed to play lawn-tennis, who can ride, and skate, and row, makes the best material.

If she can dance, especially if she is an enthusiastic dancer, it is a great advantage, for graceful carriage is a thing to be cultivated, and nothing is more distasteful in a sick-room than a suspicion of clumsiness. If in addition to being well formed she is favoured with good looks, it is all in her favour, for doctors readily recognise the influence of an attractive person in the management of refractory patients.

Respecting her moral attributes, it may be said that a girl who has been brought up in a country parsonage, and has had little experience of the world, is hardly fitted for hospital work. In the wards she will be brought in constant contact with people of various modes of thought, and if she is unable to adapt herself to her surroundings, her novitiate will of necessity be a very uncomfortable one.

Nursing should not be undertaken from sentimental motives, or, from any notion of becoming one of the "Guardian Angels" of the novelist. Such an idea will assuredly end in disappointment, for it will be found that the really sick have but a poor appreciation of sentiment, that the routine duties of the sick-room are monotonous and tiresome, and leave but scant time for indulging one's imagination or poetic feelings.

It is hardly necessary to say that a nurse should be honest and truthful, for the vast majority of English nurses possess these qualifications in the very highest degree. The only danger to the patient is entirely of another character, for it sometimes happens that the invalid during his long period of convalescence, becomes so enamoured of his kindly attendant that he finds it impossible to dispense with her services, and marries her!

The age at which a nurse should begin her training is a matter concerning which there is some difference of opinion. One authority thinks that the best age is between twenty-five and thirty. This is an entire mistake, for a person who attempts to enter a business or profession at the age of thirty rarely does much at it. Twenty-one is a good age to begin, and forty is a good age at which to retire. A woman is much older than a man at the age of forty, and by that time a woman should have made some permanent provision in life for herself. Few doctors will employ old nurses, and few patients care to have them".

In the early decades of this century, nurses worked very long shifts of 12 hours or more and had only one day off per week. Not only were they very restricted in their social activities generally, but were rarely able to attend church services or groups. It was in this era that Nurses Christian Fellowship was born - the first organisation of its kind in the world. Consequently NCF became almost a substitute for church; providing Christian teaching, encouragement, and Fellowship. [Photos of the first ANCM Group at the Melbourne Hosp] Since then of course, extensive changes in nursing and nurse education have brought a significant change of role and focus for NCF. It is no longer a substitute 'church' but a specialist organisation, which works alongside the church.

NURSING TODAY

Nursing's links with Christianity are not so obvious today. There are many other philosophies and religions which are influencing nursing theory and practice. Yet it remains a fact that the Christian world view has positively shaped the practice of nursing in our history as a profession, and can still be recognised in nursing codes of ethics and practice. In nursing today, we can still see some strong links to nursing's past. Among many new trends and changes emerging in nursing theory and practice today, two have generated a good deal of interest for several years. One is a renewed focus on holistic care, and the other, which arises from it, is an interest in spirituality and spiritual care in nursing.

'Holism' has become the buzz word of the nineties, and nurses are frequently exhorted to care for the whole person. A new wave of terminology has evolved around this concept, and now in nursing theory you will sometimes find a person described as a biopsychosocial unit! But despite new ways of describing this philosophy, it this simply reflects a long held goal of nursing, "to help a person attain or maintain wholeness in every dimension of their being". Nursing is revisiting an old concept and is now giving more time and attention to the more intangible aspects of a person's need. For although the term holistic was not introduced into the nursing literature until 1980s, but it would have been hard to find a nurse in any era who saw only the physical aspect of care as that which defines nursing. In 1971, a nursing theorist by the name of Joyce Travelbee declared, "A nurse does not only seek to alleviate physical pain or render physical care - she ministers to the whole person. The existence of suffering, whether physical, mental or spiritual is the proper concern of the nurse".1 (Travelbee, 1971: 159).

It is good news for nursing that despite all the concentration on technology and scientific method, nursing is not losing its focus on person centred integrated care. It is also good news for society as a whole - especially those of us who will be needing nursing care at some stage or another. Further than that, it has been good news to Nurses Christian Fellowship, both here and elsewhere, because it has given us unprecedented opportunities to provide teaching in spiritual care both for Christian nurses through our own workshops and for ongoing education programs conducted by Area Health services, nursing homes and hospitals. In NSW, NCF has been able to present papers at secular nursing conferences on a local, state and national level and contribute a chapter on documenting spiritual care for a nursing book.

A goal of Nurses Christian Fellowship world-wide has always been a quality nursing care that includes a spiritual dimension and is based on a Christian philosophy. So these are exciting times for Christians in nursing, since we have added opportunities to contribute something to nursing's body of knowledge and at the same time bring a Christian influence.

CARING FOR CARERS

The movement which began in response to the special needs of nurses in the early part of the century has endured to the eve of the next. What has enabled the continuance of this para-church movement maintained and supported by nurses for nurses for 85 years? An examination of the historical records would suggest that a combination of factors may have contributed. In addition to a sound foundation and intensive period of consolidation following its inception, the organisation has maintained a relevant ministry and demonstrated the ability to meet changing conditions and needs.

NCF has always endeavoured to care for nurses. Today we aim to provide specialised support and education to enable them to integrate their Christian faith with nursing practice. We also strive to contribute Christian values and principles to the ongoing development of the nursing profession both directly and indiractly.

Have you considered becoming a member of your national NCF? By linking up with other Christian nurses you will be strengthening the Christian voice in the nursing profession and at the same time gaining access to the resources of an organisation which specialises in integrating Christian faith with nursing theory and practice.

(c) Margaret Hutchison, October 1998.

Urology Nursing

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      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.

Duties of a Urology Nurse

      Urologic nurses perform exams, perform and interpret diagnostic studies (such as urodynamics), treat bladder dysfunction and incontinence, provide patient education, and teach preventive care. But, this job is not as simple as it seems, as urology nurses deal with a variety of diseases that affect the urinary tract system. These diseases include kidney stones; urinary tract infections, or UTIs, that happen in the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the bladder (cystitis), or the urethra (urethritis); nerve damage, damage caused by stroke, depression or drug side affects; acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, and nonbacterial prostatitis; Conn’s Syndrome, which causes high blood pressure due to excess production of the hormone aldosterone; and cancer.

      Employers may or may not expect the urologic nurse to understand all diseases that affect the patient, but – in general – a urology nurse is expected to perform exams, diagnose and treat acute urological health problems, and perform evaluations and urodynamic studies. Urology nursing also involves duties such as ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies and lab work; diagnosing, evaluating, and treating bladder dysfunction and incontinence; and delivering medication and preventative or treatment plans to the patient and family. Considering the sensitive and often embarrassing nature of urinary and reproductive diseases for many patients, nurses within this specialty will consider regarding all patients with care and understanding on often sensitive issues.

Related Types of Nurses

      The nursing positions that are similar to urology nursing include any nursing specialty that deals with chronic diseases, such as substance abuse therapy, IV therapy, oncology, and cardiac care nursing. These nurses all become bonded with patients, as they see them on a long-term basis. Also, all these specialties include teaching preventative strategies as well as teaching patients and their families about their conditions and treatments.

Urology Nursing Degrees

      Urology nurses will need an LPN/LVN license and certification by the Certification Board for Urology Nurses and Associates (CBUNA). The urology RN requires current licensure as an RN and one year of experience as an RN in urology nursing practice. Advanced practice nurses must meet same requirements as the urology RN, plus have current regonition by their state board of nursing as a nurse practitioner and/or a clinical nurse specialist, and a master’s degree in nursing.

Triage Nursing

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      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.

Duties of a Triage Nurse
       Triage nurses are vital to any emergency situation, as they help to monitor a patient’s needs to determine if that patient requires immediate care or if he or she can wait while others are being treated. This type of responsibility places a patient’s life in the triage nurse’s hands. Therefore, the triage nurse must be skilled in various critical care situations, including cardiac care, orthopedic care and even some familiarity with obstetrics. They must be familiar with symptoms that indicate abdominal complaints as well as be able to deal with mass casualty incidents that include various physical wounds. Additionally, triage nurses need to follow set guidelines, maintain and update documents and important papers, communicate with providers, pharmacists, nurses, and CMAs while putting the patient first.

      The nurse who chooses to work with telephone triage does all of the above, but without the advantage of visual inspection or face-to-face interaction. Telephone triage nurses must rely on communication skills, knowledge of disease processes, and normal growth and development for all age groups in order to ascertain an accurate understanding of the client’s symptoms. With that said, triage nurses do not diagnose clients over the phone. Instead, the goal of the telephone triage nurse is to determine the severity of the caller’s complaint through a series of algorithms developed by a coordinated effort of physicians and nurses. At that point, the telephone triage nurse can direct the patient to the appropriate emergency service.

Related Types of Nurses

      Similar nursing careers to triage nursing include cardiac or military nursing. Because triage nurses become skilled with responding to emergency situations and with delegating patients to appropriate emergency services, these nurses may find that case management or supervisory roles come naturally. These jobs, which would move the triage nurse up the ladder to promotions that would mean more money, often require more education as well. Other similar work might include critical care nursing, emergency care, flight/transport nurse, plastic surgery nursing, domestic violence nursing and forensic nursing.

Triage Nursing Degrees

Registered nurses at all educational levels are able to do triage. Experience is the major requirement, but there are classes available to enhance triage skills. Seminars are offered nationally by experts within the telephone triage field as well. Certification usually is not required for working as a triage nurse; however, many employers see certification as a reflection of competency and professionalism that then increases the appeal of a job candidate. The National Certification Corporation now offers certification in Telephone Triage. As with most other certifications, there are certain eligibility requirements, such as current licensure, 2000 hours of specialty experience, and recent employment in the specialty.

Telemetry Nursing

2011-07-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Telemetry Nurse

      The telemetry nurse’s duties can include, but are not limited to, planning and implementation of individualized nursing treatment programs for patients and their families, assessing a patient’s conditions and nursing needs, including cardiac rhythm, and the development, implementation and communication of individualized nursing care plans and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to appropriate personnel. Some telemetry nurses may administer prescribed medications, perform treatments for patients as prescribed in according to a client facility policy and collaborate with physicians regarding patient care and family needs.

      Telemetry nurses also are involved with developing teaching plans for individualized patients and family members, and participates in education and/or training programs regarding technical updates and compliance issues as required. Many times, the telemetry nurse assists with or institutes emergency measures for adverse patient conditions. In all cases, the telemetry nurse usually is required to document all patient concerns during a shift.

      Most employers demand that the telemetry nurse shows evidence of having graduated from an accredited school of nursing and that current, legal license in good standing is held in the state of practice. Some employers also require at least one year of experience in telemetry nursing, and to pass at least at eighty percent in any competency tests. CPR certifications usually are required, preferably ACLS. Finally, although telemetry nursing involves technology, many nurses in this field also are asked to demonstrate the ability to lift and position patients with the use of appropriate assistive devices or with additional assistance from other staff members. Other physical requirements involve moving heavy equipment and the ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time during the average working day.

Related Types of Nurses

      Telemetry nurses, with required skills in technology and focus on cardiology, would make this nurse a fit with cardiac nursing in many ways. Telemetry nurses, like cardiac nurses, are fascinated by cardiac anatomy and physiology, as well as the ever-changing nature of her patients’ needs.

Telemetry Nursing Degrees

      Nurses who seek a telemetry nursing position must complete orientation and competency requirements, obtain/maintain a CPR certification and possible ACLS, PALS and/or NRP certifications based on specific work units. You will need an advanced nursing degree, such as an RN to BSN degree or LPN or LVN to BSN degree.

Substance Abuse Nursing

2011-07-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Substance Abuse Nurse

      Substance abuse nurses may work in clinical or hospital situations and with a wide variety of patients and age groups. They often greet patients who enter treatment to assess symptoms and to determine a treatment plan. While many patients can walk through the door unaided, some patients may enter treatment in delirium tremens, or DTs. In these situations, the substance abuse nurse must act quickly to place the patient in an intensive care unit where acute care management is available.

      One major problem that the substance abuse nurse faces is the constant inquiry by patients for drugs. While some patients require drugs during the initial phase of treatment, others merely are looking for substitutes to help handle the emotional and physical pains of withdrawal. Therefore, the substance abuse nurse must be empathic but firm during treatment, a skill that often is learned only in dealing with substance abuse patients.

      The substance abuse nurse faces a rewarding career, as many patients do recover from their addictions. However, many patients often return to treatment after a period of time, so the substance abuse nurse may face some disappointments. The understanding that drug and alcohol addition is a disease — like cancer or diabetes — will go a long way to help nurses in this field to understand why addicts sometimes “backslide.”

Related Types of Nurses

      Substance abuse nursing is similar to any nursing field that deals with chronic and/or terminal illnesses such as cancer. While many people may not believe that alcoholism or drug abuse is a disease, this perspective has helped many a family member and nursing professional cope with the heartache of watching a loved one succumb to substance abuse. Therefore, skills in grief management and education in recent discoveries on alcohol and drug abuse are imperative to understand the fallout from this disease. Closely related fields include mental health, social work, hospice work, HIV or AIDS nursing and IV therapy nursing.

Substance Abuse Nursing Degrees

      Training for substance abuse nurse comes as part of the process with nursing and or clinical/medical technician degrees. Most substance abuse nurses must be capable of handling prescription drugs and — in some cases — intravenous injections. Additionally, certification programs and experience in the field as a volunteer will help you to begin your career as an substance abuse nurse.

Radiology Nursing

2011-07-08T00:50:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Radiology Nurse

      Radiology nurses often work in hospitals, as the equipment they work with cannot financially or physically fit into a clinical situation. These nurses work with inpatients and outpatients at all age levels and in all social strata. The radiology nurse will perform any number of procedures on patients to help determine a diagnosis, to help understand the progression of a disease or injury and to further assist in evaluating recovery.

      Monitoring patients receiving x-rays, ultrasounds, or CT (computerized tomography) scans was once as far as it went for nurses working in radiology, but times have changed. Interventional radiology nurses can care for patients who receive an array of radiological procedures. Variety is the keyword, as these nurses administer everything from conscious sedation to the active role of monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures. Along with physicians and technologists, radiology nurses are trained to take care of patients in each modality. With advances in technology and changes in healthcare, many procedures that used to be done exclusively in the perioperative setting are now performed in radiology. In fact, the radiology RN is a key player in peripheral angiography and works in concert with the technologist and the radiologist or cardiologist to ensure positive outcomes.

Related Types of Nurses

      Much rides on radiology nurses’ competencies. They must always think ahead to maintain patient safety, identify potential problems, and anticipate patients’ needs. On some days, they may have only one or two procedures scheduled; however, the sheer unpredictability of their work may result in assessing many more patients, starting IVs, running a Code Blue, or just helping out wherever they’re needed. Therefore, similar nursing professions might include triage nursing, military nursing, medical-surgical or hospital nursing and OB or neonatal nursing.

Radiology Nursing Degrees

      Most jobs for radiology nursing require an RN license with some experience in a current specialty. Other employers might require a BSN and RN state license along with a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR card. With that said, some jobs are available to those who acquire a minimum associate’s degree or a diploma, as long as that individual has one or more years’ experience and a professional CPR card.

Psychiatric Nursing

2011-07-08T00:49:00.000-07:00

      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).

Duties of a Psychiatric Nurse

      Psychiatric nurses provide care to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients as part of a team implementing an overall psychiatric treatment program. The duties of the psychiatric nurse include the knowledge of: the laws and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing both nationwide and in the state of practice; the various methods, techniques, and procedures used in psychiatric nursing; the uses and effects of psychotropic drugs and narcotics; patient safety practices and facility security; symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill patients; theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy; mental health community resources and services; the principles, practices, and laws of professional nursing; health education; common illnesses, diseases, disabilities, injuries, and nutrition.

      Also, psychiatric nurses need to maintain the ability to explain mental health laws and regulations; observe emotional and physical behavior; evaluate and assess the need for mental health services; analyze a situation and adopt a course of action; prepare and maintain medical records and reports; recognize and respect limits of confidential information; direct and advise other nursing staff; communicate with people of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic origins; speak before groups; exercise independent judgment in medical emergencies; demonstrate tact, diplomacy, patience, and compassion; establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, other agencies, and organizations; comply with nursing policies, protocols, and program regulations; understand and follow oral and written instructions and work independently if necessary.

      Psychiatric-mental health nurses work in a wide array of inpatient and outpatient such as full or partial hospitals, community-based or home care programs, and local, state, and federal mental health agencies. Other settings include: School/college of nursing, private practice, military, primary care office, prison/jail, home health agency, behavioral care company/HMO.

Related Types of Nurses

      Because of their broad background in biological, pharmacological, sociological, and psychological sciences, psychiatric-mental health nurses are a rich resource as providers of psychiatric-mental health services and patient care partners for the consumers of those services. Psychiatric nursing sub-specialties include – but are not limited to – pediatric, adult, geriatric, consult/liaison, substance abuse and forensic nursing. Certification in a sub-specialty is possible through ANCC and various sub-specialty organizations. Therefore, nurses in this field may find a niche beyond psychiatric services in those forementioned specialties.

Psychiatric Nursing Degrees

      Registered nurses who seek additional education and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree can become advanced practice nurses in this specialty. After post-master’s supervised clinical practice, they can become certified as specialists in adult, or child and adolescent psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Plastic Surgery Nursing

2011-07-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Plastic Surgery Nurse

      Plastic surgery nursing, also known as reconstructive surgery nursing,involves hands-on patient care along with treatment and teaching skills. As the demand for plastic surgery grows, nurses in this field can find jobs in hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers and centers that focus on plastic surgery. In these setting, plastic surgery nurses will care for patients who undergo cosmetic and maxillofacial surgery, laser and microsurgery, and nonsurgical treatments to correct aesthetic problems. Nurses in this field deal with diagnoses that concern skin lesions and tumors, congenital deformities, facial fractures, burns, ulcers, varicose veins, reconstruction after cancer surgery and many more procedures. Effective communication skills, sensitivity to clients’ needs and a positive attitude are required to deal with difficult patients or with patients who arbor unrealistic expectations about the results of procedures.

Related Types of Nurses

      The plastic surgery nurse can branch out into areas that include staff nurse, scrub nurse, nurse manager, supervisor, coordinator, director, nurse educator and research nurse. The latter options might prove more lucrative, especially in a field where much more research is needed and where new procedures are being developed constantly. Plastic surgery nurses also work with plastic surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians and clinical psychologists; therefore, options in these areas also are open to those individuals who seek to move into another field.

      Many plastic surgery nurses also have surgical technology experience (also called scrubs or operating room experience), where they work alongside physicians and anesthesiologists in the operating room preparing the operating room, sterilizing tools, and preparing patients for surgery are a few of the responsibilities of the surgical technician. Individuals who are interested in skin care might be interested in the Esthetician Career Diploma programs, which are designed for students who want to specialize in the study of skin care. Esthetics is a growing part of the health and beauty industry, and qualified estheticians are needed to perform facial treatments, body wraps, waxing and cosmetic make-up services.

Plastic Surgery Nursing Degrees

      Plastic surgery nurses are required to earn an RN license with ADN, diploma, or BSN from an accredited institution. You may find that many cosmetic or plastic surgeons desire a “Surgery Nurse Counselor,” a person who will meet first with the patient and who monitors the patient from the beginning through to the recovery process. In this case, a few psychology courses probably will help you gain a leg up on this career option. In any case, most job requirements for the plastic surgery nursing field require at least one year of nursing experience in any field.

Pediatric Nursing

2011-07-08T00:47:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Pediatric Nurse

      In today’s varied clinical settings, pediatric nurses perform a variety of patient-care procedures including ordering diagnostic studies, initiating and changing therapies, performing invasive procedures, prescribing medications during and after hospitalization, and ordering post-discharge home care. The pediatric nurse also provides this care to children, adolescents, and their families in various settings, respond to the physical and psychosocial aspects of health and illness, concern for health promotion and disease prevention, management of physical and mental disabilities, and response to acute and chronic illness. Pediatric nurses perform physical exams, diagnose injuries and many common illnesses and have the training to provide the treatment procedures, therapies and medication necessary for the child.

      Pediatric nurses also provide education, support and health care counseling to the families of their patients and answer any questions or address any concerns the family has regarding the child. Pediatric nurse practitioners identify and care for their patient problems, providing them and their families with counseling and information. This counseling helps the patient and family deal with what can be stressful and difficult situations. They use data received from diagnostic tests, clinical exams, verbal communication, medical records and other sources to make decisions that are evidence based and meet their patients care requirements.

      Therefore, a pediatric nurse practitioner must be a problem solver and critical thinker with decision-making skills. They work in many health care settings such as health care institutions, community or private hospitals, private nursing, schools, children’s hospital and specialty clinics. They work closely with other health care professionals such as pediatric physicians, nurses and the patient’s family doctor. And, this nurse may work under very stressful situations, including those that deal with chronic diseases and death.

Related Types of Nurses

      Pediatric nurses may study and deal with many of the same issues as perinatal nurses, lactation consultants, neonatal intensive care nurses, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives. Pediatric nurses also may specialize in areas such as immunology or oncology.

Pediatric Nursing Degrees

      Students who wish to become a pediatric nurse can expect to obtain at least an RN certification, preferably a BSN degree. Some nurses will gain employment and proceed to obtain a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on family nurse practicioner or in pediatrics. Some nurses also will be asked to follow up their degrees with specified training, depending upon the requirements of the health institution that hires them.

Orthopedic Nursing

2011-07-08T00:46:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of an Orthopedic Nurse

      The orthopedic nurse is involved with patient care and relationships, making a difference for that patient, teamwork, and hard work. Some nurses discover that orthopedic nursing isn’t for them, as orthopedic nursing can be a very physical profession. An orthopedic nurse will care for patients after orthopedic surgery to help them regain their strength and mobility. Orthopedic nurses deal with patients who have arthritis, joint replacements, diabetes, fractures, musculoskeletal injuries and congenital malformations, and all these issues require therapy as well as surgery or other procedures. The nurse is there to help that patient work through musculoskeletal disorders to become as fully functional as possible.

      Orthopedic nurses also work in a variety of settings such as a hospital unit, physician’s office, ambulatory care centers, emergency room, operating room, rehabilitation facility, community service programs, the client’s home and other environments. As an orthopedic nurse, you will learn about various equipment and other modalities used to make patients more comfortable, to improve their mobility, and to prevent complications. This expertise can lead to a career in a number of other areas as well as in orthopedic environments. Orthopedic nurses often deal with trauma patients, so the transition from orthopedic nursing to critical care nursing may seem logical for some nurses.

Related Types of Nurses

      Orthopedic nurses may practice in trauma, pediatrics, the operating room, gerontology, medical or surgical units, home care, extended care, emergency departments, sports medicine, offices, advanced practice, patient education, case management and staff education. The diversity involved in this type of experience can lead to specializations for the orthopedic nurse or for a different path into another nursing environment. Other nursing professions that are similar to orthopedic nursing include nurses for schools and sports teams, nursing home nurses, critical care nursing and as counselors or consultants for the study of kinesthetics or in pain management.

Orthopedic Nursing Degrees
      Most facilities that offer orthopedic services require nurses with an RN with ADN, diploma, or BSN. Certification in orthopedic nursing results in the designation “Orthopedic Nurse Certified” (ONC), a status that often is required by many hiring institutions as well.

Operating Room Nursing

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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.

Duties of an Operating Room Nurse

OR nurses play several roles, including that of a scrub nurse who selects and handles instruments and supplies for operations; a circulating nurse who manages overall nursing care in the OR and who helps to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all concerned; and an RN first assistant, who delivers direct surgical care by assisting the surgeon in bleeding control, wound exposure and suturing during actual procedures. OR nurses also may act as an OR director, a budget manager, clinical educator and pain management assistant.

In some hospitals, the current emphasis is on continuity of care in the area of perioperative nursing. As the patient moves from the admitting unit to the OR, post anesthesia care unit, and from there to the surgical unit that receives the patient or where the family takes him or her home, the OR nurse may be right there along the patient’s side. On the down side, many OR nurses are expected to accompany a doctor to tell families about bad news. While the doctor leaves, the OR nurse stays with the family to comfort them and to answer questions. On the up side, OR nurses often visit the family unaccompanied by a physician to tell family about a successful surgery or a positive diagnosis.

Related Types of Nurses

The operating room nurse is similar to the professions of critical care nursing, toxicology nursing and surgical nursing. Some perioperative nurses may later consider a career in business as a management consultant, clinical educator, researcher, or medical sales professional. With advanced education and training, some perioperative nurses elect to pursue the role of a nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Operating Room Nursing Degrees

To gain the RN title required for OR nursing, students must graduate from a state-approved school of nursing through a four-year university program (BSN), a two-year associate degree program (ADN), or a three-year diploma program. Additionally, you must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Also, many employers will expect the OR nurse to obtain experience as a hospital or medical-surgical nurse before applying for an operating room nursing position. These work experiences will provide a taste of what it’s like to work in a fast-paced and stressful environment, where you can participate in life-saving decisions that make a difference.

Oncology Nursing

2011-07-08T00:41:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of an Oncology Nurse

      Patients who have a cancer diagnosis also have highly complex clinical, psychosocial and educational needs. Oncology nurses are there to meet those needs through clinical care, patient/family education, nursing and multidisciplinary research and interdisciplinary collaboration. This field is growing through ongoing research, so the oncology nurse often will work with sophisticated equipment.

      Between the emotional aspects of this job and technical and educational expansions, it is no wonder that nurses in this field can experience a plethora of support through journals, support teams, organizations and more. Oncology nurses can find education and support through various groups that also focus on various cancer illnesses and age groups. For instance, the pediatric oncology nurse can find professional leadership through the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses.

      It is good to remember that not every patient becomes a sad story. Thanks to the tremendous medical advances that have been made in the war against cancer in recent years, today’s oncology nurses have hope on their side. Additionally, in cancer treatment, new drugs are under development all the time. Nurses who work in oncology get to administer the newest treatments available and see for themselves the rewarding results when a person’s condition dramatically improves.

Related Types of Nurses

      Oncology nurses may go on to work as case managers who manage a team of oncology 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 cancer outcomes and conduct clinical trials so that new treatments for childhood cancers can be developed. And there are opportunities to move up into administrative and managerial positions, such as clinical managers.

      Related types of nurses are those who deal with terminally or chronically ill patients, such as those who suffer from alcoholism, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease. This might include the substance abuse nurse, a nurse who works with patients in their homes, and even forensic nursing. Other possibilities include otorhinolaryngology nursing (head and neck) or hospice/palliative nursing.

Oncology Nursing Degrees

      Requirements for oncology nurses often include a current MD registered nursing license and two to five years nursing experience, preferably in the oncology nursing field. Other cancer centers may work with individuals who obtain a bachelor’s degree (BSN) and certification. The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) has several different certification options, including the OCN, CPON, AOCN, AOCNP or AOCNS credential. The certifications vary depending on a student’s level of training and education.

OB Nursing

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      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.

Duties of an OB Nurse

      OB nurses assist with birthing in hospitals, free-standing birthing centers or in hospital birth center nurseries. Duties could include responsibility and assessment of babies, assignment of postpartum women for assessment and education about breast feeding and newborn care and assisting in birth at any stage of labor and delivery. OB Nurses also assist in triage, and may manage all cases on the unit.

      Another option for OB nurses is to work telephone triage for obstectrics and gynecology. Most companies who hire for telephone triage prefer a degree and a decent amount of experience, especially if you plan to work from home. The duties in this position often involve delivering test results, advising and answering patient questions and scheduling for surgery or labor. Telephone triage requires an excellent phone manner to deal with sensitive topics, experience in women’s health and organization and attention to detail.

Related Types of Nurses

      OB nurses often work triage with other nurses and midwives and neonatal nurses. A similar profession includes CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), an individual who actually conducts deliveries and maintains a patient roster much as an Ob-Gyn would. The CNM is also an advanced nurse practitioner with an MSN and is a graduate of a two-year program for midwifery. Most programs now require that the nurse has two years of experience in labor and delivery before beginning a CNM program.

      An OB nurse also is similar to women’s health nursing, which includes care related to the traditional areas of childbirth and reproductive issues. In addition, women’s health focuses on those diseases that affect women differently from men, such as heart disease and stroke, diabetes, depression, violence and abuse, and the issues related to caregiving. Most women’s health care nurses must go through the same education as the OB nurse.

OB Nurse Degrees

      Individuals who wish to become an OB nurse will need an advanced nursing degree, RN to BSN degree, or LPN to BSN degree. If you’ve obtained a degree, you might make an appointment with the manager of an OB unit where you would like to work to discover more about their specific requirements. You may find that various units will require a specified amount of med-surg experience before they will consider you for hiring.

Neurosurgical Nursing

2011-07-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Neurosurgical Nurse

      Neurosurgery helps patients with dysfunctions of the nervous system, which include problems with consciousness, communication, cognition, mobility, and sensation. While many nuerosurgical procedures are successful, patients often take some time to recover. Therefore, the neurosurgical, or neuroscience, nurse can develop a long-term relationship with a patient as that nurse develops a pain management plan, educates the patient and family, and becomes a patient advocate. Other roles that the neurosurgical nurse can take on include assessment, diagnosis, and administration of care for the patient. Post-operative care for the recovering patient is where this nurse will spend a majority of time and energy in research and communication with the patient and the patient’s family and other health care professionals.

      While neurosurgical wards present the most common area for treatment, the neurosurgical nurse also can find employment in multispecialty and neuroscience intensive care units, general neuroscience units, combination units (neuro/ortho, neuromuscular/rehabilitation, neuropsychiatry, neurogerontology), rehabilitation units, medical-surgical units, pediatric units, emergency and trauma departments, and surgery. Neuroscience nurses work in clinical, research, administrative, and educational settings. No matter the setting, the neurosurgical nurse constantly stays in touch with ever-evolving news and practices within this field, including political and governmental issues that may affect the patient.

       Neuroscience nurses may go on to become neuroscience nursing consultants. This job entails patient consulting, case management, life care planning, legal nurse consulting, hospital consultation and teaching. The consultant may be available for patients and families, health care institutions, other nurses and the legal profession.

Related Types of Nurses

      With the legal and policy ramifications involved withing the neuroscientific nursing profession, nurses in this field can look to forensic nursing as a similar profession. Both specialties involve working with a case on a long-term basis, becoming a patient advocate and eventual career evolution to consultation.

Neurosurgical Nursing Degrees

      The CNRN examination and certification is necessary for neurosurgical nurses, and the prerequisites include RN licensure. Applicants also must be engaged in neuroscience nursing clinical practice or employed as an administrator, consultant, educator or researcher. This means that at the time of application, a candidate will have completed the equivalent of at least two years within the last five years of full-time direct or indirect neuroscience nursing practice as an RN. Also, those roles usually expect applicants to hold at least an associate’s degree, if not a BSN or MSN.

Neonatal Nursing

2011-07-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

      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.

Duties of a Neonatal Nurse

      Neonatal nurses usually work in one of three levels of care within a nursery. These levels were set forth by the Perinatal Regionalization Model, and they are divided by levels of care needed. A Level I nurse would be employed in a healthy newborn nursery, which now is relatively nonextistant because mothers and babies often share the same room and experience a very short hospital stay. Level II is intermediate care for premature babies or sick babies who need supplemental oxygen, intravenous therapy, specialized feedings, or more time to mature before discharge. The Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admits all neonates who cannot be treated in either of the other two nursery levels. The Level III units may be in a large general hospital or part of a children’s hospital. Neonatal nurses provide the direct patient care to these infants.

Related Types of Nurses

      Neonatal nurses also may choose careers as an OB nurse, a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), or a nurse in women’s health nursing. The CNM is an individual who actually conducts deliveries and maintains a patient roster much as an Ob-Gyn would. The CNM is also an advanced nurse practitioner with an MSN and is a graduate of a two-year program for midwifery. Most programs now require that the nurse has two years of experience in labor and delivery before beginning a CNM program.

      A woman’s health nurse is connected more to the areas of childbirth and reproductive issues, and this nurse also deals with those diseases that affect women differently from men, such as heart disease and stroke, diabetes, depression, violence and abuse, and the issues related to caregiving. Most women’s health care nurses must go through the same education as the OB nurse. The OB nurse assists with birthing in hospitals, free-standing birthing centers or in hospital birth center nurseries. Other similar possibilities include perinatal nursing, lactation consultation, nurse practitioner, pediatric nursing and pediatric nurse practitioner.

Neonatal Nursing Degrees

      Neonatal nurses are required to carry an RN certification. Some hospital or medical centers may require one year of adult health or medical surgical nursing while other units hire RNs after graduation from an accredited school or college of nursing who have passed a state board of nursing (NCLEX) exam for licensure. Many institutions require no previous experience. Requirements for neonatal nurses are established by the institution which uses a list of practice skills to assess nurses’ abilities in using medications, math calculations, intravenous lines, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and other knowledge needed for direct patient care. Continuing education requirements are mandated by the state or a certifying body. As a staff or an advanced practice nurse, you may also hold national certification in an additional exam that demonstrates specialized knowledge in neonatal nursing.

Military Nursing

2011-07-08T00:35:00.000-07:00

      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.

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.

Medical-Surgical Nursing

2011-07-08T00:33:00.000-07:00

     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.

IV Therapy Nursing

2011-07-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

     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.

Hospital Nursing

2011-07-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

     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.

Hospice Nursing

2011-07-08T00:29:00.000-07:00

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.

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.