Introduction to Nursing

Florence Nittingale Pledge I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his/her work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

Roles/Responsibilities Range from basic patient care to administrative positions. Care focuses on the mental, emotional, and physical needs of the patient. Coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members Nursing is a caregiving profession that serves every aspect of human need Provide care for patients under the direction of physicians. Assess patients’ conditions through interpersonal communication, observation, physical exams, and health history’s

Goals Plan and administer safe, comprehensive care to those in need of assistance and to help them achieve maximum potential and manage their illness. Feed, bathe, dress, and move patients into comfortable positions

Facilities of Employment Hospitals Physicians’ offices Home health care agencies Nursing care facilities Corrections facilities Schools Military

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients by providing both treatment and education. They interpret and respond to patient symptoms, reactions and progress.  RNs also teach patients and families about proper health care, assist in patient rehabilitation, and provide emotional and physical support to promote recovery and well-being.

Registered Nurse (RN) All states require that nurses graduate from one of three training pathways: Diploma -- 3 years of education. Located in hospital school of nursing Associate Degree (A.D.) -- 2 years. Located at a community college Bachelor of science in nursing degree (B.S.N.) – 4 years. Located in college or university. Licensure in state of practice via a written state board exam With more education, the nurse’s knowledge deepens so that more job responsibility can be assumed and more job opportunities become available. Desirable personal characteristics include sensitivity to the needs of others, good verbal skills, clear thinking, sound decision-making skills, and reliable judgement. To protect themselves and patients, nurses should always us universal precaution and PPE.

Job Outlook/Salary (2012) Job Outlook – 19% growth rate expected from 2012-2022 (faster than average). Annual Salary - $65,470 ($31.48 per hour) $60,300 to $108,900 with advanced specialties

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Registered nurse with an advanced education Nurse Practitioner (CRNP); work within a family or specialty practice Physicians Assistant (PA) Nurse Midwife (CNM) Nurse Educators Nurse Anesthetists The scope of practice varies from state to state

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Job Outlook – 31% growth rate expected from 2012- 2022 (much faster than average). Growth will occur primarily because of the effects of healthcare legislation, an increased emphasis on preventative care, and demand from the large, aging baby-boom population for healthcare services as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations. Annual Salary - $96,460 ($46.37 per hour) Master’s degree required; master’s of science in nursing MSN), doctor of philosophy (PhD), and doctor of nursing (ND)

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetist Anesthesia is the use of drugs, gases, and nerve blocks to provide a partial or total loss of pain during surgery During surgery, nurse anesthetists administer anesthetic drugs, monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the doses of anesthetics and other medications to assure optimal patient safety and comfort. 

Nurse Anesthesist Work Environment Dental offices Hospitals Military Outpatient surgical centers Pain clinics

Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-Midwife Nurse-midwives provide care for healthy women before, during, and after childbirth. They assist in labor and delivery, help in newborn care, and counsel mothers on infant growth and future pregnancies

Nurse-Midwife Work Environment Birthing centers Clinics Health maintenance organizations Hospitals Physicians' offices Public health departments

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have advanced educational preparation that qualifies them to assess health conditions, identify and diagnose problems and develop plans to improve healthcare outcomes. NPs conduct health screenings and physical exams, prescribe tests and medications, and educate patients about their conditions and the need for preventive activities.

Nurse Practitioner Work Environment Academic institutions Clinics Community health centers Health maintenance organizations Home health agencies Hospitals Migrant health clinics Military Physicians' offices Public health departments Rural health clinics Schools

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) State-approved HSTE; high school, technical school, community college, and hospitals practical/vocational nursing program (1 to 2 year) Licensure in state of practice Work under the supervision of physicians or registered nurses Care provided is determined by state laws regulating their extent of duties LPN’s give physical care, take vital signs, give medications, and hang and regulate tube feedings. In some states with special training and in certain circumstances, LPN’s are permitted to expand on their duties.

Job Outlook/Salary Job Outlook – 25% growth rate expected from 2012-2022 (much faster than average). Annual Salary - $41,540 ($19.97 per hour) Stopped here 6th period

Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing. They have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing patient relationships. They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to care for the patient during recovery. 

Nursing Assistant Work Environment Home health agencies Hospitals Mental health institutions Nursing homes Physicians' offices Private homes

Nursing Assistant HSTE program; high school, vocational school, technical school, long-term care facilities, and the Red Cross Certification or registration required in all states for long-term care facilities Completion of 75 to 120-hour state-approved program NA’s take vita signs, measure intake and output, perform some procedures and treatments, change bed linen, help with patient positioning, and transport patients to other departments.

Job Outlook/Salary Job Outlook – 21% growth rate expected from 2012-2022 (much faster than average). Because of the growing elderly population, many nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed in long-term care facilities. Annual Salary - $24,400 ($11.73 per hour)

Social Workers Counsel Assist in “after-hospital” placement based on the patients needs, rehabilitation potential, and insurance criteria Newborns to aged adults Employment opportunities…hospitals, skilled care facilities, long-term care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospices, home care agencies, government agencies, jails, and religious organizations Social workers find foster homes for abused and abandoned children and advise families about long-term care facilities for the confused and agitated elderly. They conduct group therapy sessions with cancer and rape victims. They counsel people on housing, welfare, pregnancy, abuse, abortion, and coping with death and dying.

Health Unit Coordinator Oversee the nurse’s station Schedule patient appointments Transcribe physician’s orders Obtain/order necessary supplies and equipment Manage telephone calls Maintain a positive attitude Enter data from physicians’ orders A receptive and pleasant atmosphere is the goal. Unit coordinators are in telephone communication with many departments and office. Accurately taking and delivering telephone messages and responding to calls/pages is an essential service. The skill must be done accurately. If errors are made, procedures may be performed on the wrong patient, test results attributed to the wrong patient, medications ordered for the wrong patient, or departments not notified about tests to be performed.

Case Manager Follows the progress of each patient from his/her admission day - hospitalization - rehabilitation - skilled nursing needs ** Accumulated facts are compared with the number of days allowed or covered by insurance companies. When the number of days is near the insurance maximum, the physician is notified. The physician then decides if the diagnosis has changed during hospitalization and thus would allow for more paid hospital days, if application for an extension of hospitalization should be made to the insurer, or if it is time to discharge the patient.

Summary Sometimes the chosen action does not achieve the established goal, so other actions are tried. This is the process of nursing. While nurses are performing their tasks, they are assessing, observing, and teaching. Teamwork is important in hospital nursing. Two or three different shifts of nurses work every day with every patient. There are a variety of careers available in Nursing. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan.