Careers in Nursing Click arrows to move ahead & back

Tuesday 1/18/14 BR: I can take the vitals of a patient before they see the doctor LT: What do you think is the major difference between doctors on TV and doctors in real life? **OPPORTUNITIES AT CCHMC

Tuesday 1/18/14 BR: I can take the vitals of a patient before they see the doctor LT: Where can Nurses work? **OPPORTUNITIES AT CCHMC

What is a Registered Nurse (RN)? RNs are professionals licensed by the state in which they work. RNs function as active members of the health care team. RNs provide and manage care for individuals who are ill and their families.

What is an RN? continued… RNs also work with healthy individuals and families to educate them about wellness and disease prevention. RNs work with patients of all ages promoting physical, mental and social well-being.

What is an RN? continued… RNs use observation and assessment skills to support nursing diagnoses:  Ex: Alteration in Skin Integrity related to bedrest  Ex: Potential for Infection related to surgical wound

What is an RN? continued… These nursing diagnoses help us to create a plan of care for our patients:  Ex: Turn and reposition patient every two hours  Ex: Change surgical dressing prn (as needed)

Where do nurses work? The possibilities are endless!! Hospitals Clinics/Offices Nursing Homes Hospice Schools Cruise Ships Military Helicopters Industries Wellness Centers Public Health Offices Home Health Care Agencies

What kinds of career opportunities are available? There are a multitude of specialties to choose from including: Medical/Surgical - Care for a variety of ill or injured patients and patients who have undergone surgery. Critical Care - Care for critically ill or injured patients of all ages.

Career opportunities continued… Labor and Delivery - Care for mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery. Pediatrics - Care for ill or injured children. Cardiac Care - Care for patients with issues involving their hearts. Geriatrics - Care for elderly ill or injured patients.

Career opportunities continued… Neurology - Care for patients with illnesses or injuries involving the nervous system. Dermatology - Care for patients with skin conditions. Orthopedic - Care for patients with illnesses or injuries to muscles and bones. Same Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit Recovery Room - Care for patients immediately before or after surgery.

O.R. - Care for patients in the operating room during surgical procedures. These are just a few of the many possibilities you could choose from after completing a nursing program. Career opportunities continued…

Advanced education adds options: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Provides care to patients with complex illnesses or injuries and often responsible for the continuing education of staff nurses. Nurse Practitioner - Diagnoses and treats a wide variety of patients. Research - Involved with research studies to increase the knowledge base of the nursing profession.

Advanced education continued… Nurse Midwives - Care for women during pregnancy and deliver their babies. Nursing Professor - Teaches nursing students in nursing schools. Nurse Anesthetist - Provides anesthesia to patients during surgical and non-surgical procedures.

What does all this mean for the future of nursing? The future has never been brighter for a career in nursing. Salaries are expected to increase due to the nursing shortage. Future nurses can expect a high degree of job security. A variety of nursing positions will be readily available to future nursing school graduates.

Future of nursing continued…  Employers are becoming more flexible in scheduling options—nurses often work any combination of 8, 10, or 12 hour shift on days, nights and weekends.  Many facilities utilize some form of self- scheduling, allowing you to choose (within unit guidelines) what shifts you work and select your days off.  There are endless possibilities for future nurses both male and female.

How do I know if nursing is right for me? Although there is a nursing shortage and nurses are in great demand, nursing is not right for everyone…

Qualities to be a good nurse: Do you enjoy health and science classes and do reasonably well in math? Do you have an interest in learning about the human body and how it works?

Qualities continued… Do you have a sense of compassion and desire to help others? Do you like to teach people and share information with others? Are you able to work well with others and do you enjoy being around other people? Do you possess good decision making & problem solving skills?

Qualities continued… Do you desire variety in career opportunities? Do you enjoy learning and analyzing things? Are you dependable and do you have good oral and written communication skills?

What can I do now to prepare for a career in nursing? Work hard to get good grades. Study science and math courses. Consider nursing camp if you’re in middle school. ( Consider writing an e-mentor and reading profiles of nurses from the NHNA Nursing Career Website. Consider job shadowing.

What type of education will I need to become a nurse? Baccalaureate in Science in Nursing Usually a four year program at a college or university. After completing the program, graduates must pass the NCLEX (national Council of Licensure Examination) test to apply for state licensure as an RN.

Registered Nurse (BLS) Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

Registered Nurse (BLS) Outlook  Expected to grow 19% (faster than average) Pay  Mean = 65,000 Where do they work  EVERYWHERE!!!

Education continued… Associate Degree in Nursing Usually a two year program at a community / technical college. After completion of the program, graduates must pass the NCLEX test to apply for state licensure as an RN.

Nursing Aides Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens. May transfer or transport patients. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. Excludes "Home Health Aides" ( ), "Orderlies" ( ), "Personal Care Aides" ( ), and "Psychiatric Aides" ( ).

Nursing Aides Starting salary  Anywhere from $8.80 to $12.40/hour Where do they work  Nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals, home health care Titles include  LPN, STNA, etc.

Education continued… Many Technical Community offer Associate Degrees in Nursing.

Education continued… Masters of Science in Nursing Usually a two year program offered to graduates of a Baccalaureate program. These programs are usually intensely focused on a specialty area of study. Graduates of Masters programs often function as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Researchers or Nurse Administrators.

Advanced degrees in Nursing/healthcare These careers require significantly more education but have a higher salary – Often they see patients and can perscribe medicine: the Dr. just has to sign off on the chart  Physicians assistant  Nurse practitioner, midwives, Nurse Anesthetist

Nursing responsibilities Most nurses and nurses aides must learn to take vital signs of a patient. These include  Temperature  Pulse  Blood pressure  Weight of a patient  Respiratory rate

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