When it comes to the field of nursing there is not any one size fits all. Throughout the text we’ll talk about what nursing is, what you can expect, your preparations and what you’re most concerned with, outlook and your future in this career.

What is nursing, exactly?

Registered nurses or RNs care for the sick and the injured, administering medication, treating wounds and lending emotional support to patients and the families of patients.

A nurse keeps track of a patient’s symptoms, and periodically asks and observes patients for updates so as to help doctors in patient treatment.

Nurses can also test to see why someone is ill, including working in a lab for exacting results.

A nurse can also instruct people on taking care of their health, as well as that of their family. Nurses run clinics and medical centers, and assist people in their diet and exercise needs.

Nursing can be either general or specialized. Some nurses specialize in a particular type of medical problem, while other specializes in a particular age group of patient. Some nurses focus on a particular aspect of medical treatment, such as assisting doctors during surgery, while others will work in an intensive care unit.

Plenty of nurses find their calling in doctors’ offices. They can function in the lab, office or hands on capacities depending on their disposition.

Nurses can travel to people’s homes in order to render aid. There is actually a specialty known as a flight nurse, who travels in a helicopter to reach people during times of great peril.

Other nurses are specially trained for more advanced tasks. For instance, midwives help women to have babies, and nurse practitioners can prescribe medicine.

Many nurses can undergo very stressful multitasking situations, as working in a hospital can require helping a large group of patient simultaneously.

Nurses can undergo a great deal of physical strain and hazards. They often have to stand, walk and move patients for long shifts in areas riddled with disease, x-ray radiation and medical chemicals.

Since patients need care all of the time, a nurse in a hospital may work holidays, nights, weekends, and 16-hour shifts. Office nurses, by contrast, tend to work more ordinary business hours. Some nurses even work part time.

Preparations

How can a person become a nurse?

Becoming a nurse requires graduating from a nursing program. An associate’s degree takes approximately 2 years, while a bachelor’s degree takes 4. Many nursing diplomas take roughly 3 years to attain.

Deciding on the right type of training is crucial. A bachelor’s degree is required for several different types of career paths.

Clinical training consists of learning hands on in the field with experienced nurses, actually practicing medicine. This reinforces classwork, and teaches the skills to actually help people heal.

Nurses must study chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, psychology and nursing theory while they’re training. However, they also need to pass a test for licensure in their state of choice, as well as going back to classes every few years to refresh and reinforce their skills.

A nurse must be detail-oriented, good at identifying problems, and of a caring disposition.

A nurse must work well with doctors and their patients, as well as any assistants they supervise and other medical workers.

A nurse’s career path may lead to being a head nurse or a director of nursing. They also have the option of moving into the business aspects of caring for people’s health. These types of paths may involve marketing, planning and ensuring high quality health care.

Pay and Job Outlook

How much does a nurse make?

As of May 2008, a nurse’s average earnings are $65,130 per year.

How many nursing jobs are out in the country?

The occupation of nursing is the largest of all health care professions. As of 2008, there were 2.6 million jobs in the nursing field. Three out of five of these jobs are in hospital settings.

The Future

What kinds of future prospects are there for nurses?

Registered nurses have unbelievable job opportunities. These opportunities are expected to grow at a far faster clip than any other occupation through 2018.

Lots of job openings appear all the time for nurses, as the population grows. Still newer methods of treating people and the aging population also contribute to the growing need for nurses. Everyone needs a nurse when they get sick or injured.

Every hospital faces a constant need for nurses. In the same vein, other medical facilities such as doctors’ offices and clinics need nurses just as much.

Similar Jobs

What other jobs use similar skills and have similar requirements?

• Paramedics and EMTs
• Occupational therapists