In our current economy, few careers are as attractive as Nursing. Numbering over 4 million, nurses make up the nation’s largest health care profession. Job opportunities are expected to be optimal in Nursing but they do depend on other factors like location and employment. There are three general types of nurses: registered nurses (RNs), license practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice nurses. Either of these types has its own educational path.
What do nurses do?
If you’ve ever been a patient at a hospital, you’ve seen nurses in action, busily monitoring and caring for patients, assisting doctors, and otherwise assisting with patient care.
The American Nursing Association defines Nursing as:
Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
Nurses can serve in acute care hospitals, home and community centers, and corporate work sites. Regardless of setting, their responsibility is always to treat their patients, educate them about medical conditions, and provide emotional support and advice to patients’ family members. They are also an important part of record-keeping in the healthcare industry. They may also educate the public on health issues through clinics, blood drives, and seminars.
RNs must establish a care plan for every patient. Each plan includes administering medication, starting and monitoring IVs, administering treatments, observing patients, and consulting with doctors.
LPNs care for patients through basic bedside care, recording patients' vital, giving injections and enemas, monitoring catheters, dressing wounds, and giving alcohol rubs and massages. They are often involved with assisting patients in cleaning, dressing, hygiene, standing, and walking. Experienced LPNs sometimes supervise nursing assistants and aides.
Depending on their area of specialization, advanced practice nurses can act as clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners.
How can I become a nurse?
To become an RN, you must graduate from an approved bachelor’s degree program, associate degree program, or diploma program. In all States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, in order to obtain a nursing license, students must complete an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, known as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. Some eligibility requirements for licensure vary by State. Your state’s board of nursing can give you more details.
To be eligible for licensure, LPNs must complete a State-approved training program in practical nursing. These programs are often available through technical and vocational schools or community and junior colleges. They can even be taken through high schools, hospitals, and colleges and universities. A high school diploma or its equivalent is typically required to start one of these programs.
Advanced practice nurses must obtain first a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in their chosen area of specialization.
* Area of Study
