Bryant & Stratton College. Comm 150/Section 403. Mr. Rossman

Transcription

1 Portfolio 2 - P a e e II Portfolio 2 Bryant & Stratton College Comm 150/Section 403 Mr. Rossman July 11,2011

2 Portfolio2- Page 2 I decided to attend nursing school because I have been searching for a career that is fulfilling, both personally and financially. Although I am only in my first semester, I do have an idea about the type of nursing I would like to practice in my,future career. '*/ Ultimately, with ongoing education, I hope to work as a Nurse Practitioner, or NP. A NP can make some of the same clinical decisions that physicians make, but with some restrictions. I recently spoke with flbhhhb mv next-door neighbor, who is a NP. m»has been a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse at Metro Hospital for thirty-one years, and she shared with me the education process of a Nurse Practitioner. I am also \S interested in a career in Surgical Nursing, as the schedule and salary are fantastic, which are both important to me since I am a single Mom. At this point, Meel that the most v rewarding career choice for me would be to work as an Oncology Nurse, because I would enjoy making a difference in someone's life during their greatest time of need. Because many of my family members have experienced cancer, I have developed an interest in oncology, and I feel that it would be extremely satisfying knowing that I played a critical role in a patient's life during such a difficult time. Oncology Nurses care for patients that are being treated for different forms of cancer, and help with coping and managing life with cancer. They are also responsible for educating cancer patients and their families about their treatment options. Some Oncology Nurses assist with the administration of radiation and chemotherapy, and help patients manage the pain and side affects of their treatments.

3 Portfolio 2- Page 3 Oncology is a diverse field, and I can narrow my focus to specialties such as chemotherapy, breast oncology, radiation, prevention and detection, or palliative care. In order to work as an Oncology Nurse I must have at least an Associate Degree in nursing, and obtain my license by passing the State Boards. A Registered Nurse can also become certified in oncology, and although it is not a job requirement, it can result in better career opportunities and a higher salary. The average salary of an Oncology Nurse is $53,257 to $73,952, and according to an article in ehow Money, there is "a significant increase in annual pay with an increase in experience as an oncology nurse" (Brown, 2011). Along with the great salary, the career outlook for a nurse specializing in oncology is excellent. About seventy-eight percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people that are ages fifty-five and older, and according to the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, almost twice their number in 2008" (Greenberg, 2010). Figure 1: Number of Persons 65+, (numbers in millions) T , n n Year (as of July 1)

4 Portfolio 2 - Page 4 I began my journey into the Nursing Program at Bryant & Stratton College with Oncology as my primary focus, but I have also become interested in a career as a Surgical Nurse, also known as Operating Room Nurse, or OR Nurse. OR Nurses are Registered Nurses that work in the operating rooms of hospitals and clinics. Some OR Nurses work in physicians' offices, with normal business hours, which appeals to me since I am a single Mom of two. Responsibilities of OR Nurses include selecting and handling instruments, controlling bleeding and suturing incisions, as well as educating the patient and their family members about their post-surgical treatment plan. Employment as a Surgical Nurse begins with earning a degree from an accredited nursing school and passing the state boards to become a Registered Nurse. In order to be hired as an OR Nurse, a RN must have some operating room experience, and many facilities offer programs that allow RNs to gain that experience. Like any Registered Nurse, an OR Nurse must renew her license every two years, which requires obtaining twenty-four Continuing Education Units, which can be completed at work, in a classroom, or online. A Study by the AORN concluded, "With an aging population and rising health care costs, nurses are expected to be in high demand" (AORN, 2011). The prospect for employment in the surgical nursing profession is strong, and the demand will grow in the next few years, which makes for a great career. Nursing Salary Range Nursing Specialty 25th Percentile Median 75th Percentile Pediatric Nurse $ $59,498 $65,292 Psychiatric Nurse $55,864 $61,565 $67,890 School Nurse $34,596 $43,296 $54,663 Surgical Nurse $65,718 $74,197 $79,756

5 Portfolio2- Page 5 My ultimate career goal in nursing is to become a Nurse Practitioner, or NP. NPs are Registered Nurses with advanced training and education, which provide healthcare services similar to physicians. NPs combine nursing and medical care, and I believe, a more personal experience for their patients. Nurse Practitioners are nationally certified in their specialty and can order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and counsel their patients as RNs do. Nurse Practitioners have many responsibilities and they are compensated well for their services, earning $60,000 - $120,000 annually. There has been an enormous interest in the career though, and according to Edmunds and Scutter, "The huge influx of nurses into the nurse practitioner role has driven down nurse practitioner salaries in many states recently" (Edmunds & Scutter, 2011). Because Nurse Practitioners have such an advanced role in medicine, they must have an advanced education. Today, most NPs have completed their Masters and some even have a Doctorate. I recently spoke with jhhhlgbwlio has been a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse at Metro Hospital for thirty-one years, and a Nurse Practitioner for twenty-six years. Although^BMfchas her Masters Degree, she recalled that, "Back in the 1980's hospitals offered one year certificate programs for RNs to become NPs" (S. Gesling, personal communication, June 30, 2011). Metro Hospital paid for fhmks Masters education after she completed the NP certificate program, and they offer courses for her Continuing Education Units, which are required for NPs just as they are for RNs. NPs are also required to renew their national certification every three years, in their specialty.

6 Portfolio 2 - Page 6 No matter what specialty, nursing is a profession that is in high demand, and will be for years to come. Whether I decide to become a RN in oncology or surgery, or a Nurse Practitioner, the education is ongoing and the salary is fantastic, but I believe that building a career helping others is the most rewarding aspect of nursing.

7 Portfolio 2 - Page 7 References Brown, G. (2011). The Average Salary of an Oncology Nurse. Retrieved June 30, 2011, from J _average-salary-oncology-nurse.html Greenberg, S. (2010)4 Profile of Older Americans: Retrieved June 30, 2011, from Consider a Career in the OR as a Perioperative Nurse. (2011). Retrieved July 1, 2011, )m ConsideraCareerlnTheOR/ Edmunds, Marilyn W. & Scudder, L. (2011) NP Faqs. Retrieved Julyl, 2011, from / npedu.com/faql.htm