Careers in Nursing Kris Hart RN-C, FNP MN
What is a Profession? Profession is a calling that requires special knowledge, skill and preparation. An occupation that requires advanced knowledge and skills and that it grows out of society s needs for special services. Criteria of Profession: 1. To provide a needed service to the society. 2. To advance knowledge in its field. 3. To protect its members and make it possible to practice effectively.
What is Nursing? NURSING is a discipline involved in the delivery of health care to the society. is a helping profession is service-oriented to maintain health and wellbeing of people. is an art and a science. NURSE - originated from a Latin word NUTRIX, to nourish.
Characteristics of Nursing: Nursing is caring. Nursing involves close personal contact with the recipient of care. Nursing is concerned with services that take humans into account as physiological, psychological, and sociological organisms. Nursing is committed to promoting individual, family, community, and national health goals in its best manner possible. Nursing is committed to personalized services for all persons without regard to color, creed, social or economic status. Nursing is committed to involvement in ethical, legal, and political issues in the delivery of health care.
ANA'S Definition of Nursing 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. (Nursing's Social Policy Statement, Second Edition, 2003, p. 6 & Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004, p. 7)
Levels of Nursing Practice
Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) A person who assists individuals with healthcare needs with activities of daily living (ADLs) and provide bedside care including basic nursing procedures all under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) State-approved training programs must be a minimum of 50 hours of theory and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. Aides who complete the program are known as certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and are placed on the State registry of nursing aides. $24,023 Medium Annual Salary US
Licensed Practical Nurse:LPNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) Licensed Practical Nurse:LPNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), as they are called in Texas and California, care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. They provide basic care, taking vital signs, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, and assist with bathing patients, monitoring catheters, and applying dressings. Most LPN or LVN programs are about a year long and are offered by technical and vocational schools. $40,441-Medium annual Salary US
Associate's Degree A two-to-three year program offered at junior and community colleges, an Associate's degree trains and prepares nurses to provide direct patient care in numerous settings. Have RN license and practice in all hospital and clinics Hospital Diploma: A two- to three-year hospitalbased nursing program affiliated with junior colleges, where you may also take basic science and English requirements, thereby earning an Associate's Degree along with a diploma in nursing. Not too many left. $64,147- Medium Annual Salary for hospital staff nurse
Bachelor of Science Nursing: (BS/BSN) A four-year program offered at colleges and universities that prepares nurses to practice across all health care settings. BSN graduates have the greatest opportunity for advancement. For instance, a BSN is required for entry into a Master's program, which may in turn lead to a career in more specialized nursing positions. A BSN is preferred and often required for military nursing, case management, public health nursing, overseas, forensic nursing and school nursing. $67,069 Medium annual salary for charge nurse but many opportunities to advance
Advanced Degrees Master s Degree: (MSN) Master's degree programs prepare nurses for more independent roles such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse-Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Psychotherapist. Master s-prepared nurses serve as expert clinicians, in faculty roles, and as specialists in geriatrics, community health, administration, nursing management, and other areas. $90,010 Doctoral Degree: (PhD, EdD, DNS, DNP) Doctoral programs prepare nurses to assume leadership roles within the profession, conduct research that impacts nursing practice and health care, and to teach at colleges and universities. Doctoral-prepared nurses serve as health system executives, nursing school deans, researchers, and senior policy analysts. $109,812 Post-Doctoral Programs: Post-Doctoral programs provide advanced research training for nurses who hold doctoral degrees.. $179,117
So if you want to pursue a career in Nursing what can you do now? Volunteer in a health care setting Volunteer in a health care setting such as a hospital or nursing home setting. Try it out and see if it really is for you before going through all of the preparation.
1. Take college prep classes in high school * You need a high school diploma to become a registered nurse (RN). * Take the following classes in high school, and you will have a head start on your nursing class prerequisites at college: o English - 4 years o Math - 3-4 years (including algebra and geometry) o Science - 2-4 years (including biology and chemistry; physics and computer science are recommended) o Social Studies - 3-4 years o Foreign Language - 2 years, recommended, but not required * Check out nursing prerequisites at colleges you are considering. * Individual nursing schools vary in their nursing course prerequisites. If you did not take the required courses in high school, you may be able to make them up at college. But the more prerequisites you take in high school, the more quickly you can become an registered nurse. Talk to your high school guidance counselor, and check out the website's of the California nursing schools you are considering.
2. Choose the type of nursing school you want to attend In California, there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs, and two alternative routes to become a registered nurse: * Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Takes 2-3 years. * Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Takes 4 years. you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions. * LVN 30 Unit Option - Designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become registered nurses. Takes approximately 18-24 months. No degree is granted upon completion. Most other states do not recognize California's LVN 30 Unit Option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs. Some LVNs prefer to complete an ADN program in order to obtain a degree and to have the flexibility to get an RN license in other states. Most ADN programs will give LVNs credit for some of the coursework they completed to become an LVN. * Military Corpsmen - California law permits military corpsmen to take the national exam for RN licensure if they have completed RN level education and clinical experience
3. Select a college and apply for admission * Visit the website's and campuses of the colleges in the geographic areas of interest to you. You can choose from nearly 100 California Nursing Schools. * Find out which entry exams are required at the colleges you are considering. Many require: o SAT or ACT o National League for Nursing Pre- Admission Exam * Find out how far in advance to apply by checking the school's website or contacting them. * Apply at more than one college to give yourself options. Some colleges have limited space for nursing students.
4. Apply for financial aid Opportunities abound for scholarships, loans, and loan forgiveness programs.
5. Obtain an RN license To practice as an RN in California, you must be licensed by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). You must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check, and pass the national licensing examination. To apply for licensure: * Obtain an application package and detailed instructions online at the BRN website or by contacting the BRN. * Send your application to the BRN at least 6-8 weeks before graduation. * Have your school send the BRN your transcripts. * Complete a fingerprint background check. * Apply for an Interim Permit if you wish to work in a supervised nursing capacity while awaiting your application process. * Take and pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The exam is computerized and given continuously 6 days a week. (New graduates are advised to take the exam soon after graduation because research has shown that there is a higher success rate for early test takers compared with those who wait several months.)
Thank you