The field of nursing has never been more important to the medical profession than now. With increased costs of care, an aging population, and new simpler medications and therapies becoming available, trained nursing staff fill the gap between doctor and patient.
Nursing assistants, registered nurses, and advanced nursing careers are discussed here, in the Nursing FAQ.
The Nursing FAQ is intended for practicing nurses who want to understand the training and qualifications available to them, and people who intend undertaking college courses to become nurses. A wealth of courses and career options exist, so understanding how credits are applied, the requirements for a course, and it’s recognition by medical examination boards are critical to your success.
Amongst the highest growth outlook for job creation in the US, Registered Nurses (RN), are expected to comprise around 3 million jobs by 2016, making this one of the few industries where trainees are almost guaranteed work. Hospitals, both public and private employ around 60% of all registered nurses, but outside of hospitals there is a lot of growth to be found within research, general practice, and aged care facilities.
Entering nursing requires completion of academic courses with examinations, a practical component of work experience, and finally a state nursing examination that comprises theory and practical application of the trainee’s knowledge. To become a Registered Nurse, students can complete a college degree, the Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN), a hospital diploma, or a university Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Aside from assisting doctors and surgical specialists, nurses really are the frontline with patients and their loved ones. Nurses are regularly called on to lend a shoulder, take on a counseling role, educate patients on health matters, as well as perform routine medical inspections, and be part of the team when more intense medical assistance is required. Be sure to bookmark our pages where we discuss the duties and responsibilities of American nurses.
Nurses are a special type of person, empathy and understanding is needed, without which a nurse would find it difficult to do their job. Perhaps as importantly, entry into specialist nursing fields such as administration and management, nurse anesthetists, midwifery, clinical nursing, and nurse practitioners, are often only available to Registered Nurses who have completed a bachelor degree or masters degree.
Prospective nurses who can’t afford the time to complete a full time degree, or who lack the educational qualifications to enter college may find they can complete the a nursing diploma in several steps, eventually leading to board registration as a registered nurse. Many community colleges offer programs to become a nursing assistant, holding either a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Becoming a nursing assistant allows trainee nurses to attain employment within hospitals and private practice very quickly and many of the duties of a registered nurse can be undertaken by a nursing assistant. A nursing assistant certificate, board registration, and the work experience gained is sufficient in many cases to enroll in a degree level course, some of which can be completed at home with only minimal need to attend campus. Nursing assistants aren’t paid as much as registered nurses, but it is possible to work toward RN status without costly loans or time away from the workforce.
