Guide to Nursing Positions
Over the years, the nursing profession has lacked in effectively recruiting young professionals towards its field. This is a strong explanation towards why the United States often has to recruit nurses from overseas to fill positions. Individuals who are interested in a career helping people usually have a deep sense of service to mankind, often feel emotional satisfaction in helping others, have a strong awareness of health and the role it plays in our lives, and possess a fundamentally nurturing personality trait.
When a student finishes their degree in nursing they will get the acronym RN added after their name. The acronym RN stands for registered nurse, but depending on the country where you are taking your nursing program, the titles will vary. Other registered nurses can also be labeled licensed practicing nurses, or state enrolled nurses. In the United Kingdom, a first level nurse can either be a registered general nurse (RGN), a registered sick children’s nurse (RSCN), a registered mental nurse (RMN) or a registered nurse learning disability (RNLD).
In the United States, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). This type of nurse studies for one full year and then can provide a whole variety of direct care to the sick.
Nurse Positions Available:
Hospitals – Hospitals are in constant need of licensed practical nurses. Licensed practical nurses can be assigned to different departments of the hospital including the emergency room, maternity ward, surgery, or pediatrics. They may also be given rotating assignments to cover the different departments. Certain hospitals would also give LPNs more responsible duties depending on years of experience and performance evaluation.
Health care facilities – Licensed practical nurses are assigned to look after the elderly or to continue providing care to patients who are recovering from an illness or a rehabilitation program. An increasing number of licensed practical nurses can also work in private homes because some patients prefer to remain at home rather than be in the hospital or in a rehabilitation center.
Nursing facilities – Licensed practical nurses perform administrative and sometimes supervisory functions. For instance, licensed practical nurses can supervise nursing aides and guide them in providing excellent patient care.
Doctors’ offices – Licensed practical nurses who work in doctors’ offices usually have a fixed timetable and do less demanding work than say, licensed practical nurses who work in health care facilities. Depending on the nature of the doctor’s specialty, licensed practical nurses can help prepare patients for examinations, administer shots, provide medication guidelines, do wound and injury dressings and can also assist with minor surgeries. Licensed practical nurses in private doctors’ offices will also take on clerical tasks such as billing, medical appointments, and health records filing.
Travel nurses – Travel nursing positions are usually temporary and involve traveling with a patient who needs around-the-clock care. Traveling licensed practical nurses will usually work on short term contracts ranging anywhere from 48 hours to 48 weeks. They are recruited and placed by agencies that specialize in nursing staff. Travel nurses can often enjoy a comfortable salary.
If you plan to go for the full registered nursing program you can expand your career opportunities. There is an ongoing shortage of nurses which means that the higher your qualifications and academic training the better your chances are for landing a good nursing career.
The United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reported that by the year 2010, there will be a shortage of over 213,000 registered nurses.
The advances in science and medicine make it imperative for health care institutions to hire nurses with specialized knowledge and training. If you are studying for the Masters of Science in nursing program, you could have a lucrative career with none of the grueling hours experienced by some nurses.
Registered nurses can also work in the places mentioned above for licensed practicing nurses, except that registered nurses usually command higher wages. You will find registered nurses helping out in busy intensive care units of large and small hospitals as well as in your local health clinic.
Registered nurses are able to examine infant growth and development and can provide training in child-rearing, especially in remote areas. Registered nurses can also supervise health and safety programs in the corporate environment and in government. They can perform research and engage in an institution’s administration functions.
There are some registered nurses who work in schools, doctors’ offices, home care facilities, family planning centers, poison control centers, physical and mental rehabilitation centers and in AIDS centers. Registered nurses with a master’s degree can elect to teach some nursing courses in colleges and universities.
Registered nurses working in large hospitals can perform duties in most departments such as oncology, obstetrics, palliative care, psychiatry, geriatrics, emergency, intensive care, cosmetology, rehabilitation, and cardiovascular as well as many other areas.
If you are seriously thinking of a nursing career, try to consider studying for a degree such as a bachelor of science in nursing. After completing a four-year degree program, you can significantly open more doors of opportunity in the field of nursing.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about nursing school, sometimes discussing items which are used in nursing such as nursing uniforms.