Advancement for Nurses
Registered nurses are able to advance their careers through continued education and gaining experience in varied health care settings. Nursing careers are expected to continue to grow in the years to come, thanks to an aging population that is living longer thanks to improvements in modern medicine. Many nurses even choose to pursue advanced degrees, thus enhancing the populations of patients they are able to serve, the tasks they are able to perform, and the autonomy in which they can practice.
RN degrees are obtained by attending one of three types of programs: diploma, associate's degree programs, or bachelor's of science programs. Diploma based programs are often based in hospitals and provide wide ranges of clinical experiences. They are usually two to three year courses, as are associate's degree programs. Bachelor's degrees in nursing are offered throughout the country through colleges and universities. Many new nurses will graduate through an associate's or diploma program and then begin work at a hospital as a staff nurse. Many hospitals offer sign on bonuses or tuition reimbursement in order for staff nurses to obtain a bachelor's degree.
Registered nurses with any of the aforementioned degrees are able to work in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices once they pass a certification exam, the NCLEX-RN, and obtain state licensure. Emergency rooms, intensive care units, medical/surgical floors, telemetry units, and operating rooms are just some of the arenas that employ registered nurses. RNs also work in home health care, occupational medicine, hospice care, nursing and personal care homes, and staff some ambulances and transport helicopters. Many nurses change the setting in which they work once or many times during their career in order to better suit their interests or personal needs.
Travel nursing is another option for many nurses. New nurses as well as seasoned nurses are able to work in coordination with nursing and staffing agencies to accept assignments in different locations. Travel nursing assignments last from several weeks to months and often include a completion bonus. Housing arrangements for the nurse are often included in the travel assignment. Travel nursing allows registered nurses to explore different areas of the country as well as different hospitals and are also usually monetarily lucrative.
Advance practice nursing courses are also available, providing more options for varied nursing careers. Currently nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists all fall under the heading of advance practice nurses. These types of careers require a master's degree in nursing or a post master's certificate. These programs require many additional clinical hours and often a thesis project. Advance practice nurses are able to work with more independence and make decisions in regards to patient care that registered nurses are unable to make. Nurse practitioners, for example, are able to examine patients in hospitals, clinics, and offices usually under the direction of a physician. They are also able to prescribe medication in most states. Nurse anesthetists work in coordination with anesthesiologists performing pre operative physicals and monitoring anesthesia during surgery. Nurse midwives deliver babies and manage low risk obstetric and gynecologic patients. Clinical nurse specialists are experts in certain areas of nursing. Often they assist in educating staff nurses or patients with certain diseases and disorders, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Nursing not only allows professionals to work in a number of settings, but also provides numerous opportunities for advancement in various settings. Scholarships and funding for continuing education are available for professional nurses. Nursing is truly one of the most diverse career fields and also one of the most attractive for many due to its potential for personal and professional growth.
Published: 2009-11-03
