How to Become a Nurse: Nursing Career Information

Want a career that's currently in demand and will be for years to come? A career which can't be outsourced? A career with many different levels, which you can enter with just a year or two of training? Then the career of nursing might be for you. Below you'll find some basic nursing career information to give you a good overview of the field of nursing.

Registered Nurse vs. Licensed Practical Nurse

When most people think about the career of nursing, they think of two different levels of nursing: the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and the Registered Nurse (RN). What distinguishes these two levels?

Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse

What does it take to become an LPN or LVN? Generally, a year of schooling in a technical school or community college. LPNs and LVNs work under the supervision of doctors and RNs, and provide a wide range of services, such as recording patients' vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, etc). They are able to give patients injections, as well as assist with the feeding and bathing of patients who need those services. While most LPNs are generalists, meaning they work in all areas of healthcare, some do specialized work, such as working in nursing homes or providing home healthcare.

Registered Nurse

A Registered Nurse, in contrast, has more educational training than an LPN or LVN. Typically, an RN will obtain an associate’s degree, a diploma from a nursing program, or a bachelor's degree. Those wishing to move up the ladder, say become a nurse practitioner, will obtain a master's degree. The RN will often supervise the LPNs or LVNs, and help perform diagnostic tests on patients and analyze the results of these tests. RNs will often help establish a care plan for patients, which may include administering medication and checking the dosages of the medications.

Types of Nursing Opportunities

Within the nursing field, there are various types of nursing opportunities to choose from. They include:

Hospital Nurse

In this set-up, the nursing staff is divided among the many floors or units to take care of patients with a wide range of conditions and illnesses. From newborn babies to older patients, every human medical need is complex and challenging. Here, the nurse play the role as a ‘bridge’ between the doctors and the patients, as well as the patient’s family, giving information, check-ups, treatments and follow-up care. They may also treat wounds, observe symptoms, chart vital signs and report changes, as well as assist the doctors during surgery.

Nursing Facilities

Nurses may choose to work in temporary rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, convalescence units, and basic nursing facilities. In these types of medical facilities, nurses are required to have patience as well as perseverance.

School Nurse

Either part- or full-time, school nurses have the responsibility to check students for health conditions like vision problems and asthma symptoms. They are responsible for the health welfare of the students. And, in case of suspected symptoms of child abuse, they are obliged to report it to civil authorities.

Company Nurse

Larger business often maintains a nurse on staff to look after employees. The nurse can seek medical assistance if he or she suspects an environmental problem within the company.

Travel Nurse

This a good career option since it allows nurses to work outside the common hospital set-up. Nurses have the opportunity to travel, get high paying checks, get good benefits, while still practicing their jobs. Here, the nurses are the boss of their time and they have the privilege to choose their assignments.

For more information on nursing, you might want to check out our pages on

Nursing Schools in California
RN to BSN
Forensic Nurse Certification





 

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