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One of the fastest-growing and largest career opportunities in the healthcare industry is nursing. At any hospital, physician's office or healthcare facility, nursing plays a major role in patient care. Registered nurses (RNs) perform a number of duties, including treating patients, educating patients, and providing advice and support to patients' families. RNs record patients' medical histories, ask about symptoms, assist with diagnostic tests and analyze results, administer treatment, help with rehabilitation, and operate medical equipment.
Nursing schools offer three educational paths for students. A Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) is a four-year program offered by colleges and universities. An Associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a two- or three-year program offered by junior colleges and community colleges. Additionally, a small number of hospitals offer a three-year training program resulting in a diploma. Licensed graduates of all these programs qualify for entry-level nursing positions. Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter Bachelor's programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. All states require nurses to graduate from approved nursing programs and pass a national exam in order to obtain a license.
Graduates of nursing schools are more than healthcare workers. Nurses provide comfort and sympathy to patients and their families. As patient advocates, they must:
Equally important, they need the emotional stability to cope with human suffering, medical emergencies and other stresses.
Work environments for most RNs are healthcare facilities. Some nurses work in patients' homes, schools and community centers. Considerable walking and standing is required. Working hours for RNs vary by job and location. Facilities that offer 24-hour healthcare schedule day, evening, night and weekend shifts. RNs may also need to be on call and available to work on short notice.
Interaction with patients brings inherent risk in many nursing careers. RNs must observe procedures to minimize risk to infectious disease, radiation, accidental needle sticks, chemicals, and anesthetics. Nurses may also suffer back pain and physical fatigue. Emotionally, RNs may experience strain from observing patient suffering and having close contact with patients' families.
Salaries for those in a nursing career vary by location, experience, and skill. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annual earnings of registered nurses were between $43,370 and $63,360 in 2004. The highest 10 percent earned more than $74,760. Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses.
As the largest healthcare occupation, registered nurses held about 2.4 million jobs in 2004. Over the next several years, job opportunities should continue to be excellent.; Employment for RNs is expected to grow much faster than average through 2014. In fact, the second-largest number of new jobs in the country is projected to be in the nursing industry.
Nursing training centers on anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and nursing. All nursing education programs include both classroom and clinical instruction. Clinical experience is gained in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Salary Range:
$16,460 — $74,390
Education Level (minimum):
Associate degree
Growth Outlook (2002 – 2012):
21 – 35%
