Nursing is already the largest health care profession. There are 2.6 million RNs in the US, says the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). What makes a nursing job appealing? "It's both an art and a science," the NSNA says. "It lets you blend a scientific mind, technological know-how, a compassionate heart, and healing hands."
Being Appreciated
Doctors are in charge of health care, but often it's the nurses that hospital patients remember most. The American Nurses Association offers one explanation: "Nursing places its focus not only on a particular health problem, but on the whole patient and his or her response to treatment." In short, doctors have time for the problem, but nurses have time for the patient.Because nurses are in such demand, an RN license is a passport to adventure, according to the NSNA. A nursing career offers the chance to relocate easily, including overseas. The door is often open, by being a substitute or temp, to working a flexible schedule.
Which Nursing Specialty?
There are many areas of nursing practice to choose from, according to the NSNA. They include caring for children, adults and the elderly; services for pregnant women and newborn infants; operating room, critical care, and emergency departments; and women's health and mental health.There are also many sub-specialty nursing practice areas, such as sports injury nursing, cancer nursing, care of heart attack and heart surgery patients, and newborn intensive care nursing.
Nursing School
There are three major forms of nursing school: a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma, administered in a hospital (this third option is declining). BSN programs take about 4 years to complete. ADN programs take about 2 to 3 years to complete. Generally, licensed graduates from any of these three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses.Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses. <stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm>
- Nursing World: Planning a Career in Nursing. <www.nursingworld.org/about/careerlt.htm>
- Nursing: the Ultimate Adventure. <www.nsna.org/career/nsna_web.pdf>
