Nursing Career Guides

In our last article we talked about how to become a registered nurse. Today let’s take a closer look at what exactly a Registered Nurse or RN does on her job. A RN is an important part of the medical team in any healthcare facility. A registered nurse provides care for a patient as required. He or she also educates the patient and the caregivers as well as the general public about the many different health conditions that become rampant from time to time.

Let’s actually take a look at a typical day of a RN. When a patient arrives at the facility, one of the most critical duties is to take down the information with regard to the patient’s medical history. This goes on record and would need to be completely free of error as all future treatments would be decided upon keeping the history in mind. Therefore, the registered nurse would have to be meticulous in taking this information as well as listing the symptoms that has brought the patient in. This recording is followed by a discussion with the attending physician so that a treatment may be decided. The registered nurse would record the advice of the physician with equal attention to detail leaving no room for doubt on the name of the medicine or its dosage.

The patient would have to be given a set plan to follow once the diagnosis is made and the course of treatment is fixed. Monitoring this plan at regular intervals would be critical to the success of the treatment. As the treatment plan gets underway, keeping a record of the side effects as well as the reaction of the patient becomes one of the more important duties of a registered nurse. All of this is done along with regular consultations with the attending physician. If the treatment requires the use of sophisticated medical equipment; the registered nurse operates and monitors the use of such equipment. Diagnostic tests are performed during the course of the treatment so that the progress can be monitored and analyzed.

There are cases where the injury or illness does irreparable damage to the patient and the patient would need to make drastic changes to how they live. Towards this end, the registered nurse would help the patient in facing these challenges and managing the aftermath of such life altering changes.

In a large health care facility, there are a number of licensed practical nurses and aides as well as other junior medical staff. A registered nurse would be called upon to oversee the duties of such junior staff and provide mentorship where necessary. Also, registered nurses work closely with doctors and healthcare specialists. In some cases, they work with policy makers and consultants in order to promote general good health. They are called upon to educate the public and issue warnings when necessary.

Registered nurses may also specialize in one niche area such as diabetes management, dermatology, addictions, critical care etc. Some of them may combine one or two fields and specialize in them. Whatever the field of specialization, they earn in the range of $58,180 to $66,650 annually. The wages vary depending on the employer organization and the geographical location. All nurses including a registered nurse will have to be prepared to work in shifts as nursing care is usually provided round the clock. A registered nurse learns and grows by making sure that their license is current and their knowledge is up to date.

Registered Nurse Requirements

For those of you who want to become a registered nurse, there are a few very simple steps to take starting with the education. One of the first things to do would be to find a good nursing program to enroll in. This would be the minimum requirement and will need a high school diploma. The subjects to have studied include science, anatomy and biology. In order to get into one of the better or more recognized schools, one would have to maintain a good academic record. The Board of Nursing can stipulate the requirements that an aspiring registered nurse must have in order to acquire licensure. There is an additional requirement defined by each state.

The process may begin with the conventional Bachelor’s degree in science in nursing, BSN. This course of studies lasts 4 years and includes theory classes as well as clinical and practical experience. The BSN program goes beyond the core knowledge in nursing and teaches the student other skills such as leadership and communication. If the student wishes to pursue masters in nursing; this is the way to start. Another way to become a registered nurse is through an associate’s degree in nursing or called ADN in short. Most community colleges offer these programs. This and the BSN education prepare a student to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The ADN program lasts around 2 – 3 years. The students graduate faster and find entry level positions in a shorter time.

There are also nursing diploma programs available and offer a strong training option. These programs are usually affiliated to hospitals and the training is of three years’ duration. The students who complete these programs are graduates with a Diploma in Nursing and are also eligible for taking up the NCLEX-RN exam.

The American Nurses Association and the American Nurses Credentialing Center specify the requirements for becoming a certified registered nurse. This is to evaluate the levels of competency and identification of registered nurses in order to promote public health. Being certified by this organization is recognition enough for all state boards of nursing including the U S military. The certifications offered are for nurses, nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses in specialized fields. Apart from these, there is the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, AACN that offers a specialty program for critical care nurses.  All of the states in the country require that the National licensing exam be passed.  There are many professional nursing organizations that allow you to take voluntary certifications in a specialized field of nursing.

A registered nurse provides care to patients in many different environments. For instance, the ones that have specialized in a particular disease can be employed in general medical hospitals and other health care facilities. However, the registered nurses who have specialized in the nursing care of a particular part of the body may find employment in specialty clinics or critical care units. Therefore, registered nurses may choose to either get licensed or certified to practice in general health care or in critical care nursing. A registered nurse would also have to renew this license by continued education; and there are many resources available online for registered nurses to explore. We will touch upon these resources in a separate article.

What is a CNA?

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are also commonly referred to as Patient Care Assistants, Nursing Assistants, and State Tested Nurse Aids.

CNA Job Overview

No matter the name the certified nursing assistant is referred to as in your state, the basic position is the same.  The certified nursing assistant is an unlicensed medical professional that implements various tasks that are requested of them within a medical environment under the supervision of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and physicians.  The certification as a nursing assistant delineates the CNA from other workers in the medical environment such as orderlies.

Job Description

The CNA is found in every type of medical or clinical environment.  They are also found in home health care situations as well as nursing home facilities.  The CNA performs a critical role in the overall health care system.

Depending on the specific employment environment the CNA will have a varied scope of work.  In general the CNA can expect to do all tasks requested by their overseeing licensed administrator.  Many CNA’s are responsible for tracking and recording clinical information regarding a patients demeanor, behavior, or progress.  They can also be called upon to take vital signs and to update patient medical charts and records.  All tasks within any environment that a CNA works that do not require medical certification can be assigned to a CNA.  From working with patients to scheduling appointments and even performing general office duties.

The CNA is also oftentimes asked to perform daily tasks for patients that are not clinical but provide for the patient in other ways.  These include tasks such as shopping, meal preparation, and exercise planning.  The CNA is a multi tasking medical assistant that plays a critical role in actively performing  patient is care in many different ways.

Education Required

Every state has its own requirements for a certified nursing assistant.  The most common requirements are that the CNA has a minimum of a high school graduation or GED and that they have successfully completed a six or twelve week training course (depending on the state) specifically designed for nursing assistants at the local junior college, hospital, or Red Cross.

The certification of these nursing assistants comes after the training.  Certification is different for each state and normally is issued after the applicant provides proof of satisfactory completion of training and passing the certification exam given by the state.

Training

To train to be a certified nursing assistant one should first look into local college programs that are designed for certified nursing assistants.  If there are not any junior college programs then you should look into local vocational schools and/or if any local hospitals have training programs.

The training itself covers a wide range of general medical information.  From the ways in which medical environments operate, to hygiene, to basic medical terminology.  Though most of the training for a CNA is on the job, the training programs will give the prospective CNA enough information to be able to function well at the job as well as to pass the state certification exam.

Salary

Across the United States for all different demographics the average hourly wage for a certified nursing assistant is $12.09 per hour.  The average range of salaries is $8.55 per hour entry level and $16.62 per hour for the top 10% of earners.  Of course you want to look into actual salaries for your particular city and state because specific salaries can vary greatly.  In fact the salary between industries can vary greatly as well.  A CNA that works in a public hospital may make less than a CNA that is working in an exclusive residential care facility.  There are many factors that affect salary and it is best to look into the pay that is offered in your desired industry and in your particular geographic region.

Registered Nurse Overview

The Registered Nurse or RN for short is the backbone of all medical care in the United States.  The registered nurse is responsible for all aspects of patient care including ensuring proper implementation of treatments as prescribed by the attending physician.

There are over 2.5 million registered nurses in the United States and they account for the largest single categorization of employee within the health care industry.  Of course most registered nurses have a specialty and therefore using the term “registered nurse” in general represents a broad category representing many smaller grouping of specializations within nursing.  These specialties range from neonatal registered nurses through oncology registered nurses.  There is a registered nurse specialty that corresponds to almost every specialty area within health care.

Job Description

After the physician, the registered nurse is the primary care provider and care supervisor in most medical situations.  They are responsible for teaching patients and their families about their medical situation as well as providing psychological support to all parties that are affected by the particular medical situation.  The registered nurse is also responsible for keeping all records that relate to the patient as well as full implementation of any and all treatments that are prescribed by the overseeing physician.  This includes monitoring and administering tests, shots, reviewing medical history, and implementing treatments.  All aspects of patient care, short of licensed medical diagnosis, fall under the umbrella of responsibilities for registered nurses.

Education Required

The educational path to nursing is normally via the future nurse obtaining a bachelors degree through a 4 year university program, an associates degree through a community/junior college program, or a diploma through a 3 year hospital based program.  The specific path you take in entering a career as a registered nurse may also determine your future path as well.  A nurse from a bachelors degree program may find more opportunities for advancement than a nurse from an associate degree or hospital diploma program.  This is due to the depth of underlying training.  Of course any nurse can pursue continuing education to make up for any lack of underlying educational background if necessary to pursue their goals.

All nurses from all programs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test for registered nurses in order to officially become a registered nurse.  This test is a standard requirement in all states within the United States.

Training

Most of the training to be a registered nurse occurs within the nursing programs that the nurse must attend.  This training will cover various areas of medicine, critical thinking, clinical applications, science, biology, microbiology, nutrition and a number of other areas.  On the job training is standard within most programs as well.

Salary

The national average hourly salary for a registered nurse is $32.56.  This is an average across all industries and across all types of registered nurses.  An average such as this, that is so broadly calculated, can be very misleading due to cost of living differences within different geographic areas.  For example, the average hourly wage for a registered nurse in Oklahoma is $26.12 while the average in Massachusetts is $40.86.  This wage can similarly vary depending on experience, continuing education, as well as area of specialization.

Nurse Practitioner Overview

The nurse practitioner is a registered nurse that has completed a masters level or above nursing program and has been certified by a state nursing board as a nurse practitioner in a specific area of specialization.

The nurse practitioners can oftentimes replace the role of a physician for most common treatments and medical conditions.  The nurse practitioner is oftentimes a patients sole care provider and is licensed to diagnose, evaluate, and prescribe treatments for a variety of common medical conditions.

The nurse practitioner is a well rounded professional that develops solutions and treatments that involve the patients physical condition, mental condition, and the surrounding impact of family and community.  The nurse practitioner takes a holistic and complete approach to treatment combining all factors as causes and sources for solutions.

Job Description

The nurse practitioner is allowed to perform all of the duties of a standard registered nurse and adds the ability to diagnose and prescribe treatments.  The nurse practitioner is oftentimes in a managerial role over other registered nurses and in many situations they fulfill the role of physician in the situation for which they are licensed.

This ability to move beyond implementation of treatments to actual prescription of treatments allows the nurse practitioner to work independently and in essence become the primary care provider for many patients and families.

The nurse practitioner spends much of their time teaching patients and families about overall care and health issues.  They are focused on prevention as a preemptive form of treatment.  The nurse practitioner works with the patient and their families to attain overall healthier lives.

Education Required

The nurse practitioner needs to first become a registered nurse and complete a bachelors degree level nursing program.  If the registered nurse wants to become a nurse practitioner, but has become a registered nurse through an associates degree program or diploma program, they will first need to complete the bachelors program before being allowed to proceed to a nurse practitioner program.

The nurse practitioner programs that are at the masters degree level and above and are offered by various universities across the United States.

Training

Training to become a nurse practitioner starts with the education, training, and experience of being a registered nurse.  From that point forward the specific training as a nurse practitioner includes on the job experience as required by the university nurse practitioner program they want to attend.  Once qualified for the specific nurse practitioner program, the registered nurse will then need to successfully complete that program and qualify for and pass the nurse practitioner exam given by their state nursing board.  All nurse practitioners in the United States are regulated on the state level and the specific requirements, in addition to successfully completing a nurse practitioner program, differ by state

Salary

The median salary for the nurse practitioner across the United States is $85,200.  This is much higher than the median salary for a registered nurse which comes in at $67,720.  Both of these are medians and as such are difficult to use to determine your future prospective salary.   There are many more statistics for the salary of registered nurses than there are for nurse practitioners.  As such you should look a the difference for the median, then look at registered nurse salaries for your particular city and state, and then add to that number the percentage difference at the median.  This is the best way to get a solid number for the salary of a nurse practitioner in your geographic region.