Discovering a Career in Nursing

Nurses provide care and comfort to everyone from infants to theelderly, from basic tasks like changing bed sheets and helping individualsdress themselves to treating patients, analyzing health information, operatingmedical machines, and providing public education about health caretopics.

Nursing RolesMultiple levels of nursing give you ampleoptions to develop a nursing career. Nursing aides and assistants do the mostbasic kinds of work. Licensed practitioner nurses (LPNs) have greaterresponsibilities such as monitoring medical equipment, supervising aides, andtaking samples for analysis. Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest group ofhealth care individuals with more than 2.5 million RNs in the U.S. according tothe Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs can create health plans for patientsas well as contribute to the current plans. They consult with doctors and otherclinicians as well as direct LPNs and nursing attendants. RNs can specialize ina variety of areas such as working with specific population segments orspecific diseases and ailments.

The Big Health BoomOne of the main benefits of being anurse is simply being able to help people heal and overcome disease ordiscomfort. According to projections by the BLS, over a half of a million newRN jobs will be created between 2006 and 2016. This growth suggests that nursesshould enjoy job stability as well as find a range of career options. Becauseof the recent nursing faculty shortage, there are opportunities for nurses tobecome teachers. Some hospitals and other organizations offer subsidies foreducation and signing bonuses to attract nurses.

Prepping for a Nursing CareerHome health aides and nursingaides often only need on-the-job training, but most other nursing careersrequire a higher level of education as well as certification. RN to BSN(Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree programs can help individuals get theeducation they need, and RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degreeprograms are also available. Individuals can also continue their education toearn doctorates in nursing (DNP=Doctor of Nursing Practice). Terminal nursingdegrees are generally practice-focused or research-focused. The doctoratedegree prepares an individual to join nursing faculty ranks or work on healthcare policy issues in larger organizations.

If helping people heal is important to you, a career in nursing can be agreat long-term move to bring you financial stability and personal rewards.