According to the University of Alabama’s Doren Harper, PHD; dean of the UAB School of Nursing, “Nursing is a career of a lifetime, there are countless opportunities for nurses in hosiptals, patients’ homes, in ambulatory clinics, in communities, in private pratice in physician offices, in schools.”
She also added, “The patients in our hosiptals today are critically ill and they need nurses that can manage the highly complex care and the technical care, as well as attend to high quality compassionate care for your patients and their families. Nursing is the most satisfying, exciting career you can choose. As long as you have a desire to work with people, have a love of the sciences, and desire to make a difference in peoples lives when they need you the most, a career in nursing is for you.”
Nurses are still in high demand despite the economic downturn. The aging baby boomers and the increases required in caring for them, we at Just 4 Classes know Nursing is not only a career during our current economic downturn, but a career for your entire life.
Below are all the requirements for a career in Nursing in the US.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Requires a student to complete a two-year associates degree, a three-year nursing diploma or a four-year bachelors degree and take a variety of medical and science courses. An RN must pass a certification exams that is called the NCLEX and complete hours of clinical training before graduating from school. Registered nurses have the authority to handle a variety of responsibilities including direct care of patients, making patient decisions and supervising LPNs. The Bureau of Labor reports there are over 2.3 million working RN’s.
RNs out of necessity specialize in a type of patient care, such as critical care, trauma nursing, oncology, respiratory/pulmonary care, pain management, or psychiatry/mental health, among dozens of others most directly relative to particular departments. Educational requirements such as continuing education or specialized credentialing may be subjective and based on the particular hospital or care facility.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Requires a student to take courses in anatomy, patient care and physiology for eighteen to twenty-four months and pass a state or national board to become licensed. The Bureau of Labor reports there are over 700,000 working LPNs today. An LPN license must be periodically renewed and some states also require continuing education.
Most only have a year of education that covers the basic nursing skills required for essential patient care. LPNs provide necessary patient support for RNs whose tasks involve more complex care plans. Click to here to receive more information about being a LPN
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
A registered nurse who has attained advanced experience, skills and education, such as a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing and other possible certifications. Positions that may be held by an APN include nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse midwife. Continuing education is required to maintain an APN license.
Learn more about Nursing degrees and Online programs, here at the University of Phoenix!
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