Careers in Nursing

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What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?

RNs are professionals licensed by the
state in which they work.
RNs function as active members of the
health care team.
RNs provide and manage care for
individuals who are ill and their families.

What is an RN? continued

RNs also work with healthy individuals
and families to educate them about
wellness and disease prevention.
RNs work with patients of all ages
promoting physical, mental and social
well-being.

What is an RN? continued

RNs use observation and assessment skills

to support nursing diagnoses:
Ex:

Alteration in Skin Integrity related to bedrest

Ex: Potential for Infection related to surgical
wound

What is an RN? continued

These nursing diagnoses help us to create

a plan of care for our patients:
Ex:

Turn and reposition patient every two

hours
Ex: Change surgical dressing prn (as needed)

Where do nurses work?

The possibilities are endless!!

Hospitals
Clinics/Offices
Nursing Homes
Hospice
Schools
Cruise Ships

Military
Helicopters
Industries
Wellness Centers
Public Health Offices
Home Health Care Agencies

What kinds of career

opportunities are available?
There are a multitude of specialties to choose
from including:

Medical/Surgical - Care for a variety of ill or

injured patients and patients who have
undergone surgery.
Critical Care - Care for critically ill or injured
patients of all ages.

Career opportunities

continued

Labor and Delivery - Care for mothers and

babies before, during, and after delivery.
Pediatrics - Care for ill or injured children.
Cardiac Care - Care for patients with issues
involving their hearts.
Geriatrics - Care for elderly ill or injured
patients.

Career opportunities

continued

Neurology - Care for patients with illnesses or

injuries involving the nervous system.
Dermatology - Care for patients with skin
conditions.
Orthopedic - Care for patients with illnesses or
injuries to muscles and bones.
Same Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Recovery Room - Care for patients immediately
before or after surgery.

Career opportunities continued

O.R. - Care for patients in the operating

room during surgical procedures.
These are just a few of the
many possibilities you could
choose from after completing
a nursing program.

Advanced education adds options:

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Provides care to

patients with complex illnesses or injuries and
often responsible for the continuing education of
staff nurses.
Nurse Practitioner - Diagnoses and treats a
wide variety of patients.
Research - Involved with research studies to
increase the knowledge base of the nursing
profession.

Advanced education continued

Nurse Midwives - Care for women during

pregnancy and deliver their babies.
Nursing Professor - Teaches nursing students
in nursing schools.
Nurse Anesthetist - Provides anesthesia to
patients during surgical and non-surgical
procedures.

Employment outlook:
is there a nursing shortage?

This situation fluctuates and is impacted by

economic and demographic issues.

Nurses delaying retirement due to economic

concerns can mean fewer opportunities for
new grads. But Post World War II baby boomer generation
is aging and increasing healthcare needs.

Nursing jobs continued

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts

jobs for RNs will grow 19% by 2022 and that
one-half of the RN workforce will reach
retirement age by 2017.
The Bureau projects the need for 525,000
replacement nurses in the workforce by 2022.
State by state analysis predicts more of a
nursing shortage in the South and West.

Nursing jobs continued

Employers

have become flexible in

scheduling options - nurses often work any
combination of 8, 10, or 12 hour shift on days,
nights and weekends.
Many facilities utilize some form of selfscheduling, allowing you to choose (within unit
guidelines) the shifts that you work.
There are endless possibilities for
future nurses both male and female.

How do I know if nursing

is right for me?

Even in times of nursing shortage when

they are in great demand, nursing is not
right for everyone

Qualities to be a good nurse:

Do you enjoy health and science classes
and do reasonably well in math?
Do you have an interest in learning about
the human body and how it works?

Qualities continued

Do you have a sense of compassion and desire

to help others?
Do you like to teach people and share
information with others?
Are you able to work well with others and do you
enjoy being around other people?
Do you possess good decision making &
problem solving skills?

Qualities continued

Do you desire variety in career opportunities?

Do you enjoy learning and analyzing things?

Are you dependable and do you have good oral

and written communication skills?

What can I do now to prepare

for a career in nursing?

Work hard to get good grades.

Study science and math courses.
Consider nursing camp if youre in middle
school. (www.schooltocareers.org)
Write to a mentor and read the profiles of nurses
at the Advice Corner page of the NHNA site.
Consider job shadowing.

What type of education do

I need to become a nurse?

You can still enter the field with an

Associate Degree in Nursing usually through a two year program at a
community college. After completion of
the program, graduates must pass the
NCLEX test to apply for state licensure
as an RN.

However there is an increased

emphasis on obtaining a

Baccalaureate in Science in Nursing

Usually a four year program at a college or
university. After completing the program,
graduates must pass the NCLEX test to
apply for state licensure as an RN.

Nursing Education

options in NH

The NH Community Colleges in Concord,

Keene, Manchester, Nashua, & Portsmouth
offer Associate Degrees in Nursing.

Also St. Joseph School of Nursing in

Nashua.

Education

continued

In N.H., B.S. Degrees in Nursing are offered at:

Colby-Sawyer College in New London
Franklin Pierce University in Manchester
Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Plymouth State University
Rivier University in Nashua
Saint Anselm College in Manchester
Southern NH University in Manchester
University of New Hampshire in Durham

Education continued

Masters of Science in Nursing

Typically a two year course of study after
obtaining a BSN degree but there are some
direct entry Masters programs. MSN programs
are usually intensely focused on a specialty area
of study. Graduates of Masters programs often
function as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse
Specialists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists,
Nurse Researchers or Nurse Administrators.

Education

continued

In New Hampshire, Masters degrees are

offered through Franklin Pierce University,
Rivier University, Saint Anselm College
and the University of NH

More Information
To further explore nursing career options,
you may also want to review the various
nursing specialty websites listed at:

http://www.nurse.org/orgs.shtml

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