A Rewarding Career as a Registered Nurse

A Rewarding Career as a Registered Nurse If youre interested in becoming a nurse, then youre probably curious about the working conditions. Nurses typically work with doctors to treat patients at hospitals. Many nurses find their careers rewarding because they get to help the sick. Nurses are compensated fairly well for their efforts. The average salary for registered nurses in the United States is $73,550. Some nurses prefer to work part-time because they like to spend more time with their families. A registered nurse need to have an associates degree, but a bachelors degree is preferable. An associates degree in nursing includes coursework in chemistry, biology, and general anatomy. Youll also need to complete some general liberal arts courses. Those who already have an associates degree in another field may be interested in a bachelors degree in nursing. Colleges will often let nurses skip a lot of the associates degree coursework and simply complete the upper-division coursework for credit. Medical Supplies Used by Nurses Nurses utilize a lot of different medical supplies to improve patient outcomes. Nurses periodically need to check on patients. They will also administer medication prescribed by the doctor. Hospitals will typically source their materials from reputable suppliers to ensure the materials are durable and free of defects. Some medical supplies nurses may use on a regular basis include: Gel tab electrodes Tongue depressors Thermometers Cotton balls Exam table paper Bedsheet tissue Medical tourniquets Gel tab electrodes are used in electrocardiogram tests. The electrodes need to be disposable because they attach directly to the patients skin. Nurses may use tongue depressors to examine a patients throat. They will typically note any redness or swelling and give this information to the physician. Thermometers are definitely a necessary part of medicine. Patients who have high temperatures may need to be prescribed antibiotics to reduce fever symptoms. Cotton balls may be placed under bandages to absorb the blood from minor cuts. Exam table paper is used to protect the patient from viruses and bacteria. Bedsheet tissue has the same effect. Medical tourniquets are tied to patient limbs to stop blood flow. These may be necessary if a patient comes into the emergency room with a bleeding arm or leg. There are many additional types of medical supplies. Hospital administrators typically order surplus stock to avoid shortages because these can be dangerous in the medical industry. The Future of Nursing This is a great time to become a nurse. Nurses have a lot of room for advancement. They may eventually seek out doctorate degrees or specialize in a niche. Over 80 percent of nurses are satisfied with their job choice, and demand for skilled nurses is growing. Nurses continue learning long after they graduate college. These professionals constantly need to learn about new diseases and treatments. The medical field is dynamic. Many nurses like the fact that the job never feels redundant. Nursing Shortages The American Association of Colleges of Nursing claims the current nursing shortage will accelerate as baby boomers retire at a rapid pace. 500,000 new jobs will be added by 2026. Organizations and policymakers are collaborating to find new ways to address this shortage, but the healthcare industry will always need qualified personnel to monitor patients and administer treatment. Becoming a nurse doesnt require a massive investment on the part of the practitioner. A few years of schooling will be necessary, but its not hard to get out of the career field if you decide it isnt a good fit. Many colleges now offer affordable fast track programs to address the shortage. Those who enjoy working in medicine have a lot of different advancement options. Nurses also have the flexibility to work just about anywhere. Some nurses prefer to work at screening clinics, schools, or government organizations. If youre interested in becoming a registered nurse, then you should definitely look at the options available to you. Youll want to attend a nursing program that offers a decent amount of time in real clinical settings. Some colleges offer blended coursework. You may be able to complete some of the courses online. Nurses earn more at the masters and doctorate level. Certified registered nurse anesthetists earn an average salary of $160,250 per year.