Nursing makes a difference

Nurses are in high demand. Nursing is one of the few careers that offers excellent employment prospects in the future as well as diversity of employment in a variety of settings.

Early nursing practices consisted of women of little education and low social level performing lowly tasks. It wasn't until Florence Nightingale's initiative in the 1800s that nursing became defined as a profession. Through her work, the first nursing school was established. Today nurses play more of an independent role in health care than they ever have. Because of technological advances and social changes, their role has broadened as both leaders and team members.

There are almost two and a half million nurses in the United States today, with three out of five working in hospitals. Others are employed by public service organizations, nursing homes or educational institutions or in private practice.

Nursing career options vary. There are staff nurses, clinical specialists, nurse supervisors and managers, as well as nurses in the military in the Army, Navy and Air Force Nurse Corps. Nursing specialists include nurse midwives, geriatric nurse practitioners, occupational nurses, private-duty nurses, nurse anesthetists, school nurses and family nurse practitioners, to name a few. Choosing which career path to follow is a difficult decision, but most "to be" nurses find their way during the educational process.

During Florence Nightingale's day, anyone hoping to become a nurse needed to be punctual, honest, trustworthy, patient and sober. Today the requirements to enter a nursing school are based mostly on prior academic performance and recommendations from teachers in addition to the desire to help others and excellent people skills.

As the expanding role of nursing changes, many nurses are opting to pursue master's or doctorate degrees to further their careers. Nurses with master's degrees are in especially high demand, as they are capable of advancing the quality of nursing care through administrative, clinical and educational positions. A master's degree can lead to nursing research, a relatively new field, allowing formal study of health care practices to improve patient care. In the future, all positions, including clinical specialists or nurse consultants, will a require master's degree.

Nursing education can take place in a teaching hospital or in schools offering an associate's degree or practical nursing programs. Depending on the student's goal, they may earn an R.N. or L.P.N. license. Registered professional nurses have a bacalaureate degree consisting of four years of general education courses, specialized nursing courses and clinical laboratory experience. They can expect to earn approximately $25 per hour. Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician and can expect to earn between $12 and $15 per hour.

Obviously nursing is not for the faint of heart. Physical and emotional stamina is necessary in most hospital settings as nurses work 12-hour shifts. Additionally, particular settings require nurses with certain temperaments. For example, an emergency room nurse should be comfortable with hurried, unexpected situations, while a nurse in private practice should be comfortable answering patients' questions and putting them at ease. Choosing the right path in nursing can lead to a rewarding career.

If a career in nursing appeals to you, go for it. You will make a difference in the lives of many people.