Career Essay Nursing

Michael Davis
Mr. Murphy
English 51
Research Paper
27 April 2009
Registered Nurse
Until recently I have never considered a career as an RN. One day a friend of mine, who is an RN, heard me talking about how I needed a change in careers, which would be more consistent in job availability. He is also my Nurse practitioner so he knows me well. His advice to me was to become an RN. He thought that I had what it takes to do the job well. So here I am fifty-two years old and starting over. I have researched pay scale, duties, job out look, training, and education requirements
Education and training
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “There are three major educational paths to registered nursing—a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2006, 709 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 850 RN programs granted associate degrees. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only about 70 programs offered diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions.”(Par 15 )
I also asked Paul Yinger What his training was! What he did to start his career. Paul Yinger said. “I started out working in a Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist, then later went back to School to get my RN (BSN) in what is called a 2 +2 program. Basically that means I had 2 years of non nursing courses and 2 years of Nursing Course to complete my BSN. I later went on to get my MSN, with a focus of Education. I stated our working in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 15 years then made the move to Infection Control.” (Yinger) From what I have read the path to becoming a nurse is not an easy one but it will be worth the effort involved.



Duties
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nature of the work Registered nurses (RNs), treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
When caring for patients, RNs perform numerous activities, such as administering medication, including careful checking of dosages and avoiding interactions; starting, intravenous (IV) lines for fluid, medication, blood, and blood products; administering therapies and treatments; and consulting with physicians. Some RNs provide direction to licensed practical nurses and nursing aids regarding patient care. (Par 2)
I asked Paul Yinger what are the main aspects of a career in Nursing? “I work as an Infection Control Nurse. “I over see the infection Control practices at the Hospital I work in. I make sure Medical, Nursing, and ancillary staff follow infection control guidelines set forth by the Hospital. I review charts, do general surveillance on infections acquired in the hospital, do in-servicing on infection issues as needed, and provide quarterly reports.” (Yinger) A nursing career will be a busy one, and the person pursuing this field should be doing it to help people. Or they may find that they are not happy, and want out.

Working Conditions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Work environment. “Most RNs work in well-lighted, comfortable health care facilities. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients’ homes, schools, community centers, and other sites. RNs may spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching, and standing. Patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities require 24-hour care; consequently, nurses in these institutions may work nights, weekends, and holidays. RNs also may be on call—available to work on short notice. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other settings that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours. About 21 percent of RNs worked part time in 2006, and 7 percent held more than one job.”
“Nursing has its hazards, especially in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and clinics, where nurses may be in close contact with individuals who have infectious diseases and with toxic, harmful, or potentially hazardous compounds, solutions, and medications. RNs must observe rigid, standardized guidelines to guard against disease and other dangers, such as those posed by radiation, accidental needle sticks, chemicals used to sterilize instruments, and anesthetics. In addition, they are vulnerable to back injury when moving patients, shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by compressed gases. RNs also may suffer emotional strain from caring for patients suffering unrelieved intense pain, close personal contact with patients’ families, the need to make critical decisions, and ethical dilemmas and concerns.” (Par 11)
I asked Paul Yinger, what are the working conditions/ Duties, conditions, meaning where? Hospital, office, so on. What you have experienced. “I do work long hours, never 9-5, always on-call for infection control issues. I work in a Hospital. People in general don’t like the infection control nurse, they know I have to be there, but they often don’t like what I have to hear. No one likes being told they are doing something wrong or putting their patient in danger of becoming infected by something they are doing. Following infection control guidelines are often takes more time, so people try to cut corners. This often puts the patient at risk. People in general don’t like to be told they are doing something wrong.” (Yinger) The working conductions can be pleasant, but you need to be aware of the dangers involved, also the emotional issues from dealing with patients that are dieing or suffering.

Job out look
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, but may vary by employment and geographic setting. Employment of RNs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016 and, because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result. In fact, registered nurses are projected to generate 587,000 new jobs, among the largest number of new jobs for any occupation. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of job openings will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation.”(Par 17)
According to Linda Kresge “The average nurse in the United States is 47 years old, and to Linda Kresge, vice president of patient care at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, that signals trouble in the future. "There are 1.2 million nurses in the nation and
a shortage throughout the world," she says. "As the population grows older [and nurses retire faster than replacements can be trained], being without adequate nursing care is a real fear."(Kresge)
I asked Paul Yinger to give his opinion on the future out look of nursing, job availability's. “The field of Nursing has always been wide open, and will continue to be. Nursing is what you make of it. Having your RN license opens up doors. Some people take advantage of this, others don’t. It can either be a 9-5 job for you, or it can become a career loaded with opportunities. The key is to continue to learn, don’t become stagnate. A good nurse continues to learn each day, and takes opportunities to learn in any situation that they are placed in. You might not like where you need to start (Night Shift) but each nurse needs to “Pay their dues” and increase their knowledge base, before they can move on. Patience is the key.” (Yinger) The future of this career is bright, and I am looking forward to getting started.

Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $57,280 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,710 and $69,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,440. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in May 2006 were:
Employment Services 64,260
General Medical and surgical hospitals 58,550
Home Health care services 54,190
Offices of physicians 53,800
Nursing care facilities 52,490
(Par 30)
According to Linda Kresge “Other enticements for nurses include a $7500 signing bonus for hard-to-fill positions and $3500 for traditional posts, $3000 annually to support ongoing education, relocation reimbursement, time off to pursue professional
interests, overtime pay, and an opportunity to work 12-hour shifts with four days off every week. "This arrangement gives people some home/life balance," she points out. "We also offer a rich retirement plan that encourages a nurse to develop tenure."(Kresge)
When I asked Paul Yinger to give his opinion of what starting salaries are for nurses he said. “Salaries, tough question. No one ever thinks they get paid enough. As a rule I think the starting salaries for nursing should be evaluated on the experience a Nurse has had. I had 10 years experience working in a Hospital before I became a nurse. The institution where I started as a Nurse took this into account and moved me forward in the salary range. So places don’t do this. Each Nurse needs to negotiate their salary carefully. Once you start, your salary only builds from where you started.”(Yinger) The pay rate is very appealing and definitely one of the reasons that I chose this Field.
I feel this is a good career for me because; it seems that I understand some of the concepts without even taken any classes yet. I am in a first aid class at the moment and am excelling. I also feel it is time for me to find a career that will move me forward, in my life. The pay scale is very attractive, and the working conditions are better then anything I have encountered yet. I also feel that it would be nice to have the feeling that you have helped people in some way, at the end of the day. The fact that you can go anywhere and find a good job is very much a selling point for me.










Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics Registered Nurse. Last Modified. Date: 18 December 2007. 25 April 2009 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm
Linda Kresge. Job Jurnal.com . 25 April 2009
http:://www.jobjurnal./articl_fulltext.asp?artid=2050
Yinger Paul. E. Mail to Michael Davis. 29 April 2009