Nursing is a highly respected, well-paid profession. Nurses work in all of the different departments in hospitals and also in doctors' offices, schools, churches, research centers and insurance companies. There are many types of nurses, and each requires a different level of education and expertise.
Features
Nursing can be a very rewarding career, but mainly due to the nursing shortage, it's often stressful. Nurses have to work long hours and often care for more patients than they're able to handle efficiently. They become overworked and tired. Because they're tired, they sometimes make mistakes.
Considerations
Admission to nursing programs is often very competitive. But once admitted, after you graduate from the program, due to high demand, you're almost guaranteed a job. In order to become a nurse, you must earn an Associate's degree from a community or junior college or a Bachelor's degree from a college or university. There are a few hospital schools which issue nursing diplomas, but those are rare. Some nurses get a nursing job after receiving their Associate's degree and then work on their Bachelor's degree.
Significance
There isn't enough funding to provide the amount of nursing programs needed to lessen the nursing shortage. Some nurses have been recruited from other countries in order to help. Many nurses retire or quit because of job burn out. They leave vacancies that can't be filled because too few nurses are graduating from nursing programs.
Types
Home healthcare is a good career path for a nurse who doesn't want to work in a hospital. A home healthcare nurse travels to the patient's home and cares for him there. This allows a nurse to be more independent and not subjected to the high stress of working in a hospital.
Benefits
Travel nursing is an exciting opportunity. A nurse can travel to different cities throughout the country and fulfill assignments that last anywhere from several weeks to a year. This allows a nurse to enjoy variety while increasing her skills.
Tags: nursing programs, allows nurse, Associate degree, Bachelor degree, degree from
