What can you do with a RN degree?

Answer 1

Career Opportunities
Nursing is the largest health-care occupation and one of 10 occupations projected to have the largest numbers of new jobs annually through 2010. Opportunities should be excellent for nurses with advanced education and training. Some states report current and projected shortages of nurses, primarily due to an aging workforce and recent declines in nursing school enrollments. Faster than average growth also will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit nurses to treat more medical problems, and an increasing emphasis on preventive care. In addition, the number of older people, who are much more likely than younger people to need nursing care, is projected to grow rapidly. As nursing positions expand beyond the traditional hospital nursing roles, nurses have increased options and flexibility. In today’s integrated health-care networks, nurses may rotate among employment settings. Facilities or areas in which nurses typically are employed include:

• Hospitals
• Clinics or Offices
• Nursing Homes
• Home-health
• Public Health
• Occupational Health or Industrial Nurse
• Leadership positions

Hospitals
Nurses working in hospitals comprise the largest group of nurses. Most are staff nurses, who provide bedside nursing care and carry out medical regimens. They also may supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides. Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area, such as surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care or treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments. Employment in hospitals is expected to grow more slowly than in other health-care sectors. While the intensity of nursing care is likely to increase, requiring a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, the number of inpatients (i.e., those who remain in the hospital for more than 24 hours) is not likely to increase. Patients are being discharged earlier and more procedures are being done on an outpatient basis. Clinics or Offices
Clinic or office nurses care for outpatients in physicians' offices, clinics, surgery centers and emergency medical centers. They prepare patients for, and assist with, examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist with minor surgery and maintain records. Some also perform routine laboratory and office work. An increasing proportion of sophisticated procedures, which once were performed only in hospitals, are being performed in physicians' offices and clinics, including ambulatory surgery centers and emergency medical centers. Accordingly, employment is expected to grow faster than average in these health-care settings, especially in those facilities providing same-day surgery, rehabilitation and chemotherapy. Nursing Homes
Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer's disease. Although they often spend much of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents' health condition, develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides, and perform difficult procedures such as starting intravenous fluids. They also work in specialty-care departments, such as long-term rehabilitation units for patients with strokes and head injuries. Employment in nursing homes is expected to grow faster than average due to increases in the number of elderly, many of whom require long-term care. In addition, the financial pressure on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible may result in more nursing home admissions. Growth in units that provide specialized long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury patients or that treat Alzheimer's victims also will increase employment of nurses. Home-health
Home-health nurses provide periodic services to patients in their homes. After assessing patients' home environments, home-health nurses care for and instruct patients and their families. Home-health nurses care for a broad range of patients, such as those recovering from illnesses and accidents, cancer and childbirth. They must be able to work independently and may supervise home-health aides. Employment in home health care is expected to grow rapidly. This is in response to the growing number of older persons with functional disabilities, consumer preference for care in the home, and technological advances that make it possible to bring increasingly complex treatments into the home. The type of care demanded will require nurses who are able to perform complex procedures. Public Health
Public health nurses work in government and private agencies and clinics, schools, retirement communities and other community settings. They focus on populations, working with individuals, groups, and families to improve the overall health of communities. They also work as partners with communities to plan and implement programs. Public health nurses instruct individuals, families and other groups regarding health issues, disease prevention, nutrition and child care. They arrange for immunizations, blood pressure testing and other health screening. These nurses also work with community leaders, teachers, parents and physicians in community health education. Occupational Health or Industrial Nurses
Occupational health or industrial nurses provide nursing care at work sites to employees, customers and others with minor injuries and illnesses. They provide emergency care, prepare accident reports, and arrange for further care if necessary. They also offer health counseling, assist with health examinations and inoculations, and assess work environments to identify potential health or safety problems. Leadership Positions
Head nurses, nurse supervisors or nurse administrators direct nursing activities. They plan work schedules and assign duties to nurses and aides, provide or arrange for training, and visit patients to observe nurses and to ensure the proper delivery of care. They also may see that records are maintained and equipment and supplies are ordered. Earning Potential
Median annual earnings of registered nurses was $21.49 per hour in 2002. According to a survey of hospitals across the United States, the national median annual salary of full-time, hospital-based, registered nurses in 2002 was $44,700. This represents base pay only; earnings such as shift differentials provide additional compensation. The median earnings for a clinical nurse specialist were $60,900. Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits and bonuses Above retrieved from the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/rn-career.html Viper1