Careers Nursing

Information Provided By:Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

PowerPoint Presentation By:Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank FlandersCTAE Resource Network, June 2009

Based On PowerPoint Ideas From:Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

AH

EC

There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region. 

The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers.

AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources.

Contact your regional AHEC for more information. 

Objectives

Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Nursing.

Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Nursing.

Careers in Nursing

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Licensed Practical Nurse

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse-Midwife

Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Assistant

Registered Nurse

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who function in one of a number of nursing's areas of specialization.

They may provide direct care to patients, teach in a variety of health care settings, and work as researchers, consultants, or nurse managers. 

Work Environment Salary

Community agencies Healthcare systems Hospitals Industry Nursing homes Private homes Private practice settings Public health departments Research centers School

Average Starting Salary $68,619 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Nurse SpecialistAcademic Requirements

In order to enter a clinical nurse specialist program one must be prepared as a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and hold a current nursing license. Programs last one to two years and lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic bedside care and may also give injections and medications.

They change dressings, evaluate patient needs, implement care plans, and supervise nursing assistants.

In an office setting they make appointments and keep patient records.

Work Environment Salary

Community health clinics Hospitals Long-term care facilities Mental health institutions Nursing homes Physicians' offices Private homes Public health departments Visiting nurse associations

Average Starting Salary $27,914 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical NurseAcademic Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  Completion of an accredited practical nursing program usually takes between 12 and 18 months.

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetist

Anesthesia is the use of drugs, gases, and nerve blocks to provide a partial or total loss of pain during surgery

During surgery, nurse anesthetists administer anesthetic drugs, monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the doses of anesthetics and other medications to assure optimal patient safety and comfort. 

Work Environment Salary

Dental offices Hospitals Military Outpatient surgical centers Pain clinics

Average Starting Salary $116,147 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse AnesthetistAcademic Requirements

A bachelor's degree, a current nursing license, and a minimum of one year's experience as a registered nurse in an acute care area are required.

Nurse anesthesia programs last from 24 to 36 months, depending upon the institution and the type of degree offered.  All nurse anesthesia programs are at the graduate level.

Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-midwives provide care for healthy women before, during, and after childbirth.

They assist in labor and delivery, help in newborn care, and counsel mothers on infant growth and future pregnancies

Work Environment Salary

Birthing centers Clinics Health maintenance organizations Hospitals Physicians' offices Public health departments

Average Starting Salary $67,045 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-MidwifeAcademic Requirements

A college preparatory diploma is recommended. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a current nursing license, and experience in a related field are usually required to enter a master's level program in nurse-midwifery. 

Some schools offer bachelor's degree programs so that nurses with diplomas or associate degrees may gain the extra credits required to enter a master's program.  

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have advanced educational preparation that qualifies them to assess health conditions, identify and diagnose problems and develop plans to improve healthcare outcomes.

NPs conduct health screenings and physical exams, prescribe tests and medications, and educate patients about their conditions and the need for preventive activities.

Work Environment Salary

Academic institutions Clinics Community health centers Health maintenance organizations Home health agencies Hospitals Migrant health clinics Military Physicians' offices Public health departments Rural health clinics Schools

Nurse Practitioner

Average Starting Salary $66,446 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Nurse PractitionerAcademic Requirements

To enter a nurse practitioner program in Georgia, one must be a registered nurse and hold a current nursing license. 

Programs last from one to two years and grant either a post MSN certificate or a master's degree.

Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing.

They have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing patient relationships.

They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to care for the patient during recovery. 

Work Environment Salary

Home health agencies Hospitals Mental health institutions Nursing homes Physicians' offices Private homes

Average Starting Salary $18,408 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Nursing Assistant

Nursing AssistantAcademic Requirements

A high school diploma is usually required.  Training is available at many technical schools.  It may be offered by employers and usually consists of at least 90 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and supervised practice.

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients by providing both treatment and education.

They interpret and respond to patient symptoms, reactions and progress. 

RNs also teach patients and families about proper health care, assist in patient rehabilitation, and provide emotional and physical support to promote recovery and well-being. 

Work Environment Salary

Colleges and universities Community health clinics Hospitals Industry Public health departments Mental health institutions Migrant centers Military Nursing homes Physicians’ offices  Prisons Private homes Public schools Rehabilitation centers

Average Starting Salary $49,504 Figures according to 2006 data. To see

updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

Registered Nurse

Registered NurseAcademic Requirements

A college preparatory diploma is recommended. Students must complete an accredited nursing program, including any one of the following:

Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.),  or Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.). Offered primarily by community colleges; these are two-year programs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, this is usually a four-year program.

Registered NurseAcademic Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) or Master’s in Nursing (M.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, a master’s generally requires one or two years of additional training after obtaining a B.S.N.

Doctor of Nursing (D.N.Sc., D.N.S., D.S.N.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.or Dr.N.P.) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Offered by universities, a doctorate requires numerous years of additional education and research experience.

Summary

There are a variety of careers available in Nursing. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan.

Careers available in Nursing include:• Clinical Nurse Specialist• Licensed Practical Nurse• Nurse Anesthetist• Nurse-Midwife• Nurse Practitioner• Nursing Assistant• Registered Nurse

Learning Activity

You are to create a board game about the different types of nursing careers available. Working on a team, you'll produce a complete description of the rules, board, cards and other necessary pieces. Follow the rubric for grading and design

Examples: It can be a monopoly type game where you go around a board

and have stops to pick up bonuses like increased salary or setbacks like “got to work a double shift, go back 2 spaces.”

It can be a trivial pursuit (with at least 50 clues and answers) It can be a who is it type of game where you put things like “I

have a masters degree in nursing and can use anesthesia –ans. Nurse anesthetist)