Nursing Executive

Job Duties

Nursing executives lead nursing staff in allocating resources, managing care, and developing policies. They strive to improve the quality of healthcare that patients receive, but their other focus is on positive staff development. They seek to create partnerships with consumers and encourage collaboration between health professionals. As senior leaders in the healthcare industry, they attempt to enhance mentoring, diversity, communication, and collaboration. They design the delivery of patient care, foster relationships between staff members, encourage stewardship, and advance the field of nursing. They primarily supervise the work of nurses in hospitals, planning work schedules and assigning responsibilities. They coordinate training and ensure that appropriate records are kept.

Job Skills

Nursing executives need to have well-developed communication and organizational skills, and the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly. Their interpersonal skills should be of the highest caliber. They must be willing to supervise others. Nursing executives should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition. They need to have strong leadership skills, as well as critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Income

Nursing executives can earn annual salaries between about $75,000 and $135,000.

Training and Education

Nursing executives can become certified by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). They must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning their nursing license. In order to obtain a nursing license, which is required by all 50 States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination. The first educational step in becoming a nursing executive is obtaining a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN). BSN programs are offered through colleges and universities and take 4 years to complete. This is the absolute minimum requirement for nursing executive positions. However, most nursing executives have a master's or doctorate-level degree in a range of disciplines. A great deal of experience working as a registered nurse is usually required to be considered for nursing executive positions. Employers also look for candidates with exceptional leadership and communication skills. Click here to see a list of Nursing Schools, and/or to contact their admissions departments for more information.

Employment

In 2002, registered nurses, including nursing executives, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of nursing executives is expected to increase faster than the average. More new RN jobs are expected to be created than any other occupation, mostly because of the need to replace aging registered nurses as they leave the profession. Factors such as the growing elderly population, general growth of healthcare, rising median age of registered nurses, increased emphasis on preventative treatment, and technological advances will keep registered nurses, including the nursing executives that supervise them, in high demand.

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Nursing Aides

Nursing aides carry out tasks assigned to them by nursing and medical staff, such as serving meals, helping patients to eat and dress, and making beds. Other responsibilities include taking patients' vital signs, assisting patients in and out of bed, escorting patients to other areas of the facility, setting up equipment, and even assisting with some medical procedures. They observe the condition of patients and report that information to their supervisors. Nursing aides who work in nursing care facilities often have the most contact with residents out of all the staff, and, as a result, get to know the longer-term patients very well.

Job Skills

Besides having a strong desire to help people, nursing aides need to be compassionate, tactful, and understanding. They should be willing to perform repetitive tasks, have good interpersonal communication skills, and be able to work in a team. They also need to be in good health, as some States require tests for tuberculosis and other diseases.

Income

In 2002, nursing aides earned a median hourly wage of $9.59. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10 percent, who earned less than $6.98, and the highest 10 percent, who earned more than $13.54. The highest hourly wage was found in the employment services industry, and the lowest was found in community care facilities for the elderly.

Training and Education

Often it is not necessary to have a high school diploma or previous work experience to obtain a job as a nursing aide. Some hospitals hire inexperienced workers with the requirement that they complete 75 hours of training and pass an evaluation within 4 months of employment. When aides pass the certification are added to the State registry of nursing aides. Nursing aide training can be found in high schools, vocational-technical centers, nursing care facilities, and community colleges.

Employment

Out of the nearly 2 million nursing, psychiatric, and home health aide jobs in 2002, about 1.4 million people were employed as nursing aides.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of nursing aides is expected to increase faster than the average because of an growing focus on rehabilitation and the needs of the elderly population. Pressure to quickly transfer patients out of hospitals will increase admissions to nursing care facilities. As more advanced medical technology keeps people alive longer, the demand for those who care for them will rise.

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Nurse Practitioner

Job Duties

Nurse practitioners are among the most advanced of registered nurses. They provide basic healthcare in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They work with patients who have common illnesses and injuries, diagnosing and treating these problems. They have the ability to prescribe medications, but their authority in this respect varies from State to State. They have graduate level training in diagnostic and health assessment skills. Because of this, they often complete much of the work that physicians would otherwise be responsible for. They usually work under the direction of supervising physicians interviewing patients, performing physical examinations, ordering laboratory tests, and making tentative diagnoses. After making their preliminary diagnoses, they often refer patients to physicians or other health specialists.

Job Skills

Nurse practitioners need to have strong critical thinking and decision-making skills. They should have well-developed communication skills, and the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly. They need to be able to honor the wishes of their patients. They must be willing to work with a team, as well as supervise others. Due to the intense nature of the work, nurse practitioners should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

Nurse practitioners earn annual salaries between about $55,000 and $70,000.

Training and Education

The first step on the road to becoming a nurse practitioner is to become a registered nurse (RN). In order to obtain a nursing license, which is required by all 50 States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination. They must first obtain a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN). BSN programs are offered through colleges and universities and take 4 years to complete. BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. Most nurse practitioners go beyond the educational requirement of a bachelor's degree and earn their master's of science degree in nursing (MSN) in a wide variety of specialties. A few nurse practitioners earn an additional certificate through a two-year program after they have completed their master's degree. These certificate programs allow students to focus on an additional specialty within the world of nursing. Click here for information on Nurse Practitioner Schools and to contact their admissions departments.

Employment

In 2002, registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of nurse practitioners is expected to increase faster than the average. More new RN jobs are expected to be created than any other occupation, mostly because of the need to replace aging registered nurses as they leave the profession. Factors such as the growing elderly population, general growth of healthcare, rising median age of registered nurses, increased emphasis on preventative treatment, and technological advances will keep registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, in high demand.

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Nurse Midwife

Job Duties

Nurse midwives provide care to women with an emphasis on gynecological and obstetrical services. They focus on health prevention and maintenance. Although their main emphasis is on natural childbirth practices, they are also able to prescribe drugs and utilize other medical technology when the situation calls for it. However, they only use these techniques when absolutely necessary for the health of the mother or child. They work in a variety of settings, including birth centers, hospitals, private practices, and community health clinics.

Nurse midwives are intimately involved with the labor and delivery phase of childbirth. They often stay by the side of the mother during the entire duration of the birth. If something goes wrong during the birth, they consult a physician who may intervene in the birth when necessary. They help with the delivery of babies in both hospitals and in home settings. In addition, they also provide families with family planning and birth control counseling, as well as routine gynecological services.

Job Skills

Nurse midwives need to have well-developed communication skills, and the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly. They must be willing to work with a team, as well as supervise others. Due to the intense nature of the work, nurse midwives should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

In 2002, nurse midwives earned a median annual salary of $48,090. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10 percent, who earned less than $33,970, and the highest 10 percent, who earned more than $69,670.

Training and Education

Nurse midwives are registered nurses who have advanced training in the area of midwifery. They must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning their nursing license. In order to obtain a nursing license, which is required by all 50 States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination. Candidates for registered nurse positions must obtain a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN). BSN programs are offered through colleges and universities and take 4 years to complete. BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession.

After they have earned their BSN, students must then enter a nurse-midwifery program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives. On completion of their program, graduates must then become Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) by passing a national examination. CNMs are able to practice midwifery anywhere in the United States. Click here to see a list of Nursing Schools, and/or to contact their admissions departments for more information.

Employment

In 2002, registered nurses, which includes nurse midwives, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of nurse midwives is expected to increase faster than the average. More new RN jobs are expected to be created than any other occupation, mostly because of the need to replace aging registered nurses as they leave the profession. Factors such as the growing elderly population, general growth of healthcare, rising median age of registered nurses, increased emphasis on preventative treatment, and technological advances will keep registered nurses, including nurse midwives, in high demand.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/nursing_careers/nurse_midwife