School Nurse

Job Duties

School nurses work in various academic settings, providing primary care to children. Their duties range across a wide spectrum and may include emergency care, illness prevention, health counseling, community and public relations, vision and hearing screening, and health education. They may be responsible for the care of students with advanced medical conditions, providing them with tracheostomy care or tube feeding. They work in either school-based clinics or school campuses. School nurses strive to increase the well-being, success, and achievement of the students they care for. They help encourage positive mental and physical development, health safety, and learning.

Job Skills

School nurses need to have well-developed communication skills, and the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly. They must be able to work with patients who are sometimes reluctant to cooperate. They must be willing to work with a team, as well as supervise others. Due to the intense nature of the work, school nurses should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

In 2002, school nurses 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

School nurses 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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals.

All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. In fact many nurses certified through ADN or diploma programs go on to enter bachelor's programs. Public health nurses can become certified by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), which is affiliated with the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBSCN). In order to become certified, school nurses need to pass the NBSCN national school nurse certification examination. Click here to see a list of schools offering School Nursing Certification Programs and to contact their admissions departments for more information.

Employment

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

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of school nurses 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 school nurses, in high demand.

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Registered Nurses

Registered nurses assist patients in coping with illness, advocate for patients, families, and communities, and promote awareness of health-related issues. They report their patient observations to physicians, help surgeons perform operations, administer medications, and assist patient with rehabilitation. The range of tasks they may perform is restricted by State law, and determined by the type of facility they work in, including hospitals, physician's offices, surgical centers, clinics, long-term rehabilitation units, private homes, government agencies, schools, and worksites.

Job Skills

Registered nurses 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, registered nurses should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

In 2002, registered nurses 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. The highest annual salary was found in employment services, and the lowest was found in nursing care facilities.

Training and Education

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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals. All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. In fact many nurses certified through ADN or diploma programs go on to enter bachelor's programs.

Employment

In 2002, registered nurses held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field. A majority of jobs were held in hospitals.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of registered nurses 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, technological advances will keep registered nurses in high demand.

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Public Health Nurse

Job Duties

Public health nurses focus on populations instead of just individual patients, although they do work with individual patients a great deal of the time. They typically work for government or private agencies, including schools, health departments, ambulatory care clinics, and retirement communities. They work to improve the overall health of the community in which they work. They plan and implement health-related programs. They teach individuals and groups about health issues like preventative care, nutrition, and childcare. They arrange for immunization clinics, blood pressure testing, cholesterol level testing, and other health screening clinics. They often work closely with teachers, parents, physicians, and community leaders. Their main goal is to work with local governments to correct health problems that face particular communities.

Job Skills

Public health nurses need to have well-developed communication skills, and the ability to observe accurately and make decisions accordingly. They must be able to work with patients who are sometimes reluctant to cooperate. 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, public health nurses should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

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

Training and Education

Public health nurses can become certified by the American Public Health Association (APHA). They must also 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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals. All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. In fact many nurses certified through ADN or diploma programs go on to enter bachelor's programs. 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 public health nurses, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of public health nurses 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 home health nurses, in high demand.

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

Personal Care Aide

Job Duties

Personal care aides, who are also referred to as homemakers, caregivers, companions, and personal attendants, provide help to people who are elderly, disabled, or sick. Their clients usually require a greater amount of care than their family and friends can provide to them. Aides usually travel to the client's home. They work with small children whose parents are incapacitated or discharged hospital patients with short-term needs. They differ from home health aides because they do not provide health-related services, but rather housekeeping and routine personal care. They may clean the house or apartment, do laundry, or change bed sheets. They often cook and plan meals for their clients. They may dress them, and sometimes bath and groom them. Some work with clients outside the home.

Personal care aides give their clients a certain amount of psychological support. They counsel families regarding nutrition, cleanliness, and household tasks. They sometimes toilet train children who are severely mentally handicapped. Sometimes they may sit and listen to clients discuss their everyday challenges and problems. Personal care aides are supervised by registered nurses, physical therapists, or social workers if they work in home healthcare agencies.

Job Skills

Those types of people who tend to succeed in personal care aide jobs generally enjoy helping other people and working hard. They tend to be emotionally stable and responsible. They are passionate about their work and their clients, and they usually have a pleasant and optimistic personality. They also need to be honest, tactful, and discreet.

Income

In 2002, personal care aides earned a median hourly wage of $7.81. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $5.90, to the highest 10%, who earned more than $10.67. The following shows the median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of personal care aides:

• Residential retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities: $8.63
• Vocational rehabilitation services: $8.40
• Community care facilities for the elderly: $8.14
• Individual and family services: $8.12
• Home health care services: $6.72

Training and Education

Training for personal care aides varies by State. In some States, no formal training requirements exist and on-the-job training is the standard. In other States, aides are required to have formal training, such as certification by the National Association for Home Care. Certification through this organization is a demonstration that the applicant has met industry standards. Some States also require applicants to have had a physical examination that includes tests for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. Personal care aides advance by moving from cleaning to personal care duties, but advancement is very limited in this occupation. You can explore more about training for patient care careers by clicking on this link for patient care technician training.

Employment

In 2002, personal care aides held about 608,000 jobs.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, employment of personal care aides is expected to increase faster than the average. A growing population of elderly people - the population group that most needs personal care aides - will account for much of the rising demand for these workers. More patients in other age groups will also rely more on personal care aides because hospitals are increasingly moving patients out of their facilities and back into homes in order to reduce costs. The occupation also has a high rate of turnover due to the low training requirements, low wages, and high emotional demands of the job.

Office Nurse

Job Duties

Office nurses provide care to patients in outpatient facilities like physicians' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, community clinics, workplaces, dialysis centers, pain management centers, and emergency medical centers. They help patients prepare for examinations, and they assist patients during examinations. They administer injections and medications under the direction of physicians. They may assist with minor surgeries. Some office nurses are also responsible for clerical duties, such as record keeping and office management. They work with patients of all ages who have all types of illnesses and injuries. They provide patients with education, pain and case management, and discharge planning.
Job Skills

Office nurses 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, office nurses should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.
Income

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

Training and Education

Office nurses can become certified by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN). They must also 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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals. All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. In fact many nurses certified through ADN or diploma programs go on to enter bachelor's programs. 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 office nurses, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of office nurses is expected to increase faster than the average. Office nurses will grow at a particularly fast rate because physicians are being pressured into treating more patients in less time, increasing the need for office nurses to handle more responsibility. 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, technological advances will keep registered nurses, including office nurses, in high demand.


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Occupational Health Nurse

Job Duties

Occupational health nurses offer health services in the workplace to employees, customers, and anyone else at the worksite who may have an injury or illness. They may prepare accident reports and provide emergency care. If further medical assistance is needed, they arrange for that to take place. They work to identify potential or acute health problems. They provide counseling and conduct health examinations and inoculations. They also tackle challenges of accessibility for disabled workers, productivity, and workers' compensation issues. They work in many different types of facilities, from hospitals to manufacturing plants. Occupational health nurses combine knowledge of public health and nursing theory to attempt to create healthier workers. Because low employee health costs businesses upwards of $1 trillion per year, business leaders depend on occupational health nurses to maintain a health workforce.

Job Skills

Occupational health nurses need to 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, occupational health nurses should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

In 2002, occupational health nurses 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

Occupational health nurses can become certified by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN). Certification involves 4,000 hours of work experience and 50 contact hours of continuing education. They must also 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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals. All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs provide graduates with the most opportunity for advancement within the nursing profession. In fact many nurses certified through ADN or diploma programs go on to enter bachelor's programs. 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 occupational health nurses, held approximately 2.3 million jobs, making the occupation the largest in the healthcare field.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of occupational health nurses 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 home health nurses, in high demand.

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

Nursing Informatics Specialist

Job Duties

Nursing informatics are specialists within the nursing profession that combine their nursing skills with their knowledge of computer science. They serve a variety of functions within healthcare organizations, from automating nursing care to building new computer systems. They work with data, collecting, organizing, and interpreting it in order to make patient care more efficient and higher quality. They work in a range of settings, such as insurance companies, hospitals, and consulting firms. They may write programs that will be used by nurses. They may train nurses and other healthcare workers in the proper use of computer systems. They may interview workers and identify their technological needs. Or they may work for specific vendors, demonstrating products to targeted consumers.

Job Skills

Nursing informatics need to be technologically inclined. They need to have well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They should 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, nursing informatics should be emotionally stable and have a sympathetic disposition.

Income

In 2002, nursing informatics 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

Nursing informatics 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 have three different options for educational paths leading to certification as a registered nurse. The first option 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,. The second option is an associate degree in nursing (ADN), offered through junior and community colleges, which takes 2 to 3 years to complete. The third option is a 3-year diploma program administered by hospitals.

All three types of programs qualify students to be hired as a registered nurse, but BSNs are becoming more of a requirement for nursing informatics. Many nursing informatics receive additional graduate-level training in computer science, either within a nursing program or through strictly computer-based programs. Nursing informatics can become certified by the American Nursing Informatics Association. Requirements for certification include specific coursework, experience in the field, and continuing education. Click here for schools offering Nursing Informations Certification Programs and to contact their admissions departments for more information.

Employment

In 2002, registered nurses, including nursing informatics, 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 informatics is expected to increase faster than the average. Demand will stem from the increased reliance on technology in medical facilities. 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 nursing informatics, in high demand.

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