Kyndra Irvine Career Research Paper Benchmark 2

A career is something that you love and choose to do for the rest of your life. There are so many different careers out there so its always a tough decision when choosing a career. If you choose a career that you dont really like doing, you will be upset with yourself later on in life when you cant change it. You dont want to be stuck doing something that you hate; it makes life a lot harder on you. The career that I will be choosing is nursing. Ive wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I have always had such a big heart and always wanting to help people. There are so many different kinds of nurses. Specifically, I want to be a registered nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) are the primary point of contact between the patient and the world of health care, both at bedside and in out-patient settings. To become an RN, you must learn what it takes to work directly with patients and their families. RNs perform patient evaluations, including monitoring and tracking vital signs, performing procedures such as IV placement, phlebotomy, and administering medications. Because the RN has a lot of contact with patients than the physicians do, the RN is usually first to notice problems or concerns about patient progress. State laws determine the formal responsibilities of the RN. Because of the relatively broad nursing job description for RNs, the particular work environment determines what the daily routine is. Most registered nurses work in well-lit, comfortable healthcare facilities. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients' homes, schools, community centers, and other sites. Some registered nurses work in correctional facilities, schools, summer camps, and nurses often work with the military. Some move frequently, traveling in the United States and throughout the world to help care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers. That is something that I would not be interested in only because if I have a family, I dont want to keep moving them around. Ive never really been big into moving around, it makes life too complicated. Also, Registered nurses spend a lot of time

Kyndra Irvine Career Research Paper Benchmark 2

walking, bending, stretching, and standing. They are vulnerable to back injuries because they must often lift and move patients. The work of registered nurses may put them in close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and may come in contact with potentially harmful and hazardous drugs and other substances. Therefore, registered nurses must follow strict, standardized guidelines to guard against diseases and other dangers, such as radiation, accidental needle sticks, or the chemicals they use to sterilize instruments. Because patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities need round-the-clock care, nurses in these settings usually work in rotating shifts, covering all 24 hours. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. Another big working condition of being a nurse is being on call. Being on call can be difficult for people with families because you absolutely have no choice other than to leave them right then and there. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours. About 20% of registered nurses work part-time. There are three educational approaches to becoming a registered nurse. Registered nurses usually train by completing a bachelor's or associate's degree program in nursing. Bachelors degree program is more recommended than Associates because of the education you get. Graduates of either of these programs are eligible to get their license and entry-level employment as registered nurses. The bachelors degree program for nursing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs who graduate from Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs may see greater advancement opportunities than associate's degree or diploma holders (www.bls.gov). These four-year degree programs are more comprehensive, and focus on human development and behavioral sciences. The BSN programs curricula are divided into two parts. The initial two years focus on general science instruction, such as courses in physiology, organic chemistry and psychology. In the final two years, students gain instruction in nursing practice and may study pediatrics, chronic disease and mental

Kyndra Irvine Career Research Paper Benchmark 2

health nursing. Students also gain supervised clinical experience in healthcare facilities during the last two years of study. A national average salary for a registered nurse is about $67,948. A couple professional organizations for nursing are The Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA) that was established in 1978. The goal of the association is the exclusive bargaining representative for all classified and unclassified nurses in coded classifications within the Registered Nurses bargaining unit. The mission for the organization RNPA is committed to obtaining the highest level of quality patient care and professional nursing standards by empowering each nurse to achieve their professional goals as individuals and as an organization. Another organization is the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists which was founded in 1995. This association exists to enhance and promote the unique, high value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, and communities, and to promote and advance the practice of nursing (www.nurse.org/orgs.shtml). Qualifications for becoming a registered nurse are not only to graduate from high school and complete a nursing program, but you should look for more forward. All states require registered nurses to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which Is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. This is a six-hour test that assesses an individuals understanding of care management, health promotion skills, psychosocial and physiological integrity, preventive treatment abilities, basic care and several other pertinent topics. Then you want to find the right nursing environment that fits you the best. While hospitals employ roughly 690% of all registered nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they arent the only institutions that need RNs. Many choose to work with specific physicians in private practices, within nursing care facilities, at government agencies or sometimes work as a mobile nurse that travels to different clients house to provide the care

Kyndra Irvine Career Research Paper Benchmark 2

they need. Hospitals are generally good places to start and gain experience because you deal with many different patients. Also, hospital environment can provide more opportunities for promotion to higherlevel management and administrative roles. Some psychological factors that could effect a nurse life is low control at work, high job strain, low social support at work, poor team climate, exposure to threats and violence at work, exposure to bullying at work, low organizational justice, working in male wards, working night shifts, inability to quit ones job, and job insecurity. Nurses get very stressed out easily because of how much they take on in one day. Whether it be announcing to a family that someone died or simply giving a little kid their first shot. Its not always a positive job, but it is worth it in the end. On Google, I looked up a couple things to find an interview between a civilian and a nurse. The civilian asked the nurse what are the biggest challenges you face today?, and she answered There is a common shortage of skilled nurses in this area, and you may as well be among those. The problem is that how you demonstrate that you are a qualified candidate. There are always opportunities for you, but proving that you are qualified is not such an easy task. You have to show your interest, your enthusiasm and passion for the job, you have to show your experience, your skills and abilities that are useful to the job, and most important of all, you have to prove that your qualities are suitable for you to take over a job of taking care of others. Another questions asked was What do you consider the most important qualities for this nursing job?. She answered Adaptability, responsiveness, calmness, organization and planning, critical thinking, working under high pressure As a registered nurse, there are plenty of promotions out there. It all depends on your education level, skill level, communication level, and experience. Most nurses start out in a hospital and then get promoted to a management position, or from assistant unit manager or head nurse, to a

Kyndra Irvine Career Research Paper Benchmark 2

more senior level like administrative roles of assistant director, vice president or chief. Some related occupations to a registered nurse include Medical Assistant, Patient Care, Technician, Surgical Technician, Ultrasound Technician, Radiological Technician, Medical, Laboratory Technician, and Legal Nurse Consultant. Nursing is the perfect career that fits me because of the hard work and dedication I can give. You have to give up a lot of time and patience when becoming a registered nurse. Schooling is not easy and you will need to focus more than you ever did before. I love being around people, helping sick ones out, and doing anything in my possible reach to fix something that isnt right.