Nursing

Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. In direct patient care, nurse observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress. Nurses also assist physicians during examinations and treatments. Nurses also develop and manage nursing care plans and instruct patients and their families in proper care. While State laws dictate what tasks nurses can perform, their actual duties are often determined by the job setting.

Working Conditions

Nurses mostly work in healthcare facilities. Home and public health nurses travel to outside sites to see patients. This may include visits to the patients' school, home, or community center. Nurses spend much time on their feet, and must possess emotional stability, as they deal with emergencies, human suffering and other stresses often. Nurses in hospitals and similar facilities must sometime work late hours, weekends, and holidays, as patients require care 24 hours a day. Nurses working in office, occupational health, or public health usually work during regular business hours. Nursing is a hazardous occupation, especially in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Therefore, RNs must take precautions and follow rigid guidelines to avoid harm from disease or other dangers that may exist in their workplace, such as radiation and chemicals.

Job Outlook

Nursing is the largest health care occupation, with over 2 million jobs. Nursing is also one of the occupations projected to have the most new job openings in the future. Employment of RNs is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Employment in hospitals, nursing's largest employment sector, is expected to grow more slowly than in other healthcare sectors. As more technology advancements are made, less patients will be spending time in hospitals on an inpatient (staying for over 24 hours) basis. The number of outpatients is expected to grow, so with it will nursing jobs in this area of care. As for earnings, median annual earnings of RNs in 2000 were $44,840.

Training, Qualifications, and Advancement

In all States and the District of Columbia, to obtain a nursing license, a candidate must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing exam. All States require periodic license renewal, which my also entail continuing education.

There are three major paths to take to become a registered nurse: associate degree in nursing (A.D.N), bachelor of science degree in nursing (B.S.N.), and diploma. A.D.N. programs are offered by community and junior colleges and take between 2-3 years to complete. B.S.N. programs are offered by colleges and universities and take 4-5 years to complete. Diploma programs are administered in hospitals and require 2-3 years. In most cases, licensed graduates of any of these paths qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. The B.S.N. allows for greater and broader advancement opportunities, and is a prerequisite for graduate nursing programs.

Internships and Externships

Links for More Information

• National League for Nursing: http://www.nln.org.
• American Nurses Association: http://www.nursingworld.org
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing: http://www.aacn.nche.edu

Illinois Wesleyan Contact Person

For more information on nursing, contact Professor Donna Hartweg, Director of IWU School of Nursing, dhartweg@iwu.edu, 556-3051.