Different Careers in Nursing

A career in nursing can not only be rewarding, but it also offers nurses opportunity for advancement. There are many positions available that are geared toward specific interests of the people who enter the field of nursing---from care for the elderly to areas of specialized nursing, such as neonatal nursing. A career in this field will never be obsolete, as the need for trained professionals is constant. Knowing what your options are will help you decide where to start and where you may want to be.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• This position is the starting point for many in the field of nursing. It generally requires a high school diploma or equivalency, and the training lasts between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on the facility. Most CNAs are employed in nursing homes, although some work in emergency rooms or hospitals. Their job requires them to provide the basic needs of the patient, such as assistance with bathing and dressing, feeding assistance and, in some cases, taking vital signs. They are also responsible for answering a patient's call light, which indicates a need for help. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that patients who are incontinent remain dry and those who are unable to position themselves in bed are repositioned every hour or two in order to avoid bed sores. At the end of the shift, they report to the nurse in charge as well as document how many times a patient voided, or had a bowel movement, what they ate and how much they ate, as well as how many feet a patient may have walked that day.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

• A person can become an LPN by attending a vocational school during the last two years of high school, or by attending a local college after graduating from high school. Many CNAs who enjoy the field of nursing choose to continue their education and advance to this position. Schooling for an LPN usually takes about a year to complete if going to school full-time, after which a state exam must be taken and passed in order to receive the license to practice nursing. Once on the floor, the LPN is responsible for changing wound dressings, administering enemas and, in some cases, passing medications. They also take a patient's vital signs and document any changes in a patient's condition in their chart. They work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, to whom they give a detailed report at the end of their shift. LPNs often work in nursing homes, hospitals and doctor's offices.

Registered Nurses (RN)

• To become an RN, you need to receive a Bachelor's of Science Degree from an accredited school offering a nursing program. The length of time it takes to become an RN is generally 4 years if going to school full-time. Upon graduation, students must pass state board exams before receiving their license to practice. Once on the floor, the RN is generally in charge of the floor, supervising a staff of LPNs and CNAs. She is responsible for receiving a patient report from the previous shift and relaying this information to her shift. She also takes care of the more complicated patient care, such as beginning and ending an IV or inserting a catheter. If a patient has passed away, she will confirm this. If a patient has experienced a change in medical condition, the RN will contact the doctor and offer her opinion; together, they will make a decision about the patient's care plan. RNs, unlike LPNs, have the option of working in specialized areas of nursing that require greater knowledge.

Neonatal Nurse

• This is an area of specialized nursing for RNs only. Neonatal nurses work in the neonatal intensive care unit, providing care for infants who were either born prematurely or born with a health ailment. During each shift, one nurse is assigned to each baby, ensuring that the infants' needs are met and the baby is cared for properly. There is care time for each child, during which the nurse will feed, change, and hold the baby they are assigned to. They monitor the infant for any changes, positive or negative, and report it right away to their doctor. When parents come to visit their baby, the nurse teaches them how to care for their infant due to its special needs. This allows the parents to participate in the care for their baby in the hospital, but it also better equips parents to care for their baby once they leave the hospital.

Hospice Nursing

• This is yet another area of specialized nursing that requires the nurse to be an RN. The duties are a bit different---rather than treating a patient to help make them well, the nurse provides them with comfort care. The patients hospice nurse care for have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses and have reached the point at which no treatment will improve their condition. Rather than stay in the hospital, the patient may opt to spend the remainder of her time at home. The hospice nurse will then come into the home and spend a few hours with both the patient and family. If she administers any medications, it is for the purpose of pain relief so the patient remains comfortable. She also provides relief for family members who provide care when the hospice nurse is not the there.