Hello, I am writing a paper on registered nurse and need some info, can an RN help me

himilayaneyes · Oct 2, 2010

First off congrats on being in the Medical Academy at your high school. I am a RN in a Trauma/surgical ICU. My major duties include care of the patient (physical and mental) and advocacy for the patient (being the liaison between the patient and red paper tape of healthcare). There's a nursing shortage and there always will be...so there are plenty of opportunities in healthcare. However, healthcare is a business as much as banking is a business. Hospitals are cutting back due to the economy, less reimbursement for insurance companies, and an influx of indigent patients. Healthcare reform will cause a flood of new patients into the system since people previously unable to access the healthcare system will now have access and need nursing and medical care. There is no set level of required education for nurses. Most nurses these days either have an AA or a BSN. I have a BSN. However, there are still a tiny amount of hospital diploma programs. ANA sets these standards for education for nurses. Their goal is to one day have every nurse with a BSN. What I like most about my career is the fact that I get to help people and feel that I make a difference in someone's life. I also like the flexibility since I only have to work 3-12 hr shifts a week and that's full-time. I have 4 days a week to do whatever I want. What I don't like is the paper tape section that comes with every job in dealing with management. Nurses often feel unappreciated...a lot of times it's a thankless job. Special skills required to be a RN. You must be smart enough to get accepted into a nursing program (extremely competitive) and then smart enough to stay in the nursing program (not an easy task). Every student that graduates an accredited nursing program must pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN (for LPNS) which is a national licensure exam. You must also be able to critically think and be able to easily adapt since nursing in a hospital setting is very fast paced. You have to be able to put the whole picture together...to see that your patient has a temperature and his wbcs are elevated and the bp is dropping...call the MD..your patient is going into septic shock. Nursing isn't just about starting IVS and doing procedures, but about thinking critically. Special physical demands...standing and walking all day (you probably sit for 1hr your entire shift) and maneuvering heavy (bariatric and obese) patients (e.g., bed to chair, bedpan, bedbaths, etc). There are opportunities to become clinical educators/nurse educators, CRNA, NP, or to go into management and become a CNO one day. You need to be able to work an IV pump, different types of beds, different types of lifts (e.g., hoyer and opera lifts), etc. As far as personal qualities, I think first off you have to be a caring person b/c you won't last long if you're not. Nurses make good money, but you'll get burned out quick if that's the only reason you want to be a nurse. You must also be able to think logically and analytically. Nursing is an art that combines caring and science. If I were choosing my career again, I'd still chose nursing. I originally wanted to be a MD. However, I also wanted to be able to spend time with my family. They make more money, but money isn't everything. I get to help people, be off 4 days, spend time with my family, and still make a good living. I know that was long, but I just wanted to make sure I answered your questions. Good luck with your paper.

Michael Rodriguez · Oct 2, 2010

No! that ws great, I will break this down later and put it into a paper form, but the hours of being an RN and the difficulty of the classes is what gets to me, I do have a head start in my academy if I pass the test to be a CNA i can be out of high school and become a CNA right away, but the hours, how dopes that work, do you have to work night shifts, all the time?

himilayaneyes · Oct 2, 2010

You don't have to work night shift all the time. However, they usually put the inexperienced people on night shift. Night shift gets paid more than day shift...but having to stay up all night isn't fun. I've done both days and nights. Currently, I work nights b/c I need the extra 200 a month. Most hospitals do 12 hr shifts where full time is 3 days a week and part time is 2 days a week. You can also work per-diem (as needed). They usually get a higher pay rate, but they have no benefits and no guarantee to have to shifts to work although you'll be required to work a certain number of days per month. Some facilities do 8 hr shifts, but they have to work 5 days a week to full-time. 8 hr places usually have 3 different shifts (you see this a lot at long term care facilities like nursing homes). 1st shift is from 7a-3p. 2nd shift from 3p-11p. 3rd shift from 11p-7a. And you get used to working the long hours. Personally, I love working 12 hrs b/c for 4 days out of the week you get to have a life. If you can get into a program in your high school to graduate as a LPN that would be even better, but being a PCA straight out of high school is good too. Being a pca is hard work, but you can do it...but at the same time...you probably won't want to do it for the rest of your life. You're young so I highly recommend you go for your RN right away if that's what you want to do...you don't have to get a BSN, but it makes your more marketable and gives you an opportunity to go into management and other advanced nursing positions (require a MSN so you'll need a BSN anyway)...plus some jobs require a BSN or higher (some magnet facilities only hire BSN nurses)...at least get your AA first (avoid the diploma program...being phased out). Good luck.

Michael Rodriguez · Oct 2, 2010

Interesting, thank you very much, id just want to do hors i'd be comfortable in, but 4 days off? i mean thats good, but i dont care about money i just want to be able to feel good that i helped somebody and can support them and stuff..thats the main thing, then money..

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2010

i need to know these questions from an actual rn, to know what it is exactly like. i know some answers are going to be different like the hours worked, but i would like some help for this interview, thank you, also this is a real paper my school is an academy school and i am in the medical academy at my high school, and it is pretty serious, thank you so much i'd be much appreciated to provide your full name :)
title of career field or job: or nurse
what are the major duties and responsibilities? major duties include taking care of the patient in surgery, being adept and comfortable with every surgical procedure, working with every discipline in the operating theatre.
what is the outlook for employment in this career? since there is no shortage of violence, car accidents and patients needing surgery, i feel pretty comfortable that i will always have a job!
what is the level of education required? graduating from an accredited nursing school which can include a diploma in nursing all the way to msn.
what do you like most about your career? it is never the same. every day i walk into the or, there is something new to see, do, learn. it is exciting. i have yet to come home and tell my husband what a boring day i had at work.
what do you like least about your career? i don't love being on call. for example, i was on call last night. i have been awake now for 36 hours. i am "too tired" to sleep...i kinda hit that wall. no doubt i will be sleeping like a murder victim tomorrow! (oh, except my steelers are playing and i can't sleep thru that!)
what special skills are required for this career? there are a host of special skills required to be an or nurse. most nurses who come to the or either have to have experience already or go through a year long "internship" to teach them the vast array of things they must know in order to be safe and efficient in the or.
are there any special physical demands? not really. no different than any other nursing specialty. we have to stand for a long time during long cases, though. sometimes we have to hold retractors for a few hours.
what is the opportunity for advancement in this field? there are plenty of opportunities such as first assistant in surgery, or management, and even certified registered nurse anesthesia if you want to jump the curtain.
how many other people do you work with? on a fully staffed day, i work with about 80 people, not including the surgeons.
are there any special materials, equipment, tools, machinery, and so forth, that you have to know how to use in this career? i cannot even begin to list all of the special equipment.
what personal qualities does a person need in this career? a thick skin, confidence, multi-tasking abilities, thinking on your feet during a code situation, being calm during an emergency/difficult case, assertiveness, logical thought, being proactive instead of reactive, good organizational skills, and an ability to get along with difficult people.
how many hours do you usually work? usually a 40 hour work week, unless i am on call or have to stay late, then it turns into 50-55 hours a week.
if you were choosing a career field at this point, would you choose this career? because i know myself and know that i tend to have diarrhea of the mouth (i am quite wordy), i will give you the short answer: absolutely.why or why not?

i love the fact that this job is not redundant. there is something new every day. i learn a great deal from the surgeons. i am a total dork, so learning is what keeps me happy. i crave variety, so working in the or is a perfect fit for me. oh yeah, and i have terrible ocd, which comes in handy when doing surgery!

Michael Rodriguez · Oct 3, 2010

Thank you so much as well! I'm looking forward to pursuin in this career

what is your full name candesdukegirl :)