Need Questions answered Please!!

SFCardiacRN · Feb 21, 2006

There are plenty of threads on all these issues. Use the "search" mode. Good Luck! Nurses Rock!

stn2003, RN · Feb 21, 2006

I am curently in my first year of actual nursing classes, I am also taking an English class and we are required to do an assignment about our major.
If you could please answer these questions.....
1. What kind of classes are required to pursue a career in Nursing?
A nursing curriculum includes specific classes such as : Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Nursing Concepts and Skills, Adult Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Gerontologic Nursing, Psych Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Obstetric Nursing, and general classes like: english, history, art, foreign language, ethics, statistics, reasearch, management etc. A four-year BSN program would obviously include more gen-ed classes than a two-year 'fast-track' ADN prgram.
2. How long does it take?
Depends on if you go to school part-time or full-time, and go straight through or take time off for life : P an LPN program in theory takes 1 year, an ADN program 2, a dimploma program 2.5 yrs-3, and a BSN 4. That is going full-time, straight through, and does not count the year or more of classes you may have to take in order to get into the program itself.
3. Yearly and or hourly wages?
Really depends on where you live. Here in OH, yearly nurses make 40-50 on average, and new grads start at 21/h on the floor.
4. What is the work environment like? Is it stressful?
I have only done floor nursing, and it can be stressful. Long hours if you are a floor nurse (shift work) and nurse-to-patient ratios that are oftentimes less than ideal. But liking where you work and having coworkers that are friendly and helpful can make a big difference as far as stress level goes. But keep in mind that there are jobs for nurses is so many places and positions I could not even begin to name them all. Educators, case managers, school nurses, midwives, etc. Duties/stresses/environment will all vary depending on the position.
5. Work hours weekly and daily?
Can work full-time (36-40 hrs a week), part-time, or per diem (as needed). Alot of places do 12 hour shifts. Alot of places have weekend committments. For example, I work three night-shift 12s a week and am committed to working every third weekend.
5. Tasks preformed daily?
EDUCATION- meds, diagnosis, diets, testing etc., physical assessments, med administration (orals, IV, topical etc), treatments, dressing changes, working with foleys/NG tubes/ feeding tubes/chest tubes, blood & platelet transfusions, preparing for testing/procedures, CAPD, intake & output, feeding, bathing, range of motion exercises, assistance with ambulation and transferring, oxygen therapy, working with ventilators, blood draws, CVP monitoring, tracheostomy care, suctioning, responding to code situations, more that I don't remember at the moment : P
6.What influenced you to choose Nursing as a career?
I have family members in nursing, did a stint in homecare while in college as a French major, and really found some of the sciences just fascinating. Those are some of the things that guided the switch to nursing.
7. Work location possibilities?
Virtually everywhere. Hospitals, offices, schools, the military, clinics, large businesses/plants, legal firms, insurance companies, colleges, drug companies, research firms, camps...
8. Benefits?
In the hospital you generally get better benefits as a FT employee than PT or per diem. I have great healthcare for my family, a retirement plan that the hospital contributes to, paid vacation/time off/sick time, and tuition reimbursement.
Hope this helps, and good luck in your nursing education!