Nursing Careers and Information

One of the most exciting things about nursing is the variety of places we work and the many different things we do! The following listing is not exhaustive, but does give an idea of the variety of things you can do and places you can work in nursing! This information and more can be found at the Johnson & Johnson website: www.discovernursing.com.

Advanced Practice Nurse: These men and women have earned Master’s degrees in nursing and work in advanced roles such as: Nurse Practitioner (NP); Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS); Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM); Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); RN First Assistant; and Nurse Psychotherapist.

Cardiac Care Nursing: Nurses in this field work with patients and the families of patients who suffer from heart disease. While Cardiac Care Nurses are often specialized Critical Care Nurses in the hospital, they can also work with patients in the home, assisting with cardiac drug monitoring and providing care to patients who have undergone bypass, angioplasty, or pacemaker surgery.

Community Health Nursing: Nurses in this field work in government and private agencies, clinics, and other private settings. They focus on populations, working with individuals, groups, and families to improve the overall health of communities. They educate about health care issues, disease prevention, nutrition, and childcare, and also work with community leaders, teachers, parents, and physicians in community health education.

Critical Care Nursing: Nurses in this field care for patients of all ages who are acutely ill or in critical condition. These nurses often must use sophisticated equipment, and are also responsible for the emotional welfare of patients and their families.

Emergency Nursing: Nurses in this field provide care for patients in the critical or emergency phase of an illness or trauma, and must be able to recognize life-threatening problems and rapidly arrange necessary care. These nurses are not limited to only working in the emergency room of a hospital.

Geriatric/Gerontology Nursing: With more than 50% of patients in hospitals over age 65, the men and women of this specialty are a necessary force in taking care of older adults.  Whether working in the hospital or in a Long-Term Care facility, these nurses have extensive knowledge about the special care needed in rehabilitating and maintaining the mental and physical health of the elderly.

Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing: Nurses in this field provide care, support, and education for female reproductive health, from a woman’s first menstrual cycle through menopause. This field of nursing is often further specialized into Perinatal Nursing and Labor & Delivery Nursing.

Hospice/Palliative Nursing: Nurses in this field provide sensitive care and pain relief to patients in the final stages of life. They protect patients from unnecessary, painful therapies, and often provide care at home, in order to maximize meaningful time patients can spend with family and loved ones.

Medical-Surgical Nursing: The men and women in this field are registered nurses who work in hospitals, acute care units, home care, and long-term care facilities to provide care for primarily adult patients before and after surgical procedures. They also attend to those who are being treated with pharmaceuticals (medications) to manage illness.

Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing: Nurses in this field provide care and support for very sick or premature newborn babies and their families.

Nurse Practitioner: Nurse practitioners are Registered Nurses with one-to-two years of advanced education beyond a Bachelor's degree who are able to diagnose illness and prescribe interventions through interview and physical exam, order specific labs and diagnostic testing, and prescribe medications, while still providing health care education, counseling, and supportive care to an individual, family, or community.

Oncology Nursing: Nurses in this field provide care and support for patients diagnosed with cancer. These nurses are responsible for administering chemotherapy and managing symptoms related to cancer illnesses.

Travel Nursing: These nurses accept short or long term positions all over the world. Traveling nurses may work anywhere throughout the country and the world, and therefore enjoy a great variety of assignments.

Interesting Facts

• With over 100,000 vacant positions and an ever-growing need for healthcare workers, the career outlook is excellent for the nursing field.
• A 2004 Gallup Poll announced that the public again voted nurses number one for "honesty and ethical standards of various professions."
• With the world population living longer and needing more care, the healthcare field is one of the best places to get a job, and will likely stay that way for many years to come.
• By the year 2020, there will be an estimated shortage of 800,000 nurses.