Careers Nursing

1. Careers Nursing Information Provided By: Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index PowerPoint Presentation By: Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank Flanders CTAE Resource Network, June 2009 Based On PowerPoint Ideas From: Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

2. There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region.  • The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers. • AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources. • Contact your regional AHEC for more information.  AHEC

3. Objectives • Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Nursing. • Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Nursing.

4. Careers in Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist Licensed Practical Nurse Nurse Anesthetist Nurse-Midwife Nurse Practitioner Nursing Assistant Registered Nurse

5. Clinical Nurse Specialist

6. Clinical Nurse Specialist • Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who function in one of a number of nursing's areas of specialization. • They may provide direct care to patients, teach in a variety of health care settings, and work as researchers, consultants, or nurse managers. 

7. Clinical Nurse Specialist Work Environment Salary • Community agencies • Healthcare systems • Hospitals • Industry • Nursing homes • Private homes • Private practice settings • Public health departments • Research centers • School • Average Starting Salary $68,619 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

8. Clinical Nurse SpecialistAcademic Requirements • In order to enter a clinical nurse specialist program one must be prepared as a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and hold a current nursing license. Programs last one to two years and lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

9. Licensed Practical Nurse

10. Licensed Practical Nurse • Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic bedside care and may also give injections and medications. • They change dressings, evaluate patient needs, implement care plans, and supervise nursing assistants. • In an office setting they make appointments and keep patient records.

11. Licensed Practical Nurse Work Environment Salary • Community health clinics • Hospitals • Long-term care facilities • Mental health institutions • Nursing homes • Physicians' offices • Private homes • Public health departments • Visiting nurse associations • Average Starting Salary $27,914 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

12. Licensed Practical NurseAcademic Requirements • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  Completion of an accredited practical nursing program usually takes between 12 and 18 months.

13. Nurse Anesthetist

14. Nurse Anesthetist • Anesthesia is the use of drugs, gases, and nerve blocks to provide a partial or total loss of pain during surgery • During surgery, nurse anesthetists administer anesthetic drugs, monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the doses of anesthetics and other medications to assure optimal patient safety and comfort. 

15. Nurse Anesthetist Work Environment Salary • Dental offices • Hospitals • Military • Outpatient surgical centers • Pain clinics • Average Starting Salary $116,147 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

16. Nurse AnesthetistAcademic Requirements • A bachelor's degree, a current nursing license, and a minimum of one year's experience as a registered nurse in an acute care area are required. • Nurse anesthesia programs last from 24 to 36 months, depending upon the institution and the type of degree offered.  All nurse anesthesia programs are at the graduate level.

17. Nurse-Midwife

18. Nurse-Midwife • Nurse-midwives provide care for healthy women before, during, and after childbirth. • They assist in labor and delivery, help in newborn care, and counsel mothers on infant growth and future pregnancies

19. Nurse-Midwife Work Environment Salary • Birthing centers • Clinics • Health maintenance organizations • Hospitals • Physicians' offices • Public health departments • Average Starting Salary $67,045 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

20. Nurse-MidwifeAcademic Requirements • A college preparatory diploma is recommended. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a current nursing license, and experience in a related field are usually required to enter a master's level program in nurse-midwifery.  • Some schools offer bachelor's degree programs so that nurses with diplomas or associate degrees may gain the extra credits required to enter a master's program.  

21. Nurse Practitioner

22. Nurse Practitioner • Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have advanced educational preparation that qualifies them to assess health conditions, identify and diagnose problems and develop plans to improve healthcare outcomes. • NPs conduct health screenings and physical exams, prescribe tests and medications, and educate patients about their conditions and the need for preventive activities.

23. Nurse Practitioner Work Environment Salary • Academic institutions • Clinics • Community health centers • Health maintenance organizations • Home health agencies • Hospitals • Migrant health clinics • Military • Physicians' offices • Public health departments • Rural health clinics • Schools • Average Starting Salary $66,446 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

24. Nurse PractitionerAcademic Requirements • To enter a nurse practitioner program in Georgia, one must be a registered nurse and hold a current nursing license.  • Programs last from one to two years and grant either a post MSN certificate or a master's degree.

25. Nursing Assistant

26. Nursing Assistant • Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing. • They have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing patient relationships. • They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to care for the patient during recovery. 

27. Nursing Assistant Work Environment Salary • Home health agencies • Hospitals • Mental health institutions • Nursing homes • Physicians' offices • Private homes • Average Starting Salary $18,408 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

28. Nursing AssistantAcademic Requirements • A high school diploma is usually required.  Training is available at many technical schools.  It may be offered by employers and usually consists of at least 90 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and supervised practice.

29. Registered Nurse

30. Registered Nurse • Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients by providing both treatment and education. • They interpret and respond to patient symptoms, reactions and progress.  • RNs also teach patients and families about proper health care, assist in patient rehabilitation, and provide emotional and physical support to promote recovery and well-being. 

31. Registered Nurse Work Environment Salary • Colleges and universities • Community health clinics • Hospitals • Industry • Public health departments • Mental health institutions • Migrant centers • Military • Nursing homes • Physicians’ offices  • Prisons • Private homes • Public schools • Rehabilitation centers • Average Starting Salary $49,504 • Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:http://www.sowega-ahec.org/index

32. Registered NurseAcademic Requirements • A college preparatory diploma is recommended. Students must complete an accredited nursing program, including any one of the following: • Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.),  or Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.). Offered primarily by community colleges; these are two-year programs. • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, this is usually a four-year program.

33. Registered NurseAcademic Requirements • Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) or Master’s in Nursing (M.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, a master’s generally requires one or two years of additional training after obtaining a B.S.N. • Doctor of Nursing (D.N.Sc., D.N.S., D.S.N.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.or Dr.N.P.) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Offered by universities, a doctorate requires numerous years of additional education and research experience.

34. Summary There are a variety of careers available in Nursing. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan. Careers available in Nursing include: Clinical Nurse Specialist Licensed Practical Nurse Nurse Anesthetist Nurse-Midwife Nurse Practitioner Nursing Assistant Registered Nurse