LIFE AS A NURSE

D. D. Millett, RN, BS

Becoming a Registered Nurse was most definitely a calling for me and I felt a strong passion for the Emergency Room. Ever since I graduated years ago, it has always been the ER. My life as a nurse has been filled with surprises, a lot of laughter, crying into my soul, being horrified, and filled and blessed by miracles…all in one day.

Life as a Nurse

Nursing may not be a “calling” for everyone; but for most of us, we hear the call. Per the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, in January of 2012, the job growth for nurses increased from 43,300 new nursing positions to 49,000 ~ in just one month. From 2010 to 2020, the expected number of nurses will grow from 2.74 million to 3.45 million, an increase of 26%, with the average age of a nurse to be 46 and into their 50s. Nurses are the largest group within the healthcare workforce and the demand for nurses, as well as the multiple fields in nursing, will only increase exponentially.

Types of NursesOf course, ER nurses are just one of many types of nurses. Whatever your passion and your interests, you can explore all areas of nursing.

OB/GYN: gynecological patients

Orthopedic: lots-n-lots of bones

Oncology: cancer patientsOR: operating room patientsPeds: sick children

Psych: therapeutic & medications

Pulmonary: non-surgical lung patients

Cardiac: deals with heart problems & telemetry

Cardiothoracic: heart & lung post-opGeneral Medicine: everything left!!Hemodialysis: dialysis patientsLabor and Delivery: welcoming babies!Med/Surg: general surgery patients Neurology: stroke or brain injuriesNursery: caring for the newborns

Types of Nurses: Non-ICU

Neonatal ICU: nurses for the premies and sickest of babies

Neuro ICU: head traumas & major stroke patientsPACU (Post Anesthesia Unit): post-op patientsPediatric ICU: caring for the sickest of children

Surgical ICU: general surgical patients with complications

Cardiac Care Unit (CCU): critical heart patients who have not had surgery

Cardiothoracic ICU: post-op heart & lung patients

Emergency Room: fast paced, see everything

Flight Nursing: Transport patients to hospitals, usually no doctors on board ~ nurse(s) onlyGeneral ICU: sick, but not surgical (yet)

Types of Nurses: Critical Care

Lactation Consultant: nurses assist mothers in learning how to breast feed

Occupational Health: independently observe & assess workers' health status with respect to job tasks and hazards

School Nurse: addresses student health issues and plans and implements programs to promote good health

Telephone/Triage Nurse: answer phones, either at home or in an office; insurance information or need medical attention

Clinical Research Nurse: assist gathering and analyzing data for clinical trials; enroll patients

Clinical Education Specialist: provides education, training, and consulting support to clinical nurses; troubleshooter

Forensic Nursing Career: “not for the faint of heart” nurse, vital & invaluable

Informatics Nursing: *HOT* jobs as of late; use knowledge to aid in developing computer software programs and charting systems for hospitals

Types of Nurses: Non-Bedside

As you can see, nursing is flexible and rewarding; and filled with bountiful possibilities for you to explore any type of patient care, whether directly or indirectly, with any type of patients you would like to treat.

The only requirement? That there are people in need of medical attention and need it from genuine caregivers, looking out for the patient’s best interest and health. It is exciting, versatile, and in addition, you can be a Travel Nurse and travel the world as a nurse or stay in your own backyard. You will be needed.

Your opportunities await and they are limitless….