| Over the years, the nursing profession has lacked in | | | | injury dressings and can also assist with minor |
| effectively recruiting young professionals towards its | | | | surgeries. Licensed practical nurses in private |
| field. This is a strong explanation towards why the | | | | doctors’ offices will also take on clerical tasks |
| United States often has to recruit nurses from | | | | such as billing, medical appointments, and health |
| overseas to fill positions. Individuals who are | | | | records filing. |
| interested in a career helping people usually have a | | | | Travel nurses – Travel nursing positions are |
| deep sense of service to mankind, often feel | | | | usually temporary and involve traveling with a patient |
| emotional satisfaction in helping others, have a strong | | | | who needs around-the-clock care. Traveling licensed |
| awareness of health and the role it plays in our lives, | | | | practical nurses will usually work on short term |
| and possess a fundamentally nurturing personality | | | | contracts ranging anywhere from 48 hours to 48 |
| trait. | | | | weeks. They are recruited and placed by agencies |
| When a student finishes their degree in nursing they | | | | that specialize in nursing staff. Travel nurses can |
| will get the acronym RN added after their name. The | | | | often enjoy a comfortable salary. |
| acronym RN stands for registered nurse, but | | | | If you plan to go for the full registered nursing |
| depending on the country where you are taking your | | | | program you can expand your career opportunities. |
| nursing program, the titles will vary. Other | | | | There is an ongoing shortage of nurses which means |
| registered nurses can also be labeled licensed | | | | that the higher your qualifications and academic |
| practicing nurses, or state enrolled nurses. In the | | | | training the better your chances are for landing a |
| United Kingdom, a first level nurse can either be a | | | | good nursing career. |
| registered general nurse (RGN), a registered sick | | | | The United States Health Resources and Services |
| children’s nurse (RSCN), a registered mental | | | | Administration (HRSA) reported that by the year |
| nurse (RMN) or a registered nurse learning disability | | | | 2010, there will be a shortage of over 213,000 |
| (RNLD). | | | | registered nurses. |
| In the United States, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) | | | | The advances in science and medicine make it |
| is also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). | | | | imperative for health care institutions to hire nurses |
| This type of nurse studies for one full year and then | | | | with specialized knowledge and training. If you are |
| can provide a whole variety of direct care to the | | | | studying for the Masters of Science in nursing |
| sick. | | | | program, you could have a lucrative career with none |
| | | | of the grueling hours experienced by some nurses. |
| Nurse Positions Available: | | | | Registered nurses can also work in the places |
| Hospitals – Hospitals are in constant need of | | | | mentioned above for licensed practicing nurses, |
| licensed practical nurses. Licensed practical nurses can | | | | except that registered nurses usually command |
| be assigned to different departments of the hospital | | | | higher wages. You will find registered nurses helping |
| including the emergency room, maternity ward, | | | | out in busy intensive care units of large and small |
| surgery, or pediatrics. They may also be given | | | | hospitals as well as in your local health clinic. |
| rotating assignments to cover the different | | | | Registered nurses are able to examine infant growth |
| departments. Certain hospitals would also give LPNs | | | | and development and can provide training in |
| more responsible duties depending on years of | | | | child-rearing, especially in remote areas. Registered |
| experience and performance evaluation. | | | | nurses can also supervise health and safety programs |
| Health care facilities – Licensed practical nurses | | | | in the corporate environment and in government. |
| are assigned to look after the elderly or to continue | | | | They can perform research and engage in an |
| providing care to patients who are recovering from | | | | institution’s administration functions. |
| an illness or a rehabilitation program. An increasing | | | | There are some registered nurses who work in |
| number of licensed practical nurses can also work in | | | | schools, doctors’ offices, home care facilities, |
| private homes because some patients prefer to | | | | family planning centers, poison control centers, |
| remain at home rather than be in the hospital or in a | | | | physical and mental rehabilitation centers and in AIDS |
| rehabilitation center. | | | | centers. Registered nurses with a master’s |
| Nursing facilities – Licensed practical nurses | | | | degree can elect to teach some nursing courses in |
| perform administrative and sometimes supervisory | | | | colleges and universities. |
| functions. For instance, licensed practical nurses can | | | | Registered nurses working in large hospitals can |
| supervise nursing aides and guide them in providing | | | | perform duties in most departments such as |
| excellent patient care. | | | | oncology, obstetrics, palliative care, psychiatry, |
| Doctors’ offices – Licensed practical nurses | | | | geriatrics, emergency, intensive care, cosmetology, |
| who work in doctors’ offices usually have a | | | | rehabilitation, and cardiovascular as well as many |
| fixed timetable and do less demanding work than | | | | other areas. |
| say, licensed practical nurses who work in health care | | | | If you are seriously thinking of a nursing career, try |
| facilities. Depending on the nature of the | | | | to consider studying for a degree such as a bachelor |
| doctor’s specialty, licensed practical nurses can | | | | of science in nursing. After completing a four-year |
| help prepare patients for examinations, administer | | | | degree program, you can significantly open more |
| shots, provide medication guidelines, do wound and | | | | doors of opportunity in the field of nursing. |