Nursing Facts: 8 Things You Should Know About the Nursing Profession

Nursing Facts: 8 Things You Should Know About the Nursing Profession

Did you know that nursing students account for over half of all health care students? Nursing is not only an important job, but also a booming profession. And those who earn a degree from a nursing program are not only learning valuable skills that can help them make a difference in the lives of others, but they are also entering an evolving and expanding profession with the necessary tools to succeed. Discover more about the profession with these nine interesting nursing facts.

Intriguing and Useful Nursing Facts

If you are interested in studying to become a nurse, these eight nursing facts cover not only the current state of nursing in the U.S., but also its projected future in years to come.

The Beginnings of the Nursing Profession

The history of professional nursing traditionally begins with Florence Nightingale, the well-educated daughter of wealthy British parents who defied social convention by deciding to become a nurse, then considered a low-status profession. She tended to injured soldiers in the Crimean War in the 1850s and played a significant role in changing the nature of the nursing profession in the 19th century. She opened the first professional nursing school in 1855 at St. Thomas Hospital in London.

Candidates Can Choose from More Than One Hundred Nursing Professions

An article in Medical News Today notes more than one hundred nursing professions. Specialties include ambulatory, geriatrics, hospice, nephrology, neuroscience, pediatrics, radiology, rheumatology, telemetry, transplant, and trauma. According to an article on Gap Medics, the following are some of the most popular specialties or professions within the nursing field: nurse midwife, ICU, nurse practitioner, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), medical surgery, and oncology.

By 2020, More Than 800,000 RN Positions Are Expected to Go Unfilled Nationwide

According to the American Nurses Association, there will be “far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, at more than 100,000 per year.” Yet, many of those jobs are set to remain unfilled due to a combination of open positions and nurse retirement. More than 200,000 nursing positions are expected to remain unfilled by 2026.

Nearly 3 Million Nurses Are Employed in the United States

Registered nurse positions are opening up as demand for health care services expands along with the aging U.S. population. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses held just under 3 million jobs in 2016 — 2,955,200 positions. The BLS projects 3,393,200 open positions by 2026, an increase of 15% in a 10-year period. In fact, an American Nurse Today (ANT) article notes 3.1 million to 3.6 million registered nurses already work in the U.S. today, meaning the projection has almost or already been met. These nursing facts bode well for future job hunters in the nursing profession.

Nurses Deliver Most of the Nation’s Long-Term Care

An ANT article notes that nurses handle the majority of our nation’s long-term medical care — care provided over a long period of time for people with chronic illness or disability, delivered at home or in health care spaces. According to LongTermCare.gov, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, people turning 65 have a 70% chance of needing a long-term care service, with 20% needing care for more than five years. With hundreds of thousands of elderly people needing long-term care, nurses play a critical role in enabling more people to receive it.

Up to 62.2% of all Employed RNs Work in Hospitals

Hospitals are always a hive of activity. Nurses, physicians, technicians, therapists, medical assistants, patients, and their loved ones all have someplace to be or someone to talk to. That means many people may not realize just how strong the presence of nurses really is in an active hospital. For instance, according to an article in ANT, nurses are the largest group of hospital staff. Throughout a hospital, most health-care-related tasks are carried out by dedicated nurses. In fact, according to the same ANT article, 62.2% of all registered nurses work in hospitals.

Demand Is High for Home Health Care Nurses

As many hospitals shift focus to acute and specific care, many private health care options — such as home health care, outpatient centers, and neighborhood clinics — are expanding, opening up job opportunities for registered nurses. According to a 2014 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12,400 home health agencies served up to 4.9 million patients who received care at home. With so many people already using home health care, as well as more people aging into care in the future, nurses capable of working in home health care may find that there is no shortage of job opportunities.

General Nursing Practices Are Typically the Same the World Over

No matter where you go in the world, general nursing practices are typically pretty similar. According to an article published in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN), common universal themes include the different education levels for nurses moving up into more complex roles, credentialing standards to create a level of safety, nursing positions being held mostly by women, nursing occurring within a medical structure, and the existence of nurse shortages.

Nursing Conference June 21-22, 2019

What Is a Missionary Nurse?

A missionary nurse cares for patients in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world, usually through work with religious groups or churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups. Missionary nurses provide much needed basic healthcare in areas of the world that may not have access to medical technology or necessary resources such as antibiotics, vaccines or even clean drinking water. In addition to providing healthcare services, missionary nurses also provide spiritual care for their patients, often sharing their religious beliefs with the local community.

Becoming a Missionary Nurse

As in other nursing careers, aspiring missionary nurses must first complete their Associate's Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. During the course of the nursing education, elective courses in international nursing and/or foreign languages would be particularly useful for a missionary nurse. In addition, missionary nurses must have a strong foundation in spiritual beliefs and religious knowledge in order to work with a church or other religious organization.

A typical job posting for a missionary nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of employer and location:

• ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
• Prior professional nursing experience required and Certification in Basic Life Support preferred
• Foundational religious knowledge and beliefs if working with a spiritual organization
• Interest in international travel and working with people from different cultures
• Knowledge of applicable foreign language and customs a plus

To search and apply for current missionary nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Missionary Nurse?

A position as a missionary nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree as well as an active RN license. In addition, a background in religious studies, international nursing and/or foreign language skills are particularly helpful and professional nursing experience is generally required. Missionary nurses must also hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport. Nursing licensure in the country where they will be practicing may also be required, and is often coordinated by the organization for which a missionary nurse works.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not always a requirement for missionary nursing positions, many missionary nurses hold the Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Additionally, missionary nurses must hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport before they can leave the U.S. to work as a missionary nurse.

Where Do Missionary Nurses Work?

Missionary nurses work all over the world in underdeveloped and developing regions in need of basic healthcare services. They often work with churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups, who coordinate the logistics of their travel and assignments. In the field, missionary nurses may treat patients in hospitals, clinics or rural areas visiting patients at home or in community centers, churches or schools.

What Does a Missionary Nurse Do?

Missionary nurses perform the same basic tasks as traditional RNs, including assessing and caring for patients who are ill or injured. As part of their daily work, they may administer vaccinations and medications, dress wounds or treat broken bones. In addition to these tasks, a key component to missionary nursing is working in an environment with limited resources, such as a lack of clean running water, electricity or telephone service. Because preventing illness and infection is critical in these locations, missionary nurses also work to educate patients and communities about proper hygiene, how to prevent infection and the spread of disease as well as basic health and dental care skills. Providing spiritual counsel to patients is also a key component of the missionary nurse's job, which may include preaching, distributing or telling religious stories or sharing their individual beliefs. Depending on the location and organization a missionary nurse works with, he/she may also participate in non-medical humanitarian efforts such as digging wells, building homes or teaching basic skills like reading and writing.

 What Are the Roles and Duties of a Missionary Nurse?

• Provide direct patient care to underserved populations, including treating basic illnesses and injuries, administering vaccinations and medicines, and dressing wounds
• Educate patients about proper health and dental care, basic hygiene and how to prevent infection and the spread of disease
• Assist in setting up clinics and training local medical staff
• Provide spiritual counsel to patients and local community

Missionary Nurse Salary & Employment

Missionary nurses generally enter the field because they consider it their spiritual or moral calling, rather than focusing on the salary to be made in the field. In fact, many missionary nurses work as volunteers. However, salary varies widely based on the organization that employs the nurse, and there is a high demand for trained medical staff to work in impoverished areas of the world.

Nursing Conference June 21-22 2019

What Is a Substance Abuse Nurse?

A substance abuse nurse, sometimes referred to as an addiction nurse, specializes in the treatment of patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Substance abuse nurses are trained in mental health in addition to general medicine. They provide pain management, education for patients and caregivers about the dangers of substance abuse and emotional support to patients in crisis.

Becoming a Substance Abuse Nurse

As with other nursing careers, the first step in becoming a substance abuse nurse is to complete an Associate's Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to gain a general nursing education. For aspiring addiction nurses, elective courses in mental health will be particularly important. Once a nurse has completed schooling, they must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. From there, an RN may begin work as a substance abuse nurse. Once a nurse has completed 2,000 hours of professional nursing experience in the substance abuse sector and 30 hours of continuing education related to addictions nursing within the last three years, he or she may sit for the Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) certification exam offered by the International Nurses Society on Addictions. While not required for all substance abuse nursing positions, the CARN certification communicates a nurse's commitment to substance abuse nursing to prospective employers.

A typical job posting for a substance abuse nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of employer and location:

• ADN or BSN degree and valid RN license
• Ability to make safe judgment calls in patient care
• Strong communication skills for educating patients and their families about the dangers of substance abuse and their treatment options
• Proficiency in computer programs and data entry for maintaining patient records
• Experience in mental health and/or addiction preferred
• Caring and professional demeanor with compassion for patients struggling with addiction

To search and apply for current substance abuse nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Substance Abuse Nurses?

Substance abuse nurses are generally required to have completed an ADN or BSN degree and to hold a valid RN license in the state in which they plan to practice. A higher nursing degree is usually not required, but elective courses in mental health and addiction are critical for nurses interested in pursuing a career in substance abuse nursing.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not required for most substance abuse nursing positions, RNs who wish to specialize in addiction nursing may consider becoming a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse. The International Nurses Society on Addictions sponsors this exam, which is open to RNs who have completed 2,000 hours of professional experience in substance abuse nursing and 30 hours of continuing education related to addictions nursing within the last three years. This certification offers RNs a competitive edge when seeking employment or advancement as a substance abuse nurse.

Where Do Substance Abuse Nurses Work?

Substance abuse nurses work with patients and their families in a variety of settings, including:

• Mental health clinics
• Psychiatric wards in hospitals
• Inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities

What Does a Substance Abuse Nurse Do?

A substance abuse nurse provides direct patient care to individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction. They assist physicians in developing treatment plans, perform patient assessments, monitor a patient's progress and administer medications and pain management services. An important aspect of substance abuse nursing is mental health and emotional support services. Substance abuse nurses often conduct mental health screenings and provide emotional support for patients and their families during treatment. They also educate patients and their loved ones about the dangers of substance abuse and provide resources and information about the various treatment options for addiction.

To learn more, please visit Nursing Conferences 2019 June 21-22, 2019
https://nursingcongress.nursingconference.com/conference-brochure.php