The Life of a Registered Nurse
The healthcare system works similarly to a colony of ants, with each ant being just as important as the rest. To the untrained eye, the queen ant might seem like the most significant component, as she is the head of the colony. However, without her worker ants, she would be defenseless, homeless, and without food; essentially, the structure of the colony would collapse. Similarly, the general public often considers physicians the most important component of the healthcare system (Keep in mind that the position of physician itself isn’t extremely analogous to that of the queen ant). On the contrary, the healthcare system is filled with nurses, medical assistants, therapists, and administrative roles that are essential to the proper functioning of the entire system. Out of all the healthcare careers, nurses are arguably one of the most overlooked positions in the healthcare system.
There are a few different pathways to becoming a registered nurse. One option is a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which lasts about 4 years like most other undergraduate degrees. Another option is to complete an undergraduate degree, and then apply for an associate’s degree in nursing. Regardless of the pathway one takes, a nursing program must help students pass the NCLEX-RN examination, a nationwide exam for the licensing of nurses. This exam is taken after graduation, and after an individual passes it, they then receive a nursing license. After receiving a nursing license, one must obtain a state license by registering with their state board: requirements vary by state. A registered nurse may then choose to specialize and go into careers such as nurse anesthetists or pursue a DNP or Ph.D. in nursing. An alternative to being a registered nurse (RN) is to become a licensed practitioner nurse (LPN). LPN’s tend to focus on manual skills, while RN’s tend to focus on both clinical theory and manual skills. LPN’s also only have to complete a year-long certification that can be taken straight after high school. This saves time and is more cost-efficient. However, RN’s often have an extended set of duties and do more critical thinking on the job.
The general public often does not realize the scope of the duties that nurses have and how integral they are to the healthcare system. Nurses administer medications, monitor patient conditions, maintain records, and communicate with doctors. Nurses also alert doctors when they make mistakes. An experienced nurse can actually be more knowledgeable about a certain medication, treatment, or procedure than the physician. They provide both physical and emotional support to the patient and their families, while also educating them about their medications, wound care, and vaccines. In hospital settings, physicians often cannot converse with patients for extended periods of time, so nurses are actually the ones who develop relationships with the patients.
The salaries of nurses vary by their education, specialty, and state. The education and specialty aspects are intertwined as many specialties require further education. Registered nurses have a median salary of $65,470, nurse anesthetists have a median salary of $148,160, nurse midwives have a median salary of $89,600, nurse practitioners have a median salary of $89,960, and LPNs have a median salary of $41,540. As you can see, LPN’s, who require less education than RNs, make less money. As the amount of education increases, such as in specialties like nurse anesthetists, the median salary goes up. Salaries also vary by state, as the 90th percentile of nurse anesthetists make $237,056, while the 10th percentile makes $105,810.
Nursing is one of the noblest careers out there, and every day is spent making a difference in people’s lives. Nurses also have impressive job security. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurses is expected to increase by 15% from 2016–2026, while the demand for all other occupations is expected to increase by only 7%. The field also has a broad scope of practice, and jobs are available at hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and many other facilities. The field of nursing needs to get more recognition as a whole, as without them, our whole healthcare system would crumble.
References
What Do Nurses Do? (n.d.). Gwynedd Mercy University. Retrieved from https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/what-do-nurses-do.
Nursing Duties, Responsibilities and Career Options. (2020, March 27). Retrieved from https://study.com/nursing_duties.html.
Writers. (2014, June 2). RN Programs & Careers | How to Become an RN. Retrieved from https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/nurse/registered-nurse/.
