’)Since baby boomers are now retiring and will continue to retire over the course of the next 20 years, there is a need for trained medical personnel in all areas of healthcare. The nursing profession has been hit hard, and hospitals, medical clinics, and physicians have an increased need to hire LPNs and RNs. The problem is that there is a nursing shortage, so many positions remain unfilled.
Working Environments in Nursing
Nursing is a rewarding career with numerous options. Depending on your level of training, you can work in a variety of office and clinical settings:
- Private Medical Practices
- Hospitals
- Correctional Facilities
- Clinics
- Diagnostic Labs
- Mental Health Clinics
- Public Schools
- Education/Administration (Teaching/Supervising)
- Nursing Homes
- Ambulatory Clinics
Nurses have a wide range of possibilities and usually work 12-hour days, which allows them to have three days off each week. They can also work virtually any shift, depending on their employment settings. Nurses who work in a private practice may work a typical 9:00-5:00 schedule while nurses who are employed in hospitals can work any shift round-the-clock.
According to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary for licensed practical nurses was $36,550 in May 2006 with the highest 10 percent of LPNs earning more than $50,000. For registered nurses, the median salary was more than $60,000 with the top earners earning more than $87,000.
It’s important to note that nursing salaries vary by their specific duties as well as location. California pays the highest overall salaries for nurses with an average salary of $78, 550.
Sub-specialties in Nursing
One of the biggest advantages of choosing nursing as a career is that there are a variety of sub-specialties to choose from.
- Ob-Gyn
- Pediatrics
- Traveling Nurse
- Pain
- Orthopedic
- Gastrointestinal
- Respiratory
- Cardiac
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
Nurses work in a variety of patient settings and must be able to work well with people during critical situations. Depending on the level of education and specialty area, some nurses pursue advanced degrees and are highly specialized. Examples of highly-specialized nursing occupations include nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists, to name a few.
Before embarking on a nursing career, you’ll want to determine the type of degree you’d like to pursue. Keep in mind that you can always go back for more education if you choose to do so later.
Requirements for LPN
Individuals who want to become licensed practical nurses must complete the necessary educational requirements at a community college or vocational school. There are more than 1,500 approved nursing programs in the United States with a variety of online learning options available.
It can take between one to two years to complete the educational requirements, as well as a supervised nursing clinical in a medical setting. Before you can work as an LPN, however, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination — Practical Nurse, often referred to as the PN Exam.
Requirements for RN
Registered nurses follow a more specialized education beyond the LPN degree. It can take two to three years to become a registered practical nurse. Depending on the state and program requirements, it can take up to three years (sometimes four).
In order to work as a registered nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) test. The test is challenging but most people who have a solid nursing education will pass the exam.
Advanced Education in Nursing
Individuals who want to advance their education may also pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing. Individuals who have bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields may enter an accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program to become registered nurses. Individuals who want to work in highly-specialized fields will pursue master’s degrees.
