1. CHAPTER 24 NURSING CAREERS
Apical
Asepsis
Emesis
Intravenous
Perinatal
Pulse
Unit
Vital
Journal question: What personal qualities would make a student a good candidate for nursing careers?

2. Chapter 24 Learning Objectives
Define at least eight terms relating to nursing careers.
Specify the role of nurses and related providers, including personal qualities, levels of education, and required credentialing.

3. Careers in Nursing
Nurses make up the largest group of health care workers.
Nursing is one of 10 jobs expected to have the largest number of new jobs in the future.
Levels of nursing
Registered Nurse (RN)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Nursing Assistant (NA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

4. Careers in Nursing
Nurses and related caregivers must provide without prejudice the best care possible for all patients. Especially during critical moments, the health care worker must be self-controlled, efficient, and show problem solving ability.
Health care personnel may be required to undergo a background check to work at a JCAHO hospital or health care facility.
Explain the abbreviation JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ). Ask the students why they think it is important for health care workers to undergo a background check.

5. Nursing Careers: Educational Costs and Earnings
Review with the students the information on the costs of the training of a nursing assistant at the American Red Cross. What does it include?

6. Registered Nurse Education Degrees
2-year community college program, or
3-year hospital diploma program, or
4-year college or university program
Degrees
Bachelor’s (BSN)
Master’s (MSN)
Doctorate (PhD)
Three-year programs are being phased out in many locations.

7. Registered Nurse Other health care agencies Employment locations
Hospital
Long-term care facility
Home health
Other health care agencies
Community health – public health nurse
Most work for government health agencies.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required.
Registered nursing is the largest health care occupation, employing more than 2 million people.

8. Registered Nurse Advanced career possibilities for RNs
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Performs physical examinations
Orders and interprets tests
May recommend or prescribe medication in some states
Functions independently from the physician
Needs to be certified in the state in which the NP will work
Clinical nurse specialist
Nurse practitioners emerged as a profession to meet the needs of rural communities.

9. Registered Nurse Advanced career possibilities for RNs
Nurse anesthetist
Provides anesthesia during obstetrical and surgical procedures under the supervision of an anesthesiologist
Nurse midwife
Provides perinatal care and deliver babies under the supervision of an obstetrician

10. Registered Nurse Areas of specialization Units Practices
Operating room
Recovery room (postanesthesia)
Critical care
Emergency room
Practices
Oncology
Cardiovascular
Other types of practices

11. Licensed Practical Nurse
Education
1- to 2-year program
Job description
Provides personal care under the direction of a physician, dentist, or registered nurse
Employment locations
Hospital
Long-term care facilities
In California and Texas, the title licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is used instead of licensed practical nurse (LPN).

12. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 Body positions. A, The horizontal or supine position may be used for comfort or sleep.

13. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 B, The prone position may be used for comfort or treatments to the back..

14. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 Body positions. C, Semi-Fowler’s position may be used for comfort or to decrease pressure on the abdominal organs.

15. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 Body positions.. D, The left Sims’ position is used for taking a rectal temperature and for administering enemas.

16. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 Body positions. E, The orthopneic position may be assumed to ease respiratory distress.

17. Body Positions
FIGURE 24-2 Body positions. F, The Trendelenburg position, or a modified version that raises only the legs, may be used to treat conditions of lowered blood pressure such as shock.

18. Summary
The roles of nursing careers include working with patients directly to provide care and promote health.
The personal qualities of the providers include the ability to get along with others, communicate well, and be self-controlled under pressure.

19. Review Nurses must have which of the following qualities?
a. The ability to get along with other people
b. The ability to communicate well
c. Self-control
d. Problem-solving abilities
e. All of the above

20. Review Nurses must have which of the following qualities?
a. The ability to get along with other people
b. The ability to communicate well
c. Self-control
d. Problem-solving abilities
e. All of the above