The Role of Nursing in Healthcare

Nursing is the biggest occupation in healthcare, and it’s only expanding with a growing population and the greater needs of an aging population. Nurses play a vital role in the care we receive, but it’s not just limited to hospitals. Nurses also work in clinics, private practices, and nursing homes among others.

The career trajectory of nurses can be extremely varied and there are many different study paths that can be taken. With some of the fastest growing jobs in the country, it’s no wonder there is great demand for nursing degrees.

So, what are some of the career paths a nurse can take, and what will their role be within the healthcare industry?

Common Nursing Careers

There are a number of different paths you can take, and they all involve slightly different amounts of study.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) will normally have completed a one-year nursing program and perform entry-level duties. Nursing programs are available from community colleges, technical schools, and hospitals and students must pass the NCLEX-PN exams to qualify.

LPN’s and LVN’s work under the supervision of registered nurses (RN’s), who either have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a diploma, or an associate degree. The diploma and associate degree take less time to study for, allowing nurses to get professional experience more quickly, but many RN’s will top up their studies by taking a course such as a Marian University RN to BSN completion program.

The Role of a Nurse

Responsibilities vary depending on seniority, experience, and training, however there are a number of common daily duties:

Providing care for patients
Administering medications
Recording patients’ conditions
Communicating with doctors
Educating patients on diseases, health, and rehab
Providing emotional support for patients and their families
Advising patients on self-administration of medication.

The duties require a varied skillset that nurses will develop over their career. Professionalism, hard work, and good communication are vital to success in such a demanding profession, and when you come into contact with a nurse, they will likely be the first things you notice.

Here are some other skills that will be highly valued in a nursing career:

Attention to detail
Critical thinking
Empathy
Time management
Stamina
Commitment to development

While you might not have all these skills right now, your studies are there to ensure you’re confident when you enter a professional setting and have all the basic skills you need to succeed.

Further Studies

One of the nice things about a career in nursing is that there are always opportunities for development.

Once you’ve completed your BSN, you can look to progress on to a Master of Science in Nursing degree, which will open up even more career opportunities for you. The requirements for many of these positions are a BSN, but an MSN will give you more opportunities as: