What Are the Education Requirements for a Neuroscience Nurse?

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Neuroscience nurse A neuroscience nurse specializes in the care of patients with nervous system diseases and/or disorders. They help manage the disease processes as well as assist in rehabilitation. Some neurological disorders neuroscience nurses may help manage are:

  • Stroke
  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Epilepsy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Encephalitis

Neuroscience nurses specialize in the human neurological system. Those interested in this field of nursing should have an interest in in the functions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It is a difficult specialty in that neurological diseases and disorders can affect the other systems of the body. Moreover, healing and rehabilitation can sometimes take time, so a neuroscience nurse should have strong assessment skills and a lot of patience.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Neuroscience Nurse?

Those looking to become neuroscience nurses must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a nursing license. They can choose to earn an ADN or BSN nursing degree. BSN nurses have a broader range of opportunities, as they can pursue supervisory roles as well as become clinical nurse educators.

After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for licensure.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Depending on where the nurse works, certification may be required. For example, a nurse working on a stroke unit or intensive care unit may be required to have certification in stroke care. Sometimes certification is not required, although a neuroscience certified RN demonstrates competency, commitment, and professionalism in the specialty.

The American Board of Neuroscience Nurses offers certification in neuroscience nursing as well as stroke care nursing. Eligibility criteria include:

  • Have a current, active RN license
  • Have provided direct or indirect nursing care in the field of neuroscience or stroke care for at least two years within the last five years.

Certification for neuroscience nursing or stroke care lasts for five years, and can be renewed either by exam or completion of continuing education units.

Where Do Neuroscience Nurses Work?

Neuroscience nurses can work in many different care areas. These include:

  • Hospitals
    • Stroke units
    • Intensive care
    • Pediatric nursing units
    • Operating rooms
    • Clinical education
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Elder care facilities

What Does a Neuroscience Nurse Do?

Neuroscience nurses perform many tasks. These include:

  • Performing physical assessments
  • Performing neurological exams
  • Assist with mobility
  • Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Assist with physical rehabilitation
  • Wound or surgical site care
  • Medication management
  • Assist physicians with procedures

What Are the Roles & Duties of a Neuroscience Nurse?

The roles and duties of a neuroscience nurse mainly focus on stabilizing and rehabilitating patients who have neurological disorders or suffer from a spinal cord or brain injury. Some roles and duties include:

  • Assess and identify the needs of a neurological patient
  • Collaborate with the healthcare team to implement medical or pharmacological interventions
  • Evaluate a patient’s response to treatment
  • Offer comfort to patients and families
  • Provide resources to patients and families to assist with the discharge process
  • Document thorough and detailed information in the patients’ medical records to track the healing process

Neuroscience Nurse Salary & Employment

Neuroscience nursing can be a challenging yet rewarding career. As medical technology evolves to better meet the needs of patients, neuroscience nurses are necessary in the care of patients undergoing procedures and treatments for their neurological disorders. According to payscale.com, neuroscience nurses can earn from $71,000 to $125,714 depending on their role — from staff RN to advanced RN practitioner. This also depends on state and city of employment, and any certifications held.

 

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Missionary Nurse?

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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.

Research faith based nursing schools.

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.

 

Who is a Military Nurse and What is Their Role?

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Military Nurse Military nurses have licensed registered nurses who are contracted to provide medical care specifically to patients in military clinics and hospitals. Much like traditional registered nurses who treat civilians, military nurses monitor wounds for infection, prepare patients for surgical procedures, and administer preoperative and postoperative care for those inside the military. Not only will a military nurse has the chance to travel and see the world, but they also have access to excellent education and are compensated for time spent studying. They also enjoy excellent benefits, such as free healthcare.

Additionally, job responsibilities for military nurses include monitoring the pain and comfort levels of patients, assisting the disabled to care for themselves, and providing psychological and emotional support. During peacetime, military nurses will most often care for active-duty military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. In some instances, they might even provide healthcare to civilian emergency patients. Conversely, during wartime, military nurses provide medical care in and around conflict zones and near battlefronts. A military nursing career can be an immensely stressful, and often heartbreaking job. Furthermore, it can also be dangerous, since it isn’t unusual for military nurses to be deployed to foreign war zones along with active troops.

To become a military nurse, you must first be a U.S. citizen. There are some personality traits that an individual should have if they’re going to be competent military nurses. Effective military nurses should be in excellent physical shape and must be able to think clearly under stress so as to make life-saving decisions quickly. Additionally, military nurses should have competent communication skills, be able to adapt to change quickly, and have high stamina and endurance. Military nurses need to be able to work efficiently with little sleep.

What Are the Educational Requirements for a Military Nurse?

The first step in becoming a military nurse is obtaining your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, also known as a BSN degree. Typically, BSN degrees take around four years to complete. Although the military prefers their nurses to have BSN degrees, the Army Reserve accepts nurses with only Associate’s Degrees in Nursing or ADN degrees. However, these RNs are expected to have a BSN degree by the time they’re ready for promotion as Captain. Once you have obtained your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you are then permitted to sit for the state board examinations.

Once a civilian RN has undergone the primary educational processes involved in becoming a military nurse, they will then also need to undergo officer training through whichever branch of the armed forces they wish to serve in. Officer training educates newly admitted RNs on leadership skills and military life. Additionally, during officer training, RNs are also required to show their proficiency in various physical fitness exercises.

 

Where Do Military Nurses Work?

Military nurses are required to make at least a three-year commitment to serve their country. Traditionally, military nurses are stationed in a new region about every three years. There may be required travel just about anywhere abroad to help with emergency situations if they do happen to arise. Most nurses in the military are stationed at military/government facilities. Some, however, will serve in makeshift facilities as they near the front lines with combat units.

The most common places you will find military nurses working in are:

  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Clinics
  • A. Hospitals/Clinics
  • Pop-up/makeshift nursing facilities in and around combat zones

What Does a Military Nurse Do?

Being a military nurse gives a person a unique chance to help others while serving their nation’s people at the same time. However, it’s not a career path for everyone. Both psychological and physical demands, along with the extensive travel required, can make being a military nurse a challenging career. Nurses in the military often work in high-stress and fast-paced environments in situations that are physically dangerous and even life-threatening. Due to the kinds of working conditions, military nurses are often subjected to, they have the opportunity to develop top-notch nursing skills that may translate to further career advancement.

As a military nurse, you’ll be able to specialize in psychiatry, pediatrics, and trauma. Some other specialties military nurses work in are critical care, midwifery, emergency, and neonatal nursing.

What Are the Roles and Duties of Military Nurses?

The primary functions and obligations of active military nurses are to:

  • Treat wounded soldiers and other military personnel
  • Treat service members’ families
  • Set up military triage in war zones
  • Treat patients worldwide
  • Provide vaccinations to children in developing countries
  • Assist in any humanitarian relief efforts the U.S. military might be engaged in
  • Provide emergency care to victims affected by natural disasters
  • Prescribe medication
  • Work in pre-operative settings applying anesthesia

Military Nurse Salary & Employment

Military nurses receive competitive wages and benefits, and most importantly, have the opportunity to build crucial skills and receive specialized training. The job outlook for military nurses is particularly good. The grade or rank that a military nurse holds will determine the pay rate for which they are compensated. Many aren’t aware of the fact that enlisted registered nurses in the military have opportunities to have their student loans repaid by government programs.

Over the next ten years, the military nursing field is expected to grow seven percent—higher than average for job growth in other professions across the country. According to payscale.com and an estimate based upon a sample of 53 U.S. Army RN salaries, the average U.S. Army registered nurse earns $73,347, with a range of $58,000-$103,339 annually. Other benefits that military nurses receive are housing stipends, low-cost or free health insurance, hazard pay when assigned to combat zones, and retirement plans. They receive 30 days of vacation per year, and they can retire after 20 years of service and receive a pension.

 

What is the Role of a Managed Care Nurse in Nursing

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Managed care nurse Managed care nurse acts as liaisons between patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies and government organizations, working to ensure patients receive quality, cost-effective healthcare. Managed care nurses have specialized knowledge of the managed care system in which patients can only see designated medical professionals, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Plans (PPOs) or government funded healthcare assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Managed care nurses evaluate a patient’s healthcare needs and connect them to cost-effective healthcare providers, counsel patients on the importance of preventative healthcare and work to keep costs down for patients and insurance companies.

Becoming a Managed Care Nurse

In order to become a managed care nurse, students must first complete their Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Managed care nurses generally begin their careers as staff nurses in clinics or private practices before moving into managed care. Others have a background in social work or social services before becoming an RN. RNs who want to specialize in managed care nursing may also seek the Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential administered by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing.

A typical job posting for a managed care nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of institution and patient population:

  • ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
  • Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential a plus
  • Experience working with managed care systems
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for coordinating with patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies and government organizations on a daily basis
  • Strong computer skills for inputting patient health assessments, updating records and completing required insurance documents

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

What Are the Education Requirements for Managed Care Nurse?

A position as a managed care nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree in addition to an active RN license. During the course of the nursing education, elective courses in social work are particularly helpful for a career in managed care nursing, as most managed care nurses work with patients who are using social services to pay for their healthcare. Generally, an advanced degree is not required, although some managed care nurses may choose to pursue a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree if they wish to move into nursing management or leadership.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

While not always a requirement for managed care nursing positions, earning the Certification in Managed Care Nursing credential administered by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing, is certainly a competitive advantage for managed care nurses seeking employment.

Where Do Managed Care Nurses Work?

Managed care nurses often work for health management organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Plans (PPOs) or government agencies and social services programs. They may also work in:

  • Hospitals
  • Specialty clinics
  • Community health centers

Managed care nurses use specialized knowledge of the managed healthcare system to connect patients to cost-effective healthcare providers who can deliver the quality of care they need. Managed care nurses educate patients about the importance of preventative healthcare, such as regular check-ups and vaccinations, healthy nutrition and exercise, which can decrease medical costs in the long term for both patients and insurance companies. Often working with the elderly and low income individuals who rely on government assistance like Medicare and Medicaid for their healthcare needs, managed care nurses act as a coordinator between patients, healthcare providers, hospitals and insurance companies to ensure patients have consistent access to quality medical care.

 What Are the Roles and Duties of a Managed Care Nurse?

  • Act as liaison between healthcare providers, nurse facilities, hospitals, patients and insurance companies to ensure consistent and cost-effective care
  • Evaluate patient’s plan of care and make recommendations about care alternatives that will aid in the quality of care for patients while keeping costs low
  • Educate patients and caregivers about preventative healthcare, such as regular doctor’s visits and vaccinations, as well as disease management
  • Conduct physical, psychological and emotional assessments of patients to ensure they are receiving timely interventions and high quality care

Managed Care Nurse Salary & Employment

Managed care nurse supervisors can expect a median salary of around $70,545, with a range of $64,000 – $88,322. Employment of registered nurses overall is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The outlook for managed care nurses should also grow as the population ages and more individuals depend on managed care plans like Medicare.

 

What Is a Longterm Care Nurse?

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Care Nurse Long-term care nurse care for patients who have an illness or condition that requires care for an extended period of time. Often working with the elderly or patients with disability, long-term care nurses work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and rehabilitation centers. They provide direct patient care, including monitoring and recording vital signs, administering medication and performing therapeutic treatments such as massage and range of motion exercises. Long-term care nurses also often assist patients with the tasks of their daily lives, including feeding, dressing, using the toilet and bathing.

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In order to become a long-term care nurse, students must first complete their Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Registered nurses may then seek employment as a long-term care nurse. RNs who want to specialize in long-term care nursing may want to take additional courses in gerontology during their degree programs or even earn their Gerontological Nursing Certification, as most long-term care nurses work with the elderly.

A typical job posting for a long-term care nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of institution and patient population:

  • ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
  • Certification in Basic Life Support and/or CPR required; Gerontological Nursing Certification a plus
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with patients, caregivers and medical teams on an ongoing basis
  • Physical ability to assist in lifting, moving and transferring patients and assisting them in their daily tasks such as using the toilet, bathing and dressing

To search and apply for current long-term care nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Long-Term Care Nurse?

A position as a long-term care nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree in addition to an active RN license. Generally, an advanced degree is not required for long-term care nurses, but elective courses in gerontology are particularly helpful for RNs pursuing a career in long-term care.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Most long-term care nursing positions require applicants to hold the Basic Life Support Certification, offered by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Additionally, some long-term care nurses may consider pursuing the Gerontological Nursing Certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which requires nurses to hold a current RN license, to have practiced a minimum of two years full-time as an RN and have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the area of gerontological nursing within the previous three years.

Long-term care nurses often work in settings that care for the elderly, disabled or other patients affected by chronic conditions, including nursing homes, assisted living communities or long-term care facilities. They may also work in home health care or rehabilitation centers.

What Does a Long-Term Care Nurse Do?

Long-term care nurses provide care for patients affected by illnesses, injuries or conditions that require extended care. Long-term care nurses work with a patient’s full medical team to coordinate and implement a patient’s plan of care, and are frequently a source of emotional support, guidance and comfort for patients and their loved ones. Depending on their place of employment and patient population, long-term care nurses may perform vital sign checks, administer medications and intravenous therapy and provide wound care. Often, long-term care nurses also assist patients with their daily tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing and using the toilet. Long-term care nurses also perform therapeutic treatments such as massage and range-of-motion exercises.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Long-Term Care Nurse?

  • Coordinate with a patient’s full medical team to implement and evaluate a comprehensive plan of care
  • Perform vital sign checks, intravenous therapy, enteral tube feedings, wound care, respiratory therapy and/or administer medications
  • Assist patients with daily tasks such as feeding, dressing, sitting/standing, using the toilet and bathing
  • Perform therapeutic treatments such as range-of-motion exercises
  • Prepare equipment and assist physicians during patient examinations
  • Provide emotional support for patients and their loved ones and educate them about their conditions and ongoing care plan.

What Are the Challenges Long-Term Care Nurses Face?

There are two major challenges that Long-Term Care (LTC) Nurses face, and they stem from the rise in acuity of patients and associated staffing issues.

Higher acuity simply means more complex. Patients are living longer with more chronic conditions and requiring more care. This means long-term care nurses are tasked with more challenging medical patients in a setting that is not acute. While this presents challenges, it is also a great opportunity for nurses to practice and advance their nursing and time-management skills.

Piggybacking on the higher acuity challenges, LTC facilities may have only one or two doctors that are responsible for the care of patients. There are teams of clinical staff including nurses, a social worker, case manager, nursing assistants, med techs, and others to assist with patients. However, due to the complexity of some patients, the time it takes to complete patient care is higher and spreads staff thin.

Both of these challenges can be improved. Staffing changes to account for acuity of patients has been practiced and implemented in many facilities. The previous model was based on numbers rather than acuity. These updates have improved patient and employee satisfaction, ensuring the nurses have adequate support and time for their patients.

Long-term care nurses can expect a median salary of around $67,493, with a range of $52,541 – $82,155. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics due in large part to an aging population in need of care. Given that long-term care nurses play a large role in the care of this patient group, an increase in long-term care employment opportunities is also expected.

 

How to Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse

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Medical-Surgical Nurse The Medical-Surgical Nurse or “Med-Surg” Nurse has a broad array of knowledge that is applied in the fast-paced environment of the surgical operating room. The daily schedule or yearly agenda of these nurses is difficult to predict due to the many different types of patients that they see and treat. Typical tasks may involve caring for a patient who is rapidly deteriorating and required a higher level of care as well as patients who are stable and being discharged home. A busy and often stressful hospital environment is common.

Becoming a Medical-Surgical Nurse

When nursing was a younger profession, the majority of nurses worked in wards performing bedside care, and most were classified as medical-surgical nurses. Currently, med-surg nurses work in a variety of positions both on the hospital floor and beyond.

Medical-surgical nursing is often the first step that a newly licensed RN takes in their professional career – and for a few good reasons! Jobs in bedside post-operative patient care are some of the most abundant in the industry, meaning there are a wealth of job openings. There is considerable support from other nurses on the floor, and many opportunities for learning as part of the healthcare team. In general med-surg, there is an array of patients that come through each day, week and month, greatly informing the new nurses experience, practice and perspective.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Medical-Surgical Nurse?

Nurses who graduate with an ADN or Associate’s Degree in Nursing are hired into the medical-surgical specialty quite often. However, a BSN or Bachelor’s degree is increasingly preferred and continuing on to receive this degree after hire may be a condition of employment.

Newly graduated nurses will find internship programs for the medical-surgical specialty at most hospitals. Internships involve a didactic component as well as a preceptorship with an experienced nurse.

Experienced nurses who opt to transfer into the medical-surgical unit should also ensure they have an appropriate training program, but often this is not as in-depth as the new graduate internship.

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

The Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) certification for Med-Surg nurses is available after about two years of employment. Often a raise in pay and reimbursement for the exam is offered by hospitals for nurses who complete this certification. Contact hours to renew the CMSRN are required, along with proof of employment as a Medical-Surgical RN and having an unencumbered RN license.

Medical-surgical nurses work in a variety of settings far beyond the hospital ward. Some of the more common work environments include inpatient clinics, HMOs, hospital and regulatory administration, teaching, outpatient or ambulatory care, home health care, nursing homes, and the military.

What Does a Medical-Surgical Nurse Do?

The Medical-Surgical nurse is responsible for being an expert in a wide array of conditions that patients present with on the Medical-Surgical floor of the hospital. Patients on this unit may have a medical issue such as a disease or illness, or may be recovering from a surgical procedure or preparing for one. Any of these issues requires close monitoring by the Med-Surg nurse for any changes in condition or the need to transfer to a higher level of care. Due to the range of experience that a new graduate stands to gain as a medical-surgical nurse, these positions are highly coveted by newly licensed and practicing nurses.

What Are the Roles & Duties of a Medical-Surgical Nurse?

  • Uses the nursing processeffectively and accountably
  • Performs patient care efficiently and effectively through practice and communication with patients and other staff
  • Coordinates care plan for patients and consults with other members of their team to ensure best outcomes
  • Follows the policies, rules, guidelines and procedures set out by the Board of Nursing and their employer
  • Works independently under the supervision of the manager or charge nurse to implement care goals for patients and professional goals for themselves.
  • May function in the role of charge nurse or resource nurse in addition to primary duties
  • Competently assesses the patient on a regular basis
  • Prioritizes patient care and associated issues to determine appropriate interventions.
  • Grows current competencies through didactic and experiential learning, as well as contact hours and certifications.
  • Demonstrates an empathetic and respectful demeanor to all fellow staff members, patients and family members

Medical-Surgical Nurse Salary & Employment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a steady increase in the number of nursing jobs available between now, 2020 as our healthcare system continues to develop, and the mean age of patients continues to rise. This means that there are a number of opportunities for new nurses to become established in the field and get started on their career path!

The average salary of a Med-Surg Floor nurse is $62,472 with a range of $36,512 – $92,282. As with any nursing specialty salary is dependent on a nurse’s location, experience, education, and relevant certifications. While hard data is difficult to extract, nurses may start with finishing their BSN degree for a general boost in salary.

 

Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse

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Labor and Delivery Nurse One only needs to look at population statistics to note that a mother’s labor and delivery of an infant is one of the most common medical experiences to have. With that in mind, it’s important to recognize that each woman’s experience is unique, and has its own potential pitfalls as the patient and healthcare teamwork to bring a new life into the world. Labor and Delivery (or L&D) nurses are known for their calm and practical demeanor as they work with women of all ages and health outcomes to ensure everyone manages the birth with appropriate comfort measures and safety precautions.

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Labor and delivery nurses have the complex job of advocating for both the mother and her yet-to-be born baby, which means that they require a finely honed set of ethics and deep understanding of the relationship between the two patients. L&D nurses remain calm when patient tensions run high and discomfort mounts, and often engage family members and spouses in how to bring comfort to their laboring partners. Nurses in this field take their responsibility for patient mental and emotional health seriously, as becoming a mother shifts the foundation upon which future relationships depend.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Not to be confused with a midwife or a doula, the Labor and Delivery nurse requires a degree from an accredited ADN or BSN program – a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing is considered highly competitive for job application. Every nurse must pass the state’s NCLEX-RN examination for licensure in order to be considered as a ‘registered’ nurse. L&D nurses often have a strong interest in obstetrics and gynecology, and view themselves as strong advocates of mothers and their children in the healthcare setting.

Experienced nurses need at least 1 year of bedside nursing experience and are often required to work as a Postpartum Nurse prior to transitioning into the L&D role.

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

In addition to experience as a postpartum nurse, Labor and Delivery nurses require certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). At present, field-specific continuing education and certification programs that are offered for Labor and Delivery are through the National Certification Corporation (NCC), which cover the stages of labor in depth, best practices for Caesarian section birth, best practices in labor and delivery for various segments of the population, as well as anesthetics and pharmacology. The Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) certification is typically required by most hospitals after a set period of employment. To be eligible to take the RNC-OB exam, the RN must have 24 months of experience in the field.

Labor and Delivery nursing is by no means a niche role given how common medical intervention is for birthing throughout the world. Nurses work in hospitals, birthing centers and as community resources. Senior nurses may opt to specialize further in this type of care and support, augmenting their training and experience to study issues like lactation and healthy birth and maternal outcomes in the community.

What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?

Working closely with the obstetricians and gynecologists in the ward, L&D nurses work in a hospital setting with other support staff to ensure that mothers and their birth team have a safe experience both laboring and delivering babies.

Working with a low patient ratio, some Labor and Delivery nurses work in the general ward, while others choose to specialize in working with high-risk groups – mothers with high-risk pregnancies, advanced maternal age, or those having issues with fetal development. High risk L&D facilities are more common in teaching hospitals and urban areas.”

What Are the Roles & Duties of a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

  • Provides direct patient care in the maternal specialty area to both mother and infant
  • Evaluates patient care and plans according to best patient outcomes and facility resources.
  • Monitors, documents, and communicates mother, fetal and infant status to members of the interdisciplinary team.
  • Coordinates maternal patient care holistically, advocating for physical, emotional and psycho-social needs.
  • Evaluates learning needs of patient and partners, and provides education appropriate to circumstances.
  • Refers patient(s) care to ancillary support staff and specialists
  • Acts as preceptor or mentor to student nurses, support staff and new hires.
  • Adept at interpreting fetal heart monitoring and EKG readings
  • Provides appropriate nursing care for childbearing women from teens to advanced maternal age
  • Provides advocacy, education and care from pregnancy through to postpartum phases, including fetal and infant care
  • Advocates for room-in or single-room, family centered care philosophy

Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary & Employment

The average salary of the L&D RN is $55,426, with a range of $46,225 – $86,709. Location, experience, certifications, and experience affect salary. Jobs are forecasted to continue to grow in this field, as our population, and indeed the world’s population, continue to grow.

 

Who Is an Infusion Nurse and Their Duties

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infusion nurse An infusion nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in the administration of medications and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line, central line, or venous access port. They can work as a resource to a hospital by starting lines and training new nurses in obtaining and maintaining IV access. An infusion nurse must be skilled in pharmacology, laboratory tests, and sometimes even telemetry to safely monitor patients throughout infusion therapy. They also have a steady hand, keen eye, and a lot of patience.

Starting peripheral intravenous lines is a skill best learned through experience. There are many techniques that result in successful IV starts, and many “tricks” nurses learn along the way. No two patients are the same, and neither are their veins. A nurse can build upon prior experience to obtain IV access on even the most challenging patients.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Infusion Nurses?

Those looking to become infusion nurses must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a nursing license. They can choose to earn an ADN or BSN nursing degree. BSN nurses have a broader range of opportunities, as they can pursue supervisory roles as well as become clinical nurse educators.

Obtaining clinical experience in intravenous access and diverse types of infusion therapy is a common requirement to become an infusion nurse. Many employers require a year or more of clinical experience. Areas that may help enhance intravenous access skills can include:

  • Pediatrics
  • Geriatrics
  • Oncology
  • Pre- and post-operative/ surgical units
  • Intensive care units

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

A practicing nurse can obtain formal infusion certification, although it is not required for some positions. The Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) program is nationally recognized in credentialing nurses in infusion therapy. The requirements to obtain certification are:

  • An active RN license in the United States
  • A minimum of 1,600 hours of experience in infusion therapy within the last two years

Applicants who are approved to take the exam can schedule a date to test. There are 300 testing sites globally and the testing process takes about three hours.

Re-certification is required every three years. Nurses can either take an exam or complete 40 hours of continuing education credits to renew their certification.

What Happens If an Infusion Nurse Has Trouble Gaining Access to a Patient’s Vein/Central Line?

As any infusion nurse will attest to, the inability to access a line can be very frustrating and, depending on the line, may require special interventions.

Peripheral IV line issues are probably the easiest to deal with. Most nurses can pop a new peripheral IV in fairly quickly, especially infusion nurses who perform IV starts frequently and are extremely skilled at finding challenging veins. Some infusion nurses even have specialized equipment (like a doppler) to help find deep or tiny veins.

PICC line access can be a bit more challenging; it may be clotted, or the line may be dislodged. Infusion nurses must first determine the cause. A clotted line won’t flush or is “sluggish” when flushing. Infusion nurses can try a few techniques to try to get the line flushed, such as gentle flushing using a push-pause method, having the patient turn their head, or repositioning the arm. If those methods fail, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may be required.

Central venous ports are also a little more complicated. They are surgically implanted, so access issues can make even the most seasoned infusion nurse worry. The port may be clotted, requiring a de-clotting agent. It may also help to reposition patients to see if that is the reason why it is occluded. Sometimes the access needle needs to be repositioned as well.

Where Do Infusion Nurses Work?

Infusion nurses can work in the hospital setting in the following roles:

  • Bedside nurse
  • Resource nurse
  • Peripherally Inserted Central Line (PICC) nurse

They can also work in outpatient departments such as:

  • Infusion centers
  • Oncology
  • Home health
  • Primary care
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Skilled nursing homes

Infusion nurses are responsible for initiating and maintaining intravenous lines and tubing, administering medication and fluid therapy, and educating families on line maintenance and treatment.

What Are the Roles and Duties of an Infusion Nurse?

Infusion nurses can work in many different areas. In the hospital setting, an infusion nurse may:

  • Work as a resource starting intravenous lines
  • Inserting and maintaining PICC or midlines
  • Routine PICC/ midline dressing changes
  • Teaching intravenous access and PICC insertion

Outpatient or ambulatory care infusion nurses also have a wide array of job duties. These may include:

  • Intermittent chemotherapy infusion
  • Blood transfusions
  • Antibiotic infusions
  • Steroid infusions
  • Nutrition replacement/ vitamin infusions
  • Fluid/ electrolyte infusions

Both inpatient and outpatient infusion nurses share the following duties:

  • Patient/family education with regards to line site, tubing, and catheter management
  • Patient/family education on the rationale for therapy
  • Education on possible side effects/ adverse effects of therapy, and signs and symptoms of infection to report
  • Collaboration and communication with the ordering physician throughout therapy
  • Line maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Administering medications and fluid therapy
  • Reviewing pertinent lab values and drug information
  • Developing a plan of care with the patient, family, and physician with regards to infusion therapy
  • Monitor the patient’s response to treatment throughout therapy
  • Assessing line site and patency regularly, keeping infection control and prevention as a priority

Infusion Nurse Salary & Employment

Infusion nurses can be in high demand. Many patients are being discharged from the hospital still needing to continue treatment. A medically stable patient would not need a lengthy hospital stay simply to receive infusions. Outpatient infusions have become more prevalent as hospitals work to reduce costs. According to The National Home Infusion Association website,home infusion is a safe and effective alternative to inpatient infusion treatment, and allows patients to resume normal activities more timely. This results in a higher demand for infusion nurses. According to salary.com, an infusion nurse earns a median salary of $83,171.This can vary, however, based on the state and organization in which the nurse is employed.

 

The Roles and Duties of an ICU Nurse

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ICU nurse Complex and challenging, Intensive Care (ICU) or critical care nursing requires an advanced technical skillset, a calm manner, and a positive life philosophy. ICU nurses provide care for life-threatening medical conditions and injuries and may work with patients from the neonatal ward to seniors. These patients have often experienced traumatic illnesses or accidents. The role is complex, as ICU nurses work to maintain and restore health to patients through careful management of their various bodily systems. Many nurses choose to specialize in working with a particular segment of the population. ICU nurses require excellent communication and leadership abilities, as well as the capacity to carry out complex directions.

What’s the Difference Between an ICU Nurse and Floor Nurse?

A patient admitted to the floor, meaning medical-surgical, orthopedics, or other specialty, is considered to have a stable condition or disease process, which may or may not deteriorate to unstable.

If the floor patient’s condition deteriorates, the ICU team responds rapidly and appropriately to stabilize the patient’s condition; the patient may be transferred to the ICU for closer monitoring.

ICU nurses care for patients who are considered unstable. This means either they have an unstable respiratory system or cardiovascular system, or have a high likelihood of one or both of these systems becoming unstable and require closer monitoring.

ICU interventions such as intubation, starting vasopressors, or pacing a patient’s heart (among other interventions, which are highly situation-dependent) may be initialized quickly and efficiently due to the higher level of care in the ICU.

What Are Common ICU Standards of Care

ICU standards of care are guided by the hospital’s policies and procedures and by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Generally accepted standards of practice include:

  • Check and record vital signs every hour
  • Head-to-toe assessment and documentation every 4 hours
  • Lab draws usually at least daily
  • Repositioning and skin integrity check every 2 hours
  • Wound care every shift
  • Frequent evaluation of continuous telemetry monitoring
  • Constant critical thinking to determine worst case scenarios for each bodily system and systematic preparation for each scenario

There are some interventions that are practiced much more often by ICU nurses, and may include administering vasoactive drugs for hemodynamic instability, hypothermia protocol after a cardiac arrest, intubation for respiratory failure, CPR, performing Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and others.

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Nurses with a love for data and management of a single patient’s condition and outcomes generally do well as ICU nurses. An inquisitive mind and attention to processes is equally important. ICU nurses are deeply compassionate and are unafraid to advocate on behalf of their patient to family members who are distraught.

What Are the Education Requirements for an ICU Nurse?

With good undergraduate marks and nursing licensure, any nursing student who is interested in ICU nursing should seek a Nursing Student Externship. Usually available to senior nursing students in the final year of their program, the externship allows students to assist RNs in the ICU, benefiting greatly from the nurses’ experience and mentorship. Formal externship programs are often posted online by hospitals; your college or university will often have these opportunities posted for nursing students as well. Many Nurse Externs transition into an RN New Graduate Internship program once they pass the NCLEX.

For experienced RNs, making the transition into the ICU requires applying to an ICU position and usually engaging in a training program either before applying or concurrently with the application. These positions and criteria are hospital-specific but often include a didactic and mentorship portion, working under the guidance of a senior ICU nurse until success criteria and leadership in the role have been achieved.

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

At present, RN licensure requires either an ADN or a BSN degree; many hospitals prefer to hire BSN candidates, or those who finish their degree concurrently with employment.

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers many certifications. For adult ICU nurses, the CCRN is a certification for acute/critical care nurses. Additional modules focused on pediatrics and neo-natals are offered too.

Contact hours are required to renew the CCRN. Options are to renew by retaking the exam or by completing Synergy CERPs in the required areas, paying the fee of up to $200, and maintaining an unencumbered RN license.

Due to the nature of the work that they do, and that they need specialized equipment and resources to care for their patients, it’s common for hospital networks to share resources, locating an ICU unit (and its nurses) at larger hospitals, centralized hospitals, and teaching facilities in order to maximize the resources that patients might require. Hospitals without critical care facilities have transfer agreements with the nearest intensive care unit. ICU nurses work almost exclusively within their unit; not much work is done by way of policy or outreach due to the nature of the role.

What Does an ICU Nurse Do?

A critical care nurse works in the intensive care unit of a hospital with either pediatric, neonatal, or adult populations. They may specialize, depending on the needs of the patient demographic and the size of the hospital in which they work.

ICU nurses work at high ratios with patients who already have, or have a high likelihood of developing, a life threatening complication, and trauma or disease process as ICU patients require intensive and frequent nursing care, assessments and monitoring.”

What Are the Roles & Duties of an ICU Nurse?

  • Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop a plan of care to stabilize patients
  • Adept at communicating, critical thinking, leadership and patient advocacy – both on behalf of the patient and the medical team
  • Utilize highly developed physical assessment skills
  • Make quick decisions while multitasking
  • Administer a variety of lifesaving treatments efficiently and effectively
  • Closely monitor one or several patients
  • Prioritizes patient care plan based on patient needs and care resources
  • Identifies patient and family learning needs; educates appropriately
  • Closely documents patient care, protocols and unit procedures
  • Is culturally aware
  • Demonstrates understanding and ethics surrounding patient confidentiality and risk management
  • Move patients to comfort care for end of life

What Specialties Exist for ICU Nurses?

Neurological ICU Nurse

Neurological ICU nurses work with patients that have experienced a traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury of some type. The work includes:

  • Frequent neurological assessments
  • Intracranial devices are common
  • Extensive knowledge of spinal cord and brain injuries
  • Use of medications to lower intracranial pressure and control blood pressure are common

Cardiac ICU Nurse

Cardiac ICU nurses are involved with patients who have had or who need cardiac surgery or a cardiac catheterization procedure, are experiencing a non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and need medical management. Cardiac ICU nurses regularly perform the following duties:

  • Frequent hemodynamic and telemetry monitoring
  • Use of intracardiac devices including Swan-Ganz (pulmonary artery) catheters and intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP)
  • Use of medications to control heart rate, rhythm, cardiac output, and blood pressure are common

Medical ICU Nurse

Medical ICU care for patients with sepsis, pneumonia, withdrawal from a substance such as alcohol or drugs, stroke, myocardial infarction, active gastrointestinal bleeding, or other complications. Medical ICU nursing procedures can include:

  • Frequent hemodynamic monitoring
  • Use of ventilators and hypothermia equipment common
  • Use of medications and fluids for fluid resuscitation, hemodynamic instability, and infections are common

Trauma ICU Nurse

Trauma ICU nurses work with patients who have sustained injuries due to a motor vehicle crash, fall, attempted homicide, attempted suicide, drowning, or similar events. Trauma ICU nursing may include:

  • Rapid assessment and detection of complications from trauma
  • Broad knowledge of brain, spine, chest, orthopaedic, and abdominal injuries
  • Close monitoring for small changes which may require emergent interventions

Burn ICU Nurse

Burn ICU nurses care for patients with a large surface area of burn injury. Procedures can include:

  • Assess, treat, and manage wounds
  • Treating sepsis
  • Maintain airways and ensure adequate perfusion
  • Pain management

Transplant ICU Nurse

Transplant ICU admits patients who have received or are about to receive an organ transplant such as cornea, heart, liver, or kidney. Transplant ICU nurses are responsible for the following:

  • Monitor closely for organ rejection
  • Maintain hemodynamic stability
  • Equipment such as chest tubes and ventilators are common depending on the type of organ transplanted

Pediatric ICU Nurse

The PICU nurse sees miraculous recoveries as well as heartbreaking losses; some nurses find this especially difficult when children are the patients. Pediatric ICU nursing care includes:

  • Close monitoring of hemodynamicsand respiratory status
  • Treatment of congenital diseases

Neonatal ICU Nurse

Neonatal ICU or NICU nursing is for infants with life-threatening injuries or diseases. NICU nurses perform the following practices as part of their role:

  • Extensive knowledge of congenital illnesses and diseases affecting newborns
  • Trauma and accidental injuries are common

 

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Hospice Nurse?

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hospice Nurse A hospice nurse is a health care professional that care for patients at the end of their lives. The term “hospice nurse” is used by many as an umbrella term for a number of different professions. When individuals refer to themselves as hospice nurses, they’re most likely employed as one of the following kinds of nurses: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNA) or Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN). Hospice nurses typically work with terminally ill patients and help ensure their and quality of life during their remaining days, as opposed to working to cure or fix a patient. Their primary responsibility is to help people live as comfortably and independently as possible and with the least amount of pain during their last days.

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One of the main parts of being a Hospice Nurse involves helping patients, and their families feel more comfortable about death and providing them with the emotional support they need. Additionally, hospice nurses will do their best in assisting family members to manage any practical details that may be involved when caring for a dying loved one.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Hospice Nurses?

For Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs):

  • CHPNAs will have a high school diploma or GED
  • Must have to have at minimum 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing assistant experience in the most recent 12 months, or 1,000 hours in the past 24 months, all under the supervision of a registered nurse in the United States.

For Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs):

  • Individual must have attended college or university and have obtained a BSN, ADN, or have graduated from a state-approved program in vocational nursing
  • Must currently be a licensed RNor LVN in state of residence
  • Should have at least two years of related experience

For Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs):

  • Individual must have attended college or university, earning either a BSN or ADN
  • Must currently be a licensed RN in state of residence
  • Should have at least two years of related care settings

For Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs):

  • Will hold a master’s or doctoral degree in advanced practice nursing program from an accredited university that includes both clinical and didactic segments
  • Must currently be in possession of an unrestricted active registered nurse license in the US.
  • Must be a functioning Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing practice in the most recent 12 months, or 1,000 hours in the past 24 months before applying to take the ACHPN Examination

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs)

  • Must pass standardized HPCC CHPNA® Examination to obtain credential
  • Certification is valid for four years; to renew one’s certification, one must retake and pass the recertification examination and keep current in the field through continuing education courses

Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs)

  • Must pass standardized HPCC CHPLN Examination
  • Certification is valid for four years; recertification is given to those that take and pass the recertification examination and stay up to date on happenings in the field through continuing education courses

Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs):

  • Must pass standardized HPCC CHPN Examination
  • Certification is valid for four years; recertification is granted either by taking and passing recertification exam or by submitting approval for continuing education and other approved activities

Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs)

  • Must pass standardized ACHPN Examination
  • Candidates who sit for and pass the ACHPN examination are granted the credential of ACHPN

Typically, hospice patients are expected to live six months or less. It is for this reason that most hospice care takes place at the patient’s place of residence. Hospice nurses will work:

  • At the patient’s home or family’s home
  • At a hospice center
  • At a skilled nursing facility
  • At a geriatric nursing home
  • At a hospital

Hospice care helps patients who are terminally ill to die in a dignified way in their own home instead of in a hospital setting. One of the main jobs of a hospice nurse is to provide emotional support to assist their patients to live as independent and as comfortable as possible near the end of their lives. Often, hospice nurses are expected to stay in communication with family members, physicians, priests, or other spiritual advisers. Hospice nurses should comfortable navigating in crisis situations. In most cases, hospice nurses are part of a larger interdisciplinary health care team, which administers nursing care to individuals and their families. A hospice nurse’s role will depend on the certification they hold (i.e. CHPNA, CHPLN, or CHPN).

Because they’re RNs, Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs) are considered the senior nursing professional on the hospice team. CHPNs are responsible for providing education, supervision, and direction to the other nursing staff. Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs), on the other hand, are responsible for providing hands-on nursing care around the clock. CHPNA’s and CHPLN’s are in charge of day to day nursing activities like managing the patient’s pain symptoms, and comfort level. They are also responsible for maintaining the patient’s hygiene and making sure they take their prescribed medication at the correct times.

Both CHPNA’s and CHPLN’s must keep an open line of communication with the CHPNs and Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse on the case. Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse’s (ACHPNs) are on the periphery of the hospice team, but maintain a vital role in evaluating the overall condition of the patient and appropriately prescribing the most effective medication.

Hospice Nurse Salary & Employment

Hospice nurses who are registered nurses with advanced degrees will almost invariably have larger salaries than their nursing counterparts that do not have advanced degrees.

According to payscale.com, Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs) will on average make an hourly wage between $11.35 to $17.53 per hour or $58,000 annually. The salary of Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs) ranges between $49,831 at the low end all the way up to $82,023 annually. Lastly, Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses(ACHPN) make an average of $96,126 annually.