Nursing - senior project essay free essay sample

Although most people think they can get away with picking an easy topic for their senior projects it turns out to be a little more complex than that. Growing up my ideas and passions would always seem to be changing but when I finally became set in my ways at least in knowing what I would like to pursue the Nursing Program was up to par. I chose to do mine on Nursing in the ED (emergency department) because this is a field I would love to go into so I can be of service to those in need of any medical care, to always have a stable job to rely on, and further more to be able to excel in the field of medicine. I would love to be one of the people on call to respond to the needs of another individual in their time of need. Anyone could only imagine that feeling one would get after providing such an extraordinary service. Although the job seems like a walk in the park it takes many years of hard work and studying to get there. A registered nurse is responsible for the needs of patients suffering from illness or injury, and can provide care and cater to the needs of patients in a variety of settings, including operating rooms, ambulatory care, intensive care, physician’s offices, health care clinics or specialized practices. Most registered nurses can be found working in teams for health care facilities. Some of the positions involve little or no direct patient care and varying roles with health care staff, but the general responsibilities of a registered nurse can include: Observing and recording patient medical history and symptoms, Establishing a plan of care for patients or adding to an existing one then putting the plan into action, Managing and assigning tasks to licensed practical nurses and nursing assistant, Advising and providing emotional support for patients and their families (Guide to Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).). If a nurse decides to  work outside of a health care facility there is a different set of nursing careers available to them. Some of these include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. In all nursing education programs, students take courses in nursing, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other social and  behavioral sciences, as well as in liberal arts. BSN program s typically take four years to complete; ADN and diploma programs usually take two to three years to complete. All programs also include supervised clinical experience in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A number of programs include clinical experience in extended and long-term care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, or ambulatory (walk-in) clinics. Bachelors degree programs usually include more training in the physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking, which is becoming more important as nursing practice becomes more complex. They also offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. A bachelors degree or higher is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of education programs (bachelors, associate’s, or diploma) qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse.Many registered nurses with an ADN or diploma find an entry-level position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. There are also master’s degree programs in nursing, combined bachelor’s and master’s programs, and programs for those who wish to enter the nursing profession but hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. To make sure one can handle the conditions of this job you have to be in a good physical condition. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and Because patients need round-the-clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Nurses spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching and standing, so they must follow proper body mechanics to guard against injury. Because of the fast-paced and variable environment  of emergency rooms, ER Nurses must possess good stress coping skills and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. They must be able to work accurately around frequent interruptions. Nurses may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, they treat patients that may be confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative. Along with all this you need. At a minimum for most entry-level emergency room (ER) nursing careers, applicants must have a diploma from an accredited Nursing degree program. However, most employers prefer to hire ER nurses who possess Associates or Bachelors degrees in nursing. Even more preferred are nurses who further their specialty by earning post-baccalaureate certificates in emergency nursing. Applicants also must be state licensed to practice as registered nurses (RNs). Emergency room nurses need strong  listening and communication skills. Because the job is unpredictable and requires quick thinking, nurses often need to make immediate decisions and pay close attention to detail. ER nurses also need be cautious and observe strict guidelines to guard against potentially disease transmission. Emergency rooms and hospitals operate 24 hours a day, and emergency room nurses are often expected to work irregular hours. As our economy starts coming to a slow halt in most career fields, the medical field is alive and well in every category. Registered nurses who work in general medical and surgical hospitals, including trauma nurses, made an average of $66,650 per year in 2010, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Geographic location, career demand, job experience, and benefits packages all impact the amount that you can make in this career. The job outlook for nurses is quite good, with 26th percent growth expected between 2010 and 2020. However, that growth is expected to be strongest in outpatient centers and private physicians’ offices, rather than hospitals and emergency rooms, so growth may not be as strong for trauma nurses as for nurses in other specialties. A nurse has significant opportunities to advance into management and similar roles. If you find that you prefer the fast-paced life on the floor of the ER, you can advance by taking on more responsibilities or transferring to a busier facility. If you find that the   environment of the ER is not for you, you can take your experience and use it in other branches of nursing. The skills you gain working in the trauma field will help you in many nursing areas. In most jobs that people decide to go after once they arrive there isn’t very many options of higher education, as well as higher pay. A trauma nurse has significant opportunities to advance into management and similar roles. If they prefer the fast-paced life on the floor of the ER, they can advance by taking on more responsibilities or transferring to a busier facility. If they find that the environment of the ER is not for them, they can take your experience and use it in other branches of nursing. . The skills one can gain working in the trauma field will help them in many nursing careers (Career). Within these higher ranked jobs, comes a substantial increase in ones salary. The only downfall is that to make this amount of money, two years of additional school will be required. In conclusion I chose to do my research paper on Nursing in the ED (Emergency Department) because it has been the most intriguing field of study that I have come across. Over the years my job choices have differentiated but Nursing has been the one for me. Nursing is a field I would love to go into so I can be of service to those in need of any medical care, to always have a stable job to rely on, and further more to be able to excel in the field of medicine. I have realized on my job shadowing experience that this is the field of study that I will more than likely go into. Although the money is good, and it opens many doors in the medical field if one does not have the right motives for choosing this it will be all for nothing.