A registered nurse research papers example

Nursing is a professional practice dealing with the promotion and maintenance of health, assisting recovery, and maintaining the quality of life (Blaiset al., 2006). The main roles of a registered nurse include assessment of physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the patient. It also involves diagnosis, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the patient response to care given. In addition, registered nurses educate patients on various aspects of health (American Nurses Association, 2009). Registered nurses are not supposed to prescribe drugs. However, they can prescribe only if that authority is delegated to them by a physician in writing.
The practice of Registered Nursing is guided by some code of ethics that are classified into seven categories as put forth by the American Nurses Association (2010). Such codes of ethics include the following: provision of safe, competent, compassionate and ethical care; promotion of health and well-being; and promoting and respecting informed decision-making. Other are preserving dignity; promoting justice; maintaining privacy and confidentiality; and being accountable to both their senior and the patients (Fryand Johnstone, 2012).
Qualification to become a registered nurse requires attainment of a four-year college degree and registration by the State of work. In addition, one has to be registered by the Nurses and Midwifes Board or Registered Midwifes. To be registered, a person must write an application letter to the Registration and Licensing Board. Upon the prescribed fee payment and approval that the person is of good character, a person is registered and issued with a certificate. He must prove that his training is complete and that the course was pursued in recognised institution.
There are very many schools and colleges which offer courses related to nursing. These institutions include; the University of Washington, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, John Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania among others. In general, there are at least two institutions in each state offering nursing. Some states have as much as thirty institutions. In John Hopkins, a total of about 103, 000 to 108, 000 U. S dollars is required for pre- license programs in Nursing. In the University of Washington, the fee for a Bachelors degree is approximately 9, 000 U. S dollars per quarter. Diploma in nursing is however obtained from hospital-based nursing schools. These programs run for between two and three years depending on the institution. Its costs are a bit lower than that of bachelors’ degree (Blaiset al., 2006).
Despite being the largest healthcare occupation with over 2 million jobs, there have been very little shortages of nurses that have been witnessed earlier few years. This is so even though it offers the largest numbers of new jobs in the healthcare sector. The decline in demand of registered nurses has been as a result of flooding of the market with experienced nurses who were retired and even those who were in part-time practices going into full-time practice. Employers have, therefore, been forced to employ new graduates with associate degrees and therefore those with a diploma are finding it hard to be recruited. This is coupled with a requirement of an experience of two years or more by the employers. The number of graduates in the nursing field is also constantly increasing. The employers also fear the cost of orientation to the new nurses and also the fact that they may move to other employers after a short time. The present nurses however are staying put in their places of work due to the hard economic times witnessed now. This makes it very challenging for new nurses to be recruited (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009).
There has been a constant increase in the earnings of registered nurses. In the year 2004, an average registered nurse earned $45, 000 but now they earn an average of $67, 000. Those registered nurses with more experience currently earn up to a maximum of $95, 000. This salary also depends on the registered nurses area of specialization, for example, those specialized in physical and occupational therapy earns more than those specialized in paramedics (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014). At the moment there are several nursing jobs advertised in the media, for example, in the learn for good website, there were more than 224 nursing jobs advertised on 29th September 2014 with an average salary of $87, 600 and at least one year experience (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014).
In staffnurse. com, there are more than one hundred nursing companies posting vacancies on the site on a daily basis. Other media, for example the newspapers also do advertise nursing jobs as they come up. Those registered nurses with a lot of experiences definitely earn more than those with less experience. The nursing profession has a lot of advancement opportunities. One can join the very many professional organizations to enhance his chances of enhancing and improving. Such organizations include, The American Nurses Association (ANA) or State nurses association, one can also work as a certified nursing assistant so as to gain the required experience required for employment. Joining American nurses Association, for example, requires that one fill an application form in which he chooses the type of membership he wishes to have. ANA and State membership requires over $ 200. ANA only membership requires $ 191 per year and E-Members only pays $ 45 per year. Nursing students are also allowed to join but at a reduced fee. The American Nursing Association publishes a number of journals and other publications. These publications include, The American Nurse today, produced monthly and cost $ 23. 92 for subscribers of the twelve issues. The American Nurse, produced twice a month, Nursing Insider, which is a weekly e- newsletter. Other Publications in the Nursing field include The American Journal of Nursing that costs $ 33. 90 and is published by the Science publishing group. However, these costs differ depending on the type of purchase.(American Nurses Association, 2014)
Registered nurses have an opportunity to further their education through the various institutions which offer the course. However, this can as well be done online so as to enable them learn and work at the same time. The online option is just complicated to the extent that it requires self discipline. Short courses like alarm fatigue management, combating wound care myths, stroke management, depression and suicide and much more can be done by nurses while on duty (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2009). Professional organizations like American nurses Association also provide continuing education activities to its members. These activities increase the nurses’ continuing education units. These activities include exposure to many online study modules at discounted rates, through meetings and conferences and through access of the organization’s journals and publications (American Nurses Association, 2009)
As a nursing student, I see myself in the right profession since I have always imagined being a registered nurse. I see myself proceeding to do masters and Ph. D. and therefore becoming one of the best nurses around. This motive drives me to work extra hard in my education because I know that this dream is achieved through hard work and discipline. I have always loved helping others and also have a heart that shows mercy to others. I believe this is one of the most important requirements for anybody to become a nurse. Apart from this, I have realized that I am a patient person who rarely gets annoyed. Most importantly, I like helping humanity and especially the sick. To achieve this dream, I have to go through education and earn a degree that will allow me to be registered as a practicing registered nurse. Once I have acquired this, I will be able to access continuing education units which will improve my experience in this field. I will then be able to pursue masters and finally PhD in one of the fields I will choose. There are very many resourceful people who I will contact to help me grow in my career; these include my lecturer, other practicing registered nurses and. I will also get information from documents prepared by professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association.
Nursing is one of the jobs with more vacancies in the hospitals, clinics, other health facilities and even non-governmental organizations and is greatly rewarding with good remuneration package and career development opportunities. With all these competencies I would have acquired, I will get a good and rewarding employment opportunity.

References

” American Nurses Association, ANA”. (2009). Health Care Finder. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
” American Nurses Association, ANA”. (2010). Code of ethics. Nursing worldRetrieved 2010-15-11
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2009). Retrieved from
Blais, K. K., Hayes, J. S., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2006). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (5th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2014). Retrieved from http://www. bls. gov/ooh/ocos083. htm.
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.(2009). Retrieved from http://www. bls. gov/oco/ocos083. htm.
Fry, S.,& Johnstone, M-J. (2012). Ethics in Nursing practice: a guide to ethical decision-making (2nd Ed.). International Council of Nurses. Oxford: Blackwell
http://www. aacn. nche. edu