online rn programs

Sources for online rn programs

Significant Points about registered nurses (from the U.S. bureau of labor):

The largest health care occupation, with more than 2 million jobs.
One of the 10 occupations projected to have the largest numbers of new jobs.
Job opportunities are expected to be very good.
Earnings are above average, particularly for advanced practice nurses, who have additional education or training.

Resource Box. Click on the links below to find places offering online lpn programs:
	healthcare training nursing programs medical assistant schools

Information about registered nurses from the U.S. Bureau of Labor:

Nature of the work you can expect after pursuing online rn programs

Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness.

They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation.

RNs also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.

Click here to go to our Resource Box of places offering online rn programs

While State laws govern the tasks that RNs may perform, it is usually the work setting that determines their daily job duties.

Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses. Most are staff nurses, who provide bedside nursing care and carry out medical regimens. They also may supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides.

Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area, such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, or treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments.

Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians' offices, clinics, surgicenters, and emergency medical centers. They prepare patients for and assist with examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist with minor surgery, and maintain records. Some also perform routine laboratory and office work

Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer's disease.

Although they often spend much of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents' health condition, develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides, and perform difficult procedures such as starting intravenous fluids. They also work in specialty- care departments, such as long-term rehabilitation units for patients with strokes and head-injuries.

Home health nurses provide periodic services to patients at home. After assessing patients' home environments, they care for and instruct patients and their families. Home health nurses care for a broad range of patients, such as those recovering from illnesses and accidents, cancer, and childbirth. They must be able to work independently, and may supervise home health aides.

Public health nurses work in government and private agencies and clinics, schools, retirement communities, and other community settings. They focus on populations, working with individuals, groups, and families to improve the overall health of communities. They also work as partners with communities to plan and implement programs.

Click here to go to our Resource Box of places offering online rn programs

Public health nurses instruct individuals, families, and other groups regarding health issues, disease prevention, nutrition, and childcare. They arrange for immunizations, blood pressure testing, and other health screening. These nurses also work with community leaders, teachers, parents, and physicians in community health education.

Occupational health or industrial nurses provide nursing care at worksites to employees, customers, and others with minor injuries and illnesses. They provide emergency care, prepare accident reports, and arrange for further care if necessary. They also offer health counseling, assist with health examinations and inoculations, and assess work environments to identify potential health or safety problems.

Head nurses or nurse supervisors direct nursing activities. They plan work schedules and assign duties to nurses and aides, provide or arrange for training, and visit patients to observe nurses and to ensure the proper delivery of care.

They also may see that records are maintained and equipment and supplies are ordered. At the advanced level, nurse practitioners provide basic primary healthcare.

They diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries.

Nurse practitioners also can prescribe medications-but certification and licensing requirements vary by State. Other advanced practice nurses include clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse-midwives.

Advanced practice nurses must meet higher educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all RNs.

Click here to go to our Resource Box of places offering online rn programs

Current Job Outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor:

Job opportunities for RNs are expected to be very good.

Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, and because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result.

Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise.

Some States report current and projected shortages of RNs, primarily due to an aging RN workforce and recent declines in nursing school enrollments.

Imbalances between the supply of and demand for qualified workers should spur efforts to attract and retain qualified RNs.

For example, employers may restructure workloads, improve compensation and working conditions, and subsidize training or continuing education.

Faster than average growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of medical problems to be treated, and an increasing emphasis on preventive care.

In addition, the number of older people, who are much more likely than younger people to need nursing care, is projected to grow rapidly.

Click here to go to our Resource Box of places offering online rn programs

Earnings

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $44,840 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,870 and $54,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,360. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in 2000 were as follows:

Personnel supply services	$46,860.00
Hospitals	$45,780.00
Home health care services	$43,640.00
Offices and clinics of medical doctors	$43,480
Nursing and personal care facilities	$41,330
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Click here to go to our Resource Box of places offering online rn programs

Go back to get information about more online degrees and education
at the the-learning-directory.org

online rn programs

Information about online rn programs

Sources for online rn programs

Nature of the work you can expect after pursuing online rn programs

Current Job Outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor:

Earnings