Introduction
Nursing is one of the most common occupations in healthcare due to the importance of nurses’ services in guaranteeing quality patient care at all levels. There are already more than 3 million RNs in the United States, and more are anticipated. The educational requirements and licensing requirements for various nursing degrees vary. Nurse education comprises academic and clinical instruction that prepares nurses for a variety of tasks. Some of the programs are applicable to both general nursing and specialized ones.
Career Options
Within the scope of the nurse employment market, there are several nursing specialties that professionals might pursue in order to enhance patient outcomes. The most typical of these configurations is clinical care environments, where a nurse manages outpatients and inpatients with diverse requirements while working in clinical health centers. Nurses treat sick children in pediatric care facilities, among other places of care. Every division may have a sub-section, such as the oncology care facilities for children, which cares for the medical requirements of young patients with malignant tumors on their bodies. The geriatrics section is another option for nurses, where they concentrate heavily on caring for the elderly. Most geriatric cases include nursing residences for the elderly, where nurses provide care for the elderly patients who dwell there.
It is crucial to have a foundational nursing education that results in an independent registration, such as the Associate Degree in Nursing, in order to take advantage of all the work opportunities available. These four-year programs provide a roadmap for anybody interested in pursuing various nursing specializations. People can expand their knowledge and competence in their chosen professions by taking post-qualification programs. Being a licensed practical nurse qualifies me to work in a variety of nurse setups involving providing injections, getting ready patients for various surgical procedures, giving therapeutic massages, shifting bandages, handling and preserving patient medical records, and dealing with intravenous fluids. Most significantly, it is my responsibility as a certified practical nurse to communicate with medical professionals about the unique requirements of patients.
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 and Personal Aims
The future of nursing 2020-2030 report included a number of recommendations for how to enhance the delivery of nursing care. Some of its suggestions are centered on the interaction between the nursing workforce and the diverse health requirements of shifting patient groups throughout lifespans (National Academy of Medicine, 2021). They promote initiatives aimed at enhancing nurses’ roles in the provision of high-quality healthcare in the US population.
The report’s first main suggestion is that nurses should put their education and training to use to the fullest degree possible. The second main takeaway from the mentioned report is that a nurse is to strive to advance their knowledge and practice through a framework of education that will allow for smooth academic growth. After finishing my BSN, I would wish to further my study and certification (University of Massachusetts Global, n.d.). I would immediately seek the Certified Pediatric Nurse credential after receiving my BSN since I have a great interest in caring for children and practicing as a pediatrician.
I would therefore need to acquire more than 3000 pediatric experiences over the last 5 years or practice in the child care setting for 1800 hours over the course of two years in order to qualify for this certification. In addition, I would have to submit an application to the PNCD in my location of practice, and if my credentials were approved, a three-hour exam and a tailored introduction workshop would be given. I would attempt to enhance my knowledge by enrolling in MSN classes two years after receiving my BSN diploma and earning the status of a Certified Pediatric Nurse. I could finish my MSN in just two years because I already hold an RN license.
Increasing Educational Levels
Improving my education makes me more competitive in the framework of the job market because it allows me to provide patients and other healthcare providers who look up to me with a wider range of nursing care. In my situation, I want to earn a DNP and then a Ph.D. in nursing. With these high academic accomplishments, I can be confident that my worth to the healthcare system will increase, giving me a higher position in the cutthroat nursing employment market. Ph.D. nurses tend to concentrate more on abstract thought than on providing hands-on patient care, and a lot of their job involves making decisions. At these academic levels, a nurse is taught sophisticated critical decision-making techniques, which strengthen their capacity to make wise choices that improve patient care. Additionally, with a Ph.D., I will be capable of dedicating a large portion of my time to scientific investigation and significantly advancing current nursing methods.
Significance of Continuing Nursing Education
The chance that nurses will become more competent at handling diverse jobs increases as a direct result of completing nursing education, which increases their nursing knowledge and practical nursing abilities. The concept of critical thinking is a great illustration in the context given. Nurses are better equipped to make judgments and offer greater opportunities for patients to have better health, thanks to enhanced nursing expertise and competencies (American Nursing Association, 2015b). Additionally, a higher level of nursing education broadens nurses’ knowledge and boosts their capacity to adopt a good attitude toward improving quality care.
The capacity of nurses to provide adequate care while upholding the correct nursing and practice ethics is also improved by continuing the nursing curriculum. Through the adoption and use of a nationally recognized code of ethics in diverse contexts along the care continuum, the ANA directs and promotes the nursing practice (American Nursing Association, 2015a). Nurses are amongst the healthcare workers who are most likely to run into moral challenges, notably when resolving health-related concerns that have an influence on social structure as a whole and concerns that originate from clinical groups and institutions. Nurses with postgraduate degrees are recognized to play a major role in health choices that directly impact the different norms of the medical profession.
Mandatory Education
The requirement of continuing nursing education amongst nurses is wrong because it would devalue the degrees of the majority of nurses with less training. The idea of the CNA, whose average yearly income is $24,000, is an excellent illustration. Their main responsibility as nurses is to carry out a small number of tasks, such as giving patients baths and administering prescribed medication. They actively support registered nurses and play a critical role in maintaining the effectiveness of their job. There is a chance that fewer CNAs will be available to help registered nurses during critical operations if continuing nursing education is made mandatory for these CNAs. Thus, it seems reasonable to state that ongoing education for nurses should not be mandated.
Conclusion
Due to the various healthcare demands that are delegated to nurses for execution, the nursing industry is one of the largest in the US and the entire globe. In the employment market for nurses, there are several alternatives. The examined suggestions are focused on enhancing nursing procedures. My knowledge, perspectives, and competencies have all enhanced as a result of my increased education, and I am now more equipped to accept bioethics in nursing. However, mandating more nursing education would prevent nurses from fulfilling strategic responsibilities along the care spectrum.
References
American Nursing Association. (2015a). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Nursing World. Web.
American Nursing Association. (2015b). Scope and standards. Nursing World. Web.
National Academy of Medicine. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine. Web.
University of Massachusetts Global. (n.d.). MSN vs. DNP: Which advanced nursing degree is right for you? Web.