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Nursing Schools Search - Career and Employment Opportunities: Typical Duties
Nursing is a versatile field and offers several opportunities and levels of education, certification and specialization. In the field of nursing, the ‘typical duties’ are varied and directly in line with a nurse’s chosen specialization. Among those specializations are Registered Nurses (RN) Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Nursing Assistants or Aides (NA) with further specializations such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). Outside of direct care, nurses may also go into teaching, researching or working as managers of healthcare facilities or workers.
Duties:
Registered Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – A licensed practical nurse usually specializes whether it is in pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatric or surgical. The direct care of the patient, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual are their duties. They are interested in the whole person and give routine care to patients as well as teaching the patient to care for themselves. Other duties include: taking vital signs, giving injections, performing treatments as prescribed by the doctor, prepping patients for procedures and exams as well as keeping track of their work in the patient record.
Nursing Assistants or Aides (NA) – Perform similar tasks to RNs and LPNs with regard to vital signs, patient charts and administering medicine. NA’s are usually found in long term care facilities and are therefore required to develop and sustain long term relationships with the patients under their care. NA’s may also work in psychiatric care facilities or serve in home care programs. Their duties also include having to respond to their patients in positive, caring manners and other personal care including sometimes having to wash, feed or dress their patients. The NA has the closest contact with the patients as compared to other nursing fields.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) - May work in a dental or private practice doctor’s office as well as hospitals and private clinics. . They work in conjunction with surgeons, dentists and anesthesiologist. They prepare equipment and supplies for procedures, study pre-surgical exams to determine patient effects if any and verify that blood supplies are on hand. Administers and monitors patients using general and local anesthetics. While not anesthesiologists, their duties include assisting in surgery, pre-op and post-op. They may be called upon to perform other tasks during surgery including inserting airways and monitoring oxygen consumption.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – A Clinical Nurse Specialist has gone through special training or education to achieve a position working in the Emergency Room, Surgery or Neo-Natal Unit. Clinical Nurse Specialists have duties similar to RNs and LPNs, however their certifications allow them to work in critical care situations. Clinical Nurse Specialists are also in charge of other nurses, managing staff and practice. They provide directions to the nurses with regard to patient care and perform many different tasks. Five years of experience and a Master’s Degree are required to achieve this status.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) – An NP is an RN who has received advanced education and training with regard to diagnosing and treating common medical problems. The NP offers broad-spectrum health care. While not a doctor, their duties include seeing patients suffering from common ailments such as flu or sinus infections or chronic conditions including diabetes. NPs focus on prevention, education and ‘wellness.’ They can perform general exams, answer basic questions and prescribe medicines. Other duties include: consultation with physicians, obtaining medical histories, performing general physicals, ordering diagnostics (blood tests or x-rays) and providing family planning as well as pre-natal care.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) – CNM’s offer pre and post-natal counseling, advice and care. They consult with the patient to offer personalized care. A midwife assists during labor, delivery and in post-partum care. Some CNM’s will make ‘house calls’ whereas others may work with clinics or hospitals. CNM’s must be a registered nurse as well as have a bachelor’s degree, certification and 4 years of in the field of obstetrics experience.
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