Nurse
What is a nurse?
A nurse is someone who provides care to patients in a healthcare setting. This can range from giving booster shots in a pediatrician's office to a surgical assistant who prepares instruments and assists during complex surgeries in a hospital operating room.
There are many different specialties for a nurse, from working in a sanatorium with the smallest of newborn patients to geriatrics and palliative nursing for those at the end of their lives. Many nurses really enjoy the difference they can make in a patient's life, and the rewards of saving a patient's life, like an acute care nurse, or greatly improving their everyday life by sharing some of their skills and knowledge, are reasons why many people choose this career.
A nurse's daily routine would tend, in many cases, to be a somewhat structured environment. Working in a hospital, one would follow a certain protocol when caring for patients and coordinating with doctors and other staff members. Administering medications, helping prepare patients for surgeries and treatments, and assisting doctors and surgeons during procedures are just some of the daily tasks one might expect.
Educating patients is another important aspect of nursing, as is learning. Sharing knowledge about health and lifestyle changes can have a very positive effect on a patient's life. Nursing can be a fairly dynamic degree choice, and it is very well suited to someone who considers themselves a problem solver. Some nurses work with great autonomy, others work under very close supervision, and that is another thing to keep in mind when considering different nursing degrees.
What is a nurse's workplace like?
Most people immediately think of a hospital when thinking about a nurse's workplace, and that is indeed a common employer for many people in the healthcare industry. Private practices, clinics, retirement centers, nursing homes, and home health care are some other possibilities for nursing degrees. Schools and universities, cruise ships, airports, and sports teams are some of the more unusual places for a nurse to find employment, but these and countless more opportunities exist.
Nurses work long hours, often on their feet, and working evenings and weekends is very common. 12-hour or split shifts are frequently required, and since hospitals and nursing homes require 24-hour coverage, the least desirable hours are frequently assigned to nurses with less seniority. Nurses who work in a general clinic or a doctor's office may find the hours and workload more acceptable, however, the salary may reflect this convenience. This is a career for people who are motivated, enjoy a structured workplace, and have a high level of energy. Patience and kindness are also important skills for nurses.