Advantages And Disadvantages In The Nursing Field example essay topic

I interviewed Ms. Coursey, who is a Register Nurse Program Director, on September 21, 2001, at Fellowship Health Resources, Incorporated because I am going into the nursing field. Ms. Coursey has worked at this place of employment for 6 years, and has advanced to this present position in July of 2000. Ms. Coursey graduated from North Carolina High school in 1974. Ms. Coursey was around sick people and always wanted to be a nurse, and she has a strong desire to help other people. She worked as a CNA from 1974-78 at Easton Hospital. She attended business school for secretary in Denton, Maryland, and later moved to Delaware where she attended Del-Tech in 1988 and worked at Milford Memorial Hospital, Kent General Hospital, and Home Health Agencies.

In 1990, Ms. Coursey accepted in clinical, later drop the course due to illness and injuries. She decided to major in Human Service, and graduated in 1993, with an associate degree. Still this did not fulfill her dream. Once again, Ms. Coursey started the LPN program in 1997, she went on to RN program in 1998, and graduated, fulfilling her dream. We were discussing opportunities for jobs in this field, communication, duties and responsibilities, advantages and disadvantages, and benefits and salary. OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS IN THIS FIELD There are many opportunities for a job in the field of nursing such as register nurses and practical nurses, which require a license.

Other fields are CNAS', nursing aides, in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and home health agencies just to name a few. Nurses can continue their education and training for new requirements, or developments, to keep up with the standards of the nursing field and advance to a higher position. COMMUNICATION To be an effective nurse both oral and written communication is necessary; however, computer skills, social skills, and comprehension are vital too. Nurses must be able to talk to patient and their doctors, social workers, able to listen and understand each patient because their needs are different. Nurses should have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. They must do one on one assessment and teach some patients.

Nurses should write reports with codes so that the information is understandable, as well as reading the information correctly. In addition, they must have the necessary writing skills for writing codes and medical diagnosis. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Some of the duties and responsibilities in the field of nursing are nurses must be flexible, able to accept responsibility, direct or supervise others, follow orders precisely, use equipment correctly, and determine when consultation is required. Nurses help patients cope with illness. They observe the patients, do assessments, record symptoms and reactions, do progress charts on patients, give correct medications, and assist doctors during treatment and examinations. Nurses should know the structure of medicines, composition, properties of the substances, and the chemical processes that they undergo in order to help the patients.

In addition, nurses must develop and manage care plans, instruct patients and their families in proper care to improve or maintain their health. Nurses have and must attend staff meetings. Nurses should be caring and sympathetic; also, nurses must have leadership skills, negotiation skills, and good judgment. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES There are advantages and disadvantages in the nursing field. Some of the advantages of nursing, helping patients get well, applying knowledge at all times, they can continue their education, and hands on experience. Nurse's benefits societies with health care and respect towards others.

Some disadvantages are not being able to help patients, working long shifts and on holidays, being in an institution setting verses home setting, and being short staffed. Nurses may be on call to work on short notices or in an emergency. BENEFITS AND SALARY Nurses receive benefits and a salary. They have health insurance, and they receive two thousand dollars to give towards their medical expense or receive a percentage in each paycheck, dental insurance, and a retirement plan to save money for their pension.

In addition, they get vacation time and sick time. The company pays for their uniforms. The employers offer flexible work schedules, educational benefits, and bonuses. The salary is based on entry-level with raises. CONCLUSION I think this interview was very valuable to me.

I love people and love helping people. I think nursing is great field. We must have certain qualities to be a good nurse. Communication is very essential and opportunities for a job are available. The pay is good. As we share in the advantages and disadvantages, we must do our duty and be responsible.

I want to continue my education in this field to become a nurse and work to promote health, prevent disease, to educate patients, families, and communities to improve or maintain their health.