Nurse_Practitioners

Del Pizzo 1 Brittney Del Pizzo Mrs. Curle IB English III November 5, 2009 Nursing Over the course of several generations nursing has become a common career that has opened up several opportunities for individuals in America. A prime example would be the development of nurse practitioners in early times for a chance at a more approachable physician. Nurse practitioners developed in the 1960’s due to a shortage of physicians in rural areas. Over the years, the responsibilities, wages, and educations required to become a nurse practitioner has grown extensively. With a growing demand for nurses across the nation individuals will continue to look within the nursing profession as a means of employment throughout the future. Del Pizzo 2 Florence Nightingale was a female who established a clear and obvious role for nurses during the 1860’s (“Nursing” 463). Along with her foundation of a nursing industry Nightingale established the Nightingale Home for Nurses, which was ultimately the first school established for nursing, and was located in London (“Nursing” 461). Nightingale occupied many accomplishments within the field of nursing throughout the course of her life, and is considered the founder of modern professional nursing (“Nursing” 462). As said by Mitchell, there is about 1,835,000 registered nurses, and of that number 95% are women, 7% are black, and 3% are Hispanic and 66% of the registered nurses work in Del Pizzo 3 hospitals (249). There are a large number of nurses within the United States, but it has not always been this way. The years 1600-1850 were considered the darkest period within the history of nursing, where the nursing industry saw a huge decline in the number of individuals occupying the nursing field. Although throughout the 21st century nursing has been one of the most filled occupations, but experts are projecting a decline. Some experts are projecting a shortage of up to 434,000 nurses by the year 2020, and in response to this statistic a national recruitment project is underway led by Johnson and Johnson (Reeves 97). Nursing continues to be an occupation that is filled by most women, but men are slowly finding their way into this appealing career. Because there are several different types of nursing specialties, there is also a broad range of nursing salaries. Examples of this would include salaries for nurses working in nursing homes, nurses working in anesthetist, and nurses working as nurse practitioners. Nurses working in nursing homes receive an annual salary of $22, 300.00, nurses working in anesthetists average $66,622.00 a year, and nurse practitioners receive $43,680.00 each year (Mitchell 249). During 1993 the average median income for a nurse was $27,476.00 a year, and those with experience earned $33,278.00 a year (Mitchell 249) As stated by Mitchell high school education for nurses should include preparation for the nursing education in a college prefatory program, emphasis should remain on science (248). However, in college a bachelor’s degree is required to become a professional nurse (Mitchell 248). There are three types of education for registered nurses which include; a bachelor’s degree Del Pizzo 4 program at a college, a associates degree program offered at a two year college, and a three year diploma program conducted by a hospital (Mitchell 248). Certain things that an individual should watch for when considering a career as a nurse should be characteristics they hold within themselves. If an individual does not like a “people” workplace, or are have trouble working with others then they should not consider nursing as an occupation. Individuals should also be aware of positive and negative aspects of the career. A positive factor of nursing is that advances in the nursing salaries are always being done, and a negative factor in nursing would be that, in the nursing career it requires the individual to stay on their feet for long amounts of time, and it is a very strenuous job (“Nursing” 462). Nursing is a career that will allow an individual to have fun and experience different work environments, but also allow the employee to experience what a high energy job feels like. Nurse practitioners are also another form of nurses who have experienced an increased rate over the last few years. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced education in diagnosis and treatment that enables them to carry out many health care responsibilities formerly handles by physicians (Mitchell 248). According to federal law, nurse practitioner means a nurse practitioner who performs such services as such individuals are legally authorized to perform (in the state in which the individuals performs such surfaces) accordance with state laws and who meets such training, education, and experience required as the secretary has prescribed in regulations (Buppert 1). Del Pizzo 5 As of 2004 there are currently only 115,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, but the number has steadily increased (Mitchell 248). Nurse practitioners and doctors are commonly compared because of the similarities in the work that they do, and the responsibilities that they hold. Just like doctors nurse practitioners give general examination of their patients, diagnosing their patients, treating their patients, and advising their patients with certain health problems (“Nursing” 461). Del Pizzo 6 Works Cited Buppert, Carolyn, et al., eds. Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide. 3rd ed. Sadbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc., 2008. Print. Mitchell, Joyce S., et al. The College Board Guide to Jobs and Career Planning. 2nd ed. New “Nursing.” The World Book Encyclopedia, Chicago: Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Print. What Can I Do Now': Exploring Careers for Your Future. 2nd ed. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print.