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 RNs are professionals licensed by the state in which they work.
 RNs function as active members of the health care team.
 RNs provide and manage care for individuals who are ill and their families.

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 RNs also work with healthy individuals and families to educate them about wellness and disease prevention.
 RNs work with patients of all ages promoting physical, mental and social well-being.

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 RNs use observation and assessment skills to support nursing diagnoses:
 Ex: Alteration in Skin Integrity related to bedrest
 Ex: Potential for Infection related to surgical wound

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 These nursing diagnoses help us to create a plan of care for our patients:
 Ex: Turn and reposition patient every two hours
 Ex: Change surgical dressing prn (as needed)

The possibilities are endless!!
 Hospitals
 Clinics/Offices
 Nursing Homes
 Hospice
 Schools
 Cruise Ships
 Military
 Helicopters
 Industries
 Wellness Centers
 Public Health Offices
 Home Health Care Agencies

There are a multitude of specialties to choose from including:
 Medical/Surgical Care for a variety of ill or injured patients and patients who have undergone surgery.
 Critical Care Care for critically ill or injured patients of all ages.

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 Labor and Delivery Care for mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery.
 Pediatrics Care for ill or injured children.
 Cardiac Care Care for patients with issues involving their hearts.
 Geriatrics Care for elderly ill or injured patients.

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 Neurology Care for patients with illnesses or injuries involving the nervous system.
 Dermatology Care for patients with skin conditions.
 Orthopedic Care for patients with illnesses or injuries to muscles and bones.
 Same Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Recovery Room Care for patients immediately before or after surgery.

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 O.R. Care for patients in the operating room during surgical procedures.
These are just a few of the many possibilities you could choose from after completing a nursing program.

 Clinical Nurse Specialist Provides care to patients with complex illnesses or injuries and often responsible for the continuing education of staff nurses.
 Nurse Practitioner Diagnoses and treats a wide variety of patients.
 Research Involved with research studies to increase the knowledge base of the nursing profession.

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 Nurse Midwives Care for women during pregnancy and deliver their babies.
 Nursing Professor Teaches nursing students in nursing schools.
 Nurse Anesthetist Provides anesthesia to patients during surgical and non-surgical procedures.

 This situation fluctuates and is impacted by economic and demographic issues.
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Nurses delaying retirement due to economic concerns can mean fewer opportunities for new grads. But -
Post World War II “baby boomer” generation is aging and increasing healthcare needs.

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The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts jobs for RNs will grow 19% by 2022 and that one-half of the RN workforce will reach retirement age by 2017.
The Bureau projects the need for 525,000 replacement nurses in the workforce by 2022.
State by state analysis predicts more of a nursing shortage in the South and West.

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 Employers have become flexible in scheduling options - nurses often work any combination of 8, 10, or 12 hour shift on days, nights and weekends.
 Many facilities utilize some form of selfscheduling, allowing you to choose (within unit guidelines) the shifts that you work.
 There are endless possibilities for future nurses both male and female.

 Even in times of nursing shortage when they are in great demand, nursing is not right for everyone…

 Do you enjoy health and science classes and do reasonably well in math?
 Do you have an interest in learning about the human body and how it works?

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 Do you have a sense of compassion and desire to help others?
 Do you like to teach people and share information with others?
 Are you able to work well with others and do you enjoy being around other people?
 Do you possess good decision making & problem solving skills?

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 Do you desire variety in career opportunities?
 Do you enjoy learning and analyzing things?
 Are you dependable and do you have good oral and written communication skills?

 Work hard to get good grades.
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Study science and math courses.
Consider nursing camp if you’re in middle school. ( www.schooltocareers.org
)
 Write to a mentor and read the profiles of nurses at the ‘Advice Corner’ page of the NHNA site.
 Consider job shadowing.

 You can still enter the field with an
Associate Degree in Nursing usually through a two year program at a community college. After completion of the program, graduates must pass the
NCLEX test to apply for state licensure as an RN.

 Baccalaureate in Science in Nursing
Usually a four year program at a college or university. After completing the program, graduates must pass the NCLEX test to apply for state licensure as an RN.

options in NH
 The NH Community Colleges in Concord,
Keene, Manchester, Nashua, & Portsmouth offer Associate Degrees in Nursing.
 Also – St. Joseph School of Nursing
Nashua. in

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In N.H., B.S. Degrees in Nursing are offered at:
Colby-Sawyer College in New London
Franklin Pierce University in Manchester
Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Plymouth State University
Rivier University in Nashua
Saint Anselm College in Manchester
Southern NH University in Manchester
University of New Hampshire in Durham

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 Masters of Science in Nursing
Typically a two year course of study after obtaining a BSN degree – but there are some
‘direct entry’ Masters programs. MSN programs are usually intensely focused on a specialty area of study. Graduates of Masters programs often function as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse
Specialists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists,
Nurse Researchers or Nurse Administrators.

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 In New Hampshire, Masters degrees are offered through Franklin Pierce University ,
Rivier University, Saint Anselm College and the University of NH

To further explore nursing career options, you may also want to review the various nursing specialty websites listed at:
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