Nursing

NURSING CAREERS IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE:  Because every ER has limited resources and a set number of physicians and staff members present at any given time, the primary duty of an ER nursing staff is triage. This involves rapid evaluation of incoming patients— usually based upon chief complaint and prioritizing them based upon the likelihood a person has a severe illness.

NICU NURSE: Nurses provide most of the day-to-day assessment and care of babies in the NICU. They work closely with parents and with neonatology to ensure the best care for the babies under their care.  Depending on a nurse's certification level, neonatal nurses can work in many different levels of NICU. 

CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST (CRNA):  CRNAs provide anesthesia in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals. When anesthesia is administered by a nurse anesthetist, it is recognized as the practice of nursing; when administered by an anesthesiologist, it is recognized as the practice of medicine. Regardless of whether their educational background is in nursing or medicine, all anesthesia professionals give anesthesia the same way. As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs practice with a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. They carry a heavy load of responsibility and are compensated accordingly.   

NURSING CAREERS IN SURGERY:  There are a variety of nursing careers in the field of surgery. Nurses in this field provide care and support to patients before, during, and after surgery. Different positions include scrub nurses (who pass sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons), circulating nurses (who work outside the sterile field), and RN first assistants (who deliver direct surgical care to patients). 

NURSING CAREERS IN CARDIOLOGY:  There are a variety of nursing careers in the field of cardiology. If you’re interested in working in a medical office environment, you could work in the medical office of a cardiologist. Or, if you prefer to work in a hospital, you could be part of a cardiac care unit. Additionally, if you’d like to become an advanced practice nurse, you may also want to consider becoming certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in cardiology.

CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE: A certified nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who has additional training in obstetrics and gynecology. Most people think of midwives as nurses who deliver babies. While that is a primary function of their role, "nurse Midwives. Up to 90% of nurse midwives do more than deliver babies," according to the American College of Nurses - midwife's practice is for "primary or preventive care", including "annual exams and reproductive health visits" for women, in addition to their work delivering babies.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSE:  A psychiatric nurse specializes in providing care and support to individuals with mental health issues. They work in collaboration with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with various mental disorders. Psychiatric nurses administer medications, monitor patients for side effects, and implement therapeutic interventions. They play a pivotal role in promoting the overall well-being of individuals by offering counseling, emotional support, and education to both patients and their families. In addition to delivering hands-on care, psychiatric nurses contribute to the development and implementation of treatment plans, create a therapeutic environment, and may be involved in crisis intervention. Their work spans diverse settings, including psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and community mental health facilities, with a focus on fostering recovery and improving the quality of life for those facing mental health challenges.

There are three educational paths to becoming a nurse. A diploma from an accredited nursing program or hospital (CNA, LPN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN – a two-year program), or a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN). Nurses are involved with nearly all aspects of a patient’s care. Schedules and duties vary based on the type and level of the nursing role. Nurses can be generalists or obtain Master’s degrees and additional certifications to specialize in a specific area. 

Education and experience required to become a CRNA include:   A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or another appropriate baccalaureate degree, a current license as a registered nurse, at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in an acute care setting, graduation with a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and pass the national certification examination following graduation.  In order to be recertified, CRNAs must obtain a minimum of 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years, document substantial anesthesia practice, maintain current state licensure, and certify that they have not developed any conditions that could adversely affect their ability to practice anesthesia. 

Certified nurse-midwives are required to possess a minimum of a graduate degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing, or Post Certificate. Master's Most recently, the first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has become available for Certified NurseMidwives. Additionally, Certified Nurse Midwives must also hold an active Registered Nurse & license in the state in which they practice.

Nursing education programs, including those that culminate in a bachelor of science degree, an associate degree, or a diploma, include psychiatric-mental health education. One can also earn a master's degree in order to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse.

Earning Potential Averages For Registered Nurses Utah: (Jobs.Utah.Gov)