Benefits of Studying Nursing Courses

Nursing courses are popular at colleges and universities as there are clear benefits of working as a nurse.

The major benefits include having a steady career with plenty of variety, while enjoying the positive feeling of helping people in need.

Nursing students also need to be all-rounders. In this sense, they need to develop their technical skills in the areas of biology, chemistry and mathematics, as well as work on their ability to interact and communicate effectively with people from various backgrounds.

There are many options for specializations and nurses can choose a wide range of work settings, including hospitals, medical clinics and long-term care facilities.

Nursing Career Opportunities

The terminology to describe nurses may differ in different countries. However, nursing professionals are often qualified as follows:

Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner has studied for a Master’s Degree in nursing and is able to make diagnoses without the assistance of a doctor and prescribe medication in some cases.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses are employed in a variety of healthcare settings and are responsible for assessing and planning care for patients.

Specific duties of the Registered Nurse can include:

• Monitoring, documenting and communicating patient information
• Administering medication according to legal parameters
• Preparing patients for surgical procedures
• Evaluating and providing rehabilitative care
• Planning and providing technical support and care
• Planning and providing physical support and care
• Providing emotional and psychological support
• Liaising with family and friends

Registered Nurses may choose to specialize in the following areas:

Agency Nurse, Ambulatory Care Nurse, Cardiac Care Nurse. Care Nurse, Emergency Nurse, Gastroenterology Nurse, Geriatric Nurse, Holistic Nurse, Neonatal Nurse, Neuroscience Nurse, Oncology Nurse, Paediatric Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Research Nurse, Transplant Nurse, School Nurse, Trauma Nurse, Woman’s Health

Midwife

Midwives have various roles and responsibilities related to the support of mothers and their families throughout pregnancy, labour and the birth. The period following the birth is also a time when midwives provide invaluable advice and support, often in the hospital environment.

Specific midwife duties include:

• Checking for complications during pregnancy
• Arranging consultations and referrals
• Assisting with emergency procedures
• Reporting and documenting baby and mother care
• Educating expectant families and community stakeholders

Enrolled Nurse (EN)

Enrolled nurses must complete a community college qualification in nursing. In the workplace, they work under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Specific duties of the enrolled nurse include:

• Observing and assessing patient health
• Monitoring pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar levels and other vital signs
• Reporting health changes over time
• Assisting with dressing wounds
• Assisting patients with hygiene, showering, dressing and toiletry functions
• Helping with meals and physical exercise activities

About Studying Nursing

To become a Registered Nurse, students need to spend three to four years of full-time study to graduate with a nursing degree, with the most common qualification is a Bachelor of Science (Nursing).

First-year students will often cover subjects such as:

• Introduction to Health Sciences
• Communicating in a Health Care Environment Mathematics
• Cultural Awareness
• Biology
• Chemistry

Second and third-year subjects may include:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pediatrics
• Elderly Care
• Mental Health Care
• Cultural Dimensions of Nursing

Simulated Ward Training

Many nursing students will develop their skills in a virtual ward environment. This will often be located on campus and involve robotic patients that allow students to gain an understanding of various patient conditions while being in a safe environment.

Increasingly, nursing courses are incorporating sophisticated educational software that allows nurses to gain experience.

Practical Experience

Student nurses are required to undertake a Practical Work Placement, sometimes called a ‘prac’. This is where nursing students can work in a real medical environment for number of weeks. This on the job experience forms part of the reflective element of nursing studies and is an opportunity to relate theoretical educational information to real-world situations.

More Information about Nursing

Find more information about Nursing at Brilliant Nurse.