~Please Note~ |
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ALL Vanderbilt University Virtual School video conferences are scheduled on
CENTRAL time and are for Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY.
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Careers in Nursing
| Title |
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Careers in Nursing |
| Series |
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Careers |
| Presenter |
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Judy Sweeney
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Asst Professor - Practice of Nursing |
| Target Audience |
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Education: Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 |
| Disciplines |
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Career Education, Sciences, Service Learning |
| Program Description |
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As the population ages the impact of the nursing shortage will be great. There is a growing threat to the health of everyone in the United States and Canada looming on the horizon. It is not a virus or new type of bacteria that is causing this threat. The major threat to the health of Americans is a result of the increasing shortage of nurses.
The nursing shortage will impact the oldest of citizens the most. Older adults use health care services at a higher rate than do younger people. Advances in medicine and improved nutrition and lifestyle have added years to the average life span. With this longer life comes higher needs for medical services, especially the services of professional nurses.Longevity may start going in a reverse direction if the nursing shortage is not addressed quickly and positively.
The present nursing shortage is very different from nursing shortages in the past. Nurses are aging along with the rest of the population. Approximately one half of the nursing workforce (in the U.S) is over 50 years of age and the average age of full time nursing staff is 49 years. Nursing, in hospitals and nursing homes especially is very physically demanding. Older nurses are getting tired and many are no longer able to cope with the demands of shift work and the long hours.
Most nurses work in well-lighted, comfortable health care facilities. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients? homes and to schools, community centers, and other sites.
Nurses may spend considerable time walking and standing. They need emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses. Because patients in hospitals and nursing homes require 24-hour care, nurses in these institutions may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on-call; available to work on short notice. Office, occupational health, and public health nurses are more likely to work regular business hours. Almost 1 in 10 R.N.s held more than one job in 1998.
Nursing has its hazards, especially in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics where nurses may care for individuals with infectious diseases such as hepatitis. Nurses must observe rigid guidelines to guard against these and other dangers such as radiation, chemicals used for sterilization of instruments, and anesthetics. In addition, they are vulnerable to back injury when moving patients, shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by compressed gases.
The rewards are high and require the ability to learn and keep up with the profession. Students will need a strong understanding of science, math, English, and human relations skills. |
| Program Format |
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The videoconference will be a 20-25 minute presentation and may include visuals or audiovisuals to enhance the presentation.
This will be followed by an interactive 10-15 minute question/answer session with students. |
| Additional Information |
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| Objectives |
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Students will:
1.Increase awareness of nursing as a profession
2.Discuss the varied roles of a Nurse.
3.Obtain information on educational programs that lead to a degree in Nursing. |
| National Standards to which this program aligns |
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Health Care Careers
# Knows and uses health care terminology
# Understands the history and trends of health care, both past and present
# Understands the distinctions among the various levels of care
# Understands how technology is used in the health-care industry
Systems
# Understands the components of the health care delivery system
# Understands the role of continuous improvement and efficiency in the health care industry
# Understands the relationship between the health care delivery system and the community
Client Movement
# Understands the principles of body mechanics for positioning, transferring, and transporting clients
Health Maintenance Practices
# Knows illness prevention techniques and available preventive services (e.g., screenings and examinations)
# Knows conventional and alternative methods to promote and maintain personal health
# Knows health risk factors and techniques to manage and reduce those risks
Client Interaction
# Uses a variety of communication skills to interact with clients
Inter-team Communication
# Uses a variety of communication skills to convey client and workplace information to team members
Client Monitoring
# Understands processes involved in monitoring client health status |
Website Questions/Comments
Contact Virtual School Webmaster, Mike Majett
Email: mike.majett@Vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-1018 IP:129.59.139.23
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