Nursing

I have chosen to major in the field of Nursing care.

I chose this major because I love to help all people. Becoming a Neonatal Nurse is something that I’ve always dreamed. Neonatal nursing is particular form of nursing that works with newborn children that are born with defects or a variety of problems such as prematurity, infections, or surgical issues. I chose this particular field because I love infants very much.

Being able to nurse the infants with the most complications back to health would make me happy with the job I have chosen. Choosing this career is not possible without going to college and obtaining a degree in Nursing. This is why I chose my major. I chose my major because I want to be able to do something that I know I would love.

I always wanted a job where I knew that I wouldn’t dread or hate to be there but would be anxious and excited to wake up at any hour of the day and go to work. I have chosen this major because I know that there will always be a need for nurses. There will always be a need for neonatal nursing as there are babies being born every day and needs special attention.

Babies are born are in need in immediate medical attention that can only be provided by highly trained and certified nurses. Neonatal nurses educate new mothers on the proper care and conditions of their new born babies. I chose this major because it Neonatal nursing is only what I want to specialize in. Having a degree in Nursing will allow me to specialize in any department. There are many departments in a hospitals that requires a nursing degree.

Four of my aunts are nurses and they all work in three different departments. They love their job and inspired me to do something that I will always  love. Nursing is one of those fields that can have a direct impact on people’s lives. I aspire to be the nurse that impacts somebody’s life. I will work with people who are sick or injured, and helping them to get back to health. As a nurse, there may will be those times when you will watch someone regain their health and know that you’ve been a material part of the success.

Very few professions have that kind of impact on other people‘s lives. That may involve working with babies who are injured, the elderly, or people with serious illnesses. My role in all of these situations will be significant. People’s lives will be in my own hands. It’s scary and very important but it is a task that I will make myself prepared to take on.

Choosing my major as a nurse means deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life. Choosing this major should be chosen wisely because what you choose determines your career. An individual’s major should be chosen based upon self interests, personality, skills, value, and what you loves to do the most that could fit into a certain career. I chose my major according to all of these things. I love helping people and make a difference in other people’s lives. Becoming a nurse is my dream and passion, and I plan to pursue my dreams and aspirations doing whatever it takes.

I define my philosophy of nursing career within the three nursing domains of person, health, and environment. My personal goal is to communicate the importance of nursing as a knowledge-based career, depending not only on the nurse fulfilling her role but also on the patient’s compliance. A patient must learn to provide his self-care at home in the same capacity as the nurse would provide care in the clinical setting. I discuss various subjects within nursing.

I explain why I want to be a nurse, what I believe it’s role is, the different domains of nursing, and where I believe nursing will be in the future. My philosophy totaly demonstrates the interdependence of the nursing domains. You cannot fully evaluate a person without evaluating his or her health, nor can you contemplate an environment without encompassing the person. Likewise, health can’t exclude the influence of the environment. These factors build upon the concept of what nursing really is.

I define nursing as aiding in the recovery and survival of another person using the specialized knowledges, abilities, and critical thinking skills attained through study and experience. The word nurse translates in Latin to nourish. This Latin translation reveals that nurses nourish when someone is in need.

I believe people, health are fundamental domains that build the concept of nursing. These domains are interdependent. A person can be healthy in his body, but unhealthy in mind, or even unhealthy because of the influence of the surrounding environment. For example, if a nonsmoker works at a casino, he or she can still suffer the effects of smoke entering their lungs, because of constantly in an environment that contains tobacco smoke.

All domains are very important and interrelated in contributing to a person’s health. It is my vision as a nurse to teach and impove every person to develop the knowledge and willingness to properly care for themselves. Imagine my future where we are all responsible and in control of our own health; a future where we do not rely solely on healthcare professionals and pills to be happy and healthy.

Angelo Gonzalo states, “Nursing is an art through which the practitioner of nursing gives specialized assistance to persons with disabilities which makes more than ordinary assistance necessary to meet needs for self-care” . Nursing profession requires a diligent and hardy person to be able to assess the situation, access the appropriate knowledge and skills, and accordingly provide the care a person needs.

I envision less invasive procedures in my future, shortening the postoperative recovery period drastically. With all the positive advancements in medicine, there will still be some negative developments in the future.

I hope to be able to continue my education after attaining my bachelor’s degree. I plan to work toward my master’s degree to become a nurse, enabling me to work alongside a doctor in a clinical setting. Eventually, I want to achieve my doctorate and possibly work as an instructor, so I might help other people grow and learn as nurses for nothing is greater than knowing you aided in a fellow nurse’s professional development and growth.

Most of my friends did not encourage me when they heard that I wanted to pursue further graduate education in the family nurse practitioner program. However, I did not mind them; I had a clear plan in my life. This was my intellectual door to advance In my career and achieve all of my professional goals. This has all along been my childhood dream and I am not afraid of going down this path. I have chosen to enroll in the family nurse practitioner program because I have a big heart for helping out the sick, I have always admired exemplary nursing theorists who have made huge impacts on the nursing field.

This is one of my convmcmg reasons for wanting to pursue further graduate education. I am interested in making my contribution to the betterment of humanity; | always want to be where the action is as well as challenges and leave an impact behind. I have come a very long way in getting myself prepared for this path I have close friends and family who have always encouraged me. I am sure that Ihe knowledge and experience I would gain from this program will facilitate my career ambitions as well as professional goals.

When I think about seeking further graduate education in the family nurse practitioner program. I get filled up With a growing tide of excitement. The realization that I can finally get to specialize in my educational goals is appealing. My desire to advance my career path in nursing is manifested by the fact that I offered myself as a volunteer in a clinic near our residence. Most importantly, I accept ant challenges that are ahead of me, they are what make me stronger each day. My advice to any individuals out there with no morale of seeking graduate education is that. make a choice and channel all your efforts into developing your career and talent.

Is going to college in an attempt to get a degree worth it? Some experts on the subject have begun to ask this question as an increasing amount of high school students are deciding to further their education in college. Americans are sending off 70% of high-school graduates to college, a number that was at just 40% in the year 1970 (Are).

This is a number that is expected to continue to rise. Students pursue this higher education in hopes of a higher wage in the future, but the question of whether or not going into debt for it is worth still remains. In a 1989 survey of consumer finances, the average student loan debt for those with a college degree was $3,420; the average for those in the same category in the year 2010 was $16,714 (Carroll, Higgins). This shows that the debt is a definite concern and is continuing to rise yearly.

Sure, this debt can be scary, but in order to determine if college is worth tackling this debt, you need to examine the benefits and weigh them against the negatives. The benefits of a college education include an increased yearly wage in a future career, the opportunity to learn and gather experience, and it opens doors for a variety of career opportunities.

To counter this, many experts in the area say that the debt is not worth accumulating. Their argument stems around the fact that the debt will take too long to pay off for the education to actually provide any value for those that took it on. They go one step further and claim the economy can not take in as many college graduates as we currently introduce into the country  every year (Doyle, W). In a report covered by William Doyle, it says “Work by Richard Vedder and his colleagues at the Center for College

Affordability and Productivity has shown that a substantial number of college graduates work in jobs-such as janitorial work or taxi driving”. This shows that just because someone goes to college and gets a degree, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will get a high paying job. If they do not get a high paying job, they obviously wasted both their time and money by going to college in the first place.

To further back this narrative, data shows that students that finish in the bottom half of their high school class have a 66 percent chance of not graduating college at all after enrollment (Are). Dropping out of school does not make the debt disappear. These individuals are still required to make payments on a debt that did reap any benefits from.

The first and biggest benefit of achieving a higher-level education is the obvious, a higher income. For a lot of students, the ability to turn college degrees into more money is the main factor in going to college (Loveless). Most students typically aim to invest in a college education in hopes of one day providing a better living condition for their family.

To understand why anyone would want to begin the college process, you need to take a look at the financial benefits that would come as a result of it. In 2010 the average household headed by a person between 22-29 with a college degree earned $42,693. The households in the same category but without a college degree average around $26,429 a year (Carroll, Higgins).

This means that those with a college degree earn over 61 percent more per year than their non-degree-holding counterparts. While degree holders typically do not see the wage benefits immediately after graduating (due to accumulated debt) the advantages are certainly there in the long run of things.

The thing with college is, generally speaking, the longer you go the more money you make in your future career. According to (Torpey), “Median weekly earnings in 2017 for those with the highest levels of educational attainment-doctoral and professional degrees-were more than triple those with the lowest level, less than a high school diploma.”

While attaining these higher-level degrees takes more time and money, it means that the debt that comes along with it can be paid off even faster as well. In fact, the average student loan debt is paid off by age 34 (Lobosco). This may seem like a lot of time, but over the course of a lifetime it is rather small.

Breaking down the wages by degree, the differences are staggering. Those with a  Professional degree net an average of $89,960 per year, followed by Master’s with $69,732, Bachelor’s with $59,124, Associates with $41,496, some college but no degree $38,376, high school diploma only $30,256, and finally high school dropouts with $25,636 (Atlas).

While the differences are minimal on the bottom of the ladder, the increases between levels become very appealing at the bachelor’s degree mark. Taking things one step further and examining financial benefits over the course of a lifetime allows an even better look. Those that decide to stop their education at the high school level can expect to earn an average of about 1.3 million dollars over the course of their lifetime (Atlas).

That may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that is an accumulative number and not an amount that is held all at the same time. The number for those with a bachelor’s degree? It is about $2.3 million (Atlas). That is a million more dollars over the course of a lifetime for spending just four years of your life in college. If you decided to pursue a doctoral degree, you would net yourself over 3.3 million dollars over the course of your lifetime.

The second major benefit of attending college is the experience you rack up while there. Experiences meaning both personally and professionally. Starting off with the personal side of things, the article entitled 3Benefits of the College Experience, it states, “A college education contributes to cognitive development, personal growth, and quality of life.” Its simple, if you get  involved and apply yourself in college these benefits will come naturally to you.

One study notes that students make huge leaps in a lot of different cognitive areas such as, abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and oral and written communication (3 Benefits). College students are more likely to develop a learning foundation than those who stopped at high school. This allows them to build upon it and are more likely to acquire more knowledge in the future. College provides a consistent learning environment so this should come as no surprise.

Along with advancements in cognitive skills, those who attend college typically also see growth in both character and moral growth. In the article entitled 3Benefits of the College Experience, it also adds, “Studies show increases among college students in the ability to use principled reasoning to judge moral issues, usually due to the amount of student peer interaction.”

In other words, students become themselves and gain the ability to think for themselves rather then follow the crowd as the typical high schooler would. Students begin to show a tendency of being more open-minded and are open to accepting different views or ideas. Naturally with this comes a newfound tolerance for people with opposing views. A by-product of all of this is an increase in self-esteem, social self-confidence, and also leadership abilities.

Another article entitled Benefits of Owning a College Degree add, time management and organization are two important learned skills that should not be overlooked. Both of these traits are important in college as they allow the student to properly navigate the number of courses they take while doing them to meet a satisfactory level.

Organizational skills can be especially beneficial when it comes to keeping track of one’s responsibilities. Another thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the ability for college students to deal with adversity. They are constantly dealing with one challenge after another. These problems are very diverse; they range from financial problems to passing tests or completing projects. These are skills that do not just stop after you get the degree, they stay with you and benefit you at home or work as well.

Along with these personal benefits comes the professional benefits. Being prepared for your future career is extremely important. College does a great deal in preparing students for just that, their future careers. One of the most common ways for a college to do this is to offer internships.

In fact, about 75% of college students take advantage of internships at least once before they graduate (Rothberg). An internship is defined as a period of work experience offered by a business for a limited period of time. Internships allow individuals to get into the field of the career they are pursuing and get a feel for what a future in it would be like. They are an outstanding way to gather experience and relevant skills in their field.

Along with this comes a stronger ability to work in groups, the ability to solve relevant problems when they arise, and a sense of discipline that allows the ability to see things through from beginning to end (Atlas). This experience leads to more confidence and an overall more positive outlook on your future career. Most people spend their whole life working so might as well go into it while setting yourself up for as much success as possible.

The final major benefit of attending college is the diverse career opportunities that open up as a result. In the article entitled Benefits of Education, it states, “In addition to higher incomes, access to certain jobs and greater chances for advancement, higher education also tends to serve as an employment cushion.

In a report by the College Board, individuals who settled with just a high school diploma have an unemployment rate that is twice as high as those who pursued a higher education (Benefits of Education). Not only does attending college help with job security, it opens the door for more job opportunities. Those looking to hire typically prefer to accept applicants that have received a higher education, especially those in white collar fields  (Benefits of Education).

In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics published a study that stated that around 37% of the occupations listed in their occupation handbook require a college degree (Atlas). This means that with no college education, 37 out of every 100 jobs available are off the table. A degree will make sure you are a more marketable individual.

In the article entitled 8 Major Benefits of College, it says, “ While high school graduates can look forward to entry-level positions in non-skilled positions, graduates with a four-year bachelor’s degree and even those with a two-year associate degree, will qualify for a much greater range of higher paying entry- and upper- level career positions.” What this means is that those that decide to go the college route have a large advantage when entering the work force.

Those that opt to stick around in college for four years in order to get a bachelor’s degree see a tremendous advantage in opportunities and salary immediately While those that stick it out long enough to receive a masters or PhD have a limitless opportunity for career advancement (Atlas).

Along with those benefits, the career experience gained in college also allows for professional networking to occur. In the article entitled Why Professional Networking is so Important, it is described as, “A group of professional contacts you know well enough to call in a favor from and for whom you wouldn’t object doing a favor”.

If you are able to piece together a professional network it can turn into a huge advantage on its own. Networking allows college students to find possible mentors, allows them to learn more about the industry, and allows them to hear about new job opportunities before they are offered to the public. Most jobs are never advertised so it is important to be professionally connected or networked, if you want a chance of learning about them (Stern).

One study showed that over 80 percent of professionals surveyed  believe professional networking is vital in career success (Doyle, A). In that same study done by Doyle, it was noted that over 35 percent of professionals say that just having a casual conversation on networking sites such as “LinkedIn” led to job opportunities. College provides the perfect atmosphere to get your social networking started up. It provides the necessary situation for students to meet others like them or with similar career interests. It even goes one step further and allows for individuals to work together and make the college experience a little more enjoyable (Benefits of Education).

Another benefit on the career opportunity side of things that should not be overlooked is the better employment benefits that come from getting a college education. Research has shown that those that graduate from college are more likely to see employer-provided financial benefits then employees that have not received a college degree (Atlas). As the economy in the United States improves, companies are looking to expand and grow. In order to do so, they must higher educated individuals.

This means that college students are in high demand for a number of companies. In order to lure college graduates in, companies offer high quality benefits (Loveless). A statistic located in the article entitled 8 Major Benefits of College states, “A 2008 report produced by the College Board showed that roughly 70 percent of individuals with a four-year college degree received health insurance from their employer, while less than 50 percent of employees with only a high school diploma received the same benefit.

College grads are 26 percent more likely to contribute to a 401k plan because they are more likely to be able to (CBS). The benefits do not stop there, college grads also have access to better tuition reimbursement, free childcare, reimbursements for travel costs, and extra vacation days. Not having to worry about paying for all these things on your own allows you spend your money how you wish, such as deciding to travel or deciding to save for a child’s education (Loveless).

An increased salary, a beneficial college experience, and more advanced career opportunities are all amazing things that come from attaining a degree in college. These are just a few of the benefits that come with a college level education. An increased income can go a long way in the p of over a lifetime. Whether it means more time spent with your family on vacation or buying your dream vehicle, a little extra cash (upwards of over a million dollars) can make that happen a lot easier.

Some experts believe that the debt is not worth it, but most people can pay the debt off by the time they are thirty-five. This means a few short years of paying off debt they get to spend the rest of their working lives earning money at a premium. To compound on that, college also allows many numerous advantages that come along from the college experience. Students acquire numerous skills that benefit them socially such as communication skills, time management, and organizational skills. These are abilities that stick with students for  the rest of their lives.

As far as skills that benefit students professionally, those include a better ability to analyze problems and solve them. The career opportunities that come with attaining a college degree are copious. It opens the door up for high paying jobs that would have otherwise been shut. The jobs that become available as a result of attaining a degree also tend to offer benefits such as health care, more vacation days, better retirement plans, and more available savings accounts.

These are all things that need to be considered when one is deciding on if he or she will choose to extend their education in college. It is important to understand all the benefits of going to college in a world that tends to focus only on the negatives. Research shows that college students that are determined and see themselves earn a degree typically do. The higher the degree achieved the greater the financial benefits will be, but a degree of any kind will set you apart from your peers that opted not to go the college route.

Going to college is not easy. Apart from the great effort necessary to complete all requirements for graduation, the cost also keeps rising. For instance, it is not unusual for graduates today to face massive student debts even before they get their first job. It is so difficult to get a diploma today that many students have come to question whether going to college is even worth it.

But before you decide to skip college, remember that there is a good reason why you were asked to write that “why is college important essay” in high school. So why is it important to get a college education? In this post, we provide the top reasons why college is important.

A More Secure and Stable Future

Remember that time when you were asked to write that “importance of college education essay”? If you wrote that a reason why college education is important is because it contributes to a better future, then you are correct. Studies have consistently shown that going to college provides you with advantages that increase the chances of having a more secure and stable future. First of all, a degree gives you an edge over others when it comes to landing a job.

More and more people are competing for the same limited number of jobs available. Knowing that they can take their pick from a pool of applicants, employers get to choose those with the best qualifications. Having a college degree, therefore, gives you better chances of getting hired compared to those who do not have a degree.

This is especially true for jobs that require specialized competencies, such as those in the technology, information, and health industries. But more than just landing a job, a diploma also helps you keep that job. A college degree is positively correlated with job security. According to research, the unemployment rate among college graduates is much lower compared to workers with only a high school diploma. In fact, the more advanced the degree, the lower the risk of facing unemployment.

Apart from job security, a diploma also helps you secure higher wages. According to information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average college graduate with a bachelor’s degree earns around $470 more per week than a high school graduate. That’s approximately $24,000 a year or around $1 million more in earnings over the course of a lifetime. Your salary, of course, can go higher if you acquire more advanced degrees. A person with a master’s degree, for instance, earns around $700 more per week than a person without postsecondary education.

Job security and higher salaries, in turn, help you have a better future. With more resources at your disposal, you will be able to provide for your needs, especially those that may serve as further safety nets such as health insurance, a life savings, and a retirement plan. Studies also show that a college degree improves many other of aspects of your life. College graduates are more likely to afford homes of their own, have a longer life p, have better health, and have higher rates of happiness. Though college can be expensive, the return on investment is more than worth it.

Acquire Specialized Skills and Knowledge

Another reason why getting a college degree is important is because it helps you acquire advanced competencies. Not all jobs depend on extensive knowledge and specialized skills, but many certainly do. Many jobs in almost every area of study require a college degree to pursue. For example, if you want to build a career in the business sector, the restaurant industry, or the tourist trade, you will likely be required to have a college education.

A degree becomes even more important in fields where science, technology, and information are at the core of operations. Healthcare, construction, communications, and education are just a few examples of such fields. Additionally, professions that are regulated by the government require a college degree.

For example, if you want to be a registered nurse, you should have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing to apply for a license. On the other hand, you need to complete both premedical and medical studies if you want to be a doctor. Any person who wants to pursue a job in specialized field would certainly consider going to college important in achieving his or her educational and career goals.

Equally important to note is the fact that the education required for many jobs cannot be acquired anywhere else. What distinguishes college from high school is the depth and complexity of the courses you will study. Courses in high school tend to be diverse and cover various areas. This is because they are designed to give you a more general education.

On the other hand, college provides you a more focused education because it is designed to prepare you for a specific profession. Once you decide on a major for your career path, you will be given the skills and knowledge you will use in practicing your profession. For example, if your major is nursing, then most of your courses will be about the human body, health, and providing care.

In fact, only schools that are accredited by government agencies and bodies are allowed to provide such education. You cannot expect to learn how to become a doctor, or a nurse, or an architect if you do not enter school that is licensed to provide the education for these professions. Only by entering college can you acquire the competencies you need to prepare for a career on a specific field.

A Bigger Professional Network

Another reason which makes a college education important is its positive effect on your professional network. Having an adequate network is essential to building a career. Having the right competencies are certainly useful in finding a good job, but having a network can also make a big difference.

Having a big professional network will give you access to opportunities for career advancement. For example, a lot of companies do not publicly advertise vacancies; instead, they may rely on word-of-mouth or referrals when finding applicants. This is the time when a network comes in handy.

If you know the right people, and they in turn know the right people, you might just find the perfect job opportunity landing on your lap. So how do you build a professional network? The answer is fostering relationships with people in your circle. It may be as simple as handing out your business card to something more complex such as joining conferences.

However, you do not have to wait until you graduate to begin building your network. You can start as early as your first day in college. There are plenty of opportunities to expand your network in college. For one, performing well in class and cultivating good relations with your professors can give you advantages.

If you show that you are eager to perform, have your grades to back it up, and interact well with your professors, you will likely be the recipient of opportunities such as being handpicked for projects or receiving recommendations. Apart from expanding your network through you professors, you can also join student clubs and organizations, since this gives you the chance to meet a lot of people. Internships are also a great way to expand your network.

Internships are part of many curriculums. If you perform well enough as a student intern, you may eventually receive a referral or be hired by the company after graduation. Finally, your friends can also serve as part of your network. Overall, college is a place where you can build not only personal but also professional relationships.

No person has ever been successful without the contribution of others, so make sure that you have a network that can help your career grow. The amount of networking you can do while in college shows just how important is a college education. You never know, but one of those people you meet might just be the key to finding the perfect job for you.

Gateway to Advanced Learning

The world is changing at a very fast pace. Every few years, new knowledge, practices, and technologies are reshaping the way people work. Consider, for instance, how the advertising industry has transformed over the years. Decades ago, the main channels for advertising were print media, radio, and television.

But the emergence of digital media coupled with the rise of the internet changed everything. As advertising continues to change, those who work in the industry must also keep up by expanding, improving, and updating their competencies. The same is true for many other industries.

Whether you work in the healthcare industry or in the communications sector, you will encounter challenges brought about by changes. The best way to adapt and remain competitive is by continuous learning. Some examples of continuous learning are getting more advanced degrees, taking courses, and attending seminars.

But education is like a ladder you climb; it is better not to skip a step. This is where college education plays a crucial part. Undergoing advanced learning sometimes require that you first complete minimum requirements. For example, it will be difficult for you to enrol for a master’s degree if you do not have a bachelor’s degree.

The same is true for a doctorate, since you usually have to possess at least a master’s degree before becoming a PhD student. As stated earlier, those who have more advanced degrees have greater job security and receive higher compensations. If it is your goal to remain competitive in your industry and effective in your job, you will need to undergo continuous learning.

It is therefore important for you to at least complete college. By completing your college education, you make yourself eligible to eventually taking more advanced classes. College is not just the minimum education required by many jobs; it is also your gateway to the competencies that you can only acquire through advanced learning. This fact highlights the reason why it is vital for you to attend college.

Develop a Better Version of Yourself

Finally, going to college is important because it can help you develop a better version of yourself. As stated earlier, college is the place where you acquire specialized knowledge and skills. But preparing you for a job is not the only function of a college education; it is also responsible for turning you into a well-rounded, critical, and productive individual. First of all, college can help you learn more about the world beyond your immediately industry.

Though most of your courses in college are related to your field, you will also take general education courses that will teach you unforgettable lessons such as the world’s fascinating history, the beauty of literature and the arts, and the wonder of science and technology. Secondly, going to college will also give you plenty of opportunity to develop soft skills such as effective communication, empathy, conflict resolution, teamwork and collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking, and leadership among others.

In college you will learn many lessons, meet a lot of people, and have many experiences that will shape who you are and what you can do. Do not let the chance pass you by. But don’t just take it from us. Just search for “why college education is important to me” quotes to know more about how college changed the life of some of the most important people in history.

College may not be for everyone since some people may find greater fulfilment in taking a different path in life. However, the benefits that going to college brings show why college is important for most people. If you’re still having doubts, try asking yourself this question: “why college education is important to me”.

Think hard about it. You could even write another “college is important to me essay” if it will help you recognize its value in your life. The important thing is to make an informed decision. Should you decide to pursue college, you can expect it to be one of the greatest journeys of your life.

Being a Wound Care Registered Nurse is the speciality that I am interested in pursuing. I am currently a Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) certified wound care Licensed Practical Nurse. Receiving my RN degree as well as additional certification will enable me to advance greatly in my career. I plan on continuing my education and becoming a Nurse Practitioner specializing in wound management. The minimal educational level for a Wound Care Nurse is a Registered Nurse degree. You must have graduated from an approved School of Nursing. You must have a current state license. Some hospitals such as INOVA or Virginia Hospital Center want their nurses to have a minimum of 2 years med-surg experience and some wound care experience is preferred and a Wound Care Nurse (WCN) Certification is required within 3 years of hire.

Most wound care nurses do hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing because this a requirement for Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) certification. Currently there are three certifications offered: (1) Certified Wound Care Nurse-CWCN, which is offered by the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), (2) Wound Care Certified – WCC, which is offered by the National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC); and (3) Certified Wound Specialist -CWS, offered by the American Association of Wound Management (AAWM).

A wound care nurse can work in a Long-term care or skilled nursing facility, in a hospital on the general floors, specialized wound centers, or for home health agencies, hospice, or public health agencies (Registerednursing.org, 2020) . This type of nurse specializes in assessing and treating skin issues such as skin breakdown, pressure ulcers, burns, and surgical wounds. The population served is individuals with these types of skin disorders. Some nurses also crosstrain to include Ostomies or diabetic foot care as well. They are responsible for determining the proper course of care to promote healing. The job description according to the job posting for the Wound Care Registered Nurse – RN at the Virginia Hospital Center is as follows: The Wound Care Registered Nurse – RN, will join a unique medical floor that focuses on comprehensive wound healing while utilizing the latest technologies including a hyperbaric center.

The Wound Care Registered Nurse RN will be responsible for caring for patients suffering from wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, radiation necrosis, pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, trauma wounds, cellulitis, surgical wounds, osteomyelitis, compromised flaps and grafts, and any other wound that has not healed in over four weeks. Specifically for the Virginia Hospital Center at this Wound Healing Center, the Wound Care Registered Nurse RN will utilize a number of wound healing treatments including advanced wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, bioengineered tissue, compression wraps, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The Wound Care Registered Nurse RN will work within an interdisciplinary team of wound care clinicians including nurse practitioners, preppers, wrappers, ostomy nurses, home care clinicians, hyperbaric technicians, antibiotic infusion nurses, infectious disease physicians, interventional cardiologists, podiatrists, plastic surgeons, lymphedema specialists, nutritionists, vascular surgeons, and interventional radiologists.

According to the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) the level of autonomy is that a Wound care nurse functions under the guidelines of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse. There are many selected competencies for wound care management (WOCN, 2017) Some of which are listed below. The WOC registered nurse: Provides expert hands-on care for individual patients with acute or chronic (e.g., advanced treatment modalities, conservative sharp instrumental wound debridement of devitalized tissue or chemical cauterization per physician order,etc.).

Serves as a consultant to provide insight and potential solutions for complex clinical cases to improve patient care and outcomes Uses judgement and critical thinking skills to assess, diagnose, and identify outcomes; develop and implement an individualized care plan, and evaluate care of the patient with an acute or chronic wound. Uses evidence-based assessment techniques, instruments, tools, and available data and information to identify problems and needs of the patient with an acute or chronic wound. Engages the patient with an acute or chronic wound in self care to maximise independence and achieve goals for quality of life.

I was called to nursing years ago as a second career choice after being a certified educator in Texas, teaching classroom science. My passion to help people was the driving force behind the career I have today. As I took the journey from teacher, to nurse, then family nurse practitioner, one thing has remained constant, the drive to learn more. I feel that practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) will help me provide enhanced mental health care services to patients by providing optimal assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plans across multiple ages and populations.

A couple years ago, while working in primary care as a nurse practitioner I started to get an urge to grow from my current practice and landed a position in geriatric psychiatry. It was a natural transition as I had performed most of my primary care practice in the nursing home setting. This position was part-time, and I keep my primary care position. About a few months after leaving the part-time position, a former colleague of mine introduced me to my current position working full time in geriatric psychiatry. I have gained experience with dementia, psychosis, and depression/anxiety which are highly prevalent in my patients. It only feels natural to expand my knowledge in psychiatry by getting a certification as a PMHNP so that I can continue to provide services in the field I have grown to love.

As a PMHNP, I hope to become more proficient in handling the mental and physical ailments of my patients by providing the best care possible. Today I work with the geriatric population, but with a certification as a PMHNP, I can enhance my practice across the lifep providing psychotropic pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic interventions to a vast array of populations, including children, adolescents, young adults, older adults, and their families. I feel PMHNPs are growing as greater demand is needed to promote mental health and treat various psychiatric disorders. It brings me great pleasure to gain more knowledge in this realm of practice as a nurse practitioner and bring better care to patient populations who suffer from various psychiatric disorders.

My experience in prior careers has led me to develop my current practice today. Being a classroom teacher has given me experience that helps in providing proper patient education leading to adherence in care plans for those who have mental illness. Working as an RN at the bedside as help me develop a pleasant bedside manner which is important in communicating with patients and families. My education in the College of Pharmacy has help me develop good pharmacotherapy practices needed in advanced psychotropic medication therapy. Currently practicing as a nurse practitioner in the field of psychiatry further helped me to grow as I discuss care plans with licensed social workers and professional psychotherapist ensuring patients receive holistic care. Lastly if given the opportunity to gain a certification as a PMHNP, I can obtain more tools needed to serve patients with psychiatric disorders and in a mental health crisis.