subject: An Overview Of The Nursing Career [print this page] An Overview Of The Nursing Career An Overview Of The Nursing Career
Whether you're just out of high school wondering what career path to take, or looking for a second career Nursing is a rewarding choice. This field if focused primarily on caring for and assisting families, and individuals in meeting their optimal health potential. At this stage in our paradigm nursing is seen as both a science, and an art - a good background in the biological sciences is needed, however more importantly the interpersonal skills and understanding of psychology is required. More often then not those who go into nursing have a predisposed uncanny level of interpersonal skills, the science can be learnt much easier then the psychology and application therein.
Historically the career we call nursing was provided by the military, and by nuns. We can still see evidence to this day of nursing coming from those roots, as an example in Britain - senior female nurses are known as "sisters", a direct association to nuns. We can also see in more modern times how nurses are combining their practice with their religion through what is known as parish nursing; Parish nurses work alongside the church community in providing health education and counseling.
Nursing is a vital part of the medical society, to believe that this career is less valuable or sits below in a hierarchy compared to doctors is a grave misunderstanding in integrity. The practice of nursing is laid down upon a social contract involving altruistic behavior and compassion, it has been this way since it started - inasmuch so it is a way of life rather then a career. It is a base of knowledge with the mentality of bettering humankind in all aspect.
In that nursing has grown immensely with modern technology, so have the many branches of nursing. There are many paths, all variant depending on the country you live and work in. Extensive study and research of nursing practice, training, clinical skills and theory are all part of become a nurse. In near every country the practice of nursing is governed by law, regulated by territorial, provincial, national and state boards.
Nursing is a profound career with many directions and limitless possibilities, in terms of job safety there is no better. There will always be a need for nurses, and in that the benefits of being a nurse are wonderful. Nurses can work on cruise ships, military service, you can travel as a nurse and work wherever regulations allow. Research conducted by the Institute of Medicine concluded that nurses have a much higher rate of patient satisfaction over other medical field practitioners. If you are looking for a career choice that will grow with you it is recommended that you continue researching nursing.
