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How Many Lives Have You Saved Today?

By Clare Kaufman
Learning & Life Columnist

Ever since Florence Nightingale cared for wounded British soldiers, nurses have been the daily heroes on the frontlines of medical care. Nurses examine and treat patients and often provide primary care under supervision, diagnosing patients and prescribing medication. Nursing care may stem from compassion, but today's practice is founded on a sharp mind and expert medical training.

Learning to Save Lives

With increasing autonomy and responsibility, it's more important than ever for nurses to build their medical expertise. Nurses have several educational options:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) . A one-year practical nursing program can lead to a career as an LPN. LPNs provide bedside care, monitoring a patient's vital signs and administering certain treatments and laboratory tests.
• Registered Nurse (RN) . An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing can help prepare you for a career as a registered nurse (RN) in a specific field. An RN generally takes on more responsibility than an LPN, diagnosing, treating, and educating patients.
• Registered Nurse--BSN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a ticket to advancement in the field. A bachelor's degree is required for certain administrative positions and for graduate nursing programs. Many RNs advance toward the BSN while working, via accelerated online RN-to-BSN programs.
• Advanced Practice Nurses. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) opens up opportunities in specialty nursing such as Nurse Practitioner (NP), research, teaching, and health services administration.

In addition to a nursing diploma or degree, all nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) certification exam and fulfill continuing education requirements.

Career Outlook

Nurses enjoy "excellent" job prospects, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. RNs account for the second-largest number of new jobs in the nation. This high demand should translate into higher salaries, better working conditions, and subsidized education benefits, as employers compete for qualified personnel. LPNs earned a median salary of $33,970 in 2004. RNs earned $52,330 and NPs averaged $74,812.

With rising salaries and more opportunities to make a meaningful contribution, it's an exciting time to be a nurse.

Sources

• Advance News Magazines, "Nurse Practitioners"
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Health Care"
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Registered Nurses"

About the Author
Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer specializing in education and career advice. She has a graduate degree in English.

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