Marsha Said:

Hospice nursing? Pediatric nursing?

We Answered:

In my nursing career I find that hospice nursing is wonderful and very rewarding. I feel that helping patients and their loved ones transition and cope during the death and dying process is incredible. On the other hand, I never did like pediatrics....Im not really sure why....

Like any specialty in nursing I think that people tend to feel drawn towards things that they like to do and each nurse is different.

The beauty of nursing is that if you do not enjoy what you do-there are plenty of other avenues that you can persue. You should never feel forced to stay in a specialty that you don't like....

Good Luck~

Janet Said:

What are unusual careers that involve working with children on a low ratio?

We Answered:

Child life specialist - they work with hospitalized children to help reduce stress and anxiety

Alicia Said:

What's the difference between these Nursing Careers?

We Answered:

In the nursing pyramid; the CNA is at the bottom. They are unlicensed and so have limited abilities. They do many of the ADL or activities of daily living tasks in the hospital that nurses used to do decades ago; such a bath, feed, turn, walk patients, take vitals etc. Their training is a handful of weeks, and of course they make the least. Moving up the pyramid is the first of the licensed nurses: the LPN or LVN. They are exactly the same; its just that some states (like Calif call them LVNs) call them LPNs and some LVNs. They take the same exam & their training is 1 year at a vocational school. They can do a wide variety of tasks but can not do higher taxometry nursing functions like triage, nursing assessments, or give IV push meds or IV meds. They can place IVs with training, and can give all IM/SC/top etc meds (including narcs in CA). It is primarily the IV parts & the nursing assessments that get them out of hospitals.Next up is the registered nurse (either an associates {2 years} or a bachelors {4 years}) They make very closely the same for a staff position..

The you come to the mid level practitioners. These are the CRNAs, the NPS, the clinical nurse specialists, etc. They are no longer doing pure nursing care; but rather "medical care"--diagnosis & treatments. This will in the future involve 2-3 years specific training AFTER a bachelors RN + some experience. They make the most but have a greater legal liability, & education cost. For almost anything that has "nurse" in the title (ie nurse practitioner; it means you were a RN first).

As to a pediatric nurse--they deal with kids; while a neonatal deals with neonates (newborns).

For teenage mothers, that could be a public health nurse. Depends on what exact part of helping you are thinking about.

Sandra Said:

How would I become a pediatric nurse in the Air Force?

We Answered:

Where is Cecilia when we need her?.

Do you mean as a Nurse Clinician (CNC)? That would require a BSN/MSN. Straight out of your BSN, you will likely be asked your preferences...but your assignment will be up to your unit, as per your quals.

As a staff RN, there is a good chance you could end up on Peds, but that depends on your quals. and those pesky ol'"Needs of The Air Force."

Hopefully, Cecilia will be here STAT with an update from the Army Nurse Corps.

Crystal Said:

Careers in the nursing fields working with kids?

We Answered:

NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The NICU is a hospital unit that provides intensive care to newborns. Although the majority of these infants are premature, others may have critical medical issues such as heart or breathing problems.

Labor and Delivery/Newborn Care
Nurses working in the labor and delivery unit of a hospital may be assigned to care primarily for women who are in labor or in the newborn nursery. Nurses help care for newborn babies when they are not with their mothers and perform basic procedures such as drawing blood or administering medication.

Pediatrics
Nurses working in pediatric practices work with children of all ages, though some pediatric practices specialize in taking care of infants. Pediatric nursing may be further divided into specialties such as pediatric cardiology or pediatric oncology.

Baby Nurse/Certified Newborn Specialist
Baby nurses are professionals who are trained to help educate parents and care for babies during the newborn phase. Although not all baby "nurses" are actually RNs, some nanny or home health-care agencies specialize in providing baby nurses with medical experience.

Pediatric Emergency
Many large children's hospitals provide emergency or trauma care, allowing nurses who enjoy working with children to concentrate on this population. RNs working in pediatric emergency rooms, however, will encounter children from newborns to young teenagers.

MIDWIFE NURSES are trained in helping deliver babies in a home or hospital setting. They are knowledgeable in pre- and post-natal complications and care. Since post-natal mortality represents a significant portion of all infant mortality cases, the important role of the midwife nurses cannot be overstated.

Students can earn an Associate of Science in Nursing from Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Central Indiana. The program is comprised of two tracks, the traditional track and the transitional track for those who are Licensed Practical Nurses.

Upcoming information session - All sessions held in the Fairbanks Center for Health Professions - Lawrence Campus, 9301 E. 59th St., Indianapolis. Please note: It is encouraged that students arrive at least 10 minutes before each session.
Day Date Time

2009
Wednesday July 15, 2009 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday August 25, 2009 2:00 p.m.
Thursday September 17, 2009 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 13, 2009 1:00 p.m.
Thursday November 19, 2009 10:00 a.m.