Job Market Options
Public Health Nurse
Based on my education level, a public health nurse is one of my options in the job market. Public health nurses rely on their knowledge to enhance people’s health, focusing on preventing injury and illnesses. This requires them to work more on research projects while consulting with policymakers to identify strategies that can help improve public health (Indeed, 2022). Public health nurses focus on improving their clients’ well-being and treatment outcomes.
Home Care Nurse
I can also choose to work as a home care nurse responsible for providing care at a patient’s home. Home care nurses often work with older adults and those with disabilities to provide follow-up care after discharge from a healthcare institution. Working away from medical facilities allows nurses to enjoy higher independence while relying more on self-direction.
Nurse Health Coach
My educational background can also enable me to become a nurse health coach. A health coach works with their clients to enhance their awareness and encourages them to follow strategies that improve their wellness.
Nurse Anesthetist
I can also become a nurse anesthetist whose primary role is administering anesthesia based on recommendations to ensure patients are comfortable during medical procedures. A nurse anesthetist also has to monitor their patients regularly to identify changes in a patient’s biological function.
Family Nurse Practitioner
I also have the option to work as a family nurse practitioner. Such a practitioner operates in a medical office, hospital, clinic, or independently of any institution. They play a significant role in consultations, offering prescriptions and administering general treatments.
Nurse Life-Care Planner
My level of education also enables me to pursue a career as a nurse life-care planner. A life-care planner collaborates with other medical professionals to develop care plans for clients with terminal diseases.
Professional Certification
MSN
Based on the information provided in the report, the advanced degree I would like to pursue is a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN). Learning in the program will prepare me for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles (Wakefield et al., 2021). Such qualifications are also necessary for nurses to occupy high-level positions in their field.
Obtaining an MSN will equip me with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care. It will also allow me to mentor upcoming nurses by taking up nurse educator roles. The degree takes up to twenty-four months to complete; therefore, I should be able to achieve it within two years.
DNP
It will also be necessary for me to pursue further education in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) after obtaining a master’s degree. Achieving this level of education will enable me to serve in an APRN or other advanced clinical position within a healthcare institution. Continuing my education to the DNP level will also enable me to occupy positions in nursing leadership, thus providing an opportunity to improve the future of healthcare.
The skills and knowledge I have gained from my learning will enable me to participate in developing innovative programs with a focus on promoting cost efficiency in healthcare. It will also expose me to opportunities that offer better remuneration than traditional roles. A DNP typically takes three to five years to complete; therefore, I should be able to attain it within five years after acquiring my MSN.
Competitiveness
Seeking higher levels of education will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary for a nurse to remain competitive in the field. Higher levels of education will expose me to more opportunities in the job market, which provide better pay compared to lower levels. The numerous employment opportunities presented by advanced education enable nurses to negotiate for fulfilling salaries and benefits commensurate with their experience.
Further learning will equip me with the competencies necessary to hold leadership positions, enabling me to implement meaningful changes in the nursing sector and enhance patient care. Employers in the healthcare sector are more likely to hire professionals with advanced education, as it enhances the likelihood of patient safety and improved treatment outcomes. Increasing my education will also allow me to play a role in making influential changes in nursing through research and participation in policymaking.
Continuing Nursing Education
Continued education is closely related to nursing competency, as it enables professionals to acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills. This helps to minimize the likelihood of nurses being overwhelmed by trends and changes in their profession. Continued education is considered a cornerstone of clinical competence, characterized by advanced nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities (West, 2022). Continuing education also equips nurses with additional knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide improved quality of care. Nurses with higher levels of education can perform advanced medical procedures based on the knowledge gained from evolving scientific practice.
Education programs can also help to enhance nurses’ attitudes by allowing them to identify personal attitudes that affect the quality of care. In this case, professionals understand the attitudes they should showcase during their work. Nurses with advanced levels of education are likely to have attitudes that promote a working relationship with patients and other professionals.
Continuing education is closely related to the ANA’s scope, standards for practice, and code of ethics. ANA requires nurses to seek more knowledge to improve their competence. This helps ensure that it reflects existing nursing practice, which is one of the primary objectives of continuing education.
Mandatory Continued Education
Continuing nursing education should be mandatory for all nurses to stay current with best practices in their field. The nursing field is continually evolving and improving. Advancing education exposes nurses to new developments in their field, ensuring they adhere to nursing standards when providing care. Nurses with advanced education deliver higher-quality care, resulting in better patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. Such nurses are also likely to work with other professionals to improve patients’ quality of life.
Continuing education is also essential for nurses to develop new skills, particularly in the area of drug administration. New drugs are being introduced in the healthcare sector; therefore, nurses must undergo ongoing education to ensure they have the necessary skills to administer them safely. Continued education should be mandatory for all nurses since it will expose them to employment opportunities with better pay.
Nurses with advanced knowledge can occupy high-level positions within the healthcare sector. Such professionals are likely to receive better wages than those in traditional nursing roles. Continued education will contribute to better patient outcomes while improving nurses’ quality of life.
References
Indeed. (2022). 15 job opportunities for those with a nursing degree. Web.
Wakefield, M., Williams, D. R., & Le Menestrel, S. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academy of Sciences.
West, R. (2022). How important is continuing education for nurses? Nurse.com Blog. Web.