Nursing

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What Can You Do With A Major In Nursing?

Registered nurses work to promote health, prevent diseases and help patients cope with illness. Registered nurses, regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs may also teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy.

Nurses must graduate from a nursing program to obtain licensure. To gain promotion, it would be advisable to pursue a master's degree in Nursing. Nursing is the largest health profession in the nation.

Tracks

Prelicensure - This track is for first-time nursing students (college juniors and above) who want to prepare for a career in nursing while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon graduation from the program, students will sit for the NCLEX licensing exam for RNs. Furthermore, the curriculum also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in nursing. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Prelicensure Accelerated- This track is for those already holding a baccalaureate degree in another field of study who want to prepare for a career in nursing while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Accelerated Prelicensure track is concentrated and can be completed in 3 ½ consecutive semesters of full-time study, beginning with the summer term. Upon graduation from the program, students will sit for the NCLEX licensing exam for RNs. This track is not designed for those who will not possess a baccalaureate degree before entering. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Graduate Program Tracks

Career Paths

With Bachelor's Degree

Community Health Nurse
Emergency Nurse
Home Health Care
Community Health Nurse Emergency Nurse Home Health Care

With Master's Degree

Critical Care Nurse
Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Health Policy Nurse
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Educator
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

General Career Directions

Neonatal Care
Pediatric Care
Geriatric Care
Forensic Nurse
Infection Control
Nurse Educator
Genetic Counselor
Home Health Care
Emergency Care
Holistic Care
Surgical Care
Transplants
Addiction
Rehabilitation
School/University Care

Some Related Career Titles

(To research these titles and more go to: Occupational Outlook Handbook and see the related print resources in the Career Services Library.

Nurse Anesthetist
Occupational Health Nurse
Community Health Nurse
Critical Care Nurse
Emergency Nurse
Home Health Care
Hospice Nurses
Legal Nurse Consultant
Neonatal Nurse
Nurse Supervisor
Nursing Instructor
Oncology Nurse
Psychiatric Nurse
Transplant Coordinator
Nurse Researcher

Typical Employers/Work Settings

Hospitals
Clinic
Retirement Community
University/Schools
Private Practices
Medical Centers
Medical Schools
Operating Room
Worksites
Navy/Army
Nursing Home
Home Health Care
Intensive Care Unit
Emergency Medical Centers
Community Agencies

Beginning Salary Range

Entry Level with a Bachelor's Degree: $55,000- From the Spring 2008 NACE Salary Survey (National Association of Colleges and Employers)

Links To Professional Associations

Professional Associations are important to explore because many offer student memberships and can give you access to other professionals and their experiences, research, convention or workshop opportunities, professional development and most importantly job databases.

Job Search/Career Information

Local Organizations or Databases

https://www.liquidcompass.com/institutions/unfnursing

Liquid Compass has built the largest and most accurate database of healthcare job openings anywhere

https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/
https://www.nursingschool.com/ - Guide to nursing degrees and careers
https://www.nursingschool411.com/- Free A-Z guide on exploring nursing as a career
https://www.nursingschool411.com/interviews -15+ interviews from industry leaders and experienced professionals
https://www.nursingschool411.com/careers -Career In Nursing overview
https://www.nursingschool411.com/salary -Nursing salary, outlook, and cost of living in each state
https://www.nursingschool411.com/jobs- Nursing jobs board

National Organizations or Databases

https://www.nursingjobs.org/
https://www.nurserecruiter.com/
https://www.rnwanted.com/
http://www.lpnjobshelp.com/
https://www.cnaclasses.org/ and https://www.cnaclasses.org/cna-career-information/ - information for people considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant
https://nursingdegreeguide.com/specialty/nurse-educator/ -alternative career paths for Education professionals interested in career in nursing
http://all50medical.com/- free healthcare career resource specializing in allied health and traveling nurse careers and job opportunities
https://www.TravelNursing.org- free career resource for nurses researching career opportunities and search for positions in the exciting field of travel nursing.
https://www.nursingschool411.com/florida
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/nurse/registered-nurse - an in-depth guide to Registered nurse careers and degree program opportunities.

Graduate Schools

Local Programs - Master of Science in Nursing

Other resources for graduate program research

https://www.gradschools.com/

https://www.petersons.com/

https://www.princetonreview.com/

Masters In Nursing Programs - Listing of 2100+ accredited Masters programs

Second Degree Nursing Programs-Accelerated nursing programs

https://www.bestnursingmasters.com/

https://nursinglicensemap.com-- State by State buide to nursing licensure

https://nursingdegreeguide.com/psych/- for psychology majors interested in nursing as a career option

Test Preparation

The Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Holland Codes

Nursing- Social; Investigative; Realistic (SIR)