Career in Nursing

Nursing is a profession focused on assisting individuals, families, and communities in attaining, maintaining, and recovering optimal health and functioning. Modern definitions of nursing define it as a science and an art that focuses on promoting quality of life as defined by persons and families, throughout their life experiences from birth to care at the end of life.

Florence Nightingale is indeed one of the noblest examples of these professions in the world. Nursing is an art of caring of sick people. It is a vital component of any form of medical care. There are a number of educational paths to becoming a professional nurse, which vary greatly worldwide, but all involve extensive study of nursing theory and practice and training in clinical skills.

The International council of nursing has defined it as a profession that encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles.

The duties of nurses primarily cover a wide range of functions and responsibilities that depends with the level of qualification and the working environment. At the initial level, nurses are required for the bedside care of patients, while at senior level they are required to manage special group of people like psychiatric, pediatric, intensive care patients etc which require specialized skills. They are also involved in dispensing medication, keeping records of the patient’s progress, setting up and operating medical equipment, administration and several other routine chores.

The Nursing field is both mentally and physically demanding. The nurses are often exposed to health risks from infectious diseases. This profession demands long hours of work and duties which incorporate both skill and understanding of patients needs. Nurses have to be patient, courageous, have a service mentality and at the same time be ready to work for extra hours even night shifts.

Eligibility: A large number of institutes in India offer diploma, graduate and postgraduate courses in nursing as well as midwifery courses.

Job Prospects and career options: Of late Nurses are in great demand and are paid well in foreign countries with ageing population. Nursing Courses in countries like New Zealand along with work permit are also quite popular. Nurses are employed in Hospitals, Nursing homes, Clinics and Heath Departments, Orphanages and old age homes, Military etc.