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Posts Tagged ‘Critical Care Nurses’

Some things are simply a mystery and so goes the perceived role and importance that the Critical Care Transport (CCT) RN plays in the healthcare field. Other professionals seem to view us like mutts - a little bit of everything but certainly not a thoroughbred in anything.

I once heard a co-worker describe the job as something between a magnified EMT and a bench warmer. Such flattery - but what can you do?

Anyhow, I just wanted to set the record straight, so to speak, by pointing out the value and importance that the CCT RN brings to the table.

What’s so ironic about the perception is that most CCT RN’s are veteran nurses from the ICU or ER with certifications that give new meaning to the use of acronyms. Many hold certifications that consist of ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CEN, TNCC, PHTLS, ATLS and anyway - you get the picture.

Not to mention while other nurses were out frolicking in the sun on their day off; oftentimes, we sat in some hot, claustrophobic classroom in pursuit of greater knowledge. In addition, extensive training takes place before we are even allowed to come into contact with a patient, with classes ranging from airway management, advanced life support, managing portable ventilators, pharmacology, and trauma protocols.

As in all fields of nursing, the amount of information thrown your way is vast and at times can be a bit over-whelming. Of course, you must learn it all and then be able to repeat it verbatim, back to the instructor.

Of course, the rear confines of the ambulance is simply a mini ER. Believe me, there’s no such thing as a claustrophobic CCT RN. Standard equipment includes: IV pumps, pulse oximetry, monitor, airway equipment and a pharmacy of drugs. Pretty much all life saving procedures are provided here - CCT RN’s are trained to be prepared for anything.

Truth be told, to make it out there in the real world a CCT RN has to be intelligent, witty and quick on their feet. Murphy’s Law at hyper-drive is the norm and thus a solid foundation in the fundamentals of critical care along with extensive training prepares the CCT RN for anything and everything.

On the down side, regardless of training and experience, you can never be totally prepared but the key, irrespective of the circumstances is to always keep continuity of care from the sending to the receiving hospital. In most instances, patient care and outcome improves primarily due to this 1-to-1 ratio.

It’s an exciting and a personally rewarding profession that defines care one patient at a time. On the other hand; at times, it can be a thankless job but like our contemporary professionals we are all on the same team with the same goal - to care for the patient and get them to the next stage of recovery as quickly as possible.

Remember, we are not mutts, so the next time a CCT RN crosses your path throw us a bone in the form of respect - not a dog biscuit.

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Many people are certainly aware that there is a great shortage of nurses in many societies today. Hence, finding a career on this field is easy. But, you can get confused with all the nursing fields and career options available. Therefore, if you want to become a nurse, you can expect to encounter several and different choices when it comes to choosing the right nursing career.

These choices are plenty, and since they are plenty acquiring information on nursing careers vitally matters to you. By acquiring the essential information you need you can be guided in drawing your decision as to which among the numerous nursing careers are most fitted for you.

To help you determine the best type of nursing career that will perfectly suit you, you should grasp the broad idea of the different types of nursing careers and positions that are made available today. This way, you can easily find the specific avenue of nursing career that can help you meet your goals and objectives.

Different Types of Nursing Careers

• Critical Care Nursing:

Critical care nurses are in great demand among the other types of nursing careers. Basically, critical care nurses supplies assistance to patients that are affected by life threatening diseases or injuries. In most instances, critical care nurses are allocated to work in departments like emergency rooms and other forms of intensive care units in hospitals and medical centers.

 • Nursing Informatics:

This career is intended for both men and women who have the heart to provide care as well as love to their patients and who also have the computer knowledge. If you think you have a competitive aptitude with computers as well as management; then, you can consider taking this one since this requires an important responsibility in information management. It has to be taken note that information management is crucial to the appropriate treatment and care of patients in today’s world.

• Neonatal Nursing:

Neonatal nurses are responsible in giving care for newly born babies. Their responsibility is delinquent for they will also be holding cases of premature babies including those babies who are not thriving and are sick.

• Oncology Nursing:

Oncology nurses are specifically assigned to provide health care and assistance to patients who are afflicted by cancer. These nurses significantly care for the patients at all stages of remission and treatment. This is why oncology nurses are regarded as the backbone of every treatment program for patients suffering from cancer.

• Pediatric Nursing:

Pediatric nurses are definitely different from neonatal nurses. The former is responsible for nursing children while the latter is responsible in nursing newly born babies. Pediatric nurses provide health care to children of all ages. These nurses are also responsible in providing all facets of healthcare for children.

• Psychiatric Nursing:

Another nursing career that can be of so much challenge is the psychiatric nursing. From the name itself, nurses in this area are expected to provide care for the patients with psychiatric or mental illnesses. Such responsibility is certainly crucial.

The Challenge

If you are truly fascinated in nursing careers, you may take time to reflect on the different facets of nursing careers that were mentioned above. Search for the best venue that will fit on your interest and passion. Carefully study each of the mentioned facets and ask yourself as to where can you give out your full service to the patients who need your assistance and care.

Information on nursing careers abound on the Internet, you just have to take your time to look for the data that you need so you can decide on what journey in nursing you should take on.

Many people are certainly aware that there is a great shortage of nurses in many societies today. Hence, finding a career on this field is easy. But, you can get confused with all the nursing fields and career options available. Therefore, if you want to become a nurse, you can expect to encounter several and different choices when it comes to choosing the right nursing career.

These choices are plenty, and since they are plenty acquiring information on nursing careers vitally matters to you. By acquiring the essential information you need you can be guided in drawing your decision as to which among the numerous nursing careers are most fitted for you.

To help you determine the best type of nursing career that will perfectly suit you, you should grasp the broad idea of the different types of nursing careers and positions that are made available today. This way, you can easily find the specific avenue of nursing career that can help you meet your goals and objectives.

Different Types of Nursing Careers

Critical Care Nursing:

Critical care nurses are in great demand among the other types of nursing careers. Basically, critical care nurses supplies assistance to patients that are affected by life threatening diseases or injuries. In most instances, critical care nurses are allocated to work in departments like emergency rooms and other forms of intensive care units in hospitals and medical centers.

Nursing Informatics:

This career is intended for both men and women who have the heart to provide care as well as love to their patients and who also have the computer knowledge. If you think you have a competitive aptitude with computers as well as management; then, you can consider taking this one since this requires an important responsibility in information management. It has to be taken note that information management is crucial to the appropriate treatment and care of patients in todays world.

Neonatal Nursing:

Neonatal nurses are responsible in giving care for newly born babies. Their responsibility is delinquent for they will also be holding cases of premature babies including those babies who are not thriving and are sick.

Oncology Nursing:

Oncology nurses are specifically assigned to provide health care and assistance to patients who are afflicted by cancer. These nurses significantly care for the patients at all stages of remission and treatment. This is why oncology nurses are regarded as the backbone of every treatment program for patients suffering from cancer.

Pediatric Nursing:

Pediatric nurses are definitely different from neonatal nurses. The former is responsible for nursing children while the latter is responsible in nursing newly born babies. Pediatric nurses provide health care to children of all ages. These nurses are also responsible in providing all facets of healthcare for children.

Psychiatric Nursing:

Another nursing career that can be of so much challenge is the psychiatric nursing. From the name itself, nurses in this area are expected to provide care for the patients with psychiatric or mental illnesses. Such responsibility is certainly crucial.

The Challenge

If you are truly fascinated in nursing careers, you may take time to reflect on the different facets of nursing careers that were mentioned above. Search for the best venue that will fit on your interest and passion. Carefully study each of the mentioned facets and ask yourself as to where can you give out your full service to the patients who need your assistance and care.

Information on nursing careers abound on the Internet, you just have to take your time to look for the data that you need so you can decide on what journey in nursing you should take on.

Since the 1980s, there has been a shortage of nurses in the United States. One way the government has tried to fill the gap is by hiring nurses from abroad. But instead of offering this job to foreign workers, why dont you consider a career being one? A career in nursing is very broad. Before getting into this, it is best to understand the different types around and then deciding what you want to pursue.

Critical care nursing is one field you can get into if you can handle pressure of working with patients inside the intensive care unit or ICU. They may also find work in cardiac catheter labs, telemetry units, progressive care units, emergency departments and recovery rooms.

Lately, critical care nurses have also found there way working in clinics, home healthcare, nursing schools and outpatient surgery centers.

After working as a critical care nurse for many years, you career can move to elsewhere as you may become a nurse manager, educator or researcher. Some may even be acute care nurse practitioners or ACNP after they get a masters or doctorate in nursing.

Those who are good with computers may pursue a career in nursing informatics. Basically, these individuals write and modify programs and assist in the training of hospital personnel who will also be using such systems. Their career may go another step forward once they develop enough skills to manage these systems instead of just being an encoder.

Those who love babies may find a work in neonatal nursing. This branch of nursing is relatively new and you may find work either in a level 1, 2 or 3 nursery.

The level 1 nursery is where healthy newborn babies are placed until it is time for them to go home. The level 2 nursery is for infants that were born prematurely and will require some care before being discharged from the hospital. The level 3 is the intensive care unit for infants which, means they need special equipment like incubators or even surgery.

Nurses who want to work with cancer patients may start their career in oncology nursing. These individuals are there to help a patient during all stages of treatment. They may even provide counseling and help those who want to prevent cancer by telling them how to avoid it.

The advanced practice of oncology nursing may even make you become an administrator, caregiver, consultant, coordinator and researcher.

Pediatric nursing is another field you can consider since you are able to work with children of different ages. Since they are prone to sicknesses, the nurse may help them further by specializing in either immunology or oncology.

Whatever field of nursing you want to pursue, you need to go to school to earn that degree. With a few years of experience and perhaps a master or a doctorate, you may soon qualify for a higher position and become a better practitioner that you were before.

Nursing is high in demand and the various positions mentioned just goes to show that there is a lot you can do to help those who are sick regardless of age or gender. Just be sure that this is something you want to get into because only those who have the passion will be able to stay in this field for a long time.