Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated July 23, 2010 N 541n
"On approval of the Unified Qualification Directory of positions of managers, specialists and employees, section "Qualification characteristics of positions of workers in the field of healthcare"

With changes and additions from:

Registration N 18247

The qualification characteristics of positions of workers in the healthcare sector have been determined.

We are talking about the chief physician, the head of the dairy kitchen, the chief nurse, a medical specialist, a geneticist, an infectious disease specialist, a gynecologist, a psychiatrist, a therapist, a forensic expert, an embryologist, etc.

With the help of characteristics, you can select the right personnel and improve their business skills.

The qualification characteristics of each position contain 3 sections: “Job Responsibilities”, “Must Know” and “Qualification Requirements”.

The first defines the functions that the employee must perform. Technological homogeneity and interconnectedness of work, and vocational education are taken into account.

The second contains the basic requirements for specialized knowledge. We are also talking about provisions, instructions, methods and means that an employee must be able to use when performing job duties.

The third establishes the levels of professional education required to perform assigned duties and the required work experience.

Persons who do not have the required additional professional education or work experience, but have sufficient practical experience and perform their assigned duties efficiently and in full, may be appointed to the appropriate positions on the recommendation of the certification commission.

Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated July 23, 2010 N 541n “On approval of the Unified Qualification Directory of positions of managers, specialists and employees, section “Qualification characteristics of positions of workers in the field of healthcare”

The nurse must have broad knowledge. She needs to become familiar with and have a clear understanding of all the laws relating to the health care system. The nurse must also know what rights she has when carrying out her work.

The guidelines for its activities are:

• the doctor's orders to which she obeys;
• the charter of the medical institution in which she works;
• compliance with hygiene standards;
• work schedule;
• job description (the currently valid one is taken as a basis).

History of the profession

Medicine has existed since ancient times. But such a profession as a nurse did not stand out for a long time. Its functions were performed by students of doctors. Subsequently, they themselves began medical practice.

The emergence of the nursing profession dates back to the 11th century. Its representatives belonged to communities that existed in Western European countries. The workers were called sisters of mercy.

Initially, nurses cared only for the fairer sex. But due to the needs that wars brought, their activities extended to the wounded.

The first hospital opened in 1228, providing shelter and care for the poor. Its founder was the Hungarian Countess Elizabeth of Thuringia. She founded it with her own funds. The workers of this hospital were called “Elizabethans”.

This period saw a high level of construction of similar institutions in all European countries. Ultimately, nurses received a new name - “hospitalists.”

At the beginning of the 17th century, a new milestone began in the history of nursing. The first community appears where girls and women are trained to care for the sick. Since then, the profession has developed rapidly. The activities of nurses extend not only to orphans, lepers and the sick, but also to soldiers. Over time, they are involved as assistants in operations. The profession is gaining wide popularity. The ranks of nurses are filled with ladies of high society.

What are the responsibilities of a nurse

The modern nurse has a wide range of responsibilities. She is an indispensable assistant to any doctor.

The functional responsibilities of a nurse include the following:

• nursing;
• provision of medical care until a doctor appears;
• disinfection of instruments;
• preparation of material for dressings and other treatments;
• control over the storage and use of medicines.

The functional responsibilities of a nurse involve recording evidence about the patient’s condition and ensuring that he undergoes appropriate medical procedures.

She puts in IVs and gives injections in the hospital, takes blood for analysis, prepares instruments for surgery, measures blood pressure, bandages wounds, etc.

The functional responsibilities of a nurse at a children's clinic include monitoring a sick child and giving advice to his parents about caring for the baby at home. Nurses fill out cards, checklists, and certificates.

In the operating room, a worker of this profile is obliged to ensure that a set of all necessary instruments is available. She helps the surgeon, promptly bringing the required instrument at his request.

In school and kindergarten institutions, the nurse is responsible for ensuring that children receive seasonal and scheduled vaccinations.

What are the responsibilities of a procedural nurse?

The treatment room employee is subordinate to the head nurse of the department. The functional responsibilities of a procedural nurse include performing all manipulations in strict accordance with the doctor’s instructions. At the same time, strict records are kept. All data is entered into a log. Possible complications after the procedure are also indicated.

If a complication occurs after a manipulation performed on a patient, the nurse is obliged to notify the attending physician about this and provide assistance to the patient in accordance with existing instructions.

The procedural nurse has the right (in accordance with the doctor’s prescription):

• take blood from the patient and transport it to the laboratory;
• determine whether blood belongs to one group or another;
• carry out all kinds of injections.

During the procedure, the nurse must observe hygiene standards, as well as adhere to the rules for the prevention of infectious diseases, complications after injection, and an anaphylactic reaction of the body to the medicine used.

The treatment room must be equipped with appropriate medical instruments, dressing material, and medications.

The nurse strictly monitors the expiration dates of all medications. It ensures timely delivery of blood to the laboratory for analysis and ensures convenience for the patient during manipulations.

An office nurse can act as a physician assistant:

• when determining blood group and rhesus;
• during transfusion of blood and its analogues;
• during spinal cord puncture;
• when taking samples for allergies;
• during the administration of drugs to patients with severe illness (the effect of the drugs may not be fully studied).

What are the functions of a clinic nurse

These nurses are classified as specialists. They must have an incomplete higher education (specialist) or a certificate of basic higher education (bachelor) in the specialty “nursing,” “general medicine,” or “midwifery.”

The functional responsibilities of a clinic nurse include:

• following doctor's orders;
• Carrying out procedural manipulations according to the work profile;
• assistance during operations on an outpatient basis;
• taking blood for analysis and ensuring its delivery to the laboratory;
• providing care to patients in an outpatient clinic as well as at home;
• patient resuscitation;
• providing assistance in case of injury, blood loss, intoxication, shock, drowning, burns, frostbite, allergies.

Clinic nurses should understand the following issues:

• laws;
• regulatory documentation;
• regulations of the medical institution in which they work;
• rights and functions;
• principles of operation of outpatient facilities;
• rules for caring for sick people;
• basics of medical examination of citizens;
• pharmacological effects of essential drugs;
• methods of sterilization of instruments;
• hygiene organization;
• preparation of a therapeutic diet;
• safety rules when manipulating medical instruments.

A nurse at this level is involved in informing the population about preventive measures taken against diseases and their possible complications.

A clinic nurse must constantly improve her professionalism.

What are the responsibilities of a department nurse?

The functional responsibilities of the department nurse are as follows:

• monitoring the general condition of the patient;
• implementation of patient care activities;
• fulfilling prescriptions given by the doctor;
• communication on a professional level with medical personnel, patients and their relatives;
• preparing patients for examinations;
• compliance with hygiene standards in the department;
• maintaining documents in the prescribed form.

A nurse working in the department must be able to do all types of injections and use a sterile table and tray. She is obliged to change the patient’s underwear, both underwear and sleeping. Her responsibilities include measuring the patient's temperature, pulse and blood pressure. The obtained data is clearly recorded in the patient’s graphic sheet. The department nurse knows how to fill out all the necessary documentation.

In addition, her responsibilities include:

• preparing bixes for sterilization;
• taking an ECG;
• applying compresses, cupping, enemas and heating pads;
• tying the limbs with an elastic bandage;
• implementation of preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of bedsores;
• gastric lavage;
• acceptance and handing over of duty.

District nurse

The district nurse carries out diagnostic and treatment procedures in accordance with the doctor’s prescription.

The functional responsibilities of a district nurse are quite broad. She must prepare the office to receive patients. Under the supervision of a doctor, certificates are issued, prescriptions are issued, referrals for examinations and other medical documentation is completed.

The nurse tells patients about the stages of preparation for a particular procedure, issues coupons for a second visit to the doctor, and hands over sheets for registering patients with the doctor to the reception desk. Responsible for timely receipt of test answers and posting them on cards.

The nurse must be able to measure blood pressure, temperature and perform other medical procedures as directed by the doctor. It collects material for bacteriological culture. A community nurse visits patients at home and monitors their treatment. Under the guidance of a doctor, she carries out preventive vaccinations.

The district nurse must constantly work on his professional improvement.

Responsibilities of the head nurse

The main vocation of the head nurse is to use with maximum efficiency the professionalism of the department's staff in order to provide medical care at a high level.

The head nurse of the department is appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the head. This position is usually filled by a nurse with a high level of professionalism. She must have management skills. She has at least 5 years of experience working in a medical facility. As a financially responsible person, she monitors the equipment and equipment in the department. The head nurse takes part in all meetings held on the hospital ward.

A specialist of this level acts as an organizer of work for mid- and junior-level medical personnel, and is responsible for discipline in the team and maintaining order at work.

The functional responsibilities of the head nurse include drawing up reports for the supply of necessary equipment, medicines and instruments.

The head nurse is responsible for occupational health and safety. She personally draws up the work schedule of her subordinates and allocates their vacation time. She maintains payroll records and issues sick leave certificates for temporarily disabled employees.

A nurse of this profile keeps records of medications containing toxic, narcotic and potent substances and controls their use. Its functions include monitoring the cleanliness of dressings and sterilization of medical instruments.

Functional, laboratory, and x-ray examination methods are provided in the diagnostic and treatment department. The leading diagnostic and treatment rooms include the X-ray room.

X-ray equipment allows you to diagnose diseases of various organs and systems (respiratory, musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, etc.). It has been established that there should be no more than 700 visits per device per day. This is how the number of X-ray machines is calculated. Visits to the radiology department to take pictures account for 5% of the total number of visits to the clinic. A large clinic has an X-ray department consisting of 10 rooms with a total area of ​​350 m2.

All basic laboratory diagnostic tests are carried out in the clinic. Currently, complex laboratory tests, such as immunological and microbiological analysis, are carried out in serological and cytological laboratories common to several clinics. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency and quality of disease diagnosis. With this organization of diagnostic care, financial expenses per test are significantly reduced. To accommodate the laboratory premises, from 400 to 600 m 2 are required. Laboratory capacity includes the ratio of the number of studies to the number of total visits. This ratio is calculated to average 1:10.

The structure of the rehabilitation treatment department includes the use of various methods of therapeutic influence: physical, mechanical, labor. This department provides care to patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The result of the activities of the staff of the rehabilitation treatment department is a reduction in the length of stay of patients in hospital, a speedy return to work, as well as a decrease in the number of disabled people.

The activities of physical treatment rooms occupy one of the leading places in the provision of medical care to the population. The structure of the physiotherapeutic service of the clinic consists of rooms: electrotherapy (60 m2), mechanotherapy (35 m2), phototherapy (80 m2), microwave therapy (50 m2); physical therapy room (45 m2), massage room (40 m2). There is also an occupational therapy room in which patients regain lost functions and professional skills.

Clinic staff carry out medical examinations of work ability. This issue is dealt with by a specially trained doctor, whose responsibilities, in addition to treating patients, include determining ability to work. It establishes temporary disability, predicts the duration of the illness and resolves the issue of treatment and rehabilitation (in an outpatient or inpatient setting). He also deals with the issue, extension and closure of certificates of incapacity for work. Currently, about 30% of patients visiting clinics require temporary release from work. If the patient has been confirmed to have permanent disability, his medical documents are prepared and processed for VTEK. In the clinic, there is a responsible person in charge of managing this procedure (deputy chief physician of the clinic for medical examination of work ability), and a medical advisory commission is organized on these issues.

The most important function of the clinic is to conduct medical examinations, the tasks of which include selecting patients for registration, approving relevant documentation, determining the forms and methods of improving the health of the population, and establishing a medical examination workload for medical specialists. So, for a local therapist it is 200 people; for an ophthalmologist - 210; for a neurologist - 150; for a dermatologist - 150. Patients registered at the dispensary must visit the clinic at least five times a year. For such patients, outpatient and inpatient services should provide treatment that prevents relapses of the disease. For these purposes, the use of physiotherapeutic methods, exercise therapy, dietary nutrition and sanatorium-resort treatment is invaluable. The activities for organizing clinical examination are headed by the prevention department, in which the registration of persons under medical supervision is carried out.

Clinics work closely with hospitals, referring patients there on an emergency or planned basis. Patients are admitted to hospitals through a centralized and decentralized system. The first is organized by the Emergency Medical Care system; in the second, patients are hospitalized in hospitals to which the clinic is attached. Particular attention is paid to the completeness and quality of examination of patients in the clinic, which will reduce the length of their stay in the hospital. When referring a patient to a hospital, clinic doctors are required to correctly and accurately fill out medical documentation and an application with a complete list of examinations and their results, while the hospital, after the patient is discharged, must provide the clinic with information about further treatment or rehabilitation measures. One of the main rooms that carry out preventive measures is the room for health education and hygienic education of the population, which is part of the prevention department.

One of the forms of activity of this office includes a conversation between the local doctor and the patient about various methods of disease prevention, hygiene issues, etc. Short-term meetings of doctors and patients are held in the clinic, where this range of problems is discussed. Great importance in health education is attached to the creation of posters, newsletters, and wall newspapers. Sanitary education work should be planned taking into account the time of year, the level and structure of diseases, the age characteristics of the population, etc. This work is carried out under the guidance of the city SES. An important activity of the clinic is work with medical documentation, carried out in the accounting and medical statistics office.

Employees of this office produce statistical records in accordance with approved forms. Indicators such as the number of visits to the doctor by patients, the number of certificates of incapacity for work issued, and preventive examinations are subject to statistical recording. Prescriptions for narcotic and potent drugs and for preferential dispensing of drugs are taken into account especially strictly. Medical reporting also involves indicating the number of patients hospitalized in hospitals.

The performance of the clinic is assessed based on the indicators of two groups. The first includes the local indicator (the number of patients served by one local therapist), visits to doctors by one patient per year, and repeat visits. The second group of indicators includes the quality of medical examination (according to certain parameters), the number of sick people who are in hospital, and the level of infectious morbidity. Specialized clinics differ from general practice clinics in their specialization in priority diseases and the population groups they serve. In small towns, a dispensary and a children's department are opened on the basis of city clinics.

The structure of the clinic may also include an emergency department if this service is not available in the city. Diagnostic rooms are of great importance: endoscopic, x-ray, laboratory, functional diagnostic room. The structural divisions of such a clinic also include a registry office, an administrative and economic part, and an office for processing medical documents and medical statistics.

In the area where it operates, the clinic must perform certain tasks: organize and carry out comprehensive measures to prevent and reduce diseases; provide qualified assistance to the population. One of the main events organized by the clinic is medical examination, which includes examination of persons with oncological and cardiac pathologies. Medical examination also covers workers of industrial enterprises, students of schools and other educational institutions. Clinic workers, like other medical institutions, should promote a healthy lifestyle and lead it themselves.

Based on the above tasks, polyclinic institutions provide first aid in emergency cases (poisoning, injuries, etc.). A special feature of outpatient clinics is the provision of medical care on house calls, for which doctors are given additional hours. As a rule, patients who are visited by clinic specialists are on bed rest and do not have the opportunity to see a doctor. Polyclinic specialists must accurately diagnose and promptly detect diseases in the early stages. The list of functions of the clinic also includes the provision of qualified medical care. If inpatient treatment is necessary, the clinic is obliged to conduct a thorough medical examination of the patient and submit a written opinion from specialists to the hospital where the patient is being sent. Polyclinic services should provide rehabilitation and systematic monitoring of patients discharged from hospitals. The duties of the clinic also include continuous monitoring and assessment of the health status of schoolchildren, students and their working and living conditions. Close interaction with the SES allows for the implementation of measures to prevent and reduce infectious diseases. Polyclinic services should provide a complete assessment of temporarily or permanently disabled patients. Then such patients are issued (and, if necessary, extended) a certificate of incapacity for work. Clinic specialists must inform the patient with permanent disability how to rationally choose a place of work. The qualifications of clinic staff (paramedics and doctors) must be confirmed or improved every five years, which is achieved through certain activities that the clinic must carry out.

As a rule, when a person gets sick, he first of all turns to his local physician.

The working hours of each doctor are strictly regulated, which reflects their work schedule. A special feature of the clinic’s specialists is home care. In order to improve the organization of care at home, district nurses are united into teams and accompany the doctor on calls to the patient. Most clinics organize an emergency department to visit patients at night. Currently, one of the effective forms of treatment is day hospital, which allows the patient to receive qualified care without hospitalization. The operating hours, number of employees, and the availability of medical equipment in different day hospitals are not the same and are set by the head of the clinic. The population of patients who are prescribed this form of treatment consists of patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases and pathologies of the respiratory system. A course of rehabilitation treatment in a day hospital is prescribed after a myocardial infarction or stroke. Another form of medical care involves the treatment of patients who refuse hospitalization - the organization of hospitals at home. The patient must visit a doctor at least eight times a month. The duties of the district nurse include fulfilling the doctor’s prescriptions, and therefore she is obliged to visit the patient more often.

The number of specialists in different clinics is not the same and is determined by many parameters: the number of the population served, industrial and transport enterprises in the area where the clinic operates. The development and approval of the staffing table is carried out by the chief physician of the clinic, coordinating all actions with the leadership of the territorial medical association. The work of the clinic is carried out on a local-territorial principle, therefore, a certain number of residents is calculated for each specialist of the clinic. For example, 1,700 people are assigned to one local therapist, and 800 children are assigned to a local pediatrician. The number of specialized specialists (surgeons, ophthalmologists, etc.) in clinics is regulated by the population’s need for their help (approximately one doctor per 20 thousand people). The staff of paramedical workers will depend on the number of treatment rooms, dressing rooms, the presence of additional specialized departments and the number of doctors. It has been established that for one position of a local therapist there are 1.5 positions of a nurse; one nurse should work with other specialists. Today, most clinics use a team method of work. Team employees, in accordance with the volume of work, agree in advance on the required number of workers and distribute responsibilities among themselves. The salary of each specialist in the team depends on the activity and initiative shown in the work.

The management of the territorial medical association (TMO) finances independent clinics. Funding for polyclinics, which are a structural unit of a hospital, is provided from the budget of the merged institution.

There is additional funding for clinics, which is allocated from funds received through the provision of additional services to employees of various organizations. The salaries of the clinic employees are calculated from the above sources. In many outpatient institutions, the work of which is based on a budgetary basis, paid medical services are provided. Systematic maintenance of primary medical documentation is necessary for monitoring and evaluating the work of the clinic and its individual structures.

There are a number of indicators that characterize the activities of outpatient services. These are the so-called medical and social indicators that reflect the health status of the population: disability, general morbidity, etc. The frequency and causes of deaths are analyzed. Patient complaints about the work of the clinic are also taken into account. When assessing the functioning of children's clinics, much attention is paid to the organization and timeliness of

vaccinations against tuberculosis, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis, polio, etc. Recently, cases of perinatal mortality have become more frequent, so the tasks of checking the work of the clinic include a thorough examination of the causes of deaths; determining the quality of examination, treatment and clinical observation.

Polyclinic institutions cooperate with specialized medical institutions and emergency stations. A local therapist (pediatrician) is a specialist who must have all the necessary information about the patient. He should be provided with the opinions of specialists of a narrow profile (ophthalmologist, surgeon, etc.). There is a local health authority, one of whose functions is to establish specific forms of cooperation between the clinic and other medical institutions. Due to the risk of complications, emergency medical care stations should have lists of patients being observed in the clinic with incurable or chronic diseases. Information about the reasons for the call, the measures taken and their results should be received daily from the Emergency Medical Center to the clinics.

The state of the environment and public health are closely linked. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the clinic is the prevention of infectious diseases, which is carried out jointly with the SES. One of the main units that provides communication between the doctor and the pharmacy worker is the pharmaceutical information office. The specialists of this office have all the necessary information about medicines and medical products and know what the population’s need for them is.

Currently, intensive work is underway to accelerate the development of a network of clinics and improve their provision with medical equipment. It is also planned to open preventive and rehabilitation departments in clinics. Much attention is paid to the close cooperation of clinics with other medical institutions - hospitals and dispensaries. The outcome of the work of outpatient services is largely determined by the correctly organized stages of medical care.

Today, work is underway to create polyclinics at several levels. The first includes polyclinics, the main work of which includes providing primary care and carrying out preventive measures. Second-level clinics provide outpatient medical care. The third level includes polyclinics, the list of services of which includes examination and treatment of patients in a narrow profile.

To register treatment and diagnose a patient in a clinic, there are a number of documents. Each of them has its own format, type (form or journal) and shelf life. The Russian Ministry of Health approved a sample of each document and the rules for its execution. Currently, all documentation is being unified, which significantly improves the analysis of data and allows them to be processed using a computer. Maintaining medical records by a clinic is necessary to carry out various functions, such as providing qualified medical care and improving the health status of the population. Also, recording documents will allow you to analyze the quality of functioning of outpatient institutions and ensure that various health care structures are informed about this.

All documentation is divided into groups. The first includes the “Medical record of an outpatient” (form No. 25/u-87) and “History of the child’s development” (form No. 112/u); in antenatal clinics - “Individual card of a pregnant and postpartum woman” (form No. 111/u), in preschool and school institutions - “Child’s medical card” (form No. 026/u). The above documents provide a record of the results of observations of the patient’s condition at the stage of his treatment in the clinic. The next group of documents provides the relationship between the levels of medical care, including important information about the patient. It includes “Extract from the medical record of an outpatient” (form No. 027/u); “Emergency notification of an infectious disease, food poisoning, acute occupational poisoning, unusual reaction to vaccination” (form No. 058/u), etc. The third group of documents includes “Diary of the work of a doctor at a clinic (outpatient clinic), dispensary, consultation” (form No. 039 /у); “Procedure Log” (Form No. 029/у). They keep records of the work that employees do, with a daily record of the time worked. There is also documentation used at ambulance stations, in forensic medical examination institutions, laboratories that are part of medical institutions, and in sanitary institutions.

Recently, new accounting documents have appeared. One of them is the “Medical examination registration card” (form No. 131/u-86). This document allows you to take into account the population size and at the same time keep records of diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Each of the clinic’s health workers must reliably, competently, completely and timely make entries in medical documents. The contents of medical documentation are not disclosed, refer to the concept of “medical confidentiality” and are available to persons who are associated with him professionally.

Dental clinic

The dental clinic provides specialized care to the population. It exists as an independent institution, and can be part of the structure of a clinic, sanatorium, or school. Children under 15 years of age receive care in children's dental institutions. Planned preventive work, including sanitation of the oral cavity, is the main task of the dental service. The operation of a dental clinic is based on the local principle. Currently, the number of dental clinics and the volume of their activities have increased significantly. There is further specialization of dental care, new methods of treatment and prosthetics are being created.

Dental clinics come in 4 categories.

Category 1 includes clinics in large cities with 40 dentists. A typical design of such clinics includes 15 doctor’s offices, each office has modern equipment.

The most widespread are clinics of the 4th category, which employ 20 doctors. Such clinics operate in small towns and rural regional centers. A typical project includes five treatment rooms.

children's Hospital

The children's clinic is a medical and preventive institution that provides care to children up to 14 years of age. One children's clinic serves from 8-10 to 40-50 thousand children depending on their place of residence. The list of its functions includes the organization and implementation of preventive measures, medical examination, provision of advisory and therapeutic assistance, provision of specialized medical care, rehabilitation treatment, implementation of measures to prevent and reduce diseases, and carrying out sanitary educational work. More often, a children's clinic is an independent institution, less often it is part of a children's hospital. According to the standards approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the area of ​​operation of the clinic, funding, staff, and equipment are determined by a higher health authority. The work of children's clinics, like others, is based on the local principle. The territory of the clinic is divided into several sections, each of which includes about 800 children. Each site is assigned one local therapist and 1.5 nurse positions. The children's clinic should provide pediatricians and nurses (paramedics) to schools and home health departments. The staff of specialists includes otolaryngologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists, neurologists, etc. If medical-genetic or endocrinological consultation is necessary, patients are referred to larger children's clinics.

In the children's clinic, much attention is paid to preventive work. For this purpose, there is an office for a healthy child, there is a position of a paramedic for preventive work, and a number of methodological measures are carried out to raise a healthy child. Specialists from the healthy child’s office should be involved in health education work, on which they spend 4 hours a month.

The layout of a children's clinic differs from that of an adult clinic. The nursery has two entrances: one for healthy children, the other in the form of a box for sick ones. Upon admission, it is necessary to examine the child’s skin and pharynx and measure body temperature. All these activities are carried out by the admission department nurse.

A special feature of the work of specialists at the children's clinic is patronage of pregnant women, which is carried out twice by a district nurse. Thus, already from the period of intrauterine life the child’s condition is controlled. The local doctor and nurse visit the newborn during the first three days after discharge from the maternity hospital. Then patronage is carried out twice a week until the start of the breast period. Children from socially disadvantaged families and premature babies are subject to special observation. Upon reaching the age of one month and during the first years of life, if the child is developing properly, the doctor should examine him in the clinic at least once a month. At the same time, the pediatrician evaluates the child’s physical and mental development, body mass index, and conducts laboratory diagnostics, if necessary. The results of the examination are entered into the child’s development chart (Form 112).

Comprehensive preventive measures are carried out with the aim of organizing and implementing preventive vaccinations, regular monitoring of the condition of healthy children; providing information about rational feeding, physical education, and hardening. Much attention is paid to preparing children for entering school or kindergarten. The work of children's clinic specialists is carried out both in the clinic and at home. If it is necessary to provide assistance at night for children with chronic diseases, home health care units are organized. Organization of health education, hygienic education, control of nutrition, physical and labor education of children, implementation of therapeutic, health, and preventive measures are the main factors ensuring the activities of children's clinics in preschool institutions and schools. Currently, the number of socially disadvantaged families is growing, work with which is also part of the tasks of children's clinics.

The health of children directly depends on the quality of preventive work of the district nurse. Starting with patronage of a pregnant woman, which includes preparing the mother for childbirth and feeding the child, creating a favorable climate in the family of the future newborn, the nurse exercises control and moral support for the expectant mother. With the birth of a newborn, in accordance with regulatory requirements, the visiting nurse regularly visits the baby on the second day after he is discharged from the maternity hospital.

The pediatric nurse carries out measures to prevent rickets and monitors the timely implementation of preventive vaccinations according to the preventive vaccination calendar. The data is recorded in the “Preventive Vaccination Card No. 63”. Each district nurse has her own vaccination file, which the nurse systematically monitors in order to ensure timely vaccination. If the vaccination schedule is not followed, the sister is obliged to notify the child’s parents about the date of the preventive procedure. The nurse also monitors the baby’s health after vaccination, recording all the data in the “Child Development History Card.”

The responsibilities of the district nurse include organizing clinical examination of patients at their place of residence in accordance with registration form No. 30. She must competently and timely maintain the necessary documentation: history of the child’s development (registration form No. 112); statistical coupon (registration form No. 256). At the children's clinic there are special times for preventive appointments for children under 3 years of age. The local medical officer compiles a list of children in the area from the first days of life to 15 years old, and conducts rounds of her area twice a year (in April and September) for the purpose of census of the child population.

Resort clinic operates in resort towns in Russia and provides medical care to those arriving not for sanatorium-resort treatment, but for vacation. Patients live in private apartments, while the entire range of treatment measures and medical supervision are carried out in the resort clinic. Specialists of this type of clinic can advise patients who are undergoing sanatorium-resort treatment. Resort clinics are available in Sochi, Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk.

The functions of a visiting nurse are:

Implementation of measures to preserve breastfeeding;

Monitoring the child’s hygiene regime;

Teaching mothers how to care for their children;

Health education conversations with parents;

Treatment of the umbilical wound.

Goals of the pediatric nurse:

Preventative;

Medicinal;

Sanitary education.

A patient who needs a more detailed examination is sent to a clinic for consultative and diagnostic services.

This type of clinic includes neurosurgical, ophthalmological, otorhinolaryngological, gynecological, neurological, urological, cardiological, pulmonological, orthopedic, gastroenterological, endocrinological and other offices. The structure of consultative and diagnostic clinics includes a diagnostic department, which includes laboratories: biochemical, bacteriological, cytological. You can’t do without an X-ray, endoscopic room, and a functional diagnostic room.

Polyclinics of this type must provide qualified medical care in general and specialized fields; carry out the necessary laboratory and instrumental diagnostic studies; give appropriate recommendations for treatment under the supervision of a community clinic. According to the above objectives, the staff of consultation and diagnostic care clinics includes highly qualified doctors: surgeons, pulmonologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, hematologists, otolaryngologists, urologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, ophthalmologists, etc. Examination of the patient includes laboratory, hardware, and instrumental diagnostics. The results of all studies are sent to the institution that referred the patient to the consultative and diagnostic clinic. Polyclinics of this type actively attract highly qualified medical specialists from multidisciplinary hospitals, professors, and associate professors of medical universities to work with patients.

Self-supporting clinics provide specialized advisory medical care to patients on a paid basis. The tasks of self-supporting clinics also include conducting preventive medical examinations of people entering work, food workers, and children's institutions. In this case, the use of hardware and laboratory research methods is mandatory. The fee for the examination is borne by the relevant organization.

Physiotherapeutic clinics are being created in large cities. They provide rehabilitation treatment using physical methods, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. All activities of physiotherapeutic clinics reduce temporary or permanent performance and preserve labor resources.

In large cities, in the area of ​​industrial enterprises, organized workshop clinics, in which employees of these enterprises are served. The creation of workshop medical areas at industrial enterprises is carried out at the rate of 1,700 workers per area; in organizations of the chemical, coal, and oil refining industries - 1,500 employees. Shop medical areas are formed taking into account the specialization of technological production and the territorial location of the enterprise. The staff of these medical institutions includes various specializations of doctors: therapist, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, surgeon, etc. One of the main functions of doctors in these clinics is to study and improve the working conditions of enterprise employees. The workshop clinic is one of the structural divisions of the city hospital.

A special feature of the medical activities of the workshop clinic is the provision of first aid at the place of production for injuries, sudden illnesses and occupational poisoning. An important role in the implementation of planned sanitary, hygienic and therapeutic and preventive measures belongs to the shop nurse.

One of the military-type treatment and preventive institutions is garrison clinic A. This is an independent institution that performs the following functions:

Providing medical care to military personnel, as well as persons who are sent to the clinic for consultation from garrison institutions;

Carrying out medical examination;

Organization of treatment, preventive and diagnostic work in the unit;

Providing medical care at home.

In garrison clinics, military personnel and members of their families receive medical care according to the order of the unit commander. The garrison clinic has the following main divisions:

Registry;

Diagnostic department (laboratory, x-ray room, functional diagnostics room);

Medical department (offices of a therapist, ophthalmologist, surgeon, neurologist, dentist);

Physiotherapeutic department (physical therapy room).

If necessary, pediatric and obstetrics and gynecology departments are formed, as well as cardiology, allergology and endoscopy rooms.

For elderly patients we organize geriatric clinic or geriatric departments in city hospitals, where not only the professionalism of doctors is important, but also the manifestation of human qualities: kindness, sensitivity and mercy.

The head of the independent clinic is the chief physician. He manages finances and represents the medical institution in the health authorities.

The head of the clinics that are part of the hospital is the chief physician of the hospital.

In polyclinic institutions, strict accounting and control of the funds necessary for their activities are carried out in accordance with established standards.

In accordance with the allocation of budget funds, activities necessary for the functioning of clinics are carried out: current and major repairs of premises, purchase of medical equipment, operating costs, etc.

The activities of the clinic are carried out in accordance with regulatory and other acts of legislation of the Russian Federation.

One of the main functions of the clinic is to provide home care. Currently, the number of patients with long-term chronic diseases, as well as those in need of long-term treatment, care and constant monitoring at home, is increasing. Therefore, home care is gaining increasing socio-economic importance. This assistance is especially important during the “off-season” (autumn and spring), when the number of patients increases. Most, after first aid, undergo further examination to exclude complications.

The doctor needs to fill out the necessary documents in a timely and competent manner: doctor’s house calls are recorded in a special book - form No. 031 /u, and emergency medical calls - in a journal. In the medical record of the outpatient, form No. 025/u, the doctor makes the appropriate entries. The ambulance crew draws up a call card.

It contains brief information about the patient’s complaints, the reason for the call, the actual condition of the patient, and the treatment performed. In the work of the clinic, home care accounts for 30% of the entire work of the institution. A local therapist devotes about 50% of his working time to helping patients at home, a pediatrician - 60%. A high-quality level of medical care for patients at home contributes to more efficient operation of the hospital.

In the work of polyclinics, various forms of providing care at home are used: emergency rooms, departments of care for the sick and elderly, departments of active patronage, short-term or day hospitals with subsequent follow-up treatment of the patient at home, etc.

When patients contact us, the reasons, goals, as well as the nature of requests (primary or repeated), forms of diseases (chronic or acute), seasonality of requests, etc. are taken into account. Generally, therapeutic requests predominate. The patient's condition determines the duration of treatment. If a doctor's visit to a patient with an acute illness is limited to 1-2 visits with the subsequent transfer of the patient to outpatient treatment, then a chronic illness requires an in-depth examination in order to exclude complications. Only attention from the doctor, his experience and professionalism will help to avoid errors in treatment and not subject the patient to physical and moral suffering. The care of relatives for the patient is important, since regular fulfillment of all doctor’s prescriptions at home will contribute to a complete recovery.

Depending on the time of year, the nature of patients’ requests for help at home also changes. In the summer, the number of requests from people with disorders of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and nervous system increases, and in the fall and winter - with respiratory exacerbations. The quality of a doctor’s work at home significantly affects the frequency of patients’ repeated visits to the clinic. If the treatment is prescribed correctly, the doctor actively visits the patient at home, such a patient will not need immediate emergency care and will soon return to an active lifestyle. A large role in the treatment of patients at home belongs to medical specialists, who, if necessary, patients can invite for consultation. Laboratory diagnostic and medical support services are extremely important for the treatment of patients at home. There are difficulties in providing rapid laboratory diagnostic kits and special medications. An important role in providing care at home belongs to nursing staff in such forms of work as patronage of children in the first year of life, lonely elderly citizens, and cancer patients.

The functions of a local nurse are:

Fulfilling doctor's orders at home;

Carrying out sanitary and anti-epidemic measures at the site;

Preparing the doctor's office to receive patients;

Control of delivery of outpatient cards from the registry;

Monitoring the receipt of test results and timely attendance of patients;

Measuring the temperature of patients;

Registration and issuance of referrals for consultations to specialist doctors;

Filling out sick leave sheets.

It is extremely important for a medical worker to be able to establish relationships between medical personnel and the patient, and the ability to convince the patient of the correct choice of his lifestyle in the most extreme situations. Medical personnel should conduct conversations with patients and their relatives about the patient’s behavioral characteristics and various rehabilitation measures during each visit to patients at home.

Currently, thanks to government support, the activities of clinics are being further developed. Close cooperation between polyclinic institutions and various companies through the health insurance system makes it possible to efficiently and timely carry out the main function of a medical institution - providing medical care to the population in market conditions. Mass and systematic examination of the population (fluorography, mammography, etc.), regular medical examinations and medical examinations are mandatory for all groups of the population. The polyclinic institution carries out all these types of preventive care in accordance with regulatory documents for this type of activity.

At the beginning of the 21st century. Thanks to the state policy in the field of healthcare, many problems in the system of outpatient institutions are being solved: the material base is being strengthened, modern medical equipment is being purchased, and the qualifications of medical personnel are being improved. The wages of nurses and doctors have increased in accordance with the quality of medical services. The responsibility of medical workers for their activities has increased, and there is a need to improve professional competence and qualifications.

The development of private clinics currently does not always successfully solve the problem of medical care. The majority of the population feels more confident and turns to budgetary medical institutions, where the quality of medical services provided with the support of the state is constantly improving.

Nurses work in emergency rooms, critical care units, clinics, doctors' offices and other health care settings. Because patients are cared for around the clock, nurses are typically required to work rotating shifts that include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. The job may also be physically demanding, requiring standing, lifting, bending and stretching.

Emergency nurses are nurses who work in acute care facilities or trauma centers. They typically have a degree in nursing and additional education or training. They must be knowledgeable about many health conditions, nursing, decisive, and able to take action quickly.

It is worth learning about the education and training required to become a nurse. By getting a quick overview of the requirements, as well as detailed job responsibilities and licensing information, you can find out if this is the career path you want.

Nurses combine management skills and clinical experience. If there is a desire to apply your clinical nursing experience within a leadership role, a chief nurse position may be an ideal fit. In addition to patient care, the head nurse assumes certain management responsibilities for nurses and support staff on a given shift. Working as a nurse is a stepping stone to a leadership position in nursing administration.

Nurse job description

Emergency nurses provide rapid assessment and treatment of patients in the early stages of illness or injury and often in life-threatening situations. These typically have a bachelor's degree in nursing and most often work in hospital emergency departments and trauma centers. Emergency nurses can obtain additional specialty certification to enhance their job prospects.

Required education includes a bachelor's degree as a minimum. There may also be additional requirements - a state nursing license. Some employers may require specific certification from a national organization. Projected job growth is 16% for registered nurses.

Emergency nurses specialize in the assessment, intervention, and stabilization of a variety of injuries and illnesses. Due to the range of medical conditions that may require emergency treatment and care, they need to be aware of common as well as specific health concerns.

Hospitals and independent emergency departments are the most common employers of emergency nurses. Other facilities that may use them include cruise ships, prisons and crisis intervention centers. With more specialized training, an emergency nurse can become a transport nurse, who manages the care of patients transported by plane or helicopter.

The work environment plays an integral role in the provision of standard services. The profession of a registered nurse comes with challenges and major responsibilities. It is a challenging calling that requires versatility and vigilance.

A registered nurse works in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, outpatient and mental health facilities, ambulatory care centers and private physician practices. They may also work in community centers, schools and patients' homes. A registered nurse may also have to work weekends, holidays, and even night shifts. These professionals spend most of their time walking, standing, lifting and bending. They must work closely with patients suffering from infectious diseases. The primary role of registered nurse assistants is to provide basic care to patients, as well as assist them with activities of daily living that they may encounter on their own, such as bathing. Due to the personal nature of the job, a certified caregiving position must include communication skills, the ability to be compassionate, and enjoy helping others. In nursing or long-term care settings, the nurse is often the patient's primary caregiver.

Nurses also work with medical technology such as billing software, health information software, and medical record charting software. In some settings, a nurse will administer medications to patients, but this usually depends on the level of training and experience, as well as government regulations. Nurses must have phenomenal communication skills as their job is to convey all the patients' concerns to their supervisor.

Registered Nurse Duties - General

A great job title usually includes a general term, experience level, and any special requirements. The general term would be to optimize a position to appear in general searches for jobs of the same nature.

Experience level will help attract the most qualified candidates by indicating the scope of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if the nursing position is specialized, it's worth considering including the specialty in the job title.

Registered nurses' duties vary depending on their areas of expertise. They play a key role in promoting health through a wide range of services. The nurse's job primarily focuses on caring for and educating patients and their families about early recovery and ways to prevent disease. Consequently, nurses experience patients' health concerns and needs, develop and implement patient care plans, and maintain medical records. The nurse promotes and restores the health of patients by completing the treatment process, collaborating with physicians and multidisciplinary team members, providing physical and psychological support to the patient, friends and family, and supervising assigned team members.

Registered Nurse Duties:

• Identifies care requirements by establishing personal relationships with potential and actual patients and others who may have care requirements.
• Creates a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support to patients, friends and families.
• Promotes individualized patient care by establishing goals of care. Educating the patient, their friends and family to understand the appropriateness of medication use and self-care skills.
• Ensures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards. Measuring patient outcomes against nursing goals and standards, adopting or recommending necessary adjustments in accordance with hospital and nursing department philosophies and standards of care established by the state board of nursing, state nurse act and other governing body regulations.
• Addresses patient concerns and needs using multidisciplinary team strategies.
• Maintains a safe and clean work environment by following procedures, policies, and calling for assistance from medical personnel.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substances.
• Documents patient care services by charting patient and department reports.
• Maintains acceptable relationships among nursing teams by documenting and communicating activities, disturbances, and needs.
• Maintains patient trust and protects surgical information while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ensures the operation of equipment by complying with preventive maintenance requirements. Follows manufacturer's instructions when troubleshooting problems, calling technicians for repairs, and maintaining equipment inventory. Evaluates new equipment and methods.
• Maintains nursing supply inventory by checking supplies to determine inventory levels. Forecasts required supplies. Oversees the placement and expediting of supply orders. Checks receipt of materials. Verifies the use of equipment necessary to achieve work results.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending training seminars. Reviews professional publications, creates personal networks, and participates in professional societies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships among healthcare teams by communicating information, responding to requests, building rapport and participating in the team's problem solving techniques.
• Contributes to team efforts by completing related deliverables as needed.
• Nurse secretaries are responsible for overseeing a specific department in a healthcare facility. Individuals in this position perform duties such as delegating nursing tasks, scheduling, supervising admissions and discharges, monitoring, and ordering medications and supplies.

Functions of a nurse

Ambulance providers must have a wide range of high-level nursing skills. They must be experts in assessing critical care patients, administering care, recognizing complications, and coordinating with other members of the critical care team. Successful emergency nurses must also perform the functions of excelling in interpersonal communications, leadership, strategic planning, critical thinking, and decision making. Here is a list of the main functions of a registered nurse:

• Observation and recording of patient behavior.
• Coordinates with physicians and other health care professionals to create and evaluate individual plans of care.
• Diagnosing a disease by analyzing the patient's symptoms and taking necessary measures for his/her recovery.
• Maintain patient history reports and monitor changes in their condition.
• Carrying out necessary procedures and medications.
• Directing and supervising nurses.
• Checking drug inventory on a regular basis to maintain stock levels and placing orders as required.
• Change the patient's medications as indicated by their conditions and responses.
• Follows protocols, codes, rules and regulations to ensure complete medical records.
• Maintain a hygienic and safe work environment in accordance with health procedures.
• Conducting research to improve nursing practice and health outcomes.
• Providing instant care during emergencies such as car accidents, burns, heart attacks and strokes.
• Discuss treatment with pharmacists and doctors in critical cases.
• Providing necessary recommendations for disease prevention.
• Monitoring every aspect of patient care, which includes physical activity and proper nutrition.
• Preparing rooms and decontaminating equipment and tools.
• Preparing patients for examinations.
• Educating patients' families about the disease and its treatment.
• Assisting doctors during surgery.
• Resolve patient concerns and meet patient demands through a multi-faceted team strategy.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to maintain harmonious relationships.
• Attend training seminars to enhance professional and technical knowledge.
• Performing laboratory work and providing complete information to the doctor about the patient’s condition during anesthesia.
• Recommendation of medications and other forms of treatment such as inhalation therapy, physical therapy, etc.

Consequently, nurses perform a wide range of tasks from pediatric to geriatric to provide adequate nursing services, making them key people for doctors and patients.

Roles and responsibilities of the head nurse

The chief nurse serves as the leader of the nursing staff in various departments of the hospital. To become one of them, you need to have a bachelor's degree in nursing. Securing a master's degree is even better. In addition to the nurse's skills, most employers consider the nurse's clinical experience, such as the number of years and various departments in which she has served.

The Chief Nurse's responsibilities include responsibility for maintaining clinical standards of patient care. To achieve this, chief nurses work closely with senior health professionals to offer advice on the best ways to improve care. She is also responsible for coordinating the implementation of new care strategies. She must have extensive knowledge of hospital health care practices, such as nursing procedures, staff policies, and patient policies. The head nurse may develop and manage patient care programs while planning new services. She can conduct evaluations to evaluate the performance of various departments in the hospital.

The head nurse may be involved in hiring the clinic. This includes interviewing potential employees, monitoring their training, and making retention decisions. She can establish new rules and guidelines for caring for sick patients. The chief nurse may be involved in the management and maintenance of nursing budgets, as well as various nursing benefits. In addition, the chief nurse may sometimes be involved in disciplinary decisions.

The chief nurse serves as the closest connection between doctors and nurses. She ensures that nursing staff offer the best possible support to doctors in their respective departments. This may require revising hospital policies or hiring new nurses. The Chief Nurse stays abreast of new technologies, allowing the hospital to easily adapt to positive changes in the healthcare environment.

As part of the charge nurse's responsibilities, high standards must be maintained that all other nurses must follow. She is also working to create a better work environment for nurses by introducing measures to promote collaboration. Her responsibilities may extend beyond the workplace as a representative or trainer at conferences and seminars. The chief nurse reviews nurses' certifications to ensure they comply with workplace guidelines. The job requires strong emotional stability, detailed orientation and organizational skills. She must be compassionate when dealing with patients and nurses, but still able to take the correct corrective actions when necessary.

Emergency nurses

Quick thinking, decisive action and strong muscles are the things you'll need for a career as an emergency nurse. Emergency nurses work in emergency settings to assist doctors and work with emergency medical personnel.

These nurses work as part of a team with physicians, other nurses, and health care professionals to provide care, monitor health conditions, plan for long-term care needs, administer medicine, use medical equipment, perform minor medical procedures, counsel patients and their families on illness, care and ongoing care after a hospital stay.

Emergency rooms are often the first line of defense against accidents, allergic reactions and any number of medical emergencies. Emergency nurses work to quickly assess each patient's needs, prioritizing care based on its critical nature. They work to stabilize the patient, treat a problem, discharge the patient after the emergency is over, or make arrangements for a longer hospital stay.

Registered nursing skills and qualifications

Nurses usually register with specialized training and education. Many supplement their training with certification in specific areas of emergency medicine. To become a nurse, a person must earn a doctorate or bachelor's degree in nursing or a diploma from a hospital with this program.

Like many professions, a person with a higher degree has better opportunities for advancement. Emergency nurses continually update their education to maintain knowledge of new procedures.

Upon completion of a nursing degree from an approved nursing program, it is mandatory to complete the National Board Licensure Examination prior to obtaining a nursing license.

Licensing may vary, so it is recommended that you contact your specific medical facility for more information.

Qualified nurses must first be registered nurses with experience in general patient care. Due to the complexity of patient care involved in this specialty, many employers hiring critical care nurses. Candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may be given preference. Some nursing education programs offer courses in emergency care, but many practitioners learn through field training in a hospital setting. Many nurses specializing in health care choose to pursue a separate certification offered through private courses.

The ability to balance administrative tasks and clinical care is an important skill for nurses in this position. Many nurses refer other nurses to patient care by providing guidance. As shift managers, nurses may be required to document and evaluate the performance of nursing assistants under their supervision. Some nurses may help develop and implement educational programs for other nurses and staff.

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are critical to the success of nurses. They are expected to motivate and lead their staff, which requires them to work effectively with diverse personalities. Nurses must have the knowledge and experience to answer questions from staff and patients on a wide range of issues. Because premium nurses are required to write reports on patient progress and staff productivity, strong written communication skills are required.

Other required skills include:

• Attention to detail.
• Good organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to quickly and accurately assess patient conditions.
• Loyalty.
• Emotional stability.
• Ability to deal effectively with emergencies and remain calm in stressful situations.

Career Outlook and Salary Information

According to the survey, the nursing sector will grow in the coming years. Between 2012 and 2022, employment opportunities for nursing staff are projected to increase by 19%. The growing population of elderly people and easy access to healthcare services are some of the reasons for the increasing demand for these professionals. Moreover, the preference of older adults to be treated at home will open the door to registered nurses in residential care settings. There will be huge job opportunities for nurses in the future.

A nurse can combine the following roles:

• Manager. Nurse managers oversee the day-to-day activities of the nursing unit. They evaluate nurses' performance, mentor them, and provide feedback. The ER nurse manager ignores budgets and takes inventory of supplies, medications, and equipment.
• Nurse anesthetist. These are advanced practice nurses who work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and medical specialists to administer anesthesia for surgical procedures. They care for patients before, after and during surgery.
• Care and transport nurse. They care for pregnant women during their delivery to the hospital and for newborns. Monitor for complications and educate mothers about newborn care. Therefore, they have excellent critical thinking and quick decision-making skills.
• Nurse educator. These nurses develop educational programs for individuals in health care settings. They provide in-home medical procedures and surgical treatments to patients and their families.
• Home nursing. The chief nursing officer holds the highest position in the healthcare industry. They guide nurses and medical staff. They also develop and implement patient care plans.
• Intensive care nurse. Emergency nurses assess patients and implement the necessary plan of care accordingly. They work in intensive care units, maternity wards, care for newborns, the seriously ill and where high-intensity procedures and regular monitoring are required.

Emergency nurses also work in trauma centers, where they admit patients, evaluate injuries or medical conditions, and assist doctors in properly treating patients. They must have a degree in nursing and be licensed, but other trauma training is also preferred.

Because salary potential and career opportunities may vary by location, employer, education, experience and other factors, potential students are encouraged to conduct independent research to determine actual earning potential.

Rapid advances in technology and healthcare have saved more patients and helped them return to health. As a result, critical care nurses are often in demand across the country. In some areas they are needed to fill critical staff shortages. Due to the nature of the medical field, there is a high likelihood that a nurse will be asked to work irregular hours (nights, weekends, and holidays).

The potential of working in a nursing home or long-term care facility includes the relationships a nurse maintains with patients while maintaining job security.

However, the Occupational Study Guide for Labor Statistics notes that many nursing assistants pursue training or new jobs because of the emotional and physical toll the profession can take.

Although the tasks are generally similar, doctors typically do not spend as much time with the same patients since most are discharged within a few days at most. However, if a person is more interested in working in a fast-paced environment, a hospital may be a suitable option for him. Hospitals can also provide nurses with experience working in different departments.