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Welcome to the fourth article in the MD Spotlight series, in which the profession of nursing is highlighted. You will gain
greater insight into the field of nursing and identify new ways to relate and communicate at a more sophisticated level with
this customer type. Expanding your knowledge and understanding of your customers ultimately will help you build stronger business
relationships. Use this tool to aid you during business planning, call strategy and office interaction.
Now, let's take a closer look at the field of nursing.
Career profile
The profession of nursing has grown much since its start in the mid-1800s with Florence Nightingale. Today, nursing is more
diverse than any other field of medicine. More and more nursing programs are opening up to meet the demands of the aging Baby
Boomers, who have increased the need for competent nursing care all over the United States. The field of nursing is continuing
to change as well, with more training to create greater diversity and flexibility in the scope and practice of nursing today.
Nurses have many subspecialty options to choose from, including:
- Floor nurse in a hospital
- Case manager for an insurance company
- Nurse anesthetist in a surgery center
- Forensic nurse
- Legal nurse consultant
In general, a registered nurse educates and assists patients with understanding an illness or injury, and may provide emotional
support. Registered nurses require a large base of knowledge, which is used to assess and plan patient care, implement a patient
treatment plan and evaluate care. Nurses are also required to keep medical records up to date, operate medical equipment,
assist with diagnostic testing, administer medications and follow up with further patient care as ordered by a physician.
Over the years, registered nurses have seen changes in their nursing scope and responsibilities. Nurses are highly valued
and respected members of the healthcare team, working alongside physicians, specialists and other healthcare providers, bringing
knowledge and expertise, and are considered extremely important members of the team.
The various types of nursing degrees include:
- LPN/LVN – Licensed practical/vocational nurse
- RN – Registered nurse
- RN, BSN – Bachelors-level registered nurse
- RN, MSN – Masters-level registered nurse
- RN, APN – Advanced-practice nurses
- PA – Physician's assistant
- CNA – Certified nursing assistant
LPN/LVN – Licensed practical/vocational nurse
The educational requirements for LPNs/LVNs generally include 12 to 18 months of classroom and clinical patient-care training
from an accredited school of nursing. A state board exam must be taken and a professional nursing license must be maintained.
LPNs/LVNs are primarily utilized in doctors' offices, long-term-care facilities, sub-acute/rehab facilities, and with the
incarcerated and developmentally challenged populations. LPNs may work in hospitals and/or home care as assistants to the
supervising RN. They often take written orders from a physician but may be limited in the capacity of taking verbal or phone
orders. Many perform diagnostic procedures, such as urine pregnancy testing, simple phlebotomy, EKGs and blood-glucose monitoring
and give injectables such as insulins and immunizations. LPNs/LVNs may assist a physician with sutures, casting, ultrasounds,
echocardiograms, X-rays and other routine office needs, such as taking and recording vital signs and other simple diagnostic
assessments. LPNs/LVNs are often regarded as the patient liaison, educator and advocate.
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