Hot Careers in Nursing

Nursing Career Information for the Non-Traditional Nurse
By Jacqui Tom

Nursing career opportunities are greater and more varied than ever before, and the demand for qualified nurses has never been higher. As the health care field becomes increasingly complex and specialized, more and more nurses are finding steady, rewarding careers beyond the traditional hospital setting. If you have a desire to help others, a fascination with cutting-edge medicine or want to explore new places and meet new people, check out five of the hottest careers in nursing.

Travel Nursing Careers

From the pristine beaches of Honolulu to the picturesque coasts of Florida, there are thousands of places in the United States, and around the world, for you to pursue a career in nursing. Travel nursing lets you be in control of your nursing career. You choose the location, specialty and length of commitment for each nursing assignment. With a shortage of qualified nurses in hospitals and clinics across the country, you can find short-term work (typically eight weeks or as long as 26 weeks) in virtually any location and offering generous compensation, often ranging from $22 to $40 per hour. Many facilities also provide perks such as free housing, as well as sign-on and completion bonuses to nurses under contract.

Find a Nursing Program

Military Nursing Careers

Support our troops both at home and abroad as a military nurse. In addition to the honor of protecting our nation, choosing a career in the armed forces opens the door to a wide variety of educational, travel and career-enhancing benefits. In return for service in the military, you can receive financial assistance for completing nursing programs, generous financial bonuses, as well as low-cost housing, specialized training and world-wide travel opportunities. Do your part while advancing your nursing career.

Find an ROTC Scholarship Program

Forensic Nursing Careers

Advances in the growing field of forensic science have helped law enforcement agencies bring criminals to justice. From documenting injuries to collecting valuable DNA evidence, as a forensic nurse you will be working on the front lines of justice. You will counsel assault victims, conduct physical examinations and collect evidence. You will also play a direct part in taking criminals off the street by testifying against defendants at trial. As the importance of forensic evidence continues to grow, so will the career opportunities in this exciting new field.

Find a Forensic Nursing Program

Legal Nurse Consulting Careers

With some specialized training and your RN license, you could be making up to $100 to $150 per hour as a legal nurse consultant. Be a medical detective and use your nursing expertise to analyze complex medical records for your legal team. Apply your medical skills in the courtroom by testifying in court as an expert witness on a wide variety of medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury cases.

Find a Legal Nurse Consultant Program

Surgical Nursing Careers

As a surgical nurse, you will assist during delicate organ transplants, precision laser incisions and quadruple heart bypasses, to name a few. From preparing patients before surgery to assisting the surgeon in the operating room to charting progress in recovery, surgical nurses are there for patients every step of the way. With a mastery of clinical skills and ability to connect with people, as a surgical nurse you are an advocate for your patient during surgery. Monitoring vitals signs, alleviating discomfort and comforting anxious patients and their families are all a rewarding part of a career in surgical nursing.

Careers in Nursing can be Very Flexible

You might choose to work in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center or other extended-care facility. You might work with a private practice physician, in a community health agency, a federal nursing agency, in industry and business, at a school, or in the military. Additionally, work can include, but is not limited to:

• Assisting medical specialists such as surgeons and obstetricians
• Pursuing independent nursing careers, such as legal nurse consultants, medical writers, nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists
• Joining medical, nursing and forensic research teams
• Providing nursing-on-call for home patients (home health agencies)
• Serving international organizations, such as the United Nations or the Red Cross
• Teaching aspiring nurses
• Working at community health clinics
• Working in specialized health care units and long-term care facilities such as hospice nursing, standalone nursing homes and patient rehabilitation
• Working on boards to assist in developing hospital regulations
• Working with health care, insurance and medical businesses

PARADIGMA KEPERAWATAN

Banyak ahli yang mendefinisikan paradigma, diantaranya paradigma adalah cara bagaimana kita memandang dunia, (Adam Smith, 1975) atau menurut Ferguson bahwa paradigma adalah pola pikir dalam memahami dan menjelaskan aspek tertentu dari setiap kenyataan.

Mengapa paradigma ini begitu penting ? dalam hal ini paradigma akan sangat membantu seseorang ataupun masyarakat luas untuk memahami dunia kepada kita dan membantu kita untuk memahami setiap fenomena yang terjadi di sekitar kita. Fenomena dalam keperawatan adalah prilaku klien dalam menghadapi ketidakpastian kondisinya atau menghadapi ketidaknyamanan dari sebagian atau seluruh anggota tubuhnya atau masalah – masalah yang yang muncul dalam bidang keilmuan tertentu. ( Karen , 1999 : 74)

Dalam dunia keperawatan, masyarakat secara umum masih memandang profesi keperawatan sebagai profesi asistensi dokter atau perkerja sosial yang sifatnya membantu orang sakit atas instruksi – instruksi dokter bahkan dikalangan praktisi perawat pun kadang – kadang masih memiliki pandangan yang tidak utuh terhadap profesinya sendiri, hal ini dapat dilihat di beberapa pelayanan kesehatan, pelayanan keperawatan masih bersifat vocasional belum sepenuhnya beralih ke pelayanan yang profesional.

Untuk itulah paradigma dalam keperawatan sangat membantu masyarakat secara umum maupun perawat khususnya dalam menyikapi dan menyelesaikan berbagai persoalan yang melingkupi profesi keperawatan seperti aspek pendidikan dan pelayanan keperawatan, praktik keperawatan dan organisasi profesi.

Paradigma keperawatan adalah suatu cara pandang yang mendasar atau cara kita melihat, memikirkan, memberi makna, menyikapi dan memilih tindakan terhadap fenomena yang ada dalam keperawatan, (La Ode Jumadi, 1999 : 38).

Paradigma keperawatan adalah interaksi antara manusia yang menerima perawatan, lingkungan tempat menusia berada, kesehatan yang selalu menjadi bagian dari bidang garapan keperawatan serta tindakan keperawatan (Kozier, 2000)

Empat komponen paradigma keperawatan yaitu :

Manusia

Manusia adalah makhluk bio – psiko – sosial dan spiritual yang utuh, dalam arti merupakan satu kesatuan utuh dari aspek jasmani dan rohani serta unik karena mempunyai berbagai macam kebutuhan sesuai tingkat perkembangannya (Konsorsium Ilmu Kesehatan, 1992).

Manusia adalah sistem yang terbuka senantiasa berinteraksi secara tetap dengan lingkungan eksternalnya serta senantiasa berusaha selalu menyeimbangkan keadaan internalnya (homeoatatis), (Kozier, 2000)

Manusia memiliki akal fikiran, perasaan, kesatuan jiwa dan raga, mampu beradaptasi dan merupakan kesatuan sistem yang saling berinteraksi, interelasi dan interdependensi (La Ode Jumadi, 1999 :40).

Jadi, konsep manusia menurut paradigma keperawatan adalah manusia sebagai sistem terbuka, sistem adaptif , personal dan interpersonal yang secara umum dapat dikatakan holistik atau utuh.

Sebagai sistem terbuka , manusia dapat mempengaruhi dan dipengaruhi oleh lingkungannya, baik lingkungan fisik, biologis, psikologis maupun sosial dan spiritual sehingga perubahan pada manusia akan selalu terjadi khususnya dalam pemenuhan kebutuhan dasarnya. Sebagai sistem adaptif manusia akan merespon terhadap perubahan lingkungannya dan akan menunjukan respon yang adaptif maupun respon maladaptif. Respon adaptif akan terjadi apabila manusia tersebut mempunyai mekanisme koping yang baik menghadapi perubahan lingkungannya, tetapi apabila kemampuannya untuk merespon perubahan lingkungan yang terjadi rendah maka manusia akan menunjukan prilaku yang maladaptif .

Manusia atau klien dapat diartikan sebagai individu, keluarga ataupun masyarakat yang menerima asuhan keperawatan.

Manusia sebagai individu artinya seseorang yang memiliki karakter total sehingga menjadikannya berbeda dari orang lain (Karen, 2000). Manusia sebagai individu disebut juga orang yang memiliki kepribadian meliputi tingkah laku dan emosi meliputi sikap, kebiasaan, keyakinan, nilai – nilai, motivasi, kemampuan, penampilan dan struktur fisik yang berbeda satu dengan lainnya. Gabungan semua ini akan mempengaruhi seseorang dalam cara berfikir, merasa dan bertindak dalam berbagai situasi yang di hadapinya. Individu merupakan gabungan interaksi genetik dengan pengalaman hidupnya dipengaruhi oleh identitas diri, konsep diri, persepsi, kebutuhan dasar, mekanisme pertahanan diri dan tumbuh kembang.

Peran perawat pada individu sebagai klien adalah memenuhi kebutuhan dasarnya mencakup kebutuhan biologi, sosial, psikologi dan spiritual karena adanya kelemahan fisik dan mental, keterbatasan pengetahuan, kurang kemauan menuju kemandirian pasien.

Keluarga merupakan sekelompok individu yang berhubungan erat secara terus menerus dan terjadi interaksi satu sama lain, baik secara perorangan maupun bersama – sama, di dalam lingkungannya sendiri maupun masyarakat secara keseluruhan.

Ada beberapa alasan mengapa keluarga merupakan salah satu fokus pelayanan keperawatan yaitu :

1. Keluarga adalah unit utama dalam masyarakat dan merupakan lembaga yang menyangkut kehidupan masyarakat.

2. Keluarga sebagai suatu kelompok dapat menimbulkan ataupun mencegah, memperbaiki atau mengabaikan masalah- masalah kesehatan dalam kelompoknya sendiri. Hampir setiap masalah kesehatan mulai dari awal sampai penyelesaiannya akan dipengaruhi oleh keluarga.

3. Masalah kesehatan dalam keluarga saling berkaitan. Penyakit dalam salah satu anggota keluarga akan mempengaruhi seluruh anggota keluarga tersebut.

4. Dalam merawat klien sebagai individu, keluarga tetap sebagai pengambil keputusan dalam perawatannya.

5. Keluarga sebagai perantara efektif dalam berbagai upaya kesehatan masyarakat.

Dalam memberikan asuhan keperawatan pada keluarga perawat perlu memperhatikan sifat – sifat keluarga yaitu keluarga mempunyai reaksi dan cara yang unik dalam menghadapi masalahnya, pola komunikasi yang dianut, cara pengambilan keputusan, sikap, nilai, cita – cita keluarga dan gaya hidup keluarga yang berbeda – beda. Individu dalam keluarga mempunyai siklus tumbuh kembang .

Peran perawat dalam membantu keluarga meningkatkan kemampuan untuk menyelesaikan masalah kesehatan adalah perawat sebagai pendeteksi adanya masalah kesehatan, memberi asuhan kepada anggota keluarga yang sakit, koordinator pelayanan kesehatan keluarga, fasilitator, pendidik dan penasehat keluarga dalam masalah – masalah kesehatan.

Masyarakat adalah sekumpulan manusia dalam arti seluas-luasnya dan terikat oleh suatu kebudayaan yang mereka anggap sama (Kamus besar Bhs. Indonesia, 1989)

Masyarakat berpengaruh terhadap peningkatan dan pencegahan suatu penyakit. Ada enam faktor pengaruh masyarakat atau komunitas terhadap kesehatan anggota masyarakat yaitu tersedianya fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan, faslitas pendidikan dan rekreasi, transportasi dan fasilitas komunikasi, fasilitas sosial seperti polisi dan pemadam kebakaran serta nilai dan keyakinan masyarakat.

Pelayanan kesehatan pada masyarakat ini dapat berbentuk pelayanan kepada masyarakat umum dan kelompok – kelompok masyarakat tertentu (balita dan lansia). Pelayanan perawatan tersebut diberikan setelah melalui proses berikut ini :

1. Pertemuan penjajakan kepada pemuka masyarakat agar dicapai kesepakatan tentang ide yang dikemukakan.

2. Pengumpulan data pada masyarakat melalui survey atau sensus dengan menggunakan daftar pertanyaan atau kuosioner

3. Analisis data dan perumusan masalah

4. Pembahasan hasil analisis dalam forum lokakarya mini dengan masyarakat untuk kemudian ditetapkan prioritas masalah beserta penyelesaiannya.

5. Perumusan rencana tindakan penyelesaian masalah bersama dengan wakil masyarakat.

6. Pelaksanaan tindakan pemecahan masalah. Pelaksanaan ini dilakukan bersama dengan masyarakat melalui sumber daya ayang ada di masyarakat tersebut.

7. Evaluasi

8. Dilakukan untuk menilai proses dan hasil program tindakan, dalam sebuah lokakarya.

9. Tindak lanjut

Keperawatan
Komponen yang kedua dalam paradigma keperawatan ini adalah konsep keperawatan. Ada beberapa definisi keperawatan menurut tokoh – tokoh dibawah ini :

Florence Nightingale 1895

Keperawatan adalah suatu proses menempatkan pasien dalam kondisi paling baik untuk beraktivitas.

Faye Abdellah (Twenty one nursing problems,1960)

Keperawatan adalah bentuk pelayanan kepada individu dan keluarga, serta masyarakat dengan ilmu dan seni yang meliputi sikap, pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang dimilki seorang perawat untuk membantu manusia baik dalam keadaan sehat atau sakit sesuai dengan tingkat kebutuhannya.

Virginia Henderson (Fourteen Basic needs, 1960)

Fungsi yang unik dari perawat adalah memabntu individu sehat ataupun sakit untuk menggunakan kekuatan, keinginan dan pengetahuan yang dimilikinya sehingga individu tersebut mampu melaksanakan aktivitas sehari – harinya, sembuh dari penyakit atau meninggal dengan tenang.

Dorothy E. Johnson (Behavioral System Theory, 1981)

Keperawatan adalah seperangkat tindakan – tindakan yang memiliki kekuatan untuk melindungi kesatuan atau integritas prilaku klien berada pada level yang optimal untuk kesehatannya.

Imogene King (Goal Attainment Theory, 1971, 1981)

Keperawatan adalah proses aksi dan interaksi, untuk membantu individu dari berbagai kelompok umur dalam memenuhi kebutuhannya dan menangani status kesehatannya pada saat tertentu dalam suatu siklus kehidupan.

Madeleine Leininger (Transcultural Care Theory, 1984)

Mempelajari seni humanistic dan ilmu yang berfokus pada manusia sebagai individu atau kelompok, kepekaan terhadap kebiasaan, fungsi dan proses yang mengarah pada pencegahan ataupun prilaku memelihara kesehatan atau penyembuhan dari penyakit.

Martha Roger (Unitary Human Beings, an energy field, 1970)

Keperawatan adalah pengetahuan yang ditujukan untuk mengurangi kecemasan terhadap pemeliharaan dan peningkatan kesehatan, pencegahan penyakit, perawatan dan rehabilitasi penderita sakit dan penyandang cacat.

Dorothea Orem (Self care theory, 1985)

Pelayanan yang bersifat manusiawi yang berfokus pada pemenuhan kebutuhan manusia untuk merawat diri, kesembuhan dari penyakit atau cedera dan penanggulangan komplikasinya sehingga dapat meningkat derajat kesehatannya.

Callista Roy (Adaptation Theory, 1976, 1984)

Tujuan keperawatan adalah meningkatkan respon adaptasi dalam menghadapi permasalahan kesehatannya. Respon adaptif mempunyai pengaruh positif terhadap kesehatannya.

Kesepakatan Nasional, 1983

Keperawatan adalah bentuk pelayanan profesional yang merupakan bagian integral dari pelayanan kesehatan didasarkan pada ilmu dan kiat keperawatan, berbentuk pelayanan bio-psiko – sosial dan spiritual yang komprehensif, ditujukan kepada individu, kelompok dan masyarakat baik sehat maupun sakit yang mencakup seluruh daur kehidupan manusia.

Keperawatan merupakan ilmu terapan yang menggunakan keterampilan intelektual, keterampilan teknikal dan keterampilan interpersonal serta menggunakan proses keperawatan dalam membantu klien untuk mencapai tingkat kesehatan optimal.

Kiat keperawatan (nursing arts) lebih difokuskan pada kemampuan perawat untuk memberikan asuhan keperawatan secara komprehensif dengan sentuhan seni dalam arti menggunakan kiat – kiat tertentu dalam upaya memberikan kenyaman dan kepuasan pada klien. Kiat – kiat itu adalah :

1. Caring , menurut Watson (1979) ada sepuluh faktor dalam unsur – unsur karatif yaitu : nilai – nilai humanistic – altruistik, menanamkan semangat dan harapan, menumbuhkan kepekaan terhadap diri dan orang lain, mengembangkan ikap saling tolong menolong, mendorong dan menerima pengalaman ataupun perasaan baik atau buruk, mampu memecahkan masalah dan mandiri dalam pengambilan keputusan, prinsip belajar – mengajar, mendorong melindungi dan memperbaiki kondisi baik fisik, mental , sosiokultural dan spiritual, memenuhi kebutuhan dasr manusia, dan tanggap dalam menghadapi setiap perubahan yang terjadi.

2. Sharing artinya perawat senantiasa berbagi pengalaman dan ilmu atau berdiskusi dengan kliennya.

3. Laughing, artinya senyum menjadi modal utama bagi seorang perawat untuk meningkatkan rasa nyaman klien.

4. Crying artinya perawat dapat menerima respon emosional diri dan kliennya.

5. Touching artinya sentuhan yang bersifat fisik maupun psikologis merupakan komunikasi simpatis yang memiliki makna (Barbara, 1994)

6. Helping artinya perawat siap membantu dengan asuhan keperawatannya

7. Believing in others artinya perawat meyakini bahwa orang lain memiliki hasrat dan kemampuan untuk selalu meningkatkan derajat kesehatannya.

8. Learning artinya perawat selalu belajar dan mengembangkan diri dan keterampilannya.

9. Respecting artinya memperlihatkan rasa hormat dan penghargaan terhadap orang lain dengan menjaga kerahasiaan klien kepada yang tidak berhak mengetahuinya.

10. Listening artinya mau mendengar keluhan kliennya

11. Doing artinya melakukan pengkajian dan intervensi keperawatan serta mendokumentasikannya

12. Feeling artinya perawat dapat menerima, merasakan, dan memahami perasaan duka , senang, frustasi dan rasa puas klien.

13. Accepting artinya perawat harus dapat menerima dirinya sendiri sebelum menerima orang lain

Sebagai suatu profesi , keperawatan memiliki unsur – unsur penting yang bertujuan mengarahkan kegiatan keperawatan yang dilakukan yaitu respon manusia sebagai fokus telaahan, kebutuhan dasar manusia sebagai lingkup garapan keperawatan dan kurang perawatan diri merupakan basis intervensi keperawatan baik akibat tuntutan akan kemandirian atau kurangnya kemampuan.

Keperawatan juga merupakan serangkaian kegiatan yang bersifat terapeutik atau kegiatan praktik keperawatan yang memiliki efek penyembuhan terhadap kesehatan (Susan, 1994 : 80).

Konsep Sehat Sakit

Sehat menurut WHO (1947)

“Sehat adalah keadaan utuh secara fisik, jasmani, mental dan sosial dan bukan hanya suatu keadaan yang bebas dari penyakit cacat dan kelemahan”

Sehat menurut UU no 23/1992 tentang kesehatan

“Sehat adalah keadaan sejahtera dari badan (jasmani), jiwa (rohani) dan sosial yang memungkinkan setiap orang hidup produktif secara sosial dan ekonomis”.

Sakit menurut Zaidin Ali, 1998

“Sakit adalah suatu keadaan yang mengganggu keseimbangan status kesehatan biologis (jasmani), psikologis (mental), sosial, dan spiritual yang mengakibatkan gangguan fungsi tubuh, produktifitas dan kemandirian individu baik secara keseluruhan atau sebagian”.

Kesakitan adalah perasaan tidak nyaman pada seseorang akibat penyakit sehingga mendorongnya untuk mencari bantuan. (Kozier, 2000)

Faktor – faktor yang dapat meningkatkan angka kesakitan adalah :

1. Keturunan misal orang yang mempunyai riwayat keluarga pengidap Diabetes Melitus, punya resiko tinggi terkena diabetes pula.

2. Usia

3. Kelahiran cacat atau kelainan kongenital resikonya meningkat pada wanita yang melahirkan diatas 35 tahun.

4. Fisiologis

5. Kehamilan meningkatkan resiko tinggi terkena penyakit pada ibu dan janin. Obesitas meningkatkan resiko penyakit jantung.

6. Gaya hidup

7. Merokok meningkatkan resiko kanker paru dsb.

8. Lingkungan

Status kesehatan seseorang terletak antara dua kutub yaitu sehat optimal dan kematian. Apabila status kesehatan kita bergerak kearah kematian kita berada dalam area sakit (illness area), tetapi apabila status kesehatan kita bergerak ke arah sehat maka kita berada dalam area sehat (wellness area). Pola rentang ini bersifat dinamis berubah seiring waktu dan kondisi sosial.

Sesuai dengan rentang sehat – sakit maka status kesehatan dapat dibagi dalam keadaan optimal sehat atau kurang sehat, sakit ringan atau berat sampai meninggal dunia. Apabila individu berada dalam area sehat maka dilakukan upaya pencegahan primer (primary prevention) yaitu perlindungan kesehatan (health protection) dan perlindungan khusus (spesific protection) agar terhindar dari penyakit. Apabila individu berada dalam area sakit maka dilakukan upaya pencegahan sekunder dan tertier yaitu dengan diagnosis dini dan pengobatan yang tepat, pencegahan perburukan dan rehabilitasi.

Status kesehatan seseorang dipengaruhi oleh :

1. Politik, yang mencakup keamanan, penekanan, penindasan

2. Prilaku manusia, mencakup kebutuhan, kebiasaan dan adat istiadat

3. Keturunan, genetik, kecacatan, etnis, faktor risiko dan ras

4. Pelayanan kesehatan, upaya promotif, preventif, kuratif dan rehabilitatif

5. Lingkungan, tanah, udara, dan air

6. Sosial dan ekonomi meliputi pendidikan dan pekerjaan

Persepsi sakit atau “merasa sakit” dipengaruhi oleh persepsi seseorang tentang sakit itu sendiri seperti seseorang merasa sakit (kesakitan) setelah diperiksa dan dinyatakan menderita sakit, seseorang merasa sakit, tetapi setelah diperiksa ternyata individu tersebut tidak menderita sakit atau mengalami suatu penyakit, seseorang tidak merasa sakit akan tetapi sebenarnya individu tersebut mengidap penyakit, seseorang tidak merasa sakit dalam tubuhnya.

Keperawatan memberikan bantuan kepada individu, keluarga dan masyarakat dalam memenuhi kebutuhan dasar sehari – hari, adaptasi terhadap keadaan sehat atau sakit serta mencapai derajat kesehatan yang optimal.

Lingkungan

Konsep lingkungan dalam paradigma keperawatan difokuskan pada lingkungan masyarakat yaitu lingkungan fisik, psikologis, sosial, budaya dan spiritual.

Menurut Leavell (1965), ada tiga faktor yang saling mempengaruhi kesehatan dalam lingkungan yaitu agen (penyebab), hospes (manusia) dan lingkungan.

Agen adalah suatu faktor yang menyebabkan terjadinya penyakit, seperti faktor biologi, kimiawi, fisik, mekanik atau psikologis misalnya virus, bakteri, jamur atau cacing., senyawa kimia bahkan stress. Hospes adalah makhluk hidup yaitu manusia atau hewan yang dapat terinfeksi oleh agen, sedangkan lingkungan adalah faktor eksternal yang mempengaruhi kesehatan seperti lingkungan yang kumuh, lingkungan kerja yang tidak nyaman, tingkat sosial ekonomi yang rendah, fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan.

Kesimpulan

Manusia sebagai paradigma keperawatan :

Memiliki karakteristik biokimiawi, fisiologis, interpersonal, dan kebutuhan dasar hidup yang selalu berkembang.

Perkembangan tersebut terjadi melalui interaksi dengan orang lain yang mampu memenuhi kebutuhan dirinya atau berbagi pengalamannya.

Memiliki kehidupan seimbang sebagai sarana pertahanan dan pengekalan diri dan selalu berupaya untuk mengurangi kecemasan akibat kebutuhan yang tidak terpenuhi.

Keperawatan sebagai paradigma :

Keperawatan merupakan suatu instrumen pendidikan yang memfasilitasi kedisiplinan.

Tujuan keperawatan adalah memfasilitasi kesehatan individu berdasarkan prinsip – prinsip keilmuan.

Aktivitas keperawatan diarahkan untuk membantu klien mencapai kompetensi intelektual dan interpersonal

Asuhan keperawatan untuk membantu klien dalam memenuhi kebutuhan dirinya dan memulihkan penyakitnya.

Keperawatan sebagai ilmu dan kiat yang memiliki dimensi pengetahuan dasar dan terapan

Fokus aktifitas keperawatan adalah masalah yang berhubungan dengan respon manusia terhadap kesehatan aktual ataupun potensial, yang mencerminkan ruang lingkup aktivitas keperawatan dan kemandirian dalam proses diagnosis, tindakan, pendidikan dan riset.

Sehat sebagai paradigma keperawatan :

Sehat adalah simbol perkembangan kepribadian dan proses kehidupan manusia yang berlangsung secara terus menerus menuju kehidupan yang kreatif dan konstruktif.

Prilaku sehat adalah prilaku yang memfasilitasi pemenuhan kebutuhan, kepuasan, kesadaran diri dan integrasi pengalaman yang berarti, misalnya pengalaman sakit.

Intervensi keperawatan berfokus pada proses membina dan mempertahankan hubungan saling percaya guna memenuhi kebutuhan klien.

Lingkungan sebagai paradigma keperawatan :

Lingkungan adalah faktor eksternal yang berpengaruh terhadap perkembangan manusia dan mencakup antara lain lingkungan sosial, status ekonomi dan kesehatan

Terapi lingkungan dapat membantu perawat dalam menjaga pola pertahanan tubuh terhadap penyakit dan meningkatkan pola interaksi yang sehat dengan klien.

Rekomendasi

Seseorang yang sudah memiliki komitmen menekuni profesi keperawatan seyogyanya memahami dengan benar paradigma keperawatan sebagai acuan dalam bertindak , berfikir dan bersikap. Pemaparan paradigma keperawatan dalam tulisan ini amatlah terbatas untuk itu dianjurkan bagi pembaca untuk mengkaji lebih jauh mengenai paradigma keperawatan ini dari buku sumbernya

NURSE EDUCATION

Requirements

You need a high school diploma to enter nursing school. You may wish to learn more about what kinds of high school courses might best prepare you for nursing school, or you may want to consult your high school guidance counselor, a prospective nursing program, or a practicing nurse. Some nursing schools require a pre-admission test called the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission Exam. You can find out more about this exam from the NLN

Here's some extra information on what it takes to become an RN, and list of which personal traits fit best with a career in nursing.

Entry Level Education/Degrees

Bachelor of Science Nursing: (BS/BSN) A four-year program offered at colleges and universities that prepares nurses to practice across all health care settings. BSN graduates have the greatest opportunity for advancement. For instance, a BSN is required for entry into a Master's program, which may in turn lead to a career in management, or on to more specialized nursing positions such as clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse researcher. A BSN is preferred and often required for military nursing, case management, public health nursing, overseas/development nursing, forensic nursing and school nursing. Some countries (the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand) require a BSN before being able to sit for the RN exam.

Associate's Degree
A two-to-three year program offered at junior and community colleges, an Associate's degree trains and prepares nurses to provide direct patient care in numerous settings. ADN is an affordable education that provides the student opportunities to bridge into a BSN program and to progress onto a Masters or above. Some hospital nursing schools, colleges, and universities also offer ADN programs.

Hospital Diploma: A two- to three-year hospital-based nursing program that prepares you to deliver direct patient care in a variety of environments. Many diploma schools are affiliated with junior colleges, where you may also take basic science and English requirements, thereby earning an Associate's Degree along with a diploma in nursing.

Licensed Practical Nurse:LPNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), as they are called in Texas and California, care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. They provide basic care, taking vital signs, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, and assist with bathing patients, monitoring catheters, and applying dressings. Most LPN or LVN programs are about a year long and are offered by technical and vocational schools.

Accelerated Programs: (Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN) Many universities offer nursing programs for students who already have a Bachelor's Degree or even a Master's Degree in a field other than Nursing. These programs, which are often of shorter length than generic programs, are ideal for individuals who are looking to do something more meaningful with the education that they already have, or for those who have graduated college and found that their degree does not afford as many opportunities as they had hoped, but are unenthusiastic about returning to school for four additional years.

Licensure

Once you complete your education and training, you will need to be licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse, a Registered Nurse (RN), or as a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN). As in many other professions, nurses must be licensed in the state where they work. After graduation, you must take the NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN® license examination to become a licensed nurse. For more information about nurse licensure and public protection, consult the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Advanced Degrees

Degree Completion Programs for RNs: (RN to BSN/RN to MSN) Hundreds of bridge programs are offered for nurses with diplomas and ADN degrees who wish to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in nursing. Many programs are offered online and in flexible formats designed for working nurses.

Master’s Degree: (MSN) Master's degree programs prepare nurses for more independent roles such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse-Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Psychotherapist. Master’s-prepared nurses serve as expert clinicians, in faculty roles, and as specialists in geriatrics, community health, administration, nursing management, and other areas.

Doctoral Degree: (PhD, EdD, DNS) Doctoral programs prepare nurses to assume leadership roles within the profession, conduct research that impacts nursing practice and health care, and to teach at colleges and universities. Doctorally-prepared nurses serve as health system executives, nursing school deans, researchers, and senior policy analysts.

Post-Doctoral Programs: Post-Doctoral programs provide advanced research training for nurses who hold doctoral degrees. Currently, 24 research-focused universities across the country offer post-doctoral programs in nursing.

Certification

RNs can become certified in their specialties as a measure of clinical competence. Here's a list of the different types of certification available.

Continuing Education

Though only mandated in some states, all nurses are expected to keep current with nursing practice and advance as health professionals after graduation. Continuing education credits can be earned through short classes at professional conferences, on the internet, or in journals.

BENEFITS AND SALARIES

It pays to be a nurse!

History of Nursing

Nursing - science of providing continuous care for sick or infirm people. While nursing as an occupation has always existed, it is only in fairly recent years that it has developed as a specialized profession.

The Modern Profession

Nursing candidates must prepare by a rigorous course of training that includes a thorough grounding in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, the cause and treatment of disease, the intricacies of nutrition and diet, surgical skills, and a variety of techniques pertaining to patient care. Many nurses also prepare for more specialized work, such as the care of newborn infants, maternity patients, or the mentally ill, or for duties in the operating room.

Training for a career as a registered nurse (RN) can be met by several means: a two-year course at a junior college or a four-year degree program at a college or university. (Three-year courses given by hospitals are being phased out because of high costs.) Emphasis on college education for nurses is on the upsurge, because greater knowledge is required to apply the latest methods of diagnosis and therapy. Training includes both classroom study and actual hospital practice, and the graduate must still be examined and licensed by the state. This applies also to women in religious orders who train and work as nursing sisters.

The age limits and educational requirements for practical nurses are less stringent, and the period of training is much shorter, usually one year. The terms "licensed practical nurse" (LPN) and "licensed vocational nurse" (LVN) are interchangeable. Sufficient training is given to such men and women to enable them to care for and feed patients, administer medication, and perform other routine duties; however, they are always under the direct supervision of registered nurses. LPNs are generally examined and licensed by the state.

For most specialized work and teaching, nurses must complete a course leading to a master's degree or doctorate. Specializations include nurse anesthetist, which originated at the beginning of the 20th cent., and such recently established ones as nurse practitioner (licensed to perform physical examinations and other procedures under a physician's supervision), nurse midwife (see midwifery), and nurse clinician. In addition to duties in the hospital or in the home there are many fields open to the professional nurse, such as the red cross, military service, public health, health insurance companies, industry, and teaching. Some nurse practitioners have become primary health-care providers, opening practices on their own (without physician supervision), and some have been accredited as such by large health maintenance organizations.

History of Nursing

In ancient times, when medical lore was associated with good or evil spirits, the sick were usually cared for in temples and houses of worship. In the early Christian era nursing duties were undertaken by certain women in the church, their services being extended to patients in their homes. These women had no real training by today's standards, but experience taught them valuable skills, especially in the use of herbs and drugs, and some gained fame as the physicians of their era. In later centuries, however, nursing duties fell mostly to relatively ignorant women.

In the 17th cent., St. Vincent de Paul began to encourage women to undertake some form of training for their work, but there was no real hospital training school for nurses until one was established in Kaiserwerth, Germany, in 1846. There, Florence Nightingale received the training that later enabled her to establish, at St. Thomas's Hospital in London, the first school designed primarily to train nurses rather than to provide nursing service for the hospital. Similar schools were established in 1873 in New York City, New Haven (Conn.), and Boston. Nursing subsequently became one of the most important professions open to women until the social changes wrought by the revival of the feminist movement that began in the 1960s. late 20th cent. saw growing nursing shortages in U.S. hospitals as stagnant salaries, increasing workloads, and greater job opportunities for women led to falling enrollments in nursing degree programs.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright© 2004, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. All rights reserved.

Nursing and Business

By : Maryann Fralic, RN, DrPH, FAAN

Nurses who wish to grow and develop as leaders realize that in today’s healthcare environment, clinical skills alone aren’t enough. Rather, clinical decisions must be coupled with sound business decisions to provide quality care for patients. At The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, the Business of Nursing program proves that point.

Whether or not nurses choose to enter a formalized program such as the Business of Nursing, they need to acquire an understanding of the business side of patient care. Nurses may have good ideas for patient care, but unless they are able to interpret those ideas in terms of cost and benefits, it will likely not be supported by the institution. Ultimately, patient care suffers.

The stakes are high for nurses who must interpret and manage cost in the delivery of care. Nurses must be “bilingual” in a sense, meaning that they need to understand the language of business and finance in addition to familiar clinical language. Only then will nurses have the opportunity to exert true leadership and influence in improving the quality of care delivery systems.

With serious competition for resources, nurses must be able to interpret patient care needs in a manner that is analytic and quantitative, and can be expressed within a business context. The Business of Nursing Course at Hopkins was designed to help nurses develop these specific skills.

A Diversified Program

The 12-credit, 10-month program of intensive study is tailored for the busy working nurse. It is a serious professional commitment. Nurses have enrolled in the program from a variety of settings, including hospital, government, the military, insurance companies, home care, state agencies, HMOs, trauma centers, research facilities, and universities. They come with diverse job responsibilities — and backgrounds — ranging from senior staff nurse to hospital vice president for nursing.

The degree of commitment these students have is remarkable. They value the program as an important professional development opportunity. Students also realize that organizations value them, as the organizations frequently provide great encouragement and support to the student. Another positive aspect is that class assignments relate to situations that students actually encounter in their work world, often improving their own job effectiveness as they progress through the course.

Four Focus Areas

The program’s 12 credits are divided equally in four areas over 10 months. First, nurses learn “Emerging Healthcare Systems and Concepts.” They become familiar with the nature and terminology of new systems and gain an understanding of the major drivers of change in health care. Nationally recognized experts provide students with the latest knowledge.

Next comes “Managing Financial Outcomes,” with computer-based exercises, financial forecasting, accounting, cost allocation, balance sheets, and cash flow. Nurses learn the fundamentals of responsible financial performance. That module ends with a case study of the fictitious Bamu Community Hospital. Teams of students are required to take the necessary strategic actions to move that hospital from serious losses to elimination of deficits. A sophisticated and challenging experience, but one that students value, learning concrete skills to complement their knowledge of clinical practice initiatives.

Students next learn about “Managing Clinicial Outcomes.” They are given the opportunity to review clinical information systems and to examine outcomes through case studies. Participants develop skills in the analysis, management, and presentation of clinical outcome data. Emphasis is on the ability to critically analyze information and develop appropriate managerial strategies to enhance clinical systems. Using computer exercises, they create a variety of graphs and charts, learning to present data clearly and effectively, enabling them to better plan, guide, and evaluate patient care.

The last module, “Synthesis and Integration of Nursing and Business” is designed to “pull it all together.” Students focus on working in teams, developing a comprehensive business plan for presentation to a panel of real-world executives in a real-world boardroom. Through this process they gain a sense of confidence as well as effective personal and professional boardroom business and presentation skills. At the end of this course, students rightfully experience a true sense of accomplishment.

Applied Knowledge

Nurses in the program have applied their new skills in many different and interesting ways. Several of the senior staff nurses used what they have learned to assume increased responsibility and influence within their unit. Nurses are now able to work with others to develop basic business plans for development of clinical programs such as innovative models of care for their unit, including projections of revenue and expense. Program participants say they have gained some powerful skills.

Another example of a program participant applying her skills is a vice president for patient services who was able to develop a detailed and comprehensive plan for a major program expansion for her hospital as part of her in-class assignment. The proposal was accepted, fully funded, and successfully implemented.

The examples go on and on. The common theme, however, is that nurse leaders will increasingly require business skills if patient care is to be successfully supported. The competition for resources is intense and the essential partnership of clinical decisions and business decisions is paramount.

Partnership Sees Results

The Business of Nursing program is a partnership between Johns Hopkins University’s School of Nursing and School of Professional Studies in Business and Education. It is demanding and fast paced. Nurses who enroll have made the commitment to acquire essential management skills and expand their personal options in today’s competitive marketplace. Additionally, the program complements a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing.

It is gratifying indeed that nurses who aspire to leadership are willing to focus intensely on professional self-development, acquiring the necessary contemporary skills. Is this hard work? Yes. When asked if it is worth it, however, the answer is always a resounding “yes”! Such dedication and commitment by nurses, as they assume more professional leadership responsibilities, is truly admirable and bodes well for increasing nursing influence in the clinical care of patients.

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Editor's Note: For more information about the Business of Nursing Course at Johns Hopkins University, visit www.son.jhmi.edu/academic_programs/certificates/bon/ bon_curric.htm.

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Maryann Fralic, RN, DrPH, FAAN, is a professor and director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She also serves as executive advisor for the Nursing Executive Center of The Advisory Board Company, Washington, DC, and as senior consultant for the Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellows Program.

Nurse Jobs All Over The World

If you are interested in working as a nurse in another country besides the U.S., then you are probably looking for information about nurse jobs all over the world. You might be a nurse interested in re-locating to a different country or someone looking for a good career abroad. Either way, you may want to compare nursing information as it applies to other countries around the world. Let us get you started with a brief overview of nursing requirements and traditions in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

One great option in nurse jobs all over the world is the nursing professions of the United Kingdom. Nursing in the UK has a rich history. Since the famous nurses of WWII, people often think of the UK when they think of lifesaving nurses. Today, if you want to become a nurse in England, Scotland or Ireland, you have two choices. You can become a first-level nurse or a second-level nurse. First-level nurses typically need to complete three to four years of schooling and on average will earn the most. Second-level nurses are state-enrolled nurses and typically only need to complete two years of education. Either way, the occupation of a nurse in the United Kingdom is a good one.

Another option in nurse jobs all over the world is Canada. Even though Canada is so close to the U.S. geographically, their nursing practices and requirements are quite different. Most provinces in Canada require their nurses to have Bachelor Degrees, whereas in the U.S., you have the option of just two years of schooling. But the U.S. and Canada do have some things in common when it comes to nursing. They both have Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. Canadians also have Registered Psychiatric Nurses, licensed to practice mental health specifically.

Another great choice in nurse jobs all over the world is Australia. A nurse in Australia has the option of being a Nurse Practitioner, a Registered Nurse, or an Enrolled Nurse. An Enrolled Nurse is a nurse that has completed the basic nurse training and certification, but has chosen to get additional training in a more specific field. This optional extra training is traditionally 6 or 12 months long and makes it easier to get a good job. There has recently been discrepancy over the professional courtesy title in Australian nursing, with the popular “sister”, traditionally used to describe both female and male registered general nurses, becoming outdated. It is now advisable to refer to each nurse in Australia by their first name instead.

One other great option in nurse jobs all over the world is South Africa. The beautiful southern coast of this historically rich country often beckons to a lot of people. If you’re one of them, you might consider becoming a nurse in this lovely area of the world. Becoming a nurse in South Africa might be considered easier than in other countries, because there is just one kind of nurse there and only 2 years of training are required for the job. The standard training also includes 2,000 hours of clinical practice.

Find information about general surgery residency openings, medical office jobs, hospital internship and volunteer opportunities & nursing job openings - New York Hospital Staffing is your source for health care career opportunities in New York. Find nursing job and career placement and staffing resources: hospital, clinic, internship and education information for RN, LPN, APN and other nurses. Find a career to fit your needs and desired salary in New York. Sarah Freeland

Registered Nurse Jobs

Registered nurse jobs are in exceptionally high demand and are a wonderful choice for people with the right skills. It is a profession which requires knowledge, precision, and carries heavy responsibility. Technological advances in medicine and pressure from insurance companies to avoid in-patient hospitalization has multiplied the registered nurse jobs. Registered nurses are essential for hospitals, home health care agencies, clinics and offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, temporary help agencies, government agencies, schools, and nursing homes.

The most common areas in which registered nurse jobs are available are women’s health, acute care, family practice, pediatrics, and adult practice. Outside of health care settings, schools, summer camps, military, and correctional facilities also need the service of registered nurses.

The duty of a registered nurse is to prevent disease, promote good health, and help patients during the time of illness. The key components of registered nurse jobs are experience and education. Registered nurse jobs need more dedication and patience. The major responsibilities of a registered nurse are to administer treatment to patients, educate public and patients about different diseases, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. Good writing skill is necessary for registered nurse jobs in order to follow doctor’s prescriptions carefully.

In most registered nurse jobs, nurses work along with surgeons, physicians, and other health care practitioners for providing critical health care. Self-administration of physical therapy and medication, exercise and diet programs, and post-treatment home care are also included in the registered nurse jobs.

Many organizations require college degree (Associate or Bachelors degree) from an accredited institution for a registered nurse. Required classes to for this degree include chemistry, physiology, anatomy, behavioral science classes, and nutrition. In the complex areas such as or neo-natal intensive care or surgery, nurses need higher clinical experience. A masters degree is essential for a nurse to become a certified nurse midwife, certified nurse anesthetist, and nurse practitioner.

Nursing jobs provides detailed information on Nursing Jobs, Types Of Nursing Jobs, Home Nursing Jobs, International Nursing Jobs and more. Nursing Jobs is affiliated with travel companies. Jason Gluckman

What You Should Know About Professional Nursing

The POWER to CHANGE lives!

Nurses are the largest single group of healthcare providers in the world. Over the Years, professional nurses have shed their handmaiden role to become caregivers on the frontlines of health care.

From surgery rooms to neonatal intensive care units to community health clinics, exciting and unlimited career opportunities are available for nurses:

• You can work in the emergency room of a large metropolitan hospital.
• You can help people in underdeveloped countries as a nurse in the Armed Forces or Peace Corps.
• You can deliver home health care to elderly or lower income families as a community health nurse.
• You can work in hospitals all over the world as a nurse employed by one of many traveling nurse agencies.

What Can You Do to Jump-start Your Professional Nursing Career?

Volunteering and community service will increase your self-esteem and teach you to appreciate the simple joys of life. It also gives you hands-on experience with the nursing profession and the healthcare industry.

Hospital Volunteer

Most hospitals have volunteer programs that enable participants to experience various areas of the hospital - from emergency room to intensive care to pediatrics to physical therapy.

Home Health Care

During the last decade, more sick people have been cared for in their own homes. Often, these "patients" need a visiting nurse or home health care service to provide for their advanced medical needs. Volunteers help with small tasks, like reading to a patient. This is a great way to experience the special relationships that form between patients and caregivers.

Extended Care Facility (ECF)

Formerly known as nursing homes, ECFs fulfill residents' basic needs and medical requirements. Since residents also need contact with the outside world, most ECFs provide a variety of extracurricular activities. From chair aerobics to singing to adopt-a-pet programs, volunteers are always needed.

What else can you do?

Look around your community. Do you see people who need help? Don't be afraid to get involved. Community service is an important part of your future success, no matter what career you choose.

Talk to as many nurses and health care professional as possible. Interview them for a school report or ask if you can observe them on-the-job for a day. There may even be mentoring programs already set up through your school.

You need COMPASSION to be a good nurse.

You need TECHNICAL SKILLS to be a good nurse.

You need an in-depth SCIENTIFIC and LIBERAL EDUCATION to be a good nurse.

You need a lot of HEART to be a GREAT nurse!

Learn about the history of nursing and the various facets of nursing.