Culminating Part 1 - Career Exploration

NURSING

Description
Nurses have an important role in our healthcare system. Nurses have a multifaceted role as
caregivers, patient advocates, specialists, and researchers. The primary role of a nurse is to be a
caregiver for patients by managing physical needs, preventing illness, and treating health
conditions.
Some common tasks include:
Assessing and monitoring patient health: Nurses assess patients' physical and mental health,
collect vital signs, and monitor symptoms and changes in condition.[1]
Administering medications and treatments: Nurses administer medications, intravenous fluids,
and other prescribed treatments to patients.
Providing direct patient care: Nurses assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing,
feeding, and mobility, and provide emotional support to patients and their families.
Use of Biology:
An understanding of biology is essential in nursing. The word “biology” literally means the
“study of life”, and includes all living organisms, whether it is the human body, a plant, a fungus,
a protist, a bacterium, or a virus.[2]. Nurses need to have knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and
the functioning of different body systems to assess patients' health status accurately. They apply
biological concepts to understanding the progression of diseases, the effects of medications, and
the management of health conditions.
Hazards and Protective Equipment
Technology application is considered an effective approach to improving nurses’ health and
safety conditions and ensuring health and safety management in general.
Disinfectants and cleaning products like formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hypochlorite bleach,
hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, and enzymatic cleaners cause
serious respiratory health outcomes, including asthma. Nurses must wear appropriate protective
equipment such as gloves, masks, and gowns.[3]
Some of the protective equipment used by nurses are as follows:
1. Goggles: Eye protection, such as goggles or face shields, can help to prevent exposure to
chemicals through the eyes. Eye injuries can be caused by direct contact with chemicals or other
hazardous materials.
Nurses should wear eye protection when handling chemicals or performing procedures that may
involve exposure to hazardous materials.[4]
2. Respirator: A respirator is designed to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne contaminants
such as dust, fumes, vapors, and infectious agents associated with inhaling small and large
particle droplets; guidance on appropriate selection and use is covered by OSHA’s respiratory
protection and PPE standards.
Wage / Salary / Job Prospects
The average nurse salary in Canada is $72,735 per year or $37.30 per hour. Entry-level positions
start at $58,498 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $87,750 per year.[6]
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast
as the average for all occupations. About 203,200 openings for registered nurses are projected
each year, on average, over the decade.[7]
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the nursing profession. Nurses are the frontline workers,
providing care and support to the public. The pandemic has increased nurses’ workload and
stress levels, leading to challenges such as staff shortages and burnout.
Skills Required
1. Communication
Communication refers to the ability to give and receive information. It involves active listening,
speaking, and empathizing.[8]
Nurses need excellent communication skills to relate with patients, family members, and
healthcare professionals. These skills are useful when discussing work assignments with nurse
aides and presenting health education topics, such as vaccination schedules. Having excellent
written communication skills helps with note-taking and creating healthcare reports.
2. Critical thinking and problem-solving:
Critical thinking and problem-solving refer to thinking about situations objectively and
developing suitable solutions to issues. As a nurse, many unpredictable healthcare challenges
may occur that require your attention.[8] Having excellent critical thinking and problem-solving
skills enables you to think quickly, consider important factors, and make informed decisions.
Education or Other Qualifications
1. Practical Nursing Durham College:
To be eligible for the Practical Nursing program, students must have a high school diploma or
equivalent, with a minimum grade of 70% in English and a minimum overall average of 65% in
six Grade 12 U/M courses.[9]
2. Nursing Programs Durham College:
College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, which is a four-year degree
program that prepares students to become registered nurses. To be eligible for this program,
students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a minimum grade of 70% in
English, and a minimum overall average of 75% in six Grade 12 U/M courses.
Nursing is a challenging yet rewarding profession that requires a great deal of dedication,
compassion, and empathy. Nursing offers a unique opportunity to help people work towards
achieving a healthy state of being, one of the most important aspects of life. So this motivates me
in pursuing a career in nursing.
Reference

1. Pooja T, news medical life sciences, .//www.news-medical.net/health/Roles-

ofNurse.aspx#:~:text=Nurses%20care%20for%20injuries%2C%20administer, patients%20according%20to
%20physician%20orders.]

2. RN Journal. (n.d.). Do Nurses Need Biology? RN Journal - Journal of Nursing. Retrieved from
https://rn-journal.com/journal-of-nursing/do-nurses-need-biology.

3. Dumas O, Varroas R, Boggs KM, et al. Association of Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants with
Incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among US Female Nurses. JAMA Newt Open.
2019;2(10):e1913563. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13563

4. Eye Protection | Environmental Health and Safety (stonybrook.edu)

5. Use of Respirators and Surgical Masks for Protection | NIOSH | CDC

6. Nurse Salary in Canada - Average Salary (talent.com)

7. Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

8. Eight Key Skills to Include In Nursing Resumes | Indeed.com Canada

9. Practical Nursing | Durham College