IS A CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE

FOR YOU?

Here are some answers to your questions!

What is a Registered Nurse?

Registered nurses care for the sick and injured and help people stay well. They are most concerned with the “whole person,” providing for the physical mental, and emotional needs of their patients. RN’s may be responsible for the supervision of licensed practical nurses, nurse aides and orderlies of the unit.

Typical Duties

Performs clinical assessments Analyzes data and reports

deviations Develops clinical care plans;

includes nursing diagnoses, interventions and goals.

Typical Duties

Performs clinical nursing procedures Performs clinical evaluations of

nursing care Performs client and family education

Working Hours

Various Shifts-8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours

Holidays and weekends

What are the steps to enrollment in the Associate’s Degree Nursing Program?

PROCEDURE ® Complete and submit a York Technical College

Application® Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores® Submit college transcripts (if applicable)® Be accepted to the Pre - Nursing program® Meet with your advisor each term® Meet requirements for program goal® Pay the $50.00 wait list fee® Pay the $100.00 deposit when seat is available ® Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester® Fulfill entry criteria Physical Exam

Must include proof of two MMR vaccinations or proof of immunity by titer for entire MMR if vaccination is not provided. Rubella and Varicella titers required (If titers prove non-immunity then booster vaccinations are required). Proof of 2 step PPD within the last 3 months and Hepatitis vaccine recommended (documentation of declination is required if student does not have the vaccine).

Criminal Background Check Health and liability insurance

Courses To Take In High School

Algebra Chemistry College Preparatory English Medical Terminology

What job opportunities exist?

Operating room and surgical nurses

Pediatric/obstetric nurses Gerentological nurses Emergency nurses Community and health nurses

What salary will I make after completing this program?

Average yearly earnings are $60,000 and beyond

Things To Consider Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive

reading, study time and good time management skills- takes 21 months to complete

Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall; if you withdraw or fail an ADN course you have to reapply to be able to reenter

Critical thinking required on the job Stress level – medium to high Must be a team player as well as able to work

independently Very interesting and rewarding field of study

Make an Informed and Realistic Choice

RN’S deal with sick and dying people. There is a great deal of stress for RN’S

due to staffing issues. There is a great deal of odor with some

diseases such as cancer and gangrene. RN’S deal with excrement, urine,

vomitus, blood, bed sores, sad and angry people and patients with mental health issues.

How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful?

The program is very demanding! The program is a full-time, Monday

through Friday daytime program. Between the coursework and the

clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education.

This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program.

For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week.

How stressful is the clinical environment?

The program can be quite stressful. Classroom material must be retained for the clinical setting where students are acquiring hands on skills to make the connection between theory and practice. Students must be willing to become motivated, independent learners and accept constructive criticism while in the clinical setting.

Is there a great deal of physical work associated with this field?

Sitting, standing, walking, frequent bending, squatting, reaching, occasional kneeling, twisting, and exposure to changes in temperature/humidity and fumes are common.

Included in the essential functions of a nurse is the lifting, carrying, positioning and moving of clients both manually and by stretcher.

Both hands are used for power grip, speed and precision work.

Use of both feet is required.

What type of special skills do I need to possess in order to be a successful Registered Nurse?

Responsible/reliable Flexible/adaptable Good communication skills Like working with people and

equipment Strong interest in science Able to apply principles of logical or

scientific thinking Able to interpret an extensive variety

of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

Make an INFORMED and REALISTIC CHOICE

The grading scale for the PN program for both coursework and clinical:

Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade of 80 in all Nursing coursework in order to remain in the program.

Must receive a satisfactory in clinical requirements.

In other words…

Students who earn any grade below a C in any Associate Degree Nursing course will not be eligible to continue.

It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program.

What are the estimated expenses

for the program?

Tuition & fees for five semesters (in county) $10,336 Textbooks $ 900 Uniforms $ 250 Stethoscope (Recommended) $ 60 Liability Insurance $ 30 Health Insurance (required) varies Physical Exam $ 250 Hepatitis B Exam (Recommended) $ 240 TB Testing (two step PPD required) $ 45 Criminal Background Check $ 55 CPR Certification $ 50 Computer Assisted Testing $ 510 NCLEX-RN Exam $ 200 SC Licensing Fee and Background/Fingerprints $ 145 Graduation Fee/Cap/Gown $ 45 Transportation to Clinical Sites varies

Will I be required to complete additional training once I become a Registered Nurse?

Continuing education in the form of workshops, classes, etc. is the norm for all medical professionals and is required to maintain licensure.

CAN YOU PICTURE YOURSELF

IN A CAREER AS REGISTERED NURSE?

If so, you may have additional questions.

Please feel free to contact:Jane Fleischer

Program Manager, at 981-7046