Specialty Requirements
- Degree
- Associate's Degree in Nursing
- Some Hospitals may hire you under the condition that you will get your BSN within a designated amount of time.
- Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- The following can be obtained after start date at the expense of the employer:
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Characteristics
- Prioritization
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Compassionate
- Calm
- Quick Learner
A Day in the Life
- Three, 12 hour shifts
- Patient Populations
- All ages from newborns to elderly
- Job Responsibilities
- Assessments (physical, mental, spiritual), medication administration, vital signs, advocate for patient, observe for any abuse from caregiver, collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals, patient education
- Common Medications
- Albuterol, Alteplase, Amiodarone (Push and Infusion), Aspirin, Ativan, Atropine, Atrovent, Azithromycin, Bacitracin, Cardiac Arrest Medications (ACLS), Cardizem (Push and Infusion), Catapres, Cefepime, Ciprodex (Otic Drops), Ciprofloxacin, D50 Push, Decadron, Dilaudid, Diphenhydramine, Dobutamine, Dopamine, Epinephrine (Push and Infusion), Esmolol, Etomidate, Fentanyl, Flagyl, fluids, Fluorescein Strips, (Maalox, Donnatal, & Lidocaine) (PO Mixture), Haldol, Heparin, Ibuprofen, Insulin, Kayexalate, Ketamine, Ketorolac, Labetalol, Levophed, Lidocaine (Injection, IV Push & Infusion), Magnesium, Mannitol, Morphine, Narcan, Neosynephrine, (nasal spray & IV Infusion), Nitroglycerine (Pills, Paste & IV Infusion), Ondansetron, Pepcid, Phenergan, Plavix, Prednisone, Propofol, Protamine Sulfate, Protonix, Rocephin, Rocuronium, Romazicon, Silvadene Cream, Silver Nitrate sticks, Sodium Bicarbonate (Push and Infusion), Solumedrol, Succinylcholine, Tetracaine (Ophthalmic Drops), Tylenol, Unasyn, Vancomycin, Verapamil, Versed
- Common Diagnoses
- Chest pain/cardiac arrest/MI, URI, UTI, headache, unspecified abdominal pain, syncope, fractures, foreign objects, fever, injuries/traumas, etc.
- Clinical Skills
- IV insertions, EKG/ECG strips, assist in supplemental oxygen setup, collect ABGs/labs, assist with insertion of IO, blood product transfusions, ability to care for central venous access device, foley catheter insertion, COVID-19 testing, etc.
Knowledge Expansion