The Nursing Profession

The 21st-century nurse is a highly educated, proactive advocate for patients and their loved ones. Today's nurses, who have more contact with patients than any other member of a health care team, must know how to incorporate physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and social understanding into the patient care plan. They must be able to balance immediate, hands-on patient care and treatment with a holistic, caring approach.

Opportunities in a Rewarding Profession
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that career opportunities in the nursing profession will grow at a rate of 35 percent in the next decade. Experience and education in transcultural nursing provides graduates with a competitive advantage in that market.

Out-of-hospital facilities, such as home care, community health facilities, assisted living and nursing homes, schools, and corporate settings, will hire nurses in record numbers-especially those who understand the latest technology in their profession and who are well prepared to work in an increasingly diverse health care system. In addition, the curriculum provides a strong base for graduate study in advanced practice nursing.

Levels of Education: The Nursing Journey

• Basic Preparation: Registered Nurse (RN) License
  Associate and Baccalaureate Degree
• Advanced Degree: Master's degree
  (Clinical Specialist or Nurse Practitioners Anesthetists and Nurse-Midwives)
• Doctoral Preparation: Education, Research, Practice

Areas of Specialization

• Maternal and Child
• Medical-Surgical
• Neurological
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Gerontology
• Administration
• Education

Learn more about the profession of nursing through these professional organizations:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for America's baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education programs.
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
  The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide.
• American Nurses Association
  The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses (RNs) through its 54 constituent member associations.
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  AACN is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world, representing the interests of more than 500,000 nurses who are charged with the responsibility of caring for acutely and critically ill patients.
• American Holistic Nurses Association
  As the definitive voice for holistic nursing, the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) promotes the education of nurses, other healthcare professionals, and the public in all aspects of holistic caring and healing.
• Transcultural Nursing Society
  The mission of the TCNS (Transcultural Nursing Society) is to enhance the quality of culturally congruent, competent, and equitable care that results in improved health and well being for people worldwide.
• New York State Nurses Association
  The New York State Nurses Association is the nation's oldest and largest state professional association for registered nurses. It also is New York's largest union solely dedicated to promoting the interests of RNs and their patients.