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Nursing (BSN) - Traditional

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Related Skills

  • Strong written and oral communication
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team player and also ability to make decisions alone
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Kind heartedness and the ability to understand others feelings
  • Work well under pressure
  • Ability to determine patients needs and administer drugs
  • Adaptive to new environments
  • Ability to work with medical equipment
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Careers
  • Course Requirements (Catalog)
  • Sample Plans of Study

Contact

Career Industry Liaison

Nick Radcliffe
(309) 438-2200
223 Bone Student Center

Internship Coordinator

Sarah Patten
(309) 438-1403
Edwards Hall 303

Being Successful in the Field

  • Earn a master's degree to prepare for advanced practice nursing including: clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and administration. Earn a doctoral degree for research or teaching at a university.
  • All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure.

Related Fields

Staff Nursing

Hospital Specialties Include:

  • Pediatrics
  • Surgical
  • Emergency
  • Critical Care
  • Maternity
  • Women's Health
  • Newborn Intensive Care
  • Cancer Treatment
  • Psychiatric/MentalHealth
  • Operating Room/Recovery Room

Employers

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics and medical centers
  • Physicians' offices and medical groups
  • Outpatient surgery centers
  • Home health agencies
  • Extended care facilities: Nursing homes, Rehabilitation centers, Hospices
  • Psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies
  • Educational institutions
  • Large corporations

Strategies

  • Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and holidays in a hospital setting.
  • Obtain a master's degree for positions such as nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, or nurse administrator.
  • Cultivate managerial skills for head nurse or other supervisory positions.

Community and Public Health

  • Home Health
  • Rural Nursing
  • Health Education

Employers

  • Public and private schools
  • Daycare centers
  • Mental health facilities
  • State and local health departments
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Senior centers
  • Nurse-run clinics
  • Religious organizations
  • Social service agencies

Strategies

  • Develop expertise in first aid procedures.
  • Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies.
  • Obtain a master's degree for nurse practitioner positions.

Independent Practice

  • Temporary Staffing
  • Travel Nursing
  • Personal Services Contracting
  • Private Duty
  • Midwifery

Employers

  • Healthcare staffing agencies
  • Travel companies
  • Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
  • Private households

Strategies

  • Gained the required years of experience.
  • Learn to work autonomously and make decisions independently.
  • Be prepared to move frequently to various locations either locally or abroad.
  • Become flexible and adaptable.

Government Service

  • Staff Nursing
  • Administration
  • Policy Development
  • Research

Employers

  • Government health agencies including: Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Peace Corps, VISTA
  • Armed services
  • Prisons

Strategies

  • Define an area of interest since government work offers a variety of practices.
  • Plan on graduate study in teaching, research, or administration for advancement.
  • Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems and beliefs.
  • Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.

Education

  • Teaching
  • Educational Administration

Employers

  • Teaching hospitals
  • Colleges and universities
  • Schools of nursing
  • Wellness centers
  • Public school systems
  • Community education programs

Strategies

  • Take courses in the principles and practices of teaching.
  • Earn an advanced degree to teach at the college or university level.
  • Gain experience in public speaking.

Nursing Research

Employers

  • Large hospitals and medical centers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Centers for nursing research
  • National Institute for Nursing
  • Pharmaceutical companies

Strategies

  • Gain experience with research through supervised independent study or class projects.
  • Develop curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, persistence, good writing skills, and an understanding of statistics.
  • Obtain a Ph.D.

Other Professions

  • Allergist
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Audiologist
  • Cardiac Nurse Clinician
  • Clinical Specialist
  • Community Health Coordinator
  • First Aid Nurse
  • Flight Nurse
  • Immunologist
  • Infection Control Specialist
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Consultant
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Obstetrician
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Pharmaceutical SalesRepresentative
  • Recreational Therapist
  • Surgical Intensive Care Nurse

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