Registered Nurse Vs Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nursing has been around since the 1960s. It is a form of nursing that is referred to as the first twenty-eight days of life. Nursing is an important job for everyone because, when you are sick or hurt a nurse can heal your wound or prescribe medicine if they are authorized to. The demand for nurses is expected to grow so anyone that wants to become a nurse will always be able to find a job. The employment rate for nursing as of 2012-2022 is expected to grow nineteen percent which is higher than average.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

I feel as though nursing is important because when you go to the hospital or doctor's office a nurse is the first person to help you they tend to check your vital signs and ask you what is wrong.

Nurses tend to spend more time in direct contact with patients than physicians do. The patient's experience is highly influenced by what goes on in the nursing field. Nursing has a huge impact on a hospital's culture because, if the nursing leadership at the hospital or a clinic is dedicated to caring for patients and being professional, then the staff will most likely do the same. Nurses provide emotional support to you and your family by communicating information that will help you cope with whatever illness you are dealing with. Most nurses sacrifice their holidays with their families, to work nights and weekends to help others. Nurses tend to build a close relationship with their patients more than physicians because, they spend more time getting to know them patients tend to remember who their nurse is/was because of the bond they shared.

The difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner is the educational requirements.

A registered nurse needs a minimum of an Associate's of Science Degree in Nursing. A nurse practitioner needs at least a Master's of Science Degree in nursing. Another difference that a registered nurse and nurse practitioner share is the work environment. Nurse practitioners work in private practices and community clinics and registered nurses work in hospitals and surgical settings. The salary is better for a nurse practitioner because, they have more flexible work hours. The salary for a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner varies by state, the highest state that pays nurses well is California. As of 2013, the median annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $92,670, and for a registered nurse it is $65,470; as of 2012. The duties for a registered nurse and nurse practitioner are different as well; a nurse practitioner creates and maintains a healthy lifestyle for the patients and they also prescribe medication for patients just like a doctor. A registered nurse orders and interprets diagnostic tests and they assist physicians with patient examinations and treatments. A nurse practitioner can work without supervision, and a registered nurse has to have supervision at all

times.

Therefore, a neonatal nurse practitioner works with infants and toddlers until they are the age of two. A neonatal nurse practitioner earn a Bachelors and Masters of science degree. Most neonatal nurse practitioner work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, emergency rooms, delivery rooms, and speciality clinics. Since neonatal nurse practitioners care for neonates is in the need of constant attention, they are often known as primary caregivers for premature or ill newborns. A neonate under the care of a neonatal nurse practitioner may need specific care due to premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory distress, heart abnormalities, and other disorders. Neonatal nursing is important because if a woman gives birth to an infant that is ill, there is special care available for the infant. Although neonatal nurse practitioner’s work under the direction of a neonatal fellow or neonatologist, they are totally responsible for their patients, by exercising judgment if it necessary to diagnose, or initiate any medical procedures. All nurse practitioners work under the direction of a doctor because the doctor has the final word; but the nurse practitioner can do as much as the doctor can.

Furthermore, there are three levels of neonatal care which is level 1: The well baby nursery, level 2: The special care nursery, and level 3: Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Level one is usually a healthy newborn nursery but this kind of care, is short staffed now because mothers and babies have a very short hospital stay and often share the same room. Level two is an immediate care or special care nursery where the baby may be born prematurely or may be suffering from an illness.These babies may need supplemental oxygen, therapy, specialized feedings, or more time to mature before discharge. Level three is the neonatal intensive care which admits all infants during the first twenty-eight days of life who cannot be treated in level one or level two nursery levels. These babies are either small for their age, premature, or very sick that require special equipment and twenty-four hour supervision at all times. Neonatal nurses provide the direct patient care to these infants.

In conclusion, any type of nursing is important because if you are elderly, an infant, or even an adolescent there are different nurses out there for everyone.

For my wikipedia project I talked about neonatal nursing which is what I would like to be when I graduate from college. I just feel as though nursing is important because nurses impact today's society. The reason nurses impact the society we live in, is because they provide their patients with a level of care that is different from any other profession. Nurses make sure they get the job done so their patients can feel healthy and happy as possible. Also nurses serve as role models because they are looked up to by many people and they also inspire others to give back to the community in their own way. Nurses also help educate you by giving you information about medicine or even information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Their advice can be very helpful, especially when you just need someone to encourage you. Lastly, nurses can encourage you through any situation. A friendly face and kind words and a warm smile can go a long way. Nurses are the people that patients and even the family of patients can rely on during the tough times. They are always there for their patients twenty-four seven so the patient can overcome any obstacle. Nurses are the

best!