lOMoARcPSD| 39099223 NURSE
A nurse is a health care professional who is engaged in the practice of nursing. Nurses are men and
women who are responsible (along with other health care professionals) for the treatment, safety and
recovery of acutely or chronically ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment
of life-threatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings. Nurses may also be involved in
medical and nursing research and perform a wide range of non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care.
Nurses develop a plan of care, sometimes working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the
patient, the patient's family and other team members. In the U.S. (and increasingly the United Kingdom),
advanced practice nurses, such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, diagnose health
problems and prescribe medications and other therapies. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care
performed by other members of a health care team such as therapists, medical practitioners, dietitians,
etc. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.
According to the US Department of Labor's revised Occupational Outlook Handbook (2000),
"Registered nurses (R.N.s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness.
They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct
patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, responses, and progress; assist physicians
during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and
rehabilitation. R.N.s also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in
proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health."
The nursing career structure varies considerably throughout the world. Typically, there are several
distinct levels of nursing practitioner, distinguished by increasing education, responsibility and skills.
The major distinction is between task-based nursing and professional nursing.
In various parts of the world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. In some parts of
Eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. In contrast,
Chile requires any Registered Nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree.
At the top of the educational ladder is the doctoral-prepared nurse. Nurses may gain the PhD or another
doctoral degree such as Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP),
specializing in research, clinical nursing, etc. These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing and carry out
nursing research. As the science and art of nursing has advanced, so has the demand for doctoralprepared nurses.
Registered Nurses generally receive their basic preparation through one of three basic avenues:
Graduation from an Associate of Science in Nursing degree-granting nursing program (two to three
years of college level study with a strong emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills) earning the degree of ASN/AAS or ADN in Nursing.
Graduation with a three-year (Diploma in Nursing) certificate from a hospital-based school of nursing
(non-degree). Few of these programs remain in the U.S. and the proportion of nurses practicing with a
diploma is rapidly decreasing. lOMoARcPSD| 39099223
Graduation from a university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (a four - five-year program
conferring the BSN/BN degree with enhanced emphasis on leadership and research as well as clinicallyfocused courses).
There are also special programs for "LPN to RN", for people who hold undergraduate degrees in other
disciplines, and for paramedics or military medics. Graduates of all programs, once licensed, are eligible
for employment as entry-level staff nurses.
A typical course of study at any level typically includes such topics as: Anatomy and physiology Microbiology
Pharmacology and medication administration Psychology Nursing ethics Nursing theory Nursing practice
Legal issues in nursing practice
All pathways into practice require that the candidate undergo clinical training in nursing. Care is
delivered by the student nurses under academic supervision in the hospital and in other practice settings.
Clinical courses typically include: Maternal-child nursing Pediatric nursing
Adult medical-surgical nursing Geriatric nursing Psychiatric nursing
While in clinical training, student nurses are identified by a special uniform to distinguish them from licensed professionals.
In many nursing programs in the United States, a computerized exam is given before, during and upon
completion to evaluate the student and nursing program outcomes. This exam upon completion of the
nursing program is done to measure a student's readiness for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN state board
licensure exam. The exam identifies strengths and weaknesses and provides the need for remediation
prior to taking the state board exam. This is not a requirement of all nursing programs in the United
States, but has increased its usage in the past three to four years.
It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of
Nursing Science to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles within nursing. Management and
teaching positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing. Many
hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses who want to continue their education
beyond their basic preparation.
Many nurses pursue voluntary specialty certification through professional organizations and certifying
bodies in order to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their area of expertise. lOMoARcPSD| 39099223
All U.S. states and territories require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program which allows
the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a standardized examination administered through the National
Council of State Nursing Boards. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for state licensure as an RN.
Nurses from other countries are required to be proficient in English and have their educational
credentials evaluated by an association known as the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
prior to being permitted to take the U.S. licensing exam.
Government regulates the profession of nursing to protect the public. In the U.S., the individual states
have authority over nursing practice. The scope of practice is defined by legislative and regulatory laws
which are administered by State Nursing Boards.
Many states have adopted the Model Nursing Practice Act and Model Nursing Administrative Rules
created by the National Council of State Nursing Boards (NCSNB). In addition, many State Nursing
Boards model their licensure requirements on the Uniform Core Licensure Requirements which set
forth competency development and competency assessment principles.
Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued
by another state. In addition, the states which have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact allow nurses
licensed in one of the states to practice in all of them through mutual recognition of licensure.
Questions 1-6. (6 Points)
Choose the correct letter that best answers each question according to the information given in the passage.
1. What is the primary role of nurses in healthcare settings as described in the passage? A. Researching new drugs B. Focusing on rehabilitation
C. Promoting health, preventing disease, and patient care
D. Administering medications line
2. According to the US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook (2000), what tasks
do registered nurses typically perform? A. Conducting medical research and clinical trials
B. Collaborating with dietitians to plan patient meals
C. Observing symptoms, assisting in treatments, and developing care plans
D. Solely educating patients and their families about proper care
3. How does the nursing career structure vary globally, according to the passage?
A. Based on professional experience in diverse healthcare settings
B. Mainly focused on task-based roles with minimal education requirements
C. By geographical location and cultural differences in nursing practice
D. Distinguished by increasing education, responsibility, and skill levels lOMoARcPSD| 39099223
4. Which educational background is required for Registered Nurses in Chile?
A. Completion of a hospital-based diploma program
B. Graduation from an Associate of Science in Nursing program
C. Bachelor's degree in nursing
D. Diploma in Nursing certificate from a university
5. What educational path in the US is declining?
A. Doctoral programs in nursing science
B. Hospital-based certificate programs
C. Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs
D. LPN to RN transition programs
6. What is typically emphasized in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program compared to an
Associate of Science in Nursing program?
A. Clinical knowledge and skills B. Leadership and research
C. Pharmacology and medication administration
D. Psychology and nursing ethics
Questions 7-10. (4 points)
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? In boxes 7-10 on you answer sheet write: True
if the statement agrees with the information. False
if the statement contradicts with the information. Not given
if there is no information on this.
7. Student nurses in the United States are required to take a computerized exam before, during,
and after their nursing program to evaluate their readiness for the state board licensure exam.
8. Nurses from other countries are mandated to undergo English proficiency assessments by the
Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools before they can take the U.S. licensing exam.
9. All U.S. states and territories have the same regulations and standards for nursing practice
administered by the National Council of State Nursing Boards.
10. Nurses can obtain licenses to practice in multiple states through mutual recognition of licensure
in the states that have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact. ANSWER: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. lOMoARcPSD| 39099223 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.