A Complete Guide to Adult Nursing
Nurses are directly involved in medication administration and health condition assessment. They care for patients from various age groups suffering from several conditions, ailments, diseases, long-term illnesses, and even minor injuries. An adult nurse specifically caters to seniors who suffer a range of conditions due to the age factor.
If you’re interested in becoming an adult nurse, you may want to opt for a post masters AGACNP certification. However, if you are hesitant, you are in the right spot. Today, we shall take an in-depth look at adult nursing and why you should choose to pursue the career. Let's get started.
Why Overview Expectations Responsibilities Salary Who Education Endnote
Why Opt to Become an Adult Nurse?
An adult nurse practitioner is crucial for improving and saving the lives of older adults. They use their expertise, knowledge, and hard work to do this. Senior nursing covers all healthcare fields, and the nurse gets to interact with patients from various age groups, backgrounds, gender, and ethnicities. If you want an exciting career with lots of diversity, becoming an adult nurse is the right choice.
Adult Nurse Career Overview
An adult nurse does not only treat adult patients but also provides support to a patient's family. They take care of the paperwork, assist doctors with patient diagnoses, give advice, and provide follow-up care. They work alongside doctors, healthcare assistants, and other medical staff in a clinic, hospital, community center, old home, or healthcare facility.
Adult nurses work for around 37.5 hours every week. Shifts can be carried out in hospitals and include bank holidays, early starts, nights, evenings, and weekends. The 9 am to 5 pm shift slot is popular in most locations, community centers, clinics, and specialist units.
What Should Adult Nurses Expect From Their Job?
- Flexible working hours based on shift. Work environment and conditions vary by ward, patient home, or hospital.
- An adult nurse may have to look after several patients in a ward or one to two patients in a high-dependency or intensive care unit.
- Career breaks, retraining, and overseas opportunities may be offered quickly within an adult nurse's career.
- An adult nurse can also work as a private nurse or freelance consultant.
- The job is emotionally demanding and physically taxing but also quite rewarding, especially when a nurse helps improve and alleviate patient pain.
Adult Nurse Job Responsibilities
An adult nurse must assist a physician or doctor in patient examinations and assessments. They must be present to respond promptly to emergencies and write patient care plans. Other tasks expected of an adult nurse include:
- Treating wounds
- Monitoring pulse
- Checking the blood pressure and temperature
- Preparing patients for operation
- Recording and observing the patient's condition
- Mentoring junior or student nurses in blood transfusions and drip supply using specialized monitor equipment
- Recording patient progress
- Attaining the confidence, trust, and support of patients and their families
Adult Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
The AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) 2019 report showed that adult NPs (Nurse Practitioners) earn $115,000 on average per year. The hourly rate is 60 USD. A-GNPs in primary care earn $107,000 annually on average, and the hourly pay rate is $53.
The United States BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reports that the salary of an adult NP was $123,780 in 2021, with an hourly pay rate of $59.51. The BLS has also estimated that job growth for all nurse practitioner posts is expected to be around 40% between 2021 and 2031.
Who Employs Adult Nurses?
Adult nurse practitioners can work in an array of fields. GP offices, hospitals, community centers, hospices, residential homes, and clinics are some common places where they are hired. Fully trained adult nurses may be hired as trainers or health education teachers. These posts do not require hands-on clinical work. Other places where an adult nurse can be hired include:
- Emergency helplines
- General practices
- Nursing agencies
- Occupational health
- Residential nursing homes
- Overseas aid and development
- Prisons
- Air ambulance services
- Community and school health education units
- Voluntary organization
- Health promotion
- Holiday companies
- Private healthcare organizations
- Schools and universities
- Specialist units and hospices
- Armed forces
- Leisure cruise ships
- Research, teaching, and education
Educational Requirements to Pursue an Adult Nursing Career
A specialization in adult nursing or an undergraduate degree like the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is required to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. Some employers also accept the ASN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) or RN.
However, the BSN is preferred as it proves the clinical experience and knowledge required to succeed as a nurse in the modern and advanced healthcare system. All nursing degree programs are half practical, while the rest is half academic. As a student, you must serve in clinics, patent homes, community centers, and hospitals to attain practical knowledge and expertise while attending theory classes.
Endnote
Adult nursing can be challenging but is a truly rewarding experience. You get to alleviate the pain of seniors that feel hopeless and disheartened. The best part is that you can also motivate them so they can live the rest of their remaining life to the fullest.
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