CAREERS

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If you're looking for a health care career that offers unlimited opportunities, a nursing career awaits you. Nursing has been identified as one of the hottest careers in the coming decades with the creation of 561,000 new jobs expected by 2010. As the population ages and the demand for health care increases, the need for nurses will continue to grow. Right now in Vermont and the rest of the nation, we are facing a nursing shortage. If you want a position that's intellectually challenging; if you want the opportunity to work with people and technology; if you're looking for a competitive salary and lots of career options; if you want to make a difference in people's lives...

Be a nurse. One of life's heroes.

There's never been a better time to think about becoming a nurse.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Critical Care Nurse
Emergency Department/Trauma Center Nurse
Forensic Nurse
Home Health Nurse
Information Technology/ Web Based/Informatics
Labor & Delivery Nurse
Long Term Care Nurse
Neonatal Nurse
Nurse Administrator/Executive
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Researcher
Operating Room Nurse
Orthopedic Nurse
Pediatric Nurse
Public Health Nurse/Community Nurse
School Nurse
Telemetry/Cardiac Care Nurse
Travel Nurse

 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): A CRNA is responsible for interviewing, assessing and evaluating a patient for anesthesia before surgery. The CRNA prepares and administers the anesthesia so that the patient will have a pain-free operation. The CRNA constantly monitors the patient's vital signs during surgery and continues to monitor the patient following surgery for a period of time. This role is highly specialized. Education: Master of Science in Nursing plus special certification. Salary Range: $133,000-170,000/year.
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Critical Care Nurse: This nurse provides care for critically ill patients in a highly technical environment and supports the family during the crisis. The critical care nurse evaluates the need for resources and recommends referrals as indicated. This role requires specialized training and the ability to assess and recognize subtle changes in a patient's condition. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $54,000-77,000/year.
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Emergency Department/Trauma Center Nurse: An ER nurse is responsible for the care of patients of all ages with a benign or an acute critical illness, such as a heart attack. This type of care and environment requires quick thinking, and excellent communication and physical assessment skills. RNs in this environment use a triage process to establish priority setting. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $52,000-76,000/year.
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Forensic Nurse: This nursing role integrates clinical nursing, law enforcement investigation/interviewing, and counseling skills. Education: Master of Science in Nursing plus special certification. Salary Range: $41,000-65,000/year.
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Home Health Nurse: A home health (or visiting) nurse provides periodic care to patients within their home environment. This role requires the ability to work independently. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing (bachelor’s degree preferred). Salary Range: $53,900-79,900/year.
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Information Technology/ Web Based/Informatics: Technology is a major aspect of hospital operations and patient care. Nurses are increasingly using more sophisticated equipment and a fundamental knowledge base in computer use is an expected requirement. By being involved in software development, program analysis and system management, the nurse informatist will be in a position to bridge the gap between clinical information and computer programmers. Salary Range: $60,000-90,000/year.
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Labor & Delivery Nurse: Registered nurses in this area use professional judgment, critical thinking, and fast decision making skills. They care for women who are in labor, have complications of pregnancy or have recently delivered. They work closely with patients, families, and other health care professionals. L&D registered nurses work with each mother and baby and develop an individualized plan of care. L&D registered nurses collaborate with physicians and other health care providers to provide the best plan of care for each patient. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $51,000-71,900/year.
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Long Term Care Nurse: This nurse focuses on the unique requirements of elderly and physically challenged clients who may be receiving care in freestanding rehabilitation hospitals, hospital-based skilled nursing facilities, subacute units, long term care facilities, residential care facilities, home health agencies, private and agency clinics, and governmental agencies. Long term care nurses help their clients achieve their optimal level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being regardless of their age or functional limitations. Education: Associate's Degree in Nursing (certified as RN with 2 to 4 years clinical experience). Salary Range: $54,100-86,100/year.
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Neonatal Nurse: Neonatal nurses may work in neonatal intensive care units taking care of acutely ill neonates and premature infants or in mother-baby or newborn nurseries taking care of healthy newborns. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $56,000-74,000/year.
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Nurse Administrator/Executive: The nurse executive assumes a role in developing the strategic plan, forecasting, and budgetary process for an organization such as a nursing home. The role is responsible for aligning the nursing department goals with those described in the mission and vision of the organization. Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Ph.D., D.Sc.N. Salary Range: $60,000-90,000/year.
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Nurse Practitioner: The Nurse Practitioner has advanced skills and knowledge in performing physical and psychological patient assessment. The role requires expert clinical interviewing skills to facilitate data collection and accurate problem labeling. The nurse practitioner orders diagnostic exams, prescribes medication, and has a practice or caseload. This role requires advanced study and certification. Education: Master of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $73,850-99,750/year.
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Nurse Researcher: A nurse researcher contributes to the Science of Nursing, sometimes collaborating with other disciplines such as medicine, social science, or pharmacy. The nurse collects clinical data through the use of scientific methods, analyzes the results and draws a conclusion/recommendation. Education: Ph.D. Salary Range: $59,000-82,000/year.
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Operating Room Nurse: An OR nurse provides care for a patient immediately before, during, and after a surgical procedure. The nurse works closely with the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist to monitor the patient's vital signs, warmth and safe positioning. The OR nurse also prepares the operating room with supplies, equipment, and instruments, and serves as the communication liaison to family, other departments, and members of the operating team. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $55,600-79,800/year.
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Orthopedic Nurse: An orthopedic nurse manages the care of patients before and after surgery involving the muscular skeletal system such as total hip replacement, arthroscopy, total knee replacement, or spine surgery. In this role, the nurse monitors traction, splint/cast care, and other orthopedic equipment. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Acute Care. Salary Range: $62,000-80,000/year.
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Pediatric Nurse: A pediatric nurse provides care for infants, toddlers, children, teens, and encourages the involvement of parents/family. The nurse develops a plan of care to meet the specific growth and development and cultural needs of the patient and family. The pediatric nurse may work in a variety of settings and may have specialized training. For example, a setting may be a well baby or teen clinic and a specialty may be pediatric critical care. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Salary Range: $68,000-90,000/year.
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Public Health Nurse/Community Nurse: Care decisions in this role are focused on the community at large with a goal of improving the overall health of the community. This role focuses primarily on disease prevention, health promotion and wellness/health education. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $44,000-62,000/year.
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School Nurse: The school nurse develops and supports age-specific programs for a student body. This role serves as a resource and liaison to parents, teachers, and students and provides limited care on site/campuses for students. The school nurse maintains immunization/health records and provides a forum and supportive environment to discuss concerns and provides information on health care or potentially sensitive issues. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $26,000-65,000/year.
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Telemetry/Cardiac Care Nurse: This role provides care for patients requiring special heart monitoring equipment and the administration of heart medications. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Salary Range: $30,000-52,000/year.
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Travel Nurse: A travel nurse negotiates and accepts temporary patient care assignments with a travel nurse agency/registry within the United States or internationally. Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Starting salary: hourly rate plus room and board. Salary Range: $64,000-75,000/year.
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*Median salary based upon national averages adjusted by geographic salary differentials as calculated with Salary Wizard tool at NurseWeek.com.