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What is Nursing | What is an APN | Career Opportunities | DE Nursing Schools | Scholarship Info
What is Nursing?
Nursing has many definitions, but the essence of nursing is that nurses combine the art of caring with the science of health care. Nursing places its focus not only on a particular health problem, but on the whole patient and his or her response to treatment. Care of the patient and a firm base of scientific knowledge are indispensable elements.
Nurses work in many different areas, but the common thread of nursing is the nursing process—the essential core of how a registered nurse delivers care.
This process involves 5 steps:
- assessment: collecting and analyzing physical, psychological and sociocultural data about a patient
- diagnosis: making a judgment on the cause, condition and path of the illness
- planning: creating a care plan which sets specific treatment goals
- implementation: supervising or carrying out the actual treatment plan
- evaluation: continuous assessment of the plan
Nursing Specialties
There is a wide variety of nursing specialty areas; you will certainly be able to find one to fit any interest you have. Examples include: surgery, emergency, pediatric, psychiatric, school, public health, nurse-midwives, and others. Note that some specialty areas require additional experience, study or certification.
What is an APN?
An advanced practice nurse (APN) is an umbrella term that includes nurse practitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), certified nurse-midwives (CNM), and nurse anesthetists (CRNA). All are registered nurses with advanced training and education, most with Master’s degrees in nursing. APNs must pass national licensing exams in order to practice and must maintain their licenses through ongoing educational activities and testing.
Where do APNs work?
APNs have been providing primary and preventative health care for over 35 years. They work in all 50 states, in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, businesses, and private practices, HMOs, schools, and community centers. Some APNs have their own practices, but most work in collaboration with a physician. Many APNs can prescribe medications, order and evaluate laboratory, x-ray and other diagnostic tests. They can refer to specialists and other community resources. Nurse-managed health care centers are run by nurses, usually APNs, and are located in neighbor hoods and communities to best serve their clients.
What can an APN do?
APNs practice in varied health arenas including Family Practice, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Oncology, Cardiology, Midwifery, and Anesthesia. One type of APN, a nurse practitioner (NP), can evaluate and treat people with acute illness, (such as pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, or acute back pain), chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression), and provide preventative health care services (such as physicals and immunizations). A nurse practitioner focuses on prevention, wellness and education. Helping people stay well is a primary goal of NPs. Prevention screening for diseases such as elevated cholesterol, asthma, and cancer are another focus of nurse practitioners.
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Career Opportunities
There is a strong demand for nurses today. Career prospects are good, and job possibilities are plentiful. Nurses are needed not only in hospitals, but in home health agencies, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, managed care centers, and in community health. Educating patients and their families in preventive care is highly important. Demands for advanced practice nurses are growing in many areas; some APNs are opening their own practices.
The Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nurses have never been more important to health care than they are today. They must be well-educated, adaptable, and able to act as patient advocates. Nurses should be prepared for leadership roles in managing resources to promote better health care for their patients, whatever the location or setting.
Find a Job in Nursing
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Delaware Schools of Nursing
- Delaware State University, Department of Nursing
Day Phone: 302.857.6060
Evening Phone: 302.857.6290
1200 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901-227
- Delaware Technical and Community College
Owens Campus, Georgetown, DE
Stanton Campus, Newark, DE
Terry Campus, Dover, DE
- Beebe Medical Center, School of Nursing
Ph: 302-645-3300
424 Savannah Road
Lewes, DE 19958
- University of Delaware, College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing
Ph: (302) 831-1253
Fax: (302) 831-2382
25 N. College Avenue
383 McDowell Hall
Newark, DE 19716-3710
- Wesley College, Division of Nursing
Phone: (302) 736-2512
Fax: (302) 736-2548
120 North State Street
Dover, DE 19901
- Wilmington University, Division of Nursing
Phone: (302) 328-9401
Fax: (302) 322-7081
320 Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Scholarship Information
Nursing Scholarship, Dept. of Health and Human Service:
This program provides you with at least 2 years service experience at a health care facility. Qualified applicants who have the greatest financial need and are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program receive funding preference.
Disadvantaged Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP) provides for repayment of education loans for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to serve for at least two years as faculty members at eligible health professions and nursing schools.
March of Dimes: Every year the March of Dimes provides millions of dollars in grants, scholarships and awards that promote research, education for professionals, and community programs designed to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of babies.
Nurses' Educational Funds, Inc. offers a scholarship for nurses enrolled in an accredited master's or doctoral level nursing program.
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General Scholarship Information
- College Board provides an up-to-date scholarship search, as well as advice on how to apply for a scholarship and spot a scholarship scam.
- FastWeb is an online scholarship search.
- FedMoney.org is an online guide to all U.S. federal government financial aid programs.
- FinAid.com is a great Web resource for all financial aid information.
- MinorityNurse.com maintains a listing of scholarship and fellowship money for students pursuing undergraduate or graduate work in nursing.
- SallieMae grants loans and provides information about applying for and managing student loans.
- The Student Guide is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of financial aid available through the federal Student Financial Assistance Programs. Updated each year, The Student Guide tells you about the programs and how to apply for them.
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