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Critical Care Nurses in High Demand

Hospital requests for critical care nurses to fill staffing gaps has skyrocketed in every part of the U.S., particularly in adult critical care units, pediatric and neonatal ICUs, and emergency departments. Typically, the ICU is reserved for the most experienced nurses; however, due to the significant nursing shortage, critical care nurses are in more demand now than ever before.

Critical care nursing is one of the most diverse, intense and challenging specialties in nursing. Nurses in this specialty care for patients of all ages who are very ill and need specialized treatment. They also provide emotional support to patients and their families at times of extreme stress and emotional trauma.

The concept of critical care is relatively new and has become more complex as medicine and technology continue to advance. "Critical nursing can be a rewarding specialty since you are given the opportunity to wear different hats and provide emotional support to a family most in need," said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future.

Critical care nurses can specialize in adult, pediatric, and neonatal nursing practice. They practice in settings where patients require complex treatments and constant monitoring and assessment. Nurses or nursing students who are interested in pursuing a career in critical care nursing can visit www.discovernursing.com/ or www.aacn.org.


    
   
Promise of Nursing
for Mississippi

Date: April 24, 2007
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Beau Rivage
Biloxi, Miss.
    

Special Gala for Mississippi to Honor Nurses and Raise Funds
Sponsorship opportunities available

For nurses who worked tirelessly to provide around-the-clock critical patient care for days following Hurricane Katrina and many more who continue to work long hours following a subsequent nursing shortage in Mississippi, The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future will host a special gala that is expected to raise thousands of dollars to fund nursing student scholarships, faculty fellowships and nursing school grants all in the state of Mississippi.

Unlike previous galas, the event offers an opportunity for companies, organizations, and individuals outside the region to sponsor a local nurse to attend the celebration. Sponsorships are available for $400 per seat. To sponsor nurses for the Promise of Nursing for Mississippi, call 732-524-5700 or send an email to nursingevents@corus.jnj.com.



Faculty Leadership & Mentoring Program

The National League for Nursing (NLN) and NLN Foundation recently announced a new program to facilitate ongoing career development of nurse faculty. Because experienced teachers, with practical and theoretical knowledge of the faculty role, are an important resource for new teachers, the NLN has developed an innovative mentoring program that will match experienced faculty (mentors) with new faculty (protégés) to focus on leadership development.

Funded by the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future, participants in the Faculty Leadership & Mentoring Program will focus on individual leadership development and will also work together on a project that will be presented at the NLN Education Summit 2008. Protégé participants and their mentors will be chosen through a competitive application process and will begin working together in June 2007. To complement the Campaign for Nursing's Future support of the Promise of Nursing (PON) Regional Faculty Fellowship program, preference will be given to past PON Fellowship recipients.


Delmar I., RN
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Houston, TX

Reflecting on why I became a nurse after 14 years of practice is a journey of self exploration. The nursing profession allows one the privilege of witnessing the endurance of life and the virtue of the human soul. Being a nurse is one of the few careers where you are able to make a difference daily in someone else's life.

The CVICU is a fast, fluid, and dynamic environment. There is always something new to learn, some new skill to be mastered, and some challenge to be conquered. Time passes quickly as an ICU nurse, but it requires skill, talent, and commitment to balance the art of critical care.

Nursing is a career full of choices. You can get a job anywhere and are well compensated. You can choose to be a clinician, an educator, a legislator, or work in a corporate environment. The possibilities and the opportunities are endless when you are a nurse!