Registered Nurse

Nursing - An Occupation in Demand

Typically in charge of nursing teams, registered nurses monitor and coordinate patient care as well as educate patients and their family members on health conditions they need to be aware of. Because nurses do a lot of the hands-on work with patients, they are there to give emotional as well as medical support to the patients and their family members. As a part of the medical team, nurses spend most of their day on their feet, going from patient to patient, working efficiently but also effectively.

Home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, this region is booming with medical staff in all specialties, but nursing passes them to be in demand all over the map.

 

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There are more RNs needed each year than any other professional occupation in the region!

 

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Even at entry-level, Registered Nurses command a salary more $20,000 per year above the median for all occupations in the Gulf Coast Region!

 

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Start Early and Be Prepared

High School Endorsement: Public Service | STEM

Gaining admission into nursing programs is very competitive. More students are turned away each year than are accepted.

Students should strive for the highest GPA possible to provide them with the edge needed for acceptance into a nursing program. Nursing requires a high school background with strengths in English comprehension, algebra, chemistry, biology and psychology.

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What kind of a person does it take to be an RN?*

These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career in nursing. The following data describes the relative importance of each knowledge/skill area from the opinion of those in the industry.

                

88.6%

Medicine

Everything surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of human injuries and ailments, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

86.2%

Customer & Personal Service

Meeting the expected quality of customer satisfaction when interacting with customer and potential customers.

83.6%

Psychology

Human behavior and performance ability, including perceiving differences in ability, personality, and interests that guide motivations.

81.2%

Problem Sensitivity & Reasoning

The ability to evaluate a potential or occurring problem to find its source, causation, and potential solution

77.6%

Therapy & Counseling

Knowing the principles, methods, and procedures for aiding emotional dysfunctions, and for counseling and guidance.

*Source: Texas Career Check.

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Most Registered Nurses work for hospitals, but many work for other healthcare providers, while some RNs are employed by educational institutions.

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Pathway to Earning an Initial or Basic Nursing Degree

In the Gulf Coast Region, there are two options for earning an initial or basic nursing degree:

• An Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing

Both options must be taken from a program approved by the State Board of Nursing. After completing the degree program, an individual must then apply for a license and successfully pass a national exam, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), to be granted a license in Texas.

Other certifications are available to work in specialty fields such as neonatal care, dialysis, or hospice care. Learn more about the wide variety of specialized nursing fields here. Additional information about the path to becoming a nurse can be found at the National Council of State Board of Nursing. 

 

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Helpful Tech to Get Ahead

• Database User Interface Entry Software: IDX Systems or Microsoft Access
• Medical Software: Epic Systems, Medical procedure coding software, MEDITECH software, or Siemens SIENET Sky
• Human Resources Software: HRMS
• Project Management Software: Microsoft SharePoint

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Gulf Coast Region Registered Nurse Programs

Community Colleges

• Alvin Community College
• College of the Mainland
• Galveston College
• Houston Community College System
• Lee College
• Lone Star College System
• San Jacinto College District
• Wharton County Junior College

 Universities

• Houston Baptist University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Texas Woman’s University
• The University of Houston - Clear Lake, Victoria, Sugar Land

Health-Related Institutions

• University of Texas Health Science Center Houston - School of Nursing
• University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing

Major Employers in the Gulf Coast Region

Bayshore Medical Center Ben Taub General Hospital Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Conroe Regional Medical Center Harris County Hospital District Houston Northwest Medical Center Houston VA Medical Center Memorial Hermann Healthcare System The Methodist Hospital

Park Plaza Hospital Oak Bend Medical Center St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System Shriners Hospital for Children Texas Children’s Hospital The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Centers of America The University of Texas Medical Branch

 

If you have questions about our Industry/Occupation Profiles or are an organization in the Gulf Coast Region, please contact webmaster@wrksolutions.com.

*Includes the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton.

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