Careers in Nursing

Registered nurses account for the largest group of employees among all the health occupations. Nurses also have some of the most demanding and rewarding work experiences. They work anywhere from acute care hospitals to independent practices, emergency centers, schools, homes and research centers. Depending on the work environment, the work of nurses can include some, if not all, of the following: providing bedside care, preparing clients for different procedures, monitoring client care, administering treatment and medicine, assisting with surgeries, and managing and planning nursing activities. Most importantly, nurses educate clients and serve as advocates for clients and families. Growth in nursing and other allied nursing fields is growing at a rapid rate. The California Employment Development Department predicts that between 2002 and 2012 the number of openings for nurses will increase by nearly 28.2% (Source: Labor Market Info www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov).

Necessary Education and Skills for Career Success
Registered nurses must be licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing in order to seek employment. Licensure requires the study of nursing theory and clinical practice in an approved program, such as that offered at De Anza College.
In addition to licensing requirements, nurses must have solid knowledge of biology and chemistry in order to understand different pathological conditions. Good judgment and critical thinking skills are essential to be an effective nurse practitioner. People skills—the ability to communicate clearly, effectively and warmly—are also important qualities for being a successful professional nurse.

General Info About the Program
The Nursing Program has been an important part of De Anza College since the school opened in 1967. Because of the program’s excellent reputation in the community, De Anza’s Nursing Program graduates are recruited by health care institutions in Silicon Valley and throughout Northern California.

The Nursing Program provides students with state-of-the-art technology in classrooms, laboratories and clinical setting exposure. The outstanding faculty, who are content- and clinical-experts in their respective fields, facilitate unique opportunities for a professional nursing education.

Nursing Degree Programs

The following links open in .pdf.

Associate Degrees (A.S.):

• L.V.N. Transition to R.N.
• Registered Nurse (R.N.)
  

For more information contact the Nursing Department
Biological, Health, and Environmental Sciences Division
De Anza's Kirsch Center
(408) 864-5618
http://www.deanza.edu/nursing/