Nursing Today
Nursing is an innovative, challenging and rewarding career that’s in high demand,offering those who pursue this career an opportunity to profoundly change human health. Working on the front-lines of patient care, nurses can choose from many specialties, and work in a wide variety of treatment settings.
A spirit of innovation
Nurses work closely with patients, and understand patients’ needs better than anyone. Which is why they’re the ones who often find new solutions to health challenges, that can make a significant difference in patient outcomes.
A timeline of nurses changing human health
- 1854
- 1865
- 1910
- 1943
- 1950
- 1954
- 1968
- 1983
- 2003
- 2016
1854
1854
Florence Nightingale introduces sanitation and hygiene practices that are still used today.
1865
1865
Nurses discover that sugar can be used to clean wounds and fight infection during the Civil War.
1910
1910
Sister Elizabeth Kenny realizes exercise helps rehabilitate polio patients better than splints.
1943
1943
Bessie Blount Griffin invents the feeding tube for paralyzed patients.
1950
1950
Sister Jean Ward discovers that sunlight is a great way to treat babies with jaundice.*
1954
1954
Elise Sorensen creates the first ostomy bag.
1968
1968
Anita Dorr designs the first crash cart.
1983
1983
Nurses broke down barriers during the AIDS crisis.
2003
2003
Teri Barton-Salinas invents color-coded IV lines to reduce medical errors.
2016
2016
Rebecca S. Koszalinski gives cerebral palsy patients a voice by creating the Speak for Myself® app.*
*This image is an actor portrayal
Still leading the way
- Johnson & Johnson has proudly championed the nursing profession for over 125 years because we know that for healthcare to work, it takes nurses. This National Nurses Month, we celebrate the innovation, expertise and tremendous impact of more than 4 million nurses across the U.S. Below, meet four inspiring nurses dedicated to transforming the health of their patients and communities, underscoring the innovation and leadership of the nursing profession.2024-04-29T15:11:36.755Z
- Public health nursing is a unique specialty, offering nurses the opportunity to impact population health at the bedside and beyond. In celebration of National Public Health Week, meet Dr. Oluwatosin Olateju, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Coppin State University and Co-Chair of the Maryland Commission on Public Health, whose tireless efforts demonstrate the power of nurse-led innovation and patient advocacy.2024-04-10T18:22:25.751Z
- The effects of climate change impact human health in many ways, from changing disease patterns to increasing the risk of food insecurity. In observance of Earth Day, meet public health nurse Kasey Bellegarde, MPH, RN and physician Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, who share their perspective on nursing’s role in mitigating the effects of climate change and building a more sustainable and equitable future.2024-04-10T18:22:15.291Z
A profession in demand
With more roles and more job opportunities opening up every year across the country, it’s a great time to become a nurse.
Different opportunities
Source: HRSA July 2017
Supporting Nurses on the Frontlines of Care
Nurses are critically important in addressing public health issues facing communities across the country. Through our partners and educational grants provided to independent, accredited continuing education (CE) providers, Johnson & Johnson is making resources available to nurses to address substance abuse and addiction. Here's how you can learn more:
Nursing Opioid Education Hub
Johnson & Johnson supported the independent development of the Nursing Opioid Education Hub, a CE resource focused on appropriate pain management and prevention of opioid misuse.
AANP MAT Training
Developed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, access training materials to qualify for the waiver application to prescribe medicated-assisted treatment (MAT).
Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to nursing
Johnson & Johnson has supported the nursing profession for over 125 years because we believe nurses are uniquely positioned to change the global trajectory of health for humanity. Nurses, over 29 million strong, are our critical partners on the frontlines of care and the backbone of healthcare systems around the world. We know that nurses are leaders, innovators, and compassionate caregivers, requiring resiliency and resourcefulness to navigate the intricacies of health no matter where and to whom they provide care, and we are committed to advocating for and empowering their strong voices to address healthcare access and workforce challenges.
A career with choices
With so many specialties, skills, and environments to choose from, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do what you love and create the career you want.
In their own words
- 01
- 02
01
Most nurses are pushed into the hospital and clinical settings when there are many other opportunities for nursing out there.”
Avery
Emergency Nurse
02
You can obtain multiple degrees, you can travel the world with your degree in hand, and that's a big part of why nursing is so important. You're not bound to one area.”
Krystle
Perioperative Nurse
Something for Everyone
Take the next step on your nursing journey.