Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a crucial role in the healthcare system by assisting physicians in diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions. Their primary focus is on addressing patients' physical, mental, and emotional needs, while also educating patients and their families about post-treatment care and preventive health measures. RNs work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations, and may also provide care in patients' homes. The job often involves irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
To become a registered nurse, individuals typically pursue postsecondary education, which can include a bachelor's or associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from a hospital program. RNs must possess a blend of empathy, effective communication skills, and a commitment to patient care. Daily responsibilities for RNs include monitoring patient vital signs, administering treatments, conducting diagnostic tests, and collaborating with healthcare teams. Specializations within nursing are common, allowing RNs to focus on specific populations or healthcare areas. Overall, registered nursing is a dynamic and essential profession dedicated to improving patient health outcomes.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Registered Nurse (RN)
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Medicine, anatomy, biology, patient care, physiology, psychology
Earnings (Yearly Median): $81,220 per year $39.05 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 6% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Registered nurses (RNs) assist physicians in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions and diseases. Their job primarily consists of catering to patients' physical, mental, and emotional needs, educating patients and their families on proper post-treatment care and pain management, and encouraging wellness and preventive healthcare measures. Registered nurses can specialize in a type of treatment, medical condition, organ or body system, patient population, or work setting.
Work Environment. Most registered nurses work in healthcare facilities, which are clean, organized, and brightly lit. Home health and private duty nurses work in various settings, often traveling to individual patients' homes. Some nurses provide public health services to schools, nursing homes, or other community centers. Registered nurses are generally subject to irregular schedules, often working shifts of eight to twelve hours at night, on the weekends, and during holidays; some nurses are even on call to assist patients who need round-the-clock care. A head nurse or supervisor usually directs their work.
Occupation Interest. Those interested in becoming a registered nurse should be curious about the human body, its functions, and its disease susceptibility. They should enjoy continually researching and learning about new medical conditions, treatments, and trends in the field, as medicine is constantly changing and developing. Prospective nurses should also be empathetic, kind, reassuring, and committed to helping those in physical, mental, and emotional need. Effective communication, physical and emotional endurance, and discretion are also helpful.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Registered nurses juggle many responsibilities during each shift. They may be responsible for one or several patients at a time. Nurses evaluate and record patients’ symptoms and vital signs and keep track of changes in their condition. When necessary, they order diagnostic tests, prepare patients for procedures, conduct laboratory tests, and assess test results. Registered nurses prescribe and administer treatments according to the patient’s plan of care, which may involve tasks as simple as giving a patient antibiotic medication or as complex as providing life support to trauma patients. They also educate patients and family members on post-hospital care, disease prevention, plans of care, and health improvement methods. In many cases, registered nurses take on managerial roles and must perform various administrative tasks, such as budget planning, inventory maintenance, and staff scheduling.
Often, registered nurses must supervise a specific unit or department, which involves overseeing and instructing other nurses and healthcare professionals. They consult with physicians on treatments and plans of care for patients. They regularly assist physicians with patient examinations, treatments, and surgeries, for which they may be required to prepare examination rooms and organize medical equipment. Nurses follow up with patients, providing continued support and altering care plans when necessary.
Many registered nurses also perform medical research, studying changes in the field of nursing. Public health nurses focus heavily on the educational aspect of the work and design prevention and wellness programs.
Occupational Health Nurses (075.374-022).Occupational health nurses provide nursing service and first aid to employees or persons who become ill or injured on the premises of department stores, industrial plants, or other establishments. They also develop employee programs, such as health education and accident prevention.
Office Nurses (075.374-014). Office nurses care for and treat patients in medical offices as directed by physicians.
Private Duty Nurses (075.374-018). Private duty nurses provide constant bedside care to one patient either in a hospital or at the patient’s home.
Community Health Nurses (075.124-014). Community health nurses instruct individuals and families in health education and disease prevention in community health agencies.
Head Nurses (075.137-014). Head nurses supervise and coordinate nursing activities in hospital units. They assign duties and coordinate services.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Most nursing is performed at hospitals, clinics, private homes, and community centers. All nursing work environments must be orderly and sanitary; however, private duty, home health, and public health nurses may have less control over the condition of the physical environments in which they work. Nurses constantly bend, walk, and stand. They must follow strict safety protocols to avoid contracting infectious diseases, being exposed to toxins or radiation, and incurring work-related injuries.
Human Environment. Registered nurses regularly work with doctors, other nurses, physician assistants, administrative personnel, and other hospital or clinic staff. Nurses also frequently interact with patients as well as patients’ friends and family members. Registered nurses usually report to a head nurse, supervisor, or physician.
Technological Environment. Registered nurses use a wide array of technical equipment to aid them in their daily tasks. They commonly use sterile medical instruments, surgical equipment, stethoscopes, electronic blood pressure monitors, and oxygen masks. As for digital resources, they may use medical reference databases, medical software, and the Internet.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students who wish to pursue a career in nursing should start by taking courses in the sciences, sociology, psychology, social work, health and nutrition, English, and technology. Preparatory mathematics, physical education, and communications courses are also beneficial for the prospective nursing student. During the summer or school vacations, students can volunteer at or tour local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or community centers to assist patients in need. Through these experiences, students can also become familiar with the various responsibilities of a registered nurse.
Postsecondary. After high school, students can enroll in one of three programs to obtain a postsecondary degree in registered nursing. They can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a three-year diploma from a hospital. Educational programs in nursing offer courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, psychology and psychiatry, human development, pharmacology, and patient care for various populations. They also provide practical clinical experience at healthcare facilities in many areas of medicine, including pediatrics, mental health, surgery, and maternity. Those who wish to specialize in advanced areas of practice or find employment in administration or education must pursue a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). An MSN may take two to four years to complete, depending on whether the applicant already holds a BSN degree.
Related Occupations
− Emergency Medical Technician
− Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.)
Bibliography
"Registered Nurses." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.