Registered Nurse (RN)
Career Highlights
- Among the top 10 occupations in the United States
- Earn a high salary in a satisfying profession
- Serve as advocates for hospital patients
Career Summary
Registered nurses (RNs) make up the largest portion of health care professionals, totaling more than 2.5 million jobs in the US. They can pursue a variety of career specialties, and more than half work in hospitals, where they establish and carry out specialized care plans for their patients. This includes providing needed treatments, running tests, informing the patient and the patient's family about various illnesses, and offering health advice.
In hospitals, registered nurses can work in areas such as:
- Intensive care units (general, pediatric and neonatal ICUs)
- Cardiac care units
- Operating rooms
- Emergency rooms
- Recovery rooms
- Outpatient care
In addition to meeting the patient's needs, nurses serve as important aides to hospital and medical office staff. They keep records up to date, investigate reports, maintain inventories of drugs, maintain linens and other supplies for patients, and supervise nursing assistants and non-nursing personnel.
Besides hospitals, RNs may be found in physicians' offices, nursing homes, home health care facilities, and a variety of other health care facilities. In any of these facilities, RNs may supervise or provide direction for nursing assistants or licensed practical nurses.
Nursing demand
The rapidly expanding health care industry is increasingly in need of registered nurses and other nursing personnel, and many facilities are experiencing a shortage of qualified nurses. This means many nurses work with several patients at once. However, this shortage translates to growing employment opportunities, particularly in physicians' offices and home health care facilities.
Despite the demands of the occupation, nursing involves helping and interacting with people every day, making it one of the most rewarding and sought-after professions.
More information available...
How much does a registered nurse make?
Salary
$69,800*
Education
Most RNs have a bachelor or associate degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program, and pass a national licensing exam.
Career Skills
- Admission and recovery of patients undergoing vascular procedures.
- Obtaining procedure consents
- Recovering the patient post procedure which includes:
- Assisting physician and scrub nurse with procedures
- Provide skilled nursing care to patients in their home.
- Provide safe, quality, appropriate care according to physicians orders.
- Assisting physician and scrub nurse with procedures
- Communication and problem resolution skills
Additional Information
Find Nursing Schools <<
Find Health Care Training Near You <<
Different Types of Medical Nurses
Different Types of Medical Job
How to Juggle Nursing School and Kids
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Comments
i want to be a nurse
Posted on 2009-07-09 13:07:37 by geraldyne schneider
i want to be a nurse but how
Posted on 2009-07-04 14:06:52 by Nciolette
Hi my name is Nicolette im in grandville high i just started to think about what i wanted to do career wise and nursing came into my head but specifically nurses that take care of babies in the hospital i would like to know more about them and what else is involved in that specific nurse's job description
Beyond
Posted on 2009-03-09 10:08:56 by Ut
hi my name is ut and im from vietnam.
the idea of nursing came through my head not quite long ago. i am still questioning about the procedure of nurse and how to get my step toward it.
i really don't want to wash up people. thats the only problem i have with nurse but everything about it is swell.
and thanks for sharing the time to read my comment.
and i would love to recieve more information about nursing and other careers that involve medical fields.
student
Posted on 2009-01-31 12:21:48 by liana
hello, now, i'm studying nursing in our country. sooner, when i'll graduate, i plan to work abroad, will it be possible for you to suggest a good agency that could help me? i would be glad.
Setting My Dreams
Posted on 2008-11-24 21:04:16 by Taujah Yvette Zhane Jackson
Hi, For all readers my name is Taujah jackson,and i just wanted to set my goals early when i grow up i want to go to Collage to become a RN. I am still young and Im attending Gleenville Elementary Right now.The reason i want to be a RN is Because i love to be around computers and love to type!! I really hope you will recieve and look over my messasge soon...
Colleges that offer courses in nursing
Posted on 2008-10-31 12:28:56 by Manasi
Career in nursing has both the advantages of being noble and being able to lead a comfortable life financially. But it needs proper training and proper certification to be able to work as a nurse in US.
One college that offers various courses in Nursing is Computer Career Center. Though its name suggests that it has programs only in the computers area but that's not true. Computer Career Center offers degrees and diploma in Business Management, Medical assistant, Automated Accounting, legal Information Specialist, Medical Assistant, Medical Information Specialist, Network Administrator, Website/Graphic Design Specialist, Nurse Assistant, Nurse Assistant Home Health Aide and Vocational Nurse. They have campuses in four locations which are El Paso, Amarillo, Lubbock in Texas and a newly opened extension campus in Las Cruses, New Mexico.
All their programs have curriculum reviewed by Governing and Advisory Boards whose members are business, industry, and education leader. Their small strength per class facilitates the faculty in understanding the student better and making sure that every student learns the subject thoroughly. Their website address is www.computercareercenter.com . So, for a career in technical and vocational education, you can try going to their website and gather more information.