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Registered Nurses

Registered Nurses: Career Overview

Registered nurses are the major working personals in health care industry. They are professionally senior over practical nurses and nursing assistants. Registered nursing is challenging but rewarding job. Registered nurses have to face many diverse medical conditions but they always get a decent amount of salary. Also they can have numerous jobs regarding different working positions and expertise.

Nature of work

Registered nurses (RNs) are individuals who treat patients, give technical and emotional support to both patient and patients’ family; gives medical advices. They keep record of patients’ diagnosis reports, medical histories and symptoms. They have to perform diagnostic tests and keep records and analyze them. They operate medical machines, manage treatment and medication scheduling and assist patients for follow-up and rehabilitation. They teach patient and their families to take preventive measures including diet, nutrition and exercise and ways to avoid illness and injuries. They set up a care plan or help to continue the plan.

Working environment

Registered nurses work in well facilitated and well lit medical facilities. Registered nursing requires walking, bending, stretching and standing all the time. Sometimes they have to go to patients’ houses and community centers and have to present on short notice calls. Some medical centers have 24 hour service where they have to work late night, on weekends or holidays. They have to work at close contact with patients having infectious diseases, so, they need to take precautions. Moreover they need to protect their patients from chemicals used in sterilize instruments, needles, anesthetics etc.

Education and Training

There are three different paths for education on registered nursing—a bachelor's of science degree in nursing abbreviated as BSN, an associate degree in nursing abbreviated as ADN, and a diploma degree. BSN programs are accessible from colleges and universities which will take 4 years to complete. ADN programs are open by community and junior colleges which take about 2 to 3 years. Diploma programs are directed in hospitals lasting about 3 years. Normally, graduates certified from any of these types of programs can be eligible for entry-level positions for staff nurse. There are several registered nursing programs that result in an ADN or BSN; but, only a few diploma programs.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for registered nurses is good though may vary for geographic settings. There are 581500 jobs available and employers are not getting adequate qualified RNs. So, employment options for registered nurses will grow more than average. Moreover, average registered nurse salary is $62450 in 2008. Some may earn $92240 per year.