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Registered nurses make up the majority of workers in the health care industry. They hold a position of seniority over licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants and are often in charge of assigning tasks in a hospital environment. Being a registered nurse can be both a challenging and a rewarding profession. Some RNs work evening, weekend or on-call hours, and are exposed to a variety of medical conditions. But they also have fairly lucrative salaries as well as the satisfaction of making a valuable impact on the lives of patients and their families. A registered nurse is responsible for the needs of patients suffering from illness or injury, and can provide care and cater to the needs of patients in a variety of settings, including operating rooms, ambulatory care, intensive care, physicians offices, health care clinics or specialized practices. The diversity of the registered nursing career opens many professional doors—especially during a time when there is a nursing shortage and need for qualified nurses. If you are a natural caretaker and are thinking about becoming a registered nurse, read on to learn detailed registered nursing career specifics.  Registered Nurse Career Overview Most registered nurses can be found working in teams for health care facilities. Some of the positions involve little or no direct patient care, but the general responsibilities of a registered nurse can include: - Observing and recording patient medical history and symptoms
- Establishing a plan of care for patients or adding to an existing one then putting the plan into action
- Managing and assigning tasks to licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants
- Advising and providing emotional support for patients and their families
If a nurse decides to work outside of a health care facility there is a different set of nursing careers available to them. Some of these include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. Learn more about the different types of registered nursing careers as well as the everyday tasks and skills needed in RN jobs. Registered Nurse Education A degree in registered nursing is the foundation for a career in the field of health care. Credentials can be acquired by completing one of these three programs offered at many registered nursing schools: The most popular program is the associate's degree in nursing, which takes an average of two-to-three years to complete. One of the perks associated with this path is that once you've obtained the degree, you can apply for an entry-level position that offers benefits—including tuition reimbursement and college credit toward your two-year bachelor's in nursing degree. This choice also provides valuable hands-on experience in the field while earning an education. Going straight for the bachelor's program takes four years, and a nursing diploma can take three-to-five years. After completing any of these programs a nurse must pass a national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN). Nursing degree education requirements vary based on state, and a nurse may sometimes be required to take the local NCLEX-RN examination to work in a new state, so make sure you research the requirements in the state where you want to practice by contacting the state board of nursing. Registered Nurse Salary The income of a registered nurse is influenced by location, education and experience. Results from a survey in 2007, conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed that the average income of a nurse practicing in the United States is $57,280. The middle 50 percent earned $47,710 to $69,850. Nurses with more responsibilities or specialized experience have more opportunities for advancement and an increase in salary. Learn more about nursing salaries and career opportunities. Registered Nurse Career Outlook Registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing career fields. Because of the nursing shortage, 587,000 new jobs are projected to be opening from 2006 to 2016, increasing the current number of positions by 23 percent. Many hospitals offer signing bonuses, family-friendly work schedules or subsidized continuing education for new employees. Many people currently providing care in nursing are expected to retire, leaving a large vacancy in the profession. There is a great need to fill these positions with a new and younger workforce. Registered nursing (RN) schools are accepting new applicants and helping them reach their nursing education goals. Nursing is the largest occupation in health care, with the majority working in full-time positions. Earning credentials as a registered nurse can also help to open the doors to higher and more specialized medical professions. Embrace your opportunity as this rewarding career welcomes the next generation of registered nurses. Related Reading  Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 |
Registered Nurse (RN) Education ResourcesRN Career & Degree Information Related RN Articles RN Perks at a Glance A Versatile Profession Along with being bedside nurses, RNs can also work with physicians, attorneys, insurance companies, school districts, and more. Some registered nurses are independent consultants, and others assist in research in areas like biology, psychology, human development and health care. Registered nursing can be as rich and versatile a career as you want to make it! An In-Demand Career RNs are the largest group of health care workers in the United States, with over 2.6 million active workers. Even with this amount, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, there is an insufficient amount of new graduates and foreign-trained nurses to meet the market-place demand. How to Pay for Nursing School - As nursing school tuition has increased, a rising number of nursing scholarships and grants have become available for qualifying candidates. Nursing school is expensive, but there are many grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and loan forgiveness programs available to hard-working students. Gain access to financial first aid for nursing school.
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