Registered nurses are in high demand in the US healthcare industry for reasons like aging population, advancement in terms of technology, and most nurses retiring. Due to this fact and the many benefits it entail, many people are looking at becoming registered nurses to be their career path of choice.
If you are looking into becoming one, it would be helpful to have:
Social skills
Compassion for taking care of others
Ability to think on your feet
Problem solver
Excels in team work and collaboration with other healthcare professionals
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who is able to graduate from a nursing school program and has met all the requirements needed by the state or country for obtaining a nursing license.
What do they do?
RNs do a lot of jobs but in general, they typically do the following tasks:
Monitor, keep a record and make a report of symptoms, changes, and behavioral of a patient
Maintain accuracy in providing reports
Take vital signs and do patient’s charts
Interpret and evaluate tests provided by a physician and order requests made by doctors for the assessment of the patient’s condition
Modification of treatment plans based on the response of patients
Supervise LPN, LVN, and CNA or other healthcare professionals
Consult and regroup with unit to study, implement and evaluate patient plans
Instruct families, individuals and the public about health education
Prepare or assist in patient treatment or examination
Monitor diet, physical activity and all aspects of patient care
Where do they work?
Private and public hospitals
Doctor’s offices
Emergency rooms
Intensive care units
Psychiatric care facilities
Community centers
Healthcare facilities
Schools and universities
Pharmacy and laboratories
Research centers
How much do they make?
Based on the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered make a median annual pay grade of about $66,220, the lowest being $45,630 to a maximum of $96,320.
As of 2014, this is the list of the top five highest paying states for RNs:
California – $94,120
Hawaii – $84,750
Massachusetts – $83,370
Alaska – $80,970
Oregon – $78,530
How to become a registered nurse?
Diploma. This program is usually administered in healthcare facilities like hospitals and is the least known or choice among nursing students. It can take about three to four years of classroom training and clinical instructions.
Associate Degree (ADN). This program lasts for two years which focus on the technical aspects and applications of nursing with classroom discussions and clinical trainings. This is the most popular program among nursing students although according to statistics, most return to school to get their BSN.
Bachelor Degree (BSN). This program lasts for four years and is generally more in-depth and comprehensive as compared to the first two programs. It focuses on human development and the behavioral aspects applicable to the nursing profession. This program is divided into two parts: two years general science and two years nursing practice with clinical experience in a healthcare facility.
Decide on where you wish to get your nursing degree from but most importantly, you must choose whether you wish to get a nursing diploma, associate degree or bachelor degree.
Graduate and finish program of choice (diploma, BSN, ADN) which often include the following: anatomy & physiology, microbiology, nutrition, patient care, statistics, biochemistry, nursing research, and the like to name a few.
Study and pass the NCLEX-RN provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Get and obtain your state license.
Get and obtain your first employment as an RN.
What else can you expect from being a registered nurse?
Besides being a registered nurse, getting certifications and sub-specialty training or further education can enable an RN to work as:
Acute Care Nurse
Addiction Nurse
Burn ICU Nurse
Cardiac Care Unit Nurse
Community Health Nurse
Coronary Care Unit Nurse
Dialysis
Emergency Nurse
Gastroenterology Nurse
Genetics Nurse
Gynecology Nurse
Hematology
Labor & Delivery Nurse
Neonatal Nurse
Neurosurgery Nurse
Oncology Nurse
Operating Room Nurse
Pediatric Nurse
Psychiatric Nurse
Radiology Nurse
Surgical/ICU Nurse
Trauma Nurse
Other than these specialty nursing jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has also projected a 19 percent increase in the demand of nursing job, making it a good career prospect for all.
What kind of nursing organizations are associated with being an RN?
American Nursing Association
National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care
National Association of Disease Management & Wellness Professionals
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of School Nurses for the Deaf
National Association of Rural Health Clinics
National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National Federation for Specialty Nursing Organizations
National Gerontological Nurses Association
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
National League for Nursing
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Registered nurses are in high demand in the US healthcare industry for reasons like aging population, advancement in terms of technology, and most nurses retiring. Due to this fact and the many benefits it entail, many people are looking at becoming registered nurses to be their career path of choice.
If you are looking into becoming one, it would be helpful to have:
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who is able to graduate from a nursing school program and has met all the requirements needed by the state or country for obtaining a nursing license.
What do they do?
RNs do a lot of jobs but in general, they typically do the following tasks:
Where do they work?
How much do they make?
Based on the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered make a median annual pay grade of about $66,220, the lowest being $45,630 to a maximum of $96,320.
As of 2014, this is the list of the top five highest paying states for RNs:
How to become a registered nurse?
Diploma. This program is usually administered in healthcare facilities like hospitals and is the least known or choice among nursing students. It can take about three to four years of classroom training and clinical instructions.
Associate Degree (ADN). This program lasts for two years which focus on the technical aspects and applications of nursing with classroom discussions and clinical trainings. This is the most popular program among nursing students although according to statistics, most return to school to get their BSN.
Bachelor Degree (BSN). This program lasts for four years and is generally more in-depth and comprehensive as compared to the first two programs. It focuses on human development and the behavioral aspects applicable to the nursing profession. This program is divided into two parts: two years general science and two years nursing practice with clinical experience in a healthcare facility.
What else can you expect from being a registered nurse?
Besides being a registered nurse, getting certifications and sub-specialty training or further education can enable an RN to work as:
Other than these specialty nursing jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has also projected a 19 percent increase in the demand of nursing job, making it a good career prospect for all.
What kind of nursing organizations are associated with being an RN?