HEALTH OCCUPATION OF THE MONTH
Registered Nurse

    Just like any job you have to follow certain rules and you have to over come hard and frustrating obstacles.  One of these careers includes an RN.  Also referred to as a Registered Nurse. 

            Registered nursing.  One of the most popular jobs in nursing that is available out there.  It is a great career to obtain.  Many people go to become a Registered Nurse after they have worked as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), or even an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). 

            Some of the duties performed by a Registered Nurse are basic duties such as caring for sick patients that come into the office, treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions.  Registered Nurses provide advice and emotional support to critically ill patients’ family.  They also record patient’s medical history and symptoms, they help to perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results of those tests. They might operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow up, and rehabilitation.  Registered Nurses teach patients and their family how to manage illness and injury.  This includes post treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs, self-administration of medicines and physical therapy.  Some Registered Nurses are trained to provide counseling to the families of critically ill patients. 

            Some of the personal qualities of Registered Nurses help them to fulfill the duties they are required to carry out.  The most important is honesty.  If you can’t be honest a nursing facility or any office for that matter isn’t going to want to hire you.  You have to be dependable.  You have to be on call- available to work on short notice.  This is important for many reasons.  If you are dependable you make yourself and the clinic look good. Also you have to be caring, sympathetic, responsible, detail oriented, you must be able to direct and or supervise others, correctly assess the patients’ conditions, and determine when consultation is required. 

            Educational requirements in this field are you must graduate from an approved nursing program.  You also must pass a national licensing examination called NCLEX-RN.  If you plan to go to a community or junior college you may earn your associates in Registered Nursing within two years.  However if you plan to go to a university you will earn your degree in Registered Nursing within 3-4 years. 

            Licensing requirements include a 2-3 year diploma program in a hospital school of nursing, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.  A masters or doctors degree for some administrative and educational positions, and a licensure in the state of practice.  You may also get a license that you can use in several different states.

            The working environment of a Registered Nurse is a typical one.  The area of the workplace needs to be well lit.  Most Registered Nurses are comfortable in health care facilities.  Most of the time a Registered Nurse will either be walking around the clinic, hospital or standing.  They don’t get much of a break and they are constantly on their toes.  A Registered Nurse that works in a hospital may work nights, weekends, and even holidays.  They must always be on call and available whenever work is needed.  Registered Nurses that work in a regular office usually work regular business hours.  Registered Nurses are vulnerable to back injury when moving patients.  They are also susceptible to shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by gases.  Also working with critically ill patients you may suffer emotionally from observing the patient suffering, and close personal contact with the patients’ family. 

            Places that hire Registered Nurses are just about anywhere.  They are employed in hospitals, physician offices, nursing care facilities, home health care services, employment services, government agencies, outpatient care centers, social assistance agencies, educational services both private and public.  The most common place to work if you are a Registered Nurse is in a hospital or a clinic. 

            Advancement opportunities are broader if you are enrolling in a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN).  Some of the others offered are Associates Degree in Nursing (A.D.N), and a diploma.  The accelerated BSN program is available for individuals who have a bachelors degree or higher in another field.  All of the above require at least a master’s degree.  Most of the programs last about two years.  They also require a BSN.  Some programs even require at least 1-2 years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse for admission. 

            Salary and pay of a Registered Nurse are very good.  Depending on where you work your salary or pay will differ.  The average yearly earnings of a RN is around $28,900- $69,200.  Or if you have advanced specialties you may make anywhere from $60,300- $108,900.  Employment Services: $63,170, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $53,450, Home Healthcare Services: $48,990, Physicians office: $48,250, or Nursing Care Facilities: $48,220.  Some benefits are flexible working schedules, childcare, educational benefits, and bonuses. 

            There will always be a need in Healthcare for Registered Nurses.  The need right now for Registered nurses is above average.  There are always 3-5 jobs offered in hospitals.  Some employers are even reporting difficulty in attracting and retaining enough Registered Nurses.  There are over 2.4 million jobs waiting to be filled.  There are excellent job opportunities in most specialties and employment settings.  The demand for Registered Nurses is high.