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1. Job Descriptions and Responsibilities 

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1. Job Descriptions and Responsibilities 

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Registered nurses provide health assistance for patients. RN's are responsible for taking care of their patients 'needs and to give them advice on how to maintain their health and obtain a speedy recovery. RN's are not doctors, but they are in charge of identifying the sickness and providing instant medical care to the best of abilities.

https://resources.workable.com/registered-nurse-job-description#:~:text=Monitoring%20patient's%20condition%20and%20assessing,individualized%20care%20plans%20for%20patients

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The job of a RN is very demanding. You have to be prepared to go into work at any moment just in case there is an emergency and you are needed. RN's often have to work through holidays and rarely have the ability to call off. Though this seems stressful at the end of the day this is what they are trained for and they are prepared to put their life on the line to save yours. They work long hours and sometimes pull double shifts. The environment that they work in is full of unknown diseases so it is important that in a building full of sickness a RN stays clean and remains unexposed.

https://www.healthguideusa.org/careers/registered_nurse_working_conditions.htm

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As the largest healthcare occupation, registered nurses (RNs) held about 3.0 million jobs in 2016. As of 2016, about 61% of registered nurses worked in hospital settings, another 18% in ambulatory healthcare and 7% in nursing and residential care facilities. The remaining population of working registered nurses as of 2016 were found in government or education environments.

Most registered nurses work in well-lit, comfortable healthcare facilities, but physical working conditions can vary widely. For example, home health and public health nurses travel to patients' homes, schools, community centers, and other sites. And other registered nurses work in correctional facilities, schools, summer camps, and in the the military. Some move frequently, traveling in the United States and throughout the world to help care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers.

Registered nurse working conditions include considerable time walking, bending, stretching, and standing. RNs are vulnerable to back injuries because they must often lift and move patients. The work of registered nurses may put them in close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and they often come in contact with potentially harmful and hazardous drugs and other substances. Therefore, registered nurses must follow strict, standardized guidelines to guard against diseases and other dangers, such as radiation, accidental needle sticks, or the chemicals they use to sterilize instruments.

Because patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities need round-the-clock care, working conditions for registered nurses in these settings may involve work in rotating shifts, covering all 24 hours. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on call. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018-19 Edition

Find additional occupational information below:

Registered Nurse Duties
Registered Nurse Work Conditions
Registered Nurse Training
Registered Nurse Job Outlook
Registered Nurse Earnings

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Registered Nurse Working Conditions | Health Guide USA

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Registered Nurse Working Conditions is your guide to the work environment and working conditions in general for Registered Nurses

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The average weekly salary of a Registered Nurse is around $1,600. The yearly salary ranges from $90,000-$100,000. The average hourly pay is about $30-$40. The benefits of being a RN are endless. Some of those benefits include tuition reimbursement, paid sick day, paid vacations, retirement plans, and more, but the one true benefit to being a Nurse is the ability to help people and to see the relief of patients that you healed.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%5D+benefits+of+a+registered+nurse&sca_esv=71e3b9b7697539db&rlz=1CAJEUV_enUS977&ei=CjYiZ_zxLsur5NoPhOvu2Q4&ved=0ahUKEwj8nveonLaJAxXLFVkFHYS1O-sQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=%5D+benefits+of+a+registered+nurse&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiIF0gYmVuZWZpdHMgb2YgYSByZWdpc3RlcmVkIG51cnNlMgsQABiABBiRAhiKBTIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAgYHjIGEAAYCBgeMgYQABgIGB4yBhAAGAgYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBUiTDVAAWLkFcAB4AZABAJgB2gGgAeECqgEFMC4xLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgKgAosDmAMAkgcFMC4xLjGgB8kR&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&safe=active&ssui=on

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] benefits of a registered nurse - Google Search

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In the state of Pennsylvania there are currently about 144,100 employed nurses. Around 61% of nurses work in a hospital but there are many other places where you might find a nurse at work such as schools, CVS, health clinics, non-profit health care organizations, and many more. These jobs are most likely found in areas with a high population.

https://www.intelycare.com/career-advice/10-largest-healthcare-companies-that-hire-nurses/

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13 Largest Healthcare Companies That Hire Nurses | IntelyCare

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See who’s on the list of largest healthcare companies that hire nurses. Learn the benefits of working for a big employer and apply today.

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1 ) University of Pennsylvania

2 ) Duquesne University

3) Villanova

4) University of Scranton

5 ) La Salle University

(All in PA)

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools/nur-rankings/pennsylvania

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Becoming an RN is a bit of a difficult task and it is definitely time consuming. You have to go to college for a minimum of two years and graduate with an associate's in nursing. After this it is required that you take the Nursing License Exam as well as the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). Before you do all of this you are required at minimum, 3 years of both math and science classes in high school.

https://nursinglicensemap.com/nursing-specialties/registered-nurse/

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A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who has been licensed by a state board of nursing to provide patient care. RNs either complete an approved nursing program, an associate degree in nursing, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), to pursue licensure. This varies from state to state. After completing appropriate education, the next step is passing the comprehensive national test (NCLEX). Registered nurses are able to work in a wide range of professions including, but not limited to, addiction, cardiovascular and medical-surgical nursing.

Steps to Become a Registered Nurse

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a healthcare provider who has graduated from a nursing program and holds a nursing license. There are many types of registered nurses, mainly defined by their areas of specialization.

Registered nurses have a broad spectrum of responsibilities.They contribute to patients' plan of care, administer medication, and provide advice and emotional support to patients.

After becoming an RN, nurses can enroll in nurse education courses and receive certificates to show prospective employers they're trained in an area of specialization.

Types of Registered Nurses

Also known as substance abuse nurses, RNs specializing in addiction may have chosen this career because they or someone they love has suffered from addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Addiction nurses work in recovery centers, hospitals and outpatient care facilities. Certifications for addiction nurses are administered by the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA).

Nurses who specialize in cardiovascular care work in hospitals, coronary care units (CCUs) and physician practices that care for patients with heart disease. Certifications for cardiovascular nurses are administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Critical Care Nurse / ICU Nurse

Critical care nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and CCUs. Sometimes ICU nurses are referred to as critical care nurses and vice versa. They specialize in caring for patients who are hospitalized for serious conditions and require round-the-clock observation. Certifications for ICU and CCU nurses are also administered by the AACN.

Gastroenterology Nurse

Nurses who work in gastroenterology help patients who have gastrointestinal diseases involving the stomach and digestive system. They might assist doctors during colonoscopies and endoscopies. Certifications for gastroenterology nurses are administered by the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN).

Medical-Surgical Nurse

Medical-surgical nurses typically work in hospital settings and handle heavy patient loads-typically five to seven per day. The Medical-Surgical Nurse Certification Board (MSNCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administer certifications to these nurses.

A neonatal nurse specializes in the care of infants born prematurely or with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. They may work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; pronounced "nick-you"), CCU, ICU, trauma unit or other healthcare setting. The AACN administers a certification for these nurses.

Occupational Health Nurse

An occupational health nurse typically works in a clinical setting but may also work for a large corporation as a full-time nurse. For example, a large manufacturing company might employ an occupational health nurse to help prevent injuries, treat workplace health issues, and administer workers' compensation and family medical leave. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) offers a certification program.

Nurses who work in public health may work for government agencies, nonprofits and other organizations that promote public health through education and screening. Public health nurses provide treatment to a community at large rather than to individuals in private practices. RNs with five years of public health experience and a bachelor's degree can apply for the certification in public health that's administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

What do RNs do?

The duties of an RN vary, depending on where they work, how long they've been a nurse and their area of specialization. Typically, RNs have clinical and administrative responsibilities.

Clinical Responsibilities of RNs

Administrative Responsibilities of RNs

Where do RNs work?

RNs work in doctors' offices, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, government and education. According to a report on registered nurses by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most RNs work in hospitals. Here's a breakdown of RNs' most common work environments, as of 2021:

Registered Nurse Salary and Career Outlook

How much do RNs make? Salaries depend on geography, education, employer type, experience and other factors. On average, RNs in the United States earned $77,600 in May 2021, according to the BLS. RNs who work in government earn the highest average incomes-$85,970-followed by RNs who work in hospitals ($78,070), ambulatory care services ($76,700), nursing care facilities ($72,420) and education ($61,780).

Here are the top-paying states for RNs, according to the BLS occupational employment and wages for registered nurses, by annual mean wage:

Demand for healthcare workers is growing. According to the BLS, employment of healthcare occupations will grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The aging baby boomer population (born between 1946 and 1964) is steering increased demand for medical services. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 73 million baby boomers in the nation in 2020. By 2030, all boomers will be at least age 65. We'll also see a growing number of existing jobs vacated by retiring baby boomers.

Registered nurses (RNs) are among those healthcare workers needed to take care of the aging population. They are in high demand. The BLS projects employment of registered nurses will grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations.

Registered Nurse FAQs

Last Updated: November 2022

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Learn how to become an RN with this guide, in which we explore registered nurse job growth, specializations and salary information.

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Being a nurse is a dream, but also a nightmare. Being able to help hundreds of people is a blessing to have and also creates a positive image for yourself, but the long hours and hard work put into this job can be a major downside. The benefits of being a nurse includes great money flow,of course, and getting to meet new people everyday and helping them learn + understand more about their bodies. One downside to this career is the preparation is not for the weak. You have to spend hours studying material and dedicate a majority of your time to this career.

https://nursejournal.org/articles/benefits-to-pursuing-a-career-in-nursing/

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Nursing is a fast-paced and in-demand field. The profession offers many benefits to people who enjoy helping others. Like other careers, there are advantages and disadvantages.

For example, working in healthcare is not for the fainthearted. In the past years, nurses have seen more tragedy than any of us should have to endure.

The healthcare crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted shortcomings in the healthcare system and many of the benefits of becoming a registered nurse. While it may be tempting to see only the challenges of working in healthcare, there are many benefits to pursuing a career in nursing.

There are many pros of nursing, but we'll explore our top 10 picks on this page. Many nurses have discovered that the long list of benefits far outweighs the challenges. You may discover that pursuing a career in nursing offers far more than other jobs or career options.

Benefits to Pursuing a Career in Nursing

1. Excellent Security, Salary, and Benefits

Nurses are always in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% growth rate in the field between now and 2030. Many states are experiencing a nursing shortage, meaning lots of job opportunities. Hospitals and healthcare facilities need qualified nurses, and some even pay large sign-on bonuses for experienced nurses.

Nurses also receive a competitive salary. The average annual nurse's salary across the U.S. is $80,010, higher than the annual average salary across all occupations tracked by the BLS.

Additionally, nurses are offered significant benefit packages. Benefits packages for nurses can include:

2. Flexible Schedule

Nursing positions often have flexible hours and scheduling. This can be an added benefit for parents and guardians. A nurse may have the option of 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts depending on the employer. Working 10- or 12-hour shifts decrease the days you work each week.

Nurses can also work side gigs for other types of employers.

School nurses often have two months off each summer, which coincides with the school schedule.

Travel nurses can pick their assignments based on location and the shift offered.

Homecare nurses normally work during business hours and only on some weekends.

Community health nurses work weekdays during business hours.

Flexibility is key in the healthcare field. Although nurses may need to be flexible on occasion to work overtime or float to another floor, the job also offers flexible scheduling opportunities.

Some small hospital units also offer self-scheduling. This gives the nurse a greater sense of autonomy and control, improving a nurse's sense of well-being.

3. Rewarding Career Path

Another reason to choose a nursing career is it can bring you a great deal of personal fulfillment. Nurses make a difference in the lives of their patients every day. Your knowledge and education also make a difference in the lives of your friends and family.

Regardless of the setting, nurses must understand the emotional side of illness and how it impacts a person's behavior. The combination of these skills and a hefty dose of compassion have likely contributed to nurses being ranked as the most trusted profession for 19 consecutive years.

A 2020 Gallup poll found 89% of Americans voted nurses as "high" or "very high" in the categories of honesty and ethics.

During the COVID pandemic, many hospitals and media sites labeled nurses and doctors "healthcare heroes." While the work that was done was truly heroic, the label may have done more damage than good for several reasons. One of those is perpetuating the Imposter syndrome in nurses who struggle to believe they deserve the achievements and high esteem in which they are held.

Factors that might contribute to the development of Imposter syndrome include your family upbringing. However, by grounding yourself in a community of caring individuals, you can share your feelings, learn to focus on a realistic assessment of your abilities, and stop comparing yourself to others.

4. Opportunity for Advancement

A career in nursing offers many opportunities for advancement and the option to work in different fields. Armed with your nursing degree and advanced education, you can move into a nurse managerial position or an advanced practice clinical position.

Some nurses progress in their careers by earning specialized nurse certifications, making them more attractive to employers and raising their potential salaries. Others choose to move out of the clinical field into administrative positions where they can impact the profession or the institution.

The opportunity to advance offers nurses new challenges, higher salaries, and greater job satisfaction. In pursuit of new job roles, nurses have the option of moving to new areas of the U.S. or even other countries. Opportunities in advanced clinical nursing education include mission nurse work in underserved areas or with organizations like Doctors Without Borders.

5. Several Ways to Become a Nurse

One of the pros of nursing is the many ways you can enter the workforce. There are three common routes you can take to become a registered nurse.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree is the quickest way to enter nursing. The degree takes one year to complete, including up to 750 clinical hours. An LPN makes an average annual salary of $50,090 and can work in various healthcare facilities.

However, most employers seek nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). This is a four-year degree, after which you can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and be licensed in your state as a registered nurse.

A second option to become a registered nurse is to complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN), which takes two years to complete, including clinical hours and prerequisite course work. Whether you complete an LPN program or ADN program, there are bridge programs that can help you to become a BSN-prepared nurse.

An ADN nurse may also bypass completing their BSN and earn their master of science in nursing (MSN) through an ADN-to-MSN bridge program. These programs allow you to complete the education needed for an advanced practice nurse role or to attain your degree in administration.

Bridge programs take advantage of your past education and your current skills. Some programs are also online, which helps candidates continue to work while completing their education.

6. Learn Transferable Career Skills

Nurses develop several transferable skills they can use if nurses choose to change their careers. For example, nurses develop strong soft skills like communication. They must interact and get information from their patients and collaborate with other healthcare workers.

Nurses can comfort patients who are scared and alone or negotiate with an intoxicated person. This level of communication is rare in the workplace and valued by many employers.

Nurses must also be excellent time managers, which looks like prioritizing tasks and fitting them into an already busy schedule. Nurses are familiar with and have experience working in teams. This is a necessary skill for employees in large companies.

Additionally, nurses understand the necessity of being dedicated and persevering through challenging times. Dedication isn't usually glamorous. Instead, it can be exhausting and frustrating.

Finally, they must have strong critical thinking skills for nurses. They must consider recommendations or evaluate orders written by physicians for their patients. Asking "what if" questions and analyzing the possible outcomes help nurses reach informed decisions.

All employers are looking for people who have these skills. Many employers can teach the information needed to perform the job but don't have the structure to teach employees how to be dedicated and collaborative or develop strong communication and critical thinking skills.

7. Choose or Change Your Specialty

Nurses have the opportunity to work in areas that interest them. For example, there is a need for nurses in labor and delivery, cardiovascular surgery, mental health, and dialysis. In other words, whatever area of medicine interests you, nurses are needed to care for patients.

All nurses go through "basic training." Nursing programs teach candidates the foundational skills they need to care for patients. After graduation, hospitals and healthcare organizations have training programs that help nurses gain the skills and knowledge to practice in that area.

Nurses can choose what interests them most and work in that field. However, there are times when you get burned out working in a specialty. If that happens, nurses have the opportunity to change specialties without going back to school.

Take some time to self-evaluate. Think about why you don't like your current specialty since it can help you make the right decision. Do your research on the specialty and get some hands-on experience. Ask to shadow a nurse and network with nurses who work in the field.

If the switch you are making is a drastic change, such as pediatrics to labor and delivery, you may receive additional education. This can be as simple as a day-long workshop or nursing certification course.

Timing your switch for after you've mastered your original specialty shows your new manager your ability to learn and excel.

8. Travel Opportunities

Becoming a registered nurse gives you a unique opportunity to travel. Travel nurses are in great demand as they help fill in geographical shortages. The pandemic and overall nursing shortage have increased the rates at which they are paid. Travel nurses are offered a pay package that includes an hourly rate, housing stipends, non-taxed per diems, and travel reimbursement.

Travel nurses have the opportunity to see the world like a resident and not a tourist. People who are visiting a city may stay for one or two weeks and often see all the main tourist attractions.

But travel nurses often live in the area for 26 weeks. They may visit all the tourist areas and have the chance to see the local life in a way that a tourist often cannot experience.

9. Change Your Job but Not Your Career

Nurses can work in a variety of settings, which can increase your opportunity to stay in your career if you get burned out working in a hospital or doctor's office.

Nurses are needed in school systems, colleges, and universities.

If you are interested in criminal justice, prisons and jails also have nurses to care for the prisoners.

Since there is a growing aging population who want to stay home, the need for homecare nurses who can ensure that people are safe in their homes is rising.

Mission organizations need nurses who can work with them in the mission field, whether in the U.S. or another country.

Forensic nurses work with the court system to collect evidence.

Other options include nursing educator, holistic nurse consultant, clinical nurse researcher, cruise ships, public health nurse, informatics nurse, and legal nurse consultant.

In each case, you are using your nursing degree, many times outside of direct patient care.

10. Simple Wardrobe

It's a simple but daily benefit. You don't have to think about what you're wearing to work. You don't spend hundreds of dollars on new clothes every season, and your profession demands that you wear comfortable shoes.

You can wear the same color scrubs every day, and no one will make fun of you. In fact, everyone wears the same nurse uniform, which is cost-effective and washes easily. The most expensive piece of clothing you'll buy for work is your shoes.

Remember not to skimp on your work shoes, since most nurses walk between 4-5 miles in every 12-hour shift.

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10 Benefits To Pursuing A Career In Nursing - NurseJournal

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Nursing is a fast-paced and in-demand field. The profession offers many benefits to people who enjoy helping others. Like other careers, there are advantages and disadvantages. For example, working in healthcare is not for the fainthearted. In the past years, nurses have seen more tragedy than any of us should have to endure.