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Registered nurses play a major role in society. They assess patient’s health conditions and needs, develop and execute nursing care plans, and maintain the patient’s medical records for future reference and for ongoing treatment. Nurses also provide nursing care to sick, injured, and disabled patients until their eventual recovery. Furthermore, RNs may also be tasked in providing advice to patients as well as educate them regarding health maintenance and preventive measures for disease.
RNs play diverse roles in the healthcare sectors. As such, there are a diverse range of job titles that RNs may be referred to, which corresponds to their specialization. These include ambulatory care coordinator, anesthesiologist, charge nurse, circulating nurse, clinical nurse, clinical supervisor, community health nurse, midwife, school nurse, private duty nurse, operating room nurse, etc. There are literally more than a hundred job titles that RNs are called, signifying the versatility and demand of nurses worldwide. Most registered nurses are employed as part of a team that provides critical medical care. However, some nurses opt for more advanced practices. They may work independently or with a team to assist physicians and surgeons during operations, forensics and so on. Other nurses may be employed in a legal setting, wherein they work with lawyers and attorneys regarding health-related cases.
Requirements for Registered Nurses
Registered nurses typically take one of three educational careers: a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or certification from an accepted nursing program. After a 2- or 4-year course, registered nurses will then have to take and pass the National Licensing Examination to get his/her license.
One of the most important skills needed to become an effective registered nurse is communication. Patient interaction is a huge part of the entire treatment process. With poor and lacking communication skills, one cannot hope to treat patients effectively without talking to them and spending time to understand them.
Salary of Registered Nurses
Based on the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest data, the average income of registered nurses in the U.S. is $68,750. The average hourly income of a registered nurse is $32.60. However, keep in mind that these are only average rates, and it may fluctuate based upon several factors including location, experience, and accreditation. The specialization will also strongly affect the average income of registered nurses. According to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs who worked within personal care services earned an annual salary of $86,000 while those who worked in educational and institutional facilities earned $74,200.
Career Outlook for Registered Nurses
With mortality rates lowering and the world’s population living longer than expected, the healthcare department is now flourishing with employment positions for nurses who are qualified for the job. As stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for registered nurses is anticipated to grow 23% from 2006 up to 2016. This rate is significantly faster than the average for all professions. In fact, registered nurses are expected to produce more than 500,000 new jobs in the near future, making it a promising future for those who are taking up a course in nursing.