Become Registered Nurse (RN)

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 Overviewr

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.


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:

* An associate degree in nursing
* A bachelor's of science degree in nursing
* A nursing diploma

The most popular program is the associate degree, 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 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 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 2006, 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.


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 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.



Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008 Read More..