Registered nursing happens to be the largest healthcare industry occupation in the United States. Owing to the growing focus on preventive care, there is a high demand for registered nurses in the healthcare industry. Registered nurses (RNs) are required in large numbers to cater to the requirements of the growing elderly population. If you have a keen interest in helping people improve their lives, becoming a registered nurse can prove to be one of the most satisfied career options for you. To kick-start a career in this occupation, you need to be familiar with all the essential information related to registered nursing career.

 

What are the job duties of registered nurses?
By becoming a registered nurse, you are going to have a great positive impact on other people's lives. These healthcare professionals are responsible for providing direct care to patients. Depending on their specialization, they can work in a variety of settings. Some registered nurses choose to specialize in a specific disease or ailment. They are employed in work settings like hospitals, physician's offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare agencies etc.

 

Some registered nurses have specialization in the treatment of a specific organ or body system. These nurses are employed in critical care units of hospitals and specialty clinics. There are others who assist surgeons in the operating room. These nurses may also specialize to work with a particular age group like working with the elderly or children.

 

Another specialization in the occupation of registered nursing is Nurse Practitioners (NPs). These nurses possess advanced training and education in healthcare services. Compared to RNs, nurse practitioners are specially trained and educated to diagnose diseases and prescribe medicines to patients. However, the job duties of registered nurses have also become broader due to the more complex work responsibilities of physicians and surgeons.

 

Steps to be followed to become a Registered Nurse

Step #1. Registered nurses can be distinguished from other nursing types on the basis of their special training and education. To become a RN, candidates first of all need to complete a high school diploma or GED. High school students are required to pay attention to science subjects including biology and chemistry. To get enrolled in an undergraduate school, candidates will be required to appear for the SAT or ACT examinations.

 

Step #2. The next step to follow to become a registered nurse is to receive proper advanced education. There are four major degree options that aspiring candidates can choose from. You can enroll in a master's degree in nursing, a bachelor of science degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma. A bachelor degree in will take four years to complete while an associate degree in nursing can be obtained in two years from a community or a junior college. A master's degree in nursing would benefit those who want to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)

 

Step #3. Besides having a degree in nursing, candidates will also be required to complete some licensing requirements, which may vary from one state to another. Those who reside in the United States will need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. A periodic renewal of the license will be required in all states. For further details, candidates can check out the Board of Nursing in the state they reside.

 

What is the annual salary of Registered Nurses (RNs)?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $62,450. Hospitals employ the largest number of RNs. The average annual salary offered in hospitals is around $63,890. School nurses earn a lower salary. Nurses employed in education get many employee benefits, usually not available to those working in hospitals. Depending on the work experience, specialization and type of the employer, the occupation of registered nursing can fetch even higher annual salary.

The healthcare industry offers diverse career possibilities. And it is interesting to note that the nurses make up the largest workforce in the industry, the total number of employed nurses being more than 2.5 million. Before we discuss the various types of nursing careers, let us first have a look at the definition of nurses according to the American Nurses Association:

 

"Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations."

 

Those who choose to make a career in nursing have a variety of roles to perform. There are multiple types of nursing - registered nurses, practical nurses, vocational nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, hospital nurses, children's nurses, adult nurses etc.

 

Job Responsibilities
Nurses form a crucial part of a patient's healthcare team. Depending on the career possibilities they choose, they may work in close contact with physicians, in nursing homes, residential homes, in a community, in hospices etc. Usually, nurses perform their roles working with a health care team, consisting of physicians and other healthcare professionals. The main responsibility of nurses is to look after patients and administer medical care to those who are injured, sick, suffering from the problems of old age and various types of disability.

 

The roles and duties of nurses may vary depending on what career possibility they choose. The occupation of nursing offers numerous career specialties. Candidates can choose a specialty in this field of clinical healthcare depending on what educational qualification they have. Some of these job positions are general while there are some career alternatives. Some of the many types of nursing specialties and alternatives are as follows.

 

Trauma Nurse
Hospital Nurse
School Nurse
Rehabilitation Nurse
Pediatric Nurse
Ambulatory Care Nurse
Parish Nurse
Research Nurse
Respiratory Nurse
Occupational Health Nurse
Geriatrics Nurse

 

There are many more specialties that candidates can choose from. It is your educational qualification, training and experience that will determine which career path you should take. Therefore, candidates need to be very selective while getting enrolled in a degree program. You should be aware of the nursing type which suits your interests and requirements.

 

Educational Qualification, Training & Certifications
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics cites three different educational paths that you can choose from. Those who aspire to make a career in the field of nursing can either obtain a diploma, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing. To remain competitive in this clinical healthcare field, students are advised to get enrolled either in an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Besides possessing a relevant degree, candidates will also need to fulfill some licensure requirements, which may vary from one state to another. To obtain the license, candidates will need to qualify the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

 

Job Skills
A degree helps you kick start a career as a nurse. To become successful, however, you need to possess multiple job skills. The career will suit you if you have a strong passion for helping people improve their lives by administering appropriate medical care. Good people skills, physical stamina, team playing skills, an open-minded attitude and an excellent attention to detail are some of the key skills that you should possess to become a nurse.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of nurses vary depending on the specific roles you perform, your experience and skill set and the work location. Nurses earn a salary ranging between $43,000 and $63,000 annually. Those who choose to specialize in a specific nursing care area or acquire extensive work experience can earn as high as $75,000 annually. You can earn a higher salary as you are promoted to managerial level job positions or move into a more specialized role.