The Different Kinds of RN Nurses

Registered nurses, or RNs, make up the largest employed section of the health-care industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These nurses are in high demand in hospitals, doctor offices, nursing homes, hospice facilities and even schools and prisons. There are approximately 2.6 million registered nursing jobs in the United States as of 2010, and the demand for employees is not expected to decrease. Though the job of all RNs is to treat and educate patients on a variety of medical conditions, there are many work opportunities that allow registered nurses to specialize in specific areas of expertise.

Perioperative Nurses

• Perioperative nurses are involved in surgical care. They often assist doctors with patient care in operating rooms, though they can also hold positions in other locations such as physician's offices. Perioperative nurses help prepare a patient for surgery, assist during surgery and even care for the patient post-surgery. Duties within the operating room could include sanitizing and passing surgical equipment or managing the comfort and safety of the operating room environment.

Geriatric Nurses

• Geriatric nurses care for elderly patients. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, most nurses report that the majority of their patients are over 65. Geriatric nurses often hold positions in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted-living centers. Others provide in-home health services as private nurses. Unlike many other areas of nursing, geriatric nurses must be emotionally and mentally prepared to handle a higher percentage of patient deaths. Other duties include helping patients with mental deterioration and those who are challenged by the activities of daily living.

Critical-Care Nurses

• According to the National Association of Critical-Care Nurses, critical-care nurses specialize in dealing with patients who suffer from life-threatening diseases and conditions. These nurses often encounter patients in need of immediate or continuous medical attention. Most critical-care nurses work in a hospital unit, such as the emergency room, neo-natal unit, intensive care unit or recovery rooms. A smaller group work as flight nurses or ambulatory care providers.