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Job Description of a RN

According to the United States Department of Labor (DOL), registered nurses (RN) make up the largest group of health care workers. With more than 2.6 million RNs in the country, this is both a popular and important job. RNs are found in all sorts of health care settings: from hospitals to clinics to schools. Before becoming an RN, it is important to understand the duties and the expectations of the job.

  1. Identification

    • RNs work with patients to both treat and educate. They assist doctors by recording symptoms and medical histories, administering medical tests and checking vital signs. In some settings, such as schools and outpatient clinics, the nurse will offer medical advice and recommend treatment. Nurses also inoculate people with vaccines or collect blood during blood drives.

    Education

    • According to the DOL, there are three paths people can take to become an RN. The most intense is a a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a college or university. This course of study usually takes four years. These RNs can use this better education to secure more advanced jobs. The other two options are an Associate degree in Nursing from a junior college or a diploma from a Nursing program. These programs are shorter in length and less in-depth than a Bachelor's.

    Types

    • There are numerous varieties of RN. Nurses can train in an array of sub-specialties from dermatological nurses to pediatric oncology nurses. Not all nurses work in a traditional setting. There are hospice and palliative care nurses, holistic nurses and transplant nurses who deal only with people who have or will be undergoing an organ transplant. Nurses can also specialize in a specific disease, condition or organ of the body.

    Considerations

    • According to the DOL, the job outlook for nurses is excellent nationwide. Between 2008 and 2010, there was a 22 percent growth in the field, according to the United States Department of Labor. Hospitals are constantly looking for nursing staff since turnover tends to be high.

    Income

    • According to the DOL, nurses earned an average of $62,450 in 2008. Pay is directly tied to the amount of experience and specialty. Most employers also offer good benefits for nurses, including insurance, child care and possibly even flexible work shifts.

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