[Job Identification]
Registered Nurse
Job Summary:-
it ain't just fluffing pillows and waiting on doctor's orders. Jobs in nursing demand a lot of the
same things as physician jobs do - and then some.
Nursing jobs require not only treating patients who are sick and injured, but also offering advice
and emotional support to patients and their families, taking care of paperwork (lots and lots of
paperwork), helping doctors diagnose patients and providing advice and follow-up care.
That's right, there's a lot more to nursing than meets the eye. It's one of the hardest and most
emotionally draining jobs out there, but it can be incredibly rewarding. There aren't many jobs
out there were you can actually save someone's life, but this is one of them. Got a weak stomach?
Then consider a different career, my friend. Working as a nurse means having to deal with
terribly sick people - and that often involves various bodily fluids (yuck).
Responsibilities and Duties
You can expect to regularly perform at least some of the following tasks if you want to work in
this profession.
Implement physicians’ orders, administer medications, start IVs, perform treatments,
procedures and special tests, and document treatment as required by company policy and
local/state/federal rules and regulations.
Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patients' conditions.
Assess and evaluate patients' needs for, and responses to, care rendered.
Apply sound nursing judgment in patient care management decisions.
Provide primary and emergency care for occupational and non-occupational injuries and
illnesses.
Administer over-the-counter and prescription medications as ordered.
Collaborate with the nursing team to create a Plan of Care for all patients.
Direct and guide ancillary personnel and maintain standards of professional nursing.
Nurses are often the key monitor of patients' health through observing and assessing their
records, symptoms, and reactions to treatment and care. They often have extensive interaction
with patients' families as well, guiding and instructing them in aftercare measures. Their exact
duties can depend on where they work and the needs of the particular patients they care for.
Qualifications/Job specifications
Education: You'll need a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate
degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma in nursing. Some colleges and universities offer
BSN programs that generally take four years to complete. ADN programs are available at
some community and junior colleges. They take two to three years to complete. Diploma
programs are usually three years long and are administered by hospitals. They are
relatively rare compared to BSN and ADN programs.
Licensing: Regardless of the state in which you want to practice, you must have
graduated from a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for
Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE). All states require graduates of approved nursing programs to pass a national
licensing exam, the National Council Licensure Examination-RN, or NCLEX-RN,
administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing ( NCSBN).
you’ll need the following soft skills and personal characteristics to succeed in this
occupation:
Compassion: You must feel and be able to demonstrate concern for others'
well-being.
Organizational skills and attention to detail: Being well organized and detail-
oriented will help you correctly follow all procedures and ensure the safety of
yourself, your patients, and your coworkers.
Critical thinking skills: This skill set will allow you to evaluate problems and
take the necessary actions to solve them.
Emotional stability and patience: Both these qualities will help you deal with
difficult situations that are commonplace in this field.
Listening and speaking skills: You must be able to communicate effectively
with patients and other healthcare workers. You should be able to collaborate
with team members.
Excellent bedside manner: This goes hand-in-hand with compassion and
communication skills.
Mum's the word: You must be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
concerning health service records and information
Multitasking: You should have the ability to perform multiple tasks
simultaneously and without error.
Working Conditions
More than 60% of all RNs were employed by hospitals in 2016, but others had jobs in doctor's
offices, outpatient facilities, and nursing care facilities. Still, other employers include home
health care services, schools, and correctional facilities.
While registered nurses are in high demand and the pay in this field is quite good, there are
nonetheless some negative aspects to nursing. Like all healthcare professionals, RNs can be
exposed to communicable diseases as they provide hands-on care. They're also at risk for
sustaining injuries from the physical demands of lifting and moving patients. They must take
care to follow procedures that mitigate these risks.
Work Schedule:-
RNs must be flexible and able to work irregular schedules, as well as on weekends and holidays
due to staffing and census fluctuations. Those who are employed in hospitals and nursing care
facilities typically work around the clock, usually on rotating shifts. They might also be on call
when they're not actually on duty, ready and able to report to work on short notice in
emergencies.
Nurses who work in physicians' offices and schools tend to have much more regular hours.
