what is a registered nurse?
As a registered nurse, you are the backbone of health care. You do everything from give medications and carry out procedures to provide mental support and encouragement. You also focus on emergency care or intensive care if you are in that position. You might even end up in charge of other healthcare workers.
As a registered nurse, you keep an eye on patients, give them medicine, and take care of those who just had surgery. Teamwork is the name of the game, so you'll collaborate with other health professionals to ensure that the patient is well and comfortable before, during, and after medical procedures.
In the operating room, you prepare the tools for surgery and help the doctors with exams and treatments. You do things like give shots and change bandages. Your job is to monitor patients, notice signs of illness or discomfort, and help during surgeries.
So, if you want a rewarding job where you make a change in people's lives, think about becoming a registered nurse. As you give top-notch care, your ability to change and your caring nature will show through.
Would working in health as a registered nurse suit your flexibility and interest in helping people? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a registered nurse role.
view jobs near youaverage registered nurse salary
Would you like to know what a registered nurse earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a registered nurse? Then check out this registered nurse salary page and find out all about the salary of a registered nurse in the USA.
types of registered nurses
Classification of registered nurses depends on the area of specialization and specific duties. Some of the types of available nurses include:
- travel nurses: Travel nurses are registered nurses who assist hospitals and healthcare institutions in addressing staffing shortages. For instance, as a travel nurse, you step in for colleagues who are on maternity or medical leave. Additionally, you also go to foreign countries to aid in managing urgent scenarios such as national disasters.
- surgical nurses: These nurses are registered nurses who have expertise in providing specialized care for surgical procedures. As a surgical nurse, you can work in hospital surgical departments, day-surgery units, and clinics or medical offices. These are where surgical teams perform invasive procedures.
working as a registered nurse
Becoming a registered nurse starts a rewarding journey of helping other people. You must be sure of yourself for this hands-on job and have a big heart for helping people. Learn about the complicated employment and busy environment that make up your world as a registered nurse.
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registered nurse job description
As a registered nurse, you are responsible for a wide range of tasks related to caring for patients that directly help with evaluation and treatment:
- tracking patient symptoms: You engage with patients to understand their symptoms and meticulously record vital signs and other pertinent information. These details are instrumental in guiding doctors to make swift and accurate decisions. Your expertise lies in maintaining up-to-date medical data, ensuring alignment with the latest diagnoses and treatment protocols. Additionally, you meticulously review patient records, including allergies, medications, and family medical history, which is imperative for precise diagnoses.
- administering vital treatments: Collaborating with physicians, you aid in crafting treatment plans, administering medications, and overseeing care for minor injuries. Your proficiency extends to wound care, where you excel in cleaning and dressing wounds, managing catheters, and changing bandages.
- conducting diagnostic testing: Your skills encompass the proper handling of blood, tissue, urine, or stool samples from patients. These samples go to the laboratory for thorough analysis. You possess the ability to decipher test results and effectively communicate them to the broader medical team.
- performing comprehensive examinations: Before embarking on a new treatment regimen, you conduct comprehensive patient examinations. Your adept evaluations provide the medical team with vital insights, ranging from measuring temperature and blood pressure to assessing reflexes.
- empowering patients: A pivotal aspect of your role involves ensuring patient comfort and facilitating their understanding of treatment plans. You serve as a constant source of support, offering solace during challenging medical news and providing guidance to enhance overall health.
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category manager work environment
As a registered nurse, you spend most of your time indoors, usually in healthcare centers like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. Your workplace is busy with medical treatments, consultations, and patient care. You may have a few trips, but most are just to get to your healthcare location. This job is available in the private sector and state healthcare institutions.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on where you work and what you do, your coworkers include other registered nurses, doctors, and nurse practitioners. You will work closely with medical aids and office workers. You also work with professionals like dietitians, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists in giving a patient a full range of care.
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work schedule
Want to know what a normal workday looks like? As a registered nurse, you should expect to work 12-hour shifts, usually from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or, at night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Because this job's shifts are longer, you typically get four days off. Whether you want to work part-time or full-time, this plan would help you live a balanced life. Be ready to handle rare weekend and night shifts to ensure patients are always cared for. As soon as you start your shift, you'll do a "handoff" with the registered nurse in charge before you. This makes sure that care stays consistent.
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job outlook for registered nurse
From 2021 to 2031, the number of jobs for registered nurses should grow by 6%, about the same as the average rate for all positions. About 203,200 jobs will open yearly, so there are plenty of chances to get into this rewarding field. The population causing the rise in demand is the aging population, which means the nation needs more skilled workers to care for different medical needs. Your job is still essential, whether teaching patients how to deal with chronic conditions or giving them the best care in outpatient centers and hospitals.
As healthcare services grow, your skills will become more valuable, making you more secure and helping your job. Some openings are due to retirement or a change of careers, but the desire for good care means the job market is strong.
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benefits of working for randstad as a registered nurse
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a registered nurse is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
registered nurse skills and education
To become a registered nurse, you need education and certain skills to help you stand out. Here is what you need:
- advanced degree: These include an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school. A BSN can help you get a better job and advance your career.
- license: You gain a license after passing the NCLEX-RN test. You need this license to be able to work as a registered nurse.
- certifications: These help your job a lot. Choices like Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) or Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) ensure you stand out.
- continuing education: This ensures that your skills are sharp and your knowledge is current. Some companies also want you to have certain certifications or training.
skills and competencies
As a registered nurse, you need the following skills and competencies:
- caring: You need to be caring to provide the best care for patients. This helps you administer treatment on time to alleviate pain and advise patients on the best ways to boost recovery.
- detail oriented: You must be detail-oriented to avoid mixing up treatment plans or administering the wrong medicine to patients. As a registered nurse, you juggle many tasks, from receiving physician instructions to conducting examinations.
- problem-solving skills: You need natural problem-solving skills to succeed in the role since you handle various patients, and sometimes the diagnosis from tests isn't clear. Exceptional problem-solving skills help you avoid adverse patient outcomes.
- physical fitness: Being physically fit makes your work easier. The physical demands of being a registered nurse can take a toll on you. Your role involves lifting and adjusting patients, walking around the hospital, or administering treatment.
FAQs about working as a registered nurse
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about registered nurses.
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what is the difference between a registered nurse and a general nurse?
Registered nurses hold certification from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, allowing them to carry out their responsibilities with minimal supervision. A general nurse does not have the same level of education and certification.
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what are the qualities of a registered nurse?
Empathy and consideration for patients are crucial for delivering optimal care. Physical endurance and fitness are also essential to endure prolonged periods of standing.
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what is the role of a registered nurse?
In nursing, a registered nurse collaborates with the primary healthcare team to aid patient treatment and care. This involves addressing minor tasks like tending to minor injuries.
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what is the highest level of a nurse?
At the apex of clinical nursing stands the advanced practice registered nurse, empowered to prescribe medications and devise comprehensive treatment plans.
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how much does a registered nurse earn in the US?
A registered nurse makes between $36 and $60 hourly. The salary varies according to the level of training and experience. Location is also an important factor in the salary.
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how do I apply for a registered nurse vacancy?
Applying for a registered nurse job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our financial analyst jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
