What is a registered nurse?
Registered nurses are responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition, performing medical procedures, and administering medications. They also chart a patient’s progress. These professionals work with a variety of patients, from those who are healthy (and are proactively trying to stay that way), to those who are pregnant and bringing new life, to those who are nearing the end of life and awaiting a peaceful death.
“Nurses have a very holistic view of health and wellness, and I really appreciate that perspective,” said Erin Whitehouse, RN, and Ph.D. A student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing writes in an email. “[They] look at a whole person and their situation, not just the medical problem they have.”
It’s a philosophy practiced by Florence Nightingale, the modern nursing pioneer who lived more than a century ago, and her legacy lives on in hospitals, clinics, and schools. Nightingale’s concern for patients extended beyond the administration of medication to the care of the whole person, both physically and emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. And she backed up her nursing philosophies with research. Today, nursing research is just one of the exciting changes in the field, says Kathy McCauley, associate dean for academic programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Increasingly, evidence-based science confirms the contributions nurses make to patient care.
Many nurses specialize and work with patients who have a certain health condition, such as cancer or diabetes. They can also specialize by part of the body. For example, there are dermatology nurses and cardiovascular nurses, among others. Registered nurses can also specialize in a group of people (such as newborn babies) or by setting (such as a school or a hospital emergency room). The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 7.2 percent for registered nurses between 2019 and 2029. In that period, an estimated 221,900 jobs will be opened.
How Much Does a Registered Nurse Make?
Registered nurses earned a median salary of $ 73,300 in 2019. The highest-paid 25 percent earned $ 90,760 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent earned $ 60,110.
How to become a registered nurse?
Although you can earn an entry-level registered nurse position with an associate’s degree or diploma program, the industry standard is fast becoming a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. For those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field, B.S.N. Degree programs can last between 12 and 18 months. During nursing school, students will obtain a broad education with courses ranging from anatomy to pharmacology and public health. And all programs will have some clinical aspect, where students provide patient care under the supervision of registered nurses. In addition to graduating from an accredited program, students will be required to pass a national licensing exam known as the National Council Licensing Exam, and candidates may be required to meet other requirements that vary by state. Some nurses choose to pursue master’s degrees in advanced practice nursing specialties, such as a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.