Registered Nurse
Specialties:
Industrial/Occupational Health Nurses, Ship's Nurses.
What does a Registered Nurse do?
- Registered Nurses use a scientific process to plan care for people in
acute illnesses and teach them how to stay healthy or cope with their
illness.
- They may give medicine, treatments, tests, injections, or draw blood as
prescribed by the Physician; observe patients for physical, mental, social
and or emotional changes and record changes or reactions to illness and/or
drugs; take temperature, pulse, blood pressure or other vital signs; and
maintain health records.
Salary and Employment Outlook:
EDD Labor
Market Information
Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Career Info Net
Typical Employers:
Registered nurses work in public and private hospitals and nursing homes,
physician's offices and medical clinics. They are also employed in public health
facilities, public schools, the Peace Corps (federal government) and all
branches of the military. Some work in industrial plants or for large companies
and others work in schools of nursing. A number of registered nurses also work
on a self-employed basis through nursing agencies.
Preparation:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for admission to any school
of Nursing. Most schools have competitive selection procedures. There are two
major ways of obtaining education to become a Registered Nurse:
Bachelors degree - requires four-five years of study at a university or
college
Associate degree - requires two years of study after completion of one-two
years of prerequisites in community colleges
While a few diploma programs exist, they are being phased out. In addition
preparation requirements might include: Medical corps experience in the
military; -first aid course experience; -volunteer work in nursing homes,
hospitals, or Red Cross. Licensed Vocational Nurses can take additional training
and become Registered Nurses. This can be done prior to admission into nursing
program.
Educational Program(s):
Nursing
Related Programs: Emergency Medical Care, Health Science, Health
Technologies, Medicine, Public Health, Rehabilitation Services