Registered Nurse Job: Everything you Need to Know

Health care jobs are becoming more and more important. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that healthcare jobs will grow by 16% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average for all jobs.

As people born between 1946 and 1964 get older, the demand for medical services increases. In 2020, there were 73 million baby boomers in the United States, and by 2030, they will all be at least 65 years old. Also, more and more baby boomers will retire and quit working.

Registered nurses (RNs) are necessary to care for the increasing number of elderly people. The BLS predicts that the number of registered nurses will grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, which is about the same rate as the average for all jobs.

Registered Nurse Job: Everything you Need to Know

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a person who works in health care and has finished an approved nursing program. There are a lot of different kinds of registered nurses, which mainly depend on what they specialize in.

But nurses can take courses in nursing education and get certificates to show potential employers they have training in a specific area.

What are the various types of RNs?

Substance abuse nurses are another name for RNs who specialize in addiction. They may have chosen this field because they or someone they care about is addicted to drugs, alcohol, or other substances.

Addiction nurses work in rehab centers, hospitals, and other places where people can get care outside of the hospital. Nurses who work with addictions can obtain certifications from the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA).

Neonatal Nurse

A neonatal nurse is trained to care for babies born early or with severe or long-term illnesses. They might work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU, pronounced “nick-you”), a critical care unit (CCU), an intensive care unit (ICU), a trauma unit, or another health care setting. The AACN is in charge of giving certifications to these nurses.

Cardiovascular Nurse 

Cardiovascular Nurse  Nurses who work in cardiology can get certifications from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Critical Care Nurse / ICU 

  ICU nurses are sometimes called urgent care nurses, and critical care nurses are sometimes called ICU nurses. They are experts at caring for people in hospitals with severe illnesses that must be watched all the time. Nurses in the ICU and CCU can also get certifications from the AACN.

Medical-Surgical Nurse

Most of the time, medical-surgical nurses work in hospitals and see between five and seven patients a day. The Medical-Surgical Nurse Certification Board (MSNCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center give these nurses their licenses (ANCC).

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses can work for government agencies, non-profits, and other groups that improve public health through education and screening. In public health, nurses care for the whole community instead of just one person at a time, as in private practices.

The National Board of Public Health Examiners gives RNs. They have worked in public health for five years and have a bachelor’s degree in the Certification in Public Health.

Gastroenterology Nurses

They help people with stomach and digestive system diseases. They could help doctors with endoscopies and colonoscopies. Gastroenterology nurses are certified by the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN).

Occupational Health Nurse

An occupational health nurse usually works in a clinic. Still, they can also work for a big company as a full-time nurse. For example, a large manufacturing company might hire an occupational health nurse to help prevent injuries, treat health problems at work, and handle workers’ compensation and family medical leave.

Occupational Health Nurses can get certified through a program run by the American Board (ABOHN).

How to get a job as an RN?

• Finish a program in nursing that has been approved. You will need a nursing diploma from an approved RN program, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Get ready for the test so you can become a nurse.
• Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
• Get a work permit for the state in which you want to work. Each state has its own set of laws. Find out what each state requires to get a license as an RN.

What do RNs do?

Depending on where they work, how long they’ve been nurses, and what they specialize in, RNs have different jobs. Most of the time, RNs are responsible for patient care and hospital running.

• A lot of clinical work is done by RNs.
• checking on the health and vital signs of patients
• Taking the medicines and treatments that doctors and other health care providers have prescribed
• working with and getting advice from other health care providers to add to and set up care plans for patients
• Using and keeping an eye on medical equipment
• Using diagnostic tests and figuring out what they mean
• Teaching both the patient and their loved ones about the case
• RNs have administrative tasks to do.
• Medical records and symptoms need to be kept track of.
• Getting the LPNs, CNAs, and medical assistants to do their jobs and keeping an eye on them.

Where do RNs work?

RNs work in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, long-term care centers, hospitals, clinics, schools, the government, and the military. The majority of RNs work in hospitals, according to a BLS report. As of 2020, the following are the most common places where registered nurses work:

• 61% went to hospitals. 18% went to doctors’ offices, got care at home, or got care outside of a hospital.
• 6% goes to nursing homes.
• The government gets 5%.
• Education gets 3% of the budget.

How much do RNs make?

Location, level of education, type of employer, number of years of experience, and other things affect how much RNs earn. In May 2020, RNs in the United States made an average of $75,330, according to the BLS. RNs who work for the government get the highest average pay, at $84,490.

Those who work in hospitals get $76,840, those who work in ambulatory care services get $72,340, those who work in nursing care facilities get $68,450, and those who work in education get $64,630.

The following states pay their RNs the most, according to the BLS’s list of registered nurse jobs and wages:

• California has to pay $120,560.
• Hawaii – $104,830
• Massachusetts – $96,250
• Oregon – $96,230
• Alaska – $95,270