A registered nurse (RN) is an individual who has fulfilled every educational and licensure requirement as detailed by the Board of Nursing.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide hands-on care in various settings, including long-term care facilities, nursing homes, prisons, homes, and other facilities.
Most often, a post-acute registered nurse is a direct caregiver for patients. They manage patients’ daily activities, control safety, and provide basic care. RNs also work closely with physicians to understand and learn more about the patient’s care plans.
What Are the Typical Responsibilities of an RN?
Not all registered nurses carry out the same responsibilities because their duties often depend on specialty, training, education, work setting, and experience. However, some tasks are universal for every RN, and they include:
- Getting patients set for medical tests or treatments.
- Making evaluations based on test results.
- Administering treatment and medicine.
- Registering vital signs, updating patient medical information, maintaining detailed and correct reports.
- Consulting and working with supervising doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Educating patients and their families on how to handle conditions and symptoms.
- Helping to create care plans for patients.
- Making sure the appropriate medications are ordered.
It is also crucial for registered nurses to keep abreast of new technology and give patients the best care.
Where Do RNs Typically Work?
The duties of RNs vary and depend on the healthcare setting they work in. That said, registered nurses in the post-acute setting typically work in:
- Assisted living facilities
- Home hospice
- Same-day surgery centers
- Physicians’ offices
- Rehabilitation centers
- Nursing care facilities
- Healthcare services
- Outpatient clinics
What Are the Requirements to Become an RN?
Nursing is a highly regulated profession that involves strict licensing and educational requirements. Hence, you will need the following to become a practicing RN:
- A nursing diploma, associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) at minimum.
- Study, take, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Get licensed as a Registered Nurse in your state.
What Are the Benefits of Working as an RN?
Flexibility
Few careers offer individuals the option to work in any country, state, or city other than nursing. As a registered nurse, you can work in any health care work environment, during the day or at night, depending on your availability and schedule.
Salary is competitive
The nursing field is ever-growing, and there is always an opportunity to grow. Favorably, lots of experience typically translates into a salary that is given based on your experience and knowledge. Registered nurses receive better salaries and benefits compared to other nursing professionals.
You get to help people
What is more rewarding than saving lives? The care registered nurses give their patients can help save their lives. They monitor life-threatening changes in patients who are recovering from severe illness or trauma. No doubt, the work a Registered Nurse does benefit the world—and that’s valuable.
Registered nurses are valued
Aside from nursing, there are few other highly valued and trusted jobs. RNs enjoy the trust and faith of the public, their patients, and the healthcare professionals they work with.
What Is the Average Pay for an RN?
The region, state, or city you work in can impact your average pay. The average annual salary for a Registered Nurse is $73,550, which amounts to $6,129 per month, $1,414 per week, and $35.36 per hour.
With IntelyCare, RNs are considered W2 employees who earn weekly pay and great benefits. See how much you could earn as an RN working for IntelyCare here.
Advice to Become an RN
Registered nurses are an important and valuable part of any healthcare system that requires them to put on many hats: from caring for patients and educating patients to delivering treatments and life-saving procedures.
As a Registered Nurse, you may feel overwhelmed mentally, physically, but the rewards are great. To excel as a registered nurse, you must have excellent communication skills, advanced training, emotional intelligence, and critical-thinking skills. You must also be compassionate and perceptive of patient needs.
Ready To Take the Next Step as an RN?
Ready to become an RN, or need more control over your current nursing schedule? Being part of the IntelyCare nursing professional network as an IntelyPro can help you advance and manage your career, no matter where you are in your professional life. Get an application to join today