Is AN RN Career For You?

First off what does a registered nurse do? Like most careers, it depends on what type of job the RN is doing, as there are many options available. Generally when most people think about RNs they see them directly working with patients such as in a hospital or doctors office.

In addition to working directly with patients some RNs go into a more management role overseeing other nurses.

Working in the emergency room or in surgery is how many think of an RN career. While a significant number or RNs do work in hospitals they do not just work in the more common departments. Hospitals have many specialized departments such as maternity and pediatrics.

Retirement homes and communities also need nurses on staff. These fields as well as all nurses fields are growing as the population ages. In addition to patient care in these fields there are also opportunities in management roles.

Certain types of patients need personal care at home and as such home health nurses go to their home to provide care. These patients have generally recently come out of surgery or are older or newborns. They may also have cancer or a terminal illness.

Who else hires nurses? Private organizations and the government do for public health nurses. The will work in communities to help provide preventive care or to provide other services such as counseling families.

Ordering supplies and maintaining the medical equipment may be a job responsibility for head nurses. They also manage nurses under them and plan their schedules.

Other careers in nursing to consider include that of a nurse practitioner. This is an advanced position that will require licensure and additional training. Nurse practitioners are becoming more common place in a doctors office to help see and treat patients for common illnesses.

About the Author

If you plan to finish an rn bsn degree do not forget you have options. Many nurses take a nursing program that gives them some flexibility.