Career Research: Registered Nurse
Candace Singh HLHS 279-40C November 5th, 2014
Instructor: Ms. I. Marie Depree
Candace Singh HLHS 279-40C November 5th, 2014
Career Research: Registered Nurse
A Registered nurse (RN) plays an important role in patient care by providing direct physical care. They also coordinate patient care by educating patients on health-related issues, while giving advice related to their condition and supporting patients and their family members both physically and mentally. Some of these duties include checking and documenting patient vital signs, recording patient symptoms and medical histories, observing the state of the patient and their progression, administering medications, assisting in diagnostic testing, creating healthcare plans for patient care, explaining how to manage illnesses/injuries, and give recommendations on how to care for themselves at home. Another important role of a RN is to be able to have good listening and communication skills, as this is needed in order to be able to relay important information between patients as well as other health professionals.
Most RNs work in either a physician's office, in a hospital setting, in nursing homes or residential care facilities, or provide home health services. However, there are RNs who also work with healthcare specialists who focus on providing care for specific health conditions, such as oncologists, pediatricians, cardiologists, etc. Nurses also have the opportunity to work for the government, which could include working at jails or prisons, or even given the opportunity to travel overseas to help provide care for the people in the military. Another career opportunity for a nurse, is to work within the school systems, caring for elementary, middle, and/or high school students. There are also some RNs who are referred to as "traveling nurses," who travel from state-to-state or overseas to care for patients in areas where there they do not have...