Registered Nurses
Summary  |  Description  |  Requirements  |  Salaries  |  Employment  |  Articles  |  Community
  Careers / Registered Nurses  
       
 
Summary Description
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
 
Sample Job Titles

1.

Ambulatory Care Coordinator

2.

Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)

3.

Cardiac Nurse Specialist

4.

Case Manager

5.

Central Supply Nurse

6.

Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)

7.

Charge Nurse

8.

Circulating Nurse

9.

Clinical Nurse

10.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

11.

Clinical Supervisor

12.

Community Health Nurse

13.

Community Health Nurse Supervisor

14.

Consultant Nurse

15.

Consulting Nurse

16.

Coronary Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)

17.

County Nurse

18.

Delivery Room Supervisor

19.

Dialysis Registered Nurse (Dialysis RN)

20.

Director of Nursing (DON)

21.

Discharge Planner

22.

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

23.

Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse)

24.

Emergency Room Nurse

25.

Emergency Room RN

26.

Endoscopy RN (Endoscopy Registered Nurse)

27.

Evening or Night Nurse Supervisor

28.

Field Nurse

29.

Floor Supervisor

30.

Forensic Nurse

31.

General Duty Nurse

32.

Genetics Nurse

33.

Geriatric Care Manager

34.

Head Nurse

35.

Health Care Coordinator

36.

Health Unit Supervisor

37.

Home Health RN (Home Health Registered Nurse)

38.

Hospice Registered Nurse

39.

Industrial Nurse

40.

Industrial Registered Nurse

41.

Industrial Staff Nurse

42.

Infection Control Nurse

43.

Intensive Care Unit Nurse (ICU Nurse)

44.

Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (ICU RN)

45.

Lactation Consultant

46.

Legal Nurse Consultant

47.

Life Care Planner

48.

Maternity Floor Supervisor

49.

Maternity Nurse

50.

Medical/Surgery Registered Nurse (Med/Surg RN)

51.

Mid Wife

52.

Neonatal Intensive Care Registered Nurse (NICU RN)

53.

Neonatal Nurse

54.

Nephrology Nurse

55.

Nurse Anesthetist

56.

Nurse Case Manager

57.

Nurse Clinician

58.

Nurse Consultant

59.

Nurse Coordinator

60.

Nurse Educator

 

61.

Nurse Receptionist

62.

Nurse Technician

63.

Nurses Supervisor

64.

OB/GYN Nurse (Obstetrics/Gynecology Nurse)

65.

Obstetrical Nurse

66.

Obstetrics Nurse (OB Nurse)

67.

Obstetrics Scrub Nurse (OB Scrub Nurse)

68.

Occupational Health Nurse

69.

Occupational Health Nurse Supervisor

70.

Occupational Nurse

71.

Oncology Nurse

72.

Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse)

73.

Operating Room Nurse

74.

Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

75.

Patient Care Coordinator

76.

Pediatric Nurse

77.

Pediatric Oncology Nurse

78.

Perianesthesia Nurse

79.

Perinatal Nurse

80.

Perioperative Nurse

81.

Physical Therapy Nurse

82.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse (PACU Nurse)

83.

Post Anesthesia Room Nurse

84.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse

85.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse (PACU RN)

86.

Prenatal Nurse

87.

Private Duty Nurse

88.

Psychiatric Nurse

89.

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

90.

Public Health Nurse (PHN)

91.

Public Health Staff Nurse

92.

Receptionist Nurse

93.

Recovery Room Nurse

94.

Registered Health Nurse

95.

Registered Nurse (RN)

96.

Registered Nurse Supervisor

97.

Registered Private Duty Nurse

98.

Registered Public Health Nurse

99.

Relief Charge Nurse

100.

RN BSN (Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

101.

School Nurse

102.

Scrub Nurse

103.

Special Duty Nurse

104.

Staff Nurse

105.

Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse)

106.

Student Nurse

107.

Supervisor Nurse

108.

Surgical First Assistant

109.

Surgical Nurse

110.

Surgical Supervisor

111.

Telephone Triage Nurse

112.

Transverse Abdominal Muscle Nurse (TRAM Nurse)

113.

Trauma Nurse

114.

Traveling Nurse

115.

Triage Register Nurse

116.

Visiting Nurse

117.

Ward Nurse

118.

Ward Supervisor

119.

X Ray Nurse

 
Job Tasks

Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.

  • Maintain medical facility records.

Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.

  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Administer non-intravenous medications.

Record patients' medical information and vital signs.

  • Record patient medical histories.

Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.

  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

Inform physician of patient's condition during anesthesia.

  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

Administer local, inhalation, intravenous, or other anesthetics.

  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.

Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.

  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.

  • Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.

Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.

Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.

  • Immunize patients.
  • Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.

Hand items to surgeons during operations.

  • Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.

  • Supervise patient care personnel.

Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments.

  • Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.

Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.

Conduct specified laboratory tests.

  • Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.

Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs.

  • Design public or employee health programs.
  • Communicate health and wellness information to the public.

Assess the needs of individuals, families, or communities, including assessment of individuals' home or work environments, to identify potential health or safety problems.

  • Assess patient work, living, or social environments.

Direct or coordinate infection control programs, advising or consulting with specified personnel about necessary precautions.

  • Direct healthcare delivery programs.
  • Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

Engage in research activities related to nursing.

  • Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

Prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices, or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures.

  • Prescribe medications.
  • Prescribe assistive medical devices or related treatments.

Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.

  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
  • Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.

Perform physical examinations, make tentative diagnoses, and treat patients en route to hospitals or at disaster site triage centers.

  • Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
  • Diagnose medical conditions.
  • Treat medical emergencies.

Prepare rooms, sterile instruments, equipment, or supplies and ensure that stock of supplies is maintained.

  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.

  • Manage healthcare operations.

Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students.

  • Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.

Work with individuals, groups, or families to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.

  • Design public or employee health programs.

Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance.

  • Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues or concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing.

  • Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues.
 
Work Activities
Importance Work Activity
96
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
95
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
91
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
91
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
89
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
87
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
86
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
83
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
81
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
81
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
78
Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
78
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
75
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
75
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
74
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
71
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
70
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
68
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
66
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
64
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
63
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
59
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
56
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
56
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
56
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
56
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
55
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
54
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
53
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
53
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
51
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
51
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
50
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
38
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
33
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
28
Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
 
 
 
Nature of the Work
(Abstract from Career Articles)
Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

Read More >>

 
 
Working Conditions
(Abstract from Career Articles)
Registered Nurses

Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in correctional facilities or schools, or serve in the military.

Read More >>

 
 
 
<< Previous Page Next Page >>
 
  Source: MyPlan.com, LLC, 2019; includes information from the O*NET 20.3 database, 2016, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition. O*NET™ is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.  

© MyPlan.com, L.L.C. 2004 -