What is a RN?
What is An RN?
Registered Nurses are considered the right hand to Doctors in the medical community. A registered nurse is someone who treats patients, acts as the patients advocate to doctors and family, carries out all doctor prescribed treatment in the hospital or General medical setting. Aside from physically helping a patient and their family, a registered nurse also records and keeps track of medical histories and symptoms of each one of their patients. Registered nurses are adept at Performing diagnostic tests and determining the results, using a variety of medical machinery and assessment techniques. Leadership,Treating of patients, medication administration, patient monitoring and rehabilitation are a few more responsibilities that a registered nurse holds.
A registered nurse, of course, must possess a degree and pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed. Aside from these must haves, however, a registered nurse must also be a caring, sympathetic, responsible and organized individual. These qualities come in handy when a registered nurse is teaching patients and their families how to handle an illness or injury and how to treat it at home whether by a diet change, medication or physical therapy. Some registered nurses will run a general health screening or an immunization clinic. Some will aid in blood drives or even help run a public seminar on different conditions or diseases. When dealing with the public about issues that involve personal and emotional issues, a registered nurse needs to be sympathetic and caring.
A registered nurse is expected to create or act on standing protocols when he or she is caring for a patient. These protocols may include many different activities such as, giving medications, which includes checking dosages; starting, maintaining and stopping IVs of fluids, medications or blood; helping out with therapies or treatments; observing the patient throughout the day and/or night and recording these observations; and talking with physicians regarding the patient. Some registered nurses act as leaders when they are supervising and provide direction to licensed practical nurses and nursing aides. This is why another great quality to have as a registered nurse is the ability to supervise others.
Although a registered nurses job description may vary depending on what type of setting they are working in and what they have specialized in, most work in healthcare facilities. Hospitals and nursing facilities require 24-hour care. This means that registered nurses working in this setting may work nights, weekends and/or holidays. Some registered nurses will even be on call which means they are available to come in to work on short notice. Registered nurses who work regular business hours typically work in schools, offices and areas that do not provide 24-hour care.
