subject: A Career with Challenge, Registered Nurse (RN) [print this page] The RN or Registered Nurse can be said as the senior of the nurse profession. Their positions are higher than licensed practical nurses and the nursing assistants. The nurse has the responsibility to assign the tasks in the hospital environment.
The work time of this profession is variable. They can work in the evening or on-call hours and face many kinds of medical situation. If you work as the RN, you will be paid well and at the same time you will get the satisfaction by giving important effect on the patient's lives and their family's member.
Other jobs that you have to do if you become a RN are holding the responsible for the patients' needs, providing the care, and fulfill the patients' needs in many conditions such as in the ambulatory care, the intensive care, health care clinics, etc. The variety in its job makes the RN has more opportunities to the professional doors especially during the nursing shortage and the need for qualified nurse's time. For you who are a natural caretaker, this profession can be your career option.
The general responsibilities of a RN can be divided into four. The first is the nurse should observe and record the medical history of the patient. This is including the symptom that is faced by the patient. The next is to establish the care plan and carry it out to the action. The RN also has to manage the tasks for the nursing assistant and the licensed practical nurses. The last one is to provide the emotional supports for the patients and the families.
First thing you should do to become a RN is getting a BSN (4-year degree). By taking this degree, you will get the general and science education you will need later. The lesson is including the biology, anatomy, physiology, Standard English, Math, and also chemistry. You also need to take the NET or the Nursing Entrance Test. This test will help you to enter the core of the nursing means you will be able to start your nursing curriculum if you can pass this test. The BSN program itself will help you to learn the advanced medical subject related to the medicine and science areas.
You will finish the BSN program with clinical externship where you will work in the health care facilities for weeks or months. There will be another nurse or the doctor that will supervise you. You must do great job in this practice since it will be counted for your overall grade.
Do not forget to take the NCLEX-RN or the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to get the license from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing or NCSBN. By getting this license, you will get ensured for the nurse program you have graduated.
