Registered Nurse
- Hello world! - October 21, 2020
A registered nurse (RN) undertakes a wide range of duties. RN provides and coordinates patient care as well as educates the public about diverse health conditions. Additionally, registered nurse offers emotional support to patients and their family members. The job description of a typical registered nurse entails monitoring, recording and reporting symptoms of a patient. Further, a registered nurse is required to maintain accurate and detailed records of patients’ condition. Additionally, RN is required manage, interpret and assess diagnostic tests to establish patient’s condition. Furthermore, a registered nurse is responsible for adjusting patient treatment plans after assessing patients’ responses to medication. Moreover, RN assists a doctor during surgeries and other examinations.
In their practice registered nurses are required to perform a limited number of responsibilities. Some of the responsibilities of a registered nurse can undertake to include helping persons, families, and communities to attain their optimal psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Registered nurses are also required to evaluate, diagnose and offer treatment as well as make referrals. A registered nurse is required to counsel, teach and support efforts aimed at enhancing healthy living and well-being. Registered nurses are required to coordinate, monitor, supervise and assess the provision of healthcare. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of a registered nurse to engage in the study of a nursing theory and conduct research related to the practice of nursing (Wynn, 2016). Moreover, registered nurses are mandated to offer restricted services as sanctioned by legislation.
Registered nurses have always encountered complex concerns in their practice, which calls for an elaborate procedure on how to handle them. Code of ethics of registered nurses provides primary guidance on how to deal with various concerns in their practice. Although there are internationally recognized codes of ethics for registered nurses, national code offers additional guidance for nurses in their caring patients’ role, research, education, and management of healthcare system of a nation. The code of ethics for nurses is anchored on eight fundamental values that are critical to nursing practice. The eight values are: health and well-being, safe, ethical and competent care, dignity, choice, justice, accountability, confidentiality and quality practice environments (Wynn, 2016). Ethical reflection starts with a review of individual nurse’s ethics as well as judgment to establish how a particular value applies to a specific nursing context.
To become a registered nurse one must possess either a nursing diploma, associate degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing coupled with certification from National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and another state requirement which can vary from one country to another.There is three educational paths one can pursue in order to become a registered nurse. Registered nurse education requirements vary from college diploma to university degree in nursing. Diploma courses are provided at hospitals and normally take three years. Associate’s degrees for nurses are taught at community colleges and typically take from 2 to 3 years to complete (Willis, & Thurston, 2015). Bachelor’s degree program in nursing is offered by universities and usually takes 4 years to graduate. Graduates of nursing programs (diploma and bachelor’s degree) must excel in a national licensing examination referred to National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to get a nursing license.
To earn an associate degree in nursing costs about US$ 6,000 to US$ 40,000 tuition fee in public institutions and between US$ 30,000 to US$ 100,000 in thecolleges of the United States of America (Shea, 2015). To acquire a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) is estimated to cost between US$ 40,000 to US$ 200,000 depending on whether the four year program is obtained from the public or private university. While obtaining a diploma in nursing costs between US$ 18,000 to US$ 40,000 in terms of tuition fee, textbook cost, transportation and other supplies (Shea, 2015). Therefore, pursuing nursing program is an expensive affair.
About 60% of registered nurses work in hospitals. The remaining 40% of registered nurses work in offices, schools, nursing homes and community centers. Patients in nursing homes and hospitals require healthcare attention around the clock, frequently making nurses work odd hours such as nights, holidays and weekends. Registered nursing is a rapid-growing career; hence its prospects are expected to have an upward trend in the coming years. Occupational outlook for registered nurses with bachelor’s degree is expected to grow by 16% annually from 2014 to 2024 (Smole?, & Ksykiewicz-Dorota, 2014). Studies indicate that employment of registered nurses is projected to increase at a rate of 26% from 2012 to 2020 (Broome, 2015). The Monitor, United States of America based publication, advertises over 1000 registered nurses weekly. It serves as a clear demonstration that registered nursing job is highly marketable.
The highest employment opportunities for registered nurses will be in home healthcaregivers and doctor’s offices. Employment opportunities in hospitals are expected to grow at aslowerrate. Registered nurses with advanced levels of education and training are likely to earn more than lowly educated and training nurses. Becoming a registered nurse does not require any experience. This is because a registered nurse posesses an entry level to a healthcare career. However, the salaries of registered nurses at entry level with some experience ranges from the US $45,287 to $85,797 depending on the level of education and years of experience (Broome, 2015). There are career advancement opportunities for registered nurses with or without educational advancement. For instance, promotion to section head and management position in healthcare service is not only obtained due to the level of education, but also the years of experience.
A nursing student is eligible to join both local and national professional organization. An example of national professional organization a nursing student can join is the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). A student who is pursuing nursing education program is eligible to join the association by paying a membership fee of US$ 50 (Stuart, 2014). Information on local and national professional organization can be obtained from the Journal of Professional Nursing which cost US $ 163 to subscribe (Wynn, 2016).The journal provides useful information for nursing students and practitioners.
In the United States of America, registered nurses are required by law to undertake continuing education units (CEU). For a registered nurse to complete CEU, thirty hours of contact are required every two years. In addition, a registered nurse is supposed to pay renewal fee so as to maintain an active practicing license. Therefore, a nurse is required to keep undertaking (CEU) every two years in order to qualify as practicing nurse. Registered nurses who undertake continuing education units benefit in a number of ways. Some of the benefits include boost in pay, keeping abreast with changes in nursing profession and offering evidence based healthcare services (Wynn, 2016).Therefore, nurses have a lot to gain by undertaking continuing education units.I find myself quite suited to pursue a nursing career. This is because I posess all the necessary attributes needed for one to have a successful career in nursing. Some of the skills I possess, which I strongly believe will enable me to have a successful career in nursing, include being caring, detail-oriented person, team player and being a responsible person capable of supervising others to accomplish set objectives. Additionally, I am a hardworking and dedicated individual willing to pursue nursing, which is a challenging career but with a good reward.
I have put in place an elaborate career plan to become a registered nurse in the next three years. I have enrolled for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) at Miami College, which I tend to complete in the next three years. Then I will enroll for practicing certificate with the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). In such a way I can become a registered nurse. After securing a practicing license, I will look for a job and work for two years so that I can raise enough money to enroll for a bachelors’ degree in nursing. A bachelor’s degree will play a significant role in assisting me to realize my goal and aspiration in life of assuming a management position in healthcare service.
References
Broome, M. (2015). Nurse leaders can shape ethical cultures. Nursing Outlook, 63(4), 377-378. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.06.004
Shea, J. (2015). Achieving independence for advanced practice registered nurses in connecticut. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 29(2), 112-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/nur.0000000000000107
Smole?, E., & Ksykiewicz-Dorota, A. (2014). The working time of nurse. Medical And Biological Sciences, 28(1), 45. http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/mbs.2014.008
Stuart, R. (2014). Career pathways and career aspiration of dental nurses. Dental Nursing, 10(11), 660-662. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/denn.2014.10.11.660
Willis, D., & Thurston, M. (2015). Working with the disabled patient: Exploring student nurses views for curriculum development using a swot analysis. Nurse Education Today, 35(2), 383-387. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2014.10.013
Wynn, S. (2016). Preparing today’s nursing students for tomorrow’s career. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 37(4), 245-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2015.1130761