Healthcare Occupations: Registered Nurse
Becoming a Registered Nurse requires a lot of dedication, time, and patience, just like any other profession. These professionals are vital to the success of the healthcare community. They perform many crucial tasks such as assisting physicians with several procedures, monitoring vital signs, and keeping patient records to name a few. Registered Nurses bridge the gap between physicians and patients. Since these professionals spend a lot of time interacting with patients and their families they are expected to be caring, committed, and confident in order to ensure they are performing their jobs to the best of their abilities. The journey to becoming a Registered Nurse is not easy, but that’s no reason to give up on becoming one. Satisfaction, pay, and job security are only some of the many reasons to pursue this career.
To start, if you have a passion for helping people, can easily connect with people, and offer sympathy and empathy, this is a well-suited career for you. Registered nurses are responsible for performing all sorts of physical exams and tests, they are to interact with patients and inform them about treatment options. They also need to interact and work with other healthcare professionals informing them about patient prognosis and status. Most nurses work in hospitals but they may also work in private offices, nursing homes, and other facilities.
The first step towards becoming a registered nurse would be to first attain a highschool diploma and apply to a BSN (Bachelors of Science and Nursing) program. BSN programs are by no means easy, the coursework is challenging but is an amazing experience if you have the drive and mindset to become an RN. These programs last 4 years and include subjects like anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, and patient care and nutrition. After completing and earning a degree in the Bachelors of Science and Nursing they must take the NCLEX-RN exam. The National Council Licensure Examination — Registered Nurses or the NCLEX-RN determines the readiness of a student to become a nurse. After passing the exam they must gain licensure from the state that they would prefer to work in.
After receiving a license in the state you must gain work experience to get better and higher-paying jobs. The starting salary for most registered nurses is around 24 dollars according to payscale.com. At first, this may not seem like a lot however as one gains more and more experience hourly rates can go up to about 41 dollars an hour. Not only that as a nurse you can specialize and work in the area you like the most.
Although, the journey to becoming a nurse may be challenging and at many points difficult. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to help people on a daily basis. Not only that this job comes with a notable amount of pay. If you interact well with others, and like helping people, becoming a Registered Nurse is perfect for you.
Source: CareerBuilder | January 5, 2018. What Does a Registered Nurse Do? www.careerbuilder.com/advice/what-does-a-registered-nurse-do.
