Within the health care industry, registered nurses constitute the
largest health care occupation with over two million jobs. Three out of
five registered nurses work ion hospitals.
All registered nurses, regardless of their specialty, perform the
basic duties of nursing. Some of these duties include treating patients
and their family members, recording medical history, analyzing
diagnostic test results, administering medications, and helping
patients in rehabilitation. Another important job of registered nurses
is the education of the family members of the patients and the public
on various diseases and preventions of such. Some even take training on
grief counseling to help console family members of chronically ill
patients. Working as a nurse will put you into many hazardous
situations. Many chemicals from sterilizing equipment, infectious
diseases, and electrical shock are harmful and must be avoided at any
cost. Therefore, all registered nurses must follow a strict set of
guidelines to prevent any injuries while on duty.
The majority of registered nurses work in comfortable, well-lit,
health care facilities. Others registered nurse’s travel to public
areas like schools, community centers, and to patients’ homes. Many
spend a considerable time standing and walking and must be prepared on
short notices because many patients need twenty-four hour care. In
cause, many registered nurses work nights, weekends, and holidays.
There are three different options to becoming a registered nurse, one
is to obtain a diploma, another is to get an Advanced Diploma in
Nursing, and the third is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Many registered nurses first obtain a diploma or Advanced Diploma in
Nursing and then later get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Nurses
have a better chance of getting hired if they have a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing. Three years ago the average annual salary of
registered nurses was around fifty-two thousand dollars while the
nurses working in employment services earned over sixty-three thousand
dollars. Many employers will offer bonuses, benefits, flexible working
schedules, and educational benefits.