What to expect as a registered nurse
What to expect as a registered nurse
Nurses are the backbone of the health care system, and registered nurses play a critical role within the profession. While not every nurse is a registered nurse, those who are often find rewarding careers with strong job stability and competitive compensation. If you’re considering becoming a registered nurse, it’s important to understand the profession first. Here’s a rundown of the basics, including the responsibilities of a registered nurse and the pathway to get you there.
What is a registered nurse?
Registered nurses (also known as RNs) handle the day-to-day interactions with patients. You’ll usually find them in hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics, residential care facilities, schools or in-home health care settings. They may work in a variety of specialties, ranging from critical care to pediatrics.
An RN will assess a patient’s health, pass medications, change linens, run tests, take vitals and document observations. They communicate with patients and their loved ones and coordinate patient care with a variety of health caregivers like physicians and therapists. Oftentimes, it is the registered nurse who is most closely familiar with a patient’s condition, especially if they are working at the bedside.
Being a nurse is physical, mental and emotional. You’ll be on your feet and often be lifting patients and moving them around. You’ll use your expertise to make observations and help create a plan of care. Because you are interacting with patients and their loved ones as they experience hardships, it’s also a profession that requires a lot of empathy.
Advantages of being a registered nurse
If you ask a nurse why they went into the profession, odds are they will say they wanted to help people. Whether you work in an oncology (cancer) unit or a mental health unit, you’ll be interacting with people a lot. Depending on your role, you may see new patients every day, or you may get to work with the same patient for a long period of time. You serve as a daily source of compassionate, competent care.
Nurses are highly sought after and well compensated. Registered nursing positions are on track to grow 5% in the next several years, which is much faster than the average occupation. That’s approximately 189,100 openings each year through 2034. The median salary for a registered nurse is also nearly $94,000.
Of course, nursing is full of long days, and there is always the risk of burnout. But the fulfillment being an RN outweighs the downsides for many professionals in the field.
How to become a registered nurse
If you’re interested in a career as a registered nurse, start with obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While not every RN job may require a BSN, many hospitals will, and the number of open registered nursing jobs listing this as a requirement is only increasing. Getting your BSN is also a fantastic way to provide yourself with the thorough foundation in all things health care you need to succeed in the field. If you want to be confident you’ll be able to deliver compassionate, competent care before you actually start working with patients, earning your BSN will help you gradually increase in confidence as you complete each step of the program.
Before you can apply for jobs, you’ll need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Once you get your results, you can seek out openings for registered nursing positions and put your education to use.
Take the next step toward working as a registered nurse by applying to UNI
Are you interested in pursuing a path toward becoming a registered nurse? The University of Northern Iowa is the right place to start! UNI offers degrees for numerous high-demand health careers, including nursing. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing will prepare you for the diverse, fast-paced nature of nursing. You’ll get hands-on experience with the latest cutting-edge equipment before you begin working with real patients, allowing you to progress at a steady pace.
UNI’s nursing program prepares you to make a real difference in the lives of your patients. To begin your journey, fill out this interest form. We can’t wait to help you become the nurse you’ve been dreaming of!
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