What Does it Take to Be a Registered Nurse?
Career Description Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Daily Life Of a Registered Nurse (RN)
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit’s staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients’ conditions.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance.
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What Every Registered Nurse (RN) Should Know
These are the skills Registered Nurses say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Registered Nurse (RN) Jobs
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Maternity Floor Supervisor
- Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)
- Ward Nurse
- Infection Control Nurse
Job Demand for Registered Nurses
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 2,955,200 jobs in the United States for Registered Nurse. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 438,000 new jobs for Registered Nurse by 2026. There will be an estimated 203,700 positions for Registered Nurse (RN) per year.
The states with the most job growth for Registered Nurse (RN) are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Registered Nurse (RN)
The typical yearly salary for Registered Nurses is somewhere between $50,800 and $106,530.
Registered Nurses who work in Hawaii, California, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Registered Nurses make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,470 |
| Alaska | $89,310 |
| Arizona | $77,000 |
| Arkansas | $60,780 |
| California | $106,950 |
| Colorado | $74,240 |
| Connecticut | $81,220 |
| Delaware | $74,800 |
| District of Columbia | $92,350 |
| Florida | $66,210 |
| Georgia | $68,950 |
| Hawaii | $98,080 |
| Idaho | $67,110 |
| Illinois | $73,890 |
| Indiana | $64,860 |
| Iowa | $59,130 |
| Kansas | $61,030 |
| Kentucky | $63,100 |
| Louisiana | $63,970 |
| Maine | $67,610 |
| Maryland | $76,820 |
| Massachusetts | $92,140 |
| Michigan | $71,330 |
| Minnesota | $78,920 |
| Mississippi | $58,490 |
| Missouri | $65,130 |
| Montana | $67,450 |
| Nebraska | $64,470 |
| Nevada | $85,620 |
| New Hampshire | $72,760 |
| New Jersey | $82,750 |
| New Mexico | $71,730 |
| New York | $85,610 |
| North Carolina | $64,850 |
| North Dakota | $65,740 |
| Ohio | $66,820 |
| Oklahoma | $63,080 |
| Oregon | $91,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,390 |
| Rhode Island | $78,420 |
| South Carolina | $64,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,340 |
| Tennessee | $61,320 |
| Texas | $72,890 |
| Utah | $65,670 |
| Vermont | $69,160 |
| Virginia | $69,790 |
| Washington | $82,670 |
| West Virginia | $61,780 |
| Wisconsin | $71,470 |
| Wyoming | $67,360 |
What Tools do Registered Nurses Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Registered Nurses may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- IBM Notes
- FileMaker Pro
- MEDITECH software
- Google Drive
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Human resource management software HRMS
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Medical condition coding software
Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)
Are there Registered Nurses education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Registered Nurse may also be interested in:
References:
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