Registered Nurse Jobs

If you're compassionate, cool under pressure, and intrigued by the field of medicine, you may excel as a registered nurse. Registered nurses provide the backbone for the fast-growing field of health care, and the right candidate will enjoy abundant job opportunities.

Duties of a registered nurse
Multitasking skills will come in handy here, because registered nurses handle a broad scope of day-to-day responsibilities. Registered nurses record symptoms, perform diagnostic tests, and administer medications. They also educate patients on follow-up care after an illness or injury. Registered nurses also consult with physicians and create a plan of care for patients, which may include medication, therapies, or observation.

Where to find registered nurse jobs
The vast majority of nurses work in a hospital or physician's office, but their areas of specialization may vary widely. Registered nurses might work in a trauma center or at a walk-in clinic. Some registered nurses specialize in pediatric nursing, while others work in hospice care. And opportunities for registered nurses are available in nearly every specialty of medicine, including dermatology, cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and more. Job opportunities are also available in schools and home care.

Registered nurse programs
To obtain an entry-level position as a registered nurse, a candidate must pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma. Registered nurses may choose to complete their associate degrees or diplomas before returning to school for bachelor's degrees; many schools offer an RN-to-BSN program designed for these students. Accelerated master's degree programs (MSN) are also available. In all states, registered nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their nursing license.

Demand for registered nurse jobs
Registered nurses account for the highest number of jobs in the already fast-growing field of health care. Registered nurses held about 2.5 million jobs in 2006, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that number to grow by 23 percent through 2016. Greater emphasis on preventative care, along with a large number of retiring nurses, will add to the demand for registered nurses. As a result, job-seekers with a strong desire to help others will find plenty of opportunities to succeed in this field.

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