Life As a Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse (RN) Definition 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.
What Do Registered Nurses Do On a Daily Basis?
- Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues or concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing.
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Direct or coordinate infection control programs, advising or consulting with specified personnel about necessary precautions.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit’s staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.
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What a Registered Nurse (RN) Should Know
When polled, Registered Nurses say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles
- Delivery Room Supervisor
- Maternity Nurse
- Ward Nurse
- Obstetrics Scrub Nurse (OB Scrub Nurse)
- Delivery Nurse
Registered Nurse (RN) Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 2,955,200 jobs for Registered Nurse in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 203,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
The salary for Registered Nurses ranges between about $50,800 and $106,530 a year.
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 & Technology 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)?
Who Employs Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Registered Nurse might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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