Job Description: Registered Nurse

Nurses are known as helpers of humanity, and the satisfaction that they get by serving people is high. They have a fine opportunity in life of serving mankind. Nursing is one of the largest occupation and is widely spread among the health care sector, with registered nurses holding over 2.5 million jobs in 2006 in the US alone. Around 59% of jobs in various hospitals were allotted to registered nurses, and approximately 21% of them worked on a part-time basis. They also are offered jobs in private doctors' clinics, health care centers, nursing care houses, outpatient care institutions, and government departments. If one is considering becoming a registered nurse, he or she has to possess an associates, bachelors, or a diploma from a registered nursing program. Around 5,87,000 new registered nursing jobs are likely to be generated in the 2006-2016 period, which is one of the largest numbers among any other occupation.

The primary responsibilities of registered nurses include treating patients and providing information to patients and the public regarding various medical conditions. They also counsel and give emotional support to the patient's family. They serve and work for humanity, regardless of the work setting and conditions they are in. They also keep a detailed record of the patient's medical history and diseases, help the doctors in carrying out diagnostic tests and analyzing results, handle sophisticated medical machinery, administer treatments and medications, and overall help the patient to cope up with his health.

Registered nurses' duties may vary according to the department they are in. Generally, they guide patients and their families to take basic steps against the injury or disease, and suggest a healthy diet and exercise routines. They educate patients about symptoms and treatments of various diseases and disorders, and also self-medications. Nurses can specialize in any area available and type of treatment. They can choose to work in a specific work setting, such as perioperative nurses who are responsible for helping surgeons with their operations. Some nurses choose a specialization in diabetes management and assist patients to fight against and control diabetes. Dermatology nurses are the ones who take care of skin disorders, and geriatric nurses work with old and elderly people. There are some nurses who specialize in two or more specialties, like pediatric oncology nurses who are responsible for treating and taking care of cancer-afflicted children and teenagers.

Ambulatory care nurses are responsible for taking care of and treating patients with a wide range of illnesses and injuries, and this is done at a private doctors' clinic. Few of them also provide telehealth, which includes giving advice and suggesting treatments through electronic communications such as videoconferencing, Internet technology, or over the telephone. Critical care nurses normally work in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with the patients who need close monitoring and analysis of medication treatments and therapies. Emergency or trauma nurses work in emergency departments, and take care of people with life-threatening situations like road accidents. Some of them may be selected to work as transport nurses who take care of patients transported to the hospital by helicopters or airplanes. Holistic nurses are responsible for acupuncture, aromatherapy, and massage, which helps maintain the patient's emotional and mental health. There are nurses known as radiology nurses who assist the patients to undergo diagnostic radiation processes like ultrasounds, MRI scans, and radiation therapies.

Registered nurses are privileged and certainly respected by the public for taking care of unknown people, regardless of their caste, religion, color, society, etc. Registered nurses are well paid, hence one can choose this field not only for the job satisfaction part, but also for making a stable professional career.