Nurse Responsibilities

Nursing is no doubt one of the most remunerative medical jobs, which gives emotional satisfaction along with financial gain. Being from the health care industry, the services provided by nurses are always in demand. Moreover, nursing careers do not at all have an effect of the financial conditions of the economy. There are several different types of duties that a nurse has to follow.

Job Description

As there are many different types of nursing careers such as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); their responsibilities may vary. The responsibilities also vary largely depending on the facility they are employed in; such as public hospitals and private facilities, and also the wards and departments; like in-patient, outpatient, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and other departments. However, there are some typical duties that a nurse has to perform.

A nurse has to prepare patients for medical examinations, and coordinate with the respective doctors regarding the present condition of the person. They have to make sure that utmost patient care is provided to the patients in the department or ward. A nurse has to assist other trainee nurses in carrying out their duties as per the prescribed standards and rules. They have to pay a visit to the patients to know about their physical and mental condition.

During medical testing, they are responsible for maintaining a detailed record of the patient's current condition. They are supposed to discuss with the physician regarding the previous treatment and medical history of the patient. A nurse may have to help the surgeons carry out operations in the surgery room. They also have to discuss with the patients' relatives regarding the precautions to be taken for the patients to remain healthy and away from complications in the future.

Under the supervision of the doctors, a nurse can prescribe medications and perform therapies on patients. They have to conduct a periodical checkup of the patient in order to determine any modifications to be made in the treatment plans and therapies. A nurse has to be well versed in learning to operate the advanced devices used for patient screening, health monitoring, and treatment.

Average Salary

The salary of a nurse depends on many factors, with the primary one being whether they are RNs, LPNs or CNAs. Another aspect that determines the pay scale is the type of facility they are working in, such as a large public hospital or a small private setting. The state and city of employment also is a reason for the variation in the salary range of nurses. If we see in general, the average pay of an LPN falls anywhere between $34,000 to $40,000 per annum.

For LPNs, Pennsylvania is the highest paid state with an annual salary ranging from $32,000 to $46,000. The median yearly pay of CNAs ranges from $22,000 to $30,000. RNs are the highest paid in nursing, with an annual median salary of around $50,000 to $54,000. California is the highest paid state for RNs with an average rate of $50,000 to $79,000 per year. Work experience is another sure factor that categorizes the salary scale of nurses.

The demand for nurses is growing at an increasing rate, and there are many aspirants preparing to join this field. Please note that the salary ranges are approximate median estimates and may vary by location and employment setting.