Nursing Roles: The Registered Nurse, Essay Example

Introduction

My reason for being interested in the role of a professional registered nurse or RN is because they provide special care to their patients and help to “coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions,” and offer professional advice on emotional support to their patients and immediate family members (Registered Nurses, 2012). Also, RNs have the choice of working in a wide range of environments, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and hospices, public schools and universities, and private medical offices (Registered Nurses, 2012).

Background and History

The position of registered nurse dates back to the late 1930’s when the state of New York “passed the first state law to require practical nurses to be licensed.” This quickly led to the creation of nursing schools across the United States based on rules and regulations designed by nursing regulatory boards and various professional nursing organizations (Registered Nurse RN, 2012). Overall, the career of a professional registered nurse harkens back to what is known as the Florence Nightingale Pledge which in part reads “With loyalty, I will endeavor to aid the physician in his or her work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care” (Registered Nurse RN, 2012).

Qualifications and Responsibilities

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a person who wishes to become a registered nurse must either have a

REGISTERED NURSE

Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing, an Associate’s degree in nursing, or “a diploma from an approved nursing program” and be licensed by the state that he/she works in (Registered Nurses, 2012). As a student, one must take classes in nursing, human anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, human psychology, and classes in the social and behavioral sciences. Ideally, the nursing student should possess critical thinking skills, organizational skills, speaking and writing skills, and the compassion to help others. They must also be certified through “professional associations in specialties such as ambulatory care, gerontology, pediatrics” and other medical fields of study (Registered Nurses, 2012).

Of course, having the ability to speak and write in another language besides English like Spanish is becoming a necessity because of the growing number of non-English speaking Hispanics in the U.S. (Kalist, 2005, p. 112). Also, registered nurses are responsible for a wide range of duties and decisions based on patient care, treatment, and patient outcomes, and are especially responsible for emotional support for their patients and their immediate family members.

Opportunities for Advancement

In the United States, the need for registered nurses continues to grow and is expected to increase by almost 30% by the year 2020, due to the aging of the “Baby Boomer” generation and the fact that boomers live longer lives than their parents and grandparents. Advances in technology and an “increased emphasis on preventative care” will also increase opportunities of advancement. Today, the average salary for an RN is

REGISTERED NURSE

about $65,000 a year but can go higher depending on one’s specialty and experience (Registered Nurses, 2012).

Conclusion

Certainly, the profession of a registered nurse is one of the most important positions in today’s world, mostly because of the growing need for specialized care and treatment for many diseases and disorders. Overall, the professional role of a registered nurse could make all of the difference between remaining healthy and vibrant as contrasted with being permanently disabled.

References

Kalist, D.E. (2005). Registered nurses and the value of bilingualism. (59)1: 99-118. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1183&context=ilrreview

Registered Nurse RN. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.registerednursern.com

Registered nurses. (2012). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm