A Registered Nurse (RN) Career

A registered nurse is a nurse who passed the NCLEX-RN, which is the licensing exam a nurse school graduate has to take in order to become an RN. Registered nurses hold a position of seniority over a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and are the largest group of health care providers in the United States.

Prior to becoming a registered nurse, you would typically either go through a two-year associates program, earning an Associate nursing degree, or a four-year baccalaureate program earning a Bachelor’s nurse degree (BSN).

A registered nurse will usually be working in a team of some health care facility. Although some RNs will work in a position which is more administrative, involving little direct contact with patients, most registered nurses will be working very closely with the patients. They will be observing and recording patient medical history and symptoms, establishing the patients’ plan of care and putting it into action, managing and assigning tasks to the practical nurses and nursing assistants, and also giving emotional support to patients and families.

Studies for an RN degree will include courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Behavioral Sciences, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Nursing Theory, Nutrition, Psychology and more.

Why Consider Enrolling in RN Programs (Registered Nurse Programs)?

Have you recently been investigating some RN programs and are considering enrolling? Being an RN or Registered Nurse is a tremendously exciting job to have; no two days are the same and really, how many other professions are there where you know you're really making a difference in someone else's life? But you may be a bit overwhelmed or hesitant about enrolling in any of those RN programs you've considered. Are you qualified? What do those programs actually offer? Can you get any classes online?

The first thing you need to remember about RN programs is that you should only take courses from a school that is accredited. This means they are truly qualified to teach and you know you'll get an education that will be accepted by doctors and hospitals where you apply for work. You will still need to take a certain exam at the end of schooling, called the National Licensing Examination, to actually practice nursing but you need to be sure you're prepared for this and for actual work in the nursing field. So make sure you're contemplating RN programs from an accredited school.

Are you qualified? Well, do you enjoy helping people? Remember that nurses are there to do just that, and of course sick people can be very demanding! Can you handle dealing with the medical field? Anyone that gets faint at the sight of blood may consider something other than RN programs for themselves! You don't need to be a scientist to be a nurse but of course you'll need to learn basic medical terms and procedures, so some aptitude for this type of work is important. Remember too that nurses work long hours and different shifts, so keep that in mind when considering RN programs. If you're the type that needs an orderly schedule and doesn't adjust well to change, you may want to consider a different line of work. Nurses need to be flexible on the job and need to understand the many demands put upon them.

There are certain parts of RN programs that are available online, so it's worth considering if you need to study at home or have a busy schedule already. So don't let yourself get overwhelmed with your options when it comes to RN programs. Being a nurse is one of the best things you can do, so why not explore your options further?


Tips for Securing Registered Nurse Employment With the shortage of nursing being experienced by medical staff these days, you would think that registered nurse employment would be somewhat guaranteed to any RN. It is true that employment prospects for nurses... read more