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Have you ever seen a doctor alone in the hospital? No, because one or two nurses always accompany the doctor at a time. The nurses might not wear the white coats of doctors, but they are equally important in the healthcare settings for serving the patients.
If you are interested in the medical field, you can explore the nursing field as an alternative to becoming a doctor. Nurses are direct assistants to doctors, helping them in surgeries and patient diagnoses. So, how can you become a registered nurse and enter the hospital setting?
The nursing field also requires individuals to obtain proper nursing education and experience and then become eligible to work alongside doctors. Therefore, in this blog, we will guide you through all the steps you need to follow to become a registered nurse.
Who is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse is a healthcare professional who is eligible to provide patient care under the supervision of a doctor. These nurses assist doctors during patient diagnosis and surgical treatments and provide pre- and post-treatment care. They also administer to patients and take their medical history and symptom overview to help doctors understand the patient’s conditions.
In addition to a registered nurse, there is also a vocational nurse. A vocational nurse works under the supervision of a registered nurse and provides basic patient care responsibilities.
Educational Pathway to Become a Registered Nurse
A registered nurse might not seem like a high-profile medical profession. However, you still need to complete a proper education to acquire the basic and advanced knowledge and gain the necessary practice to become a licensed registered nurse. So, below are the steps that you can follow for this career:
Diploma in Nursing
The most basic course for learning nursing care is a diploma in nursing. This diploma will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the basic responsibilities of patient care. With a diploma in nursing, you can only work under registered nurses.
This diploma can be a good start to your nursing career, but it is not the strongest foundation. You will still need to obtain the proper nursing degree.
Associate Degree in Nursing
One of the proper nursing degrees is the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). It is a two-year program and sets the best foundation for learning nursing care. By getting an associate degree in nursing, you become fully qualified to become a registered nurse.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
In addition to the associate degree in nursing, students can also pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This is a full-time, four-year degree program that teaches students the necessary medical subjects to understand nursing care.
As compared to an associate nursing degree, getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a far better choice. The bachelor’s degree gives you a more comprehensive knowledge of nursing and patient care and makes your nursing profile stronger.
In many hospitals, they prefer to hire nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, instead of taking a shorter path with an associate nursing degree, get admission to the bachelor’s program.
Obtain Nursing License
After completing their nursing degree, students need to obtain their official nursing license. At this stage, students must pass the national exam of their country or state, which earns them their license. After getting the permit, you finally become a registered nurse.
Certification in Nursing
Certifications come after getting a complete education and a license in the nursing field. This is an optional step. Certifications in any field increase the impact of a candidate’s knowledge and experience. So, if you need to get good job opportunities as a nurse, consider getting specialized certifications in nursing.
Responsibilities of a Registered Nurse
Nurses play a significant role in healthcare settings. Whether it is an emergency case, a simple diagnosis, or a patient checkup, nurses are always present and help doctors carry out the necessary treatment for patients. Thus, daily, a nurse has to perform the following duties:
Physical Examination of Patients
Nurses perform physical exams of patients’ bodies. The test is conducted to ensure the body’s health and to detect diseases early for proper treatment.
Assist in Diagnostic Tests
After the doctor’s consultation, the doctor advises the patient to undergo the recommended diagnostic tests. It is a registered nurse’s job to assist patients in undergoing diagnostic tests.
Record Patient Health History
The registered nurses handle the administrative tasks of the patients. They take advice from the doctors and record a patient’s health history.
Inquiring Symptoms from Patients
Before discussing the disease or condition with the doctor, the nurse also inquires about the patient’s symptoms. They share the symptoms with the doctors and carry the treatment process forward.
Intravenous (IV) Drugs Administration
In many treatments, doctors prescribe intravenous drugs (IV) to patients. It is the responsibility of registered nurses to administer prescribed intravenous medications to patients for treatment.
Treating Wound Care
In hospitals and clinics, after the doctor’s consultation, registered nurses treat patients’ wounds. They clean and apply bandages to patients and monitor their conditions.
Patient Meal Plans Management
If a patient follows a diet plan prescribed by the doctor or requires a post-surgery diet plan, nurses explain the diet intake and precautions to patients.
Medical Equipment Expertise
Registered nurses also use some medical equipment on patients. These include using a blood pressure monitor, thermometer, and syringes for injections as part of a treatment.
Help Patients Understand Prescribed Medicines
After a doctor’s consultation, the registered nurses help patients understand the prescribed medicines and their usage. They also listen to patients’ medication concerns and communicate them to the doctor.
Also Read: How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?
Where do Registered Nurses Work?
We know that hospitals have hectic environments, and typically, the majority of nurses work only in hospitals. But if the idea of working in hospitals doesn’t appeal to you, then there are other healthcare settings as well where nurses have to assist doctors. So, the following are some options for nurses:
- Hospitals
- Physician Offices
- Home Healthcare
- Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
- Blood Banks
- Rehabilitation Centers
Salary Expectations for a Registered Nurse
As a significant unit of medical care, registered nurses generally earn well, even at the entry level. Due to their direct work with the doctors, nurses have to perform several responsibilities regarding patient care and facilitating communication between patients and doctors. Thus, as a registered nurse, you can expect a salary bracket of $93,600.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing a career as a registered nurse is not that complicated. You don’t need to enroll in several degree programs. Instead, the ladder steps for this career only require a nursing degree, a state nursing license, and certifications. By completing these educational goals, you can easily become a registered nurse.
If you are looking for an opportunity as a registered nurse, then consulting a staffing agency can help you. Intuitive Health Services is a health staffing company that can help you get good job opportunities as a registered nurse.