Health care provision needs everyone from Audiologists to Anesthesiologists, Doctors to Dentists, Surgeons to Sonographers and many other professionals working in hospitals, clinics, schools, offices, homes and where ever treatment is required.
The largest occupational group within health care is the registered nurse and currently job prospects are very good with many employers having difficulty finding and retaining enough nurses. Nurses must be caring, sympathetic, responsible and have good attention to detail. Patients health and possibly even their life may be dependent on the nurse carrying out the role accurately and reliably.
What is the Role of a Registered Nurse in Health Care?
A registered nurse's main roles are to provide treatment, advice and support to patients and their families; record medical histories; and help educate patients and the public about medical conditions. Nurses are also increasingly playing a major part in diagnostic tests and operating advanced medical equipment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics quotes the salaries of registered nurses as being on average around $60,000 per year. Registered nurses are often offered flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses.
Registered Nurse Working Conditions
The working conditions for a nurse are usually very good with an environment of comfort and hygiene required for the patients. The role of providing treatment does however often require a lot of physical effort especially in moving patients and equipment. Nurses are exposed to many dangerous diseases and hazardous substances in the normal course of their work.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse is achieved through the traditional paths of the diploma; an associate degree and the bachelors degree from approved nursing programs – with advanced positions requiring a masters degree.
The number of diploma course are decreasing and it is advised that at least the bachelors degree be obtained to make it possible to advance in a career of nursing.
After all courses it is then necessary to complete a national licensing examination to obtain the nursing license known as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. This is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Online Nursing and Other Health Care Degrees
Despite the nursing occupation usually requiring a large amount of direct contact with patients, there are many online degree courses available. Nursing requires, for example, a foundation of biological, physical and social sciences.
Examples of top universities providing online health care and nursing degrees are:
A Growing Health Care Need for Registered Nurses
It is well known that the proportion of elderly people in the population is growing as people live longer and fewer babies are being born. Because of this there is predicted to be an increasing need for nurses in all occupations that provide care and support to the elderly.
Further Information on Nursing Careers
For more information on a career as a registered nurse and further education visit the National League for Nursing.
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Dave Corby - Dave Corby is Director of Engineering Software for a large American inspection company.
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