Registered nurse is abbreviated as RN. An RN is a licensed and registered nurse who has completed a course of study and passed the necessary examinations. Despite the fact that there are more registered nurses than any other type of nurse in the United States, there is still a significant shortage of registered nurses. A nursing shortage is a term used to describe this situation.
The greatest level of care for many patients is provided registered nurses, which is why there is such a demand for them. An RN not only provides specific types of care, but also advises patients and assists in the coordination of other health services. Other nursing personnel, such as interns, techs, and volunteers, may be under the supervision of a registered nurse. He or she may also be in charge of a patient’s overall case management, which includes consulting with everyone from the patient to the primary care physician, as well as any therapists or specialists.
A nursing student must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for RNs in order to become a registered nurse. In some areas, nursing students may be eligible to take the exam after earning an Associate’s Degree, though most go on to earn a Baccalaureate Degree. An RN can also work as an intern while pursuing their degree. Internship programs are available in many areas, and they offer aspiring RNs pay and benefits that are comparable to those received entry-level nurses.
The RN’s responsibilities can range from taking a patient’s temperature to dressing a wound or giving an IV. In many cases, an RN may also perform triage in an emergency room setting, determining which patients require immediate attention. While registered nurses work in clinics, private practices, private homes, and nursing homes, they are an essential part of any hospital’s staff, assisting with everything from emergency care to intensive care.
An RN’s responsibilities and job descriptions may differ depending on the setting in which he or she works. While national standards govern overall requirements, state laws vary, as do the requirements for specific nursing positions, such as those that provide emergency or surgical care.