Registered Nurses (RN)
Nursing is one of the most promising and challenging professions in today's world. With an ageing American population, nurses are in greater demand today than ever before. Depending upon a nurse's education, work experience, and duties, there are different types of nurses that one can choose to become. While RNs are one of the many types of nurses, they are higher in the nursing hierarchy. The nursing profession has a great outlook. The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 26% growth rate between 2010 and 2020 in the nursing profession. This is a faster growth rate than the average for all other occupations. In 2010 alone, there were in excess of 2 million jobs. The number is only going to go up in the future.
What Do They Do?
RNs perform a wide variety of duties while working in different healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, physicians' clinics, schools, correctional facilities, and the military. Some of the daily duties of RNs may include:
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Recording patients' symptoms and medical histories
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Consulting with doctors
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Helping doctors perform medical tests
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Treating patients with medicines
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Operating and monitoring medical equipment
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Talking to the patients' and their families regarding illnesses and how to treat and manage them
Is Registered Nursing For You?
If you have the following personality traits, registered nursing may be for you:
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Detail oriented
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Emotional stability
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Patience
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Compassion
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Critical-thinking skills
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Organizational skills
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Speaking skills
How To Become A Registered Nurse?
RNs either hold:
Those who successfully pass the academic stage must take and pass a national licensing examination in order to become a licensed registered nurse.
Is Online Nursing Education For You?
While traditional nursing schools offer various programs in nursing, various institutes are now offering online programs in nursing as well. Both academic settings are equally good as long as they are accredited. However, online education will particularly suit the following students:
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Married students or those with full-time jobs who do not have time to attend a traditional school and would rather study from the comfort of their home.
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Students who cannot commute because the institute is far away.
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Older students who may not feel comfortable studying with students half their age.
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Students looking to save money may prefer online courses as some of them may be less expensive than traditional campus-based courses.
What Do Courses Do Nursing Students Take?
The nurses have supervised clinical experience in pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, and maternity. It is worth mentioning here that some requirements of the programs like laboratory work and internship cannot be done online and will have to be fulfilled in a traditional way at a local hospital or clinic.
Where to Enroll in Florida?
RN programs in Florida are offered by many institutes. If you are a prospective RN, make sure that you enroll in a program which is accredited. Furthermore these institutes may have different enrollment criterion and fees as well.[1]
According to statistics, 162,530 registered nurses were employed in the state of Florida and their numbers are expected to increase in the coming years. O*NET OnLine predicts 23% positive change in the employment numbers of RNs from 2012 to 2022. In 2013, RNs in Florida were earning a median annual income of $62,060.
Reference
^ Registered Nurse Career Information: http://www.excite.com/education/qualification/rn-degree