The day-to-day work of a nurse involves caring for patients and assisting in the daily operations of their healthcare facility. There are positions available in nearly all medical fields, giving nurses unique opportunities to advance in their careers and work in a wide variety of environments. Read on to learn more about being a nurse!
What Does a Nurse Do?
No two days are ever the same for a nurse. In a clinic or hospital setting, patients are continuously coming and going which requires nurses to think quickly and problem-solve at every turn. Throughout each day, the job duties of a nurse can include:
- Providing direct care to patients
- Discussing treatment options with patients
- Asking patients about their medical history and current symptoms to help determine any underlying issues
- Checking patients’ vital signs
- Administering IVs and medication
Because they have more education and training, Registered Nurses (RNs) enjoy more decision-making capabilities and less direct supervision than some other nurses. Their duties could even include supervising the work of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (or teaching them specific skills and procedures). The additional education also gives an RN better opportunity for advancement in the nursing profession. See more reasons to become a registered nurse here!
No matter where a nursing professional works, team support is a huge benefit of the job. Everyone works together and helps one another to ensure every patient gets the best possible care. Working as a nurse also offers flexible scheduling, locations, and career options. Some nurses elect to move from one type of assignment to the next to enhance their skill sets and experience something new. Others may choose to specialize in certain areas, such as oncology, family medicine, hospice, or surgical practice.
Take the First Step to Become a Nurse
Becoming a nurse begins with enrollment in nursing school. Arizona College offers a 3-year nursing program that includes 877 hours of clinical experience, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a real-life situation that nurses commonly deal with. The entire program can be completed in as little as 3 years. Graduates of this program earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and are prepared to pursue nursing licensure, which is a requirement of becoming a registered nurse.
Information in this blog post is accurate as of December 10, 2019.