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The health care industry is facing rising demand for medical services, as the population ages and new medical technologies expand available care. Registered nurses are some of the key caregivers responding to this historic surge in patients. You can take advantage of career opportunities in nursing by completing a registered nursing training program.
Overview of Registered Nurse Training
Registered nurses provide clinical care and support to patients in every sector of health care. Some of the key clinical responsibilities of an RN include:
In addition, nurses educate patients and the general public about healthy lifestyle choices, including nutrition and regular exercise. They may also teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses and injuries. Some RNs work with public health agencies to administer public medical screening, immunization clinics, blood drives, and educational seminars.
As a registered nurse, you may choose to work in virtually any area of medical practice. Some key specialties include emergency room, oncology, labor and delivery, pediatrics, surgery, diabetes management, geriatric care, psychiatry, occupational health, and ambulatory care. Your registered nursing training incorporates hands-on clinical training in a variety of specialties to help you choose.
Registered Nursing Training: Degrees and Coursework
Registered nursing training gives you a solid foundation for nursing practice as well as the formal credentials to qualify for national and state licensing. A high school diploma or GED is the basic prerequisite for registered nurse training. You can find nursing programs at junior colleges, health training institutes, or four-year colleges and universities.
There are three different types of registered nursing training:
Alternative RN Training Options
It's possible to advance from an associate's degree or diploma to a bachelor's degree through a special accelerated RN-to-BSN program. Bachelor's degree graduates can also qualify for advanced practice nursing or higher-level research and administrative jobs by completing a master's degree in nursing. Finally, career changers who already have a bachelor's degree in another field may be able to complete an accelerated BSN degree, which qualifies them for an RN position in 12 to 18 months.
Registered Nursing Career Outlook
Registered nurses face a bright career future, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections for 2008 to 2018. Employment is set to increase an estimated 22 percent throughout this period, creating 581,500 new registered nursing jobs. RNs already make up the largest health care occupation, with 2.6 million jobs nationwide. Registered nurses will see the most growth of any profession in the U.S.
Areas of particular growth include physician's offices, home health care, and long-term nursing care facilities. New technological advances in patient care are behind the estimated 48 percent increase in physician's office nursing jobs. These advances are expanding the range of services available to ill and injured patients. Meanwhile, elderly patients are driving demand for home and long-term nursing care. In addition, medical providers and insurance carriers are placing stronger emphasis on preventative care, an area in which registered nurses play an important role.
Registered nurses not only enjoy widespread job opportunities, but also generous compensation. Salaries, bonuses, and benefits have risen as hospitals and clinics vie for qualified RNs. In May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual salary of $63,750.
Resources for Registered Nurses
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