WHAT IS A REGISTERED NURSE

(RN)?

WHAT IS AN RN?

CONTINUED

RNs use observation and assessment skills to support nursing diagnoses:

Ex: Alteration in Skin Integrity related to bedrest
Ex: Potential for Infection related to surgical wound

These nursing diagnoses help us to create a plan of care for our patients:
Ex: Turn and reposition patient every two hours
Ex: Change surgical dressing prn (as needed)

WHERE DO NURSES WORK?

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!

Hospitals
Clinics/Offices
Nursing Homes
Hospice
Schools
Cruise Ships

WHAT KINDS OF CAREER

OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
There are a multitude of specialties to choose
from including:

. Medical/Surgical - Care for a variety of ill or injured patients and patients who have undergone
surgery.
Critical Care Care for critically ill or injured patients of all ages.
Labor and Delivery - Care for mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery.
Pediatrics - Care for ill or injured children.
Cardiac Care - Care for patients with issues involving their hearts.
Geriatrics - Care for elderly ill or injured patients.

NURSING JOBS

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts

jobs for RNs will grow 19% by 2022 and that
one-half of the RN workforce will reach
retirement age by 2017.

The Bureau projects the need for 525,000 replacement nurses in the workforce by 2022.

State by state analysis predicts more of a nursing shortage in the South and West.

Employers have become flexible in scheduling options - nurses often work any combination of
8, 10, or 12 hour shift on days, nights and weekends.
Many facilities utilize some form of self-scheduling, allowing you to choose (within unit
guidelines) the shifts that you work.
There are endless possibilities for future nurses both male and female.

Salary
Entry level salary $ 22.06 hourly, $ 45, 900 annual
Average salary $ 32.04 hourly, $ 66,640 annual
Maximum salary $ 47.54 hourly, 98,900 annual

MY CAREER GOALS ARE

My goal is to commit myself to lifelong learning. I strongly believe that education
doesnt end at graduation, rather it continues for as long as you are in the nursing
profession. Although I am not hurry to complete my Masters degree due to my
decision to acquire nursing experience first, it is part of my plans in the future. Part
of being a nurse is the application of knowledge and the continuation of learning.
My goal is to make it a point to stay current on education by taking courses,
attending conferences, obtaining certifications, as well as joining meaningful
nursing organizations.
My second goal is to provide ongoing community service to those in need of
medical assistance and are less fortunate.

WHAT CAN I DO NOW TO PREPARE

FOR A CAREER IN NURSING?
Work hard to get good grades.
Study science and math courses.
Write to a mentor and read the profiles of nurses at
the Advice Corner page of the NHNA site.
Consider job shadowing.

WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION DO

I NEED TO BECOME A NURSE?
You can still enter the field with an Associate Degree in Nursing usually through a two year program at a community college. After completion
of the program, graduates must pass the NCLEX test to apply for state licensure
as an RN.
HOWEVER THERE IS AN INCREASED EMPHASIS ON OBTAINING A

Baccalaureate in Science in Nursing Usually a four year program at a

college or university. After completing the program, graduates must pass the
NCLEX test to apply for state licensure as an RN.

EDUCATION
In CCBC, B.S. Degrees in Nursing are offered at:
Towson university
Morgan state university
University of Baltimore
Goucher college
University of Maryland and so on.
To get my B.S. degree I will transfer either Towson university or
university of Maryland .

References
APNA. (n.d.). Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Resource
Center.www.medscape.com. Medscape Nurses.
Colley, S. (2003). "Nursing theory: Its importance to practice. " Nursing
Standard 17.46: 33. ProQuest Medical Library, ProQuest.