1. Registered Nurse By: Erika Gill Period 0

2. Definition of a Registered Nurse: A registered nurse is a graduate trained nurse who has passed a state registration examination and has been licensed to practice nursing. Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.

3. Job Description: Common Tasks Administrating medications, setting Ivs, and giving shots. Checking and recording patient’s vital signs. Emotional support Patient education Ordering, interpreting and evaluating diagnostic tests. Modifying treatment plans based on a patient's condition.

4. Why does this career interest me? The reason why I want to become a registered nurse is because every since I was in middle school, I always thought of becoming an RN. Becoming an RN is a great way to help others and make a difference in someone’s life. Because I really enjoy helping others, I thought becoming a registered nurse would be the perfect job for me. Registered nurses need to be very compassionate and have a strong desire for helping others. Eventually after doing everything I need to do to become a registered nurse, the specific job I want to do is become a pediatric nurse. Becoming a pediatric nurse would be the perfect job for me because I would like to provide care for infants, children and adolescents.

5. Career Details: Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses or injuries, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs may work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease. RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions.

6. Salary/Pay Income: Average salary is $63,750. Average hourly wage is $30.65. Starting salary for new a RN is $28,000-$50,000 per year on average. Starting hourly wage of a new RN is $16.50-26.00 per hour.

7. Educational Requirements: To work as a registered nurse you must earn a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing. BSN programs are offered by universities and colleges and take up to 4 years to complete. ADN programs are offered by community and junior colleges and take up to 2 or 3 years to complete. Diploma programs are usually 3 years long and are administrated by hospitals. All states require graduation from an approved nursing program and passing of a national licensing exam called the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN.

8. Top Schools With Nursing Programs: University of Phoenix Ivy Bridge University Ultimate Medical Academy Post University South University Virginia College Salem International University Jones International University University of Southern California Western Governors University Jacksonville University LA College Keiser University

9. Knowledge: Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

10. Skills Registered Nurses Should Have: Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Instructing – Teaching others how to do something. Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others. Monitoring/assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of other's reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

11. Resources: http://www.cacareerzone.org/flash/profile/29-1111.00.html?cid=1259391 http://www.mommd.com/rn-job-descriptions.shtml http://www.registerednursern.com/registered-nurse-rn-salary-pay-wages-and-income-of-registered-nurses/ http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/reg nurse.htm