Learn about the essential requirements, obligations, responsibilities, and skills that are helpful in a registered nurse job description.
Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients in hospitals, urgent care centers, private practices, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities. In addition to working in various settings, they can also specialize in areas like psychiatric, pediatric, or maternal health nursing. In a normal shift, they will work with doctors to treat health conditions, perform bedside procedures, operate medical equipment, and collect pertinent information about a patient’s health.
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Registered Nurse Job Description Template
Our practice is growing, and so is our need for registered nurses (RNs)! We’re looking for RNs that are ready to work with our physicians to provide person-focused care to our patients. In addition to having an excellent bedside manner, ideal candidates have experience working in a fast-paced environment, strong communication skills, and knowledge of medical terminology. Responsibilities for this position include giving medications to patients, assessing the patient’s condition, and maintaining patient records. An active state nursing license and all appropriate certifications are required.
Registered Nurse Responsibilities
- Administering medications and treatments
- Monitoring a patient’s condition
- Working with physicians and other medical staff to create and implement a treatment plan
- Maintaining accurate patient records of past and current medical history
- Educating patients about their health diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall visit
- Assist clinician during medical procedures
Registered Nurse Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Active state nursing license
- Completion and passing the NCLEX-RN or other licensure examination
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
- BLS and CPR certification from the American Heart Association
- Experience working in a hospital setting. ICU or ER experience is preferred.
- The ability to communicate with different demographics
Registered Nurse Duties And Responsibilities
Administering medications and treatments
As a part of their education, RNs are trained to administer medications to sick or injured patients using the five rights of medication administration “the right patient, the right drug, the right dose, the right route, and the right time.” RNs will give patients the appropriate medicine related to their condition or the treatment itself on the job. Strong knowledge of this principle and general medical terminology will help nurses in their careers.
Working with physicians and other medical staff to create and implement a treatment plan
RNs must work with physicians or other medical staff to provide patients with top-notch care. Using their experience and medical knowledge, they assist with creating and implementing the treatment plan. Because an RN usually spends the most time with a patient, they provide unique insight that the rest of the team might not have.
Assist clinicians during medical procedures
Helping with medical procedures is also a part of an RNs job. While they usually don’t lend a hand in an actual surgery or operation, they will help with pre- and post-op procedures to ensure the patient is comfortable and has everything they need for recovery. Experience in an emergency room or intensive care unit is beneficial for this responsibility.
Educating patients about their health diagnoses, treatment plan, and overall visit
Education is extremely important in healthcare. RNs can help increase health literacy among patients, especially those from marginalized backgrounds or that don’t have access to medical care. Explaining high-level scientific concepts to the general population is a unique skill that RNs have and one that serves them well on the job.
Related: Best Work From Home Nursing Jobs
Monitoring a patient’s condition
One of an RNs primary responsibilities is monitoring a patient’s condition while sick or injured. Often, they’ll be in charge of working with several patients. Many healthcare facilities are inundated with people, so nurses may deal with higher caseloads than normal. Having an excellent bedside manner is essential for this part of a nurse’s responsibilities.
If you want to land a job as a registered nurse, take the time to update your resume. To learn more, check out our guide to creating a nursing resume.
Registered Nurse Salary And Job Outlook
Median National Salary: $77,836
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in nursing
Number of Jobs: 203,200 jobs per year by 2031
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 6%
The Bottom Line
Registered nurses coordinate patient care, work to educate patients about their health, and support physicians during medical procedures. By passing the NCLEX and obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited university, you can begin pursuing a career as a registered nurse.
To see where employers are searching for candidates, check our list of the best free job posting sites. If you want to add a registered nurse to your team, post your registered nurse job description on ZipRecruiter today!
