5 Things a Registered Nurse Does
If you enjoy helping others and are highly interested in medicine, you may want to consider a job as a registered nurse (RN). This is a respected role and is one of the most effective ways to give back to your community. Many RN’s enjoy being around others and working in a medical environment. If you are considering this career, it is ideal to know the things that an RN is responsible for doing.
Complete a Physical Exam
When you go in for a doctor’s visit, the first person you are likely to see is the nurse. This individual has many duties, including weighing you and taking your blood pressure. This information will be recorded on your chart and will be included in your medical history for future reference when you make your next routine visit.
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Administer Medications
The RN has the authority to give you any medications that you are currently taking. This includes
looking at past prescriptions you have been on and determining if new ones are okay to take with these, as well.
Additionally, the RN can give you shots for any type of the medical condition that you may have or take care of a wound by properly dressing it.
Counsel Patients
In some settings or clinics, the RN may provide counseling to the patient that may help improve the patient’s health. This may involve eating a better diet or exercising more for better health over a long period.
RN’s are well educated on the human body and things that should be done for optimal performance.
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Review Patient Information
One thing that should be completed whether you are going in for a routine check-up or a complex medical procedure is to have your medical information reviewed. This is especially helpful if you are having surgery because any medications you are on could impact your physical condition before and after the surgery.
The RN will work closely with the doctor or surgeon to ensure you get the best possible treatment regardless of the reason for you visit.
Oversee Other Nurses
When it comes to coordinating the schedule of other nurses, the RN is typically in charge of this. This may involve creating the work shifts of others and going over this information with the doctor who is in charge.
Additionally, problems that arise at the doctor’s office or hospital between the nursing staff can be handled by the RN.
There are a number of tasks the RN professional is responsible for completing. This helps keep this job varied and exciting for any person who wants to enter this medical career. Being bored at work is not a typical complaint for employed RN’s!
Guest Author: Lolita Di
