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Nursing: Registered Nurse (RN)

Meet Janelle …

When she graduated high school, Janelle didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do. “I was always great in math and science class and I was interested in health care. When I had the opportunity to shadow a physician during high school, I saw the nurses in the hospital working with the patients much more often than the doctors. Working one-on-one with patients was what I really wanted, so becoming a registered nurse was a good choice.” Janelle enrolled in a twoyear program at a local community college.

As a Registered Nurse (RN), Janelle is on the front lines of patient care. Nurses not only provide care for the ill and injured, but they also help prevent illness and promote good health. Registered nurses are counselors, teachers, confidantes, managers and communicators working closely with patients on a one-on-one basis. Some of their responsibilities include diagnosis, therapy, patient support and administrative duties.

Nursing is a lot different than it was even ten years ago. “Nursing technology is constantly evolving, so you’ve got to keep on the cutting edge,” Janelle says.

Registered nurses usually work with a physician; however, their independent judgment, evaluation and delivery of patient care are crucial. “The patient’s health is depending on you, so you have to be at your best,” Janelle says.

Registered nurses prepare patients for examination and assist the physician during the examination and treatment. They also administer medications and treatments prescribed by physicians. The nurse’s duties vary according to the size and staffing of the facility. In a large, well-staffed hospital with nurse aides, the nurse's duties may be almost exclusive to patient treatment; but in a smaller institution with less support staff, the nurse may also sterilize instruments, make beds, feed and bathe patients and prepare rooms for occupancy. The experienced nurse may also have supervisory responsibilities.

The field of nursing has a range of specialties. Therefore, nurses can choose their area of focus, perhaps in community health, diabetes, emergency room work, geriatric care, gynecology, neonatal care, nephrology, intensive care, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatrics or surgery, among other areas.

Janelle is enthusiastic about nursing. “I love the balance of working with the latest technology and hands-on care. As an RN, I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life each day — that’s important to me.”

Career Q and A …

Q: What would I earn?
A: The average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in the Pittsburgh region is about $43,000. Salary levels tend to be higher for people with more education and experience.

Q: Where would I work?
A: As the general population ages and technology advances, the need for highly skilled nurses will continue to increase. Nurses will be needed in hospitals, nursing homes (long-term care facilities), ambulatory care centers, physician offices and clinics.

Q: What kind of training or experience would I need?
A: There are four educational pathways you can take to become a registered nurse:

• A two year-year program at a community college, resulting in an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN).
• A two or three-year program at a hospital, emphasizing clinical experience, resulting in a Nursing Diploma.
• A four-year program at a college or university, resulting in a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN).
• A two-year second bachelors program at a university (for those students who already have a bachelors degree).

Q: How about licensure and specialization?
A: After you successfully complete any of these programs, you must become licensed by passing a comprehensive national examination.

You can also pursue a specialization to gain more responsibility and earn a higher responsibility. With more training, you can become a nurse anesthetist, a nurse midwife, or a nurse practitioner. You could also advance to medical administration. These positions require at least a four-year degree, and often they require a master’s degree, but you would probably earn more than a traditional RN. The average nurse anesthetist, for example, earns about $111,000 in the Pittsburgh region.

Registered Nurse (RN) at a glance...

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