Registered nurses provide health care to patients and assist other hospital personnel. Registered nurses need to go through rigorous training requirements to prepare them for practice. An understanding of what a registered nurse does can help you decide if it's a viable career path for you and what you need to do to succeed in this career path. In this article, we discuss what a registered nurse is and explore what they do, highlight the skills you need as a registered nurse, and examine how to become one.
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse has completed training as a nurse and has a licence issued by the relevant regulatory body in their jurisdiction to practice. Nurses are a vital part of the healthcare system and perform a range of healthcare functions. For instance, they assist doctors in treating patients. They also collaborate with other staff to ensure the smooth running of the hospital.
What does a Registered Nurse do?
Here are some of the duties of a registered nurse:
Clinical care
The primary duty is providing health care services to patients, whether alone or with a doctor. Registered nurses perform a range of healthcare functions, including administering medicine, dressing injuries, providing emergency care, monitoring patients' vital signs, and examining patient records. Nurses use the nursing process, which involves assessing the patient's health, diagnosing the likely problem, planning a treatment procedure, implementing the procedure, and evaluating or monitoring the patient's response. Nurses are usually the first point of contact for patients and sometimes address minor issues that don't need a doctor's attention.
Administration
Nurses also perform administrative functions, especially after spending a few years in service. Nurses with administrative duties supervise other nurses and hospital staff. They create schedules for hospital shifts, create work policies, and ensure compliance by other nurses and hospital staff. Nurses also handle hospital inventory by keeping track of supplies and alerting management when they're running low. They can also design and manage hospital budgets, especially as it relates to the nursing department.
Education
Registered nurses frequently educate people as part of their core responsibilities. Nurses educate patients on their illness and medication and provide other tips to maintain their health. They also educate the patient's family members on treatment plans, particularly when the hospital discharges them. Beyond this, nurses frequently engage in health counselling programs for the general public. In addition, they educate people on areas like hygiene, nutrition, birth control, and drug use and abuse. Registered nurses can also be responsible for training other nurses or hospital staff on basic medical procedures.
Policy
Registered nurses use their knowledge of health to contribute to policy-making at a local and national level. Nurses frequently monitor emerging health policies and offer recommendations and criticism to the government and other stakeholders. They also act through pressure groups to advocate for health policies that benefit both patients and hospital staff.
Research
Registered nurses also research health services and patient care. They rely on evidence-based practices to provide quality treatment to patients. Some nurses research nursing practices and healthcare processes to develop better ways to treat patients.
Skills you need to become a registered nurse
Here are the skills you need to be a registered nurse:
Communication skills
Nurses are usually the first person a patient meets in a hospital. They are responsible for listening to the patient's complaints, retrieving their file, and communicating instructions about hospital processes. Nurses also communicate with various hospital staff, including doctors, nurse assistants, and janitorial staff. They usually need to share specific, detail-sensitive, and time-sensitive information. To avoid misunderstanding, nurses require excellent communication skills.
Critical thinking skills
Since registered nurses are responsible for monitoring patient vitals and recovery, they're usually the first responders in an emergency. If a patient's health worsens, the nurse requires critical-thinking skills to solve the problem quickly. Similarly, when the hospital receives patients in critical condition, nurses need to brainstorm ways to stabilize them and keep them responsive to the doctor.
Organization skills
Nurses are responsible for creating, storing, and organizing patient files. Since they usually need to tend to many patients at once, a nurse requires organization skills to keep track of individual files and avoid errors. Nurses are also responsible for cleaning and storing patient care equipment. These types of equipment can be delicate and have specific requirements for arrangement. Nurses need to be meticulous and well-organized to prevent mishaps or patient infections.
Conflict management skills
Nurses usually work in teams and collaborate with doctors and other hospital staff. Hospitals are usually stressful environments where there's a lot of tension. This can lead to conflicts among nurses or between nurses and other staff. A registered nurse needs conflict management skills to navigate such situations without jeopardizing patient healthcare. Similarly, the families of patients can be aggressive toward nurses because of their emotional state. Nurses need to de-escalate such situations and manage uncooperative patients who refuse treatment.
Stamina
Nurses frequently work long shifts that can span eight to 12 hours. The job description of nurses dictates they're on their feet almost throughout their shift. Hospitals also usually encounter emergencies that require nurses to move quickly around the hospital. Nurses need to remain focused when delivering treatment to avoid costly mistakes and cope with these demands.
Teamwork
Nurses typically work in teams with other nurses or nurse assistants. They also work with doctors and other hospital staff. They need teamwork skills to ensure productive collaboration when treating patients. Nurses need to have open communication with other hospital staff to ensure patients receive quality care. They also need to be teachable and encouraging in an atmosphere where their colleagues can ask questions and raise suggestions.
How to become a registered nurse
Here are the steps to start your career as a registered nurse:
1. Complete your education
To become a nurse, your first step is to complete your high school education. Some universities require biology and chemistry to apply for a nursing degree, so ensure you research the university you want to attend and confirm their requirements. All provinces except Quebec require an undergraduate degree in nursing to apply for registration. In Quebec, you can become a registered nurse with a nursing diploma. A nursing degree usually takes four years to complete, while a nursing diploma can take two to three years, depending on the program you choose.
When choosing a nursing school, ensure the institution has accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. You can research their list of accredited institutions on their website. Many registered nurses opt for further education to have access to leadership positions or pursue better pay. While this is optional, having a further degree can make you more marketable to employers.
2. Obtain a provincial licence
The next step is to register in the province you intend to practice and obtain a licence. Each province has different requirements to obtain a nursing license. For example, all nurses in Ontario have to register with the Council of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). You need to apply to the CNO and be eligible before you can register. To register with the CNO, you need to pass the registration exam to evaluate your competence as a nurse. You also need to pass a jurisprudence exam organized by the college to test your knowledge of relevant laws.
After passing the exam, you need to meet the following requirements:
•Be fluent in written English or French
•Be eligible to register in the jurisdiction where you completed your nursing program
•Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, or authorization to practice nursing under the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act
•Evidence of good character, demonstrated by a criminal record or a Declaration of Registration Requirements
3. Pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)
The NCLEX tests your competence and verifies that you can safely begin practice as a nurse. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is the body that administers the NCLEX. To register, you need a licence from the Nursing Regulatory Body in your province. The exam costs $510, which you can pay online. The exam is a computerized test that comprises mostly multiple-choice questions. Once you pass this exam, it's valid everywhere in North America.
4. Apply for a job
Nurses can work in many places besides hospitals. As a registered nurse, you can also work in schools, clinics, or facilities that provide ambulatory care. Ensure you update your resume to reflect all your qualifications. You also need to prepare a cover letter and prepare for your interview.
More from
Medical
category
