What Does RN Mean?
The spread of COVID-19 across the world put the estimated 20 million nurses and midwives worldwide to the test. But still, according to a recent poll, for 19 years in a row, they have been the undisputed leaders of the most honest and trusted profession, as all types of nurses continue to be fully committed to their work. Some even aim to further advance in their education by obtaining special certifications while continuing to help people in need.
As one of the largest professions in healthcare, nursing offers a variety of options for different types of nurses, including RN nurses. But, what does RN stand for? What are the requirements and responsibilities related to this profession? And, what are the job prospects and salary? Keep reading and find out all about RN meaning and beyond.
What Does RN Stand For?
RN is an abbreviation that stands for “Registered Nurse”, which applies to any nurse that has completed the necessary training for the job. The term RN is used to refer to a nurse who obtains the necessary knowledge and skills to provide direct care to patients. After graduating from a nursing program, receiving the required specialized education, and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, RN’s are licensed by the state to provide and coordinate patient care on various medical conditions.
If you are still wondering about what RN means in nursing, then let's have a look at the job responsibilities associated with this role.
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RN job responsibilities
As a registered nurse, you will utilize all the nursing knowledge gathered through higher education, as well as your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, in order to provide care to individuals, groups of people, or communities. Responsibilities of a registered nurse encompass more than the typical healthcare nursing service we might have encountered as patients.
As an RN, your responsibilities include planning, evaluating, and other interventions related to various injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.
Planning
As a registered nurse practitioner, you will be responsible for developing the most suitable care and treatment plans, based on tests and various analyses of patients in consultation with the respective supervisors and doctors. You also have to generate and coordinate educational plans to inform and advise patients and their families regarding their condition and resources. This way you can help and support them regarding the continuity of the patient’s care once leaving the healthcare facilities.
Evaluating
Registered nurses have to continuously gather data on the patients' health history. Then, they must supervise, evaluate, and interpret their health status and the data regarding their treatment. In addition, RN’s look for ways to improve the healthcare processes, assessing the patients' ability to manage their health and identifying the possible outcomes and changes in the patient's status.
Nursing interventions
As an RN, you would help prepare patients for various tests and treatments. In addition, you also perform physical examinations and diagnostic tests, supervise their treatments, side effects, and possible reactions to the medication. Registered nurses are responsible for multiple interventions depending on the patient's problems, whether it be cleaning and bandaging a wound, administering medication, assisting in medical procedures, operating medical equipment, or helping with the lab work.
How to Become a Registered Nurse?
To become a registered nurse, you must be well prepared for and committed to the job. On your way towards this profession, you need to acquire a specific set of skills, qualifications, and education certifications.
Education
It takes approximately three years to become a licensed registered nurse. In order to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, you should follow the traditional education roadmap that will guide you towards an academic nursing program with an accredited college or university. You must pick between two main RN-qualifying nursing degrees: the Associate's Degree in Nursing or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon completing the necessary coursework and earning your diploma, you will have finished the first step towards becoming an RN.
Qualifications
To become an RN, the minimum qualifications you must fulfill are obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or even a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In addition, you must successfully complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam, used to ascertain that you are entirely ready to start practicing your duties as an entry-level nurse.
Skills
Some of the key skills a registered nurse needs to obtain in order to fulfill their duties include a high level of medical knowledge and the ability to multitask and balance many responsibilities simultaneously. In addition, they must show strong skills in communication, assessment, critical thinking, and a desire to continuously learn and improve themselves throughout their nursing career journey.
How Much Does an RN Make?
The average base salary of a registered nurse in the United States can vary depending on the state you work in, the healthcare facility, as well as the amount of experience you possess.
How much does an RN make a year?
The average annual salary for a registered nurse in the United States is estimated to be around $80,888.
For entry-level nurses with less than one year of experience, this yearly salary is around $73,106, whereas RN nurses with more than ten years of experience earn up to $95,549 per year.
When it comes to annual salaries, the highest-paying cities for registered nurses in the United States are:
Chicago, IL - $88,600 per year
Las Vegas, NV - $88,006 per year
Houston, TX - $82,651 per year
Phoenix, AZ - $82,637 per year
Atlanta, GA - $79,306 per year
Dallas, TX - $77,344 per year
Miami, FL - $75,558 per year
New York, NY - $74,555 per year
How much does an RN make per hour?
Based on reports, the average hourly salary for a registered nurse in the United States is $37.90 per hour.
However, as previously mentioned, the years of experience can play a big role in the salary. Nurses with less than one year of experience earn $34.25 per hour, whereas those with more than ten years can earn up to $44.77 an hour.
The highest-paying states in the United States on an hourly basis are:
Chicago, IL - $41.51 per hour
Las Vegas, NV - $41.24 per hour
Houston, TX - $38.73 per hour
Phoenix, AZ - $38.72 per hour
Atlanta, GA - $37.16 per hour
Dallas, TX - $36.24 per hour
Miami, FL - $35.40 per hour
New York, NY - $34.93 per hour
RN Job Prospects
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow by 9% in the following decade, from 2020 to 2030. Their reports show that around 194,500 new job openings for RN nurses are projected to be created each year.
These numbers show that the job prospect of registered nurses is quite promising as the profession is high in demand and will continue to be so for many years.
Conclusion
If you found similarities or links between your strengths and the skills, responsibilities, and requirements for the job, patients in need of care would appreciate you taking the necessary steps towards becoming a nurse.
After experiencing the struggles of dealing with COVID-19, now more than ever, people understand the importance of healthcare workers and in particular the need to have qualified nurses.
So, start helping heal the world today by becoming a registered nurse.