What Is a Registered Nurse?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics1, registered nurses (RNs) are licensed healthcare professionals who may "provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families" from birth to end of life.
The nursing process2 has five steps in a scientific method "designed to deliver the very best in patient care."
- Assessment: An in-depth physiological, economic, social and lifestyle review.
- Diagnosis: Review physical symptoms and patient behavior and form a diagnosis.
- Outcomes/Planning: Use expertise to set realistic goals for recovery, then monitor.
- Implementation: Implement the care plan and document the progress.
- Evaluation: Analyze the effectiveness of the care plan and study the patient response with the hope to ensure a positive outcome.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of Registered Nurses
According to the American Nurses Association®2, some key responsibilities of a registered nurse's duties may include:
- Physical exams and health histories
- Collect lab samples and perform diagnostic tests
- Provide health counseling and education to patients and families
- Administer medicine, blood pressure, treatment and other interventions
- Coordinate care alongside other healthcare professionals
- Operate and monitor medical equipment
- Direct other staff, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistants (CNAs)
A registered nurse’s duties1 vary based on the patient group they work with. Neonatal nurses care for newborns with health concerns, often utilizing advanced techniques in the NICU. Cardiovascular nurses focus on patients with heart conditions, including those undergoing heart surgery.
Additionally, some nurses may not work with patients at all, but their license is active. These are often educators, hospital administrators or healthcare consultants.
What Are Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Roles?
APRNs2 typically hold an advanced degree in addition to nursing education and licensing criteria. They "provide invaluable primary and preventative healthcare to the public."
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) typically:
- Treat and diagnose patients
- Advise on public health concerns
- Manage chronic disease
- Engage in continuous education
Common leadership roles2 among APRNs may include:
- Nurse practitioners who prescribe medications and diagnose or treat minor illnesses.
- Certified nurse/midwives provide gynecological exams.
- Clinical nurse specialists may provide care for physical or mental health concerns.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists may administer anesthetics during surgery procedures.
Work Settings for Registered Nurses
As of 2023, registered nurses worked3 in a variety of settings:
- 58% in hospitals
- 19% in ambulatory healthcare services
- 6% in government roles
- 5% in nursing and residential care facilities
- 3% in education
As some registered nurses work in specialized settings3, ambulatory healthcare settings may include physicians' offices or home and healthcare facilities. Registered nurses may also travel across the country or in different countries to bring medical care to places that don't have sufficient healthcare for their populations.
Other registered nurses may work in non-traditional settings like schools, universities, businesses, community health departments, nonprofit or government organizations.
Skills and Qualifications
There are many skills4 that registered nurses use as healthcare professionals every day. Here's a breakdown of the most common qualities and skills that may be helpful for registered nurses:
- Critical thinking: Registered nurses access changes in the health of a patient and must decide what steps to take.
- Communication: Registered nurses must clearly communicate with patients to understand their concerns. They should also explain instructions, relay important information, and collaborate effectively with healthcare teams.
- Detail-oriented: Registered nurses must be thorough in understanding patients' concern in order to get the correct treatment plans in place in a timely manner. Ability to administer medications and perform medical procedures.
- Emotional stability: May be crucial in stressful times to aid patients in emergency situations or crises.
- Organizational skills and time management: Working with multiple patients in a day or the ability to coordinate treatment plans and records.
- Physical strength and stamina: Registered nurses may be on their feet for most of their shifts. Other physical tasks may include interacting with patients, like lifting patients or other personalized interventions.
Specialized Nursing Roles
There are also specialized nursing career roles, like nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that will lead to the career outcomes of Certified Nurse Anesthetist or Certified Nurse Midwife.
These roles require advanced education, training, and specific certification/licensing and often involve specialized settings, such as neonatal units, operating rooms, or emergency departments at hospitals.
Specialized nursing roles may also involve pursuing leadership roles, additional education and research, such as assistant clinical nurse managers.
Education and Training
Typically students study in a bachelor’s degree or associate degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or receive a diploma from a nursing program. Registered nurses are required to be licensed and pass the NCLEX-RN®, with additional requirements varying by state.
Some registered nurses may pursue advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.
If you're interested in becoming a registered nurse, read more in article, "How To Become a Professional Nurse."
American Nurses Association® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Association 8515 Georgia Ave, suite 400 Silver Spring, MARYLAND UNITED STATES 20910
NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 111 East Wacker Drive Suite 2900 Chicago, ILLINOIS UNITED STATES 60601
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-2 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
2 American Nurses Association®, What is Nursing?, at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
