A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a college or university and has passed a national licensing exam.[1]
A registered nurse's scope of practice is determined by the school and by the government responsible for health care in the region. These bodies outline what is legal practice for registered nurses and what tasks they may or may not perform. In general, registered nurses help individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease. They care for the sick and injured in hospitals and other health care facilities, physicians' offices, private homes, public health agencies, schools, camps, and industry. Some registered nurses are employed in private practice, and a few work at home for healthcare companies.[2][3]
Nurses must have the ability to get along with other people and must communicate well. They must provide, without prejudice, the best care possible for every client. Especially during critical moments, the nurse must be self-controlled and efficient and show problem solving ability. Registered nurses supervise the nursing care of clients.
Education
Canada
In all Canadian provinces except Quebec, new registered nurses are required to have a BScN. [4] This is either achieved through a 4 year university (or collaborative) program or through a bridging program for existing RPNs/LPNs. Some universities also offer compressed programs for applicants already holding a bachelor's degree in another field.
United States
In the United States a registered nurse is a clinician who has completed at least an associate degree in nursing and has successfully completed the NCLEX-RN examination for initial licensure. Associate degree's in nursing are frequently take 3 years to complete because of the increased volume of undergraduate coursework related to the profession of nursing. Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees include more thorough coursework in leadership and community health.
Economics
As of 2011, there are 2.24 million registered nurses in China.[5] In 2008 the US had approximately 3 million nurses [6]and Canada had just over 250,000. In the US and Canada this works out to approximately 8 nurses per 1000 people.
See also
References
- ^ "Definition of registered nurse - medical practitioner and medicine (US English)". Oxforddictionaries.com. 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
- ^ Nursing (Ferguson's Careers in Focus). New York, NY: Ferguson. 2006. p. 188. ISBN 0-8160-6587-X.
- ^ "Healthcare and Nursing Jobs at Home". At Home With the Kids. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ^ http://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/becoming-an-rn/
- ^ "Statistical Communiqué on the 2011 National Economic and Social Development". stats.gov.cn. National Bureau of Statistics of China. 2012-2-22. Retrieved 2012-9-5.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/rnsurveys/rnsurveyfinal.pdf