Career Research

Yvette Clark
Mr. Murphy
English 51
1 May 2009
Career Research
Registered Nurse
Two years ago, after a five year battle, my beloved mother passed away from breast cancer. At the time of her passing I felt, along with many other emotions, very helpless and devastated not ever being able to help or take care of my mother. Since that moment I have pondered the thought of helping people by way of becoming a registered nurse. I began to explore the requirements such as the work environment, duties, training, job outlook and salary.
Work Environment
The work environment of a registered nurse can be very pleasant and rewarding to one soul. My registered nurses have been looked at as angels from above. According to my aunt, Carmen Gordon who has been a registered nurse for over 30 years at Eisenhower Medical Center located in Rancho Mirage, California the ambiance is wonderful. The staff is friendly and helpful and the facilities are clean, bright and positive. She also says that if a person is not capable of taking care of sick, rude sometimes insane people than nursing is not the career for them.
Duties
Depending on the type of registered nurse, each may have different duties but certain duties are performed by all registered nurses. The Bureau of labor statistics says that the duties for a registered nurse are to treat patients, educate patients about various medical conditions, record medical histories and symptoms, perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, give medications, administer treatments, and help with patient follow up and rehabilitation. Also to teach patients and their families how to care for their illness or injury by establishing a care plan or expand on an existing one.
Training
According to California Board of Registered Nurses and The Bureau of Labor Statistics the education needed to become Registered nurses is either of four ways. The four pathways are a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADA), an R.N. to a BSN or by receiving a diploma. Each takes about four years to complete.
Job Outlook
The employment of registered nurses is expected to continue growing at extremely high rates. Carmen Gordon says that registered nurses are always in demand and hospitals seem to be running short staffed of them. The amount of jobs available to registered nurses will increase by 23 % in the next ten years (BLS).
Salary
The salary of a registered nurse can depend on the specialized training, industry and geographical location. Most registered nurses receive benefits, bonuses, educational benefits and yearly pay increases. The median annual salary for registered nurses in 2006 was $60,000. The salaries can range from $84,000 to $50,000(BLS).