Career Info

What kind of career can you expect?

Professional Nurses, and specifically RNs, regardless of specialty or work setting, provide patient care, educate patients and the public about various Health issues as well as provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' health histories and symptoms help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate equipment that supports patient health care, administer patient medications and treatments, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

Professional Nurses teach patients and their families how to manage their health care during health or illness. This includes explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Professional nurses work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease.

Associate Degree (AD) Nurses (upon passing the NCLEX-RN Exam) are qualified to work as a Registered Nurse in any structured healthcare setting. Those opportunities include: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, physician offices or clinics, home-health and/or any aspect of direct care for patients.

What skills, traits, or prep classes would be helpful?

Individuals with a caring and compassionate nature who desire to serve others are essential for excellent nurses. Other necessary assets include keen observation and decision-making skills, the ability to function well under stress, and finely tuned verbal and written communication skills. Nurses often lift up to 50 lbs, bend, reach, and kneel, and are required to have and use science and math skills in thinking critically.