A career as a nurse offers rewarding work but also challenges. Nurses can work in various environments depending on their degree and specialty, including hospitals, clinics, and private homes. The document outlines several types of nursing roles, from registered nurses who provide direct patient care, to nurse practitioners who can prescribe medications, to licensed practical nurses who assist physicians and registered nurses. Nursing is a demanding but important career with many opportunities for advancement in different medical specialties.

1. Nurse Job Description

2. A career as a nurse is one that is personally rewarding but also
quite challenging. Nurses provide medical services to all
segments of society in various types of work environments. The
type of nursing job depends on the type of nursing degree or
certification one has. Nurses can be classified according to the
positions they hold, medical issues they specialize in, types of
patients they treat, specific nursing skills, and the type of
environment in which they work. Each specific type of nurse has
a different set of job responsibilities. Therefore, a qualified
candidate has a lot of nursing career options from which to
choose.

3. Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses (RNs) make up the largest segment of health
care workers. RNs provide a number of services that include:
perform patient evaluations, monitor and track vital
signs, perform certain medical such administering
medications, placing IVs, phlebotomy, and administering
medications. These nurses work directly with patients and their
families, whether for in-patients or outpatients. Because these
nurses work on the front lines of patient care, they maintain
regular contact with patients and are often the first to notice
issues with a patient. RNs develop daily nursing care plans both
in the hospital and for care after a patient goes home. You have
to take an exam to get licensed as a Registered Nurse.

4. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse Practitioners are primary caregivers who evaluate patient
health problems and needs and develop nursing care plans.
These nurses provide nursing care to the injured, ill, disabled,
and convalescent patients. They are responsible for maintaining
the health records of patients. In addition, nurse practitioners
may advise patients on disease prevention and health
maintenance. You have to take an exam to get licensed as a
nursing practitioner. Nurse Practitioners have the right to
prescribe certain medications. They can also concentrate in
specific areas such as women’s health, neonatal care, family
care, etc.

5. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide medical care to
patients and typically report directly to physicians and RNs.
Such tasks LPNs can prepare and perform, depending on
province/state policies, the following: taking patient vitals and
monitoring, providing treatment for common bed sores, giving
enemas, bathing patients, dressing patients, administer
prescribed medicines, start IV fluid, and dressing wounds. LPNs
have a fair amount of contact with patients so they help
patients manage their illnesses.

6. Gerontological Nurse
Gerontological nurses provide nursing care for the elderly in
nursing homes, hospitals, and physician offices. They perform a
number of tasks such as: implement treatment plans for various
long term illnesses, provide support for patients, and provide
support for patient families. Such illnesses these nurses can
provide care for include heart conditions, physical conditions
such as fractures, stroke, head injuries, and such conditions as
Alzheimer’s, strokes, and head injuries. These nurses evaluate
patients, develop treatment plans, and monitor a patient’s
progress.

7. Various Types of Hospital
Nurses Job Descriptions
Hospital nurses can be classified according to where in the
hospital they work. OR Nurses provide care for patients before
surgery, assists doctors during surgery, and provide care for
patients after surgery. Emergency Room (ER) nurses are the
first to take care of patients when they come in with a medical
emergency. Psychiatric Nurses care for patients with medical
problems, psychiatric disorders, or substance abuse problems in
hospitals and community health centers. Pediatric Nurses care
for infants and children in primary care facilities, hospitals, and
critical care facilities. Their work focuses on health promotion,
diagnosing common childhood illnesses, disease prevention, and
treatment of injuries.

8. Nurse Anesthetists work in the OR. They have received training
and have passed a licensing exam to be certified registered
nurse anesthetists(CRNA). They perform similar duties as
anesthesiologists. Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses work with
patients recovering from heart problems. Acute Care
Nurses work with patients suffering from sudden illnesses such
as respiratory distress, shock, and heart attacks. Oncology
Nurses work with cancer patients in hospitals, hospice
programs, cancer centers, extended care facilities, homes, and
physician offices.

9. Travel Nurse
Travel nurses are Registered Nurses who travel across the
country providing nursing care in the form of short-term
assignments. They fill in for nurses on leave at a variety of
medical facilities such as hospitals, physician clinics, etc.

10. Nurses perform a very important role in the health care
system. They provide valuable health care services to their
patients in physician clinics, hospitals, communities, and more.
Nursing is a challenging and rewarding career, with many
opportunities to advance in specialty nursing fields. Today,
across the country nursing jobs are in great demand.