This document provides an overview of several nursing job roles and responsibilities. Nurses can work in various environments like hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Their duties depend on their level of education and specialty, such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, and gerontological nurses. Nursing is a personally fulfilling 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
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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.