A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who provides care for patients in a variety of settings. They work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients manage their illnesses. Some of the main responsibilities of a RN include:
- Assessing and monitoring patient health: RNs regularly check on their patients, monitor their vital signs, and assess their medical history to identify any changes in their health or new symptoms.
- Developing and implementing care plans: Based on their assessments, RNs create care plans to help their patients manage their conditions, recover from illness or injury, or maintain their overall health.
- Administering medications and treatments: RNs are trained to administer medications and treatments, such as injections, intravenous medications, and wound care.
- Educating patients and families: RNs play a key role in educating patients and their families about their conditions, treatments, and self-care strategies to promote better health outcomes.
- Collaborating with healthcare teams: RNs work closely with physicians, other nurses, and healthcare professionals to coordinate and provide the best care for their patients.
- Documenting patient care: RNs keep detailed records of their patients’ health status, treatments, and progress to ensure that all relevant information is available to the healthcare team.
The scope of an RN’s role can vary depending on the setting they work in and the patients they care for, but they are an essential part of the healthcare team, providing vital care and support to patients.