Registered nurses (RNs) are the backbone of almost every health care
facility in the nation. RNs provide patients with treatment and education,
as well as participating in patient care evaluation and discharge
planning. Responsibilities of a registered nurse may include
understanding, administering, and evaluating the effects of a wide range
of medicines, operating and interpreting intricate life saving equipment,
and being caring and sympathetic to patients with severe injuries and
illnesses. There are many specialties that an RN may choose such as
intensive care, pediatrics, gerontology, surgical care, psychiatry,
oncology, orthopedics, administration, or education. Registered nurses are
also in charge of supervising other nursing staff such as licensed
practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Anyone
interested in entering this field of nursing should be well organized,
able to work well under pressure, able to form and maintain good
interpersonal relationships, and have the ability to handle emergencies
calmly. Academic ability and good study habits are also necessary for any
student who is considering a career in nursing. Nursing is one of the most
challenging and rewarding health careers and requires hard work and
dedication to be successful.
Work Environment:
Registered nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, public health
departments, clinics, schools, physicians' offices, home health agencies,
rehabilitation centers, mental health institution, the military, and
industrial or corporate sites.
High School Preparation:
Students interested in a career as a registered nurse should take courses
in biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, psychology, sociology, first
aid, foods and nutrition, health occupations/medical professions
education, physical education, English, computer skills, and foreign
languages.
College Requirements:
Students interested in an associate's degree in nursing should have a high
school diploma or the equivalent. Qualified LPNs are also able to join
programs that offer advancement to the registered nurse level. Programs
are two years in length at community colleges and universities, and are
taught under the leadership of a nursing faculty. Upon completion of the
program, students will hold an Associate Degree and are eligible to apply
to take the national licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse. These
programs are a complete entity and are not designed as the first half of a
baccalaureate degree, but students may continue their education by
enrolling in a BSN completion program which will result in a baccalaureate
degree.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study
click here.
Career Outlook:
According to the US Department of Labor, nursing is the largest health
care related occupation in the country. It is also a profession that is
experiencing a nation-wide shortage. Employment opportunities for
registered nurses are excellent and are expected to grow 21%-35% through
the end of the decade. As the "baby-boom" generation becomes increasingly
older, the number of people who will require medical care is projected to
grow very rapidly. There will also be a demand for nursing educators who
will be responsible for teaching the next generation of talented nurses.
Another area of expected growth is in advanced training and
specialization.
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Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$50,200
Salary Range
$41,300 to $58,400
Professional Organizations:
American Nurses Association
600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 100 W.
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 651-7000
www.nursingworld.org
Mississippi Nurses
Association
31 Woodgreen Place
Madison, MS 39110
Phone: (601) 898-0670
www.msnurses.org
National Organization
for Associate Degree Nursing
11250 Roger Bacon Dr.
Suite 8
Reston, VA 20190-5202
Phone: (703) 437-4377
www.noadn.org
MS Organization for
Associate Degree Nursing
Jones County Junior College
900 South Court Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 477-4099
www.moadn.org
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RN Associates brochure
here.
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