Registered nurses (RNs) are on the front lines of patient-centered health care. RNs perform basic duties that include treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patient medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs, and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. RNs also run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions.
RNs can specialize in one or more patient-care specialties. The most common specialties can be divided into roughly four categories:
- by work setting or type of treatment
- by disease, ailment or condition
- by organ or body system type
- by population
RNs may combine specialties from more than one area – for example, pediatric oncology and cardiac emergency – depending on their personal interest and their employer's needs.
This transfer-oriented program provides you with the first year of study needed to become a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing.