Occupation Details
Registered Nurses
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$68,440.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$99,550.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$110,610.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
197,160
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
230,580
+3,342 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
14,430
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Registered Professional Nurse
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Angiocaths
- Anti-embolism elastic stockings
- Apnea monitors
- Aqua K pads
- Arterial blood gas testing equipment
- Arterial line catheters
- Audiometers
- Autoclaves
- Automated medicine dispensing equipment
- Autotransfusion systems
- Bag-valve masks
- Balanced suspension traction equipment
- Bed scales
- Bilevel positive airway pressure BiPAP ventilators
- Bilimeters
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Bladder irrigation equipment
- Blood collection needles
- Blood warming equipment
- Bucks traction equipment
- Canes
- Capillary glucose monitors
- Cardiac monitors
- Centrifuges
- Cervical collars
- Cervical traction equipment
- Chemotherapy spill kits
- Colonoscopy equipment
- Colposcopes
- Computerized electrocardiography EKG and hemodynamic monitoring systems
Technology
- Allscripts healthcare automation software
- Database software
- Diagnostic and procedural coding software
- DoctorsPartner EMR
- Drug guide software
- Epic Systems
- FaceTime
- FileMaker Pro
- Google Docs
- Google Drive
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Human resource management software HRMS
- IBM Notes
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- Medical procedure coding software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- set up incubators in hospitals
- set up medical oxygen equipment
- order medical laboratory tests
- prepare patient reports
- communicate technical information
- make presentations on health or medical issues
- weigh patients
- instruct on topics such as health education or disease prevention
- conduct patient assessments
- prepare supplies or equipment for surgery
- interpret medical laboratory test results
- explain testing procedures to patient
- monitor medical oxygen equipment
- identify body response variations
- understand properties or composition of drugs
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize childhood diseases
- lift or transport ill or injured patients
- prepare medical treatment room
- set up patient care equipment
- use clinical problem solving techniques
- use counseling techniques
- follow infectious materials procedures
- follow institutional care procedures
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- follow life support procedures
- use medical lab techniques
- follow dental or medical office procedures
- use nursing practices or procedures
- follow patient observation procedures
- use personal care procedures
- use research methodology procedures in health care
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- use behavior modification techniques
- follow clinical radiation safety procedures
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use knowledge of nursing terminology
- collect clinical data
- obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
- record medical history or data
- inventory medical supplies or instruments
- maintain dental or medical records
- administer injections
- administer medications or treatments
- assist in examining or treating dental or medical patients
- care for mentally ill patients
- prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
- treat medical condition of patient
- take vital signs
- deliver babies
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
- Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.
- Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices, or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures.
- Direct or coordinate infection control programs, advising or consulting with specified personnel about necessary precautions.
- Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs.
- Prepare rooms, sterile instruments, equipment, or supplies and ensure that stock of supplies is maintained.
- Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.
- Conduct specified laboratory tests.
- Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.
- Assess the needs of individuals, families, or communities, including assessment of individuals' home or work environments, to identify potential health or safety problems.
- Administer local, inhalation, intravenous, or other anesthetics.
- Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students.
- Work with individuals, groups, or families to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.
- Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments.
- Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance.
- Perform physical examinations, make tentative diagnoses, and treat patients en route to hospitals or at disaster site triage centers.
- Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues or concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing.
- Inform physician of patient's condition during anesthesia.
- Engage in research activities related to nursing.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
LifeWorks: Career Exploration in Health and Medical Science
LifeWorks Web site is a tool for students to help raise their awareness about the broad range of health and medical science career pathways that are available to them and to help them make career decisions.
Learn MoreNIH Curriculum Supplement Series
The NIH Curriculum Supplement Series are interactive teaching units (K12) that combine cutting-edge science research discoveries from the National Institutes of Health, one of the world's foremost medical research centers, with state-of-the-art instructional materials. Each supplement is a teacher's guide to two weeks? of lessons on science and human health. Supplements are now aligned to state standards, NYS included.
Learn MoreRegistered nurses
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreScienCentral News: Making Sense of Science
From broadcast news features to educational products, ScienCentral News not only knows how to communicate complex ideas about medicine, health, technology, and the environment, but they also know how to tell a good story!
Learn MoreSummer Scholars 2007
Summer Scholars 2007 is a health career exploration opportunity that immerses students in a health care setting for six weeks, introducing them to the daily work tasks and responsibilities of a healthcare provider or allied health professional.
Learn More