Nursing Job Descriptions

Within this high level description of responsibilities, the job description of a registered nurse can include a range of duties linked to a certain specialty, as well as a number of essential responsibilities shared across disciplines. All direct-care nurses treat and educate patients about disease management, and provide support and advice to family members. Registered nurses administer treatment and medications at the direction of a patient’s physician. They conduct regular evaluations, record symptoms and maintain patient medical histories. They independently perform procedures, such as IV placement, phlebotomy and medication administration, and conduct diagnostic tests on their own.

Specialties

While acute care nursing comprises a large number of nursing jobs in hospitals and clinics, nursing specialties and subspecialties have expanded into all areas of medicine. Many require additional training and certification. Here is a sampling of concentrations where nurses are making a difference, and the job description for a registered nurse varies depending upon the respective specialty.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Assesses and evaluates surgery patients for anesthesia, and prepares and administers to eliminate or minimize discomfort during procedure. Monitors vitals during surgery, and briefly during post-op.

Critical Care Nurse. Specialized training prepares this professional to monitor, assess and identify subtle changes in a critically ill patient’s condition within a highly technical environment. Has routine contact with patient families and provides support and information as necessary.

Dialysis Nurse. Supports and cares for patients suffering from acute and chronic renal (kidney) failure. Extensive use of hemodialysis equipment, monitoring vitals and providing transfusions, as necessary.

Emergency Nurse. Also known as trauma care nurses, these professionals deliver care in an emergency department where patients arrive with a full spectrum of disease and/or injury. Ability to interview, assess, triage and establish priority of care is essential.

Employee/Occupational Health Nurse. Provides care to individuals in the workplace, and treats a high level of workman-compensation and occupational-injury patients. Must have knowledge of occupational safety and health regulations (OSHA), as well as ability to analyze work environments for risk.

Flight Nurse. A flight nurse functions much like an emergency nurse, but in an airplane or helicopter while transporting critically ill patients to medical facilities. Flight nurses often provide stabilizing care at the scene of an accident.

Forensic Nurse. This professional combines the skills of a clinician with interviewing, counseling and investigation techniques to support law enforcement. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) are a subspecialty of forensic nursing.

Geriatric Nurse. As the name implies, this professional treats and cares for elderly patients, a significantly growing population in the United States. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in this area may also be trained to treat the mental health needs of this patient population.

Home Health Nurse. Provides ongoing care to individuals, often elderly or injured, in a home environment. As ordered by a physician, the care is often complex and may require performance of highly sensitive procedures.

Hospice Nurse. Typically cares for patients with terminal conditions, and develops plan of care utilizing comprehensive knowledge of pain and symptom management.

Nurse Midwife. Certified nurse midwives treat women during and after pregnancy, and are licensed to deliver babies to low-risk mothers. Delivery may take place in a hospital or home environment, based upon the wishes of the mother.

Oncology Nurse. Dedicated to the care and treatment of cancer patients. Oncology nursing requires ongoing assessment, as many treatments are long term. May administer chemotherapy and other therapies, and also manage side effects. Rigorous education of patients and family is often necessary.

Orthopedic Nurse. Specializes in the pre- and post-op/procedure management of patients with bone and muscular-skeletal conditions and injuries. Full knowledge of orthopedic equipment, ability to monitor traction and conduct cast care and maintenance.

Palliative Care Nurse. Like a hospice nurse, palliative care nurses treat patients with terminal conditions, but are part of an integrated team that incorporates environmental, familial and spiritual needs into development of the patient care plan. Thorough knowledge of pain and symptom management required.

Pediatric Nurse. Working in a variety of settings, pediatric nurses care for patients from age 0-19, many with life threatening illness and/or injury. Develops care plan to meet the developmental and emerging needs of the patient, and works extensively with family members. Pediatric nurses may also have a subspecialty, such as teen health.

School Nurse. Within a school or school-based clinic, providers offer age-appropriate nursing care to a broad range of students, including children with highly complex medical needs. Often functions as a primary care provider in areas with higher poverty or rates of uninsured children. Maintains immunization and health record documentation, and often works with teachers, parents and local officials on issues related to student/public health.

No Direct Patient Care

The job description of a registered nurse does not always include direct patient care or even direct patient contact. Here are some examples.

Academic. The need for college professors is a growing one in the U.S. Instructors are typically prepared at the master’s and/or doctorate level and have direct patient care experience to draw upon. Instructors may specialize in certain subject areas, such as physiology or microbiology.

Administrator/Executive. This nurse functions as part of the leadership team for a hospital, clinic or service. Like all senior managers, this professional is involved in budgeting, strategic planning, forecasting and streamlining operations. In certain small community hospitals, the nurse executive may still provide direct patient care.

Case Manager. This nurse is often responsible for coordinating care for a specific type of patient and for providing ongoing patient education and monitoring. The nurse may also serve as a referral coordinator, identifying other services and resources to support patient need.

Legal Nurse. These professionals provide research and expert consultation for attorney firms. Positions may be hourly or full-time and may involve providing testimony during hearings and trials.

Registered nurse salaries for all the above positions vary depending upon qualifications and certifications, as well as individual markets. For example, registered nurse salaries for those in the legal profession can range from $40 an hour to more than $100 an hour.