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Nursing
Nature of the Work
Registered Nurses (R.N.s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help
patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators
for patients, families, and communities. They are typically concerned
with the whole person, providing for the physical, mental, and emotional
needs of their patients. When providing direct patient care,
they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist
physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications;
and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. R.N.'s also develop
and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in
proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain
their health.
Employment
Registered nurses held about 2.1 million jobs in 1998. About
3 out of 5 jobs were in hospitals, inpatient and outpatient departments. Others
were mostly in offices and clinics, nursing homes, home care agencies,
temporary help agencies, schools, and government agencies. About
1 out of 4 R.N.'s worked part time.
Job Outlook
Employment of R.N.s is expected to grow faster than the average
for all occupations through 2008 and because the occupation is
large, many new jobs will result. There will always be a
need for traditional hospital nurses, but a large number of new
nurses will be employed in home health, long-term, and ambulatory
care.
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