Registered nurse (RN)

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Registered nurse (RN)

Registered nurses (RNs) provide treatment, counseling, and health education. They provide assessment, plan and implement care, and evaluate outcomes.

Nurses work as part of a health care team in a variety of environments, often under the supervision of a doctor. While most nurses work in hospitals, others work in settings such as community or public health, outpatient care, nursing education, occupational health, nursing home agencies, hospice programs, schools, and student health clinics.

A registered nurse (RN) may hold either a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from a 4-year university or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a 2-year college. All graduates must successfully pass the Registered Nurse Licensing Examination to become licensed to practice as a professional RN. Graduation from a state-accredited program is a prerequisite to taking the licensing examination. A registered nurse must hold a current license in the state in which he or she practices. Licensing requirements are managed by individual state boards of nursing.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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