Registered Nurse
Description:
Registered Nurses assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. These healthcare providers administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients, and may advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Registered Nurses, in general, include advance practice nurses such as: nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nursing is practiced by RNs who have specialized formal, post-basic education and who function in highly autonomous and specialized roles.
Educational Requirements:
In all states and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license. Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination, by the endorsement of a license issued by another state, or through a multi-state licensing agreement. All states require periodic renewal of licenses, which may involve continuing education. There are two major educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) and an associate degree in nursing (AND). BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2-3 years to complete. Generally, licensed graduates of either type of educational program qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses.
Wages:
The average annual salary in Maine is $51,938
