What does a registered nurse (RN) actually do?

I'm thinking about going into nursing after high school, and I've heard a lot about registered nurses. Can someone explain what exactly their job entails day-to-day? Are there different specializations I should know about?

Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in patient care. Their primary duties involve monitoring patients' conditions, administering medications and treatments, maintaining patient records, educating patients on their health conditions, and coordinating patient care among healthcare team members.

An RN's day might start with assessing a patient's condition and taking vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. They then interpret these results to determine the appropriate care. Throughout the day, RNs administer medications as prescribed by physicians, oversee interventions and treatments, respond to changes in a patient's condition, and update the healthcare team on the patient’s status.

RNs also play a crucial role in patient education. They teach patients and their families about their conditions and the necessary steps for recovery, providing dietary recommendations, exercise programs, or medication regimens.

As for specializations, RNs can pursue a variety of paths depending on their interests and career goals. Some choose to specialize in a particular area of patient care, like pediatrics, oncology, psychiatric care, or emergency nursing. Others might become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), where they can diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications, similar to a doctor's role.

Before choosing a specialization, it's advised to get some clinical experience as an RN to explore your interests and discover which patient populations or settings you most prefer. Regardless of the path you choose, nursing is a highly rewarding and impactful profession.