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What Is a Registered Nurse?

Senior Citizen Talking with Caregiver NurseTo the layperson, nursing may seem a confusing profession of nursing assistants and nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. The designation we seem to hear most often is “registered nurse.” But what’s the difference? What is a registered nurse?
Our respected Oxford Dictionary defines “registered nurse” as a North American term that applies to those who have “graduated from a college’s nursing program or from a school of nursing” and have gone on to pass a “national licensing exam.” And there you have, in the simplest terms, the definition of a registered nurse.

 

If nurses were as likely to cross our paths as unicorns, that might suffice. In reality, however, nurses often do the heavy lifting in medical settings and chances are that few Americans will not at some point find themselves under a registered nurse’s direct care.
So it’s certainly worthwhile to dig a little deeper – no offense to Oxford.

First, let’s look at the exam. In the United States, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) oversees the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. While the exam is broken into four categories that get rather technical, the entirety of the test has one overlying theme: the client, aka the patient.

“The framework of Client Needs was selected for the examination because it provides a universal structure for defining nursing actions and competencies, and focuses on clients in all settings,” the NCSBN drafters of the exam explain. “The goal of nursing for client care is preventing illness and potential complications; protecting, promoting, restoring, and facilitating comfort; health; and dignity in dying.”

With the requisite schooling already completed, passing the exam is the final step to becoming a registered nurse and being eligible to be hired as such. The responsibilities that fall to a registered nurse may range, with such a nurse treating medical emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke, operating medical equipment or supervising “licensed practical nurses” (LPN) and “certified nurse assistants” (CNA).

Touching upon the LPN and CNA titles points to the various levels of nursing ability. In that regard a registered nurse is a benchmark, indicating a basic, though thorough, healthcare acumen. From this level of skill, a registered nurse may advance by mastering a specialty or becoming a nurse practitioner, yet another benchmark of more complex training. Simply, a registered nurse is a healthcare professional who carries the imprimatur of his peers, a designation of quality care.

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn why couples care is an affordable solution for families.

In-Home Care Providers: Agency Vs. Independent Contractors

Agency Vs. Independent In-home Care Provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics about Agency Vs. Independent Contractors In-Home Care Providers.

Need Help Selecting an In-Home Caregiver?

how to pick an in-home care provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics before you choose!

Is it Time for In-Home Care

Is it Time for In-Home Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a to know when to use In-Home Care? Read our guide "Is it Time for In-Home Care"!

A Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care

Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a guide for In-home dementia care? Read our family guide for In-home dementia care!

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know what to do after coming home from rehab? Read our guide "Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?"!

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the changing care needs of parkinson's disease ? Read our guide "The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients"!

Understanding Strokes and Recovery

Understanding Strokes and Recovery
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the warning signs of strokes? Read our guide "Understanding Strokes and Recovery"!

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121 Congressional Lane, Suite 201 Rockville, MD 20852
4000 Albermarle St., NW, Suite LL15 Washington D.C., 20016
301-984-7681

During this period of uncertainty, we want you to know that we are here for you and your family!

Comfort Home care is an essential business and we will, therefore, be operating normal hours.

We take safety seriously and our professional caregivers will follow our strict protocols in addition to adhering with CDC, federal, state and local guidelines.

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