Registered Nurse

As a registered nurse I do multiple patient related tasks throughout the shift. These tasks are assessing the patients, administering medications, starting IV’s, dressing changes, sterile procedures, helping with daily ADL’s, ambulating patients, following orders written specifically by doctors, coordinating with case management, physical therapy, and speech therapy to make sure the patient is getting the care they need. As a nurse you are a patients advocate and resource to other healthcare professionals assigned to their care.
Typically the workload is steady if not overwhelming when it comes to bedside nursing. There has been an increase in patient load since the COVID-19 pandemic and burnout rates increased significantly during this time. Typical hours are 12 hour shifts for bedside nursing. There’s flexibility with your schedule since you only work 3 days a week but you have to work weekend shifts usually once a month. You can work day shift which is typically 7am-7pm or night shift which typically is 7pm-7am. Depending on the department you could work 8-10 hour shifts. Nursing can be taxing on you mentally and physically but it is also very rewarding to be able to help people when they are feeling alone or vulnerable. Compassion is a key factor to being a nurse along having a lot of time management skills and patience.