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Registered Nurses (29-1141.

00), page 1 of 5

Registered Nurses
This occupation is a member of the Health Science and Medical Technology
cluster

About the Job


Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain
medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise
patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or
registration required.

It is also Called
X Ray Nurse, Ward Supervisor, Ward Nurse, Visiting Nurse, Triage Register Nurse, Traveling Nurse,
Travel RN (Travel Registered Nurse), Trauma Nurse, Transverse Abdominal Muscle Nurse (TRAM
Nurse), Telephone Triage Nurse, Surgical Supervisor, Surgical Nurse, Surgical First Assistant,
Supervisor Nurse, Student Nurse, Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse), Staff Nurse, Special Duty Nurse,
Scrub Nurse, School Nurse, RN BSN (Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Relief Charge
Nurse, Registered Public Health Nurse, Registered Private Duty Nurse, Registered Nurse Supervisor,
Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Health Nurse, Recovery Room Nurse, Receptionist Nurse, Public
Health Staff Nurse, Public Health Nurse (PHN), Psychiatric Registered Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Private
Duty Nurse, Prenatal Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse (PACU RN), Post-Anesthesia
Care Unit Nurse, Post Anesthesia Room Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse (PACU
Nurse), Physical Therapy Nurse, Perioperative Nurse, Perinatal Nurse, Perianesthesia Nurse, Pediatric
Oncology Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR
RN), Operating Room Nurse, Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Oncology Nurse, Occupational
Nurse, Occupational Health Nurse Supervisor, Occupational Health Nurse, Obstetrics Scrub Nurse (OB
Scrub Nurse), Obstetrics Nurse (OB Nurse), Obstetrical Nurse, OB/GYN Nurse (Obstetrics/Gynecology
Nurse), Nurses Supervisor, Nurse Technician, Nurse Receptionist, Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator,
Nurse Coordinator, Nurse Consultant, Nurse Clinician, Nurse Case Manager, Nurse Anesthetist,
Nephrology Nurse, Neonatal Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Registered Nurse (NICU RN), Mid Wife,
Medical/Surgery Registered Nurse (Med/Surg RN), Maternity Nurse, Maternity Floor Supervisor, Life
Care Planner, Legal Nurse Consultant, Lactation Consultant, Labor and Delivery Nurse, Intensive
Care Unit Registered Nurse (ICU RN), Intensive Care Unit Nurse (ICU Nurse), Infection Control Nurse,
Industrial Staff Nurse, Industrial Registered Nurse, Industrial Nurse, Hospice Registered Nurse, Home
Health RN (Home Health Registered Nurse), Health Unit Supervisor, Health Care Coordinator, Head
Nurse, Geriatric Care Manager, Genetics Nurse, General Duty Nurse, Forensic Nurse, Floor Supervisor,
Flight Nurse, Field Nurse, Evening or Night Nurse Supervisor, Endoscopy RN (Endoscopy Registered
Nurse), Emergency Room RN, Emergency Room Nurse, Emergency Department RN (Emergency
Department Registered Nurse), Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Discharge Planner, Director of
Nursing (DON), Dialysis Registered Nurse (Dialysis RN), Dialysis Nurse, Delivery Room Supervisor,
Delivery Nurse, County Nurse, Coronary Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse), Consulting Nurse, Consultant
Nurse, Community Health Nurse Supervisor, Community Health Nurse, Clinical Supervisor, Clinical
Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse, Circulating Nurse, Charge Nurse, Certified Nurse Operating Room
(CNOR), Central Supply Nurse, Case Manager, Cardiac Nurse Specialist, Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU
Nurse), Ambulatory Care Coordinator

Preparation Required
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Registered Nurses (29-1141.00), page 2 of 5

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an
associate's degree.

Wages

In 2016, the average annual wage in California was $101,750 with most people making between $63,450
and $149,440

Outlook

During 2014, this occupation employed approximately 256,000 people in California. It is projected that
there will be 300,300 employed in 2024.

This occupation will have about 4,430 openings due to growth and about 6,040 replacement openings for
approximately 10,470 total annual openings.

There are currently no programs listed for this occupation.

Similar Occupations

Radiation Therapists Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to


established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting
as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization,
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procedures and tumor localization.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by
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Nuclear Medicine Technologists Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic,
diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of
radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation.
Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory
techniques.

Radiologic Technologists Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into
patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning
modalities.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Assess injuries, administer emergency medical
care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.

Psychiatric Technicians Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following
the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-
being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with
personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.

Athletic Trainers Evaluate and advise individuals to assist recovery from or avoid athletic-related injuries
or illnesses, or maintain peak physical fitness. May provide first aid or emergency care.

Psychiatric Aides Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction
of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and
recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain
violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
Registered Nurses (29-1141.00), page 3 of 5

Physical Therapist Assistants Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and
procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out
routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance
with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally
requires formal training.

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Interests
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people.
These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive
amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines.
These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a
clear line of authority to follow.

Work Values
Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others
and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-
workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind
employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision:
Technical.

Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to
use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability
Utilization and Achievement.

What They Do
Work with individuals, groups, or families to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall
health of communities.

Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students.

Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget,
planning, or long-range goals.

Perform physical examinations, make tentative diagnoses, and treat patients en route to hospitals or at
disaster site triage centers.

Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.

Prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices, or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy,
inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures.

Engage in research activities related to nursing.


Registered Nurses (29-1141.00), page 4 of 5

Direct or coordinate infection control programs, advising or consulting with specified personnel about
necessary precautions.

Conduct specified laboratory tests.

Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.

Companies Employing this Occupation

Things They Need to Know

Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and
treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug
properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and
personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services,
and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability,


personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment
and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the
meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment,
and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the
points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related


documents.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Education & Training

Pediatric Nurse/Nursing

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing


Registered Nurses (29-1141.00), page 5 of 5

Adult Health Nurse/Nursing

Nursing Administration

Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing

Palliative Care Nursing

Family Practice Nurse/Nursing

Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing

Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other

Additional Resources

California Occupational Guide ( http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/Detail.aspx?


Soccode=291141&Geography=0601000000 ) - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the
California Employment Development Department (EDD)

This document was generated at California CareerZone. For resources and information to help you make
informed decisions about occupations, colleges, and more, please visit: https://www.cacareerzone.org/

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