Registered Nurses (RN) in Texas
There are about 2.5 million registered nurses in the U.S. and close to 150,000 RN work and reside in Texas. Registered nurses make up the largest health care occupation in the United States and more new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation. Most employers have preceptor and internship programs for registered nurses and provide sign-on bonuses, medical insurance plans, paid time off, disability and social security benefits. Due to the critical nursing shortage the employment markets are competitive and the average national salary for registered nurses is over $50,000 but can be higher than $65,000 in some areas. The average salary for registered nurses in Texas is close to $54,000 but a 2006 study by the Nursing Economics Journal placed Texas first after salaries were adjusted for the cost of living. In Texas most hospitals are paying new RN graduates $35,000 to $40,000 per year but salaries vary depending on shifts, agency, location and clinical area of choice.
To become a registered nurse you must complete a bachelor's degree, an associate degree or a diploma program from an approved nursing school and pass the national licensing examination for professional nurses - the NCLEX - RN. In general, registered nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher have better job prospects than those with an associate degree or diploma. Registered nurses may be licensed in multiple states by examination or by endorsement of a license issued by another state. Twenty-two states have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact allowing nurses licensed in any of the states to practice in all of them.
States require periodic renewal of licenses and registered nurses must prove completion of continuing education courses. For Texas, the requirement is that registered nurses complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years in subjects relevant to the practice of nursing as a way of supporting their continued competency to practice.
The job duties of registered nurses vary with the workplace and specialty. Most professional nurses work in hospitals where they administer medications, provide bedside care and may supervise licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and nursing aides. Registered nurses working in a physicians' office prepare patients for examinations, administer injections and maintain records while those in nursing care facilities create care plans and are often responsible for administrative and supervisory tasks.
Some registered nurses become advanced practice nurses called nurse practitioners. To become an advanced practice nurse you must meet educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all registered nurses. Nurse practitioners are considered primary health care providers and work either independently or in collaboration with physicians. In Texas, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications through written agreements with physicians. Advanced practice specialties include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives, and anesthetists and all four specialties are in high demand.
In general, registered nurses work in comfortable settings but they may walk and stand for long periods of time, work nights, weekends and holidays sometimes on short notice. All nurses must follow strict guidelines to guard against dangers such as accidental needle sticks, infectious diseases, chemical, electrical and radiation hazards. Nurses may suffer emotionally from observing constant suffering and are vulnerable to back injuries when moving patients. If you consider a nursing career you should poses emotional stability and the ability to cope with human suffering, emergencies and other stress factors.
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