question from Serbia

New York State Board of Nursing -

RN: a graduate trained nurse, at least eighteen years of age, who received an education, and a diploma or degree in professional nursing, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations; who has passed examination and has been licensed and registered by the state authority.

The practice of the profession of nursing as a registered professional nurse (RN) is defined as diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as casefinding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being, and executing medical regimens prescribed by a licensed physician, dentist or other licensed health care provider legally authorized under this title and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.

A registered professional nurse (RN) helps the client/patient to maintain or regain good health. RNs:

*diagnose and treat responses to health problems;

*perform health assessments;

*teach and counsel on health issues;

*execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and podiatrists.

Registered Nurses:

*Give medications and start I.V.'s

*Administer blood and blood products

*Plan patient care to meet patient needs

*Assist in surgery

*Arrange for referrals

*Teach and counsel

*Provide direct care

An RN has completed an approved two-year registered nursing program (including a minimum of 30 semester hours in nursing) or an approved four-year bachelor's degree nursing program with a minimum of 40 semester hours in nursing.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurse.htm