What is your definition of an RN?

[TeleNurse2010]

Hello all,

I have to ask several lay people, as well as RNs some questions regarding the role of an RN. I would appreciate if a few RNs will answer the following questions:

1. What is your definition of a RN?

2. How would you describe the role of an RN?

3. What do you think the educational requirements for a RN should be?

I'm to form my own opinions about how your answers play into the field of nursing. Thanks so much for all those who take the time to answer.

TeleNurse2010

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

rn - obtains nsg license upon passing a state exam.

role - executes dr's orders, assisting w/pt as needed, monitors and maintains effect of txs ; intervenes as needed, ensuring pt goals are met. the rn is the team leader, directing pt care as needed.

education - bsn should be minimum entry. yes, duties are the same as an asn/adn, but bsn will designate nurses as professionals.

it is not merely a piece of paper. bsn nurse more desirable, because of being further educated. nsg needs this professional and polished image.

leslie

To me (disagreeing with you on this part, Leslie:)), being able to apply the knowledge- whether associates, or bachelors, is much more important than just going through the program. I've seen both ADNs and BSNs who are dumb as rocks clinically, or REALLY good clinically; either can have book knowledge, and be clueless about what to do with it. Professionalism isn't based on a degree- but what one does with the education they have. I DO agree that continuing on with education is a very good thing. But if someone wants to do bedside nursing (or is in a more rural setting where BSNs are not required for most jobs- up to supervisory), it shouldn't be mandatory.

The polished image comes from how people present themselves- not their book learnin' :) If a PhD has no ability to either work as a nurse, apply their knowledge, or communicate to others, they're useless.

JMO :)

[leslie :-D]

To me (disagreeing with you on this part, Leslie:)), being able to apply the knowledge- whether associates, or bachelors, is much more important than just going through the program. I've seen both ADNs and BSNs who are dumb as rocks clinically, or REALLY good clinically; either can have book knowledge, and be clueless about what to do with it. Professionalism isn't based on a degree- but what one does with the education they have. I DO agree that continuing on with education is a very good thing. But if someone wants to do bedside nursing (or is in a more rural setting where BSNs are not required for most jobs- up to supervisory), it shouldn't be mandatory.

The polished image comes from how people present themselves- not their book learnin' :) If a PhD has no ability to either work as a nurse, apply their knowledge, or communicate to others, they're useless.

JMO :)

while i personally agree with you, our image is such, that the public/social media try and make asses of us.

we seriously have no respect whatsoever.

among other perceptions, we are seen as a bunch as catty, bitter women that fight amongst ea other.

so from a societal point of view, we do not convey professionalism.

and mandating a bsn, is only the beginning.

so much work to be done.

perhaps if nurses could be adults by acting civil and mature to ea other, then there wouldn't be so much gossiping and stereotyping about us.

at least with bsn as minimun entry, that is one way of displaying some sort of cohesion.

i don't have my bsn, yet i can see its advantages.

and i'm sick and tired of being seen as a joke.

so yeah xt, i understand what you're saying.

the bsn is a superficial means of being perceived as professionals.

but i believe we all know that our behaviors are what defines us as professional.

regardless if bsn nurses are "polished" or not, they will have that degree to move forward with.

like i said, it's very superficial, but it still delivers its punch.

leslie

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I've never had the experience of hearing how nurses are a joke...or receive no respect. I guess my frame of reference is very different.

:)

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Can we get the name and number of your nursing instructor, so we can "discuss" with him/her the appropriate assignments for nursing school.

After all, if s/he is going to assign things like this, s/he certainly should welcome our "feedback".

[Spikey9001, BSN, RN]

Medical Waitress/Butler.

[rn/writer, RN]

Please, stick to answering the OP's questions.

This isn't the place to launch a big discussion about entry level for practice. Nor is it the place to criticize the OP's instructor.

Further off-topic posts are subject to removal.

Thanks.

P.S. The OP is already a practicing nurse and was told to ask these questions of RNs. Please, don't hijack her thread.

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

Been thinking about your question (not much to do when your on bedrest, except for letting my dogs outside throughout the day). Had an interesting thought: don't know if your paper would allow for it (due to time/page limits) but it might be interesting to contrast the previous roles of nurses to today's roles. I think things have changed so much. I remember reading in one nursing textbook I got from the 1890's that the nurses responsibilities included washing walls of the wards once a month. Wow, it listed very little about what we would today consider patient care, and that whole getting up when the doctore enters the room blows my mind. Personally I love reading about nursing history but that's just me. Amazing what you can find on ebay! :-)

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

RN- A role you get to play once you pass the NCLEX and get your license!

Role- You are a jack of all trades. Expect to care for your patient, family, and anyone else who happens to hear your a nurse. Not to mention fixing beds, call lites, tv's, commodes, and anything else to help the above get through their day. Oh, being a short order cook is good too, and a referee to go between pts or docs or departments, a good hugger, good listener, salesperson, babysitter, team player, a robot with a never ending bladder and no need to eat, an english major, a great telecommunicator......etc.....

Education you should have- Much more than they can ever teach you in the time you spend not in a facility, but in a building with fake pts and ideal illnesses. You should shadow a nurse from day one in every type of nursing out there. You never know what you would really like when you have no idea the whole scope of what an er nurse does, psych nurse, l&d nurse, community, research, etc. This of course is just my little dream of what I wished I could have seen.