Graduate RN Job Descriptions
A graduate RN is a newly graduated registered nurse who is just entering the nursing field upon completion of schooling and testing. The job description and responsibilities of a graduate RN are similar to those of an experienced RN. Graduate RNs often perform fewer duties than the experienced RN due to the lack of experience. Graduate RNs typically have lower salaries than experienced RNs.
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Description
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A graduate RN is most commonly a general-duty nurse responsible for monitoring the patients in all aspects. Nurses who specialize in certain fields, such as oncology or pediatrics, are not RNs because they often do not have the training necessary to supervise the overall health and care of certain patients. RNs administer medications under doctor supervision and direction and chart progress and symptoms for the doctors to review. Not all RNs are general-duty nurses; specializing is possible and creates various job titles and experience for the graduate, progressing RN.
Prevention Duties
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A graduate RN will begin her new career in a hospital, medical clinic, rehabilitation center or various other medical offices. The responsibilities and duties of a graduate RN include the prevention of illnesses and promotion of good health. This may include cleaning and sanitizing workstations and patient rooms, wearing face masks to visit certain patients, ensuring disease control by monitoring patient and visitor actions and providing healthy habits and suggestions to patients.
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General Patient Relation
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RNs on both the graduate and experienced levels will work closely with patients. Graduate RNs will work to educate both the public and patients about different medical conditions and prevention of contagious diseases. RNs work directly with patients to rehabilitate the patients and to treat conditions or symptoms. RNs spend considerable time offering professional advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
RN Specialization
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Graduate RNs may choose to specialize in a certain medical area. This may not happen immediately after graduation when the RN first enters the job market but may come later after the graduate has become the experienced RN. RNs can specialize in various medical areas from work in an intensive care unit (ICU) to the psychiatric ward of a hospital. RNs may choose to work with certain diseases with jobs in the oncology department or with certain body organs, such as in the cardiology department of a hospital.
Education and Salary
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To become a graduate RN, an individual must graduate with a degree in nursing. This may be accomplished either by a bachelor's degree in the science of nursing or by an associate's degree in nursing in addition to the passing of necessary testing and certification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2006 RNs made an average salary of approximately $57,000. Graduate RNs obviously earn less than most experienced RNs and obtain higher wages and raises as experience increases.
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