What do nurses do? Although there are different types of nurses, most RNs will assess patients, administer medications, provide patient education, and coordinate care. An RN can specialize in a particular area of patient care, such as oncology care, public health, disaster relief, hospice nursing, and many more.
There were well over 4 million nurses in the U.S. as of 2023, including registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). There are different types of nurses, and their duties can range from performing assessments to setting up IV lines.
No matter the type or specialty, all nurses share a desire to promote better patient outcomes and help people enjoy better health. What do nurses do to accomplish this goal?
If you’re eager to become a nurse, the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can set you on the path. Our ABSN program is an accessible way to transition from a non-nursing degree, so you can pursue an exciting healthcare career in the NYC area or beyond.
Before pursuing a nursing career, you should take a closer look at the typical responsibilities of a nurse and explore the various types of nurses.
Discover how to become a nurse with a second-degree BS in nursing.
What Does a Nurse Do? Roles and Responsibilities
Before deciding if a nursing career is right for you, you should have a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities involved. What do nurses do day to day?
Although it varies by nursing specialty, work setting, and shift, an RN will generally handle the following tasks:
- Performing head-to-toe patient assessments, asking about symptoms, and recording patients’ medical histories
- Developing or contributing to patient care plans
- Delivering patient education, such as explaining recommended treatments and answering questions
- Administering medications and other treatments
- Setting up IV lines and operating medical equipment
- Assisting patients with the activities of daily living
- Advocating for patients, such as by working to reduce the possibility of medication errors or other medical mistakes
Patient safety is a major concern for nurses. Nurses must follow strict safety protocols to reduce the likelihood of patients suffering an injury or contracting an infection at the hospital.
RNs are typically well-compensated because of their extensive training and significant responsibilities. Salaries vary from facility to facility and nurse to nurse, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does provide overall salary statistics.
According to the BLS, RNs made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024.
Types of Nurses: Exploring Nursing Specialties
There are many different types of nurses across various work settings. No matter your particular interest, you will find a nursing specialty that suits you.
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses are charged with preventing disease and injuries and promoting the health of entire populations, such as a community, region, or country. They may track disease incidence rates in their population, identifying trends and determining possible causes. They also contribute to developing public awareness campaigns, workshops, and other initiatives to help people become better educated about health issues.
Public health nurses serve as advocates and emphasize preventive wellness by influencing public policy to increase access to health resources. They also emphasize preventive wellness by increasing access to health screenings and encouraging people to receive life-saving vaccines.
What is a forensic nurse? Learn about this nursing career option.
Medical-Surgical Nurse
A medical-surgical nurse, also called a med-surg nurse, typically focuses on the care of inpatients, although some may work in outpatient clinics. They care for patients across the lifespan who are recovering from a wide range of health issues, including surgery. Some med-surg nurses specialize in a specific surgical area, such as orthopedic surgery.
ER Nurse
Nurses who enjoy a fast-paced working environment, excel at thinking on their feet, and stay calm under pressure might consider a position in the emergency room (ER). ER nurses are responsible for triaging patients and providing immediate, stabilizing care to patients suffering from life-threatening or severe medical conditions.
They treat a wide variety of conditions. On any given shift, an ER nurse may care for an elderly patient experiencing a heart attack, a child having a severe allergic reaction, or a pregnant person suffering a life-threatening miscarriage.
Oncology Nurse
Other types of nurses care for patients with chronic or long-term conditions, such as cancer. Oncology nurses work with cancer patients and their family caregivers from diagnosis to treatment to remission, administering cancer treatments like chemotherapy, addressing side effects, and helping families navigate healthcare resources.
They must be particularly strong in patient education, communication, emotional support, and patient advocacy.
Hospice Nurse
Not all diseases are curable. When a patient decides that it’s time to shift the focus from treating their terminal illness to improving their quality of life, they may enter hospice care. Although determining how long a person might have to live is an inexact science, a patient may enter hospice care when it’s assumed they have six months or less to live.
In hospice care, nurses help make patients as comfortable as possible, so they can enjoy the time that remains with their loved ones. Hospice care often occurs in a patient’s home, but some patients may be cared for at a hospital or other inpatient facility.
Hospice nurses provide:
- Pain management
- Symptom relief
- Patient and family caregiver education
- Emotional support
- Palliative care coordination
Disaster Relief Nurse
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, and other disasters, like terrorist attacks and war, kill, maim, and displace people around the world every year.
In the wake of a disaster, a disaster nurse cares for people of all ages who are suffering from a wide range of injuries and diseases. They may also work with communities to strengthen disaster preparedness planning.
Disaster relief nurses must be comfortable working in difficult conditions and caring for people who are often emotionally traumatized. They either work full-time for an aid nonprofit or other disaster response organization, or volunteer for disaster response part-time while maintaining nursing employment elsewhere.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
One of the great things about a nursing career is the opportunity for advancement. Some RNs decide to become APRNs, of which there are four main types:
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
Within those areas, nurses may choose to further specialize. For example, a nurse practitioner may specialize in family care, and a CRNA may specialize in pediatric anesthesia.
What does a nurse do at this level? All types of APRNs can practice with greater autonomy. They are prepared to serve as leaders and mentors, effect positive change on an organizational level, and provide a high level of patient care.
All APRNs must obtain a graduate degree in nursing and board certification in their chosen specialty. Their advanced training, skills, and knowledge translate to a higher salary potential than RNs. According to the BLS, the median annual wages as of May 2023 were as follows:
- Nurse practitioners: $126,260
- Nurse anesthetists: $212,650
- Nurse midwives: $129,650
The BLS does not track salary information for clinical nurse specialists.
Where Will Your Nursing Career Take You? Get Started Today
Mount Saint Vincent can help you transition into a nursing career, no matter your previous academic background or work experience. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN program, allowing you to earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months.
Prepare to become a nurse in the heart of NYC with our multiple ABSN learning sites across the boroughs. Known as “the Right Place on the River,” Mount Saint Vincent offers innovative nursing education with small class sizes and exceptional student support. You’ll benefit from working with a dedicated admission counselor and Academic Success Coach.
Contact our admission team today and take the next step toward becoming a practice-ready nurse.