General Nurse

General Nurse

General nurses provide direct patient care, which can include bathing and dressing patients, administering doctor-prescribed medications, and collecting fluid samples. They also assist physicians with exams, manage electronic medical records, and work to educate patients about medications, treatments, and healthy lifestyles.

General nurses fall into two categories: RNs and LPNs. Working as an LPN, your general duties may include assisting patients with bathing and dressing, providing doctor-ordered medicine and treatments, collecting fluid samples, and overseeing the general well-being of your patients. Other common duties include recording vital signs, providing in-home care, and supervising the work of certified nurse assistants CNAs. You may also complete clerical tasks, such as managing patient records and appointments.

The duties of an RN are similar to that of an LPN, but can include being responsible for giving patients examinations, preparing patient rooms, and providing healthcare education. Working as an RN, you may also set goals for a nursing staff and manage your unit’s budget. You might also work closely with doctors during patient exams, treatments, or surgeries.

You can generally become an LPN through a certificate or associate’s degree program. Most of your courses will cover general nursing topics, such as basic nursing fundamentals, nutrition, surgery, newborns, anatomy, and psychology.

Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs can prepare you to become a RN. You will study general duties, including how to conduct management and practice policies, integrate patient care, and use technology to carry out your duties. If you want to become an RN who has a supervisory role in your workplace, a master’s degree program can help you learn the management, professionalism, care practices, and assessment techniques associated with a general nurse position.

All nurses must be licensed in order to work. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, but they typically include completion of a recognized training program, clinical practical, and licensing exams.

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