A licensed healthcare professional who has completed a nursing program and passed a national licensing examination, authorized to provide a wide range of patient care services.

Nursing Scope of Practice:

The defined responsibilities, duties, and interventions that RNs are educated, trained, and legally permitted to perform, varying by jurisdiction and setting.

Patient Advocacy:

The role of an RN in supporting and safeguarding the rights and well-being of patients, ensuring they receive appropriate care and are informed about their healthcare options.

Holistic Care:

A nursing approach that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of a patient’s well-being, emphasizing comprehensive and compassionate care.

Critical Thinking in Nursing:

The ability of an RN to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and solve problems effectively, crucial for providing safe and patient-centered care.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP):

The integration of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to inform nursing decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Nursing Informatics:

The application of technology and information science in nursing practice, involving the use of electronic health records (EHRs), health information systems, and data analysis.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs):

Educational credits that RNs must acquire through ongoing learning activities to maintain and update their nursing knowledge and skills.

Interprofessional Collaboration:

The teamwork and communication between healthcare professionals from different disciplines, enhancing patient care by leveraging diverse expertise.

Patient Assessment:

The systematic gathering of information about a patient’s health status, involving physical examinations, interviews, and diagnostic tests, to guide nursing interventions.

Medication Administration:

The safe and accurate dispensing of medications to patients, a crucial responsibility of RNs that requires precise dosage calculations and monitoring for adverse reactions.

Nurse-Patient Ratio:

The number of patients assigned to an RN for care during a specific shift, a critical factor in ensuring safe and quality nursing care.

Professional Development:

The ongoing process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and competencies to enhance a nurse’s professional growth and adapt to changes in healthcare.

Therapeutic Communication:

The use of effective communication techniques by RNs to establish rapport, build trust, and promote a positive nurse-patient relationship for optimal care outcomes.

Cultural Competence:

The ability of an RN to provide care that is respectful and responsive to the diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs of patients and their families.