What does a Clinical Nurse do?
Published 3 min read
A clinical nurse is a registered nurse who works in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Clinical nurses provide direct patient care, and they may also work in management or research roles.
Clinical Nurse job duties include:
- Assessing and planning nursing care requirements
- Providing pre- and post-operation care
- Monitoring and administering medication and intravenous infusions
- Taking patient samples, pulses, temperatures and blood pressures
- Writing records
- Supervising junior staff
- Liaising with doctors and other health professionals
- Teaching patients and their families how to manage their condition
- Providing emotional support to patients and their families
Clinical Nurse Job Requirements
A Clinical Nurse is a Registered Nurse who has specialized training in a particular area of nursing. Most Clinical Nurses have a Bachelor's degree in nursing, although some may have an Associate's degree. In addition to their education, Clinical Nurses must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Many Clinical Nurses also have certification from a professional organization in their specialty area. Clinical Nurses typically have several years of experience working in a hospital or other healthcare setting before becoming a Clinical Nurse.
Clinical Nurse Skills
- Assessing patients
- Providing care
- Monitoring vital signs
- Recognizing changes in patients' conditions
- Communicating with patients and families
- Documenting patient care
- Coordinating care with other health care providers
- Teaching patients and families
- Providing emotional support
- Supervising licensed practical nurses and certified nurse assistants
- Managing medications
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How to become a Clinical Nurse
A clinical nurse is a registered nurse who provides direct patient care in a variety of settings. Clinical nurses typically work in hospitals, but they may also work in clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. They may provide care for patients with acute or chronic conditions, as well as for those who are healthy and just need routine care.
To become a clinical nurse, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school. Once you have your degree, you must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed registered nurse. After that, you can pursue a career as a clinical nurse by completing a clinical training program at a hospital or other healthcare facility.
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