Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description Template

Registered Nurse Job Overview

A Registered Nurse is the clinical backbone of patient care. In this role, you'll assess patient conditions, develop and execute individualized care plans, administer medications, and serve as the primary communication link between physicians, specialists, and families. The position reports to the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager and operates within a care team that typically includes LPNs, CNAs, pharmacists, and attending physicians.

Day-to-day reality varies by unit. On a med-surg floor, you might carry a 4-6 patient assignment, managing admissions and discharges while coordinating post-acute discharge plans. In outpatient settings, the pace shifts toward patient education, care coordination, and chronic disease management.

Success in this Registered Nurse role comes down to three things: clinical accuracy under pressure, communication that doesn't break down across shift changes, and the judgment to know when a situation needs to escalate immediately. Nurses who thrive here pair strong technical skills with the ability to stay calm when a patient's status changes at 3 a.m.

Performance is measured by patient satisfaction scores, documentation accuracy, medication error rates, readmission contributions, and peer review outcomes. The best RNs in this team don't just complete tasks — they catch what others miss.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments at admission and throughout each shift, documenting findings in the EHR (Epic, Cerner, or equivalent) with accuracy and timeliness

• Develop, implement, and revise individualized nursing care plans based on physician orders, patient history, and real-time clinical observations

• Administer medications, IV therapies, and treatments per physician orders, applying five-rights verification and independently double-checking high-alert medications

• Triage changes in patient condition and initiate rapid response or code protocols when clinical indicators warrant immediate intervention

• Collaborate daily with attending physicians, hospitalists, specialists, and allied health staff in interdisciplinary rounds to align care goals

• Educate patients and families on diagnoses, treatment plans, medication regimens, and discharge instructions in plain language they can act on

• Delegate appropriate tasks to CNAs and LPNs while maintaining supervisory accountability for all care delivered under your license

• Complete shift documentation, incident reports, and handoff communications (SBAR format preferred) with zero gaps that could compromise continuity

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, including chart audits, protocol reviews, and root cause analyses for adverse events

• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, state nursing board regulations, and facility policies across every patient interaction

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice (multi-state compact license accepted)

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program

• Current BLS certification (AHA or Red Cross); ACLS required for critical care, telemetry, or ED settings

• Minimum 1 year of hands-on clinical nursing experience in an acute care, long-term care, or ambulatory setting (new grad positions specify accordingly)

• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic health record systems — ability to document, retrieve orders, and communicate through the EHR without workarounds

• Proven ability to manage a patient assignment of 4-6 patients simultaneously while maintaining clinical accuracy

• Strong working knowledge of pharmacology, medication administration protocols, and IV therapy principles

• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required by unit staffing schedules

Preferred Qualifications

• BSN degree from an accredited nursing program (facilities pursuing Magnet designation may require or strongly prefer BSN)

• Specialty certification relevant to the unit (CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, CCRN, or similar)

• Experience with Epic or Cerner EHR at the clinical user level

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or other languages prevalent in the patient population served

• Prior charge nurse or preceptor experience demonstrating leadership readiness

• Participation in shared governance councils, quality teams, or professional nursing organizations

Essential Skills & Competencies for Registered Nurses

Technical Skills:

• Physical assessment: head-to-toe, systems-based, and focused assessments

• IV insertion, maintenance, and management including central line care (per facility policy)

• Medication administration: oral, IM, subcutaneous, IV push, and continuous infusion

• Wound care, dressing changes, and wound staging per NPUAP/EPUAP guidelines

• Cardiac monitoring interpretation: rhythm identification and escalation criteria

• Foley catheter insertion and urinary system management

• Oxygen therapy administration and monitoring including SpO2 interpretation

• EHR documentation, order entry, and clinical decision support tool navigation

• Lab value interpretation and critical value recognition and response

• Code blue and rapid response team participation and documentation

Soft Skills:

• Clinical judgment that distinguishes urgent from emergent from routine without constant supervision

• Communication that stays clear and assertive during high-stress, fast-moving situations

• Prioritization across competing patient needs without letting less-urgent issues fall through

• Empathy that reassures anxious patients without creating unrealistic expectations

• Conflict resolution with physicians, family members, and colleagues in real time

• Accountability for both your own work and the work delegated to your care team

• Adaptability when census, acuity, or staffing changes mid-shift without warning

Registered Nurse Salary Range & Benefits

Salary Overview

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the United States is $81,220. Compensation spans a wide range depending on specialty, setting, experience, and geography.

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas:

• San Jose, CA: $133,340

• San Francisco, CA: $127,100

• Vallejo, CA: $120,750

• Salinas, CA: $115,200

• Seattle, WA: $102,000
  
  

Travel nurses and per diem RNs typically earn 15-40% above staff rates. Night shift, weekend, and on-call differentials add $3-$8/hour in most markets.

Benefits Package

Competitive RN offers in 2026 typically include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer-subsidized premiums

• Defined benefit pension or 403(b)/401(k) with 3-6% employer match

• Paid time off: 15-25 days annually, increasing with tenure

• Paid sick leave and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage

• Tuition reimbursement: $2,500-$10,000/year for BSN or graduate programs

• Certification reimbursement and paid CE hours toward license renewal

• Shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends

• Employee assistance programs (EAP) including mental health support

• Relocation assistance for hard-to-fill specialty positions

• Loan forgiveness eligibility for facilities that qualify under PSLF

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurses

Q: What does a Registered Nurse do?
A: A Registered Nurse assesses patient health, develops and carries out care plans, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians and other clinicians to deliver safe, evidence-based care. RNs serve in nearly every healthcare setting — from hospital med-surg floors to outpatient clinics, schools, home health agencies, and corporate wellness programs. The scope and pace of the role shifts by unit, but the clinical accountability stays constant.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a Registered Nurse?
A: You need either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program, plus a passing score on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Most employers also require current BLS certification, and specialty units typically add ACLS or PALS. Many health systems now prefer or require a BSN, particularly those pursuing or holding Magnet designation.

Q: How much does a Registered Nurse make?
A: The BLS reports a median annual wage of $81,220 for RNs, though this varies significantly by state, specialty, and setting. California RNs consistently earn among the highest wages nationally, with median pay exceeding $124,000. ICU, OR, and ED nurses typically earn 10-20% above the general RN median due to specialty complexity.

Q: What skills are required for a Registered Nurse?
A: Clinical skills include patient assessment, IV therapy, medication administration, wound care, and EHR proficiency. Beyond the technical baseline, the nurses who stand out are the ones who communicate clearly under pressure, prioritize without prompting, and catch early warning signs before a situation escalates. Strong delegation skills become critical when supervising CNAs and LPNs.

Q: What is the difference between an RN and an LPN?
A: RNs complete more rigorous academic preparation (ADN minimum, vs. a 12-month practical nursing diploma for LPNs), hold broader independent practice authority, and carry full responsibility for care plan development and clinical decision-making. LPNs provide hands-on care under RN or physician supervision and have a more limited scope of practice. In most states, LPNs cannot independently administer IV push medications or perform initial assessments.

Q: How do you assess a Registered Nurse candidate?
A: Start with license verification through the state nursing board and a review of any disciplinary history. During interviews, present real clinical scenarios — a patient whose vitals are trending down, a physician order that looks incorrect, a family member demanding information — and evaluate the candidate's decision-making process, not just their answer. Ask specifically about their patient ratios, EHR experience, and most complex case managed independently. Skills validation on your unit before hire, where possible, eliminates surprises at orientation.

Q: What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?
A: Strong. The BLS projects 6% employment growth for RNs through 2033 — faster than most professions — driven by an aging population, expanded insurance coverage, and the ongoing wave of retiring nurses. Specialty areas like critical care, home health, and informatics face more acute shortages than general med-surg.