Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Registered Nurse
What registered nurses actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Receive bedside handoff on five medical-surgical patients and check new orders and overnight labs. From there, the day usually includes assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations, administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered, and monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration. Hospitals run around the clock, so nurses often work 12-hour shifts, three days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. Clinics and schools usually keep daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a registered nurse working full time.
- Receive bedside handoff on five medical-surgical patients and check new orders and overnight labs.
- Complete head-to-toe assessments and prioritize: one patient has a rising heart rate and new shortness of breath.
- Run the morning medication pass, hang an IV antibiotic and check a potassium level before giving a diuretic.
- Call the physician using SBAR about the deteriorating patient and carry out new orders for labs and a chest X-ray.
- Teach a newly diagnosed diabetic patient how to check blood sugar and give insulin, using teach-back.
- Prepare a discharge: reconcile medications, arrange home health and review warning signs with the family.
- Chart reassessments, update care plans and give a thorough handoff to the night nurse.
Where registered nurses work
About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. Hospital nursing involves long periods on your feet, lifting and exposure to infectious disease.
Hours and schedule
Hospitals run around the clock, so nurses often work 12-hour shifts, three days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. Clinics and schools usually keep daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
- Educate patients and families about diagnoses, medications and self-care
- Supervise LPNs and nursing assistants and delegate tasks appropriately
Tools you’ll use every day
- Electronic health records such as Epic or Cerner
- IV infusion pumps
- Cardiac monitors and telemetry
- Glucometers and point-of-care testing
- Barcode medication administration scanners
- Automated dispensing cabinets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Strong pay, with a median near six figures
- Huge variety of specialties and settings
- High demand nearly everywhere in the U.S.
- Clear path to advanced practice, leadership and education
What’s hard
- Demanding education and a rigorous licensing exam
- Physically and emotionally exhausting shifts
- Nights, weekends and holidays are common early on
- High responsibility: errors can harm patients
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
- I can handle long shifts on my feet
- I’m comfortable with science, math and medications
- I can cope with illness, suffering and death
Not sure? Take the free Registered Nurse fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use barcode scanning and the rights of medication administration for every dose
- Follow standard and transmission-based precautions and wear appropriate PPE
- Use safe patient-handling equipment to prevent back injuries
- Speak up and escalate concerns through the chain of command