1. Patient Care:
- Assess patients' health status, including physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
- Develop individualized nursing plans and implement appropriate interventions.
- Administer medications, treatments, and therapies.
- Monitor patients' responses to treatments and make necessary adjustments.
- Provide patient education and health promotion strategies.
2. Leadership and Advocacy:
- Lead teams of healthcare professionals, including LPNs, CNAs, and other support staff.
- Advocate for patients' rights, safety, and well-being.
- Collaborate with physicians, social workers, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care.
3. Clinical Decision-Making:
- Analyze patient data and make evidence-based decisions.
- Implement nursing diagnoses and interventions to promote positive patient outcomes.
- Identify and manage potential risks or complications.
4. Health Promotion and Education:
- Provide health education to patients and their families.
- Promote disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and self-management strategies.
- Conduct community assessments and participate in health outreach programs.
5. Research and Evidence-Based Practice:
- Participate in research studies and clinical trials.
- Stay updated on the latest scientific evidence and best practices in nursing.
- Integrate evidence-based practices into patient care to ensure optimal outcomes.
6. Collaboration and Communication:
- Work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pharmacists.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues.
- Document patient care accurately and concisely.
7. Management and Administration:
- Contribute to the management and administration of healthcare units or departments.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and patient safety protocols.
- Oversee nursing care delivery and ensure adherence to standards and regulations.
8. Continuing Education:
- RNs with a BSN are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain their licensure.
- BSN programs prepare nurses for lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
Overall, RNs with a BSN have a broader scope of practice and are equipped with advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, and leadership abilities to provide high-quality, holistic, and evidence-based nursing care to patients across various healthcare settings.