Registered Nurse
Role of the Registered Nurse in the Management of Rheumatic Diseases
The registered nurse (RN) provides health care to individuals, families, and communities, including services designed to promote health, prevent illness, and achieve optimal recovery from or adaptation to health problems, including rheumatic diseases.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
- Help identify patient and family health status and needs (physical, emotional, and psychological)
- Develop an individual plan of care for patients to manage pain, improve function, maximize independence, provide education, strengthen coping strategies, and improve access to community resources
- Help patients meet treatment goals
- Serve as a case manager to coordinate various aspects of care; may be involved in program planning for rheumatic diseases at a local and national level
- Administer, monitor, and educate about medications/therapies
- Provide health teaching and health promotion and advocate for patients and families with the health care facility, community, and regarding ongoing legislation
- Conduct research to promote evidence-based practice
Where Does a Registered Nurse Work?
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Homes
- Nursing homes
What Kind of Training Does a Registered Nurse Have?
- Hospital-based program with a diploma in nursing.
- Two-year community college education with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
- Four-year college education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- All RNs are licensed in the state in which they practice.
- The rheumatology RN has specialized knowledge and expertise in the care of persons with rheumatic diseases.
This information is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment of a medical or health condition.