What does a Nurse do?
Nurses typically work for hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, medical clinics, assisted living facilities and other medical institutions. A Nurse typically serves as a front-line healthcare worker, overseeing the daily care provided to patients. As a result, they help determine the quality level of care that a facility or practice delivers.
By performing their job duties successfully, a Nurse can improve patient satisfaction rates and increase word-of-mouth referrals that allow practices to grow. Nurses who consistently carry out their assigned tasks well also reduce the risk of medical errors and ensure they are providing excellent care to their patients.
Nurse skills and qualifications
To be proficient at their job duties, Nurses need strong skill sets. Some key skills and qualifications for Nurses include:
- In-depth knowledge of anatomy, biology and best practices related to patient care
- Skill in performing physical exams and diagnostic tests, like taking blood pressure and drawing blood
- Ability to interpret medical data and patient records to make informed care decisions
- Proficiency in administering medications and treatments to ensure patient safety and compliance with care standards
- Expertise operating medical equipment and machinery, such as EKG machines, ventilators and other specialized equipment.
- Verbal communication skills to explain concepts to patients, communicate with family members and collaborate with Physicians
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles to care delivery
- Observational skills to notice signs of illness, disease or distress in patients
- Interpersonal skills to ensure positive interactions with other members of the care team, patients and their families
Nurse experience requirements
The amount of experience a Nurse needs to be successful depends largely on what tasks they’re expected to perform. Nursing school programs typically include hands-on patient care training, so a new hire may not need any additional experience to perform routine tasks, such as monitoring patient vital signs and gathering patient history.
However, Nurses who will need to assist with or perform more complex procedures may benefit from a few years of previous work experience. If your position involves supervising or training Nurses or other employees, you may wish to stipulate that a few years of experience is mandatory or preferred in your job description.
Nurse education and training requirements
A state license is generally necessary to work as a Nurse, and in most cases, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a prerequisite for licensing. After graduating from a program approved by their state, a prospective Nurse must then usually pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to get licensed. Some types of nurses, like Nurse Practitioners, require a master’s degree.
Depending on the nature of your open position, you may wish to prioritize candidates who hold voluntary certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse in a relevant specialty. To earn certification, nurses must typically complete a graduate-level degree program and take a certification exam. Life-saving certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) available through the Red Cross, may be desirable as well.
Nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Nurse is $97,051 per year. How much an individual Nurse can expect to make depends on their work experience, education level, certification status, skills and location.
Nurse salary expectations
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Common salary:
36.30 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
10.20 -78.25 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
If you’re writing a job description for a related position to that of a Nurse, see these job descriptions for similar roles:
Nurse job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) typically earn advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and pass additional licensing and certification exams. As a result, they are able to perform duties that a traditional Nurse cannot. They may conduct examinations, order tests and prescribe medications independently. In contrast, a Nurse carries out orders prescribed by Physicians, NPs and other providers.
What qualities make a good Nurse?
A good Nurse is someone who remains calm under pressure and can maintain their composure when a patient requires attention. Nurses also benefit from compassion and empathy, which can help them better relate to patients. Having a friendly personality can also help patients feel at ease. Because new treatments emerge and standards of care evolve over time, people who like to learn new things and can adapt well to change may make good nurses.
What’s the difference between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse?
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) receives less training than a Registered Nurse (RN). In most cases, they complete a one-year training program that covers the basics of patient care. Usually employed by hospitals and long-term care facilities, LPNs assist patients with daily living tasks and may perform other simple duties, such as changing dressings or administering injections. On the other hand, RNs may have more complex responsibilities like educating patients, assisting with procedures and starting IVs.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
