Are there different types of nurses?
Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses. Most are staff nurses, who provide bedside nursing care and carry out medical regimens. They may also supervise licensed practical nurses and aides. Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, or treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments. Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians’ offices, clinics, surgicenters, and emergency medical centers. They prepare patients for and assist with examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist with minor surgery, and maintain records. Some also perform routine laboratory and office work. Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer ’s disease. Although they usually spend most of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents ’medical condition,develop treatment pla