Registered nurses have more opportunities and responsibilities than ever before. As medical care has improved over the years, nursing responsibilities have increased.

Typically, nursing job duties include:

• The promotion of health and hygiene
• Disease prevention
• Treating ill patients
• Teaching and education
• Providing direct patient care
• Developing nursing care plans
• Administering medication
• Communicating with patient's families

Not all of these duties may be performed in all settings. Nurses may specialize in a field of medicine like pediatrics, home care, hospice, palliative care, oncology, labor and delivery, or surgery. Some nurses choose to rotate departments. The duties of a nurse depend on the type of nursing career they choose.

If you possess the traits necessary to become a successful nurse and want to secure a well paying, important profession caring for others, getting an associates degree in nursing is a great way to secure your professional future.