And more and more nurses are filling top executive positions in leading health care systems. More than 86,700 of the nation s 2.6 million RNs are licensed in North Carolina. To become an RN, an individual must graduate from a state-approved school of nursing and pass a standardized RN licensing exam. About fifty-nine percent of RNs work in hospitals with the majority working on medical and surgical units, although demand for experienced operating room, critical care and emergency room nurses is presently high. Other hospital areas include obstetrics, newborn nursery, and pediatrics.
Nurses care for patients with acute and chronic physical as well as mental health needs.
1 Community-based settings such as home care agencies, ambulatory care centers, public health departments and nursing homes are employing greater numbers of registered nurses. Licensed practical nurses complete a one-year program of study and pass a state LPN licensing exam. More than 22,600 LPNs are licensed in North Carolina, working primarily in nursing homes, student health services, and hospitals. An advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse who has met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements, usually at the Master s level. Nurse practitioners typically provide a wide range of primary and preventive health care services, prescribe medication, and diagnose and treat common minor illnesses and injuries in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals and private offices.