What Does an Enrolled Nurse Do?

Enrolled nurses (ENs) are healthcare professionals who provide basic nursing care and support to patients in hospitals, clinics, schools, retirement homes, etc. They’re not licensed to practice independently, but they can perform many of the same tasks as registered nurses (RNs).

Enrolled nurses typically have a more generalist approach to their work than RNs do; they may be responsible for providing all types of nursing care to patients regardless of their specific needs or conditions.

Enrolled Nurse Job Duties

Enrolled nurses have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Providing direct nursing care to patients, including administering medications, changing bandages, and charting patient progress over time
• Performing physical examinations and other diagnostic tests to identify the cause of a patient’s illness or injury
• Determining appropriate nursing interventions based on knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, clinical practices, and pharmacology
• Preparing equipment and supplies for surgery, administering anesthetics, and sterilizing surgical instruments
• Monitoring patients’ conditions to ensure that they are safe and comfortable
• Explaining procedures to patients, their families, and other health care providers
• Educating patients on health issues, such as diet, exercise, stress management, and disease prevention
• Helping patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and toileting
• Conducting research on new treatments and techniques to improve patient care

Enrolled Nurse Salary & Outlook

Enrolled nurses’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the hospital or medical facility they work for, and the geographic location of their job.

• Median Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $114,500 ($55.05/hour)

The employment of enrolled nurses is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for healthcare services will increase as the large baby-boom population ages and people continue to live longer. Nurses will be needed in a variety of medical specialties, such as oncology (treatment of cancer) and palliative care (treatment that focuses on reducing pain and providing emotional support), where demand for these services is expected to increase.

Enrolled Nurse Job Requirements

Enrolled nurses typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Enrolled nurses need a bachelor’s degree to work in a hospital or clinic. The most common majors for an EN are nursing, pre-nursing, health science and nursing science.

Many hospitals and clinics prefer to hire nurses with a master’s degree in nursing. Earning a master’s degree takes two years and includes coursework and clinical practice.

Training & Experience: After graduating from an EN program, you must complete a period of supervised clinical experience. This training period is usually between six and 12 months and is completed in a hospital or clinic. During this time, you will work under the supervision of an experienced EN. You will be paid a salary and will receive training in the following:

Patient assessment Patient care Patient communication Patient safety Patient comfort Patient flow Patient flow refers to the movement of patients through the hospital. You will learn how to efficiently and effectively move patients through the hospital to ensure they receive the care they need in a timely manner.

After completing your training period, you will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) examination. You must pass this exam to become a licensed EN. The NCSBN examination is offered three times a year. You can find more information about the examination on the NCSBN website.

Certifications & Licenses: After completing your enrolled nurse training, you can pursue additional nursing qualifications to gain more experience and expand your job options.

Enrolled Nurse Skills

Enrolled nurses need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Nurses must be able to communicate with patients, other medical staff and family members of patients. You should be able to explain medical procedures and answer questions about a patient’s health. You should also be able to communicate with patients in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident in their treatment.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As an enrolled nurse, empathy can help you connect with patients and their families. For example, if a patient is experiencing pain, empathy can help you understand their feelings and offer them the care they need.

Time management: Nurses must be able to manage their time effectively to ensure they complete all of their duties in a timely manner. This can include checking in on patients, completing patient charts, updating medical records and preparing treatment plans. Having good time management skills can help you complete your tasks efficiently and free up time for other duties.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to make quick decisions based on the information you have. As an enrolled nurse, you may be responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, so it’s important to be able to make decisions quickly. You may also be responsible for ordering medications and treatments, so it’s important to be able to make informed decisions.

Medical knowledge: Medical knowledge is the ability to understand medical terminology and procedures. This is an important skill for an enrolled nurse because it allows them to understand the information they receive from doctors and other medical professionals. Medical knowledge also allows an enrolled nurse to understand the treatment plans they create for their patients.

Enrolled Nurse Work Environment

Enrolled nurses work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. Enrolled nurses typically work the day shift, but they may be required to work evenings, nights, or weekends, depending on the needs of the facility. They may also be required to work overtime to cover for absent colleagues or to meet the demands of the facility. Enrolled nurses may be exposed to infectious diseases and hazardous materials, and they may be required to lift and move patients. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, but enrolled nurses find it to be rewarding and satisfying.

Enrolled Nurse Trends

Here are three trends influencing how enrolled nurses work. Enrolled nurses will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Flexible Work Schedules

The need for more flexible work schedules is becoming increasingly important as more and more people are looking for ways to balance their work and personal lives. This trend is having a major impact on the healthcare industry, as hospitals and other care facilities are beginning to look for nurses who are willing to work alternate shifts or who can be available for short-term assignments.

Enrolled nurses can capitalize on this trend by developing skills that make them more attractive to employers. For example, they can learn how to work with different types of technology or develop expertise in specific areas such as pediatrics or geriatrics.

More Attention to Patient Experience

As hospitals and health systems focus more on patient experience, enrolled nurses will be in high demand.

Enrolled nurses play a critical role in providing excellent patient care, and they will be needed in ever-increasing numbers as hospitals strive to provide better experiences for their patients. In order to be successful in this environment, enrolled nurses will need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, understand their needs, and provide support throughout their stay.

Greater Emphasis on Preventative Care

Preventative care is becoming an increasingly important part of healthcare, as it can help to reduce the number of hospital visits and improve overall health outcomes.

Enrolled nurses are well-positioned to take advantage of this trend, as they are often responsible for providing preventive care services. By becoming experts in preventative care, enrolled nurses can help to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital.

How to Become an Enrolled Nurse

An Enrolled Nurse (EN) career path can be a great way to start your nursing career. As an EN, you’ll have the opportunity to work in many different settings and gain experience in a variety of areas. You’ll also have the chance to learn from more experienced nurses and develop your skills.

As you progress in your career, you may want to consider becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). RNs have more responsibility and are able to practice nursing anywhere in the country. They also have more opportunities for advancement.

Advancement Prospects

After completing a period of on-the-job training, enrolled nurses may be promoted to positions of greater responsibility, such as charge nurse or head nurse. With additional training, they may become registered nurses. Some enrolled nurses may wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which would enable them to move into management or teaching positions.

Enrolled Nurse Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide high-quality patient care by employing skilled and compassionate nurses. We are currently seeking an enrolled nurse to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a caring personality and the ability to work well under pressure. He or she will be responsible for providing direct patient care, administering medication, and maintaining accurate patient records. The enrolled nurse will also be responsible for supervising junior staff and providing guidance and support to patients and their families.

Duties & Responsibilities

• To provide direct nursing care to patients in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organization, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
• To administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician, and document all administration in the patient’s medical record
• To monitor patients’ vital signs and report any changes to the supervising RN
• To collect specimens for laboratory testing, and perform basic diagnostic tests such as urine dipsticks and blood glucose levels
• To maintain a clean and safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors
• To assist with the admission and discharge of patients
• To participate in quality improvement initiatives
• To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in the patient’s medical record
• To provide health education and support to patients and their families
• To collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to ensure optimal patient outcomes
• To attend in-service education programs to keep abreast of new developments in nursing care
• To perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Registered nurse with a current license to practice
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or related field
• Minimum 2 years experience working as a registered nurse
• Demonstrated clinical competence in a variety of settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nursing or related field
• 4+ years experience working as a registered nurse
• Specialty certification in a particular area of nursing practice
• Experience working in a leadership role