What is a staff nurse?

Do you want to make a meaningful impact with hands-on patient care? If so, then you might be interested in working as a staff nurse. Learn more about what this role entails and how it’s different from other types of nursing.

A staff nurse is essentially a bedside nurse, meaning he or she is a registered nurse (RN) who provides direct care to patients in a clinical setting, often a hospital.

Staff RNs encompass a wide range of nurses, but the category does not typically include nurses in leadership roles, like a charge nurse . This is because the job responsibilities of a charge nurse are different. They lead the unit, oversee the staff RNs, stay informed about all the patients on the unit, collaborate with the nurses and physicians, ensure equipment is functional and manage unit admissions and transfers.

So, what makes staff RNs different from typical RNs? It’s about the workplace setting and responsibilities of the job. Nurses can work in a variety of settings — in the intensive care unit, as a remote clinical documentation specialist, in an oncology specialty clinic, or in a skilled nursing center or other type of care center, to name a few. Staff nursing, however, specifically refers to roles where direct patient care is required, like inserting a nasogastric tube or changing a dressing. 

When you picture a nurse, you probably think about the specific clinical aspects, such as injections, medications, IVs, vital signs and wound vacs. But if you are already an RN, then you know that nursing practice entails far more than physical skills.

So, what is a staff RN’s responsibilities? This role embodies the nursing stereotype. That is, they perform hands-on care.

What do staff nurses do specifically? Here are some examples of their duties:

• Perform a patient bed-bath
• Assist patients in activities of daily living (such as brushing teeth)
• Monitor and empty surgical drains
• Assist with patient mobility (e.g., helping them walk around the unit)
• Administer medications
• Assess and monitor vital signs
• Provide patient education

Just like other RNs, these nurses also use critical thinking, communication and time management skills. They coordinate care with other healthcare team members, facilitate conversations and may even de-escalate conflict. They also advocate for patients as needed, and they create and execute patient-care plans.

The main thing that sets these nurses apart from other nurses is that their main responsibilities revolve around physical, clinical patient care. 

As the American Nurses Association  states, “Staff nurses are the backbone of the American healthcare system.” They are also the main point of contact for many patients.

These specific nurses spend about half of their shift close to patients, and are typically the healthcare professionals who spend the most time with patients. They are the ones providing education and noticing changes in patient status, as well as handling all the other duties previously outlined. As a result, staff RNs are often vital to ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, high-quality care. 

There are two options for nursing school: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The ADN program typically takes two years, and a BSN program can take as long as four years.

However, if you start with an ADN and your RN license, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program to earn your bachelor’s degree  faster than through a traditional four-year program. For those who attend full time, this program can be completed in as little as 14 months.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, there are nursing program options that allow you to transfer credits toward your nursing degree. These are called accelerated or nursing bridge BSN programs.

The next step is taking the NCLEX. Nursing school provides you with the necessary skills and education to prepare you for the NCLEX exam. 

The NCLEX is a national examination that nursing students must pass to obtain their registered nurse license. It ensures that prospective nurses have the competence to safely practice nursing in a variety of settings. Thus, this exam assesses a broad range of topics and situations. The test uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), meaning it tailors the test to each person and adjusts the level of difficulty for questions.

Once you pass the NCLEX you need to apply with your state board of nursing for your RN license. Each state has its own requirements and procedures, so be sure to contact the board in your state for specific information.

A staff nurse is an entry-level position, meaning new graduates are educationally prepared for this job. However, each facility has its own requirements and preferences. In general, you can seek positions in a variety of settings, from hospital units to clinics. If you already have a desired patient population or specialty in mind, consider beginning your job search there.

You may notice additional requirements during your job search, such as having a basic life support (BLS) certification. If you did not already obtain this during nursing school, some employers provide BLS classes to employees so they can obtain it. Specialty units might require advanced certifications, like the advanced cardiac life support or pediatric advanced life support.