special subjects
Hospital Care Team Members
Registered nurses
People usually have more contact with the registered nurses (RNs) assigned to their care than any other member of the team. RNs give medications to people and monitor and evaluate their physical and emotional needs. When a person's condition suddenly changes, RNs are often the first to detect the change. RNs then report the change to the attending physician or house staff. RNs may be charge nurses or nurse supervisors, organizing and monitoring overall nursing care in a hospital unit. 