A registered nurse, or RN, typically monitors patients, administers medications, keeps records, consults with healthcare providers, educates patients and more. They typically do not need to meet the master's degree requirement of a nurse practitioner. Maintaining accurate, complete health care records and reports.Administering medications to patients and monitoring them for side effects and reactions.Prescribing assistive medical devices and related treatments.Recording patient vital signs and medical information.Ordering medical diagnostic and clinical tests.