A floor nurse must be a registered nurse. They perform a variety of duties and are a vital component of a properly functioning hospital. There are a variety of specialized areas floor nurses can enter into, but there are common elements to all of their jobs.

Patient Care

Floor nurses are responsible for the basic care of patients. This includes giving medication and shots, setting up IVs, informing the patient of his condition and diagnosis, and providing emotional support through conversation and patient interaction. Nurses also maintain and update patient medical records.

Physical Activity

Nurses are required to be on their feet for extended periods of time and perform a variety of jobs that require physical effort. These include lifting and stretching patients, walking throughout the hospital to attend to the needs of their patients and bending over to perform tasks.

Job Hours

Floor nurses work a variety of shifts that can last for an extended period of time. Work shifts can last for up to 12 hours. There can be little reliability in a consistent schedule. Floor nurses are often required to work nights, weekends, holidays and be on call.