CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Registered nurses provide direct care to patients. They examine patients, document their findings and develop nursing care plans.
Career Level
Similar Jobs
Consider these careers as well:
Salary
National average, per year
$71,730
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
455,392
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Registered Nurse Job Description
Registered nurses (RNs) are ranked as one of the most trusted professions in the United States. They have the critical job of providing direct care to patients. They work in a variety of healthcare settings and specialties. They work closely with physicians, medical assistants and CNAs.
If you want a rewarding career in a high-growth field, then becoming a registered nurse may be the right choice for you. There are currently more open RN positions than there are qualified candidates to fill them. As an RN, you can enjoy the benefits of excellent job security, great salary and endless possibilities for career advancement.
Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities
Registered nurses may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Perform physical assessments on patients
- Administer medications
- Wound care
- Assist doctors with exams and procedures
- Collect patient medical histories
- Education patients and their family members
- Develop nursing care plans
- Document and review patient medical records
- Supervise CNAs, medical assistants and LPNs
- Provide emotional and psychological support to patients
- Relay changes in patient’s condition to doctors
Registered Nurse Salary
The actual salary of the registered nurse can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $71,730*
National average per hour: $34.48*
- $69,722 per year, $33.52 per hour**
- $63,799 per year, $30.67 per hour***
- $68,465 per year, $32.92 per hour****
- $69,270 per year, $33.30 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Registered Nurse Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a registered nurse? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Great job security
- Great career growth
- Flexible work hours and shifts
- Daily work varies
- Great pay
- Rewarding to help others
- Abundance of open jobs available
- Opportunities for career growth
Cons
- Can be physically and mentally challenging
- Daily work can be stressful
- May have to deal with confused, aggressive and abusive patients and family members
- Risk of exposure to infectious diseases
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Registered Nurse?
If you are considering a career as a registered nurse, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Obtain your high school diploma/GED.
- Successfully complete an accredited nursing program that works best for you. An associate’s degree program takes 2 years to complete. A bachelor’s degree program takes 4 years to complete.
- Become licensed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
- Earn a voluntary specialty certification to further your career.
Suggested Career Path
The position of the registered is in the middle of the medical career pathway and can be preceded by entry-level or other careers. A sample career path could look like this:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) > Registered Nurse (RN) > Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma / GED
- Associate’s degree (minimum required) from an accredited nursing program
- CPR/BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications (depending on area of work)
Typical Work Experience Required
Experience typically gained through training programs.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by job and location.
- Clinical competence
- Exceptional communication skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ability to collaborate and work with a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Emotional stability
- Kindness and compassion
- Physical endurance
- Alert and observant
- Confidence
- Patience
- Dedication
Registered Nurse (RN) Certifications
Specialty certification is voluntary, but highly recommended. Certification can highlight your area of interest and expertise. These are the certifications that are available.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN):
- CCRN (Adult), Acute/Critical Care Nursing (AACN)
- CCRN (Pediatric), Acute/Critical Care Nursing (AACN)
- CCRN (Neonatal), Acute/Critical Care Nursing (AACN)
- CCRN-K (Adult), Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (AACN)
- CCRN-K (Pediatric), Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (AACN)
- CCRN-K (Neonatal), Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (AACN)
- CCRN-E (Adult), Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care RN (AACN)
- PCCN (Adult), Progressive Care RN (AACN)
- PCCN-K (Adult), Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (AACN)
- CMC (Adult), Cardiac Medicine Adult (AACN)
- CSC (Adult), Cardiac Surgery Adult (AACN)
American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN):
American Board of Neuroscience Nurses (ABNN):
American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN):
- COHN, Certified Occupational Health Nurse (ABOHN)
- COHN-S, Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (ABOHN)
- CM, Occupational Health Nurse Case Manager (ABOHN)
American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC):
- CAPA, Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (ABPANC)
- CPAN, Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (ABPANC)
American Correctional Association (ACA):
- CCN, Certified Corrections Nurse (ACA)
- CCN/M, Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager (ACA)
- CHSA, Certified Health Service Administrator (ACA)
- CHBC-BS, Correctional Behavioral Health Certification – Behavioral Specialty (ACA)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC):
- RN-BC, Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Gerontological Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Informatics Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Nursing Case Management Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Nursing Professional Development Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Pain Management Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Pediatric Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- RN-BC, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (ANCC)
- NHDP-BC, National Healthcare Disaster Professional (ANCC)
- NE-BC, Nurse Executive Certification (ANCC)
- NEA-BC, Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (ANCC)
American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN):
Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing (ARIN):
- CRN, Certified Radiology Nurse (ARIN)
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN):
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN):
- CEN, Certified Emergency Nurse (BCEN)
- CFRN, Certified Flight Registered Nurse (BCEN)
- CPEN, Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (BCEN)
- TCRN, Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (BCEN)
Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET):
- CARN, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (C-NET)
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC):
- CIC, Certified in Infection Prevention and Control (CBIC)
Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA):
- CURN, Certified Urologic Registered Nurse (CBUNA)
Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI):
Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA):
HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB):
- ACRN, HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (HANCB)
- AARN, Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (HANCB)
Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC):
- CHPN, Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (HPCC)
- CHPPN, Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (HPCC)
- CPLC, Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (HPCC)
Infusion Nurses Society (INS):
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB):
- CMSRN, Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (MSNCB)
- CCCTM, Care Coordination and Transition Management (MSNCB)
National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA):
National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN):
National Certification Corporation (NCC):
- RNC-OB, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (NCC)
- RNC-MNN, Maternal Newborn Nursing (NCC)
- RNC-LRN, Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (NCC)
- RNC-NIC, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (NCC)
- C-EFM, Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (NCC)
- C-NPT, Certification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (NCC)
Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC):
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC):
- OCN, Oncology Certified Nurse (ONCC)
- CPHON, Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (ONCC)
- CBCN, Certified Breast Care Nurse (ONCC)
- BMTCN, Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (ONCC)
Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB):
Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB):
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB):
Radiologic Nursing Certification Board (RNCB):
Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN):
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB):
Click on the certifications to find out more.
Licenses
Licensure is required in all states and includes passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Registered Nurse Training and Preparation
Deciding to become a nurse is a huge step to a life-long and rewarding career. Many nurses decide to earn an associate’s degree first, as it takes less time to complete (2 years) and they can enter into an entry-level nursing position sooner. When they are ready to pursue a bachelor’s degree (BSN), there are many RN-to-BSN programs available, many even online. Many employers prefer RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree and may even offer tuition assistance programs to help cover the costs.
Once you have completed your nursing program, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN in order to become licensed. This can be a very challenging exam and being prepared and organized can help ensure your success.
There are many ways to prepare for the exam, allowing you to choose the methods that work best for you. There are online and traditional classroom prep courses available. Many organizations offer online tutoring. Review books and flashcards are other helpful tools. Taking practice tests and answering practice questions can help you learn what the questions will be like. The NCSBN website offers a test plan that you can download, which includes a summary of the content and scope of the exam. This can help you organize your studying and learn what you need to focus on.
Was this article helpful?
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.