The American healthcare industry is expanding at a rapid pace, creating an immediate need for medical professionals. Registered nurses (RNs) are currently in high demand for many reasons, including the development of new technology, an aging population, and current nurses retiring.
When viewing all of these factors alongside the satisfaction that comes from helping people, the benefits of becoming a registered nurse have never been better. This guide delves into what it's like to be a registered nurse, outlines available educational paths, highlights skills needed to succeed, reviews current salaries, and provides an interview with a professional currently working in the field.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
[dig-deepersubtitle="RN Career Basics"description='According to the U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics (BLS), more than 3 million registered nurses are employed in the United States, and approximately 60%work in hospitals. RNs may also find themselves in clinics, physicians' offices, home health care settings, critical andlong-term care facilities, governmental organizations, the military, schools, and rehabilitation agencies. The demandfor registered nurses is expected to grow 7% by 2029.'panel_subtitle="RN Career In-Depth"]
Duties of a registered nurse vary depending upon where they work, but often include providing direct care to patients, assisting physicians in medical procedures, offering guidance to family members, and leading public health education campaigns. RNs may also operate medical monitoring equipment and administer medications. With concentrated training or certifications, RNs can focus on a medical specialty, such as geriatric, pediatric, neonatal, surgical, or emergency care.
Registered nurses work in shifts that run around the clock, which may be on rotating or permanent schedules. Overtime and emergency hours can also be unpredictable. In addition to passing the NCLEX-RN, registered nurses are required to complete ongoing education to maintain licensure. For those with a nursing diploma or associate degree, returning to school to complete a bachelor's or master's level degree will allow them to move into advanced nursing practice roles or health care administration.
An RN's increased educational and training requirements are significant compared to a licensed practical or vocational nurse, but so is the bump in pay. According to Payscale, a registered nurse makes 50 to 64% more than a licensed practical or vocational nurse.
[/dig-deeper]The increased educational and training requirements of a registered nurse compared to a licensed practical or vocational nurse is significant, but so is the bump in pay. According Payscale, a registered nurse makes about 40 percent more than a licensed practical or vocational nurse.
RN Salaries and Job Outlook
Salary Figures
Registered nurses' compensation reflects the high demand and advanced levels of training and education required. You may choose to become a nurse for reasons other than financial, but a national average median salary of $75,330 in 2020 does make registered nursing an attractive career if you're looking at the bottom line.
Geographical location and cost of living also affect nurses' income. Below is a list of five states with the highest average wage for registered nurses:
California
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Alaska
Oregon
