Registered Nurses Career Guide
New medical technologies, better standards of care and an aging population that’s living longer mean there is a greater need for registered nurses (RNs) than ever before. The future for those seeking to pursue an RN career looks bright, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicting faster than average growth in the field over the coming years, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2010-11.
Nature of the Work
Registered nurses fulfill a variety of job duties. In addition to the primary role in treating and caring for patients, their responsibilities also include educating patients and the public about a variety of medical conditions as well as providing emotional support and advice to the families of their patients. Other RN job functions include performing diagnostic tests and analyzing results, administering medications, operating medical equipment, recording patients’ symptoms and medical histories, and assisting with patient rehabilitation and follow-up.
Some registered nurses pursue a specialization. Pediatric oncology nurses work with children undergoing cancer treatment, while geriatric nurses focus on care for the elderly. Perioperative nurses assist surgeons in operating rooms. Other RNs may specialize by health conditions, such as dermatology nurses and diabetes management nurses.
Training and Education for Registered Nurses
There are multiple routes professionals can take to become a registered nurse: diploma programs offered through hospitals, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs offered through community colleges and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs offered through colleges and universities. The first two options take between two and three years to complete, while the last is a traditional four-year BSN degree program. While diploma and ADN programs require less time to complete, registered nurses with a BSN will generally have better career and advancement opportunities.
All three types of registered nurse education programs include both classroom learning and supervised clinical experience. Coursework in these programs typically includes nursing, physiology, anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, psychology and nutrition. BSN and ADN students will also take courses in the liberal arts.
In every state – plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories – prospective registered nurses must hold credentials from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing exam known as the NXLEX-RN. Additional licensing requirements vary by state.
Employment
More than half of registered nurses work in hospitals. Others enjoy nursing careers in private physician practices, public health agencies, primary care clinics, home healthcare, outpatient surgicenters, insurance companies, nursing homes, mental health agencies and hospices. Some have government nursing jobs or are in the military, while others work as nurse educators in colleges and universities.
RN Job Outlook and Projections
In its Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2010-11, the BLS anticipates that registered nurses will have excellent job opportunities, as the organization’s findings suggest that employment of RNs will grow much faster than other occupations. Approximately 2,618,700 registered nurses were employed throughout the U.S. in 2008. BLS estimates indicate that over 580,000 new positions will be added in the coming years, with a projected total employment of 3,200,200 registered nurses as of 2018.
Registered Nurse Wages and Earnings
According to BLS figures for May 2009, registered nurses earned a mean yearly salary of $66,530. RN earnings ranged from around $43,970 at the low end to $93,700 at the high end, with the middle 50% of professionals earning between $52,520 and $77,970. Many organizations offer benefits packages, tuition assistance programs and bonuses.
Jumpstart Your Registered Nursing Career!
The best nursing opportunities will go to RNs with advanced education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). With the increasing availability of online nursing degree programs from accredited universities and a range of tuition assistance and financing options, now is the perfect time for registered nurses to take the next step toward career advancement.
