Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse (RN) Career Overview

Amanda Gamboa, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

A registered nurse, or RN, is responsible for assessing, treating, and educating patients and their families. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, schools, assisted living facilities like nursing homes, public health organizations, and even work in private homes. Good communication skills are key to being a successful registered nurse, as you will work with patients and a variety of other healthcare workers. RNs carry out orders placed by medical providers such as physicians, physician associates, and nurse practitioners. Experienced RNs have many career options in addition to working at the patient bedside or in a hospital. Registered nursing careers are available in management, nursing education, research, and even consulting in fields other than healthcare.

How Long to Become?

2-4 Years

Job Outlook

9% increase from 2020 to 2030

Average Salary

$89,010

What Does a Registered Nurse (RN) Actually Do?

Registered nurses complete a variety of jobs and tasks and can work in many environments. However, nearly 60% of registered nurses work within a hospital. Daily tasks in a hospital vary by unit and patient assignment but generally include:

In between scheduled tasks, the registered nurse is also responsible for communicating with other members of the healthcare team and responding to changes in patients’ conditions throughout the shift. An RN must also make the time to document all of these details, tasks, medications, samples, and communications in the patient’s medical record, usually by using a computer system.

The successful RN is excellent at prioritizing tasks, efficiently solving problems, and following protocol. An excellent RN handles these roles with an honest and empathetic attitude toward patients, knows when to ask for help, and supports their coworkers.

How Much Does a Registered Nurse Make Per Year?

The median pay for RNs is $89,010 per year, which is $42.79 per hour in the United States. The median pay represents the middle: half of RNs earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Pay varies by location, employer, experience, and in some cases, by specialization. RNs are most commonly employed by hospitals, where the median pay is $82,250. Annual median wages for RNs varied by nearly $30,000 depending on the industry the RN was employed in, as shown below.

Registered Nurse Wages by Industry
IndustryAverage Salary
Ambulatory healthcare services$78,670
Educational services$65,450
Hospitals$82,250
Nursing and residential care facilities$75,410

Source: BLS

Annual salaries for registered nurses also vary greatly by location. RNs should expect a higher rate of pay at metro area hospitals than in rural areas. But metro areas also have a large range of pay for RNs across the country.

Annual Mean Wage of Registered Nurses, by State

  • $68,000 - $73,000
  • $74,000 - $78,000
  • $78,000 - $81,000
  • $81,125 - $104,000

Blank areas indicate data not available

Source: BLS

Where and When Do Registered Nurses Work?

A registered nurse can find employment virtually anywhere there are healthcare services, which is appealing to many applicants. Registered nurses can search for career opportunities that appeal to them, such as working with children, adults, critically ill patients, or relatively healthy people just having a check-up. With experience comes flexibility and options, such as no longer working with patients directly and teaching instead. Registered nurses may be hired to make “house calls” and care for patients in their own homes. Research groups, public health departments, and even drug and medical device companies hire RNs.

In hospitals, shifts are often 12 hours long for registered nurses. There are some exceptions, but these long shifts for RNs provide more consistent care for patients. A full-time RN may work three 12-hour shifts in a seven day period at a hospital. Working for three days and then having four days off in a row can provide longer blocks of time off between shifts. RNs in clinics with more traditional office hours may work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travel nursing, or taking short-term contracts with different employers, offers an opportunity to explore different places to live and work and often comes with an increased salary. Travel RNs are hired by hospitals, often through agencies, to fill staffing needs.

There can be great flexibility in scheduling as a registered nurse, but registered nursing contracts should include specific explanations of how many hours, and at what times of the day, are required for full or partial benefits. As hospitals are open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, registered nurses may be required to work during weekends and holidays. New hires may be required to work all day shifts, or all night shifts, at the beginning of their employment as a registered nurse to fulfill on-the-job training requirements.

How Do I Become a Registered Nurse?

To qualify to take the registered nurse licensing exam, you must first graduate from either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and have successfully applied to the regulatory body where you plan to practice, such as the state’s board of nursing. Then, you schedule a time to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) test. This computer-based exam contains at least 85 questions. An aspiring registered nurse, or graduate nurse, becomes an “RN” upon taking and passing the NCLEX.

Current NCLEX Volume and Pass Rates
Candidates Jan. – March April – June July – Sept. Oct. – Dec. YTD Total
Total 75,662 (68.7%) 86,936 (66.8%) 94,873 (64.7%) 64,140 (50.5%) 321,611 (63.4%)
First-Time, U.S. Educated 51,051 (82.5%) 56,414 (82.2%) 58,878 (78.3%) 21,647 (72.4%) 187,990 (79.9%)
Repeat, U.S. Educated 12,778 (42.4%) 15,798 (39.6%) 20,197 (47.7%) 20,945 (44.0%) 69,718 (43.7%)
First-Time, Internationally Educated 6,578 (46.7%) 8,034 (45.0%) 8,524 (43.2%) 11,954 (40.3%) 35,090 (43.3%)
Repeat, Internationally Educated 5,255 (27.6%) 6,690 (27.5%) 7,274 (28.0%) 9,594 (27.9%) 28,813 (27.8%)

Source: NCSBN

Why Should I Be a Registered Nurse?

A major advantage of obtaining certification as a registered nurse is job security. Hands-on nursing care will always be needed. Demand for registered nursing professionals is expected to increase to care for the aging population, as well as in outpatient settings and home healthcare. An experienced registered nurse in good standing will have flexibility in where, when, and what kinds of patients they work with on a daily basis. Registered nurses have ranked as the most trusted profession for 19 years in a row. This career path can be personally rewarding, as RNs can make a positive difference in the lives of their patients on a daily basis.

Like any profession, there are some disadvantages when working as a registered nurse. These include risk of injury to self due to lifting and assisting patients who may be combative, and exposure to contagious diseases, fluid splashes, and needlesticks. Mental health can be negatively impacted, due to increased stress of caring for others’ wellbeing, witnessing medical trauma, or due to feelings of burnout. Burnout is characterized by feelings of emotional exhaustion and lack of motivation. Employers often offer education and counseling options for staff to reduce the risk of personal injury and feelings such as burnout. Employers also provide education and supplies to prevent dangerous exposure. As mentioned above, registered nurses may be required to work during certain hours, either to gain experience or to fill gaps in scheduling. Mandatory on-call shifts may be included in some registered nursing contracts.

Pros of Becoming an RN

  • Job security
  • Competitive pay
  • Flexibility in type of work
  • Flexibility in location
  • Full- and part-time careers
  • Opportunities for career growth
  • Ability to make a difference in patients’ lives

Cons of Becoming an RN

  • Risk of personal injury or illness
  • Risk of increased stress
  • Long shift hours
  • Required shift times or on-call times
  • Required holidays

As a registered nurse, you will be required to continue your education throughout your career. Continuing education hour requirements vary by state, employer, and specialty. Learning opportunities can be online and self-paced or in-person with required skill demonstration. Overall, a career in registered nursing can be professionally and personally rewarding. Becoming a registered nurse offers nearly unmatched flexibility and security for those who are able to meet the challenges.

What Are Specialty Certifications?

Once a registered nurse has gained experience in a certain area of nursing, they can seek certification in their specialty through testing, similar to the NCLEX. Some employers will pay for these certifications and some even offer raises to registered nurses who become certified in their specialty. There are over 100 different certificates currently available through many nursing certification boards. One example is the CEN certificate, or Certified Emergency Nurse, offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.

What Are the Different Types of Nurses?

The word “nurse” may bring a similar image to everyone’s mind, but this professional title can actually mean different careers. Usually, a nurse uses an acronym, like RN or LPN, to describe their profession. “Scope of practice” refers to what activities a professional is allowed to carry out at their job.

What is the Difference Between an RN and an LPN?

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or other healthcare provider. Basic nursing care includes collecting vital signs such as blood pressure, assisting a patient with eating or dressing, and wound care, to name a few tasks. An LPN usually cannot administer drugs via an IV (intravenous medications), but their scope of practice varies by state. An LPN may also be referred to as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

What is a CNA?

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) may also be referred to as a patient care assistant (PCA), nursing assistant, or nurse’s aide. A CNA provides basic nursing care and works under the supervision of an RN or LPN. The education requirements are less than those needed to become an RN or LPN. This position is attractive to many who are exploring registered nursing.

What is an APRN?

An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) has obtained a degree and certifications beyond that of a registered nurse. Each state has defined scopes of practice, or what an APRN is able to do for their patients. The four types of APRNs are: certified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and certified nurse-midwife (CNM). These roles include diagnosing, treating, and prescribing therapies for patients in a variety of settings. This is the end goal for many registered nurses seeking the most autonomy and responsibility in their careers.