Registered Nurse (RN) Career Overview

What is an RN?

Registered nurses (RNs) provide care to and educate patients in hospitals, physician offices, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. They work under the supervision of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians and may supervise the work of nursing assistants.

What Does a Registered Nurse Do?

RNs provide care to patients by assessing and monitoring their condition, assisting physicians during medical procedures, administering treatments prescribed by the healthcare provider, such as a physician, physician's assistant, or NP, performing diagnostic tests, operating medical equipment, and educating patients on follow-up care.

Their primary skills and responsibilities include the following tasks:

Primary Responsibilities

• Monitoring patients' conditions and informing the healthcare provider of important changes
• Educating patients on their health
• Performing diagnostic tests and updating patient medical records
• Assisting the healthcare provider during medical procedures

Skills Learned

• Integrity
• Empathy
• High math and science skills
• Ability to perform well under pressure

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Where Do RNs Work?

RNs work in virtually every healthcare setting, including hospitals, private physician practices, residential care (such as nursing homes), health clinics, and urgent care centers.

Hospitals (State, Local, and Private)

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In hospitals, RNs monitor patients' health and perform tests, deliver care such as dressing wounds or administering treatments, supervise CNAs and other assistants, and collaborate with other healthcare providers.

Ambulatory Healthcare Services

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In ambulatory healthcare services settings, such as physician practices, RNs take medical histories, answer patient questions, and supervise assistants.

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

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In nursing and residential care facilities, RNs administer care, perform medical tests and monitoring, oversee the work of certified nursing assistants, and act as liaisons to patients' families.

Why Become an RN?

RNs are the most trusted profession in the United States. Nurses with more advanced credentials such as a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) earn salaries well above the national median salary, and the demand for RNs is growing.

Advantages to Becoming an RN

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A profession that others trust and respect Above-average salaries for highly credentialed nurses and good benefits Career growth potential in administration or further education for a NP role Opportunities to make a difference in patients' lives and health

Disadvantages to Becoming an RN

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Healthcare settings bring a risk of injury or illness Inpatient and residential care schedules are especially demanding High pressure and many priorities Exposure to body fluids and waste Limited professional autonomy within scope and practice

How To Become a Registered Nurse

To become an RN, students should expect to complete 2 to 4 years of education, achieve a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam, and receive licensure from their state board of nursing.

RN Certifications and Specializations

How Much Do RNs Make?

RNs make an average annual wage of $80,010. Among the most common employment settings, nurses working for government healthcare (such as Veterans Affairs facilities) had the highest median wage as of 2020 at $84,490; those working in schools had the lowest at $64,630.

Jobs for RNs are projected to grow faster than average, increasing 7% between 2019 and 2029. This is primarily due to the growing need for geriatric healthcare.

Top-Paying States for RNs

Top-Paying States	Annual Mean Wage	Total Number of RNs
California	$120,560	307,060
Hawaii	$104,830	11,260
Massachusetts	$96,250	84,030
Oregon	$96,230	36,840
Alaska	$95,270	6,240

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for RNs

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas	Annual Mean Wage	Total Number of RNs
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$149,200	40,600
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$146,870	17,750
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	$142,140	3,690
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	$134,350	21,920
Salinas, CA	$132,160	2,910

Top-Paying Industries for RNs

Industry	Median Annual Wage
Government	$84,490
Hospitals	$76,840
Ambulatory Healthcare Services	$72,340
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities	$68,450
Educational Services	$64,630

Frequently Asked Questions about Registered Nurses

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What is the difference between an RN and a NP?

A NP is a nurse who has earned at least a master of science in nursing and has passed the national NP certification examination. An RN has either a diploma, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree in nursing and has passed the RN certification exam. A NP is authorized to perform more medical functions than an RN, including prescribing medication and making diagnoses.

Can you complete an RN program online?

While all RN programs require fieldwork/clinical hours, many schools offer hybrid or online RN programs that allow students to take online classes and complete clinical hours in their own communities.

What kind of accreditation should nursing programs have?

Nursing programs should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including diploma, associate degree, and doctoral programs as well as bachelor's and master's programs.

What qualities are important for RNs?

RNs should be able to display empathy for patients and their families, balance heavy workloads, think clearly under pressure, and communicate effectively.

Professional Organizations for RNs

• American Nurses Association

  ANA is part of the ANA Enterprise, which combines ANA, the American Nurses Foundation, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center. ANA advocates for nurses and provides information, networking, and professional education. Membership is only open to RNs, but non-RNs can become subscribers and access information.

• National Black Nurses Association

  The NBNA has over 200,000 members and works to eliminate health disparities, support the careers and work of Black nurses, and encourage more Black people to enter the nursing field. Its member offerings include networking, professional education, and a conference. Membership is open to all credentialed nurses, retired nurses, and students.

• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing

  The AACN is the institutional membership organization for nursing colleges that offer bachelor's or higher nursing degrees. Comprising more than 800 member organizations, the AACN develops and maintains educational standards, accredits programs, conducts research on nursing education, and fosters networking. Only organizations can join; once an organization joins, all of its nursing faculty and administration are members.

• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

  AWHONN has approximately 24,000 member nurses who provide care for women and newborn children. The association offers professional education, advocates for women's and children's health, conducts research, and establishes guidelines and best practices. Membership is open to nurses and others with an interest in women's and neonatal health.

• American Society of Registered Nurses

  ASRN aims to “encourage the personal and professional development of nurses, on local, national, and international levels, and foster communication and education.” ASRN provides networking, advocacy, professional development, and a recognition program. Full membership is open to RNs working in the United States or Canada. There are alternate categories for RNs working in other countries, retirees, students, and organizations.

Related Registered Nursing Career Resources

Related Registered Nursing Program Resources

Reviewed by:

Nicole Galan is a registered nurse who earned a master's degree in nursing education from Capella University and currently works as a full-time freelance writer. Throughout her nursing career, Galan worked in a general medical/surgical care unit and then in infertility care. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students.

Galan is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.

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