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.
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:
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RNs work in virtually every healthcare setting, including hospitals, private physician practices, residential care (such as nursing homes), health clinics, and urgent care centers.
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.
In ambulatory healthcare services settings, such as physician practices, RNs take medical histories, answer patient questions, and supervise assistants.
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.
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.
SOURCE: PayScale
SOURCE: PayScale
SOURCE: PayScale
SOURCE: PayScale
SOURCE: PayScale
SOURCE: PayScale
RNs make a median annual wage of $73,300. Nurses working for government healthcare (such as Veterans Affairs facilities) had the highest median wage as of 2019 at $79,790; those working in schools had the lowest at $63,690. These amounts are above the U.S. median of $39,810.
The hourly average wages for RNs are highest in outpatient care centers and lowest in home healthcare services.
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 | Annual Mean Wage | Total Number of RNs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $113,240 | 302,770 |
| Hawaii | $104,060 | 11,330 |
| District of Columbia | $94,820 | 10,890 |
| Massachusetts | $93,160 | 81,020 |
| Oregon | $92,960 | 36,660 |
| Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas | Annual Mean Wage | Total Number of RNs |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,740 | 16,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $138,000 | 38,580 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $134,000 | 1,410 |
| Salinas, CA | $133,580 | 2,740 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $131,970 | 3,720 |
| Industry | Median Annual Wages |
|---|---|
| Government | $79,790 |
| Hospitals | $75,030 |
| Ambulatory Healthcare Services | $70,330 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $66,250 |
| Educational Services | $63,690 |
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.
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.
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.
RNs should be able to display empathy for patients and their families, balance heavy workloads, think clearly under pressure, and communicate effectively.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Nicole Galan, RN, MSN is a registered nurse who started in a general medical/surgical care unit and then moved to infertility care where she worked for almost 10 years. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students. Galan currently works as a full-time freelancer and recently earned her master’s degree in nursing education from Capella University.
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