Registered Nursing (RN) Career Outlook

Significant Points

• Registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation, with 2.4 million jobs.
• About 3 out of 5 jobs are in hospitals.
• The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program.
• Registered nurses are projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations; job opportunities in most specialties and employment settings are expected to be excellent, with some employers reporting difficulty in attracting and retaining enough RNs.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $52,330 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,370 and $63,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,760. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in May 2004 were as follows:

Registered Nursing (RN) Job Description and Titles

Registered nurses care for patients who are ill or injured. The name "Florence Nightingale" is familiar to many, but the woman and her achievements might not be. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was a pioneer in the field of nursing who treated soldiers during the Crimean War. She was also a key figure in keeping nursing records and promoting sanitation practices. She used statistics and graphs to prove that certain practices could prevent unnecessary deaths. During her lifetime, she wrote over 200 articles, books, and pamphlets that discussed ideas on reforming healthcare and promoted nursing as a profession.

Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health and to help patients cope with illness. Nurses work with patients in hospitals, in doctors' offices, and in nursing homes. They work in public health facilities such as government agencies and schools. They also take care of patients in their homes as they recover from illness or accidents. Nurses have a large variety of tasks they can perform. However, the work setting usually determines their daily duties.

Hospital nurses observe patients and carry out medical treatments. They use computerized equipment to monitor patients' vital signs. They record their observations and other medical data in patients¿ charts. Nurses also consult with medical staff about ways to prevent infection. Sometimes nurses write and manage patient care plans.

Hospital nurses are usually assigned to one area, such as surgery. In these areas they have special duties. For example, surgery nurses prepare rooms and supplies before surgery. They sterilize instruments and prepare other equipment. They also assist surgeons by passing instruments and other items.

Hospital nurses perform many duties that are common to other work settings. For example, they discuss cases with patients' doctors. They maintain a stock of supplies. They also supervise licensed practical nurses and aides.

Office nurses prepare patients for exams and check vital signs. They assist doctors with exams when requested. They draw blood and give injections, as do nurses in most settings. Office nurses may also perform routine lab tests and office work.

Public health nurses work to improve the overall health of communities. They provide health care and first aid. They give shots and screenings such as blood pressure tests. Public health nurses develop health education programs. Thus, they teach the public about topics such as nutrition and childcare. In addition, they refer patients to community agencies.

Nursing care facility nurses manage the health care of residents. They spend much of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks. For example, they write care plans, and supervise licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in carrying them out. Home health nurses provide prescribed nursing care to patients in their own homes. They also instruct patients and their families how to perform necessary procedures.

Sample of reported job titles: Registered Nurse (RN), Staff Nurse, Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse), Charge Nurse, Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN), Clinical Nurse, Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Relief Charge Nurse, Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse), Coronary Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)

LPN or RN to BSN Education Options and How-to Get Ahead

A study done by the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions indicates that by 2020, the U.S. nursing shortage will grow to more than 1.7 million registered nurses, while less than 635,000 will be available. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has identified Registered Nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012!

LPN education takes less time and is less expensive than RN education. This is good in that it provides people who are unable to spend three to four years in university before starting work a means of starting a nursing career quickly, but the same shorter education also leads to limited job options and opportunities for career advancement.

Many LPNs have expressed a desire return to school to become an RN or a BSN, but insufficient time, the need for an ongoing salary, too few open slots in courses, and family obligations proved to be insurmountable obstacles in the past. Thankfully those issues no longer stand in the way for LPNs seeking to further their nursing education.

LPN or RN to BSN Degree Options:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Provides the entry level educational requirement to practice as a registered nurse. A traditional campus based nursing program leading to an associate degree takes 2 - 3 years to complete, and graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and receive a license to practice as a Registered Nurses upon successfully passing the exam. Online LPN to RN degree programs can be completed in as little as 12 months.

Online LPN To RN degree programs now make it possible for LPN's to continue their career while they pursue higher education. Working LPNs can earn an Associate degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree online - working at their own pace without disrupting their busy schedules and family commitments. LPNs can set their own hours and attend class in the comfort of their home or work, whenever it is convenient for them. With no classes to Attend, an LPN pursuing an online LPN to RN degree or an LPN to BSN degree can complete virtually 100% of the course work from the comfort of their own homes.

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN Degree): Provides the basic level of education to practice as a professional Registered Nurse. Traditional campus based BSN programs take 4 years to complete and curriculums contain courses not included in ADN programs including courses in leaderships and management, community health nursing, risk reduction, and disease management.  Graduates of BSN degree programs have greater career options than Associate degree nurses, have the ability to achieve specialty certification, and have the educational foundation to prepare them for graduate programs in nursing or healthcare administration.

Registered Nursing Resources Online

For information on a career as a registered nurse and nursing education, contact:

• National League for Nursing, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. Internet: http://www.nln.org

For information on nursing career options, financial aid, and listings of BSN, graduate, and accelerated nursing programs, contact:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1 Dupont Circle NW., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Internet: http://www.aacn.nche.edu

For additional information on registered nurses, including credentialing, contact:

• American Nurses Association, 8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Internet: http://nursingworld.org

For information on the NCLEX-RN exam and a list of individual States’ boards of nursing, contact:

• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 111 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60611. Internet: http://www.ncsbn.org

For information on obtaining U.S. certification and work visas for foreign-educated nurses, contact:

• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Internet: http://www.cgfns.org

For a list of accredited clinical nurse specialist programs, contact:

• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, 2090 Linglestown Rd., Suite 107, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Internet: http://www.nacns.org/cnsdirectory.shtml

For information on nurse anesthetists, including a list of accredited programs, contact:

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 222 Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068.

For information on nurse midwives, including a list of accredited programs, contact:

• American College of Nurse-Midwives, 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Internet: http://www.midwife.org

For information on nurse practitioners, including a list of accredited programs, contact:

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, P.O. Box 12846, Austin, TX 78711. Internet: http://www.aanp.org