Registered Nurse

 1. OVERVIEW

1Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and families. They work in diverse settings including hospitals, clinics, schools, and residential care facilities. RNs may specialize in areas such as pediatrics, oncology, critical care, or public health.

2024 Median Pay: $93,600/year ($45.00/hour)
Job Growth (2023–2033): +6% (faster than average)
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN)

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL
Job Titles: Staff Nurse, New Graduate RN, Clinical Nurse I, Floor Nurse
Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or BSN
Experience: None required (post-clinical experience via training)
Certifications (Mandatory): RN license (NCLEX-RN pass)
Core Duties:
• Administer medications and treatments
• Monitor patient progress and vital signs
• Record patient histories and symptoms
• Coordinate with doctors and care teams
• Educate patients on discharge care or chronic condition management
Salary Range: $66,000–$85,000

MID LEVEL
Job Titles: Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse II, Public Health Nurse, Specialty RN (e.g., Oncology Nurse)
Education: BSN required, certifications preferred
Experience: 3–5 years
Certifications (Recommended): BLS, ACLS, PALS, Specialty certifications (e.g., Med-Surg, Critical Care RN)
Core Duties:
• Oversee and mentor entry-level nurses
• Perform advanced procedures and emergency care
• Manage specialized units or patient populations
• Liaise with physicians and care coordinators
• Participate in patient outcome improvement initiatives
Salary Range: $85,000–$110,000

SENIOR LEVEL
Job Titles: Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Director of Nursing, Nurse Educator
Education: BSN + MSN or Doctorate (DNP/PhD for educators)
Experience: 6+ years and leadership experience
Certifications (Preferred): CNL, CNE, NE-BC, CNS board-certifications
Core Duties:
• Lead nursing departments or programs
• Create and implement care policies
• Oversee training programs and quality initiatives
• Represent nursing staff in executive decisions
• Teach in universities or consult in healthcare systems
Salary Range: $110,000–$150,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

• Minimum Education: ADN or BSN (preferred)

• Training: 700–2,000 hours of clinical experience through nursing school

• Licenses: NCLEX-RN and state licensure

• Soft Skills: Compassion, resilience, organization, communication, critical thinking

4. TOOLS & SOFTWARE

Core Skills:
• Clinical knowledge and patient assessment
• Medication administration and documentation
• Crisis response and infection control
• Patient education and advocacy

Tools:
• Electronic health records (EHR)
• IV pumps, blood pressure monitors, thermometers
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Diagnostic tools (EKG, pulse oximeters)

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Locations: Hospitals, physician’s offices, schools, home health, military bases

• Schedule: Schedules: Full-time, rotating shifts, nights/weekends common

• Environment: Fast-paced, emotionally demanding, physical exertion

6. JOB OUTLOOK

• Growth: Demand Drivers: Aging population, chronic conditions, expanded access to care

• Annual Openings: 194,500 through 2033

• Growth Opportunities: Specialization, advanced practice roles (e.g., NP, CNS), hospital administration

7. RELATED ROLES

• Role: Dental Hygienists | Salary: $94,260 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

• Role: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | Salary: $82,570 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

• Role: Licensed Practical Nurses | | Salary: $62,340 | Education Level: Postsecondary certificate

• Role: Nurse Practitioners | Salary: $132,050 | Education Level: Master’s degree

• Role: Respiratory Therapists | Salary: $80,450 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Certifications:

• AACN Critical Care Courses (www.aacn.org)

• Nurse.com CEU Catalog

• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing MOOCs

Courses & Videos:

• RegisteredNurseRN (YouTube)

• Simple Nursing (YouTube)

• Osmosis Nursing Reviews

Books:

• "Fundamentals of Nursing" by Potter & Perry

• "Nursing Diagnosis Handbook"

• "Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing"

Professional Groups:

• allnurses.com forums

• Facebook Groups for New Grad RNs

• r/nursing on Reddit

9. REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT & DATA

• BLS RN Profile: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

• CareerOneStop: Salary by Zip Code & State Boards

• Projections Central: RN Job Growth by State