A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has earned either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program, has successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN), and has met all of the requirements to become a nurse outlined by their state’s licensing body (state board of nursing).
Registered nurses play a vital role in today’s healthcare industry. They are on the frontline of the medical workforce, responsible for delivering hands-on patient care in various settings, including hospitals and doctor’s offices, nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities, and outpatient health centers. Working as a healthcare team member, the RN provides a wide range of patient services, including preventative and primary care, educating patients about disease prevention, operating medical equipment, and administering medications.
As a registered nurse, your role includes assessing and caring for patients with various health issues. You’ll administer nursing care to those who are ill, disabled, convalescing, or injured. This entails maintaining medical records, implementing care plans, and offering guidance on health maintenance and preventive services, like screenings and medications.
Therefore, strong technical nursing skills are vital for excelling in these roles. This is why the requirements for becoming an RN are so rigorous. Patient lives depend on the care provided, making clinical nursing skills essential. Employers typically expect RNs to have the following skills:
Summary of Steps
01
Start by building a strong foundation with college prep courses, especially in science and math.
02
Explore nursing programs and pick the one that aligns with your career goals.
03
Investigate and apply to nursing schools, ensuring they offer an accredited RN program
04
Gain practical experience with other nurses through clinical rotations, honing your nursing skills.
05
Begin the licensing process by applying for your nursing license.
06
Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN to earn your nursing license, opening doors to a rewarding nursing career.
Steps in Detail
Many students begin preparing for a future registered nursing career in high school, often without realizing it. The knowledge and skills acquired during high school lay the groundwork for college education and later careers. For instance, nurses use algebra for medication dosage calculations and apply chemistry knowledge to understand processes like glucose metabolism.
High schools frequently offer college preparatory classes, providing students with a head start on the prerequisites necessary for a nursing degree after they receive their high school diploma. Key courses for high school students include English (Language Arts), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition), Math (Algebra, Geometry), Foreign Language, and Social Studies.
There are three types of pre-licensure degree programs for individuals who wish to become registered nurses. Deciding on the type of nursing program you want to attend is an important decision that will impact you financially and professionally. Future nursing students should be aware of the differences between each program type, the length of time needed to complete each program, the number of credits required to graduate, and each choice’s impact on their future scope of practice.
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) typically spans 18 to 24 months and is available at community colleges, technical, and vocational schools nationwide. Its curriculum and requirements are tailored to prepare you for the NCLEX, allowing you to become a licensed registered nurse swiftly and cost-effectively. Opting for an ADN degree offers a faster track to becoming a nurse, gaining invaluable experience, and helping you generate income sooner.
However, there are certain drawbacks to obtaining an associate degree in nursing, as opposed to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Registered nurses with a BSN often enjoy more promising prospects for entry-level nursing positions, including higher initial salaries than ADN graduates. They face reduced competition for coveted roles and may encounter enhanced opportunities for professional advancement. Additionally, depending on the state, formal role distinctions may exist between graduates of different education programs like ADN and BSN.
A BSN degree is recognized for providing students with comprehensive nursing education, resulting in a deeper understanding of disease prevention and health promotion, which can be applied to RN roles, advanced practice nursing, administration, and leadership. Both ADN and BSN programs offer a core nursing curriculum, clinical practice opportunities, and hands-on learning that prepares students to be competent nurses. However, a bachelor of science in nursing program will include some courses that aren’t offered by a standard ADN program.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are approximately 996 baccalaureate nursing programs and nearly 1,100 associate degree programs in the United States, making the process of selecting an accredited program potentially daunting. With this challenge in mind, it’s crucial to thoroughly research which programs align with your career objectives and personal and academic needs.
When evaluating a nursing program, several key questions should guide your decision-making: Do you prefer a school close to home? Does the institution have a strong reputation for affiliations with hospitals and clinics? How engaged is the faculty in fostering student development? And, importantly, does the program’s curriculum support your desired areas of specialization? These considerations will help you weigh your options and make an informed choice.
Clinical rotations are a fundamental aspect of your nursing education and are often seen as a ‘rite of passage’ for aspiring nursing students. These diverse experiences are designed to equip you with the skills to provide safe patient care and offer firsthand insights into hospital protocols and the realities of working as part of a medical team.
The location and duration of your clinical rotations may vary, but the majority occur in hospitals or nursing care facilities where you will engage in real-world bedside care under the guidance of a preceptor and other advanced practice registered nurses, further enhancing your understanding of nursing practices.
To work as a registered nurse in any U.S. state, you must obtain state licensure from the respective state’s nursing board. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has set forth uniform licensure requirements, which include verifying your graduation from an approved nursing program, passing a criminal background check, and successfully completing the National Certification Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to provide registered nursing care.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a registered nurse was $89,010 in May 2022, equivalent to $42.80 per hour. Registered nurses in the lowest 10 percent earned an annual median wage of $61,250 or less while those in the 90th percentile earned a median annual salary of more than $129,400.
State | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | Annual 90th Percentile Wage |
---|---|---|---|
California | $59.62 | $124,000 | $165,620 |
Hawaii | $51.22 | $106,530 | $129,670 |
Oregon | $47.72 | $98,630 | $127,680 |
District of Columbia | $47.38 | $98,540 | $129,670 |
Alaska | $46.74 | $97,230 | $127,020 |
Massachusetts | $46.46 | $96,630 | $151,310 |
Washington | $45.84 | $95,350 | $127,320 |
New York | $44.86 | $93,320 | $127,080 |
New Jersey | $43.12 | $89,690 | $117,990 |
Nevada | $42.69 | $88,800 | $119,530 |
Employment opportunities for registered nurses have seen continuous growth, exceeding most occupations for many years, and this trend is projected to continue, with an estimated annual growth rate of 6 percent through 2032. Over the next decade, this equates to around 193,100 job openings annually.
The strong surge in job openings is attributed to several factors. A significant proportion of these opportunities arises from hospitals needing to replace personnel who retire or pursue new careers. The aging population, especially the baby boomer generation, contributes to the escalating demand for healthcare services, given that older individuals generally require more medical attention than their younger counterparts.
Furthermore, nursing specialties specializing in older patient care are expected to experience substantial growth in the next decade. Nursing homes, physicians’ offices, ambulatory care facilities, residential care facilities, and home healthcare services will be among the settings where demand is projected to outpace the average.
A certified nurse midwife (CNM) assists women, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health care. They practice within the healthcare system, working under the indirect supervision of gynecologists and obstetricians to diagnose, and treat reproductive health issues, perform screenings, and consult families through their attempts to conceive. Their duties also include preparing women for labor and delivery, assisting with the birthing process, and care for the newborn.
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) delivers specialized care for patients with multiple or complex health needs, alongside their standard nursing duties. Their practice encompasses assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with distinctive conditions, utilizing advanced clinical skills. Clinical nurse specialists often specialize in areas such as cardiology, pediatrics, diabetes, and respiratory.
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