While there are several different nursing designations you can consider, this guide will focus on learning how to become an RN or registered nurse. These simple steps are designed to provide aspiring nurses with a clear overview of the process involved with becoming a registered nurse. For more detailed information or answers to specific question, we suggest that you reference other areas of the site that cover some of the individual topics in greater detail.

1. Start by examining your current level of education and making sure that you have met all of the necessary prerequisites for a nursing career. Typically, this includes having a high school diploma or GED. You will need to complete this before you apply for your program of choice. Having a strong background in English, Math, and Science courses will give you an advantage.
2. Determine which educational path you want to take. The two most common options include an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN program) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN program). An ADN program takes 2 to 3 years to complete and is available through local community colleges and trade schools. A BSN program is what most people consider to be a “traditional” nursing school education. This path takes an average of 4 years to complete and is offered through most major state universities and colleges. These programs can be competitive and often fill up quickly so it is important to be aware of key deadlines and application dates.
3. Choose a nursing school. Start by requesting information from a number of schools you are interested in. Usually this can be done online to speed up the process. Carefully compare each program including graduation rates, the availability of financial aid, scheduling flexibility, tenure of the faculty, job placement assistance, and overall reputation of the school or college.
4. Apply for admission at your chosen school. As mentioned before, it is extremely important to register early and present yourself as an attractive candidate. Ask you guidance counselor or admissions advisor about any entry exam requirements. Most nursing schools will require that incoming students have an SAT or ACT score prior to admission. Students with higher scores are often given priority so it can pay to take an SAT or ACT prep course prior to sitting for the exam.
5. Apply for a state license. This is the final step and will take place upon graduation from your selected RN program. The application process varies by state but generally involves completing an application packet and returning it to the appropriate department of the State Board of Nursing in the state where you intend to practice, sending them a copy of your certified transcript, successfully passing a background check, and passing the National Council Licensing Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). There are all kinds of great resources online that offer sample test questions and provide study guides for NCLEX exam.

It is no longer a secret that the American Population is aging. This trend is creating a sustainable source of demand for qualified healthcare workers that is likely to last for several decades. As hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities are forced to beef up their staff to cope with a growing number of patients in need of care, abundant employment opportunities are being created along with upward pressure on wages.

In a time where many industries are experiencing contraction due to the current economic environment and evolving technology, healthcare stands out as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging job market. For aspiring nurses, this means job security and the freedom to work almost anywhere in the country. While those are both important elements of a stable career, there are some other very compelling arguments for becoming a nurse.

Nursing can be rewarding in many ways, including financially. Money should never be the sole reason for embarking on a career path or taking a specific job but let’s face it, achieving a happy and satisfied lifestyle depends on compensation being in balance with the amount of work and stress you can expect to encounter on a daily basis.

Since most adults will spend approximately 60% of their lifetime in a work environment, pay will inevitably be an important factor in choosing a career. The salary for a registered nurse will never surpass that of an athlete or a high-ranking corporate executive but when compared to other jobs held by the majority of the American population, the total compensation package for nurses which includes salary, medical insurance, retirement, and paid time off consistently ranks near the top.

In addition to pay, advancement opportunities are another great reason to become a nurse. Where many office jobs are considered a dead-end with few if any opportunities for additional career development, nursing offers an incredible amount of opportunities to seek additional training and or education that can directly lead to increased responsibility, specialization, and salary bumps. This can be advantageous in warding off monotony and burn-out by providing new and exciting challenges at various stages along the career path. Advancement opportunities for nurses are not just limited to other areas of nursing either. Many nurses go on to positions in administration, teaching, and management.

Another important reason for becoming a nurse is the rewarding nature of the work itself. Where many workers find themselves buried beneath endless stacks of paperwork and reports that can seem to have little in the way of purposes, nurses are reminded on a daily basis that every single patient interaction offers the opportunity to help another person recover from an ailment or feel at ease during a time of vulnerability.

The exact registered nurse job description will vary based on what is required by specific employers but the cornerstone of the profession will always be patient care. Nurses play a direct role in providing essential care for patients that they could not provide for themselves. In an average day, a nurse may make an impact on dozens of individuals doing everything from explaining a treatment plan to helping them relive pain. There is definitely something to be said for being able to come home at the end of each day knowing that made a difference in many people’s lives.

If this sounds like a career path you could see in your future, learn more about how to become an RN and take the first step towards finding state-approved nursing schools in your area. Many RN programs offer flexible scheduling and online classes designed for students or working adults who are ready to make a career change.

Registered nurses (RNs) currently constitute the largest healthcare occupation. The salary for an RN has been growing steadily and is forecast to continue to do so as demand for nursing staff increases. With 2.6 million jobs, they are in very high demand and are predicted to see a continuation of job growth over at least the next decade.

About 60 percent of RN jobs are in hospitals with the rest in other high-growth settings such as clinics, surgical centers, and long-term care facilities. The three typical educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program. In some cases, a new nursing student can become a registered nurse in as little as 2 years. Advanced practice nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners all need a master’s degree.

Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, but may vary by employment and geographic setting. Some employers report difficulty in attracting and retaining an adequate number of registered nurses. Employment of RNs is expected to grow much faster than the national average for other occupations and because the field is very large, 581,500 new jobs will result. This places nursing among the largest number of expected new jobs for any occupation in the United States. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of job openings will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation.

Although overall job opportunities are excellent for registered nurses, competition can be intense for the most sought after positions. Employers in certain job settings report difficulty in attracting and retaining an adequate number of RNs, primarily because of an aging RN workforce and a lack of younger workers to fill positions. Qualified applicants to nursing schools are being turned away because of a shortage of nursing faculty. This can make it somewhat difficult to get into some nursing school programs. The need for nursing faculty will only increase as many instructors near retirement.

Despite the slower employment growth in hospitals, job opportunities should still be excellent because of the relatively high turnover of hospital nurses. To attract and retain qualified nurses, hospitals may offer signing bonuses, family-friendly work schedules, or subsidized training. Although faster employment growth is projected in physicians’ offices and outpatient care centers, RNs may face greater competition for these positions because they generally offer regular working hours and more comfortable working environments. Generally, registered nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree will have better job prospects than those without a BSN. In addition, all four advanced practice specialties including clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse anesthetists will be in high demand, particularly in medically under-served areas such as inner cities and rural communities. Relative to physicians, these RNs increasingly serve as lower-cost primary care providers in many areas.

Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. This is as much as 7 times faster than current estimates for the average of all other occupations and is one of the top reasons to become an RN. Growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of health problems to be treated and by an increasing emphasis on preventive care. In addition, the number of older people who are much more likely than younger people to need nursing care, is projected to grow rapidly over the next several years.

RN Salary – Registered Nurse Salary Survey

According to a recent salary survey, the median annual wages of registered nurses was $62,450 in May of 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,640 and $76,570. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,240. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in May, 2008 were:

• Employment services: $68,160
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $63,880
• Offices of physicians: $59,210
• Home health care services: $58,740
• Nursing care facilities: $57,060

Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses. About 21 percent of registered nurses are union members or covered by union contract. Factors such as signing bonuses, paid time off, the availability of overtime (which often pays 1.5 times the base hourly wage), and performance bonuses will all impact the total RN salary and compensation package. Other variables such as the level of education completed, amount of experience, state cost of living, and local demand can also play a major role in determining a final salary number. The bottom line is that a registered nurse can have an excellent opportunity to earn a respectable salary provided that their experience and qualifications match up well with what an employer is looking for.

Overall job opportunities are expected to be excellent for registered nurses. Employers in some parts of the country and in certain employment settings report difficulty in attracting and retaining an adequate number of RNs, primarily because of an aging RN workforce and a lack of younger workers to fill positions. Qualified applicants to nursing schools are being turned away because of a shortage of faculty. The need for nursing faculty will only increase as many instructors near retirement.

Top Reasons Why Becoming a Nurse Makes Sense

Despite the slower employment growth in hospitals, job opportunities should still be excellent because of the relatively high turnover of hospital nurses coupled with increasing demand from private clinics. To attract and retain qualified personnel, hospitals may offer lucrative signing bonuses, family-friendly work schedules, or subsidized training. Although faster employment growth is projected in physicians’ offices and outpatient care centers, RNs may face greater competition for these positions because they generally offer regular working hours and more comfortable work environments. Generally, RNs with at least a bachelor’s degree will have better job prospects than those with an ADN. In addition, all four advanced practice specialties including clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse anesthetists will be in high demand. This will be particularly true in medically under-served areas such as inner cities and rural areas. Relative to physicians, these RNs increasingly serve as lower-cost primary care providers.

Salaries for Nurses

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a nurse is the pay and the opportunity for advancement. While the rewarding nature of helping people in need is often cited as the number one reason for entering the healthcare industry, few will dispute the fact that salary also appears near the top of the list. While wage growth has been flat to negative in many career fields, stability and steady growth continues to make nursing an attractive career choice.

Opportunities to Specialize

There are many options for RNs who specialize in a specific work setting or type of treatment. Below you will find a brief overview and job description for some of the most popular specialties. These are areas where strong job and wage growth are predicted over the next decade.

Ambulatory care nurses provide preventive care and treat patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries in physicians’ offices or in clinics. Some ambulatory care professionals are involved in telehealth, providing care and advice through electronic communications media such as videoconferencing, the Internet, or by telephone.

Critical care nurses provide care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses or injuries that require very close monitoring and extensive medication protocols and therapies. The pay can be significant but with it comes the need for extensive knowledge and attention to detail. Critical care staff members often work in critical or intensive care hospital units dealing with some of the most challenging patient care scenarios.

Emergency, or trauma, nurses work in hospital or stand-alone emergency departments, providing initial assessments and care for patients with life-threatening conditions. Some emergency care providers may become qualified to serve as transport nurses, who provide medical care to patients who are transported by helicopter or airplane to the nearest medical facility. The pay is usually very attractive and the job is highly rewarding but the scheduling can be difficult and it has a tendency to be stressful at times. This specialty would be ideal for someone who likes to be challenged and enjoys a fast-paced work environment.

Holistic nurses provide care such as acupuncture, massage and aroma therapy, and biofeedback, which are meant to treat patients’ mental and spiritual health in addition to their physical health. These specialized care providers often get the opportunity to know their patients on a personal level and see people return for continuing treatment over time. Home healthcare specialists provide at-home nursing care for patients, often as follow-up care after discharge from a hospital or from a rehabilitation, long-term care, or skilled nursing facility. This is another area where long-term patient relationships are often built. Students who select this specialty get the opportunity to experience the rewards of their hard work by seeing how it impacts people from one day to the next.

Another area to consider specializing in is Hospice and palliative care. Here the objective is to provide care, most often in home or hospice settings, focused on maintaining quality of life for terminally ill patients. While this type of work can be mentally difficult at times, the service being provided to patients is of the utmost importance and is greatly appreciated by the patients and their families as well.

Infusion nurses administer medications, fluids, and blood to patients through injections into the veins. While they may also perform other tasks, the critical skill set focuses on working with a wide variety of intravenous medicine or therapy. Precision and compassion are key personal attributes to a successful career in this specialty.

Long-term care specialists provide healthcare services on a recurring basis to patients with chronic physical or mental disorders, often in long-term care or skilled nursing facilities. This area of focus requires individuals with patience and compassion to deal with those who may not fully understand their own health and medical needs or are not capable of taking responsibility for them on their own.

Medical-surgical nurses provide health promotion and basic medical care to patients with various medical and surgical diagnoses. Occupational health specialists seek to prevent job-related injuries and illnesses, provide monitoring and emergency care services, and help employers implement health and safety standards.

Perianesthesia specialists provide preoperative and postoperative care to patients undergoing anesthesia during surgery or other procedure. Perioperative nurses assist surgeons by selecting and handling instruments, controlling bleeding, and suturing incisions. Some of these professionals also can specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery. This type of work typically involves employment through a hospital or surgical center. Another closely related are of focus is Radiology. Here, highly-trained professionals provide care to patients undergoing diagnostic radiation procedures such as ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiation therapy for oncology diagnoses.

As you can see, there is a nursing specialty to suit almost every personality or unique interest. The key to a satisfying career is to identify the one that best fits with who you are and what you enjoy doing. While the pay is often enough to guide nursing school students into a specific specialty, making it a deciding factor can be a mistake. Considerations such as scheduling, the type of patients you will be working with, and the availability of advancement opportunities are most often cited by active RNs as the factors most important to maintaining a high level of job satisfaction.

More Great Reasons to Become a Nurse

Most RNs begin as staff nurses in hospitals and, with experience and good performance, often move to other settings or are promoted to positions with more responsibility. In management, there are opportunities to advance from assistant unit manager or head nurse to more senior-level administrative roles of assistant director, director, vice president, or chief of nursing. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions require a graduate or an advanced degree in nursing or health services administration. Administrative positions require leadership, communication and negotiation skills, and good judgment. The information provided here is meant to provide a basis introduction to some of the available areas of specialization. Before embarking on a focused career path, individuals are encouraged to meet with active professionals in there are of interest to gain additional information and insight into a particular specialty. With so many unique paths to choose from, it is easy to see why becoming an RN can put you a path towards a rewarding career.

See what it’s like to work in the field:

Depending on specialty, they may also advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration is required in all states and each state may regulate the exact scope of practice slightly differently. This includes advance practice nurses such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nursing is practiced by RNs who have specialized formal, post-basic education and who function in highly autonomous and specialized roles. These positions often come with higher pay but they also shoulder a much greater amount of responsibility.

Below you will find an overview of the kids of duties and daily tasks a registered nurse may be asked to perform. Not every task or responsibility will apply to all nursing jobs. Each position and specialty will come with a blend of responsibilities similar to those listed.

Job Description for a Registered Nurse – Tasks and Duties

• Maintain accurate, detailed reports, charts and records
• Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in patients’ conditions on an ongoing basis
• Record patients’ medical information and vital signs and accurately report the information to physicians
• Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients’ responses and conditions
• Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans.Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient’s condition
• Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet, routine, and physical activity
• Direct and supervise less skilled nursing/health care personnel or supervise a particular unit on shift
• Prepare patients for and assist with examinations and treatments
• Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure that proper nursing care is provided
• Assess the needs of individuals, families and/or communities, including assessment of individuals’ home and/or work environments to identify potential health or safety problems
• Instruct individuals, families and other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, childbirth, and develop health improvement programs
• Prepare rooms, sterilize instruments, equipment and supplies, and ensure that stock of supplies is maintained
• Inform physician of patient’s condition during anesthesia or other medical procedures
• Deliver infants and provide prenatal and postpartum care and treatment under obstetrician’s supervision
• Administer local, inhalation, intravenous, and other anesthetics
• Provide health care, first aid, immunizations and assistance in convalescence and rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, and industry
• Perform physical examinations, make tentative diagnoses, and treat patients en route to hospitals or at disaster site triage centers
• Conduct specified laboratory tests
• Hand items to surgeons during operations
• Prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures
• Direct and coordinate infection control programs, advising and consulting with specified personnel about necessary precautions
• Perform administrative and managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit’s staff, budget, planning, and long-range goals
• Provide or arrange for training/instruction of auxiliary personnel or students
• Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance
• Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues and concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing
• Work with individuals, groups, and families to plan and implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities
• Engage in research activities related to nursing

The above registered nurse job description is meant to serve as a general overview of the scope of practice for a nurse. It is important to understand that a registered nurse is expected to be flexible and have the ability to adapt to changing roles. Specific job descriptions will vary considerably based on the area of specialization and clinical setting. A RN working a hospital or emergency room setting will perform a different set of duties than a nurse working in a clinic or long-term care facility. Before you decide on a specialty, it can be helpful to speak with an active professional in the field to discuss what that specific job entails. If this looks like a career you would enjoy, you can learn more about how to become an RN by reading our step by step guide for students interested in nursing.

Watch this short video to see an expert explain what an RN does in a typical work day: