Registered Nurse

Registered nurses work to promote general health by educating the public on various warning signs and symptoms of disease and where to go for help. Most Registered nurses begin as staff nurses, and with experience and good performance often are promoted to more responsible positions. Registered nurses also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions. Experienced RNs may advance from bedside nursing to supervisory positions or clinical specialist positions, such as Critical Care Nurse. Registered nurses may combine specialties from more than one area for example, pediatric oncology or cardiac emergency depending on personal interest and employer needs. Some RNs choose to become advanced practice nurses, who often are considered primary health care practitioners and work independently or in collaboration with physicians. A growing number of Registered nurses take special courses, often earning a master's degree, to become Nurse Practitioners. Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses with graduate level training in diagnostic and health assessment skills.

Registered nurses are projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations. There are many job opportunities in most specialties and employment settings are expected to be excellent, with some employers reporting difficulty in attracting and retaining enough Registered nurses. The registered nurse population increased by more than one million between November 1980 and March of 2000. The aging RN workforce reflects fewer young nurses entering the RN population, with a large portion of the RN population moving into their 50s and 60s. In March 2000, the average age of the hospital nurse was 41.8, almost two years less than the average age of 43.3 for all employed RNs. As you would expect, the predominant employment setting for Registered nurses in the United States was the hospital. In addition to hospitals, RN's work for doctors and medical groups, public health agencies, and home care services. Registered Nurses (RN) also provide a full range of nursing services to inmates in Federal prisons, including assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the medical condition of inmate patients.

Often, Registered nurses can find a staff nurse position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter bachelors programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. Some RNs start their careers as licensed practical nurses or nursing aides, and then go back to school to receive their RN degree. You can earn ANCC-accredited and state-approved nursing education contact hours online for your license or credentialing renewal. Since 1996 nurses with associate and baccalaureate degrees have had the largest presence among the RN population.

Those RNs in advanced practice nurse (APN) positions had earnings that were higher than average, overall. The pattern of earnings is predictable in many instances, nurses with advanced degrees achieved higher earnings. To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as a registered professional nurse, you must present satisfactory evidence of having received at least a two-year degree or diploma from a program in general professional nursing that is acceptable to the Department.

For information on a career as a registered nurse and nursing education, contact: National League for Nursing, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJOBS SM (for jobs in California) or America's Job Bank for jobs nationwide

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