The median salary for a registered nurse is $59,859, according to Salary.com. Registered nurses’ salaries vary depending on the specific industries in which they work but usually run around that range.
Being an RN means helping patients as well as supporting patients’ and their families’ needs. The RN focuses on helping the patient’s treatment progress with offered support; he or she also provides medical encouragement in various ways. Additionally, RNs help with the rehabilitation of patients.
What Can an RN Specialize In?
- Registered nurses can specialize in certain areas of work and types of treatment. For example, neonatal nurses work with babies, and psychiatric nurses help patients who have mental complications.
- Registered nurses can specialize in working with patients with specific conditions and diseases. Nurses who deal with addictions, for example, work with patients who have addiction problems.
- Registered nurses can specialize in nursing care related to specific body parts or organs. For instance, respiratory nurses deal with breathing issues such as the common disease of asthma.
Required Education for an RN
At the minimum, a prospective RN must obtain an associate’s degree by completing a nursing program. These programs are usually offered by community colleges and take around two years to complete. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing can be obtained at a university, which will allow more specialization growth for the nurse. Bachelor’s degree programs usually take four to five years to complete, including training. Some experience is also necessary.
You need a nursing license in every state to become an RN; it is obtained by taking a standard written test that the state gives out. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) provides more information on licensing.
Outlook for RN Jobs
It appears that RNs will always be in demand in the healthcare industry. Nurses with bachelor’s degrees are able to progress further in their careers than those who don’t have them. Having a master’s degree is a great plus for nurses.
The outlook looks like a good one for the RN, as professionals in the healthcare industry are in demand. RNs who work with elderly people will also be in an area that is growing, since many people born during the Baby Boom era are getting older. Technology plays a part in the demand for registered nurses as well.
