Registered Nurse

Career Description

Registered nurses (R.N.) are the backbone of the health care system. They combine science and technology with people skills, like communication, problem solving, critical thinking and compassion, to touch peoples' lives at a time when they need help. Nurses play a key role by promoting health and teaching prevention, helping patients and families to understand and cope with illnesses and emergencies, and promoting healthier communities.

The nursing profession is the largest career in health care. It also is one of the 10 health care occupations with the largest number of new jobs. Nurses can choose the age group, specialty and setting that will best fit their interests, lifestyle and personality. A nursing career provides endless opportunities for different challenges, roles and professional growth.

Nurses can work in a hospital environment or nonhospital environment. The largest group of nurses works in hospital settings, including emergency room, operating room, medical surgical, pediatric, obstetrics/gynecology, oncology, psychiatry and critical care environments or as a travel nurse in various hospital assignments. Some nonhospital environments include physician offices, public/community health centers, home health, hospice, outpatient surgery centers, schools of nursing and public schools. Some combine two careers. For example, individuals interested in technology and nursing can become informatics specialists.

Nurses can serve in a variety of roles within these different settings, including the following.

clinician - staff nurse

manager/administrator

educator

advanced practice nurse

clinical instructor

clinical specialist

college/university faculty

nurse practioner

staff development specialist

nurse anesthetist

researcher

Academic Requirements

In all states, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the national licensing exam (NCLEX) to obtain a nursing license. Nurses can be licensed in more than one state but cannot practice without a license. Licenses must be renewed periodically and may require continuing education.

There are three major educational pathways to become a nurse: a bachelor of science degree is offered by colleges and universities and takes four years to complete; an associate of science degree is offered by community and junior colleges and takes two to three years to complete; and some diploma programs are offered through hospitals and take three years to complete.

Completion of any of these programs qualifies the licensed graduates for entry level staff nurse positions. Some career pathways may require advanced education, such as a master's or doctorate degree to pursue a broader or more specialized scope of nursing.

Accelerated BSN programs also are available for individuals who have a bachelor's or higher degree in another field and have an interest in pursuing a nursing career. These programs usually take 12-18 months to complete.

Nurses also can become certified in a specialty area by the national credentialing board as a certified nurse or certified critical nurse.