Nursing Degree & Career - RN (Registered Nurse)
Those entering the registered nurse career path will find that their job requires them to work closely with patients and other medical staff. A registered nurse may fulfill may jobs within a medical facility. Some will help patients through serious illnesses while others will spend a good deal of time assisting surgeons with delicate medical procedures. What each nurse can expect to do depends largely on the setting in which they choose to work and the age group or medical conditions they choose to specialize in. Nursing provides a large range of options to those entering the field making it easy to tailor a career to your particular interests.
What a registered nurse makes will depend largely on a number of deciding factors. The level of experience an RN has will often be the largest determining factor in how much a medical facility is willing to pay them. Of course, factors like the area of the country the RN is working in and the type of facility they are applying to work with will also make a difference. According to some estimates, an RN can expect to make on average anywhere from $45,000 to $58,000 depending on his or her level of experience and location. Some RNs who have chosen to pursue higher education may find greater compensation available to them.
Those wishing to become a registered nurse will need to first complete either a 2 year APN program or a 4 year BSN program. Once this has been completed, nursing hopefuls will be able to take the NCLEX exam, administered by the State Board of Nursing to provide them with RN licensure. While a 2 year degree is the minimum requirement for a nursing career, many find that more career options are open to them by completing a BSN degree. Carefully consider your career goals and desires before choosing a particular degree program.
Nearly all careers in nursing are in high demand and those entering the field have a great chance of enjoying multiple career growth options. Many RNs choose to pursue additional education throughout their careers gaining new degrees and certifications that better prepare them to work in leadership positions or in more specialized fields. Because the nursing field is growing so rapidly, RNs can expect to find numerous job opportunities especially in areas where nurses are in high demand.
