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What Does it Take to Be a Registered Nurse?

Example of Registered Nurse (RN) Job Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

What Do Registered Nurses Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
  • Assess the needs of individuals, families, or communities, including assessment of individuals' home or work environments, to identify potential health or safety problems.
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
  • Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues or concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing.
  • Conduct specified laboratory tests.
  • Prepare rooms, sterile instruments, equipment, or supplies and ensure that stock of supplies is maintained.

Skills Needed to be a Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

  • Private Duty Nurse
  • Perianesthesia Nurse
  • Hospice Registered Nurse
  • Nurse Educator
  • Health Care Coordinator

Are There Job Opportunities for Registered Nurses?

In the United States, there were 2,955,200 jobs for Registered Nurse in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 438,000 new jobs for Registered Nurse by 2026. There will be an estimated 203,700 positions for Registered Nurse (RN) per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Registered Nurse (RN) are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Registered Nurse (RN) Make?

The typical yearly salary for Registered Nurses is somewhere between $50,800 and $106,530.

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Registered Nurses who work in Hawaii, California, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.

How much do Registered Nurses make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $59,470
Alaska $89,310
Arizona $77,000
Arkansas $60,780
California $106,950
Colorado $74,240
Connecticut $81,220
Delaware $74,800
District of Columbia $92,350
Florida $66,210
Georgia $68,950
Hawaii $98,080
Idaho $67,110
Illinois $73,890
Indiana $64,860
Iowa $59,130
Kansas $61,030
Kentucky $63,100
Louisiana $63,970
Maine $67,610
Maryland $76,820
Massachusetts $92,140
Michigan $71,330
Minnesota $78,920
Mississippi $58,490
Missouri $65,130
Montana $67,450
Nebraska $64,470
Nevada $85,620
New Hampshire $72,760
New Jersey $82,750
New Mexico $71,730
New York $85,610
North Carolina $64,850
North Dakota $65,740
Ohio $66,820
Oklahoma $63,080
Oregon $91,080
Pennsylvania $70,390
Rhode Island $78,420
South Carolina $64,940
South Dakota $58,340
Tennessee $61,320
Texas $72,890
Utah $65,670
Vermont $69,160
Virginia $69,790
Washington $82,670
West Virginia $61,780
Wisconsin $71,470
Wyoming $67,360

Tools & Technologies Used by Registered Nurses

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Registered Nurses:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • IBM Notes
  • FileMaker Pro
  • MEDITECH software
  • Google Drive
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Epic Systems
  • LinkedIn
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • Medical condition coding software

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

Education needed to be a Registered Nurse:

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What work experience do I need to become a Registered Nurse (RN)?

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Registered Nurses Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Registered Nurse might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: Aleksahgabrielle via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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