Licensed Practical Nurse
Give licensed nursing care (meds, wound care and monitoring) in about a year of training.
- $64,400
- 12–18 months
Healthcare career
Registered Nurse
Also called: RN · Staff Nurse · Bedside Nurse · Clinical Nurse
What registered nurses do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a registered nurse do?
Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients, plan and deliver nursing care, give medications and treatments, monitor for changes, and educate patients and families, in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health and many other settings. The median pay is $97,550 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +5.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$97,550$46.90/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.6%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year180,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2–4 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs3,465,400Employment, 2025
What registered nurses do
Registered nurses are the backbone of patient care. They perform head-to-toe assessments, administer medications and IV therapies, monitor vital signs and lab results, coordinate with physicians and other team members, and teach patients how to manage their conditions after they go home.
To become an RN you must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. The field offers enormous variety (emergency, ICU, pediatrics, labor and delivery, oncology, school nursing and more) and a clear path to advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner.
Typical duties
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
- Educate patients and families about diagnoses, medications and self-care
- Supervise LPNs and nursing assistants and delegate tasks appropriately
Work environment and schedule
About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. Hospital nursing involves long periods on your feet, lifting and exposure to infectious disease.
Schedule: Hospitals run around the clock, so nurses often work 12-hour shifts, three days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. Clinics and schools usually keep daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Receive bedside handoff on five medical-surgical patients and check new orders and overnight labs.
- Complete head-to-toe assessments and prioritize: one patient has a rising heart rate and new shortness of breath.
- Run the morning medication pass, hang an IV antibiotic and check a potassium level before giving a diuretic.
- Call the physician using SBAR about the deteriorating patient and carry out new orders for labs and a chest X-ray.
See a full day in the life of a registered nurse →
Registered Nurse salary
Half of registered nurses earned more than $97,550 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $68,940 for the lowest 10% to $137,470 for the top 10%.
Full registered nurse pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a registered nurse
- Complete prerequisites
- Earn an ADN or BSN
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Land your first nursing job
- Specialize and advance
You need an associate degree in nursing (ADN, about two years) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN, about four years) from a state-approved program, then you must pass the NCLEX-RN. Many hospitals prefer or require a BSN, and RN-to-BSN programs let ADN nurses complete a bachelor’s while working.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a registered nurse →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Patient assessment
- Medication administration and dosage calculation
- IV therapy
- Care planning and documentation
- Recognizing clinical deterioration
People skills
- Critical thinking
- Compassion and emotional resilience
- Clear communication under pressure
- Prioritization and delegation
All registered nurse skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong pay, with a median near six figures
- Huge variety of specialties and settings
- High demand nearly everywhere in the U.S.
- Clear path to advanced practice, leadership and education
Cons
- Demanding education and a rigorous licensing exam
- Physically and emotionally exhausting shifts
- Nights, weekends and holidays are common early on
- High responsibility: errors can harm patients
Certifications and licenses
- NCLEX-RN license: Required in every state; issued by the state board of nursing after you pass the NCLEX-RN.
- BLS, ACLS and PALS: Life-support certifications from the American Heart Association, required in many units.
- Specialty certifications: Such as CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), CMSRN (medical-surgical) and PCCN (progressive care).
- Nurse Licensure Compact: A multistate license lets RNs practice in participating states without separate licenses.
Career path
- Registered Nurse: Deliver and coordinate patient care.
- Charge Nurse or Specialty RN: Lead a shift or specialize in ICU, ER, OR or pediatrics.
- Nurse Educator, Manager or Case Manager: Move into teaching, leadership or care coordination.
- Advanced Practice RN: Earn an MSN or DNP to become a nurse practitioner, CRNA or clinical nurse specialist.
Learn the job before day one
Our Registered Nurse training (14 hours, $129.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a head-to-toe nursing assessment and hang an IV piggyback medication, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Certified Nursing Assistant
Provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision.
- $42,260
- 4–12 weeks
Surgical Technologist
Prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.
- $64,650
- 12–24 months
Emergency Medical Technician
Respond to 911 calls, assess and treat patients and transport them safely.
- $44,470
- 1–6 months
Compare: RN vs. LPN · RN vs. CNA · RN vs. Surgical Tech · RN vs. EMT
Registered Nurse FAQ
What’s the difference between an ADN and a BSN?
Both prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN. A BSN is a four-year degree with more coursework in leadership, research and public health; many hospitals prefer or require it for hiring or advancement.
How long does it take to become an RN?
About two years for an ADN or four years for a BSN, plus a few months to take the NCLEX-RN. Accelerated BSN programs for people with a prior bachelor’s can take 12 to 18 months.
What can RNs do after a few years?
Specialize (ICU, ER, OR, labor and delivery), move into education, management or informatics, or earn a graduate degree to become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or clinical nurse specialist.
How much does a registered nurse make?
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 ($46.90 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $68,940 and the highest 10% earned more than $137,470.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse?
Most people need about 2–4 years of training. You need an associate degree in nursing (ADN, about two years) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN, about four years) from a state-approved program, then you must pass the NCLEX-RN. Many hospitals prefer or require a BSN, and RN-to-BSN programs let ADN nurses complete a bachelor’s while working.
Do you need a degree to be a registered nurse?
Yes. You need at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s (BSN) and must pass the NCLEX-RN. BLS lists a bachelor’s as the typical entry-level education, and many hospitals prefer BSN-prepared nurses.
More registered nurse questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1141 (Registered nurses).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Registered nurses (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.