Understanding RN: What is a Registered Nurse & Career Paths

Registered Nurse is abbreviated as RN. Registered Nurses must be professionally trained and licensed by the state where they will practice. Once licensed as a Registered Nurse, an RN has a variety of employment opportunities.

Nursing Education

• Registered Nurses can be educated in several ways. Many hospitals have nursing programs. Most nursing students earn an Associate Degree either through a community college or a university. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree is the third method for becoming a Registered Nurse.

RN Certification

• All Registered Nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Each state also has their own set of requirements for RN licensing.

RN Employment Opportunities

• There is currently a nationwide RN shortage. The demand for nurses grows each year due to numerous factors, including increased longevity and the growing number of elderly patients.

RN Associations

• There are RN associations in each state and US territory as well as internationally. Contact the nursing association in the intended state of employment for additional assistance.

RN Pay Scale

• According to Allied Physicians (see References) the starting base salary for Registered Nurses is around $39,000.