Everything you need to know about becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)

A Registered Nurse (or RN for short) provides care to patients, coordinates care, assists doctors, and educates the public on health conditions. RNs may work in a variety of different locations, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, public health departments, private clinics, and nursing homes.

This is everything you need to know about becoming a registered nurse, below.

What does a Registered Nurse do?

The healthcare system as a whole relies heavily on Registered Nurses, who care for the holistic health of patients, meaning their physical, intellectual and social needs. They primarily interact with patients, though they will consult with and update doctors on the status of their patients. They use many different tools to monitor, test and treat patients, such as:

• Stethoscope
• Blood pressure cuff
• IV
• Fetal monitor
• Defibrillator

Some Registered Nurses will be promoted to management positions, where they will oversee other Registered Nurses, take part in their training, and assist in coordinating schedules and care. Similarly, as an RN gains experience, they may choose to use that in an administrative role or as the Director of Nursing in various institutions.

Other Registered Nurses will have additional education and experience in order to specialize as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). They will hold graduate degrees in nursing and can perform the high-level treatment to patients, bridging the gap between RNs and doctors. Examples include:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Anesthetist

How do you become a Registered Nurse?

To be designated a Registered Nurse, certification is required. Each state has its own requirements for licensure and education. But in general, a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing must be obtained. Nurses must then take and pass an exam, like the NCLEX Exam, to be certified. Some states require background checks on candidates taking their certification exam.

If a Registered Nurse is pursuing additional specialization, there are added certification exams to pass. For example, when becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the following additional steps are required:

• Obtain an MSN degree
• Take and pass the national nurse practitioner certification board exam
• Apply for state licensure to practice as an NP

What skills do you need to become a nurse?

Beyond a working knowledge of the human body, anatomy, and health conditions, nurses need to have additional skills to be successful. Because they interact with and care for patients all day, they must be empathetic and understanding. They also need to explain treatments or conditions and answer any questions patients may have as clearly as possible. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential for Registered Nurses.

A Registered Nurse must also be able to think on their toes, keep their wits about them, and be able to work in high-stress environments. They are involved in life-and-death scenarios and need to be calm while making critical decisions and assisting patients. They must also have teamwork skills because they work with other RNs, doctors, technologists, and administrative staff.

On top of that, RNs must have attention to detail, great listening skills, and stellar note-taking abilities. Because RNs will work shifts, switching off to their colleagues, they need to have excellent records of the treatment they provided and how the patient is doing in order to transition care seamlessly between professionals.

What is the average salary for a Registered Nurse?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 Registered Nurses made a median salary of $75,330. With data up to April of 2021, Salary.com reports a Registered Nurse’s salary to be $98,792 on average, within a range between $68,730 and $128,854. Salaries vary dramatically due to years of experience, levels of specialty, and location.

What is the typical career path for a Registered Nurse?

The most common Registered Nurse career path is the one that works in a hospital in a general rotation. After becoming licensed, an RN can apply for a position in a hospital, working on a team of medical professionals. Gaining experience and exposure to the different types of RNs and the different departments in the hospital, an RN can then decide to move up into a management position or they can look to specialize.

Registered Nurses may choose an atypical career path, where they work on specific wards or in different settings. Some will choose to narrow down their field of focus by becoming a surgical RN, an ER RN, or a psychiatric RN. Others will choose to work as a hospice RN, an occupational health RN, a home health RN, or a research RN.

For those that pursue a graduate degree in nursing and become certified as a specialist RN, they may choose to go into practice themselves or to work as part of a larger healthcare team in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Depending on the RN’s interests, aptitudes, and desired work environment, they can select where they’d like to work.

Where can you find Registered Nurse jobs?

Jobs for Registered Nurses are expected to grow at an average rate of 7% over the next decade, which is faster than average. In 2019 there were just over 3 million people employed as RNs, and with predicted growth due to the aging baby boomer generation, increased chronic health conditions, and an increase in preventative care measures, nurses can expect an abundance of opportunities in the near future.

You can take a look at the available open positions for Registered Nurses on Ladders Jobs, including:

• RN/Registered Nurse at Texas Health Resources – in Arlington, Texas
• Home Health Branch Director RN Registered Nurse at Encompass Health – in Gardendale, Alabama
• RN- Director of Nursing at Medical Facilities of America – in Virginia Beach, Virginia