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Period 1
9/1/20

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- Clara Barton red cross founder
- Dorothea Dix not a good nurse

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- Florence Nightingale
- Clara Barton
- Mary Breckenridge
- Dorothea Dix
-  Margaret Sanger

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- healthier population
- maintainable lifestyle
- understanding of health
- cures

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- median 73,000
- lowest 48,000
- highest 104,000

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- hospital
- physician office
- home healthcare
- nursing care facility

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- check severity of injury

- vaccinate

- prepare operating room

- measure children's growth

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- stethoscope
- blood pressure cuff
- thermometers
- scale
- needles

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- Florence Nightingale
-  deliver nursing to soldiers
- 1854

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So how much does a Registered Nurse make, what is the average RN salary, the highest paid cities, states and industries? Below you will find all of the answers laid out clearly in easy to read tables and charts.

Finding all of the relevant figures can be a bit of a task - so I have put everything in one place - easy to find and easy to navigate!

You can also check out the Nurse Salary by State page for a deeper look at Registered Nursing salaries in each individual state in the U.S. - it breaks the information down into Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan areas and employment by industry.

Easily find the important details for Your town, city and state - when someone asks how much do nurses make - you have all the answers.

Don't forget we have a detailed Registered Nurse Guide - covering everything you need to know about being a RN - and now we have a full guide to Registered Nurse Training Programs.

The U.S. Average Registered Nurse RN Salary is $73,550

In the United States the average annual salary for a Registered Nurse is currently $73,550 which breaks down as an average of $35.36 per hour, $1,414 per week and a monthly salary of $6,129.

Have a look at how this compares to the national average wage figures.

Highest Paid States for Registered Nurse

California comes out as the highest paying state for a Registered Nurse with an average annual salary of $102,700 - closely followed by Hawaii $96,990, Washington DC $90,110 and Massachusetts $89,330.

A general split can be seen - the highest paid states tend to be West Coast and North East centers of population (also with high cost of living).

At the other end of the payscale for nurses - Puerto Rico is the lowest paid state with an average RN salary of $34,630 - not so great if you live there!

For the mainland USA - Arkansas $58,810, Iowa $57,930, Alabama $57,890, Mississippi $57,700 and South Dakota comes bottom with $57,010.

The large variation can in part be explained by simple supply and demand influences - but also cost of living variations. We look at several factors .... if you keep on reading!

You can click on the map above to find Registered Nurse salary information in all states - here you can select your own state and see all the relevant data - highest paying areas, employment figures and more.

Highest Paying Cities or Metropolitan Areas for RN's

California's metropolitan areas are topping the tables again here. San Francisco, Salinas, San Jose and Oakland are amongst the highest paying cities for Registered nurses in the country - well above the average salary rates nationwide.

Other cities with higher than average RN salaries include : Honolulu $98,190, Los Angeles LA $95,650, Boston $92,180, NYC New York $90,840 and Anchorage $87,200.

Highest Paid Non-Metropolitan Areas - Registered Nurse

Again similar wages trends show even for rural areas. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington and Alaska provide the top earning non metropolitan areas for nurses.

Number of Registered Nurses Employed in the United States

The total employed figures across all states stands at 2,906,840. The chart below shows the top 10 states by total number of RN's employed. California employs the most RN's - which helps explain the high wages for nurses in that state. Texas, New York and Florida all have high numbers of RN's.

Highest Paying Industries for Registered Nurses

RN's can find employment across a fairly wide range of industries - not just in hospitals. Have a look at the top paying industries below - you can see some of the highest paid nursing jobs.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for Registered Nurses is very strong with expected growth of 19% (all careers growth is estimated at 11%) between 2012 - 2022. According to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics by 2022 there will be an increase in the number of Registered nurses of 526,800 - yes, over half a million! That's a lot of new nursing jobs for the near future - definitely a career with good prospects.

RN Salary Range

Obviously not all RN's earn the same. Wage levels vary quite a bit depending on experience, years in the job, level of training , industry and location etc. In this next section we will look in more detail at some reasons for such a wide salary range.

The table below will give you an idea of the range to expect. The figures show the average wage earned by the top earning 10% and the lowest paid 10% of registered nurses. It is a useful way to see the potential earnings overall.

Starting Salaries for a RN

Although there are no official statistics for starting salaries for registered nurses it stands to reason that they are among the lower paid ranks. Using the salary scales in the table above you can safely say that they will earn in the bottom 10% depending on location and healthcare industry.

Most newly qualified rn's will earn between $45,000 and $60,000. These estimates should be adjusted based on the average salaries in your state.

Factors Affecting RN Salary?

The main factors that affect RN salaries are: education, experience, location, position and industry.

Nursing Education Level

The level of education obtained by a RN will directly influence their earning potential. Of course this makes sense when you consider the different qualifications held by working nurses.

ADN - Associate Degree in Nursing - takes on average 3 years to complete. Although still accepted in many nursing jobs, it will be viewed as inferior to other qualifications and pay will usually be less especially when starting your career.

BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - takes 4 years to qualify normally. Now seen as the standard entry qualification for RN-s by most employers. Over 50% insist on at least a BSN and over 80% prefer this level of degree. BSN educated nurses are in the top 25% earning registered nurses today.

MSN - Master of Science in Nursing - can take 6 years although usually taken as a bridge program. This degree is usually taken to further your career towards an Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN). Needed to become Nurse Practitioners, CRNA's, Nurse Midwives and Nursing Informatics.

DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice - this is a relatively new program also leading to APRN careers and also management and leadership roles in nursing.

For students starting out who want to become registered nurses it makes sense to aim for a good BSN course - giving you the best opportunities for earning and career progression in the future.

Experience

In such a varied career as nursing, experience will always be a factor in salary scales. Many hospitals have time in post factored into their salary scales. You can expect a RN with years of experience to earn substantially more than a new recruit! Let's hope it stays that way.

Location

It is pretty obvious from the figures that the state, city or region you work in will have an impact on your earnings potential. Even when taken with experience and education - some states just earn more than others. Outside factors are at play here too such as cost of living, which we go into later on.

Position and Industry

Not all RN's are equal and not all work directly with patients in hospitals. To the uneducated it can be surprising to learn some of the jobs registered nurses can do outside a hospital environment. They are employed across a wide range of jobs and industries - and this can be reflected in their salaries.

Male vs Female Registered Nurse Salaries

Shockingly, studies have shown that there is a gender pay gap between male and female RN'S. Male nurses do earn more than female nurses - but is that the whole story?

It is difficult to quantify accurately due to the wide range of salaries across the career. It has been noticed that male RN's tend to have higher degree qualifications, tend to work in specialist roles and of course are less numerous than their female co-workers.

Some like for like comparisons have shown that men are earning more than women in the same positions - looks like wages difference between the sexes is a thing!

Registered Nurse Salary Video

Cost of Living Influence on RN Salaries

When you drill down into the salary data across the United States it probably shocks most people to see the wide variation of figures. We have looked at other influences such as experience and education and the effect they have on nurses wages.

To understand why one state or city is so different from another we need to consider another major factor - Cost of Living. Most cost of living indexes look at a range of cost - usually covering rent / housing, transportation, consumer goods, utilities and healthcare.

These costs vary across the country and also between cities and rural areas. I think we are all aware that rent in Manhattan will cost a lot more than in rural Iowa! This is extremely important to consider when judging where RN's have the best earning potential.

It isn't enough to know that nurses in California have the highest salaries - you need to consider how much of that extra income they need to spend in order to live there.

I have included a cost of living index figure in the list below. These figures have a baseline average cost of living of 100 - figures around 100 are average cost of living - above 100 have higher cost of living and below 100 are the cheapest states to live. They give a good indication at a glance - but do some research!

There are numerous different indexes available online but most show the same general trends with minimal variations. ref: http://coli.org/

State Salaries With Cost of Living Index
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Don't forget to check out our pages for Nurse Practitioners, LVN or LPN salary and general nursing careers salary information - have a good look around.

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RN Salary -Registered Nurse wages and employment information

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So how much does a Registered Nurse make, what is the average RN salary, the highest paid cities, states and industries? Below you will find all of the answers laid out clearly in easy to read tables and charts.

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- nursing diploma
- 2.0 gpa to enroll
- math and science 3 years
- english 4 years
- foreign language 2 years

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Professional nursing holds a unique place in the American health care system. As members of the largest health care profession, the nation's 3.1 million nurses work in diverse settings and fields and are frontline providers of health care services. While most nurses work in acute-care settings such as hospitals, nurses' expertise and skills extend well beyond hospital walls. Working independently and with other health care professionals, nurses promote the health of individuals, families, and communities. Millions of Americans turn to nurses for delivery of primary health care services, health care education. and health advice and counseling. Nurses are critical links in maintaining a cutting-edge health care system.Nursing continues to be an indispensable service to the American public.

While many may think of a nurse as someone who takes care of hospitalized patients, nurses also fill a wide variety of positions in health care in many varied settings, working both collaboratively and independently with other health care professionals. For example, most Americans are familiar with home care nurses who provide a plethora of nursing and health care services to patients in their homes. School nurses have a long history of providing health services to school children from kindergarten through high school. Nurses play a major role in delivering care to those residing in long-term-care facilities such as nursing homes. Workers with job-related health concerns often seek out nurses employed by business and industry. Many people visit a nurse practitioner as their primary caregiver. Expectant mothers often prefer nurse midwives as their health care providers during pregnancy and childbirth. And each day, in operating rooms across the country, nurse anesthetists insure that patients undergoing surgery receive safe anesthesia care. Today, schools of nursing compete for the brightest applicants, and nursing is highly regarded as an excellent career choice for both women and men.

Florence Nightingale

Most people think of the nursing profession as beginning with the work of Florence Nightingale, an upper class British woman who captured the public imagination when she led a group of female nurses to the Crimea in October of 1854 to deliver nursing service to British soldiers. Upon her return to England, Nightingale successfully established nurse education programs in a number of British hospitals. These schools were organized around a specific set of ideas about how nurses should be educated, developed by Nightingale often referred to as the "Nightingale Principles." Actually, while Nightingale's work was ground-breaking in that she confirmed that a corps of educated women, informed about health and the ways to promote it, could improve the care of patients based on a set of particular principles, she was the not the first to put these principles into action.

Nursing and Hospital Care in the United States

Throughout history most sick care took place in the home and was the responsibility of family, friends, and neighbors with knowledge of healing practices. In the United States, family-centered sickness care remained traditional until the nineteenth century. Sick care delivered by other than family and close acquaintances was generally limited to epidemics and plagues that periodically swept through towns and cities. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, however, urbanization and industrialization changed the way in which-and in many cases the place in which-sick individuals received care. Hospitals began to proliferate to serve those who were without the resources to provide their own care, and as hospitals increased in numbers so did the demand for caregivers who would be able to deliver thoughtful care to the patients in them. Early nineteenth-century hospitals were built mainly in more populated sections of the country, generally in large cities. Nursing care in these institutions differed enormously. In hospitals operated by religious nursing orders, patients received high quality care. But, in other institutions, nursing care was more variable, ranging from good in some hospitals, to haphazard and poor in others.

The Beginnings of Nurse Education

patients. An early nineteenth-century program, the Nurse Society of Philadelphia (also referred to as the Nurse Charity of Philadelphia) trained women in caring for mothers during childbirth and postpartum period. Its founder, Dr. Joseph Warrington, a strong advocate of providing instruction for women interested in pursuing nursing as an occupation, authored a 1839 book entitled The Nurse's Guide Containing a Series of Instruction to Females who wish to Engage in the Important Business of Nursing Mother and Child in the Lying-In Chamber​ . This publication, which each Nurse Society nurse received, represents an early example of a nursing practice text. Between 1839 and 1850 the Nurse Society employed about fifty nurses, establishing an early practice of engaging nurses for care of patients in the home. ​

The outbreak of the Civil War created an immediate need for capable nurses to care for the enormous number of sick and wounded. About 20,000 women and men served as nurses in both the North and the South. The commendable service rendered by Civil War nurses provided a rationale for future experiments in setting up training programs for nursing. One such program was initiated in Pennsylvania where the Women's Hospital of Philadelphia offered a six months nurse training course, which graduated its first class in 1869. Similar courses, such as that offered by the New England Hospital for Women and Children were begun in other locales.

Professional Nurse Education Begins

The success of these first three so-called "Nightingale schools" led to a proliferation of similar nursing schools, or as they were most commonly called, nurse training programs. By 1900, somewhere between 400 to 800 schools of nursing were in operation in the country. These programs followed a fairly typical pattern. The school was either affiliated with or owned by a hospital that provided the students with the clinical experience considered necessary for the education of a nurse. Students received two to three years of training. While in the program students carried out the majority of patient care activities offered in the hospital, receiving only a modicum of classroom education in the form of lectures on patient care and related subjects. At the end of the educational program, students received a diploma and were eligible to seek work as a trained nurse.

mid-twentieth century. And, while many disparaged the exploitative nature of the nurse education system, the presence of trained nurses with their emphasis on cleanliness, orderliness and close observation of patients successfully transformed hospitals into scientific institutions of caring. Further, the popularity of the schools, as evidenced by their high student admission rates and the large numbers of nurses they graduated, testified to the profession's appeal as an excellent occupation in which to carve out a career. Schools of nursing did improve over time. Better oversight of nursing educational programs by state licensing boards as well as the increasingly complex demands of patient care led the schools to increase the amount of theoretical instruction and decrease the amount of direct work performed by students.

The Profession of Nursing Organizes

These changes improved and reformed many aspects of the nurse training system, but problems remained. Reflecting the social and legal status of African Americans at the time, American professional nursing maintained strict racial segregation until the mid-twentieth century. African American individuals wanting to become nurses had to train in a separate educational system and faced a divided employment field in which white and black nurses did not participate equally. Nursing also remained a predominantly female profession. While a few schools admitted men, most schools refused them admission.

Challenges for Nursing

Employment conditions for nurses also presented challenges. In the early part of the twentieth century, hospitals employed only a few graduate nurses, mainly in supervisory positions. They relied instead on student nurses for the majority of the bedside care provided to patients. Most nurses, once they graduated from their educational program, entered the field of private duty nursing. Private duty nurses were employed by individual patients primarily in their homes. As institutions became the more normative site for delivery of sick care, private duty nurses moved with their patients into the hospital, delivering care to hospitalized individuals who could afford to pay for their own nurse. But for nurses, private duty often did not provide regular and dependable employment; nurses were hired on an ad hoc basis by patients and were oftentimes without a regular source of income. The cost of private duty was also quite high, limiting the number of patients employing private duty nurses. It was not until the mid-twentieth century that hospitals hired nurses as regular staff on a permanent basis, providing full professional nursing services to all hospitalized patients.

Nursing Diversifies

Despite the many difficulties within the profession, nursing continued to grow as an occupational field and became recognized as an essential health care service by the early twentieth century. Nurses fanned out into diverse fields delivering services to many people outside of hospitals. For example, Lillian Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement House in 1893, which provided nursing and other social services to impoverished populations on the Lower East Side of New York City. Replication of Wald's work in other parts of the country led to the growth of the field of public health nursing, opening up new employment opportunities for nurses and expanding the type of services provided by nurses.

The special skills possessed by nurses were easily transferred to different fields of health care. For example, nurses were educated to administer anesthesia during surgery, leading to the specialty field of nurse anesthetists. By the early twentieth century it was quite common to find nurse anesthetists delivering anesthesia in many of the nation's hospitals. By the 1920s, in some parts of the country, nurse-midwives delivered babies, in many cases to the most impoverished populations.

Mid-twentieth Century Nursing

victory. The post-World-War-II era posed new challenges for the profession. While the modern intensive health care system that emerged after the war demanded larger numbers of nurses to handle the increasingly complex and technical care needs of patients, there seemed to be fewer young women (the major population from which nursing drew its recruits) willing to choose nursing as a career. Nursing's image took on an heroic cast during the war, but the reality for most nurses, was that the work was incredibly demanding with few financial rewards and poor working conditions. Nursing failed to keep up economically with other occupations. Severe shortages of nurses characterized the immediate post war period, threatening the delivery of health services to the public.

At the same time, internal debates within the profession over the type of work in which nurses should engage and the proper way to educate a nurse divided nurses into different camps. Some educators and other health care
analysts promoted removing nursing education from its base within hospital training schools and placing it in institutions of higher education. By 1960, approximately 172 college-based nursing education programs awarded Bachelors of Science in Nursing degrees. These experts believed baccalaureate educated nurses would be better prepared to care for the complex needs of late-twentieth-century patients and would be able to take on more advanced roles in the delivery of health care. Proponents of the traditional hospital-based diploma programs disagreed, arguing that nurses trained in hospital programs excelled at delivering bedside care, the major area in which nurses worked. Before the debate was settled one way or the other, a new nurse educational program centered in two-year community colleges emerged. Community-college-based programs (also known as Associate Degree programs) seemed to offer the best of both worlds. Education took place in institutions of higher education, and the demands of patient care did not intrude on the learning process as often occurred in diploma programs. Graduates of community college programs seemed well suited to assume employment as hospital bedside nurses. Further, the ability of community college programs to graduate large numbers of nurses offered potential respite from repeated nurse shortages.

The community college movement achieved only partial success. Community college programs did graduate many new nurses and often at a lower cost than traditional diploma programs. But, as the needs of late-twentieth-century patients became increasingly more complex, research studies indicated that being treated by nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level improved patient outcomes.

The Modern Practice of Nursing

Nursing education also thrived in the latter half of the twentieth century. Significant federal financial support for educating nurses, which became available beginning in the 1960s, permitted the revamping and modernizing of many nursing educational programs. Significantly, increased funding for nursing research permitted nursing to develop a sounder scientific basis for its practice. Nurse researchers today carry out cutting-edge studies that shed light on the ways and means of solving many health care problems and improving nursing services.

Historically, the nursing profession has consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing and varied health care needs. It remains an exceedingly popular and highly respected profession that attracts large numbers of new recruits to its ranks. There is little doubt that nursing will continue to maintain its status as an extremely important profession, serving the health needs of the nation.

Jean C. Whelan (1949-2017) was Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

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American Nursing: An Introduction to the Past

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Professional nursing holds a unique place in the American health care system. As members of the largest health care profession, the nation's 3.1 million nurses work in diverse settings and fields and are frontline providers of health care services. While most nurses work in acute-care settings such as hospitals, nurses' expertise and skills extend well beyond hospital walls.

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1. Florence Nightingale

Founder of Modern Nursing (1820 to 1920) The history of modern nursing started in 1849, when Florence Nightingale began her first formal nursing training at the Institute of St. Vincent de Paul, in Alexandria, Egypt. After further trainings in Germany and in France, she voluntarily served as Superintendent at the Establishment for Gentlewomen during Illness in London. The knowledge and skills Nightingale gained from these experiences equipped her to take the challenges in tending to the British military victims when the Crimean War broke out on 1854.

The British medical facilities were in dire need of improved sanitary conditions when Florence Nightingale and 38 nurses entered the military hospitals in Scutari. Wounded and sick soldiers had to share with vermin and go through unhygienic operations, resulting to cholera and typhus epidemic, as well as quick spread of other diseases. Mortality in military hospitals was 7 times higher than in the actual battlefields, but dropped with Nightingale's help. She introduced multiple sanitary items such as surgical caps. Using her mathematical competency, Nightingale collected data and made calculations on mortality rate change as sanitary methods were incorporated in the medical facilities, and soon pressed in all British military hospitals. The statistical data she used, the coxcombs as called by her, is now known as Polar Area Diagram

2. Clara Barton

Founder of American Red Cross (1821 to 1912) Clarissa Harlowe Barton was a teacher when her feet directed her to tread the more risky life of bringing supplies right in heart of battlefields during the American Civil War, wherein she was rightfully known as the Angel of the Battlefield. Clara's nursing journey and philanthropic life dawned amid the dark Baltimore riots, organizing relief program for the soldiers. The need for medical supplies was huge and advertising for donations greatly helped. Not long after successful relief operation, Clara Barton travelled with army ambulances to distribute supplies, nurse victims, give them comfort, and even cook for them. She also helped locate missing men and notify families of their status; an activity that ushered the Red Cross tracing services to the humanitarian scene.

The job for Clara Barton in the American Civil War unfolded as a long start for an even longer humanitarian service, this time serving not just to warzone victims but also to the disaster victims as the American Red Cross advances to becoming a reality. Soon after the establishment of the organization, relief efforts will have to be brought outside the soil of the United States, seeing no differences of colors and races at all. This also led to the expansion of International Red Cross relief efforts, covering victims of natural disasters, called the American Amendment. They were just adamant of carrying nurse kits with them all the time to be of any help whenever required.

Barton served the American Red Cross until 1904, and established National First Aid Association of America, wherein she was honorary president for 5 years. And in the 12th of April, 1912, Clarissa Harlowe Barton died.

3. Mary Breckinridge

Founder of the New Model of Rural Health Care & Frontier Nursing Service (1881 to 1965) Mary Breckinridge came from an influential family and enjoyed a privileged childhood. Unfortunately, though, her 2 own children did not endure childhood. This was the most notable accounts of Mary Breckinridge that are associated with her decision to dedicate her life in improving health of poor women and children in rural areas of America.

Breckinridge became a registered nurse 1910 at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in New York, worked as public health nurse in Boston and Washington D.C., served as nurse during World War I in France through the American Red Cross, and furthered her study at Columbia University after WWI. She then focused on the poor areas in Kentucky, where she's rooted. She looked into the health status of those living in inaccessible areas with no physicians. Mary found high maternal mortality due to lack of prenatal care, having many children, and no trained mid-wives. These problems brought her to London to become nurse-midwife, and came to Scotland to learn effective community midwifery system for the poor.

After equipping herself for the challenging nurse-midwife job to the rural America, Mary Breckinridge began serving in Kentucky in 1925, wherein she introduced the new system of rural health care. In that same year, she established Frontier Nursing Service, providing care for low service fee. With the latest nursing supplies of that time, she helped provide best medical care to individuals. In areas covered, maternal and neonatal mortality rates significantly dropped. FNS is still serving mothers and children down to this very day.

4. Dorothea Dix

Brain of First Mental Asylum in the U.S. (1802 to 1887) Dorothea Lynde Dix was not an excellent nurse in the very sense of nursing. However, the reputation as a famous nurse was earned by her fearless fight for the right of the mentally ill in front of Massachusetts legislators and of the United States Congress. Dix found herself in this battle due to her passion for teaching. She saw with her own eyes the dismal conditions of the mentally disabled people when she entered the East Cambridge Jail to teach Sunday class for women inmates on March 1842. Dix immediately brought the matter to courts, wherein she won many battles using careful and extensive data of extreme conditions in jails and almshouses, getting these poor individuals improved states.

Dorothea Dix continued to win support, enabling her to acquire funds set to provide the insane more humane conditions. But when she brought her advocacy to the national scene, President Franklin Pierce vetoed her almost successful effort to get a facility of 5 million acres for the people with mental disability, which was already approved by both houses of the United States Congress. This failure never stopped Dix from speaking for the disadvantaged. Even with a frail health condition, due to tuberculosis, she pushed the same efforts to different countries in Europe. She made notable changes in the way insanity was treated in the European soil in just 2 years. With high quality scissors and hosiery, Dorothea Dix made a remarkable impact in the nursing field.

On her return to the U.S. on 1854, Dix carried on with what she left behind. However, when the civil war broke, she had to devote her time as Superintendent of Union Army Nurses. And in 1881, the Trenton state hospital, in New Jersey, was built through her efforts. Her remaining years were spent there until she died on the 17th of July, 1887. The first advocate died, but the benefits of her efforts reached even the mentally ill of this day.

5. Margaret Sanger

Founder of Planned Parenthood (1879 to 1966) Margaret Louise Higgins blamed the premature death of her mother to the frequent pregnancy, the result of what she viewed as grim class and family heritage. Nursing became her door to liberation from this big family tradition. As she worked as a visiting nurse, Margaret, who was then married to William Sanger and a mother of 3, became attracted to women's pain of frequent childbirth, miscarriage, and abortion. She sought to liberate these women from the unwanted pregnancy by advocating for the practice of birth control.

Margaret Sanger wrote about education and women's health, aiming to teach people that access to accurate and effective birth control is actually a right, particularly of the working women. However, the conservative American society considered this effort obscene. She had to flee to England due to her radical advocacy, which she promoted through Family Limitation and The Woman Rebel, her writings of explicit instructions of various contraceptive methods. While in Europe, she broadened her arguments with the social and economic impacts of pregnancy.

Margaret Sanger returned to the U.S. to face charges against her, but also with the goal to win public support. She endured prosecution and arrests, but worked even more in a nationwide scale to promote birth control. In 1916, she opened the very first birth control clinic in America. However, Sanger and her staff were arrested, and the government gave the physicians the right to disseminate contraception information only for medical reasons. Sanger used this to legally open doctor-run birth control clinic Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau, all staffed with women medical personnel. In 1921, Sanger sought support from the medical profession and backed her advocacy with clinical advantages. 8 years later, she lobbied for birth control legislation and failed. In 1928, she resigned as president of American Birth Control League, and journeyed to Asia and Europe to further her advocacy. She also helped found the International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1952, which happened after World War II, wherein the growing population became alarming.

Sanger continued to support researches for simpler, cheaper, and more effective contraceptives. In the 1965, birth control pills finally became available. And in 1965, the Supreme Court made birth control legal for married couples.

6. Elizabeth Grace Neill

Started the System of Nursing Registration (1846 to 1926) Elizabeth Grace Campbell Neil received her nursing education at the St. John's House Sisterhood in London. She spent her early nursing career as lady superintendent at the Pendlebury Hospital for Children in Manchester, where Ms. Campbell met her husband Channing Neil. She left England for Australia in 1886, and then, treaded a life of a journalist and various government commissions for almost 10 years in New Zealand beginning 1891. She was a determined nurse with a stethoscope on her neck at all times.

Neil was back in health care upon the establishment of the New Zealand's Department of Health, creating a nursing service. 1901 came, and Neil got the privilege of helping draft a bill aimed to protect the public from nursing malpractice for New Zealand Parliament, one that became the world's first Nurses' Registration Act. Soon after, the Midwives' Registration Act was passed and Neil was given the task of setting up the very first state maternity hospital, the St. Helen's Hospital, which opened in 1905 and followed by 3 more in a span of 2 years.

Elizabeth Grace Neil's thorough knowledge of the technicalities of nursing profession made her a crucial personality in the international nursing politics. But on 1906, she fell ill and was forced to step down from her active involvement in the British Matron's Council. And on August 18, 1926, Elizabeth Grace Neil passed away.

THE CHALLENGERS OF RACIAL PREJUDICE

7. Mary Eliza Mahoney

First Registered African American Nurse (1845 to 1926) At her teens, Mary Eliza Mahoney began having interest in nursing. That interest led her to New England Hospital for women and children, working as cook, janitress, and laundry woman for 15 years. She also served as an unofficial nursing aid, which became a very significant step in her journey of becoming a professional nurse. In 1879, she was finally admitted into the hospital's nursing school, and was one of the only 3 nursing students who made it through the rigorous study and training. From then on, black students were accepted for professional training, a notable change of blacks' status in the nursing field.

Mary also intended to introduce proper nursing kits along with medical sleeves and other supplies for the betterment of the nursing industry.

Mahoney officially registered in the Nurses Directory at the Massachusetts Medical Library after graduating. She then embarked in private practice, providing care for patients in the New England area. But becoming a nurse and being able to practice were just parts of Mahoney's journey against racial discrimination. Mary Eliza Mahoney joined the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada, which is now known as American Nurses Association. The discrimination in the association moved Mahoney to co-find the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.

The NACGN became Mahoney's instrument in improving status of black nurses in the profession nationwide. She also devoted her life to the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black Children as director and national chaplain. In 1922, Mahoney retired from NACGN, but continued to be active in its activities until she succumbed to breast cancer on January 4, 1926. The NACGN created Mary Mahoney Award in 1936. Until now, the award is given to black nurses who showed similar achievements as Mahoney with regards to intergroup relations and contributions to improving African-American nurses' status in the profession. Mahoney was inducted into ANA's Hall of Fame as well as into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1976 and 1993, respectively.

9. Susie King Taylor

First African-American U.S. Army Nurse in Civil War - (1848 to 1912) Susie Baker King Taylor, daughter of slaves, was freed by their owner Mr. Grest by sending her to her grandmother Dolly Reed in Savannah. While with her grandmother, Susie learned how to read and write with the help of some friends. When Civil War broke, Susie, who was then 14 years old, fled to St. Simons Island with her uncle. They were taken under the custody of Union Forces that was then enlisting black soldiers for a new regiment. She was assigned as laundrywoman, but within days became teacher to freed African-American students through the help of some soldiers as well.

From being a laundrywoman and teacher, King also became a nurse, tending to the colored soldiers that have been fighting for freedom along their side. The memoirs of her life can be read in the Reminiscences, the story of her experiences in camp with the 33rd United States Colored Troops, which she wrote and published in 1902. Ten years after publishing her memoirs, Susie King Taylor died at the age of 64.

CHAMPIONS OF MODERN NURSING

14. Christiane Reimann

International Council of Nurses' First Full Time Executive Secretary (1887 to 1979) The prestigious Christiane Reimann Prize, which has been awarded to just a very few achievers in the nursing field yet, was named after her. Christiane Reimann was a Danish born woman who received her nursing degree at the Copenhagen's Bispebjerg Hospital in 1916. And in 1925, only 9 years later, she became the very first paid full time executive secretary of the International Council of Nurses.

Christiane Reimann was an accomplished nurse, who unselfishly tapped from her own funds to further ICN's goals. Not only did she generously shared monetary funds to the ICN, but also served as the brain behind many key ICN programs, among which is the council's official journal International Nursing Review. Reimann also spent her energy travelling the world to seek more national nurses' associations to join the international council, and enable the principles of ICN to be integrated in nursing practice in different countries. The fruitages of her efforts were priceless. It stimulated many of the countries she visited to establish educational programs for nurses. Others having no NNA yet, like China, were motivated to build their own.

Reiman served as ICN's executive secretary until 1934, and spent the rest of her years in this world living a much simpler life at her farm in Syracuse, Italy. And on 1979, Christiane Reimann faced death at the age of 92.

18. Sarah Emma Edmonds

The male nurse (1841 to 1898) Being male was not a dream for Sarah Emma Edmondson, but a life she had to live since childhood to escape mistreatment from her father and to be able to serve her adopted country, the United States of America. Emma left New Brunswick, her homeland, to flee her abusive father who wanted a son, not a daughter. She was in New England, when she answered the call for Union enlisters. After four tries, Emma succeeded to enter the Union Army as Private Franklin Flint Thompson, a male nurse in the Civil War.

Franklin Thompson began serving at the hospital unit of the 2nd Michigan Volunteers on April 25, 1861. Emma had no problem maintaining masculine masquerade since she's been doing it almost all her life already. But with the death of James Vesey, a friend back in Canada, on patrol, and the need of intelligence agent for McClellan changed Emma's life forever. She volunteered and impressed the staff with all the things she gained knowledge of by herself about weaponry, tactics, local geography and military personalities. Even without any military experience, Frank (Emma) got the position as spy of the Union Army.

Emma crossed the enemy lines as a black man named Cuff, with her skin tainted with silver nitrate and head with a black minstrel wig. She again infiltrated the Confederate lines as Bridget O'Shea, an Irish peddler woman. She also spied as a mammy, complete with dark color and bandanna. Emma also became Charles Mayberry, a young man, to identify Southern spy network. These and all 11 missions as spy, Frank Thompson succeeded. But malaria forced her off the camp to keep her identity from being revealed while seeking treatment. However, after recovery from a hospital in Cairo, Illinois, when she was again ready to carry on her duty as Frank Thompson, the Union Army has declared her male identity as a deserter.

There were no more secret missions for Frank Thompson, so she went back to Washington and worked as a nurse until the end of the Civil War. Sarah Emma Edmondson a.k.a. Private Frank Thompson shared her adventures and experiences in her book, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, which became best selling. She headed home to Canada and became Mrs. Emma Seelye. Emma petitioned to clear her name from being a deserter in the Civil War, and on July 5, 1893, granted honorable discharge from the army, along with monthly veteran's pension. Emma Edmonds Frank, died honorably on September 5, 1898.

22. Louisa May Alcott

Civil War Nurse, Writer & Poet (1832 - 1888) Louisa May Alcott's service as a nurse during the Civil War was short-lived, only on a winter month between 1862 and 1863. She served at the Union Hotel Hospital in Georgetown, Virginia. However, while in the nursing service, Alcott contracted typhoid pneumonia and forced to go back home to regain good health. She suffered permanent health damage because of the fever and of the calomel dose or mercurous chloride, causing recovery to become long and gradual.

Alcott's nursing career was not as bold as that of other Civil War heroic nurses to be able to be lined among the famous nurses list. However, her experience as nurse, which she wrote in her book Hospital Sketches, published in 1863, made her extremely popular. Moods and Scenes from Dickens were also published, the latter completed to benefit the Sanitary Commission. Alcott became well known through her literary pieces, published more than 30 different books and collections of stories. On March 6, 1888, Louisa May Alcott passed away.

23. Diane Carlson Evans

Vietnam War Nurse & Founder and President of Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation (1946 to Present) Diane Carlson Evans served as surgical nurse in the surgical and burnt unit of the 36th Evacuation Hospital in Vung Tau and in the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku. Before she treaded the risky life of a combat nurse, she was equipped with knowledge of nursing school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduation, Evans readily joined the Army Nurse Corps. At 21, she was sent to the Vietnam War and served there for 1 year.

Diane Carlson Evans fought for the honor of the women who bravely battled side by side with male soldiers in Vietnam War era. It took 7 years of lobbying before the congress, convincing the legislators to recognize the immense value of 11,000 military women to Vietnam and the 265,000 others in service during the war. In November 11, 1993, the Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated. Many American Veterans continue to support the foundation, wherein Evans still actively serves as president.

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25 Famous Nurses - Past to Present World's Popular Nurse Professionals

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Founder of Modern Nursing (1820 to 1920) The history of modern nursing started in 1849, when Florence Nightingale began her first formal nursing training at the Institute of St. Vincent de Paul, in Alexandria, Egypt. After further trainings in Germany and in France, she voluntarily served as Superintendent at the Establishment for Gentlewomen during Illness in London.

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Health care has been identified as Canadians' number one public priority - and nurses play a central role in delivering health care.

Nurses advocate for health promotion, educate patients and the public on the prevention of illness and injury, provide care and assist in cure, participate in rehabilitation, and provide support. No other health care professional has such a broad and far-reaching role.

Nurses help families learn to become healthy by helping them understand the range of emotional, physical, mental and cultural experiences they encounter during health and illness. Nurses help people and their families cope with illness, deal with it, and if necessary live with it, so that other parts of their lives can continue.

Nurses do more than care for individuals. They have always have been at the forefront of change in health care and public health.

Nurses innovate. Florence Nightingale, regarded as the founder of modern nursing, is remembered as "the lady with the lamp" - yet she also collected data to prove that the main cause, by far, of fatalities in the Crimean War was not enemy fire, but infections attributed to improper sanitation. She was a pioneering statistician, probably the first person in history to use graphs and charts to persuade politicians to act. Today's university-trained nurses learn to trust their own first-hand observations to generate important research leads on significant topics.

Nurses provide ongoing assessment of people's health. Their round-the-clock presence, observation skills, and vigilance allow doctors to make better diagnoses and propose better treatments. Many lives have been saved because an attentive nurse picked upon early warning signs of an upcoming crisis like cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

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Health care has been identified as Canadians' number one public priority - and nurses play a central role in delivering health care. Nurses advocate for health promotion, educate patients and the public on the prevention of illness and injury, provide care and assist in cure, participate in rehabilitation, and provide support.

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Summary

Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Y_2fpET0U.

Quick Facts: Registered Nurses
2019 Median Pay

$73,300 per year
$35.24 per hour

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.

Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in outpatient clinics and schools.

Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $73,300 in May 2019.

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as this group leads longer and more active lives.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations.

Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.

Duties

Registered nurses typically do the following:

Assess patients' conditions

Record patients' medical histories and symptoms

Observe patients and record the observations

Administer patients' medicines and treatments

Set up plans for patients' care or contribute information to existing plans

Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals

Operate and monitor medical equipment

Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results

Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries

Explain what to do at home after treatment

Most registered nurses work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some registered nurses oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

Registered nurses' duties and titles often depend on where they work and the patients they work with. For example, an oncology nurse works with cancer patients and a geriatric nurse works with elderly patients. Some registered nurses combine one or more areas of practice. For example, a pediatric oncology nurse works with children and teens who have cancer.

Many possibilities exist for working with specific patient groups. The following list includes some examples:

Addiction nurses care for patients who need help to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, and other substances.

Cardiovascular nurses care for patients who have heart disease or heart conditions and people who have had heart surgery.

Critical care nurses work in intensive-care units in hospitals, providing care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses and injuries that need close monitoring and treatment.

Genetics nurses provide screening, counseling, and treatment for patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.

Neonatal nurses take care of newborn babies who have health issues.

Nephrology nurses care for patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse, or other causes.

Public health nurses promote public health by educating people on warning signs and symptoms of disease or managing chronic health conditions. They may also run health screenings, immunization clinics, blood drives, or other community outreach programs.

Rehabilitation nurses care for patients who have temporary or permanent disabilities or have chronic illnesses.

Some nurses do not work directly with patients, but they must still have an active registered nurse license. For example, they may work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, or hospital administrators.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). They provide direct patient care in one of many nursing specialties, such as psychiatric-mental health or pediatrics. CNSs also provide indirect care by working with other nurses and medical staff to improve the quality of care that patients receive. They often serve in leadership roles and may educate and advise other nursing staff. CNSs also may conduct research and may advocate for certain policies.

Registered nurses held about 3.1 million jobs in 2019. The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private

60%

Ambulatory healthcare services

18

Nursing and residential care facilities

7

Government

5

Educational services; state, local, and private

3

Ambulatory healthcare services includes industries such as physicians' offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers. Nurses who work in home health travel to patients' homes; public health nurses may travel to community centers, schools, and other sites.

Some nurses travel frequently in the United States and throughout the world to help care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers.

Injuries and Illnesses

Registered nurses may spend a lot of time walking, bending, stretching, and standing. They are vulnerable to back injuries because they often must lift and move patients.

The work of registered nurses may put them in close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and they frequently come into contact with potentially harmful and hazardous drugs and other substances. Therefore, registered nurses must follow strict guidelines to guard against diseases and other dangers, such as accidental needle sticks and exposure to radiation or to chemicals used in creating a sterile environment.

Work Schedules

Nurses who work in hospitals and nursing care facilities usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice.

Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.

Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.

Education

Nursing education programs usually include courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology psychology, and other social and behavioral sciences, as well as in liberal arts. Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs typically take 4 years to complete; associate's degree in nursing (ADN), associate of science in nursing (ASN) degree, and diploma programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. Diploma programs are typically offered by hospitals or medical centers, and there are far fewer diploma programs than there are BSN, ADN, and ASN programs. All programs include supervised clinical experience.

Bachelor's degree programs usually include additional education in physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking. A bachelor's or higher degree is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching.

Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of education programs (bachelor's, associate's, or diploma) qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse. However, employers-particularly those in hospitals-may require a bachelor's degree.

Registered nurses with an ADN, ASN, or diploma may go back to school to earn a bachelor's degree through an RN-to-BSN program. There are also master's degree programs in nursing, combined bachelor's and master's programs, and accelerated programs for those who wish to enter the field of nursing and already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) must earn a master's degree in nursing and typically already have 1 year or more of work experience as an RN or in a related field. CNSs who conduct research typically need a doctoral degree.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Registered nurses must have a nursing license issued by the state in which they work. To become licensed, nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Other requirements for licensing, such as passing a criminal background check, vary by state. Each state's board of nursing provides specific requirements. For more information on the NCLEX-RN and a list of state boards of nursing, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Nurses may become certified through professional associations in specific areas, such as ambulatory care, gerontology, or pediatrics. Although certification is usually voluntary, it demonstrates adherence to a specific level of competency, and some employers require it.

In addition, registered nursing positions may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS), or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.

CNSs must satisfy additional state licensing requirements, such as earning specialty certifications. Contact state boards of nursing for specific requirements.

Important Qualities

Critical-thinking skills. Registered nurses must assess changes in the health status of patients, such as determining when to take corrective action.

Communication skills. Registered nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to understand their concerns and evaluate their health conditions. Nurses need to clearly explain instructions, such as how to take medication. They must work in teams with other health professionals and communicate patients' needs.

Compassion. Registered nurses should be caring and empathetic when working with patients.

Detail oriented. Registered nurses must be precise because they must ensure that patients get the correct treatments and medicines at the right time.

Emotional stability. Registered nurses need emotional resilience and the ability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stressors.

Organizational skills. Nurses often work with multiple patients who have a variety of health needs. The ability to coordinate numerous treatment plans and records is critical to ensure that each patient receives appropriate care.

Physical stamina. Nurses should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting patients. They may be on their feet for most of their shift.

Advancement

Most registered nurses begin as staff nurses in hospitals or community health settings. With experience, good performance, and continuing education, they can move to other settings or be promoted to positions with more responsibility.

In management, nurses may advance from assistant clinical nurse manager, charge nurse, or head nurse to more senior-level administrative roles, such as assistant director or director of nursing, vice president of nursing, or chief nursing officer. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions require a graduate degree in nursing or health services administration. Administrative positions require leadership skills, communication ability, negotiation skills, and good judgment.

Some nurses move into the business side of healthcare. Their nursing expertise and experience on a healthcare team equip them to manage ambulatory, acute, home-based, and chronic care businesses. Employers-including hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and managed care organizations-need registered nurses for jobs in health planning and development, marketing, consulting, policy development, and quality assurance.

Some RNs may become nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners, which, along with clinical nurse specialists, are types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs need a master's degree but many have a doctoral degree. APRNs may provide primary and specialty care, and in many states they may prescribe medications.

Other nurses work as postsecondary teachers or researchers in colleges and universities, which typically requires a Ph.D.

Median annual wages, May 2019

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $73,300 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $111,220.

In May 2019, the median annual wages for registered nurses in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government

$79,790

Hospitals; state, local, and private

75,030

Ambulatory healthcare services

70,330

Nursing and residential care facilities

66,250

Educational services; state, local, and private

63,690

Nurses who work in hospitals and nursing care facilities usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to have regular business hours.

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons.

Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population, given that older people typically have more medical problems than younger people. Nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, diabetes, and obesity.

The financial pressure on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible may result in more people being admitted to long-term care facilities and outpatient care centers and in greater need for healthcare at home. Job growth is expected in facilities that provide long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury patients and in facilities that treat people with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, because many older people prefer to be treated at home or in residential care facilities, registered nurses will be in demand in those settings.

Growth is also expected to be faster than average in outpatient care centers, where patients do not stay overnight, such as those that provide same-day chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. In addition, a large number of procedures, including sophisticated procedures previously done only in hospitals, are now done in ambulatory care settings and physicians' offices.

Job Prospects

About 175,900 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Overall, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be good. However, there may be competition for jobs in some areas of the country. Generally, registered nurses who have a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) will have better job prospects than those without one. Employers also may prefer candidates who have some related work experience or certification in a specialty area, such as gerontology.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2019

Projected Employment, 2029

Change, 2019-29

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Registered nurses

29-1141

3,096,700

3,318,700

7

221,900
Get data

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For more information about registered nurses, including credentialing, visit
American Nurses Association
For more information about nursing education and being a registered nurse, visit
American Society of Registered Nurses Johnson & Johnson, Discover Nursing National League for Nursing National Student Nurses' Association
For more information about undergraduate and graduate nursing education, nursing career options, and financial aid, visit
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
For more information about the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and a list of individual state boards of nursing, visit
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
For more information about clinical nurse specialists, including a list of accredited programs, visit
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
CareerOneStop

For a career video on registered nurses, visit
Registered Nurses
O*NET
Acute Care Nurses Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses Clinical Nurse Specialists Critical Care Nurses Registered Nurses

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Y_2fpET0U. Quick Facts: Registered Nurses 2019 Median Pay $73,300 per year $35.24 per hour Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities.

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Key Facts & Information

Training, Other Qualifications

The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program. Nurses most commonly enter the occupation by completing an associate degree or bachelor's degree program. Individuals then must complete a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license. Further training or education can qualify nurses to work in specialty areas, and may help improve advancement opportunities.

Education and Training

There are three major educational paths to registered nursing-a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2006, 709 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor's level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 850 RN programs granted associate degrees. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only about 70 programs offered diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions.

Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter bachelor's programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. Often, they can find an entry-level position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. In 2006, there were 629 RN-to-BSN programs in the United States. Accelerated master's degree in nursing (MSN) programs also are available by combining 1 year of an accelerated BSN program with 2 years of graduate study. In 2006, there were 149 RN-to-MSN programs.

Accelerated BSN programs also are available for individuals who have a bachelor's or higher degree in another field and who are interested in moving into nursing. In 2006, 197 of these programs were available. Accelerated BSN programs last 12 to 18 months and provide the fastest route to a BSN for individuals who already hold a degree. MSN programs also are available for individuals who hold a bachelor's or higher degree in another field.

Individuals considering nursing should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of enrolling in a BSN or MSN program because, if they do, their advancement opportunities usually are broader. In fact, some career paths are open only to nurses with a bachelor's or master's degree. A bachelor's degree often is necessary for administrative positions and is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting, and teaching, and all four advanced practice nursing specialties-clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners. Individuals who complete a bachelor's receive more training in areas such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking, all of which are becoming more important as nursing care becomes more complex. Additionally, bachelor's degree programs offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. Education beyond a bachelor's degree can also help students looking to enter certain fields or increase advancement opportunities. In 2006, 448 nursing schools offered master's degrees, 108 offered doctoral degrees, and 58 offered accelerated BSN-to-doctoral programs.

All four advanced practice nursing specialties require at least a master's degree. Most programs include about 2 years of full-time study and require a BSN degree for entry; some programs require at least 1 to 2 years of clinical experience as an RN for admission. In 2006, there were 342 master's and post-master's programs offered for nurse practitioners, 230 master's and post-master's programs for clinical nurse specialists, 106 programs for nurse anesthetists, and 39 programs for nurse-midwives.

All nursing education programs include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other health care facilities. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences, and nursing. Coursework also includes the liberal arts for ADN and BSN students.

Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A growing number of programs include clinical experience in nursing care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics.

Other Qualifications

Nurses should be caring, sympathetic, responsible, and detail-oriented. They must be able to direct or supervise others, correctly assess patients' conditions, and determine when consultation is required. They need emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.

Nature of the Work

Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease. RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions.

When caring for patients, RNs establish a plan of care or contribute to an existing plan. Plans may include numerous activities, such as administering medication, including careful checking of dosages and avoiding interactions; starting, maintaining, and discontinuing intravenous (IV) lines for fluid, medication, blood, and blood products; administering therapies and treatments; observing the patient and recording those observations; and consulting with physicians and other health care clinicians. Some RNs provide direction to licensed practical nurses and nursing aids regarding patient care. RNs with advanced educational preparation and training may perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and may have prescriptive authority.

Some nurses have jobs that require little or no direct patient care, but still require an active RN license. Case managers ensure that all of the medical needs of patients with severe injuries and severe or chronic illnesses are met. Forensics nurses participate in the scientific investigation and treatment of abuse victims, violence, criminal activity, and traumatic accident. Infection control nurses identify, track, and control infectious outbreaks in health care facilities and develop programs for outbreak prevention and response to biological terrorism. Legal nurse consultants assist lawyers in medical cases by interviewing patients and witnesses, organizing medical records, determining damages and costs, locating evidence, and educating lawyers about medical issues. Nurse administrators supervise nursing staff, establish work schedules and budgets, maintain medical supply inventories, and manage resources to ensure high-quality care. Nurse educators plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs and curricula for the professional development of student nurses and RNs. Nurse informaticists manage and communicate nursing data and information to improve decision making by consumers, patients, nurses, and other health care providers. RNs also may work as health care consultants, public policy advisors, pharmaceutical and medical supply researchers and salespersons, and medical writers and editors.

Work Environment

Most RNs work in well-lit, comfortable health care facilities. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients' homes, schools, community centers, and other sites. RNs may spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching, and standing. Patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities require 24-hour care; consequently, nurses in these institutions may work nights, weekends, and holidays. RNs also may be on call-available to work on short notice. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other settings that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours. About 21 percent of RNs worked part time in 2006, and 7 percent held more than one job.

Nursing has its hazards, especially in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and clinics, where nurses may be in close contact with individuals who have infectious diseases and with toxic, harmful, or potentially hazardous compounds, solutions, and medications. RNs must observe rigid, standardized guidelines to guard against disease and other dangers, such as those posed by radiation, accidental needle sticks, chemicals used to sterilize instruments, and anesthetics. In addition, they are vulnerable to back injury when moving patients, shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by compressed gases. RNs also may suffer emotional strain from caring for patients suffering unrelieved intense pain, close personal contact with patients' families, the need to make critical decisions, and ethical dilemmas and concerns.

On the Job

Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions.

Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.

Record patients' medical information and vital signs.

Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.

Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.

Direct and supervise less skilled nursing or health care personnel or supervise a particular unit.

Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans.

Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.

Instruct individuals, families and other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention and childbirth, and develop health improvement programs.

Prepare patients for, and assist with, examinations and treatments.

Assess the needs of individuals, families or communities, including assessment of individuals' home or work environments to identify potential health or safety problems.

Provide health care, first aid, immunizations and assistance in convalescence and rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, and industry.

Prepare rooms, sterile instruments, equipment and supplies, and ensure that stock of supplies is maintained.

Inform physician of patient's condition during anesthesia.

Administer local, inhalation, intravenous, and other anesthetics.

Perform physical examinations, make tentative diagnoses, and treat patients en route to hospitals or at disaster site triage centers.

Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.

Conduct specified laboratory tests.

Direct and coordinate infection control programs, advising and consulting with specified personnel about necessary precautions.

Prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures.

Perform administrative and managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget, planning, and long-range goals.

Hand items to surgeons during operations.

Work with individuals, groups, and families to plan and implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.

Consult with institutions or associations regarding issues and concerns relevant to the practice and profession of nursing.

Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance.

Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students.

Engage in research activities related to nursing.

Companies That Hire Registered Nurses

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Additional Information

Sources

O*Net Online. (2016). National Center for O*Net Development. Retrieved July 1, 2017, from https://www.onetonline.org/

NurseTV. (2007, November 6). NurseTV - Mercy Air. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdK5elj_3hc

NurseTV. (2007, November 6). NurseTV - Ambulance RN. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eJ3CHJtJQk2

NurseTV, YouTube. (2007, December 26). NurseTV - Life of a CNO. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63NNcGmRojY

NurseTV, YouTube. (2007, December 26). NurseTV - Escondido Clinic. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfKrzFcCks0

NurseTV, YouTube. (2007, November 6). NurseTV - USNS Mercy. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ISUXnlh0s

NurseTV, YouTube. (2007, November 6). NurseTV - Mission to Africa. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyXz---EWRc

Texas Children's Hospital. (2013, August 28). Behind the Scenes in the Texas Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRr7nhiRioc

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Registered Nurse | Science & Engineering Career

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Please ensure you have JavaScript enabled in your browser. If you leave JavaScript disabled, you will only access a portion of the content we are providing. Here's how. Key Facts & Information The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program.

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Nursing specialties, such as anesthesiology, require additional tools and equipment.

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Registered nurses provide care to patients, assess their needs and maintain their health records. They might also counsel patients on how to manage a health condition or supervise a staff of licenses practical nurses, nursing assistants and clerks. Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, and different settings or specialties can require different tools. However, certain RN tools are commonly used.

Basic Tools

One of a registered nurse's job duties is to measure and record a patient's vital signs. To accomplish this, nurses use stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and a variety of thermometers, ranging from rectal thermometers to digital versions that are inserted in the ear. A watch with a clearly visible dial and second hand is a valuable tool used primarily when taking a patient's pulse.

Syringes and Lancets

Registered nurses must sometimes administer injections or secure blood samples from their patients. Syringes are used for both purposes. At times, only a small sample is needed for testing. Lancets can be used to make heel sticks or fingertip pricks to secure a few drops of blood for a laboratory slide.

Patient Care Tools

Nurses working in a hospital setting might need to place catheters in bed-ridden or unconscious patients. If the patient cannot take or tolerate food, the RN might need to insert a feeding tube so the patient can receive nourishment. Registered nurses might start an intravenous drip, commonly called an IV, to supply fluids to the patient and expedite the administration of injectable medications, which can be introduced via the IV line. Regardless of setting, RNs sometimes need to use suctioning tools to clear a patient's trachea, ears or nasal passages. Manual resuscitators can be used to force air into a patient's lungs if the patient stops breathing on his own.

Technology

Depending on the setting and duties, nurses might control a variety of technology tools to monitor patients. In the labor room, many RNs attach a fetal monitor to track the unborn baby's heart rate. Defibrillators are used in emergencies to restore normal cardiac function in patients by introducing an electrical shock. Registered nurses must also possess computer skills to update patient records, prepare schedules or perform timekeeping duties for the staff they supervise.

Protective Gear

Some protective gear is for the patient's benefit, some is for the nurse's and some serves both purposes. Disposable gloves help prevent the transmission of communicable diseases between patients and between a patient and his nurse. Disposable protective masks serve the same purpose. In some settings, a nurse might need a protective mask, typically made of transparent plastic, that covers the entire face and shields the wearer from potentially contaminated fluids. Depending on duties, nurses sometimes wear disposable shoe covers, gowns and hair covers.

About the Author

Jeffrey Joyner has had numerous articles published on the Internet covering a wide range of topics. He studied electrical engineering after a tour of duty in the military, then became a freelance computer programmer for several years before settling on a career as a writer.

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Registered nurses provide care to patients, assess their needs and maintain their health records. They might also counsel patients on how to manage a health condition or supervise a staff of licenses practical nurses, nursing assistants and clerks. Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, and different ...

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In order to become a registered nurse (RN), candidates usually need a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing though some students choose to earn diplomas from approved nursing programs instead. These programs may be offered in a traditional on-campus format, online, or in a blended format that incorporates campus- and web-based learning.

Regardless of their chosen pathway, RNs should complete courses in fields such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and nutrition. Once they complete their studies, RN candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in order to be licensed. A license is required to work as an RN in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. In addition to licensing, RNs may choose to become certified in gerontology, pediatrics, or other specialized fields.

RNs are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for RNs will rise 15% adding more than 430,000 new positions between 2016 and 2026. In addition, nurses earn salaries above the national average. RNs can choose from several specialized roles, including critical care nurses who work in intensive-care units, neonatology nurses that care for newborns and infants, and rehabilitation nurses who care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.

If you wish to become a registered nurse, you can enroll in many different educational programs from the diploma to doctoral level. However, all will culminate with the NCLEX-RN exam. There are several pathways you can follow in order to take the NCLEX-RN exam, as well as various other resources you may need if you are thinking about becoming a registered nurse.

RN Education Pathways

You can become a registered nurse using the following educational methods:

Diploma in Nursing

A diploma in nursing provides students with basic nursing knowledge and hands-on practical nursing experience in a clinical setting. A nursing diploma program typically takes two to three years to complete, depending on a student's enrollment status. Nursing diploma students enroll in courses covering topics such as lifespan nursing concepts, nursing informatics, basic pharmacology and psychology, and public health. A large portion of the nursing diploma program involves direct patient care, often through hospitals or health providers with ties to the school.

A nursing diploma program prepares students to pass the NCLEX-RN, a basic requirement for nursing professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada. An RN license qualifies holders for several entry-level nursing positions and further studies in the nursing field.

Since diploma programs immerse students in direct patient care, students graduate from the program with practical nursing skills that prove invaluable not only in a hospital setting, but in other clinical environments as well. Additionally, completing a nursing diploma program gives students the chance to enter the workforce sooner. Students who wish to pursue further studies can do so while already working in the field.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) prepares students to enter the workforce after just two years of full-time enrollment. Many employers prefer nurses with an associate degree over those with just a diploma. ADN programs require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours in order to graduate. However, the required number of clinical hours varies between schools.

Like most associate degrees, an ADN consists of 60 credits. An ADN curriculum includes foundational nursing courses such as anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, behavioral health, and maternal and child nursing care. In addition, an ADN program also includes general liberal arts classes like English literature, history, writing and communications, and psychology. After completing an ADN program, students usually take the NCLEX-RN to obtain their registered nurse license.

An ADN prepares students for employment in the nursing field immediately after graduation. However, most ADN programs also provide students with an excellent foundation for further studies in nursing or in a closely related field. Many universities with four-year nursing programs maintain articulation agreements with two-year colleges that help ADN graduates transition to a four-year nursing program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) features 120 credits and typically takes four years of full-time enrollment to complete. However, licensed registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing can usually earn a BSN after just two years of full-time study. Many hospitals and other health-based organizations prefer nurses with BSN degrees. In addition to more job options, nurses with a BSN degree are also more likely to be promoted and entrusted with greater responsibilities.

Many colleges and universities now offer online RN-to-BSN programs. Nurses no longer have to stop working while pursuing their BSN degree, since they can more easily fit online classes around their busy schedules. A typical BSN curriculum includes courses on topics such as emergency care; health assessment; nutrition; public and global health; and family, community, and population-based care.

The amount of clinical or practicum hours in an RN-to-BSN program can vary greatly between schools. Most programs require students to follow a rotation-based clinical program. Student nurses train in different departments or clinical specialty areas, such as pediatrics or obstetrics, to gain a broad understanding of the nursing field and their professional duties and responsibilities.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The nursing field consists of several different specializations, and employers increasingly seek nurses with training in a specific nursing area. A master of science in nursing degree (MSN) gives nurses the opportunity to specialize in a particular medical arena, such as anesthesiology, mental health, or acute care. Nurses can also use an MSN to develop the necessary skills to work within a specific lifespan sector like gerontology or pediatrics. Nurses who opt to specialize in nondirect care aspects of the nursing profession, as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders, also benefit from earning an MSN.

Registered nurses often qualify for RN-to-MSN programs. The length of the program depends on the type of nursing degree students have at the start of the program, the number of credits they can transfer, and their enrollment status. RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing typically complete an RN-to-MSN program in three to four years. RNs with a nonnursing bachelor's degree can complete the program in two to three years. Students with a BSN degree typically take two years to earn an MSN degree.

Most MSN degrees require students to complete a practicum, usually comprised of several hundred hours of clinical nursing experience. The required number of hours varies between schools, but often comes to at least 500. Regardless of a student's specialty area or the population they wish to work with, MSN students usually enroll in courses in pharmacology, health care policy, ethics, and advanced health assessment.

Doctorate in Nursing

There are two terminal degrees in nursing doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both degrees present the holder as an expert in the nursing field and thus qualified for a variety of leadership and top administrative nursing positions. A Ph.D. in nursing prepares nurses to pursue careers in research-oriented sectors such as academia or research organizations. A Ph.D. can take four to six years to complete. Ph.D. candidates often must write a dissertation.

A DNP degree, on the other hand, prepares nurses for the highest level of nursing practice in a clinical setting. The degree typically takes two to three years to complete. Most schools require DNP candidates to complete an evidence-based practice project.

Doctorate students enroll in courses that focus on their specialization area, but most programs offer classes that cover common advanced nursing topics. Some of these classes include the following: health policy and advocacy, principles of epidemiology and environmental health, fundamentals of comprehensive care across the lifespan, and intellectual and conceptual foundations of nursing science.

BSN-to-DNP and Ph.D. in nursing programs usually require the completion of at least 60 credits and a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours. Some of these programs award an interim MSN degree, while others move students straight to the doctorate program as soon as they meet the requirements. Nurses with an MSN degree may take fewer classes, depending on the number of credits they can transfer to the doctorate program. Many schools require MSN-to-DNP or Ph.D. students to complete a minimum of 500 clinical work hours.

Online Options

More and more people are looking into ways of studying online. Traditionally, few distance learning programs could accommodate nursing students because of the need for hands-on job training. However, many schools now offer bachelor's and associate degrees that students can complete partly or fully online. Nevertheless, online nursing programs still require some hands-on clinical experience as well, which distance learning students must do in their local community.

Many fully online nursing programs exist for individuals looking into an online RN-to-BSN or an online RN-to-MSN. These online classrooms are primarily designed for those who already work as nurses. Some colleges also offer accelerated programs for individuals who rapidly want to finish coursework. Take note, however, that these programs generally only accept students who have healthcare experience and a high GPA.

Getting Licensed

Each state in the country has a nursing board, which ensures that the public is protected from harm caused by incompetence. The way these boards function can vary. However, they usually perform the following:

Deciding the requirements for individuals to obtain and retain a nursing license. Criteria include initial education, dedication to continuing education, developing competency, and more.

Determining the parameters of nursing practice, especially for each kind of license. Each state has a statute known as the Nurse Practice Act which defines these areas.

Investigating complaints delivered by or about licensees and managing disciplinary actions.

Prerequisites for Studying Towards Becoming An RN

If you want to practice as a registered nurse, you must hold a nursing diploma or associate degree. However, you must also complete certain prerequisites before you can gain acceptance into these programs. These generally depend on the state you are studying in, although some standard requirements exist.

These include:

Minimum scores on the SAT or ACT

A GPA between 2.0 and 3.25

Three years of math subjects, including algebra II and geometry

Three years of science subjects, including chemistry and biology

Four years of English

Two years in any other foreign language

If you want to earn a BSN, then you usually have to make sure that nursing becomes your major once your prerequisite classes have been completed.

Program Accreditation

Program accreditation is an important step in selecting a postsecondary school. Schools must pass rigorous educational standards in order to receive accreditation. The government only provides financial aid for accredited schools, so you must ensure that you attend a properly accredited institution in order to receive government-distributed loans and grants. Furthermore, only if you study through an accredited school can you move on to a postgraduate degree program.

Numerous accrediting bodies assess nursing programs across the country. Generally speaking, however, a school will readily advertise their accreditation. Accreditation can vary between schools, so make sure you check the credentials of each institution. Furthermore, you may benefit from studying with a school that has held accreditation for a long period of time. The two main nursing accrediting bodies at present are:

Nursing schools should also prepare students for the NCLEX. However, NCLEX preparation does not necessarily mean the school has the proper accreditation. Particularly since more and more online programs have appeared, students run the real risk of studying at schools that lack accreditation. Generally, state nursing boards do not approve of or recognize unaccredited institutions. It is slightly possible that you can still take the NCLEX, but you will generally struggle to keep up with continuous education, which means you may struggle to keep your license.

Getting Certified as a Registered Nurse

After completing a nursing program, it will be time to take the NCLEX exam. Graduates must apply for a license from their state board of nursing before taking the NCLEX exam. Each state has different criteria for eligibility, so ensure you meet all the requirements first.

The NCLEX covers the four "categories of needs." These categories have been established nationally and include the following:

1. A care environment that is safe and effective (including infection control)

2. Psychological integrity, which includes coping and adaptation

3. Health maintenance and promotion, which focuses on early intervention and preventing health issues, rather than curing them

4. Physiological integrity, which primarily entails making sure patients are comfortable and properly cared for

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The Cost of Becoming a Nurse

The cost of studying towards becoming an RN depends entirely which degree program you choose. To earn an ADN, which takes two years, expect to pay around $20,000-$52,000 for the full degree. To earn a BSN, which takes four years, expect to pay around $72,000-$104,000. You must also pay for your books, accommodation, travel, and more. However, you can lower your costs significantly by attending public institutions, completing their first two years at a community college, seeking financial aid, and applying for governmental grants.

It is no surprise, therefore, that many choose to go for the associate degree, since it costs much less. However, it also limits career plans and makes it more difficult to later become a nurse practitioner or a midwife. Consequently, many students choose to take a bridge program to go from an RN license to a bachelor's degree.

Scholarships for RNs

A number of nursing scholarships assist those students who are interested in working in the healthcare sector. Nursing education can be incredibly expensive, particularly for some of the more prominent universities. Consequently, there are numerous bursaries and scholarships that exist to help students pay for their degree and enter the profession. This financial aid applies to all types of nursing degrees and medical programs, such as certified midwife or nurse midwife.

Some of the most popular options include:

Working as a Registered Nurse

Registered nurses work in various settings, including physicians' offices, hospitals, home or community healthcare centers, schools, nursing care centers, correctional facilities, and the military. Pay varies depending on location and service time.

According to the BLS, the median wage for RNs was $70,000 in 2017. The lowest 10% of registered nurses reported earning $48,690, while the top 10% of earners brought in a reported $104,100, according to the bureau. Of course, pay is not just about the money. Different employers offer different benefits, including perks like childcare, flexible schedules, bonuses, and educational benefits.

Below is a breakdown of RN salaries by industry in 2017.

Your salary also depends on your working schedule. In hospitals or care homes, for instance, patients need round-the-clock care, which often includes night shifts. Employers may pay more for these late shifts, as well as weekend shifts or holiday shifts. Additionally, nurses often work "on call," which means not at work, but available if called in. Nurses should also receive remuneration for this.

In terms of prospects, the nursing profession boasts one of the fastest growth rates in the U.S. This is due to a number of reasons:

Your salary also depends on your working schedule. In hospitals or care homes, for instance, patients need round-the-clock care, which often includes night shifts. Employers may pay more for these late shifts, as well as weekend shifts or holiday shifts. Additionally, nurses often work "on call," which means not at work, but available if called in. Nurses should also receive remuneration for this.

In terms of prospects, the nursing profession boasts one of the fastest growth rates in the U.S. This is due to a number of reasons:

The population is aging, which means there is growing demand for nursing care.

The population is getting unhealthier, with obesity still on the rise, even in younger people.

Various other health complaints (like diabetes) also require nursing care.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, more people now have access to healthcare.

Hospitals are trying to discharge patients as soon as possible in order to keep costs and to free up bed spaces for acute care. This means that home healthcare has experienced increased demand. Nurses can find more and more jobs in long-term rehabilitation, including with patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Healthcare providers have also experienced tremendous growth in outpatient care, including rehabilitation, same-day chemo, and surgery. An increased number of procedures occur on an outpatient basis, which means that people need more care at home.

Over the coming decade, a high proportion of nurses are expected to retire, adding to the demand for healthcare as they themselves become elderly.

The prospects for nurses clearly look promising. However, some nurses face better prospects than others. BSN-holders, for example, have better job prospects and can earn higher salaries than nurses with an ADN. Furthermore, employers tend to prefer nurses who have extensive work experience. As a result, schools encourage students to take on volunteering work while they study so they can gain experience in healthcare settings.

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Guide to Become A Registered Nurse - 2019 NurseJournal.org

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Registered Nurse Resource - Everything You Need To Know Before You Become A Registered Nurse In order to become a registered nurse (RN), candidates usually need a bachelor’s or associate degree in nursing though some students choose to earn … Read More

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1. Florence Nightingale

Founder of Modern Nursing (1820 to 1920) The history of modern nursing started in 1849, when Florence Nightingale began her first formal nursing training at the Institute of St. Vincent de Paul, in Alexandria, Egypt. After further trainings in Germany and in France, she voluntarily served as Superintendent at the Establishment for Gentlewomen during Illness in London. The knowledge and skills Nightingale gained from these experiences equipped her to take the challenges in tending to the British military victims when the Crimean War broke out on 1854.

The British medical facilities were in dire need of improved sanitary conditions when Florence Nightingale and 38 nurses entered the military hospitals in Scutari. Wounded and sick soldiers had to share with vermin and go through unhygienic operations, resulting to cholera and typhus epidemic, as well as quick spread of other diseases. Mortality in military hospitals was 7 times higher than in the actual battlefields, but dropped with Nightingale's help. She introduced multiple sanitary items such as surgical caps. Using her mathematical competency, Nightingale collected data and made calculations on mortality rate change as sanitary methods were incorporated in the medical facilities, and soon pressed in all British military hospitals. The statistical data she used, the coxcombs as called by her, is now known as Polar Area Diagram

2. Clara Barton

Founder of American Red Cross (1821 to 1912) Clarissa Harlowe Barton was a teacher when her feet directed her to tread the more risky life of bringing supplies right in heart of battlefields during the American Civil War, wherein she was rightfully known as the Angel of the Battlefield. Clara's nursing journey and philanthropic life dawned amid the dark Baltimore riots, organizing relief program for the soldiers. The need for medical supplies was huge and advertising for donations greatly helped. Not long after successful relief operation, Clara Barton travelled with army ambulances to distribute supplies, nurse victims, give them comfort, and even cook for them. She also helped locate missing men and notify families of their status; an activity that ushered the Red Cross tracing services to the humanitarian scene.

The job for Clara Barton in the American Civil War unfolded as a long start for an even longer humanitarian service, this time serving not just to warzone victims but also to the disaster victims as the American Red Cross advances to becoming a reality. Soon after the establishment of the organization, relief efforts will have to be brought outside the soil of the United States, seeing no differences of colors and races at all. This also led to the expansion of International Red Cross relief efforts, covering victims of natural disasters, called the American Amendment. They were just adamant of carrying nurse kits with them all the time to be of any help whenever required.

Barton served the American Red Cross until 1904, and established National First Aid Association of America, wherein she was honorary president for 5 years. And in the 12th of April, 1912, Clarissa Harlowe Barton died.

3. Mary Breckinridge

Founder of the New Model of Rural Health Care & Frontier Nursing Service (1881 to 1965) Mary Breckinridge came from an influential family and enjoyed a privileged childhood. Unfortunately, though, her 2 own children did not endure childhood. This was the most notable accounts of Mary Breckinridge that are associated with her decision to dedicate her life in improving health of poor women and children in rural areas of America.

Breckinridge became a registered nurse 1910 at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in New York, worked as public health nurse in Boston and Washington D.C., served as nurse during World War I in France through the American Red Cross, and furthered her study at Columbia University after WWI. She then focused on the poor areas in Kentucky, where she's rooted. She looked into the health status of those living in inaccessible areas with no physicians. Mary found high maternal mortality due to lack of prenatal care, having many children, and no trained mid-wives. These problems brought her to London to become nurse-midwife, and came to Scotland to learn effective community midwifery system for the poor.

After equipping herself for the challenging nurse-midwife job to the rural America, Mary Breckinridge began serving in Kentucky in 1925, wherein she introduced the new system of rural health care. In that same year, she established Frontier Nursing Service, providing care for low service fee. With the latest nursing supplies of that time, she helped provide best medical care to individuals. In areas covered, maternal and neonatal mortality rates significantly dropped. FNS is still serving mothers and children down to this very day.

4. Dorothea Dix

Brain of First Mental Asylum in the U.S. (1802 to 1887) Dorothea Lynde Dix was not an excellent nurse in the very sense of nursing. However, the reputation as a famous nurse was earned by her fearless fight for the right of the mentally ill in front of Massachusetts legislators and of the United States Congress. Dix found herself in this battle due to her passion for teaching. She saw with her own eyes the dismal conditions of the mentally disabled people when she entered the East Cambridge Jail to teach Sunday class for women inmates on March 1842. Dix immediately brought the matter to courts, wherein she won many battles using careful and extensive data of extreme conditions in jails and almshouses, getting these poor individuals improved states.

Dorothea Dix continued to win support, enabling her to acquire funds set to provide the insane more humane conditions. But when she brought her advocacy to the national scene, President Franklin Pierce vetoed her almost successful effort to get a facility of 5 million acres for the people with mental disability, which was already approved by both houses of the United States Congress. This failure never stopped Dix from speaking for the disadvantaged. Even with a frail health condition, due to tuberculosis, she pushed the same efforts to different countries in Europe. She made notable changes in the way insanity was treated in the European soil in just 2 years. With high quality scissors and hosiery, Dorothea Dix made a remarkable impact in the nursing field.

On her return to the U.S. on 1854, Dix carried on with what she left behind. However, when the civil war broke, she had to devote her time as Superintendent of Union Army Nurses. And in 1881, the Trenton state hospital, in New Jersey, was built through her efforts. Her remaining years were spent there until she died on the 17th of July, 1887. The first advocate died, but the benefits of her efforts reached even the mentally ill of this day.

5. Margaret Sanger

Founder of Planned Parenthood (1879 to 1966) Margaret Louise Higgins blamed the premature death of her mother to the frequent pregnancy, the result of what she viewed as grim class and family heritage. Nursing became her door to liberation from this big family tradition. As she worked as a visiting nurse, Margaret, who was then married to William Sanger and a mother of 3, became attracted to women's pain of frequent childbirth, miscarriage, and abortion. She sought to liberate these women from the unwanted pregnancy by advocating for the practice of birth control.

Margaret Sanger wrote about education and women's health, aiming to teach people that access to accurate and effective birth control is actually a right, particularly of the working women. However, the conservative American society considered this effort obscene. She had to flee to England due to her radical advocacy, which she promoted through Family Limitation and The Woman Rebel, her writings of explicit instructions of various contraceptive methods. While in Europe, she broadened her arguments with the social and economic impacts of pregnancy.

Margaret Sanger returned to the U.S. to face charges against her, but also with the goal to win public support. She endured prosecution and arrests, but worked even more in a nationwide scale to promote birth control. In 1916, she opened the very first birth control clinic in America. However, Sanger and her staff were arrested, and the government gave the physicians the right to disseminate contraception information only for medical reasons. Sanger used this to legally open doctor-run birth control clinic Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau, all staffed with women medical personnel. In 1921, Sanger sought support from the medical profession and backed her advocacy with clinical advantages. 8 years later, she lobbied for birth control legislation and failed. In 1928, she resigned as president of American Birth Control League, and journeyed to Asia and Europe to further her advocacy. She also helped found the International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1952, which happened after World War II, wherein the growing population became alarming.

Sanger continued to support researches for simpler, cheaper, and more effective contraceptives. In the 1965, birth control pills finally became available. And in 1965, the Supreme Court made birth control legal for married couples.

6. Elizabeth Grace Neill

Started the System of Nursing Registration (1846 to 1926) Elizabeth Grace Campbell Neil received her nursing education at the St. John's House Sisterhood in London. She spent her early nursing career as lady superintendent at the Pendlebury Hospital for Children in Manchester, where Ms. Campbell met her husband Channing Neil. She left England for Australia in 1886, and then, treaded a life of a journalist and various government commissions for almost 10 years in New Zealand beginning 1891. She was a determined nurse with a stethoscope on her neck at all times.

Neil was back in health care upon the establishment of the New Zealand's Department of Health, creating a nursing service. 1901 came, and Neil got the privilege of helping draft a bill aimed to protect the public from nursing malpractice for New Zealand Parliament, one that became the world's first Nurses' Registration Act. Soon after, the Midwives' Registration Act was passed and Neil was given the task of setting up the very first state maternity hospital, the St. Helen's Hospital, which opened in 1905 and followed by 3 more in a span of 2 years.

Elizabeth Grace Neil's thorough knowledge of the technicalities of nursing profession made her a crucial personality in the international nursing politics. But on 1906, she fell ill and was forced to step down from her active involvement in the British Matron's Council. And on August 18, 1926, Elizabeth Grace Neil passed away.

THE CHALLENGERS OF RACIAL PREJUDICE

7. Mary Eliza Mahoney

First Registered African American Nurse (1845 to 1926) At her teens, Mary Eliza Mahoney began having interest in nursing. That interest led her to New England Hospital for women and children, working as cook, janitress, and laundry woman for 15 years. She also served as an unofficial nursing aid, which became a very significant step in her journey of becoming a professional nurse. In 1879, she was finally admitted into the hospital's nursing school, and was one of the only 3 nursing students who made it through the rigorous study and training. From then on, black students were accepted for professional training, a notable change of blacks' status in the nursing field.

Mary also intended to introduce proper nursing kits along with medical sleeves and other supplies for the betterment of the nursing industry.

Mahoney officially registered in the Nurses Directory at the Massachusetts Medical Library after graduating. She then embarked in private practice, providing care for patients in the New England area. But becoming a nurse and being able to practice were just parts of Mahoney's journey against racial discrimination. Mary Eliza Mahoney joined the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada, which is now known as American Nurses Association. The discrimination in the association moved Mahoney to co-find the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.

The NACGN became Mahoney's instrument in improving status of black nurses in the profession nationwide. She also devoted her life to the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black Children as director and national chaplain. In 1922, Mahoney retired from NACGN, but continued to be active in its activities until she succumbed to breast cancer on January 4, 1926. The NACGN created Mary Mahoney Award in 1936. Until now, the award is given to black nurses who showed similar achievements as Mahoney with regards to intergroup relations and contributions to improving African-American nurses' status in the profession. Mahoney was inducted into ANA's Hall of Fame as well as into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1976 and 1993, respectively.

9. Susie King Taylor

First African-American U.S. Army Nurse in Civil War - (1848 to 1912) Susie Baker King Taylor, daughter of slaves, was freed by their owner Mr. Grest by sending her to her grandmother Dolly Reed in Savannah. While with her grandmother, Susie learned how to read and write with the help of some friends. When Civil War broke, Susie, who was then 14 years old, fled to St. Simons Island with her uncle. They were taken under the custody of Union Forces that was then enlisting black soldiers for a new regiment. She was assigned as laundrywoman, but within days became teacher to freed African-American students through the help of some soldiers as well.

From being a laundrywoman and teacher, King also became a nurse, tending to the colored soldiers that have been fighting for freedom along their side. The memoirs of her life can be read in the Reminiscences, the story of her experiences in camp with the 33rd United States Colored Troops, which she wrote and published in 1902. Ten years after publishing her memoirs, Susie King Taylor died at the age of 64.

CHAMPIONS OF MODERN NURSING

14. Christiane Reimann

International Council of Nurses' First Full Time Executive Secretary (1887 to 1979) The prestigious Christiane Reimann Prize, which has been awarded to just a very few achievers in the nursing field yet, was named after her. Christiane Reimann was a Danish born woman who received her nursing degree at the Copenhagen's Bispebjerg Hospital in 1916. And in 1925, only 9 years later, she became the very first paid full time executive secretary of the International Council of Nurses.

Christiane Reimann was an accomplished nurse, who unselfishly tapped from her own funds to further ICN's goals. Not only did she generously shared monetary funds to the ICN, but also served as the brain behind many key ICN programs, among which is the council's official journal International Nursing Review. Reimann also spent her energy travelling the world to seek more national nurses' associations to join the international council, and enable the principles of ICN to be integrated in nursing practice in different countries. The fruitages of her efforts were priceless. It stimulated many of the countries she visited to establish educational programs for nurses. Others having no NNA yet, like China, were motivated to build their own.

Reiman served as ICN's executive secretary until 1934, and spent the rest of her years in this world living a much simpler life at her farm in Syracuse, Italy. And on 1979, Christiane Reimann faced death at the age of 92.

18. Sarah Emma Edmonds

The male nurse (1841 to 1898) Being male was not a dream for Sarah Emma Edmondson, but a life she had to live since childhood to escape mistreatment from her father and to be able to serve her adopted country, the United States of America. Emma left New Brunswick, her homeland, to flee her abusive father who wanted a son, not a daughter. She was in New England, when she answered the call for Union enlisters. After four tries, Emma succeeded to enter the Union Army as Private Franklin Flint Thompson, a male nurse in the Civil War.

Franklin Thompson began serving at the hospital unit of the 2nd Michigan Volunteers on April 25, 1861. Emma had no problem maintaining masculine masquerade since she's been doing it almost all her life already. But with the death of James Vesey, a friend back in Canada, on patrol, and the need of intelligence agent for McClellan changed Emma's life forever. She volunteered and impressed the staff with all the things she gained knowledge of by herself about weaponry, tactics, local geography and military personalities. Even without any military experience, Frank (Emma) got the position as spy of the Union Army.

Emma crossed the enemy lines as a black man named Cuff, with her skin tainted with silver nitrate and head with a black minstrel wig. She again infiltrated the Confederate lines as Bridget O'Shea, an Irish peddler woman. She also spied as a mammy, complete with dark color and bandanna. Emma also became Charles Mayberry, a young man, to identify Southern spy network. These and all 11 missions as spy, Frank Thompson succeeded. But malaria forced her off the camp to keep her identity from being revealed while seeking treatment. However, after recovery from a hospital in Cairo, Illinois, when she was again ready to carry on her duty as Frank Thompson, the Union Army has declared her male identity as a deserter.

There were no more secret missions for Frank Thompson, so she went back to Washington and worked as a nurse until the end of the Civil War. Sarah Emma Edmondson a.k.a. Private Frank Thompson shared her adventures and experiences in her book, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, which became best selling. She headed home to Canada and became Mrs. Emma Seelye. Emma petitioned to clear her name from being a deserter in the Civil War, and on July 5, 1893, granted honorable discharge from the army, along with monthly veteran's pension. Emma Edmonds Frank, died honorably on September 5, 1898.

22. Louisa May Alcott

Civil War Nurse, Writer & Poet (1832 - 1888) Louisa May Alcott's service as a nurse during the Civil War was short-lived, only on a winter month between 1862 and 1863. She served at the Union Hotel Hospital in Georgetown, Virginia. However, while in the nursing service, Alcott contracted typhoid pneumonia and forced to go back home to regain good health. She suffered permanent health damage because of the fever and of the calomel dose or mercurous chloride, causing recovery to become long and gradual.

Alcott's nursing career was not as bold as that of other Civil War heroic nurses to be able to be lined among the famous nurses list. However, her experience as nurse, which she wrote in her book Hospital Sketches, published in 1863, made her extremely popular. Moods and Scenes from Dickens were also published, the latter completed to benefit the Sanitary Commission. Alcott became well known through her literary pieces, published more than 30 different books and collections of stories. On March 6, 1888, Louisa May Alcott passed away.

23. Diane Carlson Evans

Vietnam War Nurse & Founder and President of Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation (1946 to Present) Diane Carlson Evans served as surgical nurse in the surgical and burnt unit of the 36th Evacuation Hospital in Vung Tau and in the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku. Before she treaded the risky life of a combat nurse, she was equipped with knowledge of nursing school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduation, Evans readily joined the Army Nurse Corps. At 21, she was sent to the Vietnam War and served there for 1 year.

Diane Carlson Evans fought for the honor of the women who bravely battled side by side with male soldiers in Vietnam War era. It took 7 years of lobbying before the congress, convincing the legislators to recognize the immense value of 11,000 military women to Vietnam and the 265,000 others in service during the war. In November 11, 1993, the Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated. Many American Veterans continue to support the foundation, wherein Evans still actively serves as president.

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25 Famous Nurses - Past to Present World's Popular Nurse Professionals

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Founder of Modern Nursing (1820 to 1920) The history of modern nursing started in 1849, when Florence Nightingale began her first formal nursing training at the Institute of St. Vincent de Paul, in Alexandria, Egypt. After further trainings in Germany and in France, she voluntarily served as Superintendent at the Establishment for Gentlewomen during Illness in London.