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College & Career - Mt. Edgecumbe Library

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College & Career - Mt. Edgecumbe Library

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College & Career - Mt. Edgecumbe Library

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Don't miss these valuable forms. The Common Application is accepted by a growing number of institutions. FAFSA is required for most college aid applications if you are seeking aid. The PROFILE OnLine is used in addition to the FAFSA by scholarship services and a number of private schools.

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Junior YR Anatomy&Physiology class along with ETT & Senior YR CNA.

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Registered Nurses : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Registered Nurses : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Summary

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

Quick Facts: Registered Nurses
2020 Median Pay

$75,330 per year
$36.22 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 $75,330 in May 2020.

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 194,500 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.

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 2020. The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private

61%

Ambulatory healthcare services

18

Nursing and residential care facilities

6

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 social and behavioral sciences. Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs, like programs in some other healthcare and related fields, typically take 4 years to complete; associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and associate of science in nursing (ASN) degrees also typically take 4 years to complete. Diploma programs, usually offered by hospitals or medical centers, typically take 2 to 3 years to complete. There are far fewer diploma programs than there are BSN, ADN, and ASN programs. All programs include supervised clinical experience.

In addition to science courses, bachelor's degree programs usually include education in 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 2020

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $75,330 in May 2020. 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 $53,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $116,230.

In May 2020, the median annual wages for registered nurses in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government

$84,490

Hospitals; state, local, and private

76,840

Ambulatory healthcare services

72,340

Nursing and residential care facilities

68,450

Educational services; state, local, and private

64,630

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 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 194,500 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.

Employment

Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people. Nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as 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 or other types of care facilities 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.

Employment growth is also projected to be much 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, because many older people prefer to be treated at home or in residential care facilities, registered nurses will be in demand in those settings.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2020

Projected Employment, 2030

Change, 2020-30

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Registered nurses

29-1141

3,080,100

3,356,800

9

276,800
Get data

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 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 OEWS 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

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Y_2fpET0U. Quick Facts: Registered Nurses 2020 Median Pay $75,330 per year $36.22 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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Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.

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Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.

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Join the National Guard, and do my weekend duty in senior year and then in the summer I will serve my 2wks.

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I can ask an airman and this page covers up mostly what I would like to know
I can also ask an army guard about other info whenever they came into campus.

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I will do the 1 weekend service during my senior year and then after I graduate in the summer time I will serve 2 weeks to see what it will mostly be like.

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I will talk to a recruiter and ask for any questions or advice.

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​The Alaska Army National Guard began before statehood with the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG). The ATG was formed in 1942 in direct response to the invasion of several Aleutian Islands by Japan. The ATG was made up of diverse indigenous peoples and the immigrant population of the territory of Alaska.

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I will learn more about this career and I will start talking to a recruiter about what it will be like and how it affects their life.

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I will join a college and get my associates degree

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I can watch videos of the "guard life" on their webpages and I can ask people who have had experience.

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My senior year I will do the 1weekend service and also see what it will be like to be an Airman also.