Registered Nurse (RN) Career Resource Center
Your guide to registered nursing careers, schools and degrees.
Registered nurses (RNs) belong to one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. The nursing shortage and the increasing number of older Americans have played key roles in the high demand for qualified registered nurses, making now a perfect time to join the booming profession.
A registered nursing education can be completed in two to four years—and sometimes in as little as one year, in the case of an accelerated BSN degree—making the profession not only opportunity-filled, but also an excellent choice for an expedited education with good salary potential and a variety of of career settings—from long-term care facilities to RN travel and military settings.
If you are considering a registered nursing career, take a closer look at what life as an RN involves, the skills you need to succeed in a registered nursing job, and your choices in registered nursing schools.
Registered Nurse Degree and Career Overview
Learn why registered nurses make up the majority of the health care industry and why the diversity of the registered nursing career opens many professional doors. Learn more about why today is a good time to invest in a registered nursing education and get a registered nurse career overview in addition to RN salary, career outlook and education information. Get the answers you need to become a registered nurse today.
Registered Nursing Schools and Training Programs
Learn some important questions you need to ask registered nursing schools, such as whether the school assists in work placement or whether the school documents your course hours—two things that will save you both time and money when looking to find a job. Learn about the different types of RN school and education options, from BSN, RN-to-BSN and diploma nursing degree options. Also learn which types of courses you can expect in registered nursing school, as well as, the importance of an accredited RN school education.
Registered Nurse Career Paths
Discover the different types of registered nurse (RN) career settings and what to expect from each setting, whether you're working in a hospital, in home health services, in physician's offices or as a travel or military nurse. Discover which RN career path is right for you!
Learn About RN Jobs
Registered nursing is a versatile career, but there are some everyday tasks and skills needed in every RN setting. Learn about the ideal RN skill set and the everyday tasks you can expect to discover whether a registered nurse (RN) job is right for you.
Registered Nursing Career Question and Answer
This registered nursing question and answer session will help you learn what you you need to do to become a registered nurse before you select or attend nursing school. Knowing about your state's licensing requirements, your nursing degree options, and your anticipated time to completion can help save you both education time and money.
Registered Nurse Career Opportunities
An increasing number of aging baby boomers need medical care, but a third of the aging nursing workforce is preparing to retire and there are not enough nurses to replace them. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of 213,500 RNs in 2010. Read more about registered nursing career opportunities.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010
Registered Nurse (RN) Education Resources
RN Career & Degree Information
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Degree and Career Overview - RN Schools
and Training Programs - Registered Nurse Career Paths
- RN Salaries and Career Outlook
- RN Jobs: Everyday Tasks
- Registered Nursing Career Q&A
- Registered Nurse Opportunities
- State Boards of Nursing
Related RN Articles
QUICK LINKS
Nursing School Listings
Browse our directory of top accredited nursing school programs and nursing degrees.
Find a Nursing School
A complete listing of nursing schools in the U.S. to help you locate nursing schools that might interest you. Search for nursing schools by location or by nursing program such as pediatric nursing or forensic nursing.
Types of Nursing Programs
Read about the different types of nursing programs to learn what school program may be right for you.
"A nurse will always give us hope, an angel with a stethoscope."
~Carrie Latet
"The most important practical lesson than can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe."
~Florence Nightingale