Registered Nurse: A High-Paying Career in High Demand

If you're looking for a career with high pay and that is in high demand, maybe you should consider becoming a registered nurse. Jobs in health care are one of the fastest growing career paths in the United States today. Registered nurses are in high demand in all parts of the country, and medical facilities are willing to pay trained professionals well.

The salary for a registered nurse (or RN) is relatively high, ranging from $54,000 a year to $65,000, and in some instances even higher. The median salary for RN's is almost $60,000 per year. RN's are highly sought after in every state in the U.S., and overseas as well. And the demand for nursing will only grow, as the baby boomer population begins retiring in large numbers. Most employers who hire nurses also provide health insurance and other benefits to their employees.

Nursing programs can be found in almost any university, and many community colleges around the country. The minimum educational requirements to become a registered nurse are a two-year associates degree and passing a licensing exam. Registered nurses must take a written licensing exam for each state they will be practicing nursing in.

There is also advancement opportunities in the field of nursing. A registered nurse can also earn from a bachelor's (BSN), which usually takes four to five years of study, and on up to a doctorate. A higher degree is usually need for the higher paying supervisory or case management jobs.

Registered nurses perform many tasks related to patient care. They administer medications, start I.V.'s, perform injections, and can be in charge of overall patient care. They may also supervise other hospital and medical staff in the performance of their duties. An RN may also provide information and education to patients int he different facilities where they work.

An RN might special in certain specific areas of the nursing field as well. A nurse might specialize in oncology (cancer) patients, heart or AIDS patients, psychiatric nursing, anesthetics, or any of a number of nursing specialties. A registered nurse can also specialize in pediatrics or geriatrics.

Registered nurses can find jobs in hospitals, public health facilities, nursing homes or long term care, home health care, visiting nurse agencies, or even the military. Nursing jobs can also be found in public and private clinics, schools and colleges, doctors offices, and almost any type of health agency.

If you are looking for a good paying career with short term schooling, advancement opportunities, a high demand for your services, and the ability to help others, then you might want to think about a career as a registered nurse.