OVERVIEW
What is a Registered Nurse?
Registered nurses carry the healthcare system. They work directly under the direction of lead doctors and enable doctors to care for more patients.
A registered nurse (also called RN) is an individual who has a nursing diploma and has passed the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Nurses undergo intense education to ensure they understand the best health practices and know the best care for their patients.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are over 3.8 million RNs in the United States. Nearly 58% of RNs work in general medicine and surgical hospitals. They also work in private practices, clinics, military hospitals, and healthcare research.
The AACN also reports that there are nearly three times as many RNs than physicians in the United States. Because there are three nurses per doctor, nurses perform a majority of services within healthcare.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
Registered nurses carry the healthcare system. They work directly under the direction of lead doctors and enable doctors to care for more patients.
A registered nurse (also called RN) is an individual who has a nursing diploma and has passed the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Nurses undergo intense education to ensure they understand the best health practices and know the best care for their patients.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are over 3.8 million RNs in the United States. Nearly 58% of RNs work in general medicine and surgical hospitals. They also work in private practices, clinics, military hospitals, and healthcare research.
The AACN also reports that there are nearly three times as many RNs than physicians in the United States. Because there are three nurses per doctor, nurses perform a majority of services within healthcare.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Registered Nurse?
Registered nurses have three education options: a nursing diploma, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nurses who choose to get a diploma or associate degree will be qualified to become RNs after taking the NCLEX exam. However, nurses with a diploma or associate degree are less competitive candidates than those who choose to graduate from a bachelor’s degree program. It is increasingly common for hospitals and other employers to state “BSN preferred” on job postings, or even to require diploma or ADN nurses to earn their BSN within a certain amount of time after being hired. Nationally, there is a growing shift to make the BSN degree the standard for RNs, and many states and employers are moving toward adopting this, making it important for prospective nurses to consider attaining their BSN as part of their journey to nurse certification.
Current RNs without a bachelor’s degree can expand their careers by taking an RN to BSN program. RN to BSN programs are designed for registered nurses who want to progress further in their careers.
After earning your diploma or degree, there are additional steps to becoming a licensed nurse. Different states will have unique requirements for registered nurses, so it’s important to research the requirements in your state. In general, however, nurses must meet the following requirements:
- Obtain their education. Nursing candidates will need to find a diploma program, associate degree program, or BSN program that meets the requirements of their states. In their program they will learn vital skills and gain experience in nursing.
- Complete clinical hours. In order to be prepared for the rigors of being an RN, nurses must gain experience with patients in hospitals and other settings. These clinical hours are vital to success in nursing.
- Pass the NCLEX exam. All RNs must take the NCLEX exam offered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The test is offered to entry-level nurses.
- RN licensure. Each state requires nurses to get an RN license in their state. Most states have their own Board of Nursing. For example, RNs in Alabama are licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who plan to travel from state to state can earn an NLC, which is a multi-state nursing license. The NCSBN provides information on which states accept the NLC.
You should also check with your state board to ensure that you’re receiving the proper certifications and licenses to practice in your state.
Best Degrees for a Registered Nurse
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
How Much Does a Registered Nurse Make?
$81,220
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earn an average of $81,220 per year, or $39.05 per hour. Yearly wages vary depending on location, field, and years of experience.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
6%
Nurses are always in high demand. The BLS anticipates a 6% growth between the 2022 to 2032 period alone. As the U.S. population continues to age, there will be more health conditions related to age, such as arthritis, dementia, diabetes, and obesity.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Registered Nurse Need?
Registered nurses are hardworking and dedicated individuals. Many have on-call positions and work extended shifts to meet the needs of their hospitals. RNs needs to have the following skills if they want to excel in their positions:
- Stress management. RNs work long hours in stressful situations. ER nurses must maintain constant vigilance while controlling their stress levels, even while working amid a constant emergency.
- Organizational skills. In some settings, there are six patients per nurse. To ensure that all patients are getting the help they need, nurses must be able to keep their schedules organized.
- Critical Thinking. RNs must be able to be responsible in their care and precision.
- Communication skills. A large part of a nurse’s job is communication. They must be able to communicate with doctors and other nurses as well as their patients.
- Alertness and observance. A mandatory requirement for nurses is to stay alert and observant. If a nurse delays or panics, the patient’s life could be endangered.
- Physical and mental endurance. Nurses without physical and mental endurance may experience “nurse burnout” from working long shifts with understaffed teams.
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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