RN
Registered Nurse (RN)
Career Description:
- The largest group of staff in any hospital
- Primary providers of patient care
- Use caring, compassion, and technology in promoting health, preventing diseases, and helping patients to cope with illnesses
- Work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals and serve as advocates for patients and families
- Perform assessments, diagnose patients, make care plans, implement nursing care plans, and evaluate patient progress
- May also participate during surgeries, treatments and examinations
- Track and record patient progress and work with other members of the health care team to alter treatment plans accordingly
Work Environment:
- Hospitals; physician offices
- Nursing care facilities; home health (patient homes)
- Public health (government and private agencies, clinics, schools, retirement communities, and other community settings); occupational health (various worksites)
Working Conditions:
- Varied shifts and scheduling options based on work environment; generally requires some evening, night, weekend and holiday work; can work full or part-time
- High level of social contact: work closely with patients, families, doctors, and other healthcare professionals
- Exposed to diseases and infections; wear protective equipment and attire as needed including rubber gloves, masks, gowns, goggles, etc.
- Usually wear uniforms, scrubs or lab coats
Job Outlook:
- Registered nursing is one of ten (10) occupations projected to add the most new jobs in the U.S. between 2004-2014; 703,000 new jobs expected between 2004-2014
- Over 2.4 million RNs employed in U.S.; over 75,000 work in Massachusetts
- 1.2 million job openings expected nationally between 2004-2014 (new and replacement positions); 29% growth rate
- 2270 open RN positions predicted annually in MA through 2008; average growth rate expected through 2012
- The most rapid employment growth for nurses will be in hospital outpatient facilities, such as those providing same-day surgery, rehabilitation and chemotherapy; there will also be a high demand for nurses in home care
Career Advancement:
- RNs with a BS degree have more opportunities for advancement
- With experience, RNs can advance to management positions; most require advanced education such as a masters degree in nursing or healthcare administration
- MS prepared nurses may become clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists
- Other career options open to nurses with advanced degrees include research and teaching at colleges and universities; With an MS degree, nurses can teach in ADN programs; PhD, EdD or DNS degrees are required to teach in four year programs.
- There are also career opportunities for RNs in business and industry
Earnings:
- Nationally, the median wage for RNs is $4,250 per month or $51,000 annually.
- Half of all RNs earn between $3,520 and $5,100 per month or $42,240 and $61,200 annually
- In 2005 the average salary range for RNs in Massachusetts was $47,444- $81,660
Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.
Education/Training Required:
- All nursing students must graduate form an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing exam
- In Massachusetts, there are two types of nursing programs: Associated Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- 2-year ADN programs are offered at community colleges; 4-year BSN programs are offered at colleges and universities
- While both ADN and BSN programs meet the requirements for graduates to take the national licensure exam (RN), the BSN allows greater flexibility and upward mobility. Some career paths are only open to BSNs, and a growing number of large, academic hospitals require the BSN as a minimum standard for employment.
Licensure:
- All nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
- All states, including Massachusetts, require RNs to be licensed
- Advanced practice nurses require additional licensing
Prerequisite Educational Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Solid academic record in English, algebra, the sciences and computer literacy helpful
- More specific entrance requirements will be defined by individual college program admissions materials
Is this career for you?
- Can you pass college level science and math courses?
- Are you compassionate?
- Do you have the desire to help people?
- Can you maintain a calm demeanor and respond quickly in urgent and stressful situations?
- Are you willing to care for patients during difficult situations?
- Are you interested in “lifetime learning”?
For more detailed information on this career, please visit:
Schools:
Nursing Programs in Massachusetts
