Registered Nurse

Career Description

Registered nurses (R.N.) care for patients and promote their physical, mental and social well-being. The duties performed by registered nurses include monitoring patient status and progress, assisting physicians in care and rehabilitation, administering medication and advising patients and their families on preventive health care measures. The title of registered nurse encompasses numerous specialties. For registered nurses seeking advanced practice, opportunities also are available to become a certiﬁed nurse midwife (CNM), certiﬁed registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (N.P.).

Annual Salary

Entry: $40,477	Mean: $50,107	Experienced: $60,632
Source: Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council, 2006 Salary Data

Hourly Wage

Entry: $19.46	Mean: $24.09	Experienced: $29.15
Source: Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council, 2006 Salary Data

Academic Requirements

Becoming a licensed registered nurse requires graduation from an accredited nursing school and the successful completion of a national licensing examination. Some schools award either a diploma or a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN). Associate’s programs last two years and generally are offered by community or junior colleges. Diploma programs offered by hospitals last two to three years, and bachelor’s programs offered at colleges and universities last four to ﬁve years.