What Is Registered Nursing and What Do RNs Do
Registered nursing is a licensed healthcare profession focused on patient care, coordination, and health education. RNs assess patients, administer medications, operate medical equipment, and collaborate with physicians and specialists. They work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed occupational profiles for registered nurses, including core duties and work environments BLS Registered Nurse Overview.
RNs hold either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or an approved nursing diploma, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners, require additional graduate education and certification. Nursing specialties include medical-surgical, critical care, pediatrics, oncology, and informatics. Industry reports highlight growing demand for RNs in outpatient care centers and ambulatory surgery settings Forbes on Nursing Demand.
Registered Nursing Education, Licensing, and Career Outlook
Education Pathways and Accreditation
Prelicensure programs include ADN, BSN, and accelerated BSN tracks approved by state boards of nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Clinical rotations in hospitals and community health sites are mandatory. Curriculum covers anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and patient safety. Many employers prefer or require a BSN for leadership and specialty roles.
Licensing, Certification, and Continuing Education
Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and meet state-specific requirements for licensure. Specialty certifications from organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center validate expertise in areas like critical care and gerontology. Continuing education units are required for license renewal, and regulatory bodies publish annual compliance data NCSBN NCLEX-RN Information.
Registered Nursing Salary, Employment Data, and Industry Trends
The median annual wage for registered nurses was reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with employment projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the next decade. Hospitals remain the largest employer, while outpatient care and home health services show strong job growth. Geographic demand varies by state, with some regions reporting nurse shortages and competitive compensation packages BLS Wage and Employment Data for RNs.
Healthcare systems and large providers such as major hospital networks and integrated delivery systems invest in workforce planning, tuition reimbursement, and residency programs to attract RNs. Labor market analytics and SEC filings from hospital companies highlight nursing labor costs and staffing strategies. Industry rankings and workforce reports help employers benchmark compensation and retention efforts SEC EDGAR Company Filings.