What Is a Registered Nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed healthcare professional who provides patient care, coordinates treatment plans, and educates patients and the public about health conditions. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health settings. The role requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting state-specific licensing requirements set by boards of nursing.
The meaning of registered nurse extends beyond clinical tasks. RNs assess patient health, administer medications, operate medical equipment, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers. They also supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing is one of the largest healthcare occupations, with strong demand driven by aging populations and chronic disease management.
Registered Nurse Duties and Specializations
Core duties include monitoring patient vital signs, documenting medical histories, performing diagnostic tests, and developing nursing care plans. RNs also manage patient records, ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams. Many RNs pursue additional certifications in areas such as critical care, oncology, pediatrics, or informatics.
Common Specializations
Specializations include emergency room nursing, perioperative nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, and nurse anesthesia. Advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioners require graduate-level education and additional certification. Hospitals and health systems like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic often structure RN roles around specific clinical pathways and patient populations.
Registered Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent earned more than $129,480. Employment of RNs is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 193,100 openings per year.
Factors influencing salary include experience, specialty, education level, and geographic location. States such as California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts offer higher median wages. Healthcare systems and insurers increasingly use data-driven staffing models, and organizations like UnitedHealth Group and HCA Healthcare invest in workforce analytics to optimize RN deployment and patient outcomes.