Pros and Cons of a Career in Registered Nursing
Registered nurses (RNs) treat patients, provide advice and help develop comprehensive treatment plans. Learn more about the pros and cons of a registered nursing career to decide if it's right for you.
| PROS of RN Careers |
|---|
| Excellent career opportunities (19% job growth from 2012-2022)* |
| Opportunity to make a positive difference in patients' lives* |
| Variety of educational options * |
| More than a dozen RN specializations** |
| Largest occupation in the healthcare industry (2.6 million jobs as of 2014)* |
| CONS of RN Careers |
|---|
| Licensure and continuing education requirements* |
| Potentially stressful working conditions* |
| Work nights, weekends and holidays* |
| Exposure to potentially hazardous diseases and chemicals* |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Essential Career Information
Job Description
Most RNs work alongside other healthcare professionals to provide patient care. Some nurses specialize in working with families, children or the elderly. Others work in emergency rooms or intensive care units. RNs may also assist physicians with surgeries or conduct tests to help treat cancer patients. In some instances, RNs may have little direct patient contact.
According to the BLS, about 29% of RNs worked in hospitals as of 2014; others worked in long-term care facilities, in doctor's offices or outpatient centers. RNs regularly have the opportunity to travel.
Salary Information and Career Outlook
As of May 2014, RNs earned a median salary of about $66,000; the top 10% of RNs earned roughly $98,000, reports the BLS. Approximately 526,800 new jobs are expected for RNs between 2012 and 2022.
There's a high turnover rate in hospitals, so some facilities offer extra benefits, such as signing bonuses, to lure top talent. Roughly one-fifth of RNs are part-time employees, so there is some job flexibility built into this career.
What Are the Requirements?
There are a variety of ways to gain the education needed to become an RN. Students who have no experience and want quick access to the field may complete two-year Associate of Science in Nursing programs. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can complete one-year LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs to shorten their educational paths. According to the BLS, many RNs eventually pursue a BSN. All programs typically require some combination of classroom and clinic-based learning.
Licensing Information
All RNs need to be licensed by their state to legally practice nursing. After completing a postsecondary program, graduates need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once licensed, RNs fulfill continuing education requirements every few years in order to maintain licensure. RNs must be willing to continually expand and update their knowledge of the healthcare field.
What Are Employers Seeking?
RNs are part of an in-demand industry, so opportunities should be plentiful for those who are licensed. Still, experience is required or preferred in many positions. Training or experience in a nursing specialty, such as surgical or acute care, is also desired. Below are some examples of job postings from March 2012:
- An assisted living facility in Georgia is looking for an RN to coordinate their pharmacy, run their quality assurance program and train staff. Someone with supervisory and long-term care experience is preferred.
- A staffing firm in California seeks travel RNs with post-partum, neonatal intensive care, obstetrics and gynecology experience.
- A Texas-based infusion therapy provider seeks RNs with associate's degrees and at least two years of experience. Employed RNs travel 80% of the time and are expected to maintain infusion certification.
- A senior-living hospice provider in California is hiring on-call RNs with at least one year of hospice experience.
How to Get an Edge in the Field
RNs who have a BSN may gain preference over RNs who hold associate's degrees. RNs can also join nursing organizations, such as the National League for Nursing, which provides networking and continuing education opportunities. Additionally, inner cities and rural areas are in particular need of RNs, so those who live in or are willing to travel to these areas may have an advantage.
Get Certified
Another way to stand out is to obtain certification in a nursing specialty. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers certification in more than a dozen nursing specialties, including gerontological, pediatric and medical-surgical nursing (www.nursecredentialing.org). In order to obtain a professional credential, you need to meet education and experience requirements; completion of an exam is required as well.
Other Careers to Consider
Advanced Practice Nurse
If you're looking to specialize in a nursing field, you might consider becoming an advanced practice nurse (APN), such as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. APNs can serve as primary care providers; in some cases, they perform the same duties as doctors.The downside to this field is that you need a master's degree in nursing, and advanced certification may be require as well. However, you can gain additional income and specialize in specific types of care.
Licensed Practical Nurse
If you're interested in nursing but want a quicker route to career entry, consider becoming an LPN. There are fewer academic and training requirements, and career entry may be achieved in a year or less. LPNs can still impact the lives of patients, but they have less responsibility than RNs; in fact, LPNs are often supervised by RNs. According to the BLS, LPNs earned a median salary of about $41,000 as of May 2011; the number of employed LPNs was expected to grow 22% from 2010-2020.
EMT or Paramedic
If you'd like to help patients in pre-hospital emergency situations, an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic career could be a good fit. In order to work in this field, you need to complete a postsecondary training program specific to the EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic level; licensure is also necessary. As of May 2011, EMTs and paramedics earned a median salary of roughly $31,000. The number of employed professionals in this field was projected to increase by 33% from 2010-2020, reports the BLS.
