Registered Nurse Careers: Job Description & Salary Information

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What are the pros and cons of registered nurse careers? Get real job descriptions, career prospects and salary info to see if becoming a registered nurse is right for you.
  • Pros and Cons
  • Job Overview
  • Requirements
  • Get an Edge
  • Other Jobs

Pros and Cons of a Career in Registered Nursing

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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.

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  • Pros and Cons
  • Job Overview
  • Requirements
  • Get an Edge
  • Other Jobs

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice with an Emphasis in Educational Leadership
    Master's
      • M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
      • Bridge MSN Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
      • MS in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
      • MS in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
      • M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Informatics
      • M.B.A & M.S. Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
    Master's
      • Nursing, MSN - Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatric
      • Nursing, MSN - Nursing Education
    Bachelor's
      • Nursing, BSN RN-BSN
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MSN: Health Policy
      • MSN: M.S.N. & M.B.A. (Dual Degree)
      • MSN: Community Health
      • MSN: M.S.N. & M.S. in Healthcare Administration (Dual Degree)
      • MSN: Nursing Administration
      • MSN: Nursing Informatics
  • Online Programs Available
    4. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership
      • EdD - Nursing Education
    Master's
      • MSN - Management and Organizational Leadership
      • MSN - Quality and Safety
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Master of Science - DNP Executive Leader
      • MSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Master of Science - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
      • Master of Science -DNP Path Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
    Master's
      • Accelerated BSN to MSN
      • MS in Nursing - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
      • Master of Science in Nursing - MSN/MBA Dual Degree Option
      • MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Master of Science - DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family nurse practitioner primary care population
    Associate's
      • Associate of Science in Health Science
      • Associate of Science in Health SciencePreprofessional
  • Durham, NC

    Duke University

  • Philadelphia, PA

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Gainesville, FL

    University of Florida

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice with an Emphasis in Educational Leadership
  • M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
  • Bridge MSN Health Care Quality & Patient Safety

What is your highest level of education?

Colorado Christian University

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
  • Nursing, MSN - Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatric
  • Nursing, BSN RN-BSN

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • MSN: Health Policy
  • MSN: M.S.N. & M.B.A. (Dual Degree)
  • MSN: Community Health

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership
  • EdD - Nursing Education
  • MSN - Management and Organizational Leadership
  • MSN - Quality and Safety

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science - DNP Executive Leader
  • Accelerated BSN to MSN
  • Associate of Science in Health Science

Which subject are you interested in?