This career is among the top 10 growing careers in the United States due to the number of jobs produced. In 2008, there were 2.6 million nurses, making it the largest healthcare job.

Jobs are expected to grow 22 percent—much faster than average—through 2018, with almost 600,000 new nursing jobs expected to be created between 2008 and 2018.

Physician’s offices and home health agencies will see the greatest demand. Employment is expected to grow more slowly in hospitals, which are discharging patients earlier and performing more procedures on an outpatient basis.

RNs who hold bachelor's or master's degrees will enjoy the best prospects and highest salaries. Advanced practice specialties—clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives and nurse anesthetists—will experience extremely high demand.

In 2008, RNs earned an average salary of $62,450. The middle 50 percent earned $51,640 to $76,570. The highest 10 percent earned more than $92,240.

RNs (registered nurses) treat patients and educate the public about health. As front-line providers, they give advice and emotional support to patients and families.

RNs also monitor patients’ medical symptoms. They perform diagnostic tests and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs often supervise licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nursing aides (health care aides).

RNs often specialize according to setting and population. For example, one RN may become a nurse educator working with HIV/AIDS patients. She or he might work for a government health department. Another may choose surgery and work in a hospital surgical unit.

Tremendous opportunity exists for RNs with special interests to combine these interests to forge interesting careers. For example, an RN who enjoys writing may specialize in medical journalism or book editing.

Consider both employment demand in your geographic area and your special interests in deciding the right RN career niche.

RNs follow one of three educational paths: Earn a diploma from an approved nursing program; complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN); or earn a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree (BSN).

A Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) may be required for any of the four advanced practice nursing specialties—clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners.

Licensing: RNs must also pass a national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license.

Entering the Field: Many RNs launch their careers by earning healthcare diplomas or certificates. Some earn associate degrees first. After becoming employed in nursing as a health aide or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) they may enter BSN programs to prepare for broader practice and earn higher wages.

Career Changers: Accelerated BSN programs are the fastest route to a BSN for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major. MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs are sometimes open to individuals who hold a bachelor’s in another field.