A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who has been licensed by a state board of nursing to provide patient care. RNs either complete an approved nursing program, an associate degree in nursing, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), to pursue licensure. This varies from state to state. After completing appropriate education, the next step is passing the comprehensive national test (NCLEX). Registered nurses are able to work in a wide range of professions including, but not limited to, addiction, cardiovascular and medical-surgical nursing. 

A registered nurse is a healthcare provider who has graduated from a nursing program and holds a nursing license. There are many types of registered nurses, mainly defined by their areas of specialization.

Registered nurses have a broad spectrum of responsibilities.They contribute to patients’ plan of care, administer medication, and provide advice and emotional support to patients. 

After becoming an RN, nurses can enroll in nurse education courses and receive certificates to show prospective employers they’re trained in an area of specialization. 

Also known as substance abuse nurses, RNs specializing in addiction may have chosen this career because they or someone they love has suffered from addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Addiction nurses work in recovery centers, hospitals and outpatient care facilities. Certifications for addiction nurses are administered by the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA).

Nurses who specialize in cardiovascular care work in hospitals, coronary care units (CCUs) and physician practices that care for patients with heart disease. Certifications for cardiovascular nurses are administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Critical care nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and CCUs. Sometimes ICU nurses are referred to as critical care nurses and vice versa. They specialize in caring for patients who are hospitalized for serious conditions and require round-the-clock observation. Certifications for ICU and CCU nurses are also administered by the AACN.

Nurses who work in gastroenterology help patients who have gastrointestinal diseases involving the stomach and digestive system. They might assist doctors during colonoscopies and endoscopies. Certifications for gastroenterology nurses are administered by the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN).

Medical-surgical nurses typically work in hospital settings and handle heavy patient loads—typically five to seven per day. The Medical-Surgical Nurse Certification Board (MSNCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administer certifications to these nurses.

A neonatal nurse specializes in the care of infants born prematurely or with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. They may work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; pronounced “nick-you”), CCU, ICU, trauma unit or other healthcare setting. The AACN administers a certification for these nurses.

An occupational health nurse typically works in a clinical setting but may also work for a large corporation as a full-time nurse. For example, a large manufacturing company might employ an occupational health nurse to help prevent injuries, treat workplace health issues, and administer workers’ compensation and family medical leave. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) offers a certification program.

Nurses who work in public health may work for government agencies, nonprofits and other organizations that promote public health through education and screening. Public health nurses provide treatment to a community at large rather than to individuals in private practices. RNs with five years of public health experience and a bachelor’s degree can apply for the certification in public health that’s administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

The duties of an RN vary, depending on where they work, how long they’ve been a nurse and their area of specialization. Typically, RNs have clinical and administrative responsibilities.

RNs work in doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, government and education. According to a report on registered nurses by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most RNs work in hospitals. Here’s a breakdown of RNs’ most common work environments, as of 2021:

How much do RNs make? Salaries depend on geography, education, employer type, experience and other factors. On average, RNs in the United States earned $77,600 in May 2021, according to the BLS. RNs who work in government earn the highest average incomes—$85,970—followed by RNs who work in hospitals ($78,070), ambulatory care services ($76,700), nursing care facilities ($72,420) and education ($61,780).

Here are the top-paying states for RNs, according to the BLS occupational employment and wages for registered nurses, by annual mean wage:

Demand for healthcare workers is growing. According to the BLS, employment of healthcare occupations will grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The aging baby boomer population (born between 1946 and 1964) is steering increased demand for medical services. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 73 million baby boomers in the nation in 2020. By 2030, all boomers will be at least age 65. We’ll also see a growing number of existing jobs vacated by retiring baby boomers.

Registered nurses (RNs) are among those healthcare workers needed to take care of the aging population. They are in high demand. The BLS projects employment of registered nurses will grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations.

Last Updated: November 2022