There are times when it feels like there’s more pain in the world than there are people to alleviate it. Nurses have always been a staple of society and have often gone overlooked. They’re not usually seen as glamorous as doctors or surgeons, but they’re just as necessary as anyone else in the medical field. Pursuing a career as a Registered Nurse is a rewarding opportunity for gentle spirits and opens the doors for many specializations.
Registered Nurse Salary and Benefits
The middle of the road salary for Registered Nurses in 2016 was $64,000. The field as a whole is expected to grow by 16 percent over the next ten years, which is well above the average growth rate of other careers. Overall, it’s a very stable career choice that shows no signs of remission anytime soon. The upper 10 percent of RNs earn upwards of $99,000 per year.
Nurses can relocate almost anywhere they choose since they aren’t limited to hospitals. Their hours are flexible depending on the employer, their preferred sleep cycles, and the field they wish to spend the most time in. RNs have access to great insurance policies, tuition reimbursement and retirement plans, just to name a few tangible benefits.
Educational Requirements for Registered Nurses
Becoming a Registered Nurse requires an associate’s degree in nursing, though a bachelor’s degree opens up many more opportunities. There are diploma programs available from various nursing programs that act as a foot in the door. Prospects must then pass a test to receive a nursing license. The NCLEX-RN exam is available in every state and must be periodically taken to renew one’s license.
Specializations
Once you have a proper education and a license, you’re good to go as a RN. There’s a lot of room for personal choice, and there are many options available for a department you’re interested in. Fields in nursing range from surgical, educational, research, pain management, diabetic and neonatal or critical care just to name a small fraction of the vast amount of possibilities.
It’s perfectly fine for a nurse to stay in a single field or hop between them every so often. The core education is the same for all nurses, so there is a short transition time when swapping fields. Focusing on a single discipline or staying with the same employer for a few years will open opportunities for specialization and promotion.
Furthering your formal education as a nurse is always beneficial and allows for further focus and salary increases. Workplaces generally will work with you during this process. Registered Nurses with years of experience are valued and sought after. Staying in a particular field for the long haul opens doors for teaching, postdoctoral research, management, and more.
