Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

Today, the medical industry has a short supply of Registered Nurses and this comes at a time when the demand for them has reached a very high level. Currently those with lesser qualifications are being used to fill the need for RNs. This is a stop gap measure that is being used by healthcare facilities that cannot find properly trained RNs.

Basic Requirements for Becoming a Registered Nurse

The first hurdle to overcome to become a registered nurse is earning a degree in nursing this degree is called a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree It takes almost four years to complete at most traditional campuses and it can be earned in three years at some online degree programs.

Registered Nurse Job Prospects in the US

RNs make up the majority of people working in the medical field in the U.S. today. Even though this is a fact, RNs are still in high demand and there are not enough of them to cover the current demand across the nation. This is due to a number of factors from the increased emphasis on preventive care to the growing senior citizen population. Whatever the reason this means that the job prospects for Registered Nurses in the county are great and the demand is even greater internationally.

Median Salary Expectations for a Registered Nurse

According to government sources the median yearly salary of an RN was about $65,000 through the end of the last decade. Most RNs work in hospitals and the salary for these nurses were above this average. RNs just starting out can expect to earn the median salary from $45,000 to $55,000 annually. RNs also enjoy signing bonuses and other benefits that are not factored into these averages. Specialties and locations can also add to the salary of an RN.

Comparison of Online Nursing Degrees and Traditional Campus Degrees

Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs and other certification training must be approved, certified, and accredited by the Board of Nursing in the state where a student plans to work. Online degrees are acceptable for RN training in most of the unions. This makes online degree programs a flexible and convenient alternative to expensive slow and technologically challenged old-fashioned classroom-based certification and degree programs.

Working adults and other medical professional have found that online degree programs are great for continuing education and for studying while loaded down with a busy schedule.