Registered Nurse (RN)

RNs provide and coordinate patient care, teach patients and the public about health conditions, and support patients and their families.
U.S. median pay
$46.90/hr
$97,550/yr
Projected growth
+5.6%
2025–35
Openings per year
180,800
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Bachelor's degree

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.

How people get started

One of three paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), an associate's degree (ADN) or a diploma from an approved program. BLS: How to become one

Licensing in one line

You need a license from the state where you work, which means graduating from an approved program and passing a qualifying exam.

The nursing career ladder

  1. CNAState-approved training + exam
  2. LPN/LVNAbout 1-year program + exam
  3. RN (ADN or diploma)Approved program + exam
  4. RN (BSN)Typically 4 years

Pay

What registered nurses earn

Pay in every state

U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025

$46.90

an hour · $97,550 a year

10th
$33.14
25th
$38.62
Median
$46.90
75th
$54.02
90th
$66.09

Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $33.14/hr, median $46.90/hr, 90th percentile $66.09/hr.

Schools

Programs that lead here

All schools content
Associate degree in nursing (ADN)Associate degree, then the NCLEX-RN.Accreditation: ACEN, NLN CNEABachelor of science in nursing (BSN)Typically 4 years. Bachelor's degree, then the NCLEX-RN.Accreditation: CCNE, ACEN, NLN CNEA

Licensing

Licensing and verification

Find your state's board

You need a license from the state where you work, which means graduating from an approved program and passing a qualifying exam.

“Registered nurses must have a nursing license issued by the state in which they work.” BLS

Exam: NCLEX-RN

Work in more than one state: Nurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN)

Covers rns and lpn/lvns. Check the official member map · How compacts work

Verify a nurse's license anywhere

Free nurse license and discipline lookup for participating boards of nursing. Nursys describes its data as primary source equivalent, provided directly by the boards. Nursys QuickConfirm

California

Full California guide: boards, lookups and key requirements. California RN licensing

Clinical rotations

For students

Your first clinical rotationThe checklist, from documents to day one.Licensing examsWhich exam you'll take after graduating.From student to first shiftBoard application to first paid shift.

Work as an RN with SHIFTit

Choose shifts that fit your life. Your credentials are verified once and travel with you to every facility on the platform.

Join SHIFTerz

Related careers and comparisons

RN vs. LPN/LVNRN vs. RDHLicensed Practical / Vocational NurseCertified Nursing AssistantRespiratory Therapist

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.