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Registered nurse: the path

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. Description from O*NET

Also called: Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR), Charge Nurse, Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse), Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

Typical pay$97,550Median yearly pay, BLS 2025
Job outlook+5.6% jobsProjected change, 2025–35. All jobs: +3.5%.
Time after high schoolAbout 2 to 4 yearsTypical full-time study and training
  1. Step 1Nursing degree2-year associate (ADN) or 4-year bachelor’s (BSN)
  2. Step 2NCLEX-RN examNational nursing licensing exam
  3. Step 3State licenseMany hospitals prefer or require a bachelor’s degree

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree · More on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

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Colleges for this path

Related majors: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

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1,734 colleges match

College Scorecard, 2024 data. Earnings are the median for graduates of the related majors, 4 years after graduating. All figures are estimates.

Best value = earnings ÷ (net price × years of study). Net prices under $1,000 count as $1,000.

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