Registered nurses (RNs) assess the conditions of injured and ill patients, treat certain medical conditions and assist physicians with medical procedures in health care facilities and hospitals across the country. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this particular health-care position is expected to grow much faster than the average for other industries. This increases the need for registered nurses and provides an ideal employment opportunity for anyone with the skills to successfully attain the position.
National Job Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of employment opportunities for registered nurses across the country is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 through 2018. Growth is driven by advancements in technology relating to patient care. This allows health-care facilities, hospitals and emergency rooms to treat a much wider array of human injuries and illness and requires the services of more registered nurses. Also, the number of elderly people in the United States is expected to grow rapidly over that time. As of May 2009, over 2,583,770 registered nurses were employed across the United States.
National Salary Range
As of May 2009, the mean hourly wage for registered nurses across the United States was $31.99. This translated to a mean annual wage of $66,530. The highest 10 percent in the field earned a mean annual wage of $93,700 or a mean hourly wage of $45.05. The lowest 10 percent among registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $43,970 or a mean hourly wage of $21.14 in May 2009.
Registered Nurse Advancement
Advancement to the higher pay scales in nursing is made possible through training and education. According to the Mayo School of Health Sciences, a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing is able to assume a larger role as a hospital administrator or supervisor. This leads to a higher pay scale. Additional training in specialized areas, including cardiac nursing or pediatric nursing, is usually performed while the nurse is on the job at a health-care facility or hospital. This training can also provide growth opportunities and chances for salary increase.
Highest-Employing States
Certain states across the country provide more employment opportunities for nurses than others. These states represent the greatest growth potential for nurses, as these states have the largest opportunity for employment in the field. As of May 2009, California was the largest employer of registered nurses in the United States with about 233,030 finding employment. Massachusetts was second in the nation with about 83,060 registered nurses employed in the state as of May 2009. California was also the highest-paying state with a mean annual wage of $85,080 in that same year.
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