A career as a registered nurse (RN) offers flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Registered nurses play a critical role in healthcare settings, providing direct patient care, assisting physicians, and educating both patients and their families about ongoing health management.
Where do registered nurses work?
The short answer is that RNs can work in a wide range of environments beyond traditional hospitals. Whether you’re drawn to high-intensity clinical care or looking for roles in education or community health, nursing offers diverse workplace options. In this article, we will explore 12 different settings where registered nurses can build fulfilling careers, along with information about job outlook, salary, and opportunities for career advancement.
What Is a Registered Nurse?
Registered nurses (RNs) are highly trained healthcare professionals who play a key role in patient care. To become an RN, individuals must complete the necessary educational and licensing requirements.
Education and Licensing
There are several educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Typically takes two to three years to complete and prepares students for entry-level nursing roles.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year degree that offers more comprehensive training and can open doors to leadership or specialized nursing roles.
- NCLEX-RN Exam: After completing an accredited nursing program, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain their nursing license.
Both ADN and BSN graduates must pass this exam to practice as registered nurses, though many healthcare employers now prefer nurses with a BSN due to the additional training and scope of practice.
Job Duties
RNs provide direct patient care, but their responsibilities vary depending on their work environment and specialty. Some of the most common duties include:
- Assessing patient health conditions and creating care plans
- Administering medications and treatments
- Monitoring patient progress and recording vital signs
- Educating patients and families about managing health conditions
- Coordinating care with physicians, specialists, and other healthcare staff
- Operating medical equipment and assisting in diagnostic tests
With these qualifications, RNs are equipped to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Let’s explore 12 potential workplaces for RNs in the next section.
Where Do Registered Nurses Work?
Registered nurses have the flexibility to work in a wide variety of environments, each offering unique experiences and challenges. While hospitals may be the most familiar setting, RNs are needed in many other places that extend beyond traditional healthcare environments. Below, we explore 12 different settings where registered nurses work, starting with the most common and progressing to less familiar but equally interesting roles.
1. Hospitals
Hospitals are the most common workplace for registered nurses, employing the majority of RNs. In this fast-paced setting, RNs work in various departments such as emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), surgical floors, maternity wards, and more. Hospital RNs perform critical tasks like patient monitoring, medication administration, and collaboration with physicians to ensure optimal patient care.
2. Doctor’s Offices
RNs who prefer a more routine and predictable schedule often work in doctor’s offices. In this setting, they assist physicians by performing patient assessments, administering vaccines, managing health records, and educating patients about their conditions and treatments. Working in a private practice provides a less hectic environment compared to hospitals.
3. Nursing Homes
Nursing homes, or long-term care facilities, are where registered nurses provide care to elderly or disabled patients who require ongoing assistance with daily activities. RNs in this setting focus on managing chronic conditions, monitoring patients’ health, and helping to improve their quality of life over time.
4. Outpatient Clinics
Outpatient clinics are another popular setting where registered nurses work. These clinics provide care to patients who do not require hospitalization. RNs here often work in specialized areas like oncology, dermatology, or surgery centers, where they assist with procedures, perform patient follow-ups, and provide education on preventive healthcare.
5. Home Health Care
For RNs who enjoy working one-on-one with patients, home health care offers a unique opportunity to visit patients in their homes. Home health nurses often care for patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic illnesses, or undergoing rehabilitation. This role allows RNs to develop close relationships with their patients while helping them maintain independence at home.
6. Schools
School nurses provide healthcare services to students, ensuring they stay healthy and can participate in school activities. In addition to addressing minor injuries and illnesses, school nurses may help manage chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. They also play a role in promoting overall health and wellness through public health education initiatives.
7. Public Health Agencies
RNs who are passionate about community health may find rewarding careers in public health agencies. These nurses work to improve population health by providing screenings, vaccinations, and health education. Public health nurses are often involved in outreach programs that target underserved or at-risk communities, making this a meaningful career path where registered nurses work to make a difference on a larger scale.
8. Rehabilitation Centers
Rehabilitation centers provide care to patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or substance abuse issues. RNs in these facilities work closely with physical therapists and other specialists to help patients regain their independence and recover as fully as possible.
9. Correctional Facilities
RNs in correctional facilities, such as prisons or jails, play an important role in managing the health of inmates. They provide emergency care, administer medications, and manage chronic conditions in a challenging environment. This is a less traditional setting where registered nurses work, but one that requires resilience and adaptability.
10. Military Bases
Military bases provide another unique environment where registered nurses work. RNs in the military provide care to active-duty service members and their families. They may work in base hospitals, clinics, or even in combat zones, offering essential healthcare services in demanding and diverse environments.
11. Telehealth Nursing
As telemedicine continues to grow, so do the opportunities for RNs in telehealth. Telehealth nurses provide remote consultations, manage follow-up care, and assist patients via phone or video calls. This setting is ideal for nurses who prefer to work from home or who want to provide care in a rapidly evolving technological field.
12. Cruise Ships
RNs on cruise ships are responsible for managing medical emergencies, treating illnesses, and providing general healthcare for passengers and crew members. This is a less common but exciting setting where registered nurses work, offering travel opportunities alongside the responsibilities of a healthcare professional.
Overall Job Outlook and Salary for Registered Nurses
The demand for registered nurses (RNs) continues to grow as the healthcare industry expands to accommodate the needs of an aging population and the increasing complexity of patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 194,500 job openings for registered nurses each year, many of which will be due to retirements and the need for replacement workers.
Salary for Registered Nurses
The salary for RNs can vary significantly depending on factors such as location, experience, and specialization. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $86,070 as of May 2023. Nurses who work in specialty areas, such as critical care or advanced practice nursing, often earn higher wages. Additionally, RNs who work in metropolitan areas or regions with high demand for healthcare services typically earn more than their counterparts in rural areas.
Here are some factors that influence RN salaries:
- Geographical Location: States like California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts offer some of the highest salaries for RNs.
- Specialization: RNs with specialized certifications or advanced skills, such as in anesthesia or neonatal care, may command higher wages.
- Experience: As with most professions, nurses with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those just starting their careers.
As healthcare continues to evolve, registered nurses will remain a vital part of the workforce, ensuring job security and opportunities for career advancement in various settings where registered nurses work.
Options for Continuing Education
For registered nurses looking to advance their careers, continuing education offers numerous opportunities to specialize, take on leadership roles, or even pursue advanced practice nursing. By pursuing additional certifications or degrees, RNs can expand their skill set, increase their earning potential, and open doors to new and exciting roles within healthcare.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
One of the most popular paths for RNs seeking to advance is becoming a nurse practitioner (NP). NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and often operate with more independence than RNs. To become an NP, nurses typically need to complete a master’s or doctoral program in nursing.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
RNs who are passionate about women’s health and childbirth may choose to become certified nurse midwives (CNMs). CNMs provide prenatal care, assist in labor and delivery, and offer postpartum support to mothers. Like NPs, CNMs are advanced practice nurses and require additional education, typically a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery.
Nurse Educator
For RNs interested in teaching and mentoring future generations of nurses, a career as a nurse educator can be a fulfilling option. Nurse educators typically work in academic settings, such as nursing schools or teaching hospitals, where they develop curricula and guide nursing students through their clinical training. Becoming a nurse educator usually requires a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing education.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are experts in a specialized area of nursing practice, such as oncology, pediatrics, or critical care. CNSs provide direct patient care, conduct research, and may also work in leadership roles, helping to shape healthcare policy and practices within their specialty. This advanced role typically requires a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.
Additional Certifications
In addition to formal degrees, RNs can pursue specialized certifications in areas such as:
- Pediatric Nursing (CPN)
- Critical Care (CCRN)
- Oncology Nursing (OCN)
- Wound Care (CWCN)
These certifications allow RNs to demonstrate expertise in specific areas of patient care, making them more competitive in the job market and broadening the settings where registered nurses work.
By pursuing further education and certifications, RNs can advance into more specialized and higher-paying roles while continuing to make a significant impact in the healthcare system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the primary requirements to become a registered nurse?
To become a registered nurse (RN), individuals must complete a nursing program, which can be an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After completing their education, aspiring RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their nursing license. Some employers prefer or require a BSN, and additional certifications or specializations may be required for certain roles or work settings.
Where do registered nurses work?
Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, ranging from traditional healthcare environments like hospitals and outpatient clinics to less conventional roles in schools, public health agencies, correctional facilities, and even cruise ships. Some RNs work in emerging fields such as telehealth, providing remote patient care via phone or video. There are numerous options for nurses looking for diverse career paths, and this article explores 12 unique places where registered nurses work.
Can RNs specialize in a specific area of healthcare?
Yes, registered nurses have the option to specialize in a wide range of healthcare areas, including pediatrics, oncology, critical care, and more. Specialization often requires additional training and certification, but it can open up new career opportunities and potentially higher salaries.
What are the career advancement opportunities for RNs?
RNs have many opportunities for career advancement through continuing education and obtaining advanced degrees. Popular advancement paths include becoming a nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or nurse educator. These roles often come with increased responsibilities, independence, and higher earning potential.
Pursuing a Rewarding Career as a Registered Nurse
Registered nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing essential care across a variety of settings. Whether working in a hospital, school, or even on a cruise ship, RNs have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of their patients. With strong job growth and a wide range of work environments to choose from, nursing is a career that offers both stability and flexibility. By investing in your nursing education and exploring the various career paths available to RNs, you’ll be well-prepared for a fulfilling and dynamic career.
