Registered Nurse
Chart Your Course
to This Career
Being a registered nurse is all about making a real difference in people's lives through compassionate care and advocacy. This profession offers diverse career opportunities, from bedside nursing to leadership roles. Nurses are lifelong learners, adapting to new technologies and advancements.
Impact on Patient Lives
Registered nurses administer patient care and directly contribute to the health outcomes of their patients, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Clinical Care
From administering medication to dressing wounds, nurses are at the forefront of clinical care and play a vital role in patient treatments.
Monitoring and Intervention
They monitor patients' physiological parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
Teamwork and Camaraderie
They collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists and social workers, to coordinate patient care and ensure continuity of care.
Career Advancement
As lifelong learners, registered nurses have multiple opportunities to advance into specialty occupations along with educational and management positions.
Specialization
Registered nurses work in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, outpatient care, urgent care and even local schools. Nurses can work in medical specialties, such as pediatric care, obstetrics and more.
Registered Nurse Educational Standards
Education
Program | Certificate or Degree Program Accreditation | Associate
Degree Program Accreditation | Bachelor’s Degree Program Accreditation | Program Terminal Testing Authority | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nurse | ACEN, CNEA | CCNE, ACEN | NCLEX - RN | RN | |
Practical Nurse | National League of Nursing (NLN) | National League of Nursing (NLN) | NCLEX - RN | LPN |
Nurse Pay
Pay for nurses is determined based on both skills and experience. Advertised annual pay trends for registered nurses show an increase of 17% from June 2021 to May 2024, while salary trends for licensed practical nurses show an increase of 11% for the same period.
Typical compensation by percentile (Pct) for a nurse in the Columbus, Ohio Metro Statistical Area based on skills and experience include:
Career Path | Region | Entry Level 10th Pct | 25th Pct | Median Salary 50th Pct | 75th Pct | 90th Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | Columbus, OH | $47,706 | $52,218 | $59,261 | $63,209 | $71,999 |
Registered Nurse | Columbus, OH | $66,587 | $76,888 | $81,487 | $96,540 | $100,400 |
May 2024
Current Career Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
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Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, including assessments, medication administration, wound care, monitoring patient vital signs and patient education.
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They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans.
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To become a registered nurse, individuals typically need to complete a properly accredited nursing education program (CNEA or CCNE), which can result in an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
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After completing their education, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure to practice as a registered nurse.
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There are many accelerated bridge programs for licensed practical nurses (LPN) to become registered nurses as shown in the formal education database.
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Registered nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, long-term care facilities, schools, community health centers and correctional facilities.
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They may also work in non-traditional settings such as telehealth or home health.
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Common specialties for registered nurses include medical-surgical nursing, critical care nursing, pediatric nursing, obstetric nursing, psychiatric nursing and community health nursing.
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RNs may also specialize further by obtaining certifications in areas such as oncology, emergency nursing or wound care.
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Registered nurses have opportunities for career advancement, including pursuing advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or nurse educator.
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They may also pursue leadership roles in nursing administration, research or education.
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This is the most in-demand occupation in Ohio, and it is expected to grow as the healthcare industry expands to support the rapidly growing Central Ohio population, including the needs of the region’s aging population.
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RNs with specialized skills in advanced technology or advanced degrees may have particularly favorable job prospects across a variety of nursing specializations.
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The difference between an LPN and an RN lies in their education, scope of practice, job responsibilities and career opportunities.
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LPNs must complete a practical nursing program about one year long, typically offered by community colleges or technical schools. RNs, however, must earn an associates degree from an accredited program.
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LPNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to obtain licensure. RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure to practice as an RN.
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LPNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of an RN or a physician. Duties often include monitoring vital signs, administering basic patient care (like wound dressing), assisting with daily activities and providing patient comfort. On the other hand, RNs often oversee LPNs, assess patient conditions, develop and manage nursing care plans, perform diagnostic tests, administer medications and educate patients about their health.
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