A Registered Nurses (RN) duties consist of supervising the tasks performed by LPNs, CNAs, and other medical assistants. However, top priority and primary responsibility of RNs is to provide patient care, and make decisions for plans of care for all patients from healthy to ill or injured people. Registered Nurses also perform and analyze diagnostic tests, dispense medications, and interpret patients medical history. It is also an RNs responsibility to teach patients proper health management practices. The scope of RNs duties is developing too, with RNs being used in other hospital positions as health education advocates, assisting physicians during surgery, and assisting with rehabilitation and convalescence.

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RN Salary

The salary of a registered nurse varies based on a variety of factors including experience, type of degree, location, and type of facility and shifts work. There are many specializations RNs can get to increase salary in areas like critical care or oncology.

According to Payscale.com, the median salary for a Registered Nurse in the US in $42,620, with this average varying across the region and across types of positions. In Texas, an RN who works in the operating room has a median expected salary of $58,000, while an RN who works in the emergency room elsewhere has a median expected salary of $50,000.

A national survey said that RNs working full time earn an average hourly wage of $25.97. A nursing survey showed regional averages around the nation for RNs.

New England - $17.07
Middle Atlantic - $16.78
East North Central - $16.30
West North Central - $14.70
South Atlantic - $15.74
East South Central - $14.29
West South Central - $15.04
Mountain - $15.75
Pacific - $18.28

RN Job Outlook

Registered Nursing is the largest healthcare occupation in the United States. There are more than 2.4 million currently practicing RNs. However, recent studies show that the number of graduating RNs is not sufficient to keep up with the demand. This is part of the nursing shortage that is prevalent around the nation and the shortage is seen to increase in the future.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job outlook is said to be excellent. There are many job opportunities for RNs across the nation where employers may have difficulty obtaining and retaining registered nurses.

There is expected to be a national growth of RN jobs of almost 30% (29.4%) by 2014. With a nursing shortage, this statistic show that job placement for qualified individuals is highly likely.

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