Also called: RN, Staff Nurse
Provides and coordinates patient care, gives medications, and is the person patients see most in a hospital.
Gets report from the night nurse at 7 a.m., then cares for 4-6 patients: hanging IV antibiotics, checking a surgical incision, teaching a new diabetic to use insulin, and spotting the subtle signs that someone is getting worse. Twelve-hour shifts mean three days on, four off.
BLS May 2024.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. BSN (4 years) or an associate degree in nursing (2-3 years), then pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Nursing (BSN), Nursing (ADN).
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Huge number of openings each year because the field is so large.
Low risk for 10 years. AI charting and early-warning alerts cut paperwork; bedside care, judgment and patient advocacy stay human, and demand keeps growing.
Classes: Biology, Anatomy & physiology, Chemistry, Health science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1141.
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