Nursing (RN to Advanced Practice)
Registered nurses held 3,465,400 jobs in 2025, according to BLS. RNs assess patients, give medications and treatments, and coordinate care. With a graduate degree, RNs can become advanced practice nurses — nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists.
Where Nursing (RN to Advanced Practice) can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | $97,550 | +6% Faster than average |
180,800 | Bachelor's degree |
| Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners | $134,920 | +36% Much faster than average |
32,200 | Master's degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What registered nurses earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 59% | $100,220 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 19% | $91,230 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% | $84,300 |
| Government | 5% | $110,780 |
| Educational services | 3% | $78,620 |
Source: BLS, registered nurses (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Hospital and nursing-facility nurses usually work shifts for round-the-clock care, including nights, weekends and holidays, and may be on call. BLS notes risks such as back injuries and exposure to infectious disease.
Common tasks
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Have constant contact with others | |
| Work a typical 40-hour week | |
| Are exposed to disease or infection every day | |
| Say the consequence of an error is extremely serious |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Social, Conventional, Investigative. Source: O*NET OnLine, 29-1141.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Science and care
Biology, chemistry and real healthcare exposure.
- Step 2
ADN or BSN
Associate or bachelor's in nursing with clinical rotations.
- Step 3
NCLEX-RN
The national licensing exam used by state boards of nursing.
- Step 4
Registered nurse
Hospitals employ most RNs; shifts can include nights and weekends.
- Goal
Grow or advance
RN-to-BSN, then a master's or doctorate for NP, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist.
High school preparation
- Biology and chemistry
- Algebra and statistics (dosage math matters)
- Psychology or health science courses
- Volunteering in a hospital or care home
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A BSN, an associate's degree in nursing (ADN/ASN) or a hospital diploma, then the NCLEX-RN and a state license. Hospital employers may require a bachelor's degree.
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for registered nurses: critical-thinking skills, communication skills, compassion, detail oriented, emotional stability, organizational skills, physical stamina.
Registered Nurse (RN) license
Granted by state boards of nursing. Each state board sets licensing rules, including background checks. Advanced practice (NP, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist) has additional state requirements.
Why demand is changing
BLS expects more demand from the large number of older people, care for chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, and home healthcare.
Faster than average
Registered nurses
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Choose BSN if you can: BLS notes hospital employers may require a bachelor's degree.
- Expect shift work — hospital nurses cover nights, weekends and holidays.
- Look ahead: advanced practice nursing is one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields (+36% projected 2025–35).
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered nurses checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 29-1141.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07
- Next Generation NCLEX · NCSBN checked 2026-10-07