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Career overview · SOC 29-1141

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Also called: Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR) · Charge Nurse · Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse) · Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse) · Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN) · Psychiatric RN (Psychiatric Registered Nurse)

Median pay (national)
$93,600
$66,030–$135,320 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
3,282,010
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.9%
~189,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for registered nurses shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $135,320 versus $66,030 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $93,600 leaves roughly 45% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 189,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $140,330, +50% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $37,780 — a 271% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
  • Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
  • Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs.
  • Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.
  • Conduct specified laboratory tests.
  • Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.
  • Work with individuals, groups, or families to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.

Tools & technology

  • Apache Spark
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Epic Systems
  • Henry Schein Dentrix
  • Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Allscripts healthcare automation software
  • Allscripts Sunrise
  • Data entry software
  • Database software
  • Diagnostic and procedural coding software
  • DoctorsPartner EMR
  • Drug guide software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • FaceTime

Knowledge areas

  • Psychology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • English Language
  • Administrative
  • Mathematics
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Administration and Management