career

Requirements-associate degree in nursing A.D.N, Bachelor of science degree in nursing B.S.N, and diploma.

Job Description-Well lighted, comfortable healthcare facilities.
May spend considerable time walking and standing.
May be on call (available to work on short notice.)

Salary-median annual-$44,840 in 2000
50% between 37,870 and 54,000
Lowest 10% less than 31,809
Highest 10% more than $64,360
-Personal supply service 46,860
-Hospitals                        45,780
-Home health care           43,640
          services
-Offices and clinice
     of doctors                   43,480
-Nursing and personal
        care facilities           41,330

Job Outlook-Job opportunities for RNs are expected to be very good. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, and because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result. Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise.

Related Careers-Workers in other healthcare occupations with responsibilities and duties related to those of registered nurses are emergency medical technicians and paramedics, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physician assistants, and respiratory therapists.

Possible Benefits-Experience and good performance can lead to promotion to more responsible positions. Nurses can advance, in management, to assistant head nurse or head nurse. From there, they can advance to assistant director, director, and vice president. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions require a graduate degree in nursing or health services administration. They also require leadership, negotiation skills, and good judgment. Graduate programs preparing executive-level nurses usually last 1 to 2 years.