Annual Salary*$66,220Top 10 Percent of Earners*$96,320Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*$45,630
Nurses do many things that you might normally expect a doctor to do. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses can administer medicine and treatment to patients, operate and monitor medical equipment, and help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results, among other duties. What nurses don't do is spend years toiling away in medical school.
What You Need: Nurses typically get started with either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), a diploma from an approved nursing program, or a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), according to the Department of Labor. They must also be licensed.
High-Pay Factor: Again - we need nurses. And the need is so great that it makes the associate's degree a very valuable commodity, according to Harrison. "This is one of the best associate's degree programs out there, as there is a shortage of nurses," says Harrison. "Current state licensure only requires an associate's degree [from an accredited school] to take your RN exams."
Just keep in mind that while an associate's degree can get you started, it might not be enough for advancement down the road. "You will always have a job with this degree," Harrison adds. "But your growth [with an associate's degree] is limited, and you will only be a floor nurse in most cases. For higher pay in nursing, a bachelor's in nursing is golden."
Featured Replies
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
[h=3]Career #5 - Registered Nurse[/h]Find Degree Programs Median
Annual Salary*$66,220Top 10 Percent of Earners*$96,320Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*$45,630
Nurses do many things that you might normally expect a doctor to do. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses can administer medicine and treatment to patients, operate and monitor medical equipment, and help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results, among other duties. What nurses don't do is spend years toiling away in medical school.
What You Need: Nurses typically get started with either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), a diploma from an approved nursing program, or a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), according to the Department of Labor. They must also be licensed.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Registered Nursing Program.
High-Pay Factor: Again - we need nurses. And the need is so great that it makes the associate's degree a very valuable commodity, according to Harrison. "This is one of the best associate's degree programs out there, as there is a shortage of nurses," says Harrison. "Current state licensure only requires an associate's degree [from an accredited school] to take your RN exams."
Just keep in mind that while an associate's degree can get you started, it might not be enough for advancement down the road. "You will always have a job with this degree," Harrison adds. "But your growth [with an associate's degree] is limited, and you will only be a floor nurse in most cases. For higher pay in nursing, a bachelor's in nursing is golden."