How to Become a Registered Nurse: Is It the Right Career for You?

Registered Nurse Career Video

Introduction

Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in modern healthcare, often serving as the backbone of patient care across hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community health settings. They combine medical knowledge with compassion, critical thinking, and communication to care for patients, educate families, and support physicians and other healthcare professionals.

If you’re drawn to helping people, thrive in fast-paced environments, and are willing to commit to a demanding but rewarding profession, nursing might be your calling. But how do you know if becoming a Registered Nurse is right for you? This guide explores what nurses do, where they work, the steps to becoming an RN, their salaries and job outlook, and how to decide if this is the right career path.

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Our career test, also known as a career aptitude test, can help you determine if becoming a Registered Nurse aligns with your strengths, skills, and passions.

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What Does a Registered Nurse Do?

Registered Nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. Their specific duties can vary depending on where they work, but core responsibilities include:

  • Assessing patients’ health problems and needs.
  • Developing and implementing nursing care plans.
  • Administering medications and treatments.
  • Monitoring and recording patient progress.
  • Collaborating with physicians, specialists, and other healthcare staff.
  • Educating patients and families about managing illnesses or injuries.

Specialized Nursing Roles

Many RNs choose to specialize, which allows them to focus on a particular patient population or healthcare need. Common specialties include:

  • Pediatric Nursing – Caring for infants, children, and adolescents.
  • Oncology Nursing – Supporting cancer patients through treatment and recovery.
  • Critical Care Nursing – Working with patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • Geriatric Nursing – Assisting older adults with chronic conditions or long-term care needs.
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing – Providing care to patients with mental health challenges.

Each specialization requires a unique set of skills but shares the core foundation of compassionate, evidence-based care.

What Is the Working Environment for a Registered Nurse?

Registered Nurses work in diverse settings, each with its own pace and demands. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022, the largest employers of RNs were:

  • Hospitals (state, local, and private): 59%
  • Ambulatory healthcare services (including physician offices and outpatient care): 18%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities: 6%
  • Government agencies: 5%
  • Educational services: 3%

Typical Work Schedules

  • Full-time vs. Part-time: Most nurses work full-time, though part-time and flexible schedules are available.
  • Shifts: Nurses often work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide 24/7 patient care.
  • Overtime: Because of staffing shortages in many healthcare systems, overtime is common.

Work Environment Characteristics

  • Fast-paced and demanding: Especially in emergency or critical care settings.
  • Emotionally challenging: Nurses often care for very sick patients or support families in crisis.
  • Rewarding: The ability to make a direct difference in patients’ lives is deeply fulfilling for many RNs.

How Do You Become a Registered Nurse?

Becoming a Registered Nurse requires a combination of formal education, hands-on training, and licensure.

Step 1: Earn a Nursing Degree

There are several educational pathways to becoming an RN:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Typically 2–3 years, offered at community colleges.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Usually a 4-year degree; often preferred by employers.
  • Accelerated BSN Programs: For those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
  • Diploma Programs: Hospital-based programs are less common today but still available.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

After completing your degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which tests nursing knowledge and clinical judgment.

Step 3: Obtain State Licensure

Each state requires nurses to be licensed to practice. Requirements may vary slightly, so it’s essential to check your state board of nursing.

Step 4: Gain Experience

Many RNs begin in entry-level positions at hospitals or clinics. Over time, they may pursue specializations through certifications (e.g., critical care, pediatrics, oncology).

Step 5: Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)

RNs who want to move into leadership, advanced practice, or academic roles may pursue:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
  • Ph.D. in Nursing.

For more information, explore the American Nurses Association and your local board of nursing.

What Is the Salary of a Registered Nurse?

According to the BLS (2023), the median annual wage for Registered Nurses was $86,070 as of May 2023.

  • The lowest 10% earned less than $61,250.
  • The highest 10% earned more than $132,680.

Reference: BLS Salary Guide for Registered Nurses

What Is the Labor Market for a Registered Nurse?

Registered Nurses are in high demand nationwide.

According to the BLS, employment of RNs is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to create around 177,400 openings each year, mainly due to retirements and worker replacements.

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a Registered Nurse?

Pros

  • High demand and job security.
  • Above-average salaries and benefits.
  • Diverse job opportunities in many settings.
  • Opportunities for specialization and advancement.
  • The ability to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Cons

  • Physically demanding work, often requiring long hours.
  • Emotional stress from caring for sick or terminal patients.
  • Exposure to illnesses, infections, and workplace hazards.
  • Shift work and irregular schedules may affect work-life balance.

What Are the Careers Related to Being a Registered Nurse?

If you’re considering nursing but want to explore related paths, here are some careers to consider:

Registered Nurse - A Social Career Path

A Registered Nurse (RN) aligns with the Social–Investigative–Conventional personality types in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework helps match your personality traits with careers that are a good fit. You can discover your personal three-letter Holland Code by taking the Free Career Fit Test™.

People with Social traits thrive in careers focused on helping, educating, and caring for others—core aspects of nursing. Registered Nurses provide direct patient care, administer treatments, monitor progress, and offer emotional support to patients and families.

Investigative individuals enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking, which are essential for assessing symptoms, developing care plans, and collaborating with medical teams to deliver effective treatment.

Conventional types value structure, rules, and organization, making nursing a strong fit since it requires following established protocols, maintaining detailed records, and ensuring patient safety.

As a career, nursing is ideal for those who want to combine compassion with clinical expertise.

List of Holland Social Careers

Below are many more social careers. Also, see our article, Finding the Right Career for Your Social Personality.

To determine which careers best fit you, take a career test such as the Career Fit Test™.

What Types of Jobs Can a Registered Nurse Pursue?

RNs can work in a variety of positions beyond traditional bedside nursing, such as:

  • Hospital Staff Nurse.
  • Community Health Nurse.
  • School Nurse.
  • Travel Nurse.
  • Public Health Nurse.
  • Case Manager.
  • Nurse Educator (with advanced degree).
  • Home Health Nurse.

What Websites Are Best for Finding Registered Nurse Jobs?

If you’re ready to explore opportunities, here are some trusted job search websites:

How Do I Know if I Should Be a Registered Nurse?

Deciding whether to pursue a nursing career requires honest self-reflection, external feedback, and exposure to the realities of the profession. Nursing is both rewarding and demanding, so it’s essential to assess your skills, personality, and long-term goals before committing to this path. Below are three strategies to help you determine if becoming a registered nurse (RN) is the right choice for you.

Take a Career Aptitude Test

One of the most reliable ways to explore your fit for nursing is by taking a career aptitude test. The Free Career Fit Test™ is particularly valuable because it combines three assessments into one comprehensive tool:

  • Career Test – Matches your passions and interests with potential career paths.
  • Career Aptitude Assessment – Evaluates your problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills, which are essential for nursing.
  • Personality Trait Quiz – Measures traits such as empathy, resilience, adaptability, and conscientiousness—all crucial for success as a nurse.

The results are compiled in the Career Fit Test™ Premium Report, which highlights your strengths, identifies best-fit career options like nursing, and helps you align your professional journey with your personal values and purpose. This clarity can be invaluable when deciding if the nursing profession truly resonates with you.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Another excellent step is to engage in informational interviews with practicing nurses. These conversations provide first-hand perspectives on the realities of nursing that you won’t find in textbooks or job descriptions. Consider asking questions such as:

  • What do you enjoy most about your role as a nurse?
  • What are the biggest challenges you face in your daily work?
  • How has your career evolved?
  • What advice would you give to someone considering nursing as a career?

Hearing real experiences from professionals in different settings—hospitals, clinics, schools, or community health centers—can give you a balanced picture of the career’s rewards and demands.

Gain Hands-On Experience

Finally, nothing replaces direct experience. Spending time in healthcare environments allows you to see the realities of nursing up close. Options include:

  • Volunteering at hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes to observe healthcare teams in action.
  • Shadowing nurses to gain insight into daily routines, patient care, and workplace dynamics.
  • Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or medical assistant to build foundational skills and test your comfort with patient care.

These experiences can confirm whether the challenges of healthcare energize you or if another path may be a better fit.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as a Registered Nurse?

Here are some resources to deepen your research:

Conclusion

Becoming a Registered Nurse is more than choosing a profession—it’s choosing to impact lives every single day. Nurses serve as the backbone of healthcare, combining medical knowledge with empathy to guide patients and families through both challenges and triumphs.

If you’re exploring this path, start by reflecting on your personal strengths, passions, and long-term goals. A career test such as the Free Career Fit Test™ can provide clarity by aligning your skills and values with nursing and other potential career paths. Paired with informational interviews and hands-on experience, these insights will give you the confidence to decide whether nursing is truly your calling.