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Hospital floor

Registered Nurse

Twelve-hour shifts at the center of patient care.

Typical pay

$65k-$120k

How you get in

2-4 year nursing degree + NCLEX

Outlook

Excellent; ongoing shortage

RNs assess patients, give medication, coordinate with doctors and are the constant presence in a patient stay. Specialties range from the ER to oncology to school nursing.

A day in the life

  1. 6:45aShift handoff report on 4-6 patients
  2. 7:30aAssessments and morning med pass
  3. 10:00aRounds with the physician team
  4. 12:00pCharting, maybe lunch
  5. 2:00pAdmission from the ED, new IV, new orders
  6. 7:00pHand off to night shift, finish notes

How to get in

Associate degree (ADN)

Duration

2 years

Cost

$6,000-$20,000 at a community college

Credential

RN license via the NCLEX-RN

  1. Finish prerequisites — anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics
  2. Get into an ADN program (seats are competitive and often waitlisted)
  3. Complete coursework plus supervised clinical rotations
  4. Pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for your state license

Bachelor's degree (BSN)

Duration

4 years

Cost

$40,000-$120,000+

Credential

RN license via the NCLEX-RN

  1. Enter a BSN program directly from high school or transfer in
  2. Complete nursing coursework and clinical rotations
  3. Pass the NCLEX-RN
  4. Preferred by Magnet hospitals and required for most management tracks

LPN-to-RN bridge

Duration

12-18 months

Cost

$8,000-$25,000

Credential

RN license via the NCLEX-RN

  1. Work as an LPN/LVN first (that license takes about 12 months on its own)
  2. Enroll in a bridge program that credits your existing experience
  3. Complete the additional coursework and clinicals
  4. Pass the NCLEX-RN

Accelerated BSN (second degree)

Duration

12-18 months

Cost

$30,000-$70,000

Credential

RN license via the NCLEX-RN

  1. Hold a bachelor's degree in any field
  2. Complete the science prerequisites if you haven't already
  3. Enter an accelerated program — full-time and intense, working alongside it is rare
  4. Pass the NCLEX-RN

What people love

  • · Meaningful work every shift
  • · Three-day work weeks
  • · Huge range of specialties
  • · Jobs everywhere

What wears people down

  • · Emotionally heavy
  • · Understaffing and burnout
  • · On your feet 12+ hours
  • · Nights, weekends, holidays

From people doing it

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