Nursing

Registered nurses represent the largest segment of the health care workforce. Check out this statistical portrait of today's registered nurses (RNs), as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.

Nursing population: Approximately 2,909,467 people living in the U.S. are educated and licensed to practice as RNs, and 2,421,461 are employed as RNs.

Nursing age: The average age of registered nurses is estimated to be 46.8. Around 26.6 percent of all RNs are under age 40, 16.6 percent are under 35, and 8.1 percent are under 30.

Nursing gender: Men represent just 5.7 percent of licensed RNs.

Initial nursing education: About 25.2 percent of licensed RNs receive their initial nursing education in a diploma program; 42.2 percent receive their initial education in an associate degree program; 30.5 percent in a bachelor's degree program; and 0.5 percent in a master's or doctoral degree program.

Advanced nursing education: The highest level of preparation for an estimated 17.5 percent of RNs is a diploma; for 33.7 percent the highest preparation is an associate degree; for 34.2 percent it is a bachelor's degree; and for 13.0 percent it is a master's or doctoral degree.

Nursing salary: The actual average annual earnings of registered nurses employed full time in 2004 were $57,784.

A Day in the Life of a Registered Nurse What goes in to the daily tasks of someone in the nursing profession? A day in the life of a registered nurse will give you insight and understanding on seeing if it's a career you should pursue. From Hospital to Courtroom: Solve Mysteries at Legal Nurse Consultant Schools Programs at legal nurse consultant schools combine knowledge of medicine and law. Once you become a legal nurse consultant, you can solve high-profile cases -- and maybe even appear on Court TV! From Nursing to Health Care Administration Read how one woman's career went from bedside nursing to a leading role in health care administration. Nursing Schools Can Be a Gateway to the World Opportunities have always awaited those in a nursing career, but now nursing schools can get you closer to seeing the world. QUESTION: Can I still go into a nursing career if... Find out if a nursing career is right for you. QUESTION: How can I get my RN or medical assisting license... ... within a short period of time...? QUESTION: Should I Pursue Nursing or Pediatrics? Get a breakdown of nursing and pediatrics, and then decide which is best for your future career. RN to BSN Programs Promote Advancement In response to the need for a more highly educated nursing workforce, enrollment in RN to BSN programs is on the rise. The Health Care Landscape The health care industry is one of the most stable fields in the country. Why not research health care schools, and see what you can achieve in the industry? TV's Portrayal of Nursing The nursing profession has become a popular field, but it's probably not due to TV. Check out the realities of nursing.