Registered Nurse

The median salary for a Registered Nurse is $86,070 per year. Entry-level positions start around $55,000, while experienced professionals can earn up to $132,000 depending on location, specialization, and industry.

Take AP Biology and AP Chemistry. Volunteer at hospitals. Consider BSN programs. The typical education requirement is bachelor's degree. Recommended majors include Nursing (BSN).

Most Registered Nurse positions require bachelor's degree. The most relevant majors are Nursing (BSN). Top schools for this field include Johns Hopkins, Duke, UPenn. However, some professionals enter the field through alternative paths like bootcamps, certifications, or self-directed learning.

The most valuable AP courses for aspiring Registered Nurses are: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology. These courses build foundational knowledge and can strengthen your college applications for related programs.

You arrive for your 12-hour shift and get report from the outgoing nurse on your four to six patients. The morning is a whirlwind — administering medications, checking vital signs, hanging IV drips, and documenting everything in the electronic health record (Epic or Cerner). You coordinate with doctors during rounds, advocate for a patient who needs a different pain management plan, and comfort a nervous family before their loved one's procedure. Between charting and responding to call lights, you might start an IV, change a wound dressing, or help a patient walk for the first time after surgery.

Healthcare is recession-proof. Nursing offers job security, good pay, and the ability to make a direct impact on people's lives. Job growth is projected at 6%, which is declining. The median salary of $86,070 also positions it competitively in the job market.

Registered Nurse has an AI automation risk score of 5/100 (Very Low). This career is highly resistant to AI automation due to its need for human judgment, creativity, or physical presence. Key human-centric skills include Bedside patient care, Clinical assessment, Patient advocacy.

You're compassionate, detail-oriented, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Success in this role also depends on continuous learning and adaptability, especially as the field evolves with new technology and industry trends.