Registered Nurse Jobs in the USA
9 min read
Registered nursing is one of the largest healthcare professions in the United States, with registered nurses working across hospitals, outpatient facilities, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, schools, government agencies and home healthcare. The profession also offers multiple areas of specialisation, allowing nurses to build careers in clinical care, community health, education, administration and advanced practice.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects continued growth in registered nursing employment between 2024 and 2034, with about 189,100 openings expected each year on average. Demand is supported by population ageing, chronic health conditions and the continuing need for healthcare services across different settings. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
For nurses considering employment in the United States, understanding the types of RN jobs available, the licensing process and the qualifications employers typically look for is an important first step.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do in the USA?
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care while working with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Their responsibilities can include:
- Assessing patients' health conditions
- Recording medical histories and symptoms
- Monitoring patients and documenting changes
- Administering medications and treatments
- Developing or contributing to patient care plans
- Operating and monitoring medical equipment
- Assisting with diagnostic procedures
- Educating patients and their families
- Providing emotional support
- Coordinating care with other healthcare professionals
- Preparing patients for discharge and explaining follow-up care
The exact responsibilities of an RN depend heavily on the workplace and specialty.
A nurse working in an intensive care unit, for example, will have different responsibilities from one working in a school, outpatient clinic or home healthcare setting. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Where Do Registered Nurses Work?
Registered nurses are employed in a wide variety of healthcare environments.
Hospitals
Hospitals are the largest employers of registered nurses in the United States. RNs may work in emergency departments, intensive care units, operating rooms, maternity units, medical-surgical wards, oncology departments and many other specialties.
Hospital nursing can provide opportunities to develop specialised clinical skills and move into advanced or leadership positions.
Outpatient Healthcare
Registered nurses also work in outpatient settings, including physicians' offices, ambulatory care centres and specialist clinics.
These positions may involve patient assessment, treatment, education, care coordination and follow-up.
Outpatient nursing can appeal to nurses who prefer a setting that may have more predictable schedules than some hospital roles.
Home Healthcare
Home healthcare nurses provide care to patients in their homes.
Their responsibilities may include monitoring health conditions, administering treatments, educating patients and supporting long-term care plans.
This area can be particularly relevant to an ageing population and patients who prefer to receive care outside hospitals.
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Registered nurses also work in nursing homes and residential care facilities, caring for patients who may require long-term support.
These nurses often work with older adults and patients with chronic or complex conditions.
Schools
School nurses provide health services to students and may manage medications, respond to injuries and illnesses, support students with health conditions and contribute to health education.
Government and Public Health
Some RNs work for government agencies and public health programmes.
These positions can involve community health, disease prevention, health education, care coordination and public health initiatives.
Common Registered Nursing Specialties
One of the major advantages of becoming an RN in the United States is the range of specialties available.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Medical-surgical nursing is one of the most common hospital nursing areas.
Medical-surgical nurses care for adults with a broad range of illnesses and conditions. The role can provide a strong foundation for nurses who later want to specialise.
Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses work with patients who have serious or life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
They commonly work in intensive care units and monitor patients closely while administering complex treatments.
Critical care nursing requires strong clinical judgement and the ability to respond quickly to changes in a patient's condition. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Emergency Nursing
Emergency nurses work in emergency departments and care for patients with urgent medical needs.
The environment can be fast-paced, requiring nurses to assess patients quickly, prioritise care and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Paediatric Nursing
Paediatric nurses care for infants, children and adolescents.
They may work in hospitals, clinics, specialist centres and other healthcare settings.
Oncology Nursing
Oncology nurses care for patients with cancer.
Their responsibilities can include administering treatments, monitoring patients, managing symptoms and educating patients and families.
Cardiovascular Nursing
Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with heart and circulatory conditions.
They may work with patients before or after cardiac procedures and support people managing chronic cardiovascular diseases.
Geriatric Nursing
Geriatric nurses specialise in caring for older adults.
The role is becoming increasingly relevant as the U.S. population ages and demand for healthcare services among older adults grows. BLS identifies population ageing as one of the factors supporting continued demand for registered nurses. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Public Health Nursing
Public health nurses focus on health at the community and population level.
They may participate in disease prevention, health education, community outreach and other public health programmes.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in the USA
There are several educational routes into registered nursing in the United States.
According to the BLS, prospective RNs can generally enter the profession through a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or an approved nursing diploma programme. All routes include clinical experience, although educational structures vary. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
However, completing a nursing programme does not by itself grant permission to practise.
Registered nurses must be licensed by the state in which they practise.
Each state has its own board of nursing and determines its licensing requirements.
The NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN is a central part of the U.S. RN licensing process.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) states that all U.S. boards of nursing use the NCLEX-RN for registered nurse licensure. However, other licensing requirements can vary between states. (NCSBN)
This distinction is particularly important when researching nursing employment in the United States.
A nurse cannot simply assume that meeting the requirements of one state automatically satisfies the requirements of every other state.
Before beginning the licensing process, applicants should identify the state where they intend to practise and review the requirements of that state's board of nursing.
Nursing Jobs for Internationally Educated Nurses
The United States also employs nurses who completed their nursing education outside the country.
However, internationally educated nurses must meet the applicable licensing requirements before practising as registered nurses.
NCSBN notes that each state is responsible for nursing licensure within its jurisdiction and that requirements can vary between states. It recommends that internationally educated nurses review the specific requirements of the relevant state board. (NCSBN)
Depending on the state and the applicant's circumstances, the process can involve evaluation and verification of nursing education and credentials, examination requirements and other documentation.
English-language requirements may also apply depending on the circumstances and the relevant licensing or credential-evaluation process.
Because requirements differ, nurses should not rely on a general checklist when preparing an application.
Choosing a State Before Applying
One of the most important decisions for nurses seeking employment in the United States is choosing where they want to practise.
The United States does not have one single national nursing licence.
Instead, nursing is regulated at the state level. (NCSBN)
This means nurses should research:
- The state's board of nursing
- RN licensure requirements
- Educational requirements
- Examination requirements
- Credential evaluation requirements where applicable
- Background-check requirements
- Continuing education requirements
- Employer requirements
- State-specific practice rules
A nurse who has already identified a potential employer should also check which state the position is located in before beginning the licensing process.
What Employers Look for in Registered Nurses
Once a nurse meets the relevant licensing requirements, employers may consider several factors when hiring.
Clinical Experience
Experience in a hospital or relevant specialty can strengthen an application, particularly for positions requiring specialised skills.
Education
Nurses may hold an associate degree, diploma or bachelor's degree depending on their educational pathway and the requirements of the position.
Some employers may prefer or require a BSN for particular roles.
Certifications
Depending on the position, employers may look for certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or specialty-specific credentials.
The BLS notes that some registered nursing positions may require CPR, BLS or ACLS certification. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Communication Skills
Registered nurses communicate constantly with patients, families, physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Strong communication is therefore an important part of safe and effective nursing practice.
Clinical Judgement
Nurses must recognise changes in patients' conditions and determine when additional intervention is needed.
Critical thinking and sound clinical judgement are particularly important in acute-care environments.
Employment Outlook for Registered Nurses
The outlook for registered nurses in the United States remains positive.
BLS projects 5% employment growth for registered nurses from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations. The agency also projects approximately 189,100 openings annually during that period. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Demand is expected across multiple healthcare settings rather than being concentrated exclusively in hospitals.
BLS specifically points to the ageing population and increasing healthcare needs associated with chronic conditions as factors contributing to demand for registered nurses. Growth is also expected in hospitals and outpatient settings, while demand for home-based and residential care is supported by older adults' preferences and healthcare needs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Career Progression for Registered Nurses
An RN position can also serve as the starting point for several advanced career pathways.
Experienced nurses may move into:
- Charge nurse positions
- Nurse management
- Clinical education
- Case management
- Nursing administration
- Quality improvement
- Public health
- Nursing research
- Healthcare consulting
Some RNs also pursue advanced practice nursing.
The BLS identifies nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists as advanced practice registered nursing roles. These positions require additional education and licensing requirements. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
For nurses interested in moving away from direct bedside care, nursing can also provide pathways into healthcare administration, education, policy, quality assurance and other areas.
Where to Find Registered Nurse Jobs in the USA
Nurses looking for employment can search through several channels.
Hospital Career Websites
Major hospital systems generally maintain dedicated careers pages where nursing vacancies are posted.
Healthcare Recruitment Agencies
Healthcare recruitment firms can connect nurses with employers and may specialise in particular nursing fields or geographic areas.
Government Job Portals
Government healthcare organisations also recruit registered nurses.
Professional Nursing Organisations
Professional nursing associations can provide career resources, networking opportunities and information about employment.
General Job Platforms
Large employment websites can also be useful when searching for RN vacancies, although applicants should always verify that a position is legitimate and that the employer is authorised to hire nurses in the relevant jurisdiction.
Can Registered Nurses Work in Different States?
Possibly, but nurses must understand the licensing rules that apply to each state.
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows eligible nurses with a multistate licence to practise in participating jurisdictions, subject to the compact's rules. Not every state participates in the compact, so nurses should check the current status and requirements before relying on multistate privileges.
For nurses moving between states, this can be an important consideration when evaluating employment opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Registered nursing offers one of the broadest healthcare career pathways in the United States. Nurses can work in hospitals, outpatient facilities, home healthcare, nursing facilities, schools, government programmes and other healthcare environments.
The profession also offers numerous specialties, including medical-surgical nursing, critical care, emergency nursing, paediatrics, oncology, cardiovascular nursing, geriatric nursing and public health nursing.
For nurses educated outside the United States, the licensing process requires particular attention because RN licensure is regulated by individual states, and requirements can vary. All U.S. nursing boards use the NCLEX-RN, but applicants must also satisfy the requirements of the state where they seek licensure. (NCSBN)
With continued employment growth projected and substantial numbers of annual openings, registered nursing remains an important healthcare career in the United States. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
For anyone planning a nursing career in the country, the best starting point is to identify the desired state, understand its licensing requirements, choose an appropriate nursing specialty and then target employers that match their qualifications and experience.
