Registered Nursing Schools

Schools by State
for Nurses:

AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY

Career Highlights for
Registered Nurses

Training generally required for this career includes: Associate degree.

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

• Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Acute Care Nurse
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse
• Ambulatory Care Coordinator
• Associate Director of Nursing (ADON)
• Burn Center Nurse
• Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)
• Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Registered Nurse
• Cardiac Nurse Specialist
• Central Supply Nurse
• Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE)
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Charge Nurse
• Circulating Nurse
• Clinical Nurse
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Clinical Supervisor
• Community Health Nurse
• Community Health Nurse Supervisor
• Consultant Nurse
• Consulting Nurse
• Coronary Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)
• County Nurse
• Critical Care Nurse
• Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
• Critical Care Nurse Specialist
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• Critical Care Unit Nurse
• Critical Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse)
• Delivery Room Supervisor
• Director of Nursing (DON)
• Discharge Planner
• Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse)
• Emergency Room Nurse
• Emergency Room Registered Nurse (ER RN)
• Endoscopy RN (Endoscopy Registered Nurse)
• Evening or Night Nurse Supervisor
• Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Field Nurse
• Flight Nurse
• Floor Supervisor
• Forensic Nurse
• General Duty Nurse
• Geriatric Care Manager
• Geriatric Nurse
• Head Nurse
• Health Care Coordinator
• Health Unit Supervisor
• Hospice Nurse
• Industrial Nurse
• Industrial Registered Nurse
• Industrial Staff Nurse
• Infection Control Nurse
• Intensive Care Unit Nurse
• Intensive Care Unit Nurse (ICU Nurse)
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Lactation Consultant
• Legal Nurse Consultant
• Life Care Planner
• Maternity Floor Supervisor
• Maternity Nurse
• Medical/Surgery Registered Nurse (Med/Surg RN)
• Mental Health Nurse
• Mid Wife
• Neonatal Critical Care Nurse
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse (NICU Nurse)
• Neonatal Nurse
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nurse Case Manager
• Nurse Clinician
• Nurse Consultant
• Nurse Coordinator
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Receptionist
• Nurse Technician
• Nurses Supervisor
• Nursing Director
• OB/GYN Nurse (Obstetrics/Gynecology Nurse)
• Obstetrical Nurse
• Obstetrics Nurse (OB Nurse)
• Obstetrics Scrub Nurse (OB Scrub Nurse)
• Occupational Health Nurse
• Occupational Health Nurse Supervisor
• Occupational Nurse
• Oncology Nurse
• Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse)
• Operating Room Nurse
• Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)
• Operating Room Supervisor
• Patient Care Coordinator
• Pediatric Acute Care Unit Nurse
• Pediatric Critical Care Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Pediatric Oncology Nurse
• Pediatric Registered Nurse
• Pediatrics RN (Pediatrics Registered Nurse)
• Perianesthesia Nurse
• Perinatal Nurse
• Perioperative Nurse
• Physical Therapy Nurse
• Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse (PACU Nurse)
• Post Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse (PACU Nurse)
• Post Anesthesia Room Nurse
• Prenatal Nurse
• Private Duty Nurse
• Progressive Care Nurse
• Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
• Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Psychiatric Nurse
• Psychiatric Nurse
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Registered Nurse
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Public Health Nurse
• Public Health Staff Nurse
• Receptionist Nurse
• Recovery Room Nurse
• Registered Health Nurse
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Registered Nurse Supervisor
• Registered Nurse, Certified (RNC)
• Registered Private Duty Nurse
• Registered Public Health Nurse
• Relief Charge Nurse
• RN BSN (Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
• RN Case Manager (Registered Nurse Case Manager)
• School Nurse
• Scrub Nurse
• Special Duty Nurse
• Staff Nurse
• Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse)
• Step-Down Nurse
• Student Nurse
• Subacute Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
• Supervisor Nurse
• Surgical First Assistant
• Surgical Nurse
• Surgical Supervisor
• Telemetry Nurse
• Telephone Triage Nurse
• Transverse Abdominal Muscle Nurse (TRAM Nurse)
• Trauma Nurse
• Traveling Nurse
• Triage Nurse
• Vascular Nurse
• Visiting Nurse
• Ward Nurse
• Ward Supervisor
• X Ray Nurse

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Registered Nurse Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

Registered nurses (RNs) fill 2.5 million jobs nationally, making it the largest occupation in US health care. They provide direct care to patients, and supervise the care provided by licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and other staff. RNs are responsible for making many decisions about a patient's care, including developing or following a documented plan of care. Their duties can include:

• documenting medical history and symptoms
• providing medication (checking for proper doses and potential interactions) and other forms of treatment
• running diagnostic tests and interpreting the results
• operating medical machinery
• inserting and removing IVs
• protecting patients' privacy
• consulting with physicians
• educating loved ones who will assist in patient care

In hospitals, registered nurses may have the choice to work in a variety of departments, including:

• patient care units including pediatrics and nurseries
• operating rooms and obstetrics delivery rooms
• intensive care units, trauma units and emergency rooms
• radiology departments and laboratories
• psychiatric units and drug treatment centers
• occupational and physical therapy departments
• patient advocacy or educational programs

Only approximately 60% of registered nurses work in hospitals, however. They may also work in doctor's offices, patients' homes, or remotely (over the Internet or phone) where they do not provide hands-on care. They may serve as educators, manage health information or assist with legal and criminal investigations.

Registered Nursing Degrees and Registered Nursing Schools

To get their RN credential, most registered nurses attend an accredited two- or three-year associate's degree program at a vocational school or community college. Programs are readily available, and versatile to meet the diverse needs of students. Other RNs may attend a four-year college to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), or pursue a diploma through a hospital program. To advance their career, RNs may choose to get certified in specialty areas, such as critical care, oncology or rehabilitation. RNs might also advance themselves through higher level degrees through programs such RN to BSN degrees or RN to MSN degrees.

Registered Nursing Classes

Both classroom instruction and clinical experience are core to nursing programs. Required courses typically include:

• anatomy
• physiology
• microbiology
• chemistry
• nutrition
• behavioral sciences such as psychology
• nursing

Supervised clinical experience may be offered through:

• hospital departments
• nursing care facilities
• public health departments
• home health agencies
• ambulatory clinics

Online Registered Nursing Classes and Programs

Because of the required clinical experience during school, RN educational programs are not suited for 100% online delivery. Most are all on-campus programs while some may mix online and clinical components. To help compensate for required onsite training, schools frequently offer flexible schedules including night and weekend classes.

Nurses are expected to keep their knowledge about medical advancements up-to-date by completing a certain number of continued-education CME credits annually (some states require this). Online courses to meet these requirements are plentiful, and may coordinate clinical components with local medical facilities.

Online programs are available for existing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) that are seeking to gain a degree that is required to become an RN. These online LPN to RN programs enable working LPNs to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or BSN almost entirely online from a convenient location such as their home.

Online RN educational programs are also available for career advancement – for example, earning a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) that helps a nurse specialize in a specific area. Two examples of online programs that are gaining strong interest for RNs include RN to BSN degree and RN to MSN degree. The availability of these online programs and courses has experienced major growth rates – there are now many such programs – due to their convenience for time-limited, on-the-job professionals and for those far away from a school campus. For programs requiring some clinical time, these periods are usually completed at a medical facility affiliated with the online school that is as close as possible to the student.

Registered Nurse Requirements

To be accepted into nursing educational programs, in addition to taking SATs and other tests, a pre-admission test called the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission Exam is required by some schools. In order to be licensed to practice, graduating registered nursing students must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

How to Evaluate Registered Nursing Schools

Prospective RN students should also consider the following factors when evaluating programs:

• School and class size - Some students learn better in smaller classes, with more interpersonal interaction with faculty and fellow students. Larger schools may offer more amenities, and may be less expensive with more options for financial aid.
• Career path - Careful evaluation of career objectives is recommended before choosing an educational program, as some career paths for registered nurses including administrative or advanced specialties that require a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing.
• Clinical practice - Consider the different kinds of clinical experience offered by each program, and how it relates to specific career goals. Required clinical hours should be substantial.
• Graduate success - Compare board exam pass rates to see how many students obtained their license upon graduation, and how many students dropped out before completing a program.
• Tuition and financial assistance - The cost to attend different programs can vary widely, as can the kinds of financial assistance available. Consider researching available scholarships as well.

Apply For a BrainTrack Nursing Scholarship

To help nursing students currently studying to become a nurse, such as an LPN or RN, or to advance their education as a nurse via associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree programs, BrainTrack's Nursing Schools Scholarship offers a winning and second place award every semester. The scholarship essays submitted by entrants are designed to help others consider becoming a nurse or advancing their nursing education and career options.

Scholarship Details and Submission Form

Listed below are some of the careers in the US with the most job openings and/or fastest growth, according to US government statistics and BrainTrack's own analysis. BrainTrack's profiles for these careers overview responsibilities, degrees, areas of study, career requirements, online study options, and how to evaluate relevant schools. Each profile also lists relevant US schools including those in each state.

Engineering and Technology

• Application Software Engineers
• Computer Programmers
• Computer Support Specialists
• Database Administrators
• Network Administrators
• Network Analysts
• Systems Analysts
• Systems Software Engineers

Healthcare

• Cardiovascular Technician Training
• Dental Assistant Schools
• Dental Hygienist Schools
• Dental Laboratory Technician Schools
• EMT and Paramedic Schools
• Home Health Aides
• LPN Nursing Classes and Programs
• Medical Assistant Schools
• Medical Lab Technician Schools
• Medical Lab Technologist Schools
• Medical Secretary Schools
• Nursing Aide Schools
• Pharmacy Aide Schools
• Pharmacy Technician Schools
• Physical Therapy Schools
• Radiation Therapists
• Radiologic Technicians
• Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
• Respiratory Therapist Schools
• Ultrasound Technician Schools

Education

• Elementary School Teaching Degree
• Middle School Teaching Degree
• Secondary School Teaching Degree
• Teacher Assistant Training

Community and Social Services

• Human Service Assistants

Business

• Accounting and Auditor Degrees
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Degrees
• Public Relations Specialist

Management

• Advertising Manager
• Engineering Manager
• General Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Management Analyst / Management Consultant

Office Support

• Administrative Assistants / Executive Secretaries
• Office Manager / Administrative Services Manager
• Secretaries
• Supervisors of Office Workers

Sales

• Sales Manager

Legal

• Correctional Officers and Jailers
• Lawyers
• Legal Secretaries
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Police Officers

Design

• Fashion Designers
• Interior Designers
• Graphic Designers

Arts And Entertainment

• Photography Schools

Culinary

• Chef Training
• Restaurant Cooks
• Food Service Managers

Personal Care And Service

• Hairdresser and Cosmetologist Training

Mechanic

• Automotive Mechanics
• HVAC Mechanics

Massage and Physical Therapy

• Massage Therapist Schools

Registered nursing schools and employment data on this page provided by CityTownInfo.com.