Registered Nurse

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Job Outlook through 2028

Employment Current: 151,750
Employment Projected: 170,720
Percentage Change: 12.5%

Education/Training

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Sample Job Titles

Charge Nurse, Director of Nursing (DON), Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse), Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN), Public Health Nurse (PHN), Registered Nurse (RN), School Nurse, Staff Nurse, Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse)

Duties

  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records. 
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects. 
  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs. 
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions. 
  • Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.

Skills

  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. 
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. 
  • Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people. 
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. 
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Average Wages in PA

Entry Level: $53,910
Average: $72,970
Experienced: $99,870