The Benefits of Becoming a Registered Nurse

When assessing potential career paths into the field of nursing and healthcare, a common entry-point available early on is becoming a Registered Nurse.  For many of the top online Bachelor’s of Nursing degrees and best online Master’s of Nursing degree programs, it is often times a requirement or strongly encouraged to become Registered Nurse.  At Nonprofit Colleges Online, we’ve compiled a list of some of the reasons that might make you consider becoming a Registered Nurse.

Why Become a Registered Nurse? Registered Nurse Benefits for You

When studying nursing, students are typically afforded two option early on: to become a Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).  These two roles, while both crucial to the successful operation of a hospital or other medical setting, provide the graduate with two distinctly different sets of skills.

In order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, students must undergo a year of nursing education in a Nursing certificate program.  To become a Registered Nurse, students typically complete a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree along with additional training.

Greater Responsibility

Due to the greater deal of training required to become a Registered Nurse versus a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurses are given a must greater deal of responsibility and tasks to perform within a medical setting.  Licensed Practical Nurses are expected to carry out simpler tasks including basic medical checks, the insertion of catheters, checking blood pressure, bathing patients, and much more.  As a Registered Nurse, graduates will administer medication and treatments for patients as well as work to help create treatment plans for patients.  They will be asked a greater deal of critical thinking and will often times be in charge of groups of Licensed Practical Nurses.

Higher Earning Potential

Through the process of becoming a Registered Nurse, students will be able to increase their earning potential upon hiring.  Due to the additional education required to achieve Registered Nurse status, Registered Nurses are in high-demand and are compensated accordingly for their additional time spent studying and earning their RN.  As a Licensed Practical Nurse, graduates can expect to earn a median salary of approximately $42,000.  Those who choose to become a Registered Nurse can expect to add an additional $24,000 to their yearly salary with a median annual salary of $66,640.  For just a couple additional years of schooling, students will have greatly increased their earning potential.

Better Chances for Advancement

While integral to the hospital and medical environment, a Licensed Practical Nurses does not have many options for advancement within the field.  Without pursuing Registered Nurse status, Licensed Practical Nurses are not able to move into roles that Registered Nurses can take.  As a Registered Nurse, graduates are poised to continue their education as well as gain experience that will allow them to enter into more senior roles within healthcare and medical organizations.  If one would like to create more upward mobility within their field, it is best to consider the Registered Nurse designation.

When studying Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse is a great way to increase your earning potential while affording yourself better opportunities for advancement and greater responsibility within the organization that you choose to work for.