What does it mean to be a "registered nurse" (RN) and how much money do registered nurses earn?
A Registered nurse is a nurse who has completed at least an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), and has successfully passed the NCLEX-RN certification exam.
After becoming an RN, some go on to become an advanced practice RN (APRN) such as a CRNA, or other more highly specialized role.
RNs can work in a medical office or a hospital, in a variety of medical specialties and areas.
According to Payscale.com, the average starting pay for an RN is $21.83 per hour, which equates to an annual salary of about $42,000. For additional salary information for registered nurses, see the RN Salary Chart.
For more information on different types of nurses including registered nurses, see the nursing career profile.
