A career as a registered nurse or RN can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. Even with the increased unemployment in other job sectors, the demand for a registered nurses is high and rising. Existing professionals in this area can't quite meet the demand. This explains why the majority of workers in the health care industry are registered nurses (RN), and most of them are occupying advanced nursing positions. However, going for any RN nursing degree program requires a lot of money, hard work and time invested. The best thing is that the number of job opportunities make becoming an RN worth it. If you have a passion for nursing and have the emotional stability to work in stressful conditions, you will never regret going for an RN nursing degree.

The popularity of an RN nursing degree is due to the attractive job opportunities and salaries. Nursing education provides you with a versatile skill set you can apply in diverse areas. Apart from hospitals, nurses can work at insurance companies, law firms, academic institutions, research organizations and private physician practices. According to the US department of labor, average salaries for registered nurses range from $50,000 to $60,000. Registered nurses are also entitled to bonuses and receive attractive benefits. Aside from the financial rewards, registered nurses find personal satisfaction from doing a good job and being able to provide care to those who need it.

Before you pursue any nursing degree program, it is important to remind yourself that this field is both challenging and rewarding. Perhaps no other field has the kind of disappointments, drama, and let downs as you might see in the nursing arena.

Getting into any RN nursing program will have several prerequisites to consider. Usual factors include but are not limited to a 3.0 grade point average, above average ACT and SAT test scores as well as advanced understanding and education of math, science, foreign language, and reading and writing skills.

Nursing students also develop important qualities in their pursuit of RN nursing degree programs and being able to provide nursing care to others. Such important life skills include organization, positive attitude, stress management, endurance, and communication skills that are required to succeed in nursing. They also face other challenges in their line of work, but these make this career that much more rewarding and interesting. You may have to work long hours and follow strange schedules with night and weekend shifts. The nature of work in this line of duty is emotionally stressing and demanding. If you want to become an RN, you will have to work hard, persevere and have the courage to deal with difficult situations.