Registered Nurses

Employers

More than 3.3 million registered nurses are employed in the United States. About 58 percent of registered nurses work in hospitals, 19 percent in ambulatory healthcare services, 6 percent for the government, 5 percent in nursing and residential care facilities, and 3 percent in educational services. The rest work in managed-care facilities, clinics, industry, private homes, schools, and camps. Some nurses work part time.

Starting Out

The only way to become a registered nurse is through completion of one of the three kinds of educational programs, plus passing the licensing examination. Registered nurses may apply for employment directly to hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, temporary nursing agencies, companies, and government agencies that hire nurses. Jobs can also be obtained through college career services offices, by signing up with employment agencies specializing in placement of nursing personnel, or through the state employment office. Other sources of jobs include nurses' associations, professional journals, and newspaper want ads.