Registered Nurse (BSN)

🩺 Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RNs) play a critical role in today’s evolving healthcare system, particularly in models that emphasize preventive care and the management of chronic illnesses. These models aim to reduce costly hospital admissions and improve care coordination as patients transition between care settings.

RNs are involved in a wide range of functions including direct patient care, care coordination, education, research, and health policy advocacy. Their role is vital in ensuring that healthcare delivery is safe, effective, and patient-centered.

💼What Registered Nurses Do

Registered Nurses:

• Treat patients by administering medications, taking vital signs, operating medical equipment, and assisting with procedures.
• Evaluate patients and developing care plans, which includes taking medical histories, ordering and interpreting lab tests, and collaborating with physicians, specialists, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease to reduce the need for acute care services.
• Educate patients and families on treatment plans, medication adherence, disease management, and wellness strategies.
• Promote public health through immunization clinics, health screenings, blood drives, and educational outreach.

🏥 Where Registered Nurses Work

Registered Nurses are employed in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals (inpatient and outpatient)
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Surgical centers
• Primary care and specialty physicians’ offices
• Home care and hospice agencies
• Schools and colleges
• Public health departments
• Community-based organizations
• Health insurance companies

Note: While hospitals have traditionally been a major employer of RNs, the healthcare system is shifting toward community-based and outpatient care, which may lead to fewer hospital-based opportunities for new graduates.

🎓 Education and Training Requirements

Graduate from an accredited nursing program, typically earning an associate’s degree:

To become a registered nurse, a college degree in nursing is required, and all candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam after graduation.

There are two common educational pathways:

1. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – A 2-3 year program typically offered at community colleges. ADN programs require rigorous coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology.
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – A 4-year degree program that includes leadership, research, and public health training. Many schools also offer RN-to-BSN or ADN-to-BSN bridge programs.

In Massachusetts, employers and colleges are increasingly promoting educational advancement—from LPN to RN and from ADN to BSN—through innovative programs and partnerships.

Once you are a registered nurse, you have a variety of career paths open to you that all require experience and ongoing education. Learn more about Advanced Practice Nursing.

Before entering a nursing program, be aware that:

• Admissions are highly competitive and require strong academic performance in science and math courses.
• Clinical rotations may involve long, irregular hours and require emotional stamina.
• Many future opportunities in nursing will be in geriatric care, especially as the population ages.
• Nurses must maintain professional licensure, adhere to state and federal privacy laws, and pursue continuing education throughout their careers.

🧠Skills and Qualities for Success

Registered Nurses must demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams
• Clinical judgment and critical thinking for assessing patient needs and making evidence-based decisions
• Emotional resilience and empathy, particularly when working with vulnerable populations
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask in fast-paced environments
• STEM proficiency (especially in biology, chemistry, and mathematics) for accurate medication calculation and clinical analysis
• Cultural competence and the ability to provide inclusive, equitable care
• Lifelong learning mindset to stay current with healthcare technologies, practices, and licensing requirements

📚 Professional Resources

• Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN)
• Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)

🧭 Related Career Pathways

The nursing profession offers numerous opportunities for advancement and specialization. Registered nurses may choose to pursue additional credentials and roles such as:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) → RN (bridge programs available)
• BSN-prepared RN → Nurse Educator or Public Health Nurse
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), including:
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

• Nurse Manager or Clinical Leader
• Nurse Informaticist or Case Manager

Updated: 7/28/2025