RN - Registered Nurse

Also called: Charge Nurse, Director of Nursing (DON), Staff Nurse

A registered nurse administers hands-on patient care in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, and other facilities. They work with physicians and other members of the health care team to provide the best course of treatment possible. They also help to educate patients and their families about health issues.

Salary in St. Louis

Entry level salary: $50,330

Average salary: $63,300

Employment Projection in St. Louis

2016 Employment: 33,616

2026 Projected Employment: 39,328

Registered Nurse Facts

Roles & Responsibilities

What they do: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

On the job you would:

Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
Record patients’ medical information and vital signs.

Skills Needed on the Job

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.

Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Education Requirements

Two educational options:

Obtain Associates Degree

A popular choice amongst nursing students is the Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. This 2-year degree program is both economical and fast, making it ideal for those wanting to enter the healthcare workforce without having to go through too much schooling. ADN programs are most often found at community colleges, technical schools, and other smaller institutions in the state.

Obtain Bachelor’s Degree

The next step beyond an ADN is a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. A traditional 4-year program, BSNs are commonly offered at larger universities in more populated areas of the state. Aside from the pre-licensure BSN, specialty BSN programs like the accelerated program and the RN to BSN bridge program are available at many schools as well.

In addition to the education requirements you must fulfill, you must also take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). For more information on the NCLEX, click here.

Foreign Credential Evaluation Process

Need degree evaluated first before sitting for the NCLEX test.

Missouri State Approved Programs

Associate’s Degree Programs

St. Charles Community College [i]

St. Louis Community College [ii]

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Chamberlain University-College of Nursing [iii]

Goldfarb School of Nursing [iv]

Maryville University [v]

St. Louis University [vi]

University of Missouri-St. Louis [vii]