Nurses provide some of the most essential care all across the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other healthcare service providers, nurses are a critical component of the whole healthcare industry nationwide. Have you been thinking about becoming a registered nurse? Consider beginning your RN career in Boston, Massachusetts!

Nearly 3 million nurses are employed in the United States, according to May 2017 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs have a national average salary of $73,550 (or a mean hourly wage of $35.36). The job outlook for RNs is very good, with projected growth of 15% over the next ten years. That’s much faster than the average growth estimated for all occupations, due mostly to longer average (and more active) lifespans and increasing rates of chronic health conditions across the population.

In the Boston metro area (including Boston, Cambridge, and Newton, Massachusetts), RNs earn one of the highest mean wages of any major metropolitan area: Boston registered nurses earn an average of $46.70 per hour and $97,130 per year.

The Boston area also employs a high number of people in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, at a rate of more than 68 positions per 1,000 jobs—and 23.45 of those are RNs.

RNs typically work in a team environment, providing patient care support through assessment, administration of medication, recordkeeping, patient education, performing tests, and more. They frequently work in fast-paced or high-stress environments, and they may often work very long or overnight shifts to ensure high-quality, 24-hour care for their patients 365 days a year.

Nurses may provide generalized care, or they might find a specialty to focus on—such as oncology, pediatric care, or urgent care—depending on their interests, skill sets, past experience, and available employment opportunities in their area.

Registered nurses typically earn a bachelor’s degree before pursuing their RN licensure, but some obtain a license and begin working with an associate degree or even a diploma. If you are considering continuing your education to prepare for licensure and become a nurse, we want to make sure you have the highest chance of finding success in a new nursing career.

Ready to look for a nursing program? The Imagine America Foundation has a great network of partner institutions, both in Boston and nationwide! Search our schools by program and by location!