Nurses provide some of the most critical care all over the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other healthcare service providers, nurses are an essential component of the entire healthcare industry nationwide. Thinking about pursuing a career as a registered nurse? Consider beginning your RN career in Dallas!

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 Dallas (specifically, the metro area including Dallas, Plano, and Irving, Texas), registered nurses account for more than 40,000 jobs. That’s a fraction of the total RN jobs in Texas, which total well over 200,000 positions statewide.

The mean wages for RNs in Dallas are very close to the national average, at $35.81 per hour and $74,480 per year, according to the BLS. Those rates are higher than the mean wages for the state of Texas ($34.65 per hour and $72,070 per year).

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: in Dallas and across the country! Search our schools by program and by location!