Nursing
Nursing

Is Now a Good Time to Start an RN?

Before you start an RN bridge program, you should understand the availability of RN jobs and your RN salary potential when you become a registered nurse.

Published:
2
February 2025
Female nurse looking to looking into RN bridge programs

Earning your RN is an investment in your future. It takes dedication to your studies, and it means making some sacrifices in your personal time. However, it is possible to earn an RN while you work, and there has never been a better time to start. 

Qualified RNs are needed nationwide

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for RNs will continue to grow throughout the next decade. The BLS predicts 194,500 job openings for RNs yearly through 2033. These jobs include the need to replace nurses leaving the workforce for retirement and other reasons as well as 197,200 newly created RN jobs that are expected to be needed in the coming years. 

At Achieve Test Prep, we believe in giving healthcare professionals who want to become registered nurses the opportunity to reach their career goals while continuing to work, raise a family, and live the life they want. In this blog, we’ll explore the job outlook for RNs and how Achieve helps nurses obtain the education they need to successfully fulfill the demands of the nursing profession. 

RN jobs today

According to the Bureau of Health Workforce, nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the United States. It is estimated that there are 4.3 million currently licensed RNs, and approximately 3.5 million of those nurses are actively working in an RN job. There are nearly 400,000 more licensed RNs now than there were in 2017. 

Despite the large number of RNs in the United States, there remains a nursing shortage throughout most of the country. Though an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is needed to work as a registered nurse, this remains a highly sought-after profession due to its high demand and high average salary. 

Demand for RNs is growing

The demand for registered nurses grows daily. The United States needs more nurses today to fill the gap that has been created by an aging population and the retirement of existing RNs. Jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow by 6 percent through 2033. This is considered much faster than the 4 percent growth rate expected across all occupations. 

To decrease the nursing shortage, more qualified nurses will be needed to fill the gap and this means that more training and education will need to be provided to meet nursing student needs. 

The American Nurses Association warns that a nursing shortage combined with increasing patient demands will contribute to the rising demand for RNs in the coming years. The median age of registered nurses is reported to be 46 years old. And the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has reported that more than 25 percent of RNs working today plan to retire within the next five years. As a result, the high demand for registered nurses is expected to continue and even increase. 

The State of  the Nursing Shortage 

The US Department of Labor projects that there will be 23 states that experience more than 10 percent growth in demand for registered nurses over the next ten years. New York and Utah are expecting higher than 25 percent growth in RN jobs. The states that will experience the highest demand for registered nurses include: New York (25.5%), Utah (25.3%), Arizona (21.9%), Idaho (20.0%), Nevada (18.6%), Colorado (17.8%), and North Carolina (16.4%). 

The Health Workforce Analysis published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), shows a projected shortage of 236,650 registered nurses by 2035. The ten states with the largest projected nursing shortage in 2035 include: Washington with 21.2%, New Mexico with 21.1%, North Carolina with 21.1%, South Carolina with 21.1%, Maryland with 21.0%, Oklahoma with 20.2%, Idaho with 19.9%, Michigan with 19.7%, California with 17.0%, Georgia with 16.7% shortfall. This data can be accessed on the HRSA Workforce Projections Dashboard

The job security created by the current nursing shortage combined with the high earning potential of registered nurses means there has never been a better time to become a registered nurse. 

How high is RN Salary

According to the BLS, the median annual RN salary is currently $86,070. RN salary can vary widely depending on location, years of experience, level of education and specialization. Some of the RN careers with the highest average salaries (according to ZipRecruiter) include: 

  • Oncology Nurse - $94,094
  • Cardiac Care Unit Nurse - $94,601
  • Operating Room Nurse - $94,573
  • Surgical Nurse - $105,287
  • Nurse Case Manager - $96,851

Nurses who obtain further education and achieve a master’s or graduate degree can earn significantly more. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives. These positions require an active registered nursing license in addition to a master’s or sometimes a PhD in nursing as a prerequisite for entry. Some of the nursing careers with the highest overall compensation are: 

  • Nurse Anesthetist - $212,650
  • Nurse Practitioner - $126,260
  • Nurse Midwife - $129,650
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist - $94,545

Not only will the pursuit of higher education help nurses gain higher salaries, it will also increase the number of job opportunities available. 

How to Start an RN Program

The first step to ensuring job security and desired salary is earning an RN license, and this requires additional education in an RN bridge program. To qualify for an RN license, you first need to obtain either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. 

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue an ADN or BSN degree, you will be required to complete general education and prerequisite courses in addition to your core nursing courses. 

Achieve Test Prep provides a faster way to prepare for and pass these courses which shortens the overall time it will take you to earn your degree and saves you money. 

Here’s how it works:

  • You’ll attend one live, online class lesson, once each week and study your course materials in between these lessons. 
  • You’ll interact with instructors, advisors and peers as much or as little as needed via email and online discussion forums. 
  • You’ll prepare for the equivalent of a final course exam without the need for extra quizzes, group projects, and busywork. 
  • You’ll pass one exam, and earn credit that can be transferred to the nursing school of your choice to count toward your overall degree program.

This method allows you to earn credits MUCH faster than attending a traditional college course. You’ll complete your course and earn credits in as little as 5 weeks compared to 16 weeks for a traditional semester-long course. 

With this format, you’ll be able to continue working as an LPN, CNA, Paramedic, Surgical Technician, or other professional role while you earn the education you need to become an RN! 

Ready to Start an RN? 

If you’re still wondering if now is a good time to start an RN, take the next step and start a conversation with one of our Education Advisors. They will lay out the entire path you need to take to achieve your goals and provide you with the information you need to decide if this is the right next step for you.

Take the next step

Move towards your education and career goals in less time with a more supportive, flexible program built for busy, working nurses.

Take the first step

Find out how you can earn credits faster in online courses supported by live instructors. With Achieve, you can start the journey to your college degree from the comfort of home as it fits your schedule. Fill out the form to see if our programs are a good fit. Learn the details of how our programs work and how we plan to support you from your initial call through earning your degree.