If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, already work as a nurse, or are looking for your next healthcare opportunity, the United States offers a wide range of nursing careers.
From hospital-based registered nurse jobs to travel nursing, outpatient care, home healthcare, and advanced practice roles, nurses can build careers in many different settings.
The profession also offers strong earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses had a median annual wage of $97,550 in May 2025, while employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. BLS also projects about 180,800 RN openings per year, on average, over that period.
But salary and job growth are only part of the picture. Choosing the right nursing career means finding a role that matches your education, license, experience, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Why Consider Nursing Jobs in the USA?
Nursing is one of the largest healthcare professions in the country, and nurses work in almost every part of the healthcare system.
Hospitals remain the largest employer of registered nurses. BLS data shows that about 59% of RNs worked in hospitals in 2025, while others worked in ambulatory healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, government, education, and other settings.
That variety is one of the things that makes nursing attractive.
You might start your career in a hospital and later move into a doctor’s office, school nursing, home healthcare, public health, case management, or another specialty.
In other words, becoming a nurse doesn’t necessarily mean doing the same job for your entire career.
Types of Nursing Jobs in the USA
There isn’t just one type of nursing job. Your options depend largely on your education, license, experience, and area of interest.
Here are some of the most common paths.
Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered nurses, commonly called RNs, provide and coordinate patient care.
An RN may assess patients, administer medications and treatments within their scope of practice, monitor changes in a patient’s condition, educate patients and families, maintain medical records, and work with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
RNs can work in many different environments, including hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, nursing facilities, schools, and home healthcare.
If you’re searching online, you’ll often see terms such as RN jobs, registered nurse jobs, and RN careers used interchangeably.
Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide basic nursing care under the applicable scope of practice and supervision requirements.
These positions can be found in nursing facilities, hospitals, clinics, physician offices, home healthcare, and other healthcare settings.
The education and licensing requirements are different from those for registered nurses, so applicants should check the rules of the state where they intend to work.
Travel Nursing Jobs
Travel nursing can appeal to nurses who enjoy changing locations and experiencing different healthcare environments.
Travel nurses may take temporary assignments in different cities or states, depending on their qualifications and the opportunities available.
Compensation can vary significantly based on location, specialty, assignment length, employer, and other factors.
If you’re considering travel nursing jobs, don’t look at the advertised pay alone. Housing arrangements, stipends, benefits, licensing requirements, contract terms, and the actual cost of living can all affect the value of an assignment.
Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who have additional education and training.
Their responsibilities can include assessing patients, diagnosing certain conditions, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications where authorized, and providing other advanced care within the rules of their state.
Nurse practitioners are a separate career path from standard RN positions and generally require graduate-level education and advanced practice licensure.
BLS projects nurse practitioner employment to grow substantially, with about 137,800 additional jobs projected from 2025 to 2035.
Home Health Nursing Jobs
Not all nursing happens inside a hospital.
Home health nurses provide care to patients in their homes. This can be an attractive option for nurses who prefer working more independently and developing longer-term relationships with patients.
Home healthcare is also expected to remain an important area of nursing employment as the U.S. population ages and more people receive care outside traditional hospital settings.
How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in the USA?
Salary is naturally one of the biggest questions people have when researching nursing jobs in the USA.
According to the latest BLS data, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025.
However, that doesn’t mean every RN earns $97,550.
The lowest 10% of registered nurses earned less than $68,940, while the highest 10% earned more than $137,470. Hospital RNs had a median annual wage of $100,220 in May 2025.
Your actual compensation can depend on factors such as:
- Location
- Nursing specialty
- Education
- Years of experience
- Employer
- Shift
- Overtime
- Union representation
- Full-time or part-time status
- Additional certifications
Night, weekend, or holiday shifts may also have different compensation arrangements depending on the employer.
So when comparing high-paying nursing jobs, it’s worth looking at the entire compensation package rather than focusing on one salary number.
Which States Have the Most Nursing Opportunities?
Nursing jobs are available throughout the United States, but employment conditions can vary from one state to another.
Some areas have growing healthcare systems and large hospital networks, while other areas may have fewer healthcare professionals available.
Federal workforce projections also show that nursing supply and demand can differ substantially between states and between metropolitan and rural areas.
That means the “best” state for a nursing career depends on what matters most to you.
You may want to compare:
- RN salary
- Cost of living
- State licensing requirements
- Hospital availability
- Nursing specialty opportunities
- Shift options
- Housing costs
- Benefits
- Career advancement opportunities
For example, a job with a higher salary isn’t necessarily better if housing and other living expenses are much higher.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Nurse?
The requirements depend on the nursing role.
For registered nurse positions, you generally need the appropriate nursing education and must meet the licensing requirements of the state where you intend to practice.
Registered nursing is a licensed profession, and the specific requirements are determined through state regulatory systems.
If you’re researching a nursing career, don’t assume that meeting the requirements in one state automatically means you’ve met every requirement in another.
Always check the current requirements for the state and nursing role you’re interested in.
Nursing Jobs for International Nurses
Many internationally educated nurses are interested in nursing jobs in the USA.
There can be opportunities, but the process is more complicated than simply submitting a resume to a hospital.
Internationally educated nurses may need to meet education and credential requirements, demonstrate English proficiency when required, pass the applicable nursing examination, satisfy state licensing requirements, and obtain legal authorization to work in the United States.
The exact process can vary depending on your education, country of training, nursing specialty, and the state where you want to practice.
If you’re an international nurse, research the official requirements before paying an agency or signing an employment contract.
Be particularly careful with anyone promising a guaranteed nursing job, guaranteed visa, or guaranteed U.S. license.
How to Find Nursing Jobs in the USA
Once you know what type of nursing position you’re looking for, the actual job search becomes much easier.
Step 1: Know Your Qualifications
Before searching, make a list of your:
- Nursing education
- License
- Certifications
- Clinical experience
- Nursing specialty
- Work experience
- Preferred location
This will help you avoid applying for jobs that don’t match your background.
Step 2: Create a Strong Nursing Resume
A nursing resume should make your relevant experience easy to understand.
Include your education, licenses, certifications, clinical experience, employment history, and relevant skills.
If you’re applying for a specialized position, highlight experience that directly relates to that department.
Step 3: Search for Specific Nursing Roles
Instead of searching only for “nursing jobs,” try more specific searches.
For example:
Registered nurse jobs USA
RN jobs near me
Hospital RN jobs
Travel nurse jobs USA
ICU nurse jobs
Emergency room nurse jobs
Nurse practitioner jobs
Home health nurse jobs
A more specific search can make it easier to find positions that actually fit your background.
Step 4: Research the Employer
Before applying, research the hospital, healthcare system, clinic, or staffing company.
Look for information about the organization, position, location, benefits, and application process.
Whenever possible, verify the vacancy through the employer’s official career page.
Step 5: Prepare for the Interview
A nursing interview may include questions about your clinical experience, communication skills, teamwork, patient care, problem-solving, and how you handle difficult situations.
Think about real examples from your previous experience before the interview.
What Skills Make a Good Nurse?
Nursing requires much more than technical knowledge.
A good nurse needs to communicate clearly, remain calm in difficult situations, work effectively with other healthcare professionals, and treat patients with compassion and respect.
Employers may value skills such as:
- Patient communication
- Clinical judgment
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Technology skills
- Emotional resilience
The exact skills required will depend on the position and specialty.
Nursing Specialties to Consider
One of the best things about nursing is the number of specialties available.
Depending on your qualifications and experience, you may eventually consider areas such as:
- Emergency nursing
- Intensive care nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Surgical nursing
- Labor and delivery
- Geriatric nursing
- Cardiac nursing
- Home healthcare
- Public health nursing
- School nursing
- Case management
You don’t have to choose your lifelong specialty on your first day as a nurse.
Many nurses discover their preferred area after gaining experience in different departments.
Are Nursing Jobs in Demand?
The demand for nurses remains an important issue in the U.S. healthcare workforce.
The BLS projects that registered nurse employment will increase by 6% between 2025 and 2035, with approximately 180,800 openings expected each year on average. Many of these openings are expected because existing workers retire or move into other occupations.
HRSA workforce projections also identify nationwide shortages for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, although the level of need varies considerably by location.
For someone considering nursing as a long-term career, these trends suggest that there can be opportunities across a variety of healthcare settings.
How to Avoid Nursing Job Scams
Unfortunately, job seekers can encounter fake nursing vacancies and recruitment scams online.
Be careful if a recruiter:
- Promises a guaranteed nursing job
- Demands money before providing legitimate employment information
- Guarantees a visa
- Offers an unusually high salary without checking your qualifications
- Refuses to identify the actual employer
- Uses suspicious contact information
- Pressures you to make an immediate payment
A legitimate opportunity should give you enough information to independently verify the employer and position.
If you’re an international nurse, be especially cautious with agencies that promise to handle everything for a large upfront fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying nursing jobs in the USA?
Advanced practice nursing positions, specialized nursing roles, and some positions in high-demand locations can offer higher compensation. However, pay varies significantly by specialty, location, experience, employer, and other factors.
How much does an RN make in the USA?
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025, according to the BLS. Individual salaries can be substantially lower or higher depending on location, experience, specialty, and employer.
Are there nursing jobs in hospitals?
Yes. Hospitals are the largest employment setting for registered nurses, accounting for about 59% of RN employment in 2025.
Can an international nurse work in the USA?
Internationally educated nurses may be able to work in the United States, but they must meet applicable education, licensing, examination, and work-authorization requirements.
Are travel nursing jobs still available?
Travel nursing opportunities continue to exist, but availability and compensation can change depending on location, specialty, employer, and current healthcare staffing needs.
Start Your Nursing Career Search
A nursing career can take you in many different directions.
You might begin as an RN in a hospital, move into a specialty, try travel nursing, work in home healthcare, or continue your education and become an advanced practice nurse.
The most important thing is to choose a position that matches your qualifications and your personal goals.
If you’re searching for nursing jobs in the USA, start by deciding what type of nursing role you want, check the licensing requirements for your state, update your resume, and look for legitimate opportunities from verified employers.
With the right preparation, your nursing job search can become much more focused—and you can spend less time applying for positions that aren’t right for you.