Nurses provide some of the most important healthcare support all over the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other health service providers, nurses are a vital component of the whole healthcare industry nationwide. Have you been thinking about going back to school to become a registered nurse? Consider beginning your RN career in Phoenix!

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 Phoenix (specifically, the metropolitan area including Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona), registered nurses account for nearly 20 jobs out of every 1,000—and mean wages are slightly higher than both the national and statewide mean wages: $36.61 per hour and $76,140 annually in Phoenix for RNs (compared to $36.11 per hour and $75,110 annually in the state of Arizona).

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 seeking their RN licensure, but some obtain a license and begin working with a two-year 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 career training program? The Imagine America Foundation has a great network of partner institutions, in Phoenix and across the country. Search our schools by program and by location!