Nurses provide some of the most important care in all areas of the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other healthcare service providers, nurses are a critical component of the healthcare industry nationwide. Thinking about becoming a registered nurse? You may want to consider beginning your RN career in Houston, Texas!

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 Houston (specifically, the metropolitan area including Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land, Texas), RNs account for nearly 18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area. The BLS shows that these RN positions are a third of the 54 per every 1,000 metro jobs in the broader healthcare practitioners and technical occupations category.

Mean wages for Houston area nurses are higher than the national average, with a mean hourly rate of $38.01 and a mean annual wage of $79,060, according to the BLS.

RNs usually work in a team environment, providing patient care support through assessment, administration of medication, recordkeeping, patient education, performing tests, and more. They often work in fast-paced or high-stress environments, and they may frequently work long or overnight shifts to ensure consistent and high-quality care for their patients, 24 hours a day and 365 days per 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 Houston and across the country. Search our schools by program and by location!