Nurses provide some of the most critical care in cities all across the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other healthcare service providers, nurses are an essential component in all areas of the healthcare industry. Thinking about becoming a registered nurse? A great place to begin your career as an RN is Los Angeles!

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.

The Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale metro area has the second highest number of registered nurses in the country, with nearly 80,000 RNs employed there. LA also has one of the very highest mean wages nationwide: an hourly mean wage of $45.99 and an annual mean wage: $95,650.

The state of California also has the single highest number of RNs and the highest annual average salary, with more than a quarter million nurses across the state and an annual mean wage of more than $102,000.

RNs typically work in a team environment, supporting patient care 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.

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.

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 Los Angeles and nationwide. Search our schools by program and by location!