An RN stands for a registered nurse, who is a licensed healthcare professional that provides and coordinates patient care in different medical and community settings. RNs work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, prisons, long-term care facilities, and homes, among others. They perform a range of duties and work directly with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. RNs help with many health-related tasks, manage care, control safety and infection, promote and maintain health, and provide basic care and comfort. RNs can specialize in different areas, such as emergency room (ER) nurse, intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, medical-surgical nurse, and many others. RNs usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. After graduating from a nursing program, a person must take the NCLEX-RN exam, which focuses on four areas that relate to an RN’s responsibilities: the nursing process, caring, communication and documentation, and teaching and learning. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2022, and employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.