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About Registered Nurses

What do RNs do?

RNs do so much more than just take care of patients—they’re problem solvers, communicators, caregivers, and leaders. In this section, you’ll discover what a career as an RN looks like—from the different job titles and daily tasks to the knowledge, skills, and training it takes to succeed. You’ll also get a snapshot of what RNs earn and how that stacks up with the cost of living in our region. Click the slider above each label below to explore more about life as an RN!

Paycheck Potential
Top Posted Job Titles
Typical Daily Tasks
Knowledge Areas
Common Skills
Places of Work

$64,613 Starting Annual Salary

New RNs earned an average of $64,613 annually in 2023, about $5,384 a month.

$83,117 Mean Annual Salary

Mid-level RNs made an average of $83,117 in 2023, approximately $6,926 monthly.

$92,368 Experienced Annual Salary

On average, highly experienced RNs made $92,368 in 2023, or about $7,697 each month.

$31.06 Starting Hourly Wage

Starting out, RNs made an average of $31.06 an hour in 2023.

$39.96 Mean Hourly Wage

On average, the hourly pay for more experienced RNs in 2023 was $39.96.

$44.41 Experienced Hourly Wage

Highly experienced RNs earned an average of $44.41 an hour in 2023.

Paycheck Potential

What does this salary and wage information mean for you? With a cost of living index of 93.4, living in the Heart of Texas costs less than other areas in Texas—so your RN paycheck goes further. You’ll start off earning solid pay, and as you gain experience, you can make even more. Want to see how far your money could go? Use the Texas Reality Check tool linked below to explore your future lifestyle.

Medical Surgical Telemetry RNs

Care for patients after surgery or illness, monitor vital signs and heart rhythms, and help ensure safe recovery.

Telemetry RNs

Monitor patients with heart or other serious conditions using special equipment to track vital signs and respond quickly to changes.

Travel RNs

Work short-term assignments in hospitals and clinics nationwide, filling staffing needs while gaining experience in different locations and specialties.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) RNs

Care for and closely monitor critically ill patients and provide life-saving treatment in emergency situations.

Home Health RNs

Provide medical care to patients in their homes, helping with treatments, monitoring health, and supporting recovery outside of the hospital.

Labor & Delivery RNs

Care for mothers before, during, and after childbirth, monitor vital signs, assist with deliveries, and help ensure the health and safety of both mom and baby.

Top Posted Job Titles

RNs work in all kinds of settings—from hospitals and clinics to schools and home care. Their job titles can vary depending on where they work and who they care for. Curious about which RN roles are hiring the most in the Heart of Texas? This list shows the top job titles posted by local employers from April 2024 to March 2025—giving you a real-world look at the nursing careers that are in high demand right now.

Monitor Patients’ Health

Check vital signs, assess symptoms, and record patient progress.

Administer Medications & Treatments

Give injections, IVs, and prescribed medications.

Assist with Medical Procedures

Support doctors during exams, surgeries, and treatments.

Educate Patients & Families

Explain diagnoses, treatment plans, and home care instructions.

Coordinate with Health Care Team

Communicate with doctors, specialists, and therapists.

Manage Patient Records & Documentation

Keep accurate medical charts & update treatment plans.

Typical Daily Tasks

RNs have busy, hands-on jobs that make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether they’re checking vital signs, helping with treatments, or talking to patients and families, no two days are exactly the same. Explore our list to see some of the everyday tasks RNs take on in their roles!

Psychology

Helps understanding of patient behaviors, emotions, and needs to provide compassionate, personalized care.

Customer & Personal Service

Essential for creating a positive patient experience and responding to individual care needs.

Medicine & Dentistry

Provides the foundation for understanding diseases, treatments, procedures, and patient care practices.

Mathematics

Crucial for RNs for accurate medication dosage, fluid management, vital sign monitoring, and data analysis.

English Language

Critical for reading charts, documenting care, and clearly communicating with patients and medical teams.

Administrative

Helps with managing schedules, maintaining records, and following hospital policies and procedures.

Knowledge Areas

Knowledge areas are key subjects or topics you’ve learned and can apply toward a specific job. This list highlights top knowledge areas for RNs, helping you see whether you already have—or are interested in building—the kind of knowledge this career requires.

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of the reactions of others and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Active Listening & Speaking

Paying close attention to what others say and asking questions to fully understand them. Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and medical knowledge to make smart, safe decisions.

Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Judgment & Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Common Skills

Want to know what it takes to be a successful RN? These are the top skills employers in the Heart of Texas look for—things like communication, problem-solving, and compassion. Whether you’re great at leading others or staying calm in tough situations, these in-demand skills can help you thrive in a nursing career.

Home Health Care Services

Nurses visit patients at home to provide care, monitor health, and support recovery.

General Medical & Surgical Hospitals

Large hospitals like Baylor Scott & White where RNs care for patients with a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and post-surgery needs.

Offices of Physicians

 RNs assist doctors, take vitals, give injections, and help with patient care during appointments.

Nursing Care Facilities

RNs care for people who need long-term medical support, often elderly or recovering patients.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

RNs help older adults with daily health needs in communities offering different levels of care.

Federal Government, Civilian

Nurses work for agencies like the VA or military health centers, supporting public health and veterans.

Places of Work

Registered Nurses aren’t limited to hospitals—they work in all kinds of places! From caring for patients in their homes to helping doctors in busy clinics, RNs are needed just about everywhere. Check out some of the most common places RNs work in the Heart of Texas and see which environment might fit you best.

Opportunities & Outlook

Your Future as an RN

RNs are in high demand in the Heart of Texas—and the opportunities keep growing. With over 2,800 people already working in the field, and nearly 200 new jobs opening each year, there’s room for more nurses like you.

Health care is growing fast, and so is the need for skilled, compassionate nurses. With an 8% job growth rate projected by 2032 and hundreds of job postings every month, nursing offers stability, purpose, and a wide variety of paths. Whether you want to work in hospitals, clinics, or patients’ homes—you’ve got options.

Projected Growth

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RN jobs in the Heart of Texas are expected to grow by 8% by 2032. That’s strong growth!

Current Job Size

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In 2024, there were 2,878 people working in RN jobs in our region—one of the largest health careers.

New Jobs Each Year

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On average, there are 199 new RN job openings in the region every year—opportunities for you to get hired!

Monthly Job Postings

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Local employers post about 245 RN jobs each month—plenty of chances to find the right fit!