How do I become a PHN?

To become a PHN, you will need to graduate with a bachelor's in nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN, and become certified in public health. The first step to becoming a PHN is to graduate with a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program. While someone can become a nurse through either an ADN or BSN program, they will need a bachelor's degree to earn their public health certification.

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

It takes between 2 to 4 years to become a registered nurse (RN) . The amount of time needed depends on the specific nursing program. An Associates Degree in Nursing (2-year program) is technically the fastest way to become a registered nurse. However, employers tend to favor applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

What is the difference between RNs and NPs?

The difference between RNs and NPs is the scope of practice. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are given much more autonomy. Nurse practitioners and registered nurses (RNs) work closely with patients to monitor their health and care for acute and chronic illnesses.

What qualifications do you need to be a health care nurse?

The qualifications you need to be a health care nurse are an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and a license to practice. These qualifications can take between two and three years to achieve for most people.

What is a registered health nurse and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A registered health nurse is a person who has completed and passed the national licensing exam to practice as a registered nurse. Their role is to assess patient needs and administer medication and treatment. They work in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools. Registered health nurses must have excellent communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and empathy for their patients. They play a vital role in improving the quality of life for their patients.

What general advice would you give to a registered health nurse?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreRegistered Health NurseUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,713

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 8.90%

Black or African American 10.76%

Hispanic or Latino 9.93%

Unknown 4.33%

White 65.64%

Gender

female 88.93%

male 11.07%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a registered health nurse?

Pros

High demand for nurses means job security and potential for advancement
Competitive salary and benefits
Constant learning and development opportunities
Strong sense of community and camaraderie among nurses
Opportunities for international travel and work

Cons

Emotionally challenging work that can cause burnout or compassion fatigue
Physical demands of nursing, including lifting and standing for long periods of time
High stress levels due to the fast-paced nature of healthcare environments
Exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials
Often have to deal with death or serious illnesses of patients.

Key steps to become a registered health nurse

Explore registered health nurse education requirements

Most common registered health nurse degrees

Bachelor's

43.7 %

Associate

42.1 %

Master's

6.6 %

Start to develop specific registered health nurse skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.70%
Home Health	22.59%
CPR	7.79%
Quality Care	3.77%
Mental Health	2.95%

Complete relevant registered health nurse training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New registered health nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a registered health nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real registered health nurse resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed registered health nurse usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed registered health nurse in most of states. 43 states require registered health nurses to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional registered health nurse certifications

Registered health nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific registered health nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for registered health nurses include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

More About Certifications

Research registered health nurse duties and responsibilities

Operate specialize equipment such as cardiac monitor, EKG, DEA, managing nasal pharyngeal and gastric suction.
Manage ventilator settings and complete tracheostomy care on chronically ill patients.
Manage patient care monitoring vital signs, performing physical assessment, checking patients medications for effectiveness.
Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.

Prepare your registered health nurse resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your registered health nurse resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a registered health nurse resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable registered health nurse resume templates

Build a professional registered health nurse resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your registered health nurse resume.