Nursing Careers: Become a Registered Nurse

Name: Michele
Job Title: Registered Nurse / Nursing Coordinator
Where: Ellisville, MO
Years of Experience: 5 years as Nursing Coordinator, 20 years as Registered Nurse
Other Relevant Experience: Various CNA, Rehabilitation, and RN positions, including Hospital, Rehab, Home Health Aide, Hospice and Home Care, Charge Nurse, Evening Supervisor, Staff Development Coordinator, and Nurse Assessor for LTC Policies.
Annual Salary: See the PayScale Research Center for median nursing salary data.

Nursing careers are appealing for many reasons. One positive aspect of nursing careers is the opportunity to serve others through medical treatment and rehabilitation. Nursing careers also boast a glowing job outlook that has consistently risen along with increasing demand for registered nurses. Plus, nursing careers offer a wide range of employment options within various sectors of the health care field. When you become a registered nurse, you open the door to a variety of nursing career paths, including forensic nursing careers, traveling nurse careers, and nurse coordinator careers.

For the following Salary Story, we take a brief look at the career path of Michele, a registered nurse with 20 years of experience in the health care field. Interested in medicine and health care from a young age, Michele originally built up her knowledge and expertise as a registered nurse before moving to her current position as a nursing coordinator. She now teaches classes and provides management to nursing staff. Learn what an upper-level nursing career is like, and use PayScale’s research center to explore registered nurse salaries and get information on becoming a nurse.

Job Description – Nurse Coordinator

I research and prepare in-service materials, and teach in-services and CNA classes to nursing staff. I audit performance skills for nursing staff, and teach orientation classes, and also serve on CQI, safety, infection control and department manager committees.

PayScale: What made you interested in a nursing career?

At 13 years old, I had my tonsils removed. I was told in college that I should be an English teacher, but I always had a love for medical topics. I think both taking care of my mother when she developed peritonitis and my father passing away from cancer really influenced me to become a registered nurse.

PayScale: What do you love about being a nurse coordinator?

I love being told by young registered nurses that I inspire them to continue their nursing careers.

PayScale: What advice would you give to someone trying to break into a nursing career?

When you are attending nursing school, be sure to enhance your training by reading more than you are assigned, practicing more than is necessary or required, and always keep your ears and eyes open!

Also, learn to laugh at yourself and with your patients. Humor is good when used with dignity and respect.

PayScale: What do you find the most amazing about your work?

When I teach CNAs and their minds grasp a thought, idea, or skill, and they are able to “blossom” right before my eyes.