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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Registered nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. Includes Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, work was controlled by people for 97.5 percent of registered nurses, and work was self-paced for 2.0 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of registered nurses with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Pace: Pause control	12.5	87.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework	1.2	98.8
Work review: Supervising others	48.1	51.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, on-the-job training was required for 59.3 percent of registered nurses.

A bachelor's degree was required for 48.2 percent of registered nurses.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, greater than 99.5 percent of registered nurses were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 1.4 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 95.3 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 97.1 percent of registered nurses and was not required for 2.9 percent. For 5.3 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 83.7 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, less than 25 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 92.7 percent of registered nurses and was not required for 7.3 percent.

Table 2. Percentage of registered nurses with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Driving	4.2	95.8
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	6.7	93.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey