Most registered nurses (RNs) earn between $47,700 and $69,800 annually, with the highest-paid nurses earning a national average of over $83,400.

Mean Annual Registered Nurse Salaries by Industry, 2007:

(Figures courtesy of the US Labor Bureau)

Nursing is one of the most popular professions in the United States, and one of the most in-demand, with over 2.5 million positions occupied.

Although you can become a registered nurse (RN) through a hospital-administered nursing program, most registered nurses earn either a four-year bachelor's degree (BSN) or a two-year associate's degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing school.

A patient's stay in a hospital will never be as pleasant as their own home, but the quality of nursing care patients receive can go a long way to bridging the gap.

Registered nurses (RNs) make up the largest health care profession today. RNs are at the highest level of nursing, and may choose to pursue several career options, such as specializing in a particular field of nursing, moving into supervisory positions, or even opening their own nursing care businesses.

In a clinical setting, a registered nurse generally performs basic bedside care, with the addition of other clinical tasks, depending on experience.

Responsibilities can include:

Most licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make between $31,080 and $43,640 annually, according to the US Labor Bureau for 2006. The highest-paid LPNs earned over $50,480. More current licensed practical nurse salary info is as follows: