10 Places to Work as an RN

Most registered nurses work in hospitals, but plenty build careers somewhere else entirely. Roughly 4 in 10 RNs with an ADN or BSN work outside the hospital, in settings that range from telehealth to law firms. If you're starting out or thinking about a change, here are 10 places an RN can do meaningful work, with what the day looks like and what it pays.

Salary figures below are approximate. Hospital and overall RN figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024); setting-specific figures are drawn from secondary salary surveys and shift over time, so treat them as ballpark.

1. Hospitals

Around 58% of RNs work in state, private, and local hospitals. You'll handle a range of tasks and a different mix of patients most days. Shifts tend to run 12 hours or longer, but you trade that for more days off than a standard nine-to-five.

Average salary: about $93,600 (BLS median, all RNs)

Key responsibilities: coordinate patient care with physicians and other nurses, manage multiple patients across a shift, and draw samples and run labs.

2. Telehealth

As care moves online, some nursing roles have gone fully remote. Telehealth nurses run virtual consultations, and the broader remote field includes medical writing, legal consulting, and research. Working from home rewards strong time management and self-direction.

Average salary: about $71,000

Key responsibilities: schedule and run virtual visits, assess and treat patients over video, and hold yourself to a consistent work schedule.

3. Emergency rooms

ER nurses stabilize critically ill and injured patients alongside physicians and other nurses. The job demands sharp critical thinking and a steady head when situations turn complicated fast.

Average salary: about $72,000

Key responsibilities: stay calm under pressure, administer medications and treat injuries, and stabilize patients in critical condition.

4. Physicians' offices

Office nurses get a more predictable day than most. Patients come in by appointment and usually aren't in crisis. You assist the physician, take vitals and histories, and help manage scheduling.

Average salary: about $53,000

Key responsibilities: gather lab samples, schedule appointments, and support the physician during exams.

5. Nursing schools and training programs

Nurse educators are in high demand. They teach in nursing colleges and training hospitals, and most positions require a master's degree, with some demanding a doctorate.

Average salary: about $83,000

Key responsibilities: develop lessons and lectures, build curriculum, and pass on clinical experience to the next generation of nurses.

6. Birthing centers

Nurse midwives support patients through every stage of pregnancy, working with obstetricians and gynecologists during the birthing process. The role requires an RN license, a graduate degree in nurse midwifery, and certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Average salary: about $98,000

Key responsibilities: collaborate on care for pregnant patients, collect and assess health information, and educate patients before, during, and after pregnancy.

7. Public health clinics

Public health nursing fits RNs who want to serve a community directly. Social services agencies and community centers hire these nurses to educate the public on health issues and to build programs that prevent illness. Most roles call for an MSN or a doctoral degree, and some programs let you earn the undergraduate and graduate degrees together.

Average salary: about $65,000

Key responsibilities: deliver community health services and education, build and run local health programs, and work with residents to address diseases affecting the area.

8. Correctional facilities

Correctional nurses treat incarcerated patients for chronic illness and medical emergencies. The work demands physical and mental resilience. Most facilities staff nurses around the clock, and weeks can run past 40 hours.

Average salary: about $55,000

Key responsibilities: perform drug screenings and lab tests, monitor patient health, and assess and treat conditions and injuries.

9. Law firms

Legal nurse consultants apply clinical expertise to malpractice suits and other healthcare cases. They help attorneys build cases, review medical records, and research medical law. Firms usually want relevant experience and paralegal training, and the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants certifies RNs for the role.

Average salary: about $99,000

Key responsibilities: prepare records and documents for court, provide medical expertise during proceedings, and give informed testimony.

10. Home healthcare

Home health nurses care for patients in their own homes, often spending long stretches with a single client. About 12% of RNs work in home health. Certifications from groups like the American Nurses Credentialing Center can strengthen your prospects.

Average salary: about $66,000

Key responsibilities: check vitals and overall condition, administer medications, and provide hands-on care and companionship.

FAQs

What jobs can RNs do?

RNs work across the healthcare industry. If you want a fast-paced environment, ER nursing puts you in the middle of it. If you'd rather focus on a specific population, roles like nurse midwife or correctional nurse let you specialize.

Where can RNs work besides hospitals?

There's a lot beyond the hospital. Telehealth, insurance, and legal roles suit nurses who want a lower-stress setting, and law firms and medical publications value experienced clinical judgment. Home care is growing as the population ages, and schools, birthing centers, and correctional facilities all need nurses too.

Where is the best place to work as an RN?

It depends on you. Every setting has tradeoffs. Some nurses thrive on paperwork and case analysis in a legal office; others want direct patient relationships. The right fit comes down to your skills and what you want out of the work.