Did You Know?
More than 3 million registered nurses are working across the United States. That means there are more nurses than there are people living in Chicago and Houston combined.
How to Get Started
Getting started on the path to nursing begins with curiosity about the human body and a genuine interest in helping others. Volunteering in healthcare settings, learning basic first aid, and paying attention to health and science in everyday life are all meaningful early steps. The path from curious student to licensed nurse is clear and well-supported, with programs available at every level of education.
Explore the Basics
Start by learning about the human body and what keeps it healthy. Books, videos, and museum exhibits about anatomy and how different body systems work together are great starting points. Ask a parent to help you find kid-friendly resources about what nurses do during a typical day, so you can begin to understand the real work behind the role.
Try It Out
Take a basic first aid class for kids, many of which are offered through the American Red Cross at low or no cost, and practice skills like how to treat a minor cut, what to do if someone is choking, or how to help someone who has fainted. Keep a simple journal where you write down questions you have about health and the body. Looking things up and recording what you learn builds the habit of curiosity that nurses use every day.
Join the Community
Ask a parent or caregiver to help you volunteer at a local health fair or community wellness event, where you can see nurses and other healthcare workers in action. Some children's hospitals and clinics host career exploration days for families. Your school nurse is also a great resource. Ask if you can shadow them for part of a day to see what their work actually looks like.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Explore more resources for a future Registered Nurse
I Want to Be A NURSE When I Grow Up
Blake, Nurse | Bauer, Timmy
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Registered nurses do demanding, skilled, meaningful work that looks both exciting and caring from the outside, and this book captures exactly the mix of inspiration and genuine aspiration that draws young people toward one of healthcare's most trusted professions.
What to Expect: Nursing: A Real-World Guide to Nursing School, NCLEX Prep, and Choosing the Right Career Path (What to Expect: College Degree Series)
Professionals Press, Publishing
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
The nursing licensing process is rigorous and highly competitive, and this guide's year-by-year training breakdown gives aspiring nurses the concrete, up-to-date information they need to plan their path and build the strongest possible application.
Florence Nightingale Book for Curious Kids: The True Story of the Woman Who Transformed Hospitals Forever (Great Minds for Curious Kids)
Lylani, Mark
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Registered nurses assess patients, manage medications, and coordinate care with precision and compassion, and Florence Nightingale established that skilled, evidence-based nursing practice was as essential to patient outcomes as any physician's treatment.