Annotated Bibliography on Registered Nurse Education and Working Conditions
Overview
This annotated bibliography compiles and evaluates sources on registered nurse education pathways, licensure requirements, and working conditions. It examines federal occupational guidance, educational videos, and peer-reviewed research on nurse burnout and workforce retention to provide comprehensive information for students and career changers entering the nursing profession.
What this annotated bibliography covers
- Education pathways and licensure requirements for registered nurses including BSN, ADN, and diploma programs
- Working conditions, burnout, and stress among nurses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
- Current employment statistics and workforce trends in nursing
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Annotated Bibliography
Education
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2025). Registered nurses. In Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
This is a federal publication containing authoritative occupational advice to students and career changers. It recognizes three established educational programs for becoming a registered nurse: a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) degree, an Associate of Nursing (ADN) degree, or a diploma from an approved hospital-based program. All pathways require individuals to pass the NCLEX-RN test to become licensed. The source notes the increasing preference for the BSN among employers in advanced and leadership positions. The entry is credible and free of political or organizational bias because a reputable organization developed it, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, through unbiased national surveys. Its factual basis and frequent revisions make it a necessary tool for understanding the current minimum requirements, licensure standards, and the evolving educational demands that influence entry into registered nursing practice.
RegisteredNurseRN. (2021, September 14). How to become a Registered Nurse (RN) | Ways to become an RN [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1vEkv1gAII
The video aims to demystify the process of becoming a registered nurse for high school students and career changers. It clearly describes the three education paths (ADN, BSN, and diploma), prerequisite coursework, entry exams, the number of clinical hours required, and, most importantly, passing the NCLEX-RN to be licensed. The presenter is an expert registered nurse and a known educator with thousands of watch hours, and relies on practical clinical experience. The content is not peer-reviewed but meets the established standards.