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The health care sector is experiencing historic growth, spurred by an aging population and increased demand for medical procedures. Registered nurses are on the front lines of this trend. The profession will grow by an estimated 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, predicts the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), creating 581,500 new nursing jobs. Triage registered nurses are among the medical specialists who can expect favorable career opportunities in the years ahead.

Triage registered nurse careers

Triage registered nurses are the gatekeepers of a medical facility, such as the emergency room, ensuring that medical resources are applied where they are most urgently needed. The triage RN is the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care. The nurse may consult with patients by phone or in person, assessing the urgency of their condition and prioritizing care accordingly.

The triage nurse provides an essential service to a medical practice, particularly in situations where resources are scarce and timing is critical. Effective emergency room care is particularly dependent on a skilled triage registered nurse.

Triage takes a combination of medical knowledge and communication skills. Steps in the triage process include:

• Consulting with patients
• Assessing patient symptoms
• Documenting patients' concerns or symptoms
• Providing basic treatment advice or referring the patient to seek further medical care
• Prioritizing patients seeking medical care
• Organizing the flow of patients

An effective triage registered nurse has strong analytical skills, is good at solving problems, communicates well and works well under pressure.

Triage registered nurse education

Triage registered nurses generally hold a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Other degree options include a diploma in registered nursing and an associate degree in nursing (ADN). While triage is a skill perfected on the job, registered nurses can prepare for the role by taking a specialized course from triage registered nurse schools or programs. The National Certification Corporation offers a Self-Assessment Continuing Education Module in Telephone Nursing Practice.

Triage registered nurse salary: 2010 and beyond

The earning power of triage registered nurses is about the same as the staff RN average. Salary.com reports a phone triage RN median salary of $60,188. Emergency room nurses, many of whom take on triage responsibilities on a rotating basis, earn a median salary of $64,680. Both salary estimates are in the neighborhood of the BLS-reported salary for registered nurses in general. According to the BLS, registered nurses earned an average salary of $67,720 in 2010. At medical and surgical hospitals, where most triage registered nurses work, the annual mean wage was slightly higher--$68,610 in 2010.

Location is a major factor in earning power for registered nurses. The top-paying states for nursing are California ($87,480), Massachusetts ($84,990) and Hawaii ($82,130). These locations all have a cost of living well above the national average, with ACCRA index values well over 100 (Hawaii, for example, is 167). The locations with the best all-around value for triage registered nurse specialists, with ACCRA cost-of-living data, are:

• Rochester, MN: $79,460 (BLS, 2010) and 99.6
• Sacramento, CA: $93,420 (BLS, 2010) and 116.0
• Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL: $71,010 (BLS, 2010) and 113

Triage registered nurses have the potential to earn six figures, reports the BLS. At the 90th percentile, RNs command an average salary of $95,130 nationwide. RNs with certification or specialty training from triage registered nurse schools have the potential to earn the profession's premium salaries.

Triage registered nurses perform a vital function in emergency rooms and medical clinics, and their earning potential reflects their value. Triage registered nurse training online could offer a route into this nursing specialty.