Matt Derbyshire was Wrexham's hero with two goals on his league debut.
The 19-year-old striker, signed on a month's load from Blackburn Rovers, caused all sorts of problems for Rushden and apart from his goals had three near misses.
He was in the action early on when he ran on to a through pass from Simon Spender and fired a quick shot narrowly over the crossbar.
From his next opening set up by the enterprising Mark Jones he was forced wide and his angled shot brought a clever diving save from Rushden keeper Scott Tynan.
The opening goal came midway through the first half when Matt Crowell floated a free-kick into the box where the lofty Dennis Lawrence headed down for the young striker to chip the ball over the keeper.
He was in again 10 minutes before the break with a tremendous goal, jinking past two tackles before he cut in and shot across Tynan to virtually seal the game.
He had one more chance before half-time, again set up by Crowell with a free-kick which he headed over the top.
Rushden had a thin first half, unable to match the young home side.
Marcus Kelly crossed for Tony Stokes to try a 30-yard shot that flew wide.
From their next opening Petr Mikolanda was clean through on a pass from Stokes and looked well offside but continued his run, only to waste the opening with a shot that was a yard off target.
Wrexham settled back to defend their lead after half-time with their only effort on goal coming from an Andy Holt header from a Crowell free-kick which gave Tynan an easy save.
Rushden came more into the match later and substitute Lee Tomlin shot wide when in a good position from a Ronnie Bull pass.
Rob Gier provided the next opening with a perfect cross for Drewe Broughton to try a header which Michael Ingham dived to save, getting his finger tips to ball as he turned it past the far post.
From their final chance, set up by one of several corners taken by Darren Caskey, Broughton headed over the bar.