Becoming a Registered Nurse

Of all the many medical professions, Registered Nurses (RNs) are especially constantly in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals this segment of medical professionals is the largest occupation existing in possibly the largest industry found in the nation. Registered Nurses are charged with the duty toward providing patients with critical care while offering their physicians the needed support for successful treatment. There are certain steps interested individuals need to take to become a Registered Nurse.

Making a Decision to Become a Registered Nurse

any individuals contemplating becoming a registered nurse that are wagering in this decision can conduct a little bit of research that can help move the process along including the following facts:

  • The demand for registered nurse jobs are considered to become the most fastest growing of all occupations through the year 2018 according to the BLS
  • As of 2009, the average already salary was $63,750
  • RN jobs offer a great deal of flexible scheduling and other benefits that include on-site childcare, shift differential bonuses as well as payment for continuing education
  • When an RN has the correct education, a considerable amount of advancement opportunities exist

Whenever an individual makes major career decisions, a free search can never be too much. One method for getting the feel of what an RN is required to do is to volunteer at a local hospital also requesting as much information as possible from any nursing school or other source to learn about RN education programs.

Earning A High School Diploma or GED Is Necessary
Anyone who is contemplating entering the field for registered nurses should realize that they need to earn a high school diploma or a general education diploma GED). This is the minimum requirement needed to a role in nursing school. There are certain courses individuals will need to have completed a nursing school that could also be taken while in high school including:

  • Four years of English
  • 3-4 years of math to include algebra and geometry
  • 2 to 4 years of sciences to include biology, chemistry and recommended physics
  • two years studying any foreign language is recommended but not necessarily required

Select an RN Education Path
Educational requirements to become an RN can vary from one location to another, so it’s necessary for interested individuals to check what their state board of nursing for the exact details. However, generally speaking throughout the nation there exist three types of RN degree programs that include:

  • An Associate Degree In Nursing (ADN) This is a program leading to a degree and RN certification that generally takes up to three years to complete. It is typically offered through many local community colleges or vocational training schools. Students completing this type of program are prepared to work as an entry-level registered nurse in various different medical settings.
  • A Bachelor of Science In Nursing (BSN) Obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing requires four years to complete a course of study. BSN courses are offered to a number of different sources that include both private and public nursing schools, as well as many universities and colleges. Students completing a BSN course of study are prepared to work as RNs in a variety of different career settings that offer them exceptional opportunities for investment in both administrative as well as leadership roles.
  • A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Individuals looking to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. Obtaining an MSN offers the individual the greatest opportunity for receiving top salaries and advancement potential and a variety of different specialized areas in the nursing field.

Finding the Best Nursing School to Fit Your Needs
After an interested individual has researched and discovered the type of RN program wishing to attend, time has arrived to locate and choose the proper school to meet individual requirements. Although each and every nursing program will provide the proper education for individuals to start an RN career, these programs will be different in a number of ways. Some of the aspects about choosing the correct are in school include:

  • Degrees are offered
  • Entrance requirements
  • Education costs
  • Length of course study. Make note that many schools offer accelerated programs
  • School setting, i.e., online versus traditional brick-and-mortar classes
  • lexibility when it comes to taking courses

After an individual has located two or three schools to consider, additional information should be discovered such as if any additional mission requirements are needed like obtaining test scores from an SAT,ACT or possibly the National League for Nursing’s Pre-Admission Exam. Once all the requirements are met, the next step is to submit an application by the school’s stated deadline. It is highly recommended that nursing school applicants apply to more than one school in order to expand their course taking options.

Obtaining a License to Become an RN

All states require individuals wishing to work as registered nurses to obtain a license. The BLS reveals that license requirements are different from one state to be another, but most require potential RNs to:

  • Earn an ADN, BSN or MSN
  • Submit to and pass a criminal background check
  • Complete and pass a national licensing exam, such as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN

Keep That Education Ongoing
RNs that continually seek additional education and training break the benefits of not only obtaining greater salaries but also find greater advancement potential. Many locations we warned individual RNs that travel the education path from ADN to BSN to MSN. Furthermore, in a considerable amount of locations, continuing education is mandatory. Also, there are many employers and state nursing boards requiring their employees to obtain continuing education course credits (CEUs) in order to maintain employment. In most situations, obtaining CEUs is mandatory for maintaining a license or renewing one.
Choosing a career as a registered nurse is not only making a choice toward finding one’s life work that is not only personally rewarding but financially as well. Since the outlook for careers in registered nursing have in the past been in great demand, and in the future looked to be as much in demand, choosing this career path they help one to fulfill lifelong dreams.

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