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Rebecca Munday joins NurseJournal after serving as editor-in-chief of The George-Anne Inkwell at Georgia Southern University. She has never found a style of writing she doesn't like and is particularly passionate about improving health for...
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Updated February 21, 2023
Discover the path to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and join millions of others in one of the most rewarding and valuable positions in healthcare.
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Ready to earn your nursing degree online?
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To become a licensed RN, you need aemployee in care(DNA) or aBachelor of Nursing(BSN). Many employers prefer a BSN degree. You must also meet clinical nursing requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN to be licensed in your state.
RNs provide round-the-clock care to patients in hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, and inpatient units. They assess patients, administer medications and communicate with a healthcare team. RNs can specialize in oncology, acute andintensive care, Gerontology,newborn, or pediatrics.
After earning a graduate degree in nursing, RNs can become clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified midwives, or anesthesiologists.
Jobausblick
6% growth from 2021-2031
required degree
ADN or BSN
Those ones: SBV
Steps to Becoming a Registered Nurse
Although RNs follow similar steps to obtain their license, specific requirements vary by state. Certain states, like New York, require RNs to have a bachelor's degree in nursing. The list below covers the process required to become a Registered Nurse.
1. Meet the requirements for an ADN or BSN
Whether nursing students choose to earn an ADN or BSN degree, they must meet liberal arts, math, and science requirements. Common prerequisites for nursing school are basic anatomy, physiology, biology, psychology, and anatomy. Nursing schools often require incoming students to earn at least a "C" grade in these courses.
2.Earn a BSN or ADN diploma
A four year old childBSN degreeoffers in-depth education and training in leadership, interpersonal communication, and clinical nursing. A two year old childDNA graucovers the fundamentals of nursing and provides the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse. An accelerated BSN program allows those with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field to graduate in less than a year.
3. Pass the NCLEX exam
Students can apply for a leave of absence six weeks before graduation and then applyo NCLEX RN. This computer-based test requires participants to answer at least 75 questions. You have up to six hours to complete the exam.
4.find job
Regardless of your educational background, be proactive in your career pursuit. That means connecting with your college network and gathering work resources before graduation. As the field of nursing continues to grow, graduates must impress potential healthcare employers during clinical rotations.
5.Earn a board certification
RNs who want greater recognition in their careers (and higher salaries) are certified by the board. To qualify, RNs usually need two or more years of clinical experience in a specialty and must pass an exam.
Selected Online Nursing Programs
Registered Nursing Education
Expect to spend 2-4 years completing the necessary education to become a Registered Nurse. The exact schedule depends on whether you choose a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN. If you have college credits beforehand, you can cut your graduation time short. Discover the differences between an ADN and a BSN diploma:
DNA grau
An DNA degree offers a faster path to becoming a Registered Nurse. However, some healthcare employers require or prefer a BSN degree. RNs also need a BSN to become advanced nurses, for example. B. Clinical Nurse Specialists, Board Certified Nurse Anesthesiologists ornurse.
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Admission Requirements
A high school diploma or GED certificate is required to enroll in an ADN program. Schools may require a minimum of 2.0-3.0 GPA. Required application materials may include personal essays, SAT or ACT scores, and transcripts.
(Video) How To Become a Registered Nurse đź’‰ -
program curriculum
ADN courses cover pharmacology, nutrition, health systems concepts, growth, development, and aging. Programs also require clinical hours.
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closing time
The time required to complete an ADN program depends on your previous coursework. Students without other general educational achievements need about two years to graduate.
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skills learned
DNA courses provide you with the nursing skills to work in a clinical setting. ADN graduates learn how to provide nursing care in diverse populations and settings through courses in multidimensional nursing, nursing for the elderly, and maternal and child nursing.
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BSN degree
Although a BSN is longer, the program provides broader training in leadership, critical thinking, coordinating patient care with physicians and other healthcare professionals, and specialized knowledge of medical conditions.
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Admission Requirements
Students enter a BSN program directly after high school or after completing an ADN. BSN admission requirements usually include SAT or ACT scores, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and three letters of recommendation.
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program curriculum
A BSN degree teaches students leadership and management in nursing, cultural awareness, integrating evidence into nursing practice, and current issues in healthcare.
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closing time
On average, college applicants complete a BSN degree in four years or less with prior college credits. Nursing students with an ADN or transferable college credits can graduate in 2 to 3 years.
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skills learned
BSN students acquire essential nursing skills and tools in leadership, research, and public health. Students can also develop specialized skills in areas such as maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing and critical care.
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grau ABSN
Those with a bachelor's degree in another field can earn an accelerated degreeBachelor of Science in Nursing(ABSN) and completion in 12-18 months. This path appeals to those who want to make a quick transition into the profession and become a professional nurse. However, the fast pace of the program can be challenging and the admissions process can be rigorous.
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Admission Requirements
Eligible applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and a 3.0 GPA. Prospective students must also meet all requirements with a minimum grade of "C". Online applications are usually required to include personal essays, letters of recommendation, and resumes.
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program curriculum
ABSN degrees include Research Methods, Assessments and Interventions, and Ethics and Healthcare Leadership and Management. Laboratory and clinical rotations allow students to apply nursing theories and gain experience in areas such as pediatrics, mental and behavioral health, and critical and critical care.
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closing time
On average, it takes about 12-15 months to earn an ABSN degree when students study full-time. Students can graduate more quickly if they have transferable credits or earn an associate degree in nursing.
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skills learned
ABSN graduates have sufficient nursing skills to take the NCLEX-RN. The curriculum addresses how to provide quality patient care, leverage health information technology, integrate evidence into your practice, and improve patient outcomes.
Major Accelerated BSN Degrees
What is an ABSN program?
Overview of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN).
Registered Nurse Credentials
After completing your nursing education, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. Only nurses who meet educational, clinical and examination qualifications can be licensed. While certifications are not required for employment, they do validate a registered nurse's experience in specialized areas such as acute pediatric medicine or cardiac medicine. It can also further the career of a Registered Nurse in terms of pay and responsibility.
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license
Obtaining a license is the final step in becoming a registered nurse. Trainee nurses can be licensed by the state board of nursing after earning their degree, clinical hours, and the NCLEX-RN.
Each state agency sets different standards and may require additional training to qualify for a license. RNs typically need to renew their license every 1-4 years. Individuals must complete training courses and continuing education hours to renew their RN license.
(Video) How To Become A Registered Nurse -
certification
Certifications are not required for nursing, but earning these optional qualifications provides greater opportunities for professional development. A credential validates a registered nurse's skills in a specialized field.
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers certifications for RNs. Qualified RNs must complete a specified number of clinical hours and pass an exam. AACN offers certifications in critical care, cardiac medicine, and progressive care.
Where do registered nurses work?
Nursing students find jobs through their schools, hospitals, doctors' offices or popular job boards. OAmerican Nurses Associationalso offers career centers where members can find open positions.
RN salariesvary according to degree, specialization and work. According toDepartment of Labor Statistics, RNs earn an average salary of $82,750. Many RNs work in hospitals, doctors' offices, wards, and outpatient care centers. RNs at outpatient centers earn an average salary of $93,070, which is higher than the national average.
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Hospitals (government, local and private)
In hospitals, RNs work in the operating room, intensive care unit, and neonatal units. They administer medications, conduct patient assessments, prioritize patient care, and respond to life-saving emergencies.
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care facilities and home care
In nursing and care facilities, caregivers work around the clock to counsel patients and their families, implement infection control policies, administer medications and treatments, coordinate care plans, and monitor residents.
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Ambulatory Care Centers
Nurses in outpatient services work alongside doctors and nurses. They collect health data from patients, administer medications and monitor patients.
Becoming a Nurse: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can become an RN in two years by completing a two-year DNA program. Those with a degree in another field can follow an accelerated BSN program that lasts 1-2 years, depending on the number of credits you can transfer. Both programs allow you to apply to the NCLEX-RN and receive your nursing license.
Accreditation is a peer-reviewed process that lets students, financial aid organizations, and employers know that nursing programs meet educational quality standards and prepare future nurses for practice.
Accreditation is important because state student aid only pays for accredited programs. Additionally, employers typically require nurses to complete an accredited program.
To become an RN, you must meet the admission requirements of the ADN or BSN program you wish to pursue. These requirements may include a GPA of at least 3.0 and at least a C in prerequisites such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and statistics.
RNs can advance their careers by pursuing an advanced degree, continuing education, or gaining experience as a nurse manager. An MSN degree allows registered nurses to become APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). Nurses seeking certification in their specialty must complete continuing education to renew their certification.
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