How To Become A Registered Nurse
Are you planning to become a registered nurse?
A career in nursing is becoming a huge trend in the US. However, it may seem like a daunting task to get back to school when you have other things on your plate. Also, being a nurse is a huge commitment and it may initially seem like an ominous thing to do. However, once you gather all the facts and learn the tricks of the trade, you can confidently become a registered nurse .
A big question that may pop in your mind is how to become a registered nurse ? We have compiled a few steps that will help you earn a degree in nursing and become a registered nurse faster.
- Research
This is the first thing you need to do before starting out on a career in nursing. You will have to decide what fits your schedule and long-term goals.
If you wish to finish school faster and become a registered nurse quickly, you may opt for the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). This will enable you to earn a degree in as few as 18-24 months from a college and help save you some time and money. However, it must be noted that while the ADN route may seem to be an appealing option, you may not be allowed to work in a hospital with the degree. Most of the hospitals are pushing for BSN nurses and by 2020 it will be mandatory for nurses to have a BSN in order to become registered nurse . While it may sound like a deterrent, it will be interesting to know that some hospitals may pay their ADN nurses to get a BSN. Also, some colleges have started to increase their offerings of RN programs to BSN through online and which can be completed within 24 months.
Another option is to undergo a four-year bachelor’s degree program and acquire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN. Since you will be spending a longer time in school, you will have better opportunities than a nurse having an ADN. You can seek jobs in the consulting , administrative or research fields.
You must understand that both the above mentioned options help you become a registered nurse and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. You need to decide which option to take up in order to choose a plethora of opportunities that are available.
- Enrol in a School
Once you have identified your goals, the next step involves choosing the right school and enrolling in a nursing program. Some well known nursing schools have been listed below;
- University of South Alabama-Nursing College
- University of Virginia- Nursing School
- University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
- School of Nursing-Nell Hisson Woodruff, Atlanta, GA
- Nursing School-John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Arizona State University (Online)
- Benedictine University(Online)
- Bradley University (online)
- Complete your course
After enrolling yourself in a nursing school, your main aim should be to focus on your studies. You will have to undergo a series of clinicals in-order to gain hands-on experience before you become a registered nurse . School life may seem hard but the future will be immensely rewarding.
- Become a graduate and clear the NCLEX
After earning a degree in nursing you can appear for NCLEX( National Council Licensure Examination). Both ADN and BSN nurses are eligible to take up the NCLEX-RN. You must clear this examination if you wish to become a registered nurse .
- Find a job
Upon clearing the NCLEX and armed with a nursing license in hand, you become a registered nurse and may look for a suitable job. It is believed that with the ever growing aged population, the demand for nurses will grow by 15% between 2016 -2026. So, it’s high time you take up a decision!
Now that you know the steps to become a registered nurse, all you need to do is a little thinking and get started! A bright future is awaiting you.
