Registered Nurse Requirements: It’s Always About the Education
The registered nurse field is constantly expanding, with thousands of jobs added every year. There are specific requirements that each person has to meet to become a nurse and practice as a Registered Nurse. Most of these requirements can change based upon state location and based on the kinds of jobs that future nurses wish to hold.
The very first requirement you need to fulfill to become a registered nurse revolves around education. While most people that enter into the field will start with an associates degree, individuals that are going to become registered nurses have got to complete their bachelors program. This program usually takes four years and should prepare students for the tests they will take while they work towards becoming registered. Courses that students are expected to take will include basic science courses, such as microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Students will also be expected to take nursing-directed courses and will also learn various aspects of nutrition and psychology. Individuals will need to attend an accredited college to complete their requirements to become a registered nurse – these are a few of the courses that are required by that accreditation.
Students must then work to successfully complete the NCLEX-RN. This is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and is required by every state in the united states. Other than this exam, students must go through clinical hours as determined by their state’s prerequisites for registered nurses. Students will discover that they’re going to have to look for hands-on apprenticeships in various healthcare situations in order to meet these requirements.
If you wish to concentrate on a particular field you could be required to become credentialed in that field. Even though it is not required, most employers will not hire those that do not hold special credentials. The fields you might need credentials in include ambulatory nursing, pediatric nursing, and gerontology nursing. Search for credentialing courses and programs that are accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).
If you plan on working toward an advanced care position you’ll need to take more classes and work to get your master’s degree. Advanced practice nurses can hold lots of different positions that include nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. These types of positions will often be able to prescribe medication and perform more active physical care than the typical nurse. There are specific licensure tests that need to be taken, that may vary based on the state you live in.
There are plenty of registered nurse requirements, and for good reason. Nurses will often be relied on to give care to individuals and must be well-informed in their actions. There are plenty of job opportunities for individuals who satisfy registered nurse requirements, with the sector expected to grow by more than 500,000 jobs within the next ten years. Even though it could take you more than four years to acquire the education and pass the training requirements necessary to be a registered nurse, you can know that you will have employment opportunities waiting for you after completion.
So, still considering becoming an RN? If that’s the case, then let us match you to local schools to obtain the training you need to meet all the Registered Nurse requirements.
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