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If you’re seeking a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse (R.N.), now is a great time to get started. There are currently more open positions than qualified nurses to fill them. Becoming a nurse means you’ll enjoy high earnings, job security and advancement opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of R.N.’s will grow much faster than the average of all occupations.
The path to nursing can be confusing and overwhelming. It's true nursing school will be challenging, but getting started may be easier than you think or have heard.
Whether you have a family who depends on you or you’re simply ready to leave a dead-end job and move on to a rewarding career, you want to know exactly what it will take to earn a degree and whether it will fit with your work and family commitments. Here’s a five-step guide to help guide you on your way.
1. Choose an R.N. Path
Aspiring R.N’s may earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) . Both degrees lead to an R.N. Some nursing experts consider ADN-trained R.N.’s as technical-level nurses and BSN-trained R.N.’s as professional-level nurses. R.N.’s with a bachelor’s degree often have better job opportunities than those with only associate degrees.
You can earn an ADN in 18-24 months at a career-focused college, but nurses who want to work in a hospital eventually need to acquire a BSN. A mandate from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing says that 80 percent of hospital nurses need bachelor’s degrees by 2020. A major benefit of earning your BSN degree is that it comes with a wider range of job opportunities and higher salaries than does the ADN degree.If you decide to earn a BSN right away, you can do so in as little as 36 months, or it could take five or six years depending on prerequisite requirements and waiting lists.
Your decision simply depends on what’s best for you right now and your career goals in the future.
2. Select a Nursing School and Apply
Becoming an R.N starts with an accredited nursing school. Do you learn best in a classroom or do you need the flexibility of online courses? Visit the campus when classes are in session and ask to meet the nursing faculty. Is there a waiting list to apply? If you’ve taken classes toward your degree, look for a school that will accept your transfer credits so that you earn credit for your prior work. If you’re serious about getting in and out of school in the shortest amount of time possible, choose a school where the courses are offered in succession so you don’t get stuck with long gaps between courses.
Sound like a lot? Each step takes effort, but when you break each step down it’s easy to see your path starting to take shape.
3. Prepare For Your Entrance Assessment and Admissions Interview
The next step is to schedule a time to meet with admissions and take the entrance assessment. Most schools use the HESI, Kaplan or TEAS assessments. The assessments are generally administered online and assure you that you have the academic skills to perform in nursing school. Some schools charge a fee; others do not. Select a school that allows you to take the assessment and apply without a fee.
4. Graduate
It’s only one word, but don’t be fooled. Getting through nursing school will take hard work and commitment. Your graduation day will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You have one more step though - the NCLEX exam!
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX -RN) is the exam all nurses have to pass to become registered nurses. It ranges from 75-265 questions that test all areas of nursing, though critical thinking and memorization are key. The exam determines whether it’s safe for you to practice as a registered nurse. Both BSN an ADN degree nurses can be eligible to take the exam.
Once you’ve passed, your hard work pays off. With your nursing degree and the NCLEX in the rearview mirror, you can start seeking open nursing positions. And if you remember how fast employment in this field is increasing, you should feel hopeful about your employment opportunities.
So there you have it – how to become a Registered Nurse in five steps. Now that you have a game plan, are you ready to execute it? Enroll at Eagle Gate College today. Taking this first step could mean you’ll be stepping into your new scrubs in no time.
