Becoming a Registered Nurse

If you have been thinking about becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), we have great news for you. The nursing industry is growing rapidly, and as the baby boomers age, there is going to be a continued need for qualified nurses to fill the ever growing job openings for nurses. In addition, the US News & World Report ranks Nursing as one of the Best Jobs due to the low unemployment among nurses and strong earnings potential. Nursing is ranged as #17 in Best Healthcare Jobs and #22 in the 100 Best Jobs. That’s a pretty good validation for anyone wanting to go into Nursing. See below for the education requirements needed to become a registered nurse.

Great Job Prospects for Nurses

"Becoming a Registered Nurse"

Becoming a Registered Nurse – What you need

You can get an entry-level RN position with an associate degree or a diploma program. However, if you want to command a higher pay and move up quickly, you should consider a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you can enroll in an accelerated B.S.N. degree programs, which can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

What do I learn In Nursing School?

During nursing school, students will get a broad education with coursework ranging from anatomy to pharmacology to public health. And all programs will have some clinical aspect, where students provide patient care under the supervision of certified RNs. In addition to graduating from an accredited program, students will have to pass a national licensing examination known as the National Council Licensure Examination, and candidates may have to meet other requirements that vary by state.

What is the Job Like?

If you are thinking of becoming a registered nurse, it’s important to know what the job is like, so you go in with realistic expectations of what you will be doing and the level of stress and the overall demands of the job. As an RN, you should expect to spend a good portion of the day on their feet, and depending on the patients you have for a particular day, your responsibilities may range from administering ibuprofen to very demanding experience of monitoring a very sick patient. While most Registered Nurses work in in hospitals, there a many opportunities in this industry that do not require you to work in a hospital, including working for the government at the local, state and federal levels, in city health departments with non-governmental agencies both in the U.S. and overseas, as well as in education and research.

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