In these tough economic times, Registered Nurse (RN) jobs are practically recession-proof. Because people continue to require competent and caring medical attention in all economic climates, registered nurses are always in demand. Considering a career in registered nursing may be the first step toward a secure and rewarding future.
Here are the steps to take if you want to become a registered nurse:
- Prepare while you are still in high school. In high school you need to keep your grades up, taking plenty of science courses, and if possible, fulfill any prerequisites for the nursing school you wish to attend. Some community colleges allow students in their junior and senior year of high school to begin working on college general education units while completing high school.
- Enroll in a nursing program. After you graduate high school you will need to enroll in a nursing program. Community colleges offer a Diploma nursing program or an Associate of Science two-year degree and will prepare you to take your licensing exam. Four-year universities offer either a Bachelor of Science degree or a Master’s Degree in nursing. These will both prepare you to take your licensing exam. It depends on what level of nursing you would like to start with. There is financial aid available, including federal loans, private loans, grants and scholarships. You can apply for any of these online.
If you’re an adult making a career change, you can always work on your general education and pre-requisites online and then transfer into a nursing program for your clinical hours. This method offers flexibility to continue to work full time, raise a family and keep up with other day-to-day responsibilities. These online nursing schools often encourage students to earn their clinical credits at medical facilities near their own homes, making this option even more convenient and appealing. - Take your state board examination. Once you complete your degree, your final step is to earn your license. In order to become a licensed registered nurse, you'll take a standardized test called the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). The NCLEX, which consists primarily of multiple choice questions, tests candidates on the basic knowledge and skills required to competently care for patients as a nurse. Your nursing school will be able to provide you information on when and where to take the exam as you get close to completion of your program.
- Apply for your nursing license. To receive your nursing license you will be required to submit fingerprinting, background check information and receive at least an 85% passing score on your NCLEX examination. You will need to explain any marks on your criminal record including traffic tickets. You will also be required to pay your state’s licensing fee. During this time, you will be considered an RN-IP, Registered Nurse–Interim Permit. You will be allowed to practice basic nursing functions and orient to hospital life.
- Understand the job responsibilities. Registered nurses are responsible for managing a patient’s day-to-day care. They assess the condition of the patient, develop and implement a plan of care to help them recover from illness in a safe and comfortable way. They report any changes in the patient’s condition to the physician and give ordered medications and administer treatments. They also supervise the care team including licensed vocational nurses and certified nurse’s aides.
- Know the wages and job outlook. Working as a registered nurse is rewarding in many ways. You have the satisfaction of giving comfort to people, using your skills and seeing the results, and great pay. Depending on the specialty that you choose to work in, the pay averages from $45,000 all the way up to over $100,000. Nursing wages vary depending on the location at which you work.
- Think about where you'd like to work. In addition to selecting a school, you will also want to think about where you might like to work. Registered nurse careers can be found in many other venues besides hospitals, including nursing homes, correctional facilities, home-care providers, medical offices, schools and research labs. There are also RN careers in specialty areas such as women’s health, sports medicine, cancer care and pediatrics, just to name a few. You can also enjoy travel assignments filling temporary nursing needs in exciting places such as Hawaii, New York, San Francisco and many other places. Pinpointing your individual interests early will help you tailor your coursework and prepare for a nursing career you’ll find most fulfilling.
Becoming a nurse is not as difficult or time consuming as many believe. With the right dedication and previous education, a person could conceivably become an RN in two years. Your future as a registered nurse promises many rewards; with these instructions on how to become an RN, you are ready to get started.