How To Become A Registered Nurse
Discover the path to becoming a registered nurse and joining millions of others in one of the most rewarding and valued healthcare positions available.
No matter your education path, be proactive in your career search. That means activating your college network and job resources before graduating. While the nursing field continues to grow, graduates must make an impression during clinical rotations with potential healthcare employers.
- Complete Prerequisites for an ADN or a BSN.
- Earn a BSN or an ADN Degree.
- Pass the NCLEX Exam.
How To Change Your Career To Nursing In Six Steps
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Changing careers to nursing is a decision that may present both challenges and rewarding experiences. Current job experience or an existing degree may contribute to the skills and education necessary to change careers to nursing. There are several paths you can take that may coincide with your current educational level or that meet the time frame to complete your degree. In this article, we explain what a career in nursing entails and outline the steps to change your career to nursing and begin a rewarding new path.
Courses To Become A Nurse
Regardless of the particular specialisation, the initial steps along the journey of becoming a Nurse remain the same. Generally, many students opt for a diploma or associate degree and get the requisite training to become a general registered nurse but if you aim to become a specialised nurse as the profiles mentioned above, then you must opt for a bachelors or masters degree in the specialisation you want to pursue. Below, we have enlisted the major nursing courses you can explore to follow the noble profession of a nurse:
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How To Make A Second Career In Nursing Happen
If youve spent a significant amount of time in a certain career path, making a career change that requires going back to school at 30, 40 or beyond could feel intimidating. Dont doubt yourself, though. Nursing can be an ideal second career path, and going back to school for nursing is an accessible path to enter this exciting and rewarding career field.
With Marians ABSN program, a bachelors degree in nursing is in your reach in as few as 16 months, meaning youll be able to access this new path sooner. No matter your prior occupation, from a teacher to a recruiter and everything in between, see whats in store and some of the reasons why nursing just might be perfect for you.
For more information, contact a Marian University admissions advisor and learn what youll need to do in order to apply, complete any potential prerequisites, and get you on the path to this new career field.
Nurse Leadership And Administration
Healthcare organizations need experienced nursing leaders to help them navigate changes in technology and the healthcare landscape. An MSN in Nurse Leadership can help you advance to a variety of management roles, from overseeing a nursing unit to leading the entire nursing department. Possible job titles in nursing administration include Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, or Healthcare Manager. Learn more about how to become a nursing administrator and what it takes to reach the upper levels of the nursing profession.
Employment for health services managers and executives is expected to grow by 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS data also shows that medical and health services managers earn an average annual wage of $119,840 per year . Discover the average salary for nurse administrators and clinical healthcare managers across the U.S.
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Going Back To School For Nursing: Its Never Too Late
Are you at a place in your life where youre thinking about changing your career? Youre not alone. In fact, its likely that the average person will change careers multiple times throughout the course of their working life. When considering making a change, going back to school for nursing could be the perfect next step for you.
You may not have the answers to how to change careers to nursing, but with the Marian University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you could gain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 16 months and enter a lucrative, in-demand career field.
Learn which skills youve already developed that can be applied to a new career in nursing, hear from adult learners who achieved their nursing degree from Marian University to enter into a second career, and determine what youll need to do in order to succeed in the Marian ABSN program.
Youll Have Diverse Career Options
With a BSN, you also open yourself up to lots of interesting career paths, not all of which necessarily have to be in a hospital. Once you earn a bachelors degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX, youre qualified for myriad specialty positions including public health nurse, critical care nurse, legal nurse consultant and forensic nurse consultant, to name a few.
Thats precisely why earning a BSN from Marian University was so appealing to Ritu Jayant, ABSN graduate, a former pre-med student who decided to change paths to nursing.
Having a nursing career will set me up for success because its a secure job. You can be a nurse in any field, in any part of the country, even outside of the country, Ritu says.
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Changes To Our Nursing Application Process Starting August 2021
- We are now requiring a Professional Resume, not a functional resume as we have in the past.
- Pre-requisite classes may be completed the quarter in which you apply.
- We will no longer require proof of Hep B vaccination.
- No entrance exam is needed for application.
Washington is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses in all medical settings. Students who complete Pierce Collegeâs Nursing program are trained and ready to begin their career immediately.
Do I Have To Pay The Application Fee To Be Admitted
Yes. You may talk to an Enrollment Counselor without paying the application fee, but the fee must be paid before you can be admitted. The application fee helps defray our costs associated with admissions, transcript collection, enrolling students, etc. Note: It is against federal regulations to use financial aid for an application fee.
Have more questions? More information can be found by speaking with an Enrollment Counselor.
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Know Your Reason For Choosing This Field
One of the most efficient ways to remain focused committed by determining the reason you have chosen nursing as a career. It could be because you want to help, or because of an incident that particularly inspired you to take up this career.
As you must already know, nursing can be an extremely demanding profession, and youll often feel like quitting, and thats when you need to think about the reason you got into the first place.
Make Nursing A Reality For You
Now that weve explored how nursing school is an attainable goal and described the ways in which your previous career experiences can prepare you to be successful as a nurse, we hope youve seen how going back to school for nursing can fit into your life and prove to be an exciting next step in your professional and personal life.
If you have a non-nursing bachelors degree and a willingness to learn, you have the skills and experience youll need to succeed as a nurse. Reach out to a Marian ABSN admissions advisor today and start a conversation that can change your career as well as your life.
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Conduct Yourself Like The Professional You Are
Remember that nurses are some of the people who will be caring and providing medical care for individuals at their most vulnerable. Whether its the nursing school admissions staff or future medical employers, no one will want to work with or education someone who appears to be untrustworthy or unprofessional. So what can you do?
Read up on professionalism for student nurses. Also read up about how to develop professionalism as a student. When you go in for your admissions interview, you want to impress the admissions staff and make them feel confident that you will complete your program of study and go on to be a wonderful nurse.
S To Become A Registered Nurse
After youve decided that you would like to pursue a career in nursing, the steps to becoming a registered nurse are fairly straightforward. First, you must earn the appropriate degree. Then, you must pass the NCLEX Exam. And finally, you must obtain a license in the state that you wish to practice in.
Below, we explore each of these steps in more detail.
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Choose A Nursing Degree Program
According to the National Center for Education Statistics , there are over 2,000 LPN, LVN, and RN degree programs at the associates, bachelors, and masters levels across the country.3 Many programs are highly competitive and have limited openings due to the demand for programs and a national shortage in nursing school faculty .4 Many nursing schools also require applicants to pass an entrance exam.5
When choosing a nursing degree program you should consider some of the following factors:
- Type of nursing degree granted
- Prerequisites of program
- Acceptance rate into the program/available seats
- NCLEX pass rate of past students
- Location of clinical training
How To Jump Start Your Nursing Career
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If youre aspiring to become a nurse, you must have a passion for helping others. This isnt a job for everyonebeing a good nurse is a gift that doesnt come without its ups and downs. This is arguably one of the most demanding jobs in the medical field, but its also one of the most rewarding. If youre ready to embark on your journey to become a nurse, here are the must-know basics to jump start your career.
Get Your Degree
Many nursing programs throw you right into the field to gain experience. Most nursing programs take longer than the typical four years to earn your degreein fact youre lucky to get it done in five at a public university. Some accelerated programs and small universities offer programs that allow you to graduate faster and start your career sooner. Start your search for accelerated nursing programs here to save money and earn your degree.
Start Networking Early
If you dont have the time to attend networking events, then take advantage of social media to meet your needs. is the perfect example of a place where you can join nursing groups to build relationships with others and discuss relevant topics.
Learn How to Cope with Emotional Stress
On the other hand, you have the opportunity to make a tremendous difference in the lives of others. Your job is essential to keeping patients healthy and happy. You cant save everyone but you will save many lives throughout your career. Keep this in mind as you begin your career.
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How To Become A Nurse In Texas
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the demand for registered nurses is projected to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026. However, healthcare labor experts predict much stronger growth in Texas. According to a 2018 report by the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, statewide demand for RNs is projected to grow 54% by 2030, creating an estimated 60,000 full-time job vacancies. The career outlook for nurses in Texas is among the strongest in the country.
Am I Too Old To Become A Nurse
Even if you have the disposition and drive to enter a new career in the nursing field, you might be asking yourself, Am I too old to become a nurse? The answer to this question is no. Nurses come from all walks of life and all age groups. In fact, according to a 2020 survey from the National League for Nursing, 24 percent of students enrolled in BSN programs are over the age of 25.
You may wonder if you have what it takes to get through nursing school when its been years since you earned your first degree. I was nervous that it was going to be harder for me to focus and to absorb and retain information during accelerated nursing school, because it was a good chunk of time that had passed, Ritu says. Multiple areas were uncertain, but Im happy with all the support from my family as well as the school. Without that support, I probably wouldnt have made it through the program.
If changing careers to nursing at 30 or 40 or beyond is still intimidating to you, once you enter the workforce youll find that the median age of working registered nurses is 52 years old, according to the NCSBN. In fact, as someone coming into nursing as a second career, youll have the experience and empathy necessary to serve as a patient caretaker and advocate.
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Should I Become A Nurse
Besides being competent in science by taking coursework in anatomy and physiology, biology, nutrition, psychology, chemistry, and social sciences, prospective nurses should possess certain skills and qualities that are conducive to the career. People who are compassionate and caring by nature usually make excellent nurses, because they have the ability to identify with their patients and be empathetic to their pain and suffering. Nurses should also possess good communication skills so that they can understand their patients concerns and give instructions to provide effective treatment. Being well-organized and detail-oriented is helpful in the nursing field since nurses often are responsible for caring for several patients at one time. Physical strength is also an important trait for prospective nurses, since nursing is a mobile career, and nurses must be able to lift their patients if needed.
Continue Your Nursing Education Journey
As a nurse, your education never really stops. You’ll be required to keep up with your Continuing Education Units each year. Additionally, for nurses, salary is closely linked to your level of education. So, if you want to earn more down the road, you may want to go back to school for your BSN, MSN, DNP or more.
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Apply For A State Nursing License
To apply for a New Jersey nursing license, prospective nurses submit their documentation to the New Jersey Board of Nursing. This includes their criminal background check, several forms of identification, nursing program transcripts and a passing NCLEX-RN score. You can submit the application and documentation online. It may take up to three months for the board to process your application.
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Have Someone To Guide You As A Mentor
An aspiring nurse can take some measures to look for career advice from a mentor, by choosing someone they share some amount of comfort level and whom they respect as a role model. Incidentally, there are websites where you can seek guidance for your nursing career.
If you want to flourish in this field, you shouldnt feel apprehensive to ask for advice, wisdom, and valuable insights from a successful professional. There are plenty of options if you are looking for a mentor to guide you.
You can ask an acquaintance for assistance on any assignment or to gain perspective on a topic. You can also be part of several research groups, or journal clubs to meet people who can impart valuable information to you.
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You Dont Need An Advanced Degree To Become A Registered Nurse
The minimum required education to become a registered nurse is an associates degree in nursing . Most ADN students complete their degree program and clinicals in about two years, at which point they can take the NCLEX and find their first nursing job. However, a four-year bachelor program or even a masters degree can put you at a distinct career advantage. A survey by AACN found that 82.1% of nursing employers have a strong preference for BSN candidates, and 43.2% of hospitals and other healthcare settings require a bachelors degree for nursing jobs.
Take Classes During The Summer Or Semester Breaks
Many programs will offer general education courses or even some non-clinical nursing courses such as research, informatics, or ethics, during the summer months. Take advantage of the time off and take advantage of class offerings. This may help you graduate a little earlier or at least lighten your course load during the upcoming semesters.
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Diverse Tracks And Income Opportunities
Just like any profession, nurses often start with an average income, but the earning potential goes up the more you further your studies and hone your skills. In particular, the nursing career paths in Singapore are diverse and opportunities are almost endless, seeing that Registered Nurses can even open their own clinics independently once they become an Advanced Practice Nurse.
Career Outlook For Nurses In New York
The overwhelmingly positive career outlook for nurses in New York also extends to more advanced positions. For example, the BLS projects employment for nurse practitioners to increase by 41.6% from 2016 to 2026, with more than 6,000 new positions created over that period. The tables below include employment numbers and salary expectations for nurses in New York, illustrating how location and nursing specialty can impact individual salaries.
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