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An Easy-To-Follow Guide On How To Become A Nurse

Nurses who like to climb up the career ladder quickly can opt for the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, which takes approximately 12 weeks to make you a CNA.

Once you’re certified, you can perform basic duties, including checking and recording patients’ vital signs and creating and maintaining patient records. You can contact agencies that do nurse staffing in Texas.

A nurse who wants to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) must finish a certificate or diploma program, which takes approximately one year.

To become a registered nurse (RN), students will need additional training, and there are several steps they must take before they can call themselves RN. 

In addition, they require to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to perform their duties with excellence.

An Easy-To-Follow Guide On How To Become A Nurse

Different states have different requirements for licenses, and some require continuing education. Let’s take a closer look at everything. 

Basic Nursing Educational Requirements

As a registered nurse, you can choose from three educational paths.

1. Nursing Diploma 

Nursing diplomas are the minimum requirements for entry-level positions in this field. Depending on the institution where it is offered, this program typically takes two to three years to complete.

2. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Most community colleges offer associate’s degrees in nursing. Programs typically last two to three years and combine classroom learning with hands-on experience.

3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

BSN is a 4-year program that nursing majors can pursue through dozens of colleges and universities.

Nursing Licensing Requirements

To become a registered nurse, students must pass a licensing exam after completing their nursing diploma, ADN, or BSN.

However, each state has its own licensing requirements. So to help students pass the exam, there are many resource guides available that offer useful NCLEX tips and information.

The NCLEX-RN consists of 75 to 265 computer-based questions.

While most questions are multiple-choice, there may also be fill-in-the-blank and drag-drop questions.

To apply for licensure/registration, applicants must contact their local nursing regulatory body (NRB). Candidates will receive authorization to test (ATT) after submitting their application.

Once the ATT is received, candidates will not be able to register for NCLEX.

Students can take tests any time of the year. Test-takers will be able to schedule an exam within 30 days of contacting the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Appointments may be scheduled online or by phone.

It may be possible to access unofficial test results as early as two working days following the examination; however, official test results do not typically arrive until approximately six weeks.

The candidate must wait 45 days before scheduling their next NCLEX test date for retaking the NCLEX.

Even though NCSBN policy does not limit retakings, the organization warns that test-takers can’t take the test more than eight times in one year, and some states may also impose additional restrictions.

Staying Current in Nursing Education

In order to maintain their RN license, students may need to complete continuing education (CE) once they have passed the NCLEX exam.

Every two years, RNs are required to complete 12 to 30 hours of continuing education. Nurses need to be aware that state-by-state CE requirements will vary. 

An Easy-To-Follow Guide On How To Become A Nurse

Nursing BSN Program Prerequisites

BSN nursing prerequisites can vary depending on the kind of program a student wants to enroll in.

Basic nursing degree requirements, for example, are the same as those of other four-year bachelor’s degree programs.

To apply, applicants must submit high school transcripts or associate degree transcripts showing their cumulative GPA.

Depending on the school an applicant is applying to, the minimum GPA requirements might differ.

The accelerated BSN nursing program is available for students with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing disciplines.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, it is possible to complete an accelerated baccalaureate program in 11 to 18 months.

The NCLEX-RN is available to graduates from both programs who wish to pursue licensure as registered nurses.

An RN to BSN program is another baccalaureate degree option. RN to BSN programs enable nurses with active RN licenses to progress in their education while at the same time working.

There are specific prerequisites for this nursing program, including licensing requirements and admission requirements.

Licensing Requirements

Applicants for RN to BSN programs must have an active (non-expired) nursing license.

Renewing an expired license will require contacting the relevant nursing board for information about the reactivation process.

State-specific requirements vary, but the process involves retaking the NCLEX as well as continuing education courses.

A professional license demonstrates that an RN meets minimal qualifications and competencies, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

The state nursing board’s license proves the licensure holder has met strict standards.

Admissions Requirements

Even though BSN admissions processes vary from one school to the next, requirements typically remain the same.

Additionally to submitting official transcripts from previous colleges/universities, providing references, completing an application essay, and providing a CV or resume, an applicant may also be required to submit official transcripts from their high school or college.

Graduation Requirements

Nurses seeking licensure should be aware that nursing has many prerequisites.

First, students must complete high school or get a GED to be eligible for acceptance into entry-level nursing programs.

An Easy-To-Follow Guide On How To Become A Nurse

Suppose you have a high school diploma or GED certificate. In that case, you are eligible to apply to entry-level nurse training programs, such as a diploma, an associate of nursing, or a bachelor of nursing degree.

For students to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, they must demonstrate that they have graduated from an approved program or are eligible for graduation.

Students with an accredited license as a practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) can take the NCLEX, but they are not eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

LPN/LVN candidates can take the NCLEX-PN (practical nurse) exam to qualify for licensure.

As a result of passing this exam, LPNs and LVNs will be able to work in a range of healthcare settings, including residential care facilities, in-home healthcare organizations, and physicians’ offices.

LPNs and LVNs are allowed to perform basic patient care functions under the direction of registered nurses and physicians.

The NCLEX-RN is required for LPNs/LVNs who wish to advance into RN roles.

Conclusion

Education is the first step toward a nursing career. Multiple educational options require different amounts of classroom time for aspiring nurses.

While LPN and LVN programs can be completed in as little as one year, nursing diploma and associate degree programs typically take two years.

A Bachelor of Science degree may take four years to complete, but graduates of this program enjoy greater autonomy and higher salaries than those from less rigorous programs.

Those with a BSN degree interested in higher management positions or nurse practitioner positions can pursue a master’s or doctoral degree.

In order to become a nurse, future students must decide which educational path best fits their goals.

You may wish to conduct additional research and review the nursing prerequisites if you’re thinking about becoming a nurse. By doing so, you can ensure you find a program that suits your needs.

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