How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN): A Step-by-Step Guide (2023)

FAQs

What steps should I take to become a nurse? ›

In general, nurses fall into three categories: non-degree, degree, and advanced degree. Non-degree nurses include certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who complete nursing education programs that don't culminate in a degree.

The way to become an RN with the lowest level of education is to go through an associate's degree in nursing or ADN program. Most ADN programs are two years long and are held at community colleges. There are numerous options to choose from, including part-time and full-time programs.

Kindness, fairness, caring, trustworthiness, emotional stability, empathy, and compassion are aspects of your personality that serve you well as a nurse. You exhibit strong communication skills. You communicate well with patients and colleagues — sometimes at their worst life moments.

Level 1 - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are also known as nursing assistants or nursing aides. They typically work in home care and long-term care facilities and are the primary point of contact between patients and the medical staff.

The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.

As an entry-level nurse, you should be making rounds, administering medication as needed. If you are working in a clinic, you could be responsible for providing first aid and immunizations. You might also be responsible for inserting catheters and feeding tubes.

How many levels of RN are there? ›

There are five levels of nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each level has different requirements, educational qualifications, and salary rates.

Benner (1984) also detailed the acquisition of nursing expertise and proposed five possible expertise levels: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Nurses at the novice stage are still in nursing school.

One of the shortest certification programs is the certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program. Some CNA programs last as little as 12 to 18 weeks. Others may offer up to one year of training. The requirements of your state and the program you attend can affect the specific length of attendance.

Of all the nursing certifications, LPN or LVN programs are the quickest and most convenient options. Because training can be completed at a hospital, vocational technical school, community college and even online, LPN/LVN programs are ideal for students who work or have other obligations.

What is the easiest job for an RN? Working as an office nurse is one of the most relaxed options for RNs. Office nurses work in clinics with set hours, and provide basic, non-emergency medical care.

GPA requirements depend on the type of nursing program you want to apply for, but most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. However, due to the competitive nature of nursing programs, most schools prefer a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA.

To study the RN-BSN program at US Universities, students must have earned a nursing diploma with a minimum GPA OF 2.0.

Tuition rates for nursing school vary considerably depending on your desired degree level and the school you choose. Looking at ADN, BSN, MSN and DNP programs, nursing school can range in cost from around $3,000 to over $100,000.

The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice', which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 2017.

What are the 7 characteristics of a good nurse? ›

Associate in Nursing (ASN)

RNs are the first line of care in many healthcare settings, and they are in increasingly high demand as healthcare organizations strive to accommodate a growing patient population.

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

Math on the NCLEX

While math certainly isn't a main focus on the NCLEX, you will likely have to do a few calculations while taking the exam. Don't be too worried about it, though. Your coursework and study time will prepare you well for the exam.

Though the vast majority of candidates pass the exam the first time, those who fail are permitted to retake it after 45 days from their original test date. Candidates may retest as many as 8 times in a year.

What Are Your Chances Of Failing NCLEX-RN On The First Attempt? The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports 13.43% of NCLEX-RN candidates fail the exam on their first attempt.

Nurses work with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, physicians, specialists, assistants, technicians and many other health care providers. Their daily duties may include: Taking patient vital signs, measurements and medical histories. Asking about the patient's symptoms.

A core competency of nursing is “the ability to practice nursing that meets the needs of clients cared for using logical thinking and accurate nursing skills.” The nursing competency structure consists of four abilities: the ability to understand needs, the ability to provide care, the ability to collaborate and the ...

The four basic methods or techniques that are used for physical assessment are inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.

What are the 4 parts of nursing? ›

Fawcett has named person, health, environment and nursing as the four main concepts of nursing that need to be comprehensively defined. The Human Caring Theory is significant because of its focus on the spiritual dimension of human beings.

What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! Earning $195,610 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty.

After you've 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.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-Prepared Practitioner

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal nursing degree, meaning that it is the highest possible practice-based degree in nursing.

The Clinical Nurse I is distinguished from the Clinical Nurse II in that the latter is expected to have more professional experience in a healthcare setting including Public Health and Mental Health.

A registered nurse is able to practice within their field with only an associates degree, but a BSN is the preferred level of education for many nurse specialties throughout the medical career landscape.

A certified nurse (CN) provides general patient care and works under registered nurses, while a registered nurse (RN) provides a higher level of patient care and coordination and works under a doctor.

If you want to make a difference in your community, and you have the patience required to work with people, then this might be the tell-tale sign that you are meant to become a nurse. If you want a job that is exciting and brings a new challenge every day, then you will find happiness in nursing.

So, ask yourself how caring are you of other individuals and their needs. In order to be a good nurse, you have to deeply care about people. If you are one of those types of people who just worry about themselves and do not really concentrate on how to help others, then nursing really is not for you.

What is the difference between a BSN and a RN? ›

Any registered nurse with or without a BSN has passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam and obtained nursing licensure. The distinguishing difference between a BSN nurse and an RN is that BSNs hold a bachelor's degree in nursing while RNs have an associate degree.

This stipulation dictates that most aspiring nurses become licensed nursing professionals at the earliest ages of 20 and 22, depending on whether they have attended a two-year nursing program for an associate's degree or a four-year nursing program for a bachelor's degree.

Know the Patient's Diagnosis and Health History

You'll want to know why your patient is in your healthcare facility in the first place. Why are they receiving treatment? In addition, you'll want to know the patient's health history, as this will help you determine specific things to watch for during your shift.

In conclusion, you can absolutely be a successful nurse and still be shy. Over time, your shyness will melt away and you will feel much more comfortable. It will be similar to how you feel now in high school (minus public speaking projects).

Here are a few of the most common nursing mistakes: Forgetting to turn on the bed alarm for a patient at high risk for falls. Incorrectly programming an IV pump resulting in underdosing or overdosing. Failing to report a change in a patient's condition.

Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Anatomy & Physiology each have a well-earned reputation for being difficult to pass. Some students may find Cardiology, Chemistry, or even Mental Health especially trying.

To combat the region's nursing shortage, the University of Rochester Medical Center and School of Nursing today announced an innovative program to provide a tuition-free nursing education for 33 students per year, with the first cohort expected to enroll in Fall 2023.

Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. This rigorous, accredited two-year program prepares students to practice as registered nurses.

Nurses in clinical practice tend to list their licensure first followed by degrees and then certifications. For example: RN, BSN, CCRN. Nurses who are academic educators list their academic degrees first followed by licensure and then certifications. For example: DNP, RN, CNE.

What is the highest nursing degree? ›

What is the highest level of nursing? The highest level of nursing education is the doctoral level. Positions that require doctoral nursing degrees include certain types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), as well as leadership positions such as chief nursing officer or director of nursing.