You Must Know, What Is A Registered Nurse

What Is A Registered Nurse - Nursing is one of the most dignified professions when it comes to serving people. You get an opportunity to serve humanity and earn, both at the same time.

Who is a Registered nurse?

Registered nurses are nurses who assist doctors in various tasks that they do. In order to become one, you need to successfully complete a graduation level nursing program from an approved/accredited college or university. 

Later, you will have to pass a test called NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse), which is conducted by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing).

Programs Available For Registered Nurse

There are several programs available that would enable you to become a registered nurse. Here is a description of all of the options you have in hand- 

1) Associates Degree in Nursing: After completing an Associates degree in nursing, one can directly appear in the NCLEX-RN examination. Several community colleges and nursing schools offer such programs. 

2) BSN Programs: It is a typical 4 years program, after completing which, you need to clear the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. 

3) Bridge Programs: As mentioned earlier, there are several ways in which you can become a registered nurse. "Bridge programs" enable you to earn your baccalaureate degree in about two years or less.

• RN to BSN Programs: Registered nurses take up these programs in order to achieve a BSN degree. It requires 18-24 months for completion.
• LPN to BSN Programs: After completing your LPN course, move ahead to this bridge program and attain a baccalaureate degree in 2-4 years.

Accelerated BSN or Second Degree BSN Programs: For students who have a bachelors or a higher degree in a non-nursing field, this program is most beneficial. It takes about a year for completion.

Online Options: For people already busy in work, but longing to earn a BSN degree can get enrolled in online programs. This makes you independent from attending classes on a regular basis. Several bridge programs like RN to BSN programs are offered as online options also.

How to Choose From So Many Options?

With greater number of options comes greater trouble. So many programs and so many universities! Which one to choose? Universities: Choose universities/schools/programs that have been approved by the state board of nursing or have been accredited by any of the accrediting organizations approved by your nursing board. 

If you hold a degree that has been earned after graduating from an unapproved/unaccredited educational institution, it holds no good! Programs: Selection of the appropriate nursing program completely depends on your educational background. 

So, go through the details of each available option and then select the one that suits you the most. You can explore about the RN pograms available in your state, 

Alabama RN Progams	Kentucky RN Programs	North Dakota RN Programs
Alaska RN Progams	Louisiana RN Programs	Ohio RN Programs
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Arkansas RN Progams	Maryland RN Programs	Oregon RN Programs
California RN Progams	Massachusetts RN Programs	Pennsylvania RN Programs
Colorado RN Progams	Michigan RN Programs	Rhode Island RN Programs
Connecticut RN Progams	Minnesota RN Programs	South Carolina RN Programs
Delaware RN Progams	Mississippi RN Programs	South Dakota RN Programs
DC RN Progams	Missouri RN Programs	Tennessee RN Programs
Florida RN Progams	Montana RN Programs	Texas RN Programs
Georgia RN Progams	Nebraska RN Programs	Utah RN Programs
Hawaii RN Progams	Nevada RN Programs	Vermont RN Programs
Idaho RN Progams	New Hampshire RN Programs	Virginia RN Programs
Illinois RN Progams	New Jersey RN Programs	Washington State RN Programs
Indiana RN Progams	New Mexico RN Programs	West Virginia RN Programs
Iowa RN Progams	New York RN Programs	Wisconsin RN Programs
Kansas RN Progams	North Carolina RN Programs	Wyoming RN Programs

About NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. If the candidate, after graduating from a nursing program, wishes to work as a registered nurse, he needs to pass this test. After a successful attempt, he is issued a license to practice nursing in any part of the state.

Duties of a Registered Nurse

A registered nurse basically assists the doctor in his tasks. However, some of the duties are training-specific as there are some specialization courses for registered nurses too. Here is an outline of the general jobs that are to be done by him, 

1) Identify and make plans on how to meet the needs of the patient under care. Later, all aspects are discussed with seniors. 

2) Relatives of the patient are kept informed about his state regularly by the RN. 

3) Providing emotional support of the subject's family 

4) Keep a check on junior level nurses and see that the patients are satisfied with their work. 

5) Prepare documented form of the condition of patients. 

6) They may educate patients and other people by conducting seminars that cover certain diseases.

Scope and Salary of a RN

Registered nurses have bright future. They can go for further education by pursuing a MSN program and later, pursue doctorate level studies. Talking about the salary, it hugely depends on the place where you are working. 

Factors like area of specialization, setting and location also influences it. On an average, a registered nurse as of 2020 earns $77,460 per year, representing an hourly wage of $37.24. It is better to try getting a job in a hospital. They are better payers.

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