The registered nurse field is constantly expanding, with thousands of jobs added each and every year. There are certain requirements that each person will have to meet in order to become a nurse and practice as a Registered Nurse. These requirements can change based on state location and depending on the types of jobs that future nurses wish to have.
The first requirement you must meet to become a registered nurse involves schooling. While many people that get into the field will start with an associates degree, those who aspire to become registered nurses have got to complete their bachelor’s degree. This degree typically takes four years and will prepare students for the tests they will take as they work to become registered. Courses that students need to take will include basic science courses, like microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Students also are required to take nursing-directed courses and will also learn numerous aspects of nutrition and psychology. Individuals will have to attend an accredited college to complete their requirements to become a registered nurse – these are a few of the courses that are required by that accreditation.
Students must then work to successfully complete the NCLEX-RN. This is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and it is required by every state in the country. Beyond this test, students must go through clinical hours as determined by their state’s prerequisites for registered nurses. Students will discover that they are going to have to look for hands-on apprenticeships in several healthcare situations in order to meet these requirements.
If you’d like to concentrate on a specific field you may be required to become credentialed in the discipline. Even though it is not mandatory, most employers will not hire those who don’t hold special credentials. The fields you may want credentials in include ambulatory nursing, pediatric nursing, and gerontology nursing. Look for credentialing courses and programs which are accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).
If you are considering going after an advanced care position you will have to take additional courses and work to get your master’s degree. Advanced practice nurses can hold many different jobs which include nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. These types of jobs are often able to prescribe medication and perform more active physical care than the typical nurse. There are particular licensure exams that must be taken, that may vary based on the state you live in.
There are lots of registered nurse requirements, and for good reason. Nurses are often relied on to give treatment to patients and have to be proficient in their actions. There are lots of jobs available for individuals who meet registered nurse requirements, with the sector likely to grow by over 500,000 jobs within the next ten years. Although it could take you more than four years to acquire the education and pass the training requirements needed to be a registered nurse, you can know that there will be job opportunities waiting for you upon completion.