How to become a Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RNs) formed the largest segment of healthcareprofessionals, holding 2.6 million jobs in 2008.* With the U.S. Department ofLabor projecting an additional 581,500 new jobs for Registered Nurses in thenext few years in addition to the need to fill openings to replace those wholeave the profession, the timing could not be better to enter thisoccupation.*

However, one disclaimer is necessary before you consider this profession –there are some inherent qualities that a nurse needs to have; these includecompassion, patience, emotional stability, presence of mind, an ability to keepcalm under emergency situations, and above all a passion for this line ofwork.

So, how does one become an RN? There are essentially four educational pathsyou can take to become a Registered Nurse:

 

Associate Degree in Nursing: This is one of the most popular routes tobecoming a Registered Nurse. An ADN nursing program is usually spread over twoyears, but some colleges also offer accelerated degrees allowing students tocomplete them in a shorter span of time. The ADN program combines generalclassroom education with hands-on clinical experience to prepare graduates forentry-level nursing positions.

 

 

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing: This is an extensive four-yearprogram offered by universities and focuses on courses in nursing theory, lifeand behavioral sciences, and humanities. Some BSN programs may also trainstudents in leadership and communication skills to prepare them for managerialor supervisory roles, even though more and more management-level positions nowrequire a graduate degree in nursing.

 

 

Nursing Diplomas: Nursing diplomas are usually administered by hospitals andtake three years to complete. Nursing diplomas used to be a popular choice forthose looking to enter the profession, but their demand has diminished over theyears, maybe due to the easy availability of college and university-levelnursing programs. According to the American Nursing Association, only 17.5percent of RNs held a diploma in 2004 as opposed to 33.7 percent who had anAssociate’s Degree in Nursing and 34.2 percent who completed a BSNdegree.**

 

 

LVN to RN Programs: Besides the above three nursing programs, several bridgecourses are available for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) to becomeRegistered Nurses. LVNs receive basic 12 to 14-month training in nursing carepost high school and use these LVN (or LPN) to RN programs for professionaladvancement.

 

Whichever academic path they choose, all Registered Nurses must obtain alicense after passing the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN,to be able to practice as an RN. Once they get their license, RNs are eligibleto practice in all the U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S.territories.

RNs typically begin their careers as staff nurses, but experience andconsistent performance may see them getting promoted to positions with higherlevels of responsibility. Many RNs, who have a diploma or graduate from anADN nursingprogram, return to school for a BSN degree and move up the ladder.

Registered Nurses don’t just enjoy excellent job prospects and growthopportunities, but also get great perks in the form of flexible work schedules,educational benefits, child care, and handsome bonuses. So, if you have what ittakes to become a nurse, then a career extraordinaire awaits you!

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational OutlookHandbook, 2010-11 Edition, Registered Nurses

**American Nurses Association