How to Become a Registered Nurse – A Simple Step By Step Guide
Registered Nurses are medical professionals with the degree and licenses to serve in the healthcare industry.
A registered nurse’s job includes caring for patients, helping doctors, and dealing with reports, documenting records, and much more. They form the pillar of the nursing industry.
If you are a registered nurse, you can be a nurse practitioner, a travel nurse, or work in any preferred industry other than healthcare where nurses are required.
In this blog, you will learn about the qualifications and licenses required for a registered nurse, the job roles and responsibilities of registered nurses. You can be a registered nurse by having specific qualifications and licenses. Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a registered nurse.
Get Your Degree
If you are interested and passionate about becoming a registered nurse, the foremost thing is to get a bachelor’s degree, or an associate’s or a diploma degree in nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is common among universities across the USA and other countries.
Some universities offer Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs and Diploma programs to become nurse practitioners. But, in the USA, some states and other countries consider Bachelor’s Degree mandatory to become a registered nurse. So, if you are enthusiastic about registered nurse jobs, get your bachelor’s degree in nursing. Also, if you already have an associate or diploma degree, you can obtain a bachelor’s degree from a nursing university.
Get Your License
After you get your degree, it’s time to get your license to practice. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) conducts National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to determine your eligibility in acquiring a license. For the NCLEX examination, it is mandatory to have a bachelor’s degree. Then you need to register with Pearson Vue for the test. You need to go with the NCLEX-RN as it is for registered nurses. The other one, the NCLEX-PN is for vocational nurses and practitioners. You need to pass this exam to get your license.
Opt For Specialization:
After working for some time, you may feel like working in a specific healthcare department. Facilities for registered nurse in healthcareindustry opt for specialization in midwifery, neonatal nursing, gerontological nursing, pediatric nursing, orthopedics, and many more.
Opt For An Advance Degree:
Apart from specialization, you can also opt for an advanced degree. High-paying RN jobs look for years of experience, specialization certificates, or advanced degrees. After completing your bachelor’s, you can go for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and choose your specialization. Also, you can go for a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) after completing your master’s or after a few years of gathering experience.
Types of Licenses Required for Registered Nurses
You will need a license to work as a registered nurse. There are RN license programs that one needs as per the registered nurse job description. NCLEX-RN – National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the mandatory license for registered nurses. Multi-state license allows nurses to work in most states there without separate licenses.
Roles and Responsibilities of Registered Nurses
A registered nurse, or RN, typically includes monitoring patients, dispensing drugs, keeping records, consulting with healthcare providers, educating patients, and performing other duties as needed.
Registered nurses also work with physicians and other medical professionals to plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. Throughout the nursing care planning process, nurses may elect to involve patients and even family members to boost the odds of success, particularly when it comes to long-term treatments, medication and food adjustments, and other similar actions
Advantages of Becoming a Registered Nurses
For people interested in healthcare, becoming a registered nurse (RN) is a common career route. A nursing career is a safe, dependable, and secure way to make a living once you have obtained your RN qualification. While working as an RN is not for everyone, here are few advantages of pursuing a nursing career.
- Job Security
- Flexible work schedules
- Career mobility
- Travelling options
- Training benefits
Are you a registered nurse interested in nursing jobs in the USA. At Capleo Global, a staffing company for healthcare industry, we specialize in connecting nursing candidates with the best healthcare facilities across the globe. Contact us to start your career in nursing now.