Jordan Ellis
Becoming a registered nurse is a rewarding career choice for those with a passion for helping others. Registered nurses (RNs) are an integral part of the healthcare system, working with other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and other settings, and have the flexibility to work in various medical specialties. To become an RN, individuals must complete an accredited associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, which typically takes two to four years. After graduating, aspiring RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain state licensure and can then begin their nursing career search.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program |
| Licensing | Licensed by the state in which they work, and must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) |
| Work setting | Hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, outpatient care centers, surgery centers, academia, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and non-traditional nursing settings |
| Work hours | May work nights, weekends, and holidays, and may be on call |
| Tasks | Administering treatment, assessing patients, maintaining medical records, educating patients and families, giving physical exams, and giving medication |
| Specializations | Emergency care, pediatrics, cardiac nursing, psychiatric nursing, community health nursing, and more |
| Salary | Median salary of $93,600, with a 6% job growth expected from 2023-2033 |
| Skills | Organizational skills, physical stamina, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and a strong work ethic |
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What You'll Learn
Education: Earn an ADN, ASN, BSN, or a diploma from an approved nursing program
To become a registered nurse, you'll need to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. ADN and ASN degrees typically take two years to complete, while BSN programs usually take four years. Diploma programs, which are usually offered by hospitals or medical centers, typically take two to three years to complete.
ADN programs are often available at community and technical colleges and prepare graduates to administer safe, patient-centred nursing care in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. After completing an ADN program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed.
BSN programs, on the other hand, are typically found at universities and provide a more comprehensive education that prepares students for a wider range of roles. BSN curricula often include advanced topics such as healthcare policies, research methodologies, leadership, and community health, in addition to nursing theories and clinical experiences. Graduates of BSN programs are also eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and enter the workforce.
Some employers, particularly hospitals, may prefer candidates with a BSN, as it allows for more career advancement opportunities. However, it is not uncommon for nurses to start their careers with an ADN or ASN and then return to school later to obtain a BSN. This approach can be a faster and more cost-effective way to enter the nursing profession, especially since some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for RNs pursuing a BSN.
Regardless of the degree path chosen, aspiring registered nurses should ensure that their program is accredited and provides a solid educational foundation in the natural and social sciences, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and behavioural sciences. This foundation will ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective patient care.
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Licensure: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam for state licensure
To work as a registered nurse, you must obtain a nursing license issued by the state in which you plan to work. To become licensed, you must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is also available in Canadian French for French-speaking Canadians.
The NCLEX-RN exam is designed to assess a nurse's ability to think critically and make appropriate decisions through real-world case studies. The exam uses the five-step nursing process, with each question falling into one of the following steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The majority of the questions fall under the Physiological Integrity category, covering adult medical and surgical care, pediatrics, and gerontology.
To prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam, you should familiarize yourself with the exam format and the types of questions asked. The NCLEX-RN exam is administered in a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format, with questions selected from a test bank of pre-tested and statistically analyzed topics. The exam includes multiple-choice questions and alternative item formats.
It is important to note that the NCLEX-RN exam is the same for both ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs. The BSN program typically takes four years to complete and is offered at universities, while the ADN program can be completed in two years at community and technical colleges. Some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for RNs pursuing a BSN, and the BSN degree sets you up for further educational advancement.
Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is a crucial step in obtaining your nursing license and beginning your career as a registered nurse. It ensures that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective patient care.
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Career outlook: RN jobs are projected to grow by 6% from 2023-2033
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This equates to approximately 194,500 registered nurse openings each year over the decade, many of which are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different professions or leave the workforce. The demand for healthcare services is expected to increase due to the growing elderly population, who typically experience more health problems than younger people. Registered nurses will also be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Job growth is expected across most healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centres, nursing care facilities, and physicians' offices. Hospitals and nursing care facilities usually require nurses to work in shifts to provide 24-hour coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Nurses working in outpatient care centres, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.
The most popular nursing specialties include maternity, neonatal intensive care, cardiac catheterization lab, pediatrics, and post-anaesthesia care. To become a registered nurse, one must typically obtain an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, complete clinical training, and pass an exam. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the gold standard in nursing degrees, allowing graduates to become registered nurses in four years. BSN programs prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and enter the workforce. However, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can be earned faster, usually in two years, providing a quicker route to becoming a registered nurse.
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Work settings: Hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and more
Registered nurses (RNs) work with other healthcare providers to take care of patients. They provide nursing care to patients across their lifespan, including administering treatment, assessing patients, maintaining medical records, and educating patients and their families. RNs may also be responsible for giving physical exams and administering medication.
RNs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and more. They may also work in outpatient care centers, surgery centers, academia, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and non-traditional nursing settings. RNs often have the flexibility to work throughout the hospital or medical clinic in a variety of medical specialties. They can choose to specialize in a specific department, such as maternity, neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, cardiac nursing, or emergency care.
The work settings for RNs can vary from busy hospital wards to community health centers or private homes. In hospitals and nursing care facilities, RNs usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call and must be available to work on short notice. RNs working in offices, schools, or other settings without 24-hour care are more likely to have regular business hours.
Regardless of the setting, RNs may spend significantly more time with patients than treating physicians. This provides daily opportunities to make a lasting impression and build strong relationships with patients and their families. The ability to coordinate treatment plans and records is critical to ensuring each patient receives appropriate care. RNs must also possess physical stamina as they may be on their feet for most of their shift and perform physical tasks such as lifting patients.
Overall, the work settings for RNs offer diverse experiences and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients across different age groups and medical specialties.
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Responsibilities:
To become a registered nurse, one must first obtain a nursing license. This can be achieved by earning either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). ADN and ASN degrees typically take two years to complete, while BSN programs usually take four years. All three paths provide the necessary education to become an entry-level staff nurse and prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). However, some employers prefer candidates with a BSN, as it offers a more comprehensive education and can lead to more career opportunities.
Once licensed, registered nurses work in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care, including physical exams, administering medication, and educating patients and their families. RNs may also specialize in areas such as emergency care, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, or cardiac nursing.
In hospitals specifically, registered nurses often work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, requiring them to be available to work on short notice. Organizational skills are essential for nurses, as they often manage multiple patients with diverse health needs. Physical stamina is also crucial, as nurses may spend most of their shift on their feet, performing tasks such as lifting patients.
With experience and continuing education, registered nurses in hospitals can advance to positions with more responsibility or move into management roles. They may start as staff nurses and eventually become assistant clinical nurse managers, charge nurses, or head nurses. Further advancement may lead to senior-level administrative positions, such as assistant director or director of nursing, vice president of nursing, or chief nursing officer.
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Frequently asked questions
You can qualify as a registered nurse by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Most employers prefer a BSN, which can be earned in four years and allows for more career advancement opportunities. An ADN is a faster way to become a registered nurse, typically taking two years to complete.
Registered nurses work with other healthcare providers to provide patient-centred care. They perform a range of tasks, including physical exams, giving medication, patient intake, obtaining measurements, and explaining at-home care to patients and their families. RNs may work in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, or patients' homes.
The career outlook for registered nurses is strong, with a projected job growth of 6% from 2023-2033, resulting in approximately 194,500 RN job openings annually. The median salary for RNs is $93,600.
In addition to a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others, registered nurses should have good organisational and physical stamina. Organisational skills are essential for coordinating multiple treatment plans and records. Physical stamina is important as nurses may be on their feet for most of their shift and perform physical tasks such as lifting patients.
