Is becoming a registered nurse right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to Become a Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse involves completing the right education, training, and licensing steps to qualify for professional practice. Here’s a general overview of how to become a registered nurse:
- Complete High School or Equivalent: Start by earning a high school diploma or GED. Focus on science courses such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy, as they provide a good foundation for nursing studies.
- Enroll in an Accredited Nursing Program: You’ll need to complete an approved nursing program to qualify for licensure. This can be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a nursing diploma from a hospital-based program. BSN programs typically take four years, while ADN and diploma programs usually take two to three years.
- Gain Clinical Experience: During your nursing education, you’ll complete supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. These hands-on experiences help you apply what you’ve learned and develop essential patient care skills.
- Pass the Licensing Exam: After completing your program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests your knowledge and ability to provide safe, effective care across various patient situations.
- Apply for Licensure: Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, apply for licensure through your state’s nursing regulatory board. Each state has its own process and requirements, which may include background checks and proof of education.
- Begin Your Nursing Career: After obtaining your license, you can start working as a registered nurse in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, or community health organizations.
- Continue Your Education and Specialize: Many registered nurses choose to pursue additional certifications or advanced degrees, such as becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or clinical nurse specialist. Continuing education helps expand your career options and stay current in the field.
Certifications
Registered nurses can pursue additional certifications to specialize in specific areas of healthcare. These certifications typically require a combination of clinical experience, continuing education, and passing an examination. Here are some widely recognized certifications for registered nurses:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): Offered by the American Heart Association (AHA), these certifications are essential for nurses who work in hospitals or emergency settings. They teach critical skills for responding to cardiac and respiratory emergencies.
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN): Administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), this certification is for nurses who provide care to acutely or critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), cardiac care units, or trauma centers.
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN): Offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), this certification recognizes expertise in emergency nursing and is ideal for RNs working in emergency departments.
- Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): Provided by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), this certification is for RNs who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents.
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN): Administered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), this certification is for nurses who work in general medical and surgical hospital units, demonstrating advanced knowledge in adult health.
- Certified Oncology Nurse (OCN): Offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), this certification recognizes RNs with expertise in caring for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR): Provided by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), this certification is for perioperative nurses who assist before, during, and after surgical procedures.
- Public Health Nurse Certification: Depending on the state, nurses can obtain certification or recognition as public health nurses after completing specific coursework and meeting licensing requirements.