College Nursing Courses Every Rn Must Take
Nurses are incredible members of the medical world. They work with patients one-on-one, day-in and day-out, providing hands-on care to those in need of care. If you are looking to become a Registered Nurse, you may already know how rewarding this career path can be. But how do you get there? The first step: nursing school.
Registered Nurses today must be licensed to practice. In order to sit for the Licensure Examination , aspiring nurses must complete a college education. There are a few educational paths you can choose from today. To become a Registered Nurse, you can earn:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing ,
- An Associate degree in Nursing , or
- A diploma from an approved nursing program
Some aspiring nurses choose to earn their ADN to start, and later pursue an RN-to-BSN degree, helping them get into the nursing field fast. There is also an accelerated BSN pathway for those who already have their bachelors degree in a different major. Finally, theres the Masters of Science in Nursing for those who desire an even more advanced career in a nursing specialty, such as Midwifery.
No matter which path you choose to take to become a nurse, youll need to sit for and pass that NCLEX-RN examination. Because nurses are in such high-demand now, many aspiring RNs opt to take an ADN program first. This allows them to take their core college nursing courses, become licensed, and start working in the field.
- Sensory
- Viruses
- Cancer
- Trauma
Vital Signs: Understanding What The Body Is Telling Us
Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us explores the physiological and anatomical processes behind basic bodily functions. Ideal for current and prospective healthcare professionals, the course takes a holistic look at what underlies vital signs. It also offers effective measurement strategies.
The 13-hour program from the University of Pennsylvania takes six weeks to complete. Each week focuses on a single vital sign, including pulse/heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, temperature, respiration rate, and pain.
After finishing the course, participants can purchase a certificate of completion.
Strategies For The Management Of Sepsis
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers this introduction to the newest approaches in sepsis management. Participants survey studies and clinical trials to learn about methods involving fluid stewardship, vitamin C, vasopressin, and angiotensin II.
During this one-hour activity, nurses compare the risks of administering colloids and crystalloids, identify techniques to complete bedside assessments, and learn to treat refractory hypertension.
Participants receive one contact hour for completing the session. The AACN is an accredited continuing education provider and offers additional free courses for members.
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What Is A Registered Nurse
Typically found in hospitals, medical offices, and clinics, a registered nurse assists doctors and other nurses in providing critical care to patients.
As one of the most versatile roles in the nursing industry, registered nurses are in high demand. Working as an RN can be incredibly rewarding and impactful, as well as a great stepping stone if you decide you want to advance your career.
Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
An aspiring RN can earn a BSN in four years at a college or university. If youre already an RN, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program which is geared specifically for RNs who hold an associate degree. This path usually takes about two to three years.
If youre already a Licensed Practical Nurse, an LPN-to-RN program will earn you either an associate degree or a bachelors degree, depending on the path you decide to take. The completion of either will allow you sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN. An LPN-to-ADN program takes between one and two years an LPN-to-BSN program between two and four years.
An even quicker BSN option is for candidates who already hold a bachelors degree in another field. An accelerated BSN program allows students to apply general education credits from their first degree to the BSN. This route takes between one to one-and-a-half years.
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Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia Care
Salisbury University’s course on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia was developed for current or future caregivers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals interested in learning more about the disease. Participants learn to identify risk factors and key symptoms and select the best medications and treatment plans.
The self-paced course takes five weeks to complete, with approximately 2-3 hours of material presented each week. Five modules address pathology, risk factors, stages, symptoms, and diagnosis.
Participants may purchase a verified certification after completing the course.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Online
The time it takes to become a nurse online can range from two to four years. This time can vary based on your chosen degree and career path.
For example, an associate degree in Nursing can be completed in one to two years, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree may require three to four years.
To earn a Master of Science in Nursing , you will need up to two years of additional study after earning your bachelors degree.
Besides the nursing degree itself, you must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse .
The time requirements can also change based on transfer credits, accelerated programs, and part or full-time schedules.
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Associate Degree In Nursing
A two-year ADN program includes courses in anatomy, nursing, nutrition, chemistry, and microbiology, among others. Youll also be required to take general liberal arts classes. Earning an ADN is a popular option for registered nurses. It can open the door to entry-level staff nurse positions which will provide you with hands-on experience in the medical field.
Earning an ADN is the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse: most associate degree programs take two years to complete.
What Will I Learn In My Courses
Associate degree classes will include core education requirements such as:
Anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and psychology, along with specific nursing topics.
Bachelors in nursing program coursework typically provides more depth and detail in various subjects, such as:
Emergency care, nursing research, and population-based practice.
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Human Anatomy With Lab
In general, if you completed an Associate Degree in Nursing from a California community college, the anatomy course required for your ADN program will satisfy the RN-BSN prerequisite. If you completed your nursing degree at a foreign institution, you may be required to submit a course description or syllabus from your previous science classes to determine if the content completed satisfies this requirement.
Clinical Supervision: Assessing And Providing Feedback
This online course will focus on the principles of workplace-based assessment and commonly used workplace-based assessment tools. It will show you how to apply them as part of your clinical supervision.
Furthermore, it is a 3-weeks program that will look at models to monitor performance, provide effective feedback, and explore strategies to identify and support struggling students.
Note, this free online nursing program is starting 27 Apr 2021 so its expedient you register now.
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Applying To Nursing School
Your application should have a personal approach and show more than your test scores or grade point average. A solid application can greatly increase your chances of being admitted into the nursing school or program of your choice. Highlight all that you can contribute to the university and any extracurricular activities or community service that you have completed to help your application rise to the top.
There are many nursing schools hoping to gather the best students each term. When applying to nursing school, keep a few main factors in mind.
- Make sure that the institution you wish to attend is accredited and in good standing with the American Association of Colleges of Nursings Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Commission for Education in Nursing.
- Check that the program prepares students to pass the required National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. Also look at the percentage of nurses who passed the NCLEX after graduation from the program or college.
- Check that the program has a high graduation rate as well as how many graduates were gainfully employed after graduation.
Hap Courses Which Are Not Listed On The Approved List Must Meet The Following Criteria For Plar Assessment:
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Preparing In High School
Are you considering a nursing career? Heres what you can do now to lay the groundwork for your future as a nurse!
You might not realize it, but preparing for a future career starts in high school . For example, did you know that nurses use algebra when calculating medication dosages? What you learn in high school builds the foundation for your college education and career. If you are considering nursing, take classes now that will prepare you for college later.
In Indiana, you should aim, at a minimum, for the Core 40 diploma. Coursework should include English/language arts, algebra, geometry, biology and chemistry. Other recommended courses include physics, psychology, speech, foreign language, and anatomy/physiology. Many college advisors recommend higher-level Advanced Placement classes when possible. Do your best work and aim for good grades.
Admission into nursing programs is competitive and grade point average matters. Nursing programs are rigorous and organizational techniques improve your performance, so practice effective study and time management skills while you are in high school. College is right around the corner!
The Easiest Classes In Nursing School
There are several prerequisite courses that will be dog-easy for the majority of students. What are they? Heres a list of courses in which students tend to excel:
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Intro to Speech
- English Composition
- History
- Using Information Technology
I often struggled in history courses because Im not a date memorizer, but theyre usually not too difficult. What about the easy classes in nursing school? Here are some of the easier ones:
- Community Nursing
- Multi-cultural Nursing
- Clinicals
Youll also find that youll tend to do well in those nursing specialty courses in which you interested in learning .
Why do the courses listed above tend to be easier? Generally speaking, they usually involve simple memorization of key terms, and simple papers or projects.
There are many other courses youll take in nursing school, and they are usually moderate in terms of difficulty. In other words, theyre neither hard nor easy. Nevertheless, it all boils down to what material youre interested in learning, what your natural talents are, and the difficulty level of the professor teaching the course.
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Required General Education & Prerequisites
To be eligible to apply, intended majors must have completed all or be enrolled in final general education and prerequisite courses in the semester they apply to the major. The following courses can be taken at ECU, a community college, or a regionally accredited college or university.
NOTE to accelerated second-degree seeking baccalaureate students: Your general education courses are met through completion of your first bachelors degree. Science courses must be taken within the past five years.
- English Composition 6 semester hours
- College Algebra, 3 semester hours
- Chemistry, 7 semester hours
- Anatomy and Physiology 8 semester hours
- Microbiology 4 semester hours
- Health 2 semester hours
- Physical Activity and Fitness 1 semester hour
- Introduction to Sociology 3 semester hours
- Introductory Psychology 3 semester hours
- Developmental Psychology 3 semester hours
- Nutrition 3 semester hours
- Ethics 3 semester hours
- Statistics 3 semester hours
- Humanities and Fine Arts Electives 9 semester hours
- Global Diversity Elective 3 semester hours
- Writing Intensive Elective 3 semester hours
Academic credits from other regionally accredited institutions are typically accepted by ECU if a grade of C or higher is earned. There is no time limit for acceptance of academic credits. Advanced Placement , credit by examination and the College-Level Examination Program are other ways to meet these requirements.
Course Notes
Take Only The Science Classes You Need
Our program enables you to tailor your curriculum to your needs, according to the requirements of the school of your choice. Most nursing programs require some or all of the following courses that are offered by ISP:
- General Chemistry 1 4 or 5 unit courses with laboratory
- Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 4 or 5 unit courses with laboratory
- Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 4 or 5 unit courses with laboratory
- General Microbiology 4 or 5 unit courses with laboratory
- General Psychology 3 units
- Developmental Psychology 3 units often called Lifespan Development
Choose from the above courses to build your own schedule. Please note that you need to take the Level 1 course before advancing to Level 2. Most classes offer your choice of 4 or 5 units. You must select the number of units you require when you register for your class.
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Why Choose Free Online Nursing Courses
There are a lot of reasons you must consider free online nursing courses when you want to push for a career in nursing. Apart from the great base, it sets for you in this stellar career path it breaks the limitation of environmental learning while promoting knowledge across all boundaries.
To be specific, some reasons you should choose a free online course include:
Human Physiology With Lab
In general, if you completed an Associate Degree in Nursing from a California community college, the physiology course required for your ADN program will satisfy the RN-BSN prerequisite. If you completed your nursing degree at a foreign institution, you may be required to submit a course description or syllabus from your previous science classes to determine if the content completed satisfies this requirement.
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High School Requirements For Nursing
Related
The number of job openings for licensed vocational or practical nurses is projected to increase by approximately 12 percent between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Positions for registered nurses are expected to grow by 15 percent during the same period. High school students can prepare for a future career in nursing by taking classes in particular subject areas. Increase your chances of landing a job in the field by participating in volunteer work and activities connected to the medical field.
Full Time Nursing Classes
Full-time nursing classes allow student to complete their degree quickly. A bachelors degree takes approximately 4 years to complete. Full time students can take short courses and summer courses to complete their nursing degree in less time. Those attending nursing school full time have more choices in the courses that they can take, and they are not limited by their current employment positions.
The downside to attending nursing school full time is that many students have to choose between working and attending school. Many students are going back to school, and they have to work to pay for their nursing classes.
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Study Tips For Passing Nursing Classes
- Create a study plan. Students should decide what to study and the duration that they want to study each week. Stick with the plan as closely as possible.
- Allow time away from studying. Students should take a 10 to 15 minute break after each hour of studying. Take this time to take a walk or have a cup of coffee before going back to studying.
- Do not procrastinate. Nursing students have too much content to wait until the night before a major exam to study.
- Get a study group started. The ideal number of students for a nursing study group is 3.
- Set practical goals for studying. Nursing students must sleep, socialize, and work so make sure the goals are realistic.
- Repetition is important. Students should continue to study nursing content until the concepts are embedded in their brains.
- Get out every now and again. Studying is not productive when students get bored. Change scenery for a while until ready to resume.
Nursing students have quite a few options when it comes to earning their nursing degrees. The important thing is to have a plan and realistic goals. Online and traditional nursing programs offer students numerous opportunities to become licensed nurses.