Become A Healthcare Volunteer
Volunteering is another networking opportunity. Youll not only get experience working with patients, youll also meet other healthcare professionals.
If you plan to choose a nursing specialty, look for volunteer opportunities in that area. While you wont be paid for your time, treat the experience as you would a job. Making a good impression could mean a career connection in the future.
Nclex Registration And Authorization To Test
Before you can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination, you must be deemed eligible by the nursing regulatory board where you wish to be licensed and receive an Authorization to Test. To receive authorization, you must follow a two-step candidate registration process well in advance of the target date for taking the exam.
Candidates for testing will apply with their state nursing regulatory body , register for the exam, and pay the fee with Pearson Vue. After your nursing regulatory board grants your license eligibility and an acknowledgment of registration is provided by Pearson Vue, you will receive authorization to test. With authorization to test in hand, you can schedule your test within 30-45 days. If you have questions about this procedure, you can request information by contacting the nursing board in your state.
Working As A Registered Nurse
Nursing students find positions through their schools or other popular job boards. Nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association also offer career centers where members can find open positions. RNs earn a mean annual wage of $80,010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many earn more when they find jobs in the top nursing industries, such as business support services, the federal government, and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing. These fields pay RNs an annual mean wage of $92,110-$106,670. See the top paying careers for RNs on this page.
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The Benefits Of Becoming A Cna
Most CNAs agree that one of the greatest benefits of the profession is the sense of fulfillment and purpose they feel while caring for others. Whether they are helping patients with a serious disability, or simply providing companionship, CNAs are able to watch the positive impact they have on others.
The job of a CNA also provides a multitude of perks and rewards that go beyond the personal satisfaction of helping others. If you are wondering about the personal and professional benefits of working in this field, here are the top five benefits of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant:
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse

The field of nursing is constantly evolving, as nurse shortages, changing technology and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to significant shifts. If you want to make an impact and get started in an in-demand field, then nursing may be right for you. But how long does it take to become a nurse and what kind of job opportunities will be available?
No matter what nursing career youre interested in, job opportunities are growing fast. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, with about 194,500 new jobs created each year in the field.
Salaries for nursing professionals are also strong. Registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $77,600 in May 2021. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned an average of $48,070 that same year.
If youre ready to join this growing field, the first step is to understand the educational options available and how long it takes to become a nurse.
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Complete Your Supervised Clinical Training Requirements
Clinical rotations are a vital part of your nursing education and are often regarded as a right of passage for rising nursing students. Clinical experience comes in a variety of forms. Still, most are spent in a hospital or healthcare facility where you will experience real-world patient care under the supervision and coaching of your preceptor and other advanced practice nurses. Supervised clinical hours are the beginning of a learning process that allows you to apply theory to practice and is the point in time when most nurses start to nurture advanced competencies, grow their expertise, and develop clinical judgment.
While the location and length of your clinical rotations will vary, the general expectation is that nursing students will experience at least three clinical hours in a medical facility for each hour of classroom instruction. These diverse experiences will prepare you to apply your nursing knowledge safely and give you first-hand insights into hospital protocols and what its like to work as a part of a complex medical team.
Why Should I Become A Nurse
This article has made it clear that there are many differences among different types of nursing, and there are different educational and professional options for you to choose. The answer to this question, surprisingly, is uniform across the entire field. No matter what, as a nurse, you are helping people. You are meeting people from all ages and all walks of life, caring for them, and making their lives easier. If thats what youre passionate about, you should strongly consider becoming a nurse.
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Make Connections During Clinicals
When its time for you to complete clinical rounds during school, youll likely be assigned to a hospital where youll shadow a nurse . During this period, be an attentive learner with a positive attitude. Make connections with your preceptor and even their managers. If a position opens up, they may be more willing to recommend you for the job.
Once your clinical ends, stay in touch with your preceptors as they may be a good resource for job opportunities.
The Need To Financially Invest
In order to pursue this lucrative career through a high-quality education, youll need to be prepared to invest in your future. Luckily, plenty of financial aid and financing options are available, and your increased earning potential for the rest of your career will more than outweigh the upfront cost of earning a valued B.S. in Nursing degree.
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Continue Your Nursing Education Journey
As a nurse, your education never really stops. You’ll be required to keep up with your Continuing Education Units each year. Additionally, for nurses, salary is closely linked to your level of education. So, if you want to earn more down the road, you may want to go back to school for your BSN, MSN, DNP or more.
Is There A Demand For Nurses In Canada
Yes, there is a demand for nurses in Canada, Canada is facing a shortage of nurses, majorly due to aging for a good number of the nurses in the workforce, it is estimated that by 2022, if something is not done, Canada will fall short of almost 60,000 equivalent registered nurses according to the Canadian nurse association. What this means is that there is not a better time to chase a career in nursing in Canada than now.
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Move To Nursing From Another Career With An Accelerated Bsn
Accelerated BSNs are designed for students who have already earned a bachelors degree in another field.
You want to become a nurse, but your background is in finance. No problem. Not all RNs start out in nursing. Motivated by job dissatisfaction, salary, or other reasons, some people change careers and head back to school to earn a bachelors in nursing. But what if you dont have the time and money to invest in another four years of school? Enter the accelerated BSN.
Accelerated BSNs are designed for students who have already earned a bachelors degree in another field.
While you may have to complete certain science and math prerequisites, accelerated BSN students arent required to take general education courses again. Instead, the accelerated program focuses solely on nursing skills. Students graduate with a BSN and should be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN.
Seven Where To Learn More About Becoming An Rnfa

The best resource for nurses wanting to pursue an RNFA certification should turn to the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses website. Here individuals can find a list of schools that offer the program, information regarding job opportunities, and educational material.
Another helpful resource is the website for the Competency and Credentialing Institute. Nurses can find information regarding additional certifications and credentialing.
*Indicates an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, Nurse.org will earn a commission if you click through and use this service.
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Online Bsn & Msn Programs
After becoming employed in nursing as a health aide or LPN, you may enter an online BSN program.
Be forewarned, though, that most online BSN programs offer only the online RN to BSN degree option, meaning you must already hold a valid RN license to gain admission. There are over 100 .
An accelerated BSN is the best choice If a nurse has already earned some level of nursing licensure or certification and wishes to advance his or her career.
Other Advances That Play A Role In Nursing
As you embark on a nursing career, youll need to be prepared for even more innovations in healthcare.
Genetics | Gene mutations can predict whether a patient is at risk of developing a disease. The use of genetics and genomes can also help identify whether a parent will pass along a mutation to their child. Since nurses often have the most communication with patients, its their job to gather as much information about family history, help patients make informed decisions about genetic/genomic tests, especially now that genetic tests are readily available to consumers, and provide guidance and referrals to patients based on test results.
Biometrics | Proper healthcare cant exist without confidentiality and security, which is why biometrics is so important in todays fast-paced healthcare environment. Biometrics is a scientific method used to identify people through physical qualities such as fingerprints and voice. In healthcare, biometrics are used to accurately identify patients and providers, ensuring that care is provided to the right patients and that only authorized providers have access to patient data. For nurses, this means easier sharing of patient records for more efficient and coordinated care. For patients, it means fewer medical errors and better outcomes.
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See Yourself Succeed In Nursing
No matter what you hope to achieve as a nurse, you can expect to spend at least two years working toward a new career.
With an associate degree in nursing, you can get the skills you need to work as an RN, practical nurse or nursing assistant and get started in the field faster. Earning a bachelors degree in nursing can give you a valuable credential that is in demand across the healthcare field. Though there are different options, both degrees can assist students in achieving their goals as nurses.
No matter what path you choose, youll be entering a discipline with growing opportunities for nursing professionals that can help you make an impact on your community.
A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU online nursing program that can best help you meet your goals.
Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. Connect with her on .
How To Become An Lpn
An LPN is responsible for providing patients with essential care, which includes helping them to eat, dress, bathe, etc. They also assist Registered Nurses and doctors in keeping detailed records, maintaining clear communication between the entire care team and working with patients and their families.
LPNs have advanced skills compared to a CNA but still have limitations according to their license.
Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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How Do I Complete Clinicals Practicums And Internships During Online Nursing School
Clinicals, preceptorships, or internships are required for all nursing degrees with the exception of the RN to BSN degree. However, this bridge degree often requires full-time employment as an RN. For these roles, the state requires an exam for licensure, and to be eligible to sit for the exam, clinical hours are required. The requirement varies by state.
For online programs, either the student will be required to find a willing healthcare provider to act as a preceptor, the school will arrange them in the student’s local area, or the student must travel to another area to complete the required hours. The school may have resources to help locate a preceptor and tips on the best ways to approach them.
Clinical hours are not required for RN to BSN courses, but many schools do require the student to work full or part-time as a registered nurse throughout the program.
Check out what we have to say regarding clinical hours during RN school.
Registered Nurse Diploma Program
An RN diploma remains one of the fastest ways to become a nurse. Many of these programs last 2-3 years. Students can find some programs that only need one year of study for full-time students. RN diplomas are not as popular as full degrees and offer less opportunity for advancement.
Diploma programs cover the basics required to earn RN licensure. Students complete their required supervised clinical hours while learning about foundational nursing theory and skills. In comparison, degrees include general education courses that can help students with soft skills, like critical thinking and communication. Bachelor’s degrees also tend to include more advanced nursing courses.
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Fastest Way To Become A Registered Nurse: Programs Licensure & Skills
The ever-growing prospects in a field of work such as nursing can significantly accelerate the decision-making process of choosing ones career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the employment rate for registered nurses is projected to grow , therefore the chances for employment are high. Moreover, registered nurses median salary of $75,330 makes this a financially rewarding career that is worth pursuing.
Nursing as a career path offers a lot of entrance opportunities and routes to get there, therefore if you are determined to get into this field and looking to find the fastest way to become a registered nurse, below we have listed some of the steps you can take and what to expect.
One What Is A Registered Nurse First Assistant

A Registered Nurse First Assistant, or RNFA, is a perioperative registered nurse that functions as a first assistant during surgical operations.
According to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses , an RNFA is defined by the following:
- works in collaboration with the surgeon and other healthcare team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes
- has acquired the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice
- intraoperatively practices at the direction of the surgeon and
- does not concurrently function as a scrub person.
The aforementioned definition is the standard to which RNFAs practice and allows these individuals to practice beyond the normal scope of practice. First Assistants are required to take advanced coursework, additional certifications, and orientation in order to be credentialed.
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Who Requires A Criminal Record Check
All accepted students are required to complete a criminal record check in order to identify individuals convicted of physical, sexual, or chemical abuse. The CRC application process will be explained in your acceptance letter.. Only criminal record checks completed through BCIT will be accepted.
If you have questions regarding the criminal record check process for Nursing students, please contact
Choose A Nursing Path
Nursing can take you in many directions, from starting out as a certified nursing assistant or staff nurse to working your way up to nurse administrator.
When choosing your career path, think about the type of work environment you prefer. For example, RNs can be found in hospitals, doctors offices, and other medical settings, but certified nursing assistants often work in nursing homes. What type of setting will inspire you most?
You should also consider what role you want to play. If you want to support medical staff as part of a team, a CNA or LPN/LVN could suit you well. If you want to manage other nurses and assistants or oversee systems, a career as an RN or advanced practice nurse is likely a good fit.
Because there are so many facets to healthcare, nurses often specialize in certain areas, such as geriatrics or critical care. If you have a passion for a certain type of nursing, consider the type of education youll need to get there.
- Step 2:
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Earn Your High School Diploma Or Ged
In most states, the only prerequisite for entering a CNA training program is a high school diploma or GED. If you already have a high school diploma or a GED, you are eligible to enroll in CNA classes immediately. If you dont have either of these credentials, however, this step in the process will require you to complete your high school education or pass an equivalency test to earn your GED.
Procedure For Nursing Registration In Canada
We outlined the procedure that you must follow to gain nursing registration in Canada to eventually practice. Also included are some specific requirements for the provinces.
Step 1. Create an online account with NNAS.
Once you have set up your online account, you must tender payment for your Main Application Order and other requests.
The next table lists the NNAS fees in U.S. Dollars. You will have to prepare a little bit more since NNAS may add sales taxes to the costs. The first item you must order is the Main application Order.
Step 2: Apply for nursing registration in canada.
Remember when we asked you to choose where you would like to practice? That is a crucial step since NNAS will issue an Advisory Report to the provinces regulatory body.
Once you receive your positive Advisory Report from NNAS, you can apply to the regulatory body in the province of your choice. Some provinces may require more assessments and courses. It could, therefore, take up to another 12 months for a provincial nursing body to decide on your eligibility.
You will have to tender payment in Canadian Dollars . Each province sets its own fees, so you will have to look it up, depending on where you intend to practice.
Explore the various provincial nominee programs. Some use the express entry system while others do. Get started on your best options for permanent residence.
Step 3: Wait for the results of the provinces assessment.
Step 4: Sit for the NCLEX-RN
Step 5: Receive your exam result.
Test |
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