Can You Get Your Rn License Online
No, the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse must be taken at a Pearson center, available across the country and in some international locations.3
All practicing nurses must be licensed, but the minimum education requirement for the test is either an associate degree or a diploma given by an accredited program, usually offered by hospitals and other medical centers.1
Registered Nurse Career Outlook
Registered nurses represent one of the top 10 in-demand careers in the United States. In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were over 3 million nurses, making it one of the largest healthcare job niches.
Jobs are expected to grow 12 percentfaster than averagethrough 2028, with 370,000 new nursing jobs expected to be created between 2018 and 2028.
Physicians offices and home health agencies will offer the greatest demand. Employment is expected to grow more slowly in hospitals, which are discharging patients earlier and performing more procedures on an outpatient basis.
RNs who hold bachelors or masters degrees will enjoy the best prospects and highest salaries. Advanced practice specialties like clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives and nurse anesthetists will experience extremely high demand.
Nurses will be needed to care for the aging Baby Boomer population who increasingly suffer from chronic conditions like arthritis, dementia, diabetes and obesity. Long term care facilities that provide rehabilitation for patients, as well as hospice care and residential care facilities will also need nurses to care for their aging and chronically ill patients.
How Much Do Rns Make
The BLS reports that RNs earn a $75,330 median yearly income. However, an RN’s location impacts salary. RNs in California earn a $120,560 median annual income, while Floridian RNs earn just $69,510.
Education level also affects earning potential. According to Dec. 2021 Payscale data, associate degree-holding RNs earn an average income of $72,000. During the same time, the site reported an $88,000 average income for those with a bachelor’s.
Lastly, years of experience influences pay. An entry-level nurse typically earns less than one with 20 years of experience.
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Can I Complete An Online Nursing Degree Without Clinicals
Online nursing programs complete classwork 100 percent online, with the practicum capstone hours accomplished in your local area. Clinicals are an essential part of most nursing programs, as they allow you to apply your knowledge and gain hands-on skills. Many of GCU’s online nursing programs contain a clinical practicum and an evidence-based capstone course, which are designed to help put your knowledge into practice. At GCU, the Office of Field Experience can help you set up your clinical/practicum experience.
Why Study Nursing Online
If you enjoy taking care of those in need, a career in nursing can be highly rewarding. Similarly, if you have an interest in healthcare and medicine, an online nursing course can be a fascinating area of study.
So, whether youre new to the field or an experienced professional, you can expand your understanding of nursing.Studying online can fit around your existing lifestyle, commitments, and shift patterns.
You dont have to commute to a study location or buy textbooks you can access all the materials online whenever you so choose, giving you the freedom to pursue study without impacting your schedule or lifestyle.
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Advance Your Career Into A Rewarding Np Specialty
Bridging from RN-ADN to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner represents a significant career move.
Build a strong educational and experiential foundation in holistic care, qualified to diagnose and treat common mental illnesses within their scope of practice, including anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders and more.
- Focus on mental health, including physical care
- Perform psychological consulting
- Prescribe medication and monitor its effects
- Educate patients or clients on a variety of coping skills
- Work in private practice, hospitals, community clinics, and more
- Approach patient care like a detective, using all information at your disposal to solve complex psychological issues
How can I advance my career? You can continue to learn and build skills to pursue further career opportunities. After earning your MSN you may consider earning postgraduate credentials. Herzing University offers post-masters FNP and Nursing Education programs for nurses seeking additional education for their next career move.
Licensure For Adn Students
ADN graduates can qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed nurses. Nursing license requirements vary by state. Approved programs meet board-established curriculum and clinical experience requirements. Some state boards require candidates to submit official transcripts.
States such as Colorado only license graduates of nursing programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Nurses pay for their initial licensure. Costs vary by state. Nurses also pay to renew their licenses periodically. License renewal requires about 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Specific requirements vary by state.
Some nurses obtain licenses in other states through licensure reciprocity agreements. State boards that participate in agreements such as the Nurse Licensure Compact can help nurses transfer their license.
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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A Nurse’s Guide To Preventing Compassion Fatigue Moral Distress And Burnout
The American Nurses Association developed this class to equip nurses with exhaustion management methods. Nurses learn to combat compassion fatigue and diminish the psychological impact of morally complex situations. They also get techniques for easing burnout and how to manage stress as a nurse. The course helps develop new ways to build durable medical teams.
Participants are taught to maintain resilience and motivation despite increasing demands in the workplace. Lessons introduce concepts from neuroscience and behavioral research that help combat physical and mental fatigue.
The ANA is accredited by the ANCC as a provider of continuing education for nurses, and those who complete the course receive 1.4 contact hours.
What Should I Look For In A Program
First, and most important, make sure your states board of nursing has approved programs that interest you. These boards license nurses in their state, and without a boards approval, your nursing program may not qualify you to take the national nurse licensing exam. And without a license, you cant practice.
Second, consider program accreditation. Accreditation shows that a program meets standards for the education thats necessary to be successful in a field. While accreditation may not be necessary for licensing as a nurse in some states, an employer may require job candidates to have a degree from an accredited school.
Plus, youll need to attend an accredited school if you want to qualify for federal financial aid or transfer credits if you decide to pursue additional education later.
Third, decide what you need from an online program. Look at your work schedule, family responsibilities, and other aspects of your life to determine whether a partially or fully online program would be the right fit.
Then ask some additional questions, such as:
Does the school offer career placement programs?
Whats the schools average student pass rate for nurse licensing?
Do I need to take online courses at specific times?
Does this program offer courses in a nursing specialty that interests me?
Will I get to work with an academic advisor?
How much communication will I have with faculty and other students?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nursing Courses
Alisons free online nursing classes offer training in a variety of in-demand skills, including clinical skills and techniques for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and neurological issues, among others.
Our courses also cover topics such as environmental health and safety, advanced patient hygiene, effective communication in multicultural settings and preventative care.
And because nursing professionals play an increasingly dynamic role in todays healthcare, Alison also offers courses that focus on related skills, including team leadership and instruction.
Enroll today and start boosting your nursing knowledge and skills immediately.
Alisons free online nursing courses provide learning opportunities for every career stage. If youre seeking an introduction and overview of modern nursing, consider our top short certificate nursing courses, including:
- Nursing Studies – Patient Care and Hygiene
- Nursing Studies – The Physical Examination
- Nursing Studies – The Nurse as Team Leader and Teacher
If you are looking for a more comprehensive study on the dynamic role that nurses play in patient care, we offer diploma nursing courses such as:
- Diploma in Clinical Nursing Skills
- Diploma in Nursing and Patient Care
- Diploma in Nursing Leadership and Care Management
Alisons offerings for nurses also extend to preventative care issues, including our very popular Diploma in Human Nutrition.
What If My Bachelor’s Degree Is Not In Nursing
If you are a registered nurse and hold a bachelors degree that is not in nursing, you may be eligible to enroll in one of our bridge to MSN pathways. At GCU, students may enroll in bridge pathways that accelerate the completion of a graduate degree in nursing. Students completing a bridge pathway do not receive a BSN degree upon completion but rather finish their program with an MSN. The nursing bridge pathways include six bridge courses designed to help you gain the knowledge needed to successfully complete an MSN program. Each program can be taken online. Contact an enrollment representative for more information on our nursing bridge pathways.
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How Do I Determine If My General Health Is Suitable For A Nursing Career
Consider:
- Nurses work either 8 or 12-hour shifts. This time is spent standing, walking, bending, and lifting, supporting, or transferring people or objects. Nurses must be able to move quickly and efficiently, often in tight spaces.
- Nurses need to be able to support and turn patients without harming themselves or the patient.
- Nurses must be physically fit in order to be active throughout the workday. Leg, back, or foot problems may interfere. Anyone who has limited muscle strength or physical endurance may also have difficulties.
- Nurses perform skills requiring a high level of manual dexterity and coordination . Anyone with poor eye-hand coordination may have difficulties with these tasks.
- Nurses give emotional support to others and work in stressful, anxiety-producing situations. This may be difficult for anyone who has emotional or psychiatric problems or difficulty dealing with their own stress and anxiety.
- Nurses wash their hands frequently with antiseptic soaps and wear latex/rubber gloves. If you are latex-sensitive or have a latex allergy, you may not meet the health requirements, as the Nursing program and the practicum settings may not be able to accommodate your latex allergy/sensitivity.
- Skin must be intact, since exposed lesions pose a problem to both students and patients. A skin condition resulting in chronic open lesions is likely to prevent you from meeting the health requirement.
Health Care Aide Certificate Program At Robertson
In our Virtual Classroom, we also offer a Health Care Aide program to give students the skills they need to work as a health care aide. Graduates will be trained in assisting patients with their personal care and hygiene, prepare meals and empathetically communicate with clients and family members. If youre interested in helping others but would prefer to work in an environment other than a hospital, this is a great alternative. The program lasts 26 weeks and graduates can find work in long-term care facilities, personal care homes, community settings as well as hospitals.
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Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society Of Nursing
As a student in the School of Nursing, youll have the opportunity to participate in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Committed to global health care, Sigma Theta Tau is overseen by an elected team of Purdue Global student leaders and volunteer faculty advisors who arrange events and encourage community engagement.
How Long Do Online Nursing Programs Take
On average, earning your Associates Degree in Nursing takes up to two years. Depending on your previous educational background, getting your BSN degree online can take anywhere from 12 months to four years, while online MSN degrees usually take around 2 years to complete.
When it comes to online learning you can also opt for an accelerated program, which lets you earn your degree faster. Granted, this type of program is more challenging, but if you are looking for the fastest route towards your degree, this may be a worthy option to consider. Also, if you already have a Bachelors Degree in an unrelated field and wish to switch to nursing, that might also shorten the duration of your studies.
The Nightingale College online nursing programs are specifically designed to be completed in a fairly short amount of time, while also holding onto the highest standards of nursing education. Generally, this is how long it takes to complete each online program at our college:
Read more about how long it takes to complete nursing school.
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Types Of Online Nursing Programs
Nearly every type of nursing degree can be completed online. However, any type of degree that requires clinical work, such as your initial RN or an NP degree, will require a combination of both online work and in-person clinical work.
Non-clinical degrees, however, such as adding a BSN or advancing to a DNP or some masters in administration roles, can be completed entirely online. Heres a closer look at each type of nursing degree program you can choose.
Nursing Certifications And Qualifications
Many of the introductory courses in nursing are short-form modules that span a few weeks worth of learning. Often, these types of courses require around 2-6 hours of study each week. You can upgrade within these courses to gain certification.
If you want a more detailed learning experience that results in a qualification, you might want to consider an online degree.
These qualifications, offered by top universities, will give you the depth and breadth of learning required to kick-start your career in this field.
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Interested In Becoming A Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies. They integrate elements such as diagnosing, ordering and interpreting investigative tests, treating health problems, and prescribing drugs into their practice.
What’s the difference between RN, RPN and LPN?
There are three groups of professional nurses in Alberta: Registered Nurses , Registered Psychiatric Nurses , and Licensed Practice Nurses . The three professional nursing regulatory bodies are accountable to the public for the provision of safe, ethical, competent nursing care through authority granted in provincial legislation.
How Much Do Adn Majors Make
Salaries vary depending on nurses’ credentials, position, and employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs earn a median annual salary of $75,330. LPNs earn $48,820. Nurses earn more money as they gain experience. Nurses can also boost their salary by earning a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
ADN graduates may qualify for direct-care or coordinator jobs in many nursing fields. They can work in specialized nursing areas such as oncology or pediatrics. Possible careers include care coordinator, clinical associate, and clinical nurse liaison.
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Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs
- Associate of Science in Nursing
Receive in-classroom and online instruction and prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Complete lab requirements in Augusta, Maine the Cedar Rapids area or Des Moines, Iowa or Lincoln, Nebraska. Learn more about our two-step BSN pathway, an easy transition into our online RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Get on a direct path to earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Choose a specialized pathway: adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner family nurse practitioner, primary care executive leader psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner or nurse educator.
What Can I Do With This Degree
Completion of the track will allow students to take the certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner . PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurse specialists who assess and diagnose mental health conditions, and who offer treatment by means of psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. PMHNPs work in clinical settings that include private, state or Veterans Administration in-patient or outpatient psychiatric facilities, private psychiatric practices, and community mental health centers. PMHMPs also provide services in settings such as correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools. These practitioners are in high demand, and the University receives frequent inquires about graduates.
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Why Are Communication Skills Important For Nursing Students
Student must be fluent in written and oral English.
For safety reasons student nurses must be able to communicate and interact with a wide range of health care professionals, patients, and families in the hospital and community. It is essential that you understand verbal and written instructions, and be clearly understood when providing information to patients, families, doctors, nurses and your instructor.
Do Online Nursing Students Need To Come To Campus
No. The College of Nursing offers distance learning degree programs at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.The vast majority of these online nursing degrees and certificates will not require any visits to campus. The handful that do, only require one or two visits throughout the whole curriculum, and students are provided these dates far in advance to help them plan.
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