4 answers
Updated
643 views
How to become a registered nurse
#registered-nurses #nursing
Login to comment
4 answers
Updated
Shauna’s Answer
Hi David,
There are many different avenues to obtaining a career as a registered nurse. As far as high school courses, make sure you are maintaining in good standing with your grades and doing well in all academic areas such as math, science and English/literature. Volunteer work helps tremendously when applying to schools as well and applying for and having scholarships is also a huge plus. You can either do an associate or bachelors degree program to obtain your RN license. Schools in MA and NH are both great options and I definitely recommend looking on their websites, requesting information, and looking at their entrance requirements as every school does things a little different. Once you get in a program you work extremely hard in all areas of the nursing profession, perform clinical and laboratory work. Once you complete the program and get the degree you then need to register to take your state board exam called the NCLEX-RN. Your school will help guide that process once you are about to graduate from your program. I also suggest working as a CNA or in the lab as a phlebotomist to gain experience in the healthcare industry and build connections with other nurses and managers. Some hospitals even offer schooling assistance.
There are many different avenues to obtaining a career as a registered nurse. As far as high school courses, make sure you are maintaining in good standing with your grades and doing well in all academic areas such as math, science and English/literature. Volunteer work helps tremendously when applying to schools as well and applying for and having scholarships is also a huge plus. You can either do an associate or bachelors degree program to obtain your RN license. Schools in MA and NH are both great options and I definitely recommend looking on their websites, requesting information, and looking at their entrance requirements as every school does things a little different. Once you get in a program you work extremely hard in all areas of the nursing profession, perform clinical and laboratory work. Once you complete the program and get the degree you then need to register to take your state board exam called the NCLEX-RN. Your school will help guide that process once you are about to graduate from your program. I also suggest working as a CNA or in the lab as a phlebotomist to gain experience in the healthcare industry and build connections with other nurses and managers. Some hospitals even offer schooling assistance.
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Make sure you take plenty of science classes in high school. Look into various college nursing programs. You definitely want to get your BSN as a minimum. You can do this by going directly to a four year degree nursing program. I’ve also known many that went to a community college for the prerequisite classes for 2 years and then finished their last 2 years of nursing at a university or 4 year school (cheaper that way). You want to make sure any nursing school you attend is accredited and I’d look at the NCLEX-RN “pass rate” (the national nursing test for licensure).
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hi David,
Professional nursing is an amazing career. You will need to earn your Bachelor's of Nursing Science degree (BSN) in order to work the premium jobs in the hospital setting.
Here is information specific to your state:
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-nursing-license-by-exam
Here is an article explaining why you need your BSN
https://www.bsnedu.org/massachusetts-pre-licensure-bsn/
Here are listings of nursing schools in your state:
https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/rankings/top-ranked/new-england/massachusetts/
https://nurse.org/articles/top-10-best-nursing-schools-massachusetts/
Please copy and past the URLs into your browser for full information.
I hope you find this answer helpful!
Sue
Study the sciences in high school
Develop critical thinking skills
Apply to colleges/universities with approved nursing programs
Take your state board
Professional nursing is an amazing career. You will need to earn your Bachelor's of Nursing Science degree (BSN) in order to work the premium jobs in the hospital setting.
Here is information specific to your state:
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-nursing-license-by-exam
Here is an article explaining why you need your BSN
https://www.bsnedu.org/massachusetts-pre-licensure-bsn/
Here are listings of nursing schools in your state:
https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/rankings/top-ranked/new-england/massachusetts/
https://nurse.org/articles/top-10-best-nursing-schools-massachusetts/
Please copy and past the URLs into your browser for full information.
I hope you find this answer helpful!
Sue
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Updated
stephanie’s Answer
You have 2 choices. You can enroll in an associates degree nursing program which takes 2 years or a bachelor of science nursing program which takes a total of 4 years. Both take the same board exam (NCLEX) after successful completion.
After working as a RN, the bachelors degree nurse will be able to advance faster and farther then the associates degree nurse.
After working as a RN, the bachelors degree nurse will be able to advance faster and farther then the associates degree nurse.