3 answers
Addie
Student
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
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How does residency work if you're looking to become a nurse?
I want to become a nurse practical in future years but am unaware of how the schooling works or if I even have to do a residency.
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3 answers
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
83
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
Addie - There are a couple options for school / education for nurses. The 2 registered nurse paths are a 2-year associate degree (ADN) or the 4-year bachelor degree (BSN). Both will allow you to sit for the licensing test and become an RN upon completion.
The ADN route is the fastest way to obtain an RN license and is the most cost effective option. Most ADN programs are offered through community colleges and the cost difference between these programs and any from a private college can be significant. The ADN in no way limits the holder clinically speaking. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years and I have never seen the shortages in nursing we have right now in the US. That means RN's are being hired in almost all places and areas so long as they hold a valid license because the need is significant.
A BSN is nice, but it can be expensive and it's not necessary to start working as an RN. If you want to continue your education and obtain your BSN down the road because you'd like to be in management / leadership, go into research, or consider becoming a nurse practitioner, many employers will help with tuition reimbursement, so that's something to consider.
Both the ADN and BSN paths will have clinical rotations as a part of the program, and while there isn't a true residency for nurses, this clinical experience is used as a base and when you are hired, your employer will provide an orientation. As a new nurse, that orientation is likely to be longer and much more in-depth than an orientation would be for an experienced RN being newly hired. Some orientations for brand new RN's may actually last 3-6 months and help you to develop and sharpen the specific clinical skills you will need in your role.
Whatever you decide, I wish you well.
The ADN route is the fastest way to obtain an RN license and is the most cost effective option. Most ADN programs are offered through community colleges and the cost difference between these programs and any from a private college can be significant. The ADN in no way limits the holder clinically speaking. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years and I have never seen the shortages in nursing we have right now in the US. That means RN's are being hired in almost all places and areas so long as they hold a valid license because the need is significant.
A BSN is nice, but it can be expensive and it's not necessary to start working as an RN. If you want to continue your education and obtain your BSN down the road because you'd like to be in management / leadership, go into research, or consider becoming a nurse practitioner, many employers will help with tuition reimbursement, so that's something to consider.
Both the ADN and BSN paths will have clinical rotations as a part of the program, and while there isn't a true residency for nurses, this clinical experience is used as a base and when you are hired, your employer will provide an orientation. As a new nurse, that orientation is likely to be longer and much more in-depth than an orientation would be for an experienced RN being newly hired. Some orientations for brand new RN's may actually last 3-6 months and help you to develop and sharpen the specific clinical skills you will need in your role.
Whatever you decide, I wish you well.
Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Hi Addie,
In nursing school, you have to take both "classroom" and "clinical" courses at the same time every semester. Clinical courses are when you train at a medical facility (usually hospitals) with your instructor. In nursing school, you have to take classes in a certain order until you graduate. In order to move on to the next class, there are things you'll have to learn first from the prior class.
For example, you will have to take a fundamentals nursing class where you learn the basics. During this same semester, you will also have to take a clinical course at a medical facility where you can practice the fundamentals that you are learning in the classroom. The next semester, you may have to take an adult nursing class where you learn how to take care of adults with serious illnesses. You will also have to train at a facility that semester taking care of adult patients. But you can't take "adult nursing" until you have already passed "fundamentals."
Here are some nursing courses you will have to take:
1. Fundamental nursing
2. Adult medical & surgical nursing
3. Mental health (or Psychiatrics)
4. Labor and Delivery (or Obstetrics)
5. Pediatrics
6. Critical/Intensive care
As far as residency, sometimes the terms "residencies, preceptorships, and internships" are used interchangeably depending on the state. As a general rule, depending on the state you're in, you may have to do training at a hospital with a nurse (not your instructor) in order to graduate. This is usually called a "preceptorship or internship." A residency is when you have already graduated and gotten your nursing license. You have to be a new graduate nurse to do a residency. This happens after you finish school and it's not required to get a nursing job but it can help you prepare for it. It's basically extra supervised training before you start working by yourself. If you want to do a residency, you have to apply for one at a hospital.
In nursing school, you have to take both "classroom" and "clinical" courses at the same time every semester. Clinical courses are when you train at a medical facility (usually hospitals) with your instructor. In nursing school, you have to take classes in a certain order until you graduate. In order to move on to the next class, there are things you'll have to learn first from the prior class.
For example, you will have to take a fundamentals nursing class where you learn the basics. During this same semester, you will also have to take a clinical course at a medical facility where you can practice the fundamentals that you are learning in the classroom. The next semester, you may have to take an adult nursing class where you learn how to take care of adults with serious illnesses. You will also have to train at a facility that semester taking care of adult patients. But you can't take "adult nursing" until you have already passed "fundamentals."
Here are some nursing courses you will have to take:
1. Fundamental nursing
2. Adult medical & surgical nursing
3. Mental health (or Psychiatrics)
4. Labor and Delivery (or Obstetrics)
5. Pediatrics
6. Critical/Intensive care
As far as residency, sometimes the terms "residencies, preceptorships, and internships" are used interchangeably depending on the state. As a general rule, depending on the state you're in, you may have to do training at a hospital with a nurse (not your instructor) in order to graduate. This is usually called a "preceptorship or internship." A residency is when you have already graduated and gotten your nursing license. You have to be a new graduate nurse to do a residency. This happens after you finish school and it's not required to get a nursing job but it can help you prepare for it. It's basically extra supervised training before you start working by yourself. If you want to do a residency, you have to apply for one at a hospital.
Richard McKnight NP
Nurse Practitioner
4
Answers
Winnebago, IL
Updated
Richard’s Answer
The path to a nursing license are more diverse than stated. The Practical or Vocational Nurse only involves a year of full time education. There are programs for people coming from other college majors. The two prior answers noted that education for nurses is classroom and on the job clinical. This is true everywhere I have been.
Nursing residencies are optional. Most programs do not include them. I do not believe any state requires them to get a license but with 50 states having control of licensure some might.
In most states the state board of nursing will publish rules about requirements for nursing education. The internet is a wonderful source.
Nursing residencies are optional. Most programs do not include them. I do not believe any state requires them to get a license but with 50 states having control of licensure some might.
In most states the state board of nursing will publish rules about requirements for nursing education. The internet is a wonderful source.