Compare Popular Online Nursing Programs
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Step 1: Complete a Certificate or Degree
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Step 2: Pass Professional Exams
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Step 3: State License and Work Experience
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Step 4: Continued Education and Training
Step 1: Complete a Certificate or Degree
If you choose to start as a certified nursing assistant or a practical nurse, you must complete a program dedicated to either area. These typically require the completion of a one-year program that is a certificate or a diploma program, or you can choose an associate’s degree in nursing. You have to be sure to complete this program from a college or university that is approved by the state board from where you plan to work. They will typically provide a list of colleges and universities that provide acceptable educational standards. This will also help if you have to move to another state in the future so that your education will be considered acceptable to other state boards.
While becoming a certified nursing assistant or a practical nurse is the fastest way into the nursing profession, most people choose to become a registered nurse as their initial degree path. This can be done by completing a bachelor’s degree. If you already have an associate’s degree, you can complete an associate-to-bachelor’s degree registered nurse program. This will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a registered nursing bachelor’s degree. Much like an entry-level nursing programs, you must choose a registered nursing program from an accredited college or university that is also approved by the state board to ensure long-term employment as a registered nurse.
Step 2: Pass Professional Exams
Once you complete your nursing program, you will be required to take any number of exams. The type of exam will depend entirely on the nursing program you completed. A certified nursing assistant will have to pass the state competency examination to become licensed. A practical nurse must complete the National Council Licensure Examination, also referred to as the NCLEX-PN exam. This varies slightly to the NCLEX-RN exam that is required for licensed registered nurses.
Keep in mind that all of these exams have a limited timeframe during which to complete them, and you must meet a specific score to pass. The NCLEX-RN has a national pass rate of somewhere between 70 and 75 percent. You will likely be able to retake the exam if you do not pass the first time; however, you will have to wait more than a month to try again. If you wish to become a nurse practitioner, you will have to pass nationally recognized certification exams by professional organizations. A nurse midwife has to complete the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.
Step 3: State License and Work Experience
The first thing to be aware of is that anyone who works as a nurse will require a background check at one or several points throughout the process to become a nurse. Some programs will run a background check before admitting students into their programs. You might then have another at this point before you can obtain a state nursing license. It is also possible your employer will run another background check on you before you start work.
Each state will require a license before you can become employed as a nurse. This is true at every level of nursing. If you move, you will have to contact the state nursing board to determine the steps to acquire a new state license. If you do not have a degree or program completion from an college or university program approved by the state board, you may have to complete additional education or training. Once you have your license, you can find employment. Work experience is an essential component to a successful nursing career, particularly if you seek career advancement and better pay.
Step 4: Continued Education and Training
Higher education is required for most advanced nursing positions and for significant increases in salary. The best paying nursing positions, such as a certified registered nurse anesthetist or a nurse practitioner, will require a master’s degree. It is also possible to advance your career even further with a Ph.D. or a doctorate of nursing degree. These degrees can lead to research positions, professorships, and positions as the head of nursing staff. Additional specialized certificates are another way to advance your career and increase your pay. These certificates exist in a variety of areas, including acute patient care, nurse management, and critical care for patients.
It is also important to consider that many employers require continued education and training to remain employed. Technology, techniques, and processes change almost daily in the healthcare profession. If you are not continually learning, you are being left behind and might even be considered replaceable or a disposable asset. Nurses who want the best jobs with the best pay must continue learning each and every day.
Nursing Careers and Salary
Where Might You Work?
Millions of nurses are employed throughout the US on any given day. The type of employer you are able to work for will depend greatly on your education and training. Most advanced practice registered nurses are employed by hospitals. However, you have plenty of alternative employment possibilities. Companies, hotels, and other businesses are continually searching for ways to attract the best employees and repeat business.
Many of the most progressive businesses will actually hire nurses on staff to care for patients and for their employees. Hotels, cruise ships, and other hospitality companies are also increasingly employing nurses to assist their clients as a way to stand out from the competition. You might also consider working for more traditional employers, such as nursing homes, the government, doctor’s offices, schools, rehab facilities, or in the homes of clients.
Your pay will also be reflective of the type of employer, your education and training, and the number of relevant years of experience you have completed. A certified nurse will make the least amount of money which is roughly a median of $26,600. Others include a practical nurse at $44,000, a registered nurse at $68,000, a nurse midwife at $107,000 and a nurse practitioner also at $107,000. The more education you have and the more in-demand your specialty is, the more money you will make each year.