Registered Nurse (RN) Degree Programs

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses (RN) compose the largest workforce in the healthcare industry with over one million workings in a variety of healthcare settings in the United States.

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Due to the current nursing shortage which experts expect to continue for the next couple of decades, nurses in all areas are in great demand. You are therefore assured of job security and very attractive compensation. Feel free to jump to the bottom of the page to filter down to RN programs in your state, or to the RN schools listings to view RN programs near you.

RN Overview

There are multiple ways to become a registered nurse, but you will need to have a degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Below are typical degree routes for aspiring RN’s:

  1. BSN, or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program: Common, becoming the “norm” within hospitals, tend to have more opportunities
  2. Second Degree BSN: for those with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
  3. ADN, or Associate’s Degree in Nursing Program: Very common, shorter program times, quicker time from training into the workforce, less longer-term opportunity
  4. Diploma Nursing Program: Less common, short program length, less desirable outcomes. Recommended to go to the medical assistant/nursing assistant route

Registered nurses are responsible for providing care to patients suffering from a variety of illnesses or injuries. They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private physician offices, specialized group practices, community clinics, home health agencies, government and nonprofit agencies, schools, as well as corporate health departments.

Registered Nurses: At A Glance

RN Median Hourly Wage: $31.84
RN Median Annual Salary: $66,620

Top Places RNs Work:

  1. General Medical & Surgical Hospitals
  2. Offices of Physicians
  3. Home Health Care Services
  4. Nursing Care Facilities
  5. Outpatient Care Centers

The top States Employing RNs

  1. California (252,940 RNs)
  2. Texas (190,090 RNs)
  3. New York (169,820 RNs)
  4. Florida (162,530 RNs)
  5. Pennsylvania (124,750 RNs)

*According to the most current BLS report

General Responsibilities of Registered Nurses

  • Performing basic physical examinations and taking vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)
  • Act as a patient advocate and provide emotional support to patients and families.
  • Educate patients and their families regarding treatment procedures, proper nutrition, exercise, and medication management.
  • Take patient medical histories and record present symptoms.
  • Dispense prescribed medications.
  • Nurses with experience may provide supervision to licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants, and home health aides.
  • Contribute to patient care plans and update charts with the patient’s condition or adverse reaction to treatment and/or medication.

The most popular choice for most nursing students is the associate degree program which can take from two to three years to complete. One benefit of choosing an associate degree program is that you will be able to enter the profession in three years or less and begin to earn an attractive salary and benefits.

However, a bachelor’s degree will be necessary to assume positions of greater responsibility and career advancement. Many hospitals and larger nursing facilities offer tuition reimbursement programs covering a large part of tuition costs providing you maintain good grades (at least a B) and commit to remaining with the facility for a period of time following graduation.

School Accreditation for Nursing

When deciding on a school of nursing it is important that you choose one that has been approved by your state board of nursing. Most states require those interested in nursing careers to graduate from nationally accredited schools since this provides evidence that the school has met high standards with regard to curriculum, faculty, and clinical training experiences.

The National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as official accreditation agencies for nursing education programs. The NLNAC accredits diploma, associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate nursing programs while the CCNE only accredits bachelor and graduate programs.

Aside from attending an accredited program and passing a national exam, every state has individual requirements for registered nursing practice. For this reason, it is important to research your state’s requirements so you can be assured that you are following the necessary steps. You may find the contact information for your State Board of Nursing (BON) on the Web site of the NCSBN (ncsbn.org).

Registered Nurse Certification

After completing one of the above-noted programs, candidates must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to obtain a license from their State Board of Nursing. The NCLEX-RN is a computer-based multiple-choice exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (ncsbn.org). The exam is focused more on nursing practice than theory with an emphasis on job duties performed by entry-level registered nurses. The exam covers essential nursing skills and competencies and medical knowledge.

5-Step Process to Take the NCLEX-RN

  1. Before you may take the NCLEX exam you will need to apply for an RN license through your State Board of Nursing. The board will determine your eligibility to sit for the exam One criterion is that you have graduated from an accredited nursing school.
  2. Once you have been deemed eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, the state board will send your name to the NCSBN who will then send you the NCLEX-RN Examination Candidate Handbook, an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, along with a list of Person Vue (the testing vendor) centers with instructions on how to register.
  3. You can register with PearsonVue online, by telephone, or by mailing the application form. The fee to take the NCLEX-RN is ~$200. payable by credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), bank check, or money order.
  4. Be sure to bring the ATT letter to your testing appointment because you will not be admitted to the testing center without it. You will also need to bring one form of primary identification with a picture taken no more than 6 months previously (e.g. driver’s licenses or passport), along with a secondary ID such as social security card or student ID.
  5. You will receive a pass/fail notification once you complete the exam but these results are subject to review by the NCSBN. You will receive the final results approximately 4 weeks after your test completion date.

 

Career Overview & Outlook for a Registered Nurse

Registered nurses are in tremendous demand! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the anticipated growth rate for registered nurses in all practice areas is expected to be 22 percent through the year 2018. This is much faster than the rate for most other occupations. Three factors contribute to this demand:

  1. The reduction in numbers of nursing students is a result of the shortage of nursing faculty. This situation is in addition to the number of nurses leaving the profession due to retirement.
  2. The aging of the population with their increased risk for illness and accident necessitating medical care.
  3. Advances in technology are enabling people to live longer thus increasing the need for healthcare services.

According to the BLS, the areas where the greatest growth will be seen are:

Setting Percent Rate of Growth

Private Physician offices                                 48%

Home Health Agencies                                   33%

Nursing Homes                                               25%

Corporate Health                                            24%

Registered Nurse Education Requirements – How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse?

As stated, there are three general educational pathways to become a registered nurse:

  1. A hospital-based three-year diploma program
  2. Associate in Science in Nursing Degree (AND) offered at community and junior colleges
  3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) offered at four-year colleges and universities

In general, graduation from any of the above-noted programs will enable you to obtain a position as an entry-level staff nurse. While you may select from hundreds of associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in both traditional and online formats, there are relatively few diploma programs.

Median Registered Nurse salary ranges in select regions.

Los Angeles, CA $71,908
Boulder, CO $67,324
Boca Raton, FL $64,377
Atlanta, GA $65,621
New York, NY $77,737
Dallas, TX $65,294

*Figures as per salary.com