Accelerated Nursing Program Requirements

Non-nursing Bachelor’s Degree

The first requirement for entering an accelerated nursing program is that you hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject not related to nursing. Generally speaking it does not matter what discipline this degree is in. however if the degree is too specialized you will most likely not be accepted. In addition it is not enough to simply hold a degree; you must have graduated from the degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (generally speaking) although this does depend on the school you are applying at to a large degree.

Prerequisite Courses

As with many degree programs you need to have completed a number of prerequisite courses in order to complete an accelerated nursing degree. There are a number of prerequisite courses that you will need to complete, including:

• Anatomy and physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Introductory chemistry with lab
• Basic statistics
• Two to three introductory social sciences, such as sociology, psychology or anthropology

Usually it is assumed that you completed at least some of these while working towards your original bachelor’s degree, but if you have not you will have to attend a community college or another educational institute in order to get the necessary prerequisite courses.

Personal Statement Of Intent

This is a short essay of about 1 or 2 pages in length that expresses your desire to study nursing through an accelerated program and describes your reasons and intentions for doing so. This is your chance to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd and will greatly improve your chances of entering an accelerated nursing degree program if you take the time to tailor your essay specifically for each school that you are potentially interested in attending.

Letters Of Recommendation

In addition to your own letter of intent you will also usually need to provide letters of recommendation from credible sources. These sources can include:

• Your current and/or former supervisors
• Your professors
• Your mentors

Entrance Exam

Entrance exams are not required by all schools that offer accelerated nursing degree programs, but in some cases you may need to prove that you have the basic academic skills necessary to complete a degree program of this intensity. The most common entrance exam that students are required to write is the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

Patient Contact Experience

This is not usually an actual requirement for entering an accelerated nursing degree program, but it is strongly recommended that you take the time to volunteer your services when possible. This will help you for a number of reasons:

• Some schools will consider first those applicants that have completed voluntary patient contact hours.

• Your supervisors at the facility where you volunteered are often excellent resources for those letters of recommendation and they can give you a foot up in terms of entering this highly competitive educational domain.

Applying For An Accelerated Nursing School

In summary, there are three basic steps to applying for accelerated nursing programs:

• Create a list of the schools that offer this program and that you will be able to attend. Your list should take into account your personal preferences and needs as well as the quality of each of the schools in your area. A comprehensive list of all the programs available in each state is available at bestnursingdegree.com. Create a short list of schools.

• Find out what prerequisite courses are required in order for you to enroll in the various programs on your list, and complete them by attending a community college or other educational facility that offers the subjects in question. Two things are important here: different schools may have different prerequisite course requirements, so make sure that you know exactly what courses you need to do; and completing the prerequisite courses before applying at the school will increase your chances of being accepted as it shows that you are really serious about completing an accelerated program.

• There will be a large amount of paperwork that will go hand in hand with your application, including an application form and letters of recommendation, among other things. Find out exactly what paperwork is needed for each course you are interested in applying for and complete it adequately. Remember that different schools may have different such requirements.

Top Accelerated Nursing Degree Schools

The school that you choose is very important as it will affect the rest of your career as a nurse. Potential employers always look at the school that you attended as an indication of your suitability or expertise and, consequently, you want to attend the best school possible. Some of the better schools to consider when looking into starting an accelerated nursing degree are the following:

Johns Hopkins University
School of Nursing
525 N. Wolfe St.
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-955-7548
jhmi.edu

Barnes-Jewish College
Goldfarb School of Nursing
4483 Duncan Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-454-7055
barnesjewishcollege.edu

Marymount University
School of Health Professionals
2807 N. Glebe Rd.
Arlington, VA 22207
703-522-5600
marymount.edu

University of Washington
1959 NE Pacific Street,
Seattle, WA 98195
206-543-8736
son.washington.edu/

University of Pennsylvania
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6243
215-898-5000
upenn.edu/

University of Texas Health and Science Center Houston
6901 Bertner
Houston, TX 77030
713-500-2100
son.uth.tmc.edu/

Oakland University
2200 North Squirrel Road
Rochester, MI 48309
248-370-2100
oakland.edu

University of Missouri
1201 Rollins Street
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-0277
missouri.edu

Creighton University
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
402-280-2000
creighton.edu

Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs By State

When considering an accelerated program it is important to look into accelerated nursing programs by state. This is because each state has its own set of rules governing the nurses that work within that state, and completing a program within that state is the best way to ensure that you meet all of the necessary requirements. However, some states simply do not offer as many options as others when it comes to finding accelerated nursing programs. In Arkansas, for example, there is only one school offering an accelerated nursing program, namely Arkansas State University. Other states also have very few options on offer, including Rhode Island (Rhode Island College) and South Carolina (Medical University of South Carolina). New York, on the other hand, has numerous options, including Adelphi University, American University of Beirut, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Columbia University, Concordia College New York, Dominican College of Blauvelt, Hartwick College, LIU Brooklyn, New York University, Niagara University, Pace University, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Stony Brook University, SUNY-Binghamton, The College of New Rochelle, The Sage Colleges, University at Buffalo, University of Rochester, and Wagner College, making it a far better state to live in if you would like to jumpstart your nursing career by completing an accelerated program. The programs mentioned here are specifically for BSN degrees.

Although there are stet by state differences in accelerated nursing programs, the average program length is about 15 months, with the longest accelerated program being about 18 months. This is an incredibly intensive education regime to commit to, especially if you consider that the four years that your counterparts will spend on becoming qualified nurses will be condensed in to no more than a year and a half for you. Consequently these accelerated nursing degree programs cannot be completed online or in your spare time because the sheer intensity of the program makes it a full time matter. You should also be careful as completing an accelerated degree may into allow you to properly digest and comprehend all of the subject matter that will come up during the course. Perhaps the most worrying factor is that the amount of hands-on training will be significantly decreased in an accelerated nursing degree program, which means that you may not be as well equipped for the job as other nurses. The basic idea is that an Accelerated second degree BSN gives you credit (often referred to as “general education” or “lower division” credits) for non-nursing classes you already took in college. Then it puts you through a sequence of nursing theory and clinical classes to prepare you to sit for the national licensing exam for Registered Nurses, called the NCLEX. There are a few online schools available in order to complete an accelerated nursing degree, bit these are few and far between. In any case, for an intensive program like this it is generally better to attend campus-based lessons.

Accelerated Nursing Program Scholarships

Students often of not pursue their educational dreams simply because they cannot afford to. However there are scholarships available for accelerated nursing degree programs that you may be able to benefit from.

State-Funded Scholarships

Each state will have its own specific scholarship options. The state of Illinois, for example, administers a Nursing School Grant Program, which provides between $29,000 and $44,000 to students pursuing an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN).

Minority Scholarships

Because minority members in the US have, for so long, been deprived of educational benefits as well as the financial resources required to pay for education, there are a number of scholarship options for minorities who feel that that they would like to attend an accelerated nursing degree program. Minority Nurse, which is an online publication, offers scholarship opportunities to minority nurses.

Private Organization Scholarships

If you have no luck at state level there are also a number of private organizations that offer scholarship opportunities for accelerated programs. For example, the Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) provides scholarships of $3,000 to students enrolled in accredited schools.

Nursing School Scholarship

Many actual nursing schools, such as the University of Miami, actually offer scholarships in order to entice student nurses to their facility. This is well worth looking into and you can find out more from the financial aid department of your school.

Examples of Specific Scholarships

Minnesota State University Accelerated Nursing Program Nursing Faculty Scholarship

Eligible students:

• Have a GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Are enrolled in the School of Nursing
• Are in need of financial aid

Interested parties can apply on the School of Nursing scholarship site: http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/scholarships/undergraduate/scholarshiplist.html.

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Accelerated Nursing

This is a scholarship opportunity for students enrolled in an accelerated program at the University of Missouri. For additional information, students should contact:

Office of Student Affairs
S235 School of Nursing
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-0277
nursing.missouri.edu/paying-for-education/scholarships/scholarships/hearst.php

AfterCollege / American Association Of Colleges Of Nursing Scholarship

This is a scholarship that all nursing students can apply for, but higher grade point averages will be considered first. The award amount is $2,500. Two winners are announced each time the scholarship is offered. More information on the scholarship can be found at the AfterCollege website: aftercollege.com/content/article/aftercollege_aacn_scholarship/76107013/.

Completing an accelerated nursing program can certainly help you jumpstart your career, but you will need to first determine if it is worth the time and effort involved or not. If you think that you will not be able to devote the required amount of attention to the program, you may want to consider going through a regular four year nursing program. However an accelerated program is perfect for people who already have an idea of what is going on in terms of nursing theory and practice, and can be a great way to save time and money.

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It is best to complete a licensed practical nursing (LPN) course before starting your RN program, as this will be a requirement for almost all RN programs; you will need some hands-on experience as a nurse prior to becoming an RN.

Upon completion of your fast track RN course, you will be eligible to sit the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and will then obtain your RN license after successfully passing the exam.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Taking Part In Fast Track RN Courses

Before embarking on this fast track course, you need to absolutely certain that this is what you want to do and that you are prepared for it. Consider the advantages and disadvantages below before rushing in to any decisions.

Having The Time

If time is not on your side, then fast track program is ideal as it allows you become an RN within a shorter amount of time. This course may take you only 12 to 18 months, whereas the traditional route will see you having to complete other degrees before reaching the stage of RN. For example, in an average setting, you would have to first gain some nursing preparation in the form of a diploma (which would be hospital based), a two-year Associate’s degree in some form ([AD], Associate of Science [AS], or an Associate of Arts [AA]), or baccalaureate programs (BSN) which then lead to master’s and doctoral degrees. Within a fast track program, you could go from an AD directly to a master’s degree, thereby bypassing a baccalaureate.

When going from LPN to RN in the traditional manner, you will find that many topics are covered more than once during your educational journey. However, in this shorter program, you will not have to retake classes which cover those topics which you have already completed during your LPN program. Once again, this saves you time.

This shortened program also allows you to get started on your career as an RN much quicker than usual. This means that you can get into your grove as an RN much quicker, and therefore start to earn a decent wage within a shorter amount of time. The sooner you start to gain this experience, the sooner you can prove yourself within your institution of choice, and start to work towards a higher position with more responsibilities and higher pay.

Coursework

Sine you are now reducing what would typically be a two-year degree to a year, or a year and half, you must expect that the coursework will be intense. Trying to learn the same amount of information, or more, within a shorter time fame will, of course, be tricky. So you need to be certain that this is something you can handle. It may be a shorter course, but it should by no means be seen as a part-time course, as you will need to dedicate a lot of time to your studies.

This does also mean, though, that you may not have the time to continue your job as an LPN at your hospital or health care facility, as you may find it challenging to fully dedicate your time and energy to your studies towards becoming an RN while working long hours. So it is wise to first make sure that you can afford not to work during this time.

Costs

Such accelerated nursing programs, on average, will have lower tuition fees, since the course is a shorter one. However, take note that this is based on the average, as costs and fees will vary greatly depending on a variety of factors which could be dictated by the program itself and the state you live in.

Although the costs may be lower, remember that you may not be able to work during this time due to the academic workload, so you may find that some financial assistance is necessary. This may be easily obtainable if you are currently working in hospital as an LPN, since, due to the current nursing shortage, some employers may even pay for you to get back to school and complete an accelerated degree in order to become an RN so that you can accept greater responsibilities.

Educational Diversity

In the traditional route, a student who is earning two separate degrees at separate universities or colleges will be introduced to different curricula and teaching methods and styles, thereby increasing their educational diversity. This, of course, is limited when studying via a fast track program where you may be combining different programs, or skipping some out altogether, and your learning environment will then remain the same throughout.

On the other side of the coin, in a fast track program, it is likely that you will be able to form more substantial relationships with your professors, which could lead to more individualized teachings. Building such a strong network base could also benefit you in the future when looking for a job as an RN.

Schools, Colleges, And Universities That Offer These Programs

There are over 600 nursing programs spread throughout the entire United States, so you will have no difficulty finding one, you just need to do some through research to determine which one would work best for you and your current (or future) circumstances.

Lansing Community College

Contact information:
Susan Bowling, MSN, RN
Director of Career Ladder Nursing Program
Office Location: HHS 108
Phone: (517) 483-1190
Fax: (517) 483-1508
bowlings@lcc.edu

The Community Health and Nursing Department offers a Career Nursing Ladder Program; this associate degree is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)

This course is offered in four different variations; the last two are the fast track programs that you should be looking at:

1. Traditional Track: This is the traditional route which will take two years to complete. The program is comprised of four semesters, and classes will take place four to five days per week.
2. Non-traditional Three-year Track
3. Non-traditional Advanced Standing to RN Track: This is for practical nurses (PNs), respiratory therapists, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who hold unrestricted current Michigan licensure and have been working in their field at least 20 hours per week in the year prior to application.
4. Non-traditional Second Degree Accelerate Track: This is for individuals who possess a Bachelor’s or higher degree in any major; it starts in min-September, and you will be finished by December in the following year.

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Contact information:
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Fast-Track Program Coordinator
1201 NEO Loop
Grove, Oklahoma 74345
(918) 787-5475
vfields@neo.edu

This 12-month program will give you the opportunity to obtain fast track training as an RN by acquiring advanced standing credit. So you will be given credit competency achieved through previous training or occupational experience, and therefore not have to repeat academics or previous knowledge that you have already learnt. This will also allow you to keep working as an LPN while studying, thereby furthering your training while working towards your Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing, remember to make sure that you will be able to effectively juggle both your work and studies without underachieving in either.

If you are not yet an LPN, but a licensed paramedic who wants to expand to registered nursing, your prior learning experiences will gain you entrance to this program.

In order to apply for this you must:

• formally apply to the Department of Nursing.

• include current licensure as an LPN in Oklahoma (if you are an LPN).

• submit a copy of your American College Testing (ACT) scores – admission to this program is very competitive, so your ACT scores and grade point average will greatly influence your chances.

• must have completed all general education and support courses before enrollment.

Lawrence Memorial/Regis College

Contact information:
Lawrence Memorial /Regis College
170 Governors Ave.
Medford, MA 02155-1643
781-306-6600
www.lmregisnurse.org

The professional associate of science nursing degree program is approved by the Board of Registration in Nursing of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and accredited by the NLNAC.

In order to qualify for this fast track RN program you must:

• have a current LPN license.
• submit three letters of reference, including one from an employer, and one from an academic professor.
• submit an essay
• have obtained a minimum of a C average in an algebra course (either in high school or college)
• have completed the following 4 non-program specific courses with a minimum final grade of C or 2.0:
  • Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab
  • Microbiology/Lab
  • Introduction to Human Development

This course will take one and a half to two and half years to complete, and the curriculum will consist of concurrent theory and clinical experience in the following clinical sites:

• major teaching hospitals and medical centers in Boston
• suburban hospitals and community sites

Within these sites, you will experience diverse client care within the following settings:

• medical-surgical
• maternity
• pediatric
• rehabilitation
• mental health
• community nursing settings

Your curriculum will consist of:

• eight non-nursing courses – in the biological, social sciences, and humanities sectors (some of these can then be skipped if you have already completed them, thereby minimizing the length of this study program).

• three nursing courses – including the study of pharmacology, drug therapy, nutrition, and pathophysiology.

Your curriculum will also be a flexible one, should you want to continue working part-time while completing this program. Your two options are:

• The Day Division: Classes and clinical experiences are offered during the day Monday through Friday.

• The Evening/Weekend Division: Classes are scheduled on weeknight evenings, and clinical experiences are provided every second weekend.

Florida Gateway College

Contact information:
Florida Gateway College (formerly Lake City Community College)
149 S.E. College Place
Lake City, FL 32025
386-752-1822
www.fgc.edu

This Science Degree in Nursing (ASDN) Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and can be completed in just one year.

In order to apply for this you must:

• Complete the following pre-requisite classes with a grade of C (or 2.80) or higher:
  • Freshman English 1
  • Public Speaking
  • Anatomy & Physiology 1
  • Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology 2
  • Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
  • College Algebra or Math for Liberal Arts
  • Pharmacology
  • Nutrition
  • Microbiology
  • Microbiology Lab
  • One of the following: Ethics (this is the preferred choice), Introduction to Humanities,
  • Prehistory to the Renaissance, Renaissance to Modern Times, Mythology in the Arts, Intercultural Explorations, Art and Music, or Philosophy and Religion.

• Take the Nurse Entrance Test (R-NET) and achieve a score of 75 or higher.

• Hold a current Florida LPN license with one full year of documented full-time LPN work experience.

• If you have completed a PN program in a state other than Florida, take the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) and obtain the national average or higher.

• Successfully complete a 30-hour IV Therapy class within 18 months of admission to the program.

• Demonstrate that you have a sound knowledge of computers before graduating via a college credit computer course, a non-credit college computer course, or a college examination.

Your course curriculum is as follows:

• Semester One – Transition: Adult Health
• Semester Two – Mental Health
• Semester Three – Nursing Process 2
• Semester Four – Transition: Maternal/Infant/Child/Adolescent

The total estimated cost for this program comes to about $10,100. This is made up of around $7,000 for the actual semester classes, lab fees, and prerequisites, while a further average of $3,100 can be spent on books and supplies, exams, the IV therapy course (as well as uniforms), R-NET fee, and background and drug screens.

In Closing

Consider all the information above before making your final decision, as such fast track RN courses are not for everyone. Although you can benefit greatly from such a program, you do not want to enroll only to find out that you are not able to successfully complete the course in this shortened manner, thereby losing a great deal of money and time.

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Many people find that they are unable to pursue their dreams due to a lack of funding for their studies. Money really should be the last thing standing in your way when trying to gain an education which could lead you to a lucrative and rewarding career. This is especially true in the case of prospective registered nurses (RNs) since it is such a noble occupation to choose for oneself. RNs are involved in providing and coordinating care for patients, educating patients as well as the general public, and providing emotional support to their patients and their patients’ families. They can also take on more authoritative roles within the legal and managerial aspects of health care industries.

It should be comforting to know, then, that there are numerous RN grants available for which you can apply in order to study at absolutely no cost. This helps to eliminate the pressure of having to repay a loan, or not being able to afford your textbooks, thereby allowing you to focus all your energy on your coursework. You will also find that grants for RNs may be more readily available than for other careers due to the higher demand for nurses as of late.

Will You Choose A Grant, Loan, Or Scholarship?

Firstly, you should know what the differences are between grants, loans, and scholarships. A loan is money that is being lent to you, which will need to paid back. Typically, you will only need to repay the loan once you have completed your studies and graduated, however be aware that interest may be added to the loan, so you will be paying back more than you borrowed.

A scholarship does not have to be paid back, and is awarded based on merit. This means that you will have to meet specific academic requirements in order to qualify for the scholarship, for example achieving a certain grade. Once it is awarded, you will also be expected to maintain a specific level of academic performance, which, if not met, may result in you having to pay back the scholarship amount.

A grant is financial aid which you will also not have to pay back, and is provided by non-profit organizations. Filling in applications for grants take up quite a bit of time and you will need to research a number of aspects such as your tax information and your parents’ income; you will also need to detail all the information of the course or degree for which you want the grant so that the organization who is awarding the grant can be sure that the funds are being utilized correctly.

An Example Of An RN Grant

The Federal Pell Grant

Contact Information:

The Federal Pell Grant Program
Box 84
Washington D.C., 20044
(800) 433-3243
www.studentaid.ed.gov

The Federal Pell Grant program is one of the most popular grant programs; it was started by the Federal Student Aid, which is an office of the United States Department of Education. These grants are designed to help students with a financial need to pay for their cost at college so that their education is not hindered by their lack of finances. These grants are mostly awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet obtained a bachelor’s or professional degree, although as with everything, there are exceptions.

How Much?

The amount that will be granted to you will vary depending on your needs and the college at which you wish to study, but the Department of Education’s website indicates that these amounts can range from $486 to $5 550, the latter being the maximum amount that was awarded for the 2012-2013 award year (the award year runs from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013).

As mentioned previously, the amounts can change annually and will vary depending on a number of aspects. These are:

• Your financial need: This is the calculated as the difference between your cost of attendance (COA) of your school or college, and your expected family contribution (EFC). The COA not only includes tuition, but also your books and living costs. SO basically, they want you or your parents to contribute to the costs, and then the grant will hopefully cover the rest.
• Your cost of attendance.
• Your status as a full-time or part-time student.
• Your plans to attend school for a full academic year, or for less.

How this usually works is that after successfully being awarded the grant, your college will apply those funds to your tuition, additional fees (such as textbooks), and your room and board if you are living on campus. Any money which is left over from that will go to you , either in the form of a check, cash, a credit to your bank account, or any other method which is agreed upon (in some instances you will be able to choose the method which best suits you. This left over money can then be used for any other expenses which you may have.

The Iraq And Afghanistan Service Grant

This is a grant designed to help students who meet all the above requirements but whose EFC is too high. You will be eligible for this grant if:

• you meet all the Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, except on the basis of your EFC, and

• your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces who died as a result of his or her military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and

• you were under the age of 24 or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

How Much?

The maximum amount is the same as the maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year; however it may not exceed your cost of attendance for that year.

The payment procedure is also the same as for the Federal Pell Grant.

How To Fill In A Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Nearly any grant that you apply for will require you to complete a FAFSA; this can be done online or printed out and then sent through the mail. It is quite a process as you need to gather a lot of information in order for the United States Department of Education to determine whether you are eligible for student financial aid or not. Each application period is 18 months, and most of these aid programs will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. It is therefore recommended that you submit your FAFSA as early as you possibly can so that you can be chosen above others, and receive the maximum amount of financial aid.

Get A Federal Student Aid PIN

You will need this PIN number in order to sign your FAFSA electronically. You can get this as you fill in your FAFSA, or you can get it before you start.

Gather The Documents That Are Needed To Apply

Other than your name, date of birth, and address, you will need to include information about your financial situation. This may include:

• Your social security number, and your parents’ social security numbers if you are a dependent student.
• Your driver’s license number, only if you have one of course.
• Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a citizen of the U.S.
• Your federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information. If you are married then this is also needed for your spouse; and if you are a dependent student, this is also needed for your parents.
• Records of any untaxed income such as child support and interest income. Also include your parents’ records if you are a dependent student.
• Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, investments (this includes stocks, bonds, and real estate, but not including the home in which you live), and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student.

When including the information on your income records, make sure that you are doing so for the tax year prior to the academic year in which you plan to study; so if you are completing the 2012-13 FAFSA, your tax information should be for 2011. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is very helpful if you have already filed your taxes prior to completing the FAFSA as it will retrieve most of your tax information straight from the IRS and then will automatically include that information in your application form; this will save you a lot of time.

If you find that you have not yet done your taxes at the time of filling in your form, you can estimate the amounts based on your tax return for last year. However, remember to log back in and change any amounts that may be incorrect once you have filed your taxes for that year.

Schools That Offer RN Grants

You will also find that some schools or universities will offer their own grants to prospective students. One example of this is the School of Nursing at John Hopkins University.

Contact information:

Johns Hopkins University
School of Nursing
525 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-955-4766

Website: http://nursing.jhu.edu/

According to their website, in order to apply for this aid program you must:

• Be either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled in a degree program and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Register at least half time.
• Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
• Register with the Selective Service (if required) and have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be free of any convictions under federal or state law of possession or sale of illegal drugs.

When looking at the costs involved for a Summer-Entry or Fall-Entry Accelerated Bachelor’s Program, you will see that there is a lot of money which can be saved should you be successful in your grant application.

The Summer-Entry Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for the 13-month period (June 2012 to July 2012) is as follows:

Billed expenses:

• Tuition: $65,700
• Matriculation fee: $500
• Health Insurance: $3,584 (If you already have your own health insurance it is not necessary to do this through the school)
• Health Fee: $525

Estimated other expenses:

• Room and board: $19,124
• Books and supplies: $3,172
• Personal expenses: up to $2,100
• Travel expenses: up to $5,236

Total expenses: $99,941

The Fall-Entry Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for the 17-month period (August 2012-December 2013) adds up to an estimated total of $104,801.

This is just an example for you to see how much you will need in order to enroll in an RN program.

Being awarded a grant is a fantastic opportunity for you to get the education that you need, so do not take it lightly. Success in getting any types of RN grants should motivate you even further to excel in your area of choice. In lieu of the recent nursing shortage which has affected the quality of health care throughout the nation as a whole, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration are offering a large amount of grants (as well as scholarships) for nursing students and registered nurses who have already completed their schooling. Some of these will then require you to work in approved health care facilities which are short staffed due to the nursing shortage. This is done in an attempt to alleviate this shortage, and is an opportunity for you to give back to the community, in exchange for being able to have completed your studies for free.

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To become an RN, or registered nurse, there are a number of training considerations to keep in mind. RN training can be done at a hospital, but usually nurses choose to earn a degree through a university. This degree must, however, include a practical or clinical aspect if you are to become a registered nurse with the correct level of qualification. There are also a number of specialist areas you could focus on in your training.

RN Training Overview

RN training can make you eligible to work in a variety of different settings, ranging from hands-on patient care, to school nursing, to legal consulting. Generally speaking it will take you about 4 years to complete a comprehensive RN program, although there are some longer options for students who cannot study full time and shorter options for students who already have an LPN qualification. During your NR training you will start off by studying general nursing courses. Later you will be given the opportunity to turn your attention towards more specialized nursing courses in specific topics. In addition to the theory knowledge you will gather in these courses your RN training program will usually end with a high concentration of clinical hands-on experience so that you have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice and be assessed on your skills in the various areas of nursing. There are a number of skills that will help you in your RN training, such as being good at subjects like biology, math, and science, and having the right personality traits, including excellent communication skills, empathy, an ability to take direction form superiors, and the ability to work well in a team.

Training Requirements And Recommendations

There are a number of training requirements that you will need to meet to be an RN. Your educational options are:

• A diploma in nursing from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)

• An associate’s degree in nursing from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)

In addition to this educational requirement you will also need to hold an RN license as provided by your state board of nursing. Some employers prefer RNs with higher levels of education as well as with CPR certification.

Formal Education

Although you do have the diploma option as well, it is better to get an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) if you want to stand a higher chance of getting a good job in this industry. These programs are offered by vocational schools and community colleges, as well as some universities. Some RN specialties require you to go back to school in order to earn a master’s degree in the specialty. However, as associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees are more common, we will discuss those here. Note: if you are specifically interested in a management position, you will need to get a bachelor’s degree.

Associate Of Applied Science In Nursing

An associate of applied nursing is usually offered by one of the two following educational institutions:

• Junior colleges
• Community colleges

RN training that results in an associate’s degree usually includes the following subject matter (as well as hands-on clinical training):

• Client care
• Nursing skills
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing jurisprudence
• Pharmacology
• Psychology

Once you have graduated with an associate’s degree you will have the options to apply to you state board of nursing for licensure. Receiving an RN license involves writing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for RN licensure. Once you have passed the exam and received your license, you need to renew that license on a regular basis in order to jeep it current.

Bachelor Of Science In Nursing

A bachelor’s degree will take four years to complete. Like the associate’s degree it is divided into a theoretical component and a practical component. Generally speaking the first two years will be spent on the theoretical side of the course while the last two years are spent more or less entirely in a clinical setting. The work that you will cover during the theoretical course will include, among other things, the following topics:

• Communication
• Medical equipment use and maintenance
• Medical terminology
• Patient care techniques

The clinical part of the course will allow you to apply the knowledge you have gathered in a hands-on environment where you will be assessed on your capabilities by your instructors.

Job Experience

Job experience is a very important component of RN training and this s one of the main reasons why any RN training program includes a very large quantity of clinical hands-on experience. There are a number of places where an RN can do an internship (which is usually unpaid) to gather job experience. In many cases this internship will allow you to eventually transition into a position at the health care facility where you did the internship. The main places to find internships are:

• Some colleges and universities offer semester-long internships at health care facilities where you can shadow and observe current RNs.

• Some hospitals sometimes offer internships to recent nursing program graduates who have received their license.

Licenses And Certifications

The license that you need in all states to practice as an RN is the RN license, and this is earned by writing and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. To apply for this examination you need to first graduate from and accredited RN training program. Once you have graduated, you can apply for licensure from your state board of nursing. Requirements can vary from state to state so see what other requirements your particular state may have. If your application is confirmed you can set a date to write the exam. Once you pass you will be licensed. Additional certification needs to be obtained from bodies like the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing and the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing if you want to specialize in a particular area of the nursing field.

Workshops And Seminars

Workshops and seminars are additional RN training options for those RNs who want to keep up to date with current practices in nursing and who want to improve the patient care that they provide. Offered at locations such as resorts and hotels, these conferences and workshops are beneficial for two reasons:

• Usually they are required in order to maintain your RN license as most states state that RNs must present proof of a certain number of hours of continuing education before they can be relicensed.

• They are great opportunities to improve your skill level and boost your resume for your next job.

In-house Workshops

These are workshops offered specifically by the hospital that you work for. The topics offered at these workshops can vary tremendously, but they may include subjects such as:

• Ways to communicate better with patients
• Ways to resolve nursing issues

These in-house workshop[s exist to ensure that the level of nursing care provided by the facility is of the best quality. In some cases, but not in all, these workshops may count towards the continuing RN training credits that you need in order to renew your license on a regular basis. The workshops may be compulsory or they may be voluntary depending on the reasons for the workshop and the policies of the facility where you work.

Professional Conferences

Conferences are hosted by associations such as the American Nurses Association and they usually count towards continuing education credits. Although nurses are usually required to pay for the various fees involved with these conferences themselves, it is usually worth it. It also helps to boost your resume. Topics include subjects like:

• Leadership
• Personal development
• A specific area of nursing

Although topics can vary greatly they are usually specific to improving your skill set as an RN and creating a nursing force across the country that is able to provide the best and most up to date patient care. Attending these conferences whenever possible will give you a chance to network and broaden your career horizons.

Additional Professional Development

There is additional RN training available for nurses who would like to specialize in certain areas, such as midwifery or transplant nursing. This means that you will have the opportunity to advance your educational level and skill set, making you a more attractive candidate for employment and improving your salary as well as the professional respect that you will receive. Nurses who would like to focus on the academic side of nursing will also be able to advance their careers to reach this goal and nurses with a stronger focus on practical work will also have the opportunity to pursue a career with a specific focus on this aspect of nursing. With a little additional training there are few limits on your career opportunities.

RN Specialty Training

Dialysis Training

Dialysis training involves the “the process of purifying the blood in a person’s body that has been made toxic due to the malfunction of the kidneys”. This is just one of the many specialist areas that an RN can qualify in with some additional training. The training is very hands-on and will take approximately 40 to 50 hours of class time.  This will improve your employment opportunities as well as your salary potential.  Training is practical with the options of taking the certification exam offered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nurses and Technology (BONENT). This is not compulsory in most states but it will improve your job opportunities to have certification of this kind.

Operating Room Training

There are several Perioperative certificate and degree programs that will allow you to become an RN with specialization in the operating room environment. There is a voluntary certification examination that you can complete if you meet the following requirements:

• A registered nursing license
• The completion two years and 2,400 hours of nursing experience in an operating room.

This certification will only last for five years. There are three recertification options available, namely:

• A recertification exam, OR
• Achieving a specific number of contact hours, OR
• Creating a professional portfolio that meets the required standards

Although certification is not compulsory, it is highly recommended because many employers will choose a certified RN candidate over a non-certified RN candidate.

IC Training

RNs can also engage in additional training that renders them eligible to work as ICU nurses. ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit and this is the department in a health care facility where the most critical patients are cared for. This path first requires that you become an RN with an RN license. This is not negotiable. Following the acquisition of this license you will then be in a position where you will be able to attend additional training classes and become an ICU nurse. There are several advantages to this training, namely the fact that you could receive excellent benefits. There is a shortage of nurses with this specialization and consequently facilities offer huge incentives to attract professionals with expertise in this area.

Apart from the three specialties mentioned above you can also receive RN training in a variety of other areas including transplant nursing, neonatal nursing, medical surgical nursing, emergency and trauma nursing, as well as wound ophthalmic continence nursing. All specialties will include additional RN training on top of the basic nursing training that you would have already completed in order to qualify to specialize in a specific area of the health care industry. Online RN training is an available option for nurses who do not have a lot of time or money, but this training needs to be treated with caution as there are a number of online RN training programs out there that are not accredited.

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An RN has a very special set of responsibilities, not the least of which includes caring for the needs of patients who are ill or injured. This job can be performed in hospitals, clinics, informal clinics, home care facilities and others, and this means having a range of knowledge and experience. As an RN, you will be required to observe patients and record their histories, establish care plans, give emotional support and advise patients and their families about how to deal with their injuries or illnesses.

How To Become An RN

RN schools are plentiful throughout the United States as this is a field that a lot of people pursue. There are many different types of degree that an RN can pursue, including a bachelors degree in nursing, an associate nursing degree or a diploma. All of these require a set amount of time spent in a formal institution and the student has to pass certain exams.

The associate’s degree takes about two years to complete, though it can be extended to three, depending on the program you choose. The different qualifications you can obtain include:

• Associate’s degree – This course gives you a shorter period in which to complete your qualification and when you do complete it, you can choose to work in a hospital in an entry level position. Taking this choice will give you excellent experience and practice in this field.

• Bachelor’s degree – offered by colleges and universities, this degree takes about four years to complete. However, once you have completed it, you have access to a lot more job opportunities. Typically, this degree will be completed by those who already have an RN qualification in the form of a diploma.

• Nursing diploma – this is the most traditional form of completing your qualification as a nurse and many colleges offer it.

Once you have completed the degree, you will be required to take the nursing exam or NCLEX-RN in order to practice and each state will have its own requirements for RNs.  To become an RN, you will need to study, but you need to be selective about your choice of schools. When looking for a school, you need to consider the cost of tuition, the accreditation of the school and the amount of time it will take for you to complete your studies.

These RN programs will include both formal learning and clinical training so that you can match theoretical knowledge to physical experience when you start in the world of work.

The Better-known RN Schools

Some of the best-known RN schools include:

• The University of Phoenix – with a respected program for those who wish to become RNs or transfer their RN program to BSN, this school is best known for preparing RNs for roles where they will require specialized experience. This includes roles as managers or supervisors and to fulfill this requirement, the school has become accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.

• Jacksonville University – This university has a program that marries formal knowledge to practical experience and covers the fields of ethics and good communication too. This really prepares RNs or those in the healthcare field for the world of work, and gives them the chance to advance in their workplaces.

• John Hopkins University – based in Baltimore, Maryland, John Hopkins is a famed school with an excellent RN program. The school is also linked to a top hospital to provide the best experience, but for that privilege, you will need to pay about $50 000 a year.

• University of Pennsylvania – this university teaches programs under experienced and dedicated lecturers who give the students the best possible information and up to date study aids to ensure they can excel in their field.

• University of Washington – another well-known school, the University of Washington is an exceptional facility that teaches students the skills to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

• Yale – one of the most renowned schools in America, Yale is known for its excellent programs and this includes the RN program.

• Columbia University – this is one of the most respected schools in the field of nursing and offers bachelors, masters and even PhDs.

• Duqense University – for about $26 000 a year, you can attend the Duquense School of Nursing in Pittsburgh.

• Wayne State University – in the heart of Detroit, this university is very well known for its nursing program and offers bachelors, masters and PhDs, with student nurses being able to complete work on campus.

These nursing schools are excellent, but when you are selecting RN schools, you also need to consider how likely it is that you can get there. If you cannot afford a school far away from your home and cannot get financial aid, you may prefer to opt for a school closer to where you live.

Each school will have its own admission requirements but you need to understand that the RN program is not an easy one, and will require a lot of hard work from you. Many require you to maintain a 2.5 GPA and passing the test at the end of your studies will require hard work consistently throughout the years.

RN Schools Should Help You Select A Nursing Specialization

The sign of a good nursing school is one that guides you to select your specialization. Though you may choose to just work in a general hospital environment, many RNs go on to become specialists in a certain area. These can include:

• Medical/surgical nursing which allows you to help those patients who need surgery.

• Cardiac nursing for those patients about to undergo heart transplants and who need help in maintain the health of their hearts.

• Pediatric care for those who prefer to work with children and infants.

• Geriatric nursing which involves working with elderly patients, usually in a special care facility.

• Emergency nursing and critical care is an environment that may seem exciting because of the constant action and drama but only those who like being on their feet constantly and who have a cool temperament should pursue this field.

• Oncology allows for nurses to help those patients who have cancer and need to go through the treatments for this.

• Psychiatric health allows nurses to deal with the side of caring for patients with mental problems.

The specializations mentioned above are only some of those available to you and in your first year of clinical care, you will be exposed to many of these fields. By attending classes and sticking with the program, you can get a wide scope of experience and advice, thus helping you make the best decision for your career.

How Much Do RN Schools Cost?

The costs of this kind of program can be quite high when you consider how much the tuition costs, how much the study materials cost and the length of time needed to complete the program. However, many schools, including the ones listed above do offer financial aid programs, which can be discussed with the school. To find out more about financial aid, you will need to:

• Look online or discuss your requirements with the financial aid officer in your school of choice.

• Apply for financial aid with an essay explaining why you need the aid and for how long.

• Look for other options, such as student loans if the financial aid does not work out.

An RN schools program can cost anywhere from $20 000 to $30 000 and though this is very high, the earning potential once you graduate is high too. For those who cannot afford these costs, scholarships and other forms of financial aid are available. Some of the scholarships available to you include:

• Johnson & Johnson as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives offer some scholarships.

• The National Black Nurse’s Association can help with education for black citizens hoping to pursue a career in nursing.

• Each state will have their own scholarship programs and you can check these with the state medical department.

• You also need to check with the school you hope to attend for any scholarship or grant opportunities. They may have ties to corporate sponsors who can help you apply for financial aid.

• If all else fails, you may have to approach your bank for help and this means a high interest rate, but it also means you won’t have to pay until you graduate.

Careers After RN School

RN is a skill that is very much in demand and this means for those who are currently studying to become an RN, you can look forward to all manner of potential rewards including signing bonuses, flexible work schedules and the chance to continue your education and become more experienced in the field.

One of the major concerns in this industry is that the generation with the most experience and skills is the one on the verge of retirement. This means a huge skills gap that will need to be filled by a new workforce. As a result, RN schools are looking to fill the gap by accepting more applicants in their programs and encouraging youth to study to become RNs. This means that even in the bigger schools, requirements may be flexible and even if you don’t quite have the grades, you might still be accepted to study to become an RN.

Once RNs begin to practice, the earning potential differs from workplace to workplace and this means that it may take you some time to pay off student loans. However, the more experience you gain, the more potential there is to earn and this is why so many RNs choose to study further while they work. You will also find that the amount of money you can make is directly influenced by the state in which you live, as some have more job opportunities and higher salaries than others.

Becoming an RN requires a high level of commitment, both in terms of studying and in working. This is because of the level of skills and the type of personality that is needed to be successful in this career. In terms of personality, you need to be hardworking and tenacious, because the job is such that there will be problems that arise constantly and drama simply due to the nature of the environment.

However, becoming an RN can be very rewarding both in the people you treat and in the salary. In fact, RNs are in such high demand that many of them will be headhunted and may move from hospital to hospital quite often. As long as they are being offered the best pay, this is bound to happen.

When it comes to RN schools, your choice should not simply be made on which is the best, but rather on which is the best for you. Each person who studies to become an RN has their own reasons for wanting to do so, and in many cases they need to find a school that supports this. They also need to find the balance between a school that is right for them in terms of location and where they can get financial aid. Finding this balance can be difficult and may involve going to a lot of different schools to try and compare them.

Once you have found the right school for you that has the right requirements and that can support the goals that you want to reach, you will need to buckle down and work hard, because when you graduate from RN schools, the hard work really starts.

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What To Expect From Your Course

The RN degree forms the foundation of your career in the nursing field and there are three ways of doing this namely:

• Associate’s degree in nursing
• Bachelor’s in nursing degree
• National Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN)

Associate’s Degree In Nursing

This degree can take between two and three years to complete and gives you an opportunity for an entry level position that offers many benefits and opens up the doors to higher degrees as well. This degree is usually the most popular because it doesn’t take so long to complete and students can graduate quicker and enter the job market a lot quicker than with the other degrees. Having an associate’s degree in nursing also counts towards the credits for your Bachelor’s degree in nursing and the nurse can gain valuable practical experience in the field while studying.

Bachelor’s In Nursing Degree

The next step after obtaining the Associate’s degree would be to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. This degree is also obtained by earning credits through your associate’s degree and on the job training as well. Many of these degrees are available with flexible schedules and class rosters to make it easier for nurses to study and work at the same time. There are also many online bachelor’s degree programs available.

National Licensing Examination

The National Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) is essential for a registered nurse to complete in order to have a license to practice. Without completing this examination the nurse’s chances of employment drop drastically and the chances of being able to move forward in your career will also be diminished.

All of these courses can be done by attending classes at a campus, by going to night school or by doing an online accredited course. The type of course you choose will mostly depend on what will be most convenient with your work schedule.

Requirements For Doing A Nursing Degree

Before enrolling for an RN degree there are a few rules and regulations to be aware of.

Academic Standards

In order for you to pass your degree in nursing you would have to show your determination and commitment to your patients. The best way to start doing this is by keeping your grades up to standard.

In order to continue on the program, you will have to keep a 2.0 average across your subjects, which is a fair grade to maintain when you are dedicated to becoming a nurse.

Attendance

When you are doing an online course, the attendance is not really taken into account, but you need to make sure that you spend enough time on each subject and each module that is being handled, especially when you are attending class. Each credit that you earn during your degree is equated to an amount of hours that you should spend on that module.

The hours to credit ratio is usually about three to one. This means that for every credit you will be receiving for the module, you need to spend three hours of studying and work. When you are spending time in class, you are working towards your hours for your credit and if you are doing the degree through the Internet, you need to spend the same amount of time working through your textbooks and doing research as your would have done if you were attending classes at a campus.

Withdrawing From The Course

If you decide that the degree is not what you wanted to do, that you have too many other responsibilities or you want to stop the course for any other reason, you will need to give notice of your intent. The department of nursing has extended the dates for withdrawal from courses and these withdrawal dates depend on the type of course you are attending.

Examinations

Examinations are done for the degree on predetermined dates. When you enroll for the program, you will be notified of when the examinations will take place and the venue for the examination will be confirmed closer to the date. It is very important to keep to these dates and to make sure your schedule is cleared on these dates to attend the examination.

Should you not be able to be at the examination on the determined date, you will need to give your instructor or the invigilator proper notice before the date of the exam and confirm why you will not be able to attend the examination on the date. The instructor will then decide whether a make-up exam will be given to you based on the merit of your excuse and the notice period that was given to the instructor of your absence from the examination.

It is prudent to go through the examinations in order to obtain your degree regardless of which type of degree or which type of course you are attending. The examinations will determine whether you are ready to be sent out into the nursing field and if you are competent enough to obtain your degree.

What Can Make You Fail Regardless Of Your Marks

Being a nurse is about more than just the knowledge of the working environment and the human body. There are many other aspects that need to be taken into consideration when you are a nurse.

Physical Jeopardy

Should a nurse do anything that would threaten the well-being of a patient, they are considered as being in physical jeopardy. This could include not maintaining a safe and hygienic environment and not doing everything possible to contain the threat of the spread of disease. A nurse needs to keep themselves and the patients safe from infection and re-infection at all times.

Any change in a patient’s physical condition needs to be reported to the physician in charge of the patient or on duty as well. Should a student fail to observe the correct procedures, they will fail the course.

Even though the student is still practicing and learning, they have to consider each practical exercise as a real medical emergency and if they show any aggression towards the imagined patient or they do not observe the correct use of restraints to secure the patient without hurting them, the discretion could lead to failing the course.

Giving patients the incorrect information or advice can also lead to them injuring or killing themselves and this is also a great risk to the safety of the patient. The student needs to show knowledge of how to convey information to patients in the correct manner and the knowledge that they can only give informational material to patients that is approved and that is applicable to their condition. Any unauthorized informational material may cause greater harm than good.

Emotional Jeopardy

There are ways to harm another person without laying a hand on them. This is considered emotional jeopardy and can be just as dangerous as physical jeopardy.

Not keeping the information of a patient confidential is a very serious offence as it is in breach of the patient’s human rights. Keeping a patient’s information private is very important and can lead to you losing your job and not being able to work in the industry ever again.

Threatening a patient for which ever reason and in which ever circumstances is a very serious violation as well. A nurse needs to be compassionate and empathetic towards patients in all circumstances and at all times regardless of the patient’s treatment of the nurse.

A situation which is as seemingly innocent as a nurse not being able to control their own anxiety properly can put a patient in jeopardy and will cause a nurse to fail the course. A nurse needs to be in control of the situation. If the nurse is in a state of panic, then the patient could start to stress and this could lead to the distressed patient going into shock and losing their life.

Health And Safety Regulations Of Nursing Schools

Just as in the hospital situation, there is a level of safety that needs to be maintained when going on course. These standards must be upheld as if in the hospital situation. If the health requirements are not met by the student then they will not be allowed to enter the clinical area and can also be prohibited from entering the nursing program.

The nursing student needs to obtain a Tuberculoses clearing. Tuberculosis is highly contagious and can be spread by air which makes it all the more dangerous. If a nursing student does not pass the TB test, they will not be able to practice until they have been cleared. The threat of spreading the disease to patients and other nursing staff is too great.
The student and nurse’s Hepatitis B inoculations will also need to be up to date. The possibility for a nurse to get this disease accidentally from a patient is very great and it is one of the occupational hazards of being a nurse. Proof will have to be supplied of the inoculations being up to date. If they are not, the student or nurse will have to get these inoculations up to date.

Each student is required to have a Tetanus injection as well if they have not had one in the past ten years. Tetanus is spread through blood and a nurse comes into contact with the blood of their patients on a daily basis. Accidental exposure is a very real possibility in this line of study and work.

Because students have to complete a certain amount of on-the-job training they will need professional indemnity insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits from patients. This cover is essential for students and nurses as well in order to work with patients. Without this insurance, the student will not be allowed to do any practical work on patients and will then not be able to complete the relevant modules or credits to pass the course successfully.

Health insurance is also compulsory for nurses. If you do not have health insurance, the chances increase of you not going to the doctor when you need to and serious conditions can go undetected for too long which can then be spread to your patients. It is better to be covered properly to protect yourself as well as your patients.
Another requirement for enrolling in an RN program is a CPR qualification. A nurse and student nurse should be competent and fully versed with all types of CPR on different kind of patients. These certificates have to be current and need to be kept up to date throughout the time of the course.

Licensing

After the degree course has been completed it is important that the student request their transcripts and sends it to the Board of Nursing soon after graduation. The board will then give you information about the NCLEX-RN and how and when to register for this examination.

The Board of Nursing will decide which of the nurses who apply will qualify to take the examination. For this reason you have to apply as soon as possible after graduation so that all of the relevant deadlines are met.

You can apply to write your NCLEX-RN in another state if you intent to work in a state other than the one you did your studies in. The application needs to be submitted in writing and you will then be notified whether your application has been approved or not.

On The Road To A Better Future

To become the best RN that you can be and to climb the ladder to a better career, it is important to go through the process of getting your RN degree. You will be able to work without this degree, but the choices going forward are often limited.

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Applying For The Exam

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN) will be the first board with which you will take an exam. Whilst they do not have a set list of guidelines for eligibility, it is important that you research the State board that you would like to join and research the list of their requirements. Application for many Certification exams can be applied for online; however these methods can differ State to State.

The NCBSN holds its own examination for Registered Nurses, call the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and this serves to aid your License board of choice in deciding whether you are eligible for certification.

In order to register for the Exam, there are two processes that need to be followed:

• Request a Licensure Application with your chosen Board of Nursing – You will need to pay a licensing fee, as well as submit your application materials. Thereafter you will need to obtain a copy of the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin, which can be done via the Board or online.

• Register with Pearson VUE and submit your $200, 00 payment, which can be done by check or credit card.

In some cases, Nursing Schools will register and cover the costs of your certification, so it is important to ensure that all your information is correct.
Once you have completed the aforementioned steps, the NCBSN will send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) They will issue you with a time frame in which to take the exam, which can range from 60 to 365 days, and it is vitally important that you take the exam before this expires, otherwise you will be required to re-register from the very beginning and will have to repay the fee.  Once you have received your ATT, you will need to schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX.
The list of center where you can take the exam are listed on the websitewww.pearsonvue.com

Preparing For The RN Certification Exam

The content of your RN Certification exam will differ from State to State and thus you need to contact your State Board of Nursing to confirm the content you will be required to study. Once you have established this, there a few guidelines that will make your preparation a little easier and hopefully a little less stressful.

• Timeline/Timetable – This can be a vital step in your preparation for your RN Certification Exam. As the NCBSN will give you clearly defined period in which you need to study, adhering to this and planning your study time-table will help you to establish a routine of study that is comfortable and most importantly practical for you. Some boards have a schedule of practical hours that you will need to include and it is best anticipate and plan for the division of your time. It is no use to schedule practical hours and expect that you can conquer an additional 4 hours of study on top of a busy day. A Timetable will spread your work load evenly and prevent burnout.

• Course Material – Ensure you have all the material readily available for when you start studying. It is no use creating a timetable, abiding by it and arriving at a point where you do not possess the material, or are still waiting for a book to arrive. Get all your resources together before you start your studies.

• Study Hours – this is a very personal thing and it can be incredibly helpful to evaluate when you are at your most productive when studying. For some studying at night is the best option, for others studying in the morning is the time when they are most focuses.

• Self-Evaluation – Most exams will come with a blueprint or guide on what is in the exam, as well as allocation of marks per question. Read through this and evaluate yourself on what you already know. This will enable you to identify your weaker points and thus allocate more time to study them.

• Study Partners/Testing Partner – as a recent graduate, you will most likely have a fellow student who you can partner with to study. This can be useful especially when testing each other, as well as sharing knowledge. Some people benefit more from a practical method of study and having a partner can aid in this.

• Practice tests – There are many of these available online and they can help immensely in putting what you have learnt into a definitive test setting.

Some helpful testing websites are:

• www.nursecredentialing.org/SampleQuestions.aspx
• www.testpreview.com
• www.studyguidezone.com/nclexrntest.htm
• www.pearlsreview.com/

The day before the exam should be spent getting all your practical items ready. You will require your ATT letter and a form of identification for the NCLEX-RN exam – current acceptable identification is:

• U.S Driver’s license
• U.S State Identification ( Department of Motor-vehicle issued)
• Passport
• U.S Military Identification

It is not advisable to try and cram as much information in the night before, so ensure that you have covered all your material before the last week or so prior to the exam. The day before should be spent restfully and if you feel you need to, simply skimming over certain chapters. This will ensure that you feel refreshed and ready on the day of the exam. It is a well- known fact that exams are incredibly stressful and especially so, if you feel there is still material you are not comfortable with.
On Exam day it is advised that you arrive early, preferably around 30 minutes before the exam so that you can fill out any additional forms. Ensure that you are comfortably dressed and note that hats, scarves and coats are not permitted to be word during the exam. Read through the exam carefully and establish your pace and what time you feel you need to allocate to certain questions.

Results

Whilst the time frame in which you receive your results may vary according to the Board you have applied to for certification, the average waiting period is about one month. There is a Quick Results Service that you can register for, however it is to be noted that these results are unofficial and you will need to pay a fee. If you are signed up with Quick Results, you can anticipate results in about 48 hours. These are only available in certain states.

Should you fail the exam, you will be sent a Candidate Performance Report which will help you establish which areas you were weak in and will also give you an idea of where you are located in terms of the pass standard. There is a policy that will allow you to retake the examination within 45 days after processing of the exam; however this is also dependent on the Board you are registering with. You will be required to start the registration process from scratch, which includes payment of the $200, 00 fee. Currently the NCLEX-RN exams are permitted to be retaken approximately 8 times per year; however there may be limitations in place dependent on the board you are registering with.

Conclusion

Taking a certification exam is an integral part of your career and should you decide not to take it, will greatly limit where you can work. A certification Exam is something to be proud, as not only have you Educational Institution recognized you, but your skills will be accredited and recognized by an institution that pursues excellence in its profession. The NCLEX-RN exam is the most common certification exam in the U.S, as it forms an umbrella over most state Nursing boards, and it also a recognized certification source for international nurses. The most important factors to consider are your preparation and readiness. These rest on your ability to effectively manage your time, research thoroughly and mentally prepare yourself for the task at hand. Rather than seeing it as an overwhelming prospect, view it as part of your career progression and consider the immense rewards you will sow from the experience.

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The difficulty with online RN programs is that you cannot do a complete study online as required by the state. You would need to have some classroom activity, which means attending classes on campus and doing practical work in a health care facility. This is what is known as blended nursing degree programs. It would mean that the online content would be about fifty percent of the program. The programs offered are usually at the Associate Degree level. This would mean that you would have some qualification already. It is especially best if you are a qualified Registered Nurse already. The next level would be a Bachelor’s Degree if you are already a Licensed Registered Nurse. If you follow the levels carefully you would then earn:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing (as the beginning degree) followed by
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or
• A Nursing Diploma

There are a number of these online RN programs available and institutions as well as the fact that each has its own set of course choices for you to study as well as its own fee structure. You should make sure that you are aware of the licensing as well as the accreditation (or approved programs) of each of these institutions. You might want to do your LRN qualifications by doing the Associate Level courses first, which would give you credits for the next levels. You must remember too that your continuing studies are dependent on the accreditation of the courses that you would be studying.

The Bridging And Qualification Required For Online RN Programs

The online RN programs are available to you for the purpose of continuing your studies toward a higher qualification. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) might be able to accelerate placement into the Associate Degree Nursing Program. The latter is usually the first degree to obtain after which you could continue your studies as far as you would like to take it (and this includes a Doctoral Degree).

Qualifications Obtained

Once you have either an Associate Degree or a Bachelors Degree you could sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and complete your full qualification as a result. This exam would test your competency in nursing studies and nursing practices. The nursing practices would form part of the rest of your studies.

Your qualifications could further include specialization in specific areas in the medical field. You could specialize in working with:

• A specific group of patients, such as children that would make you a part of the pediatric care in health care facilities.

• A specific type of medicine, such as oncology, cardiology, surgical, orthopedic, primary care, Psychiatry, Geriatric and so forth.

• A specific medical setting, such as the emergency room, mental hospitals, operating room, children’s ward, schools and so forth.

Other areas in which you can specialize are:

• Trauma
• Obstetrics
• Gerontology
• Home Health Care
• Pediatrics
• Urology
• Peri-operative Care
• Psychiatry and even
• Holistic Medicine

Some Of The Programs Involved In The Online RN Programs

What you must take into consideration is that these courses are not fully online. Some of the courses that you are able to study online are:

• Introductory Physiology
• Introductory Chemistry
• Introductory Principles of Nutrition
• Psychology
• Elementary Statistics
• Physiology Laboratory
• Nursing Process
• Microbiology
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing Study in Specialized Setting
• Integrated Concepts in Nursing Practice
• Leadership and Management for RNs
• Theory of Clinical Practice
• Community Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Business Communications

These are only a few examples of what you are able to do online. The other areas of your study (that would be the other fifty percent) you would have to do as practical applications. The course and program packages would also be different form institution to institution and you would choose what is best suited to what you would eventually like in which to specialize. With all the courses packaged together you would therefore also be able to obtain credits for the particular qualification for which you have signed up. That means that if you want a higher qualification, you would need to do more credits to add to the online RN programs. There are, however, core credits that would run across all the qualifications. It is also possible that you could make sure that you complete your studies at a faster rate by applying for credit transfers from, for example your Associate Degree to your Bachelors Degree. Some of the Core Credits are:

• Anatomy and Physiology Courses
• Microbiology
• Psychology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Nursing Courses

The Study Program For Online RN Programs

When you do make use of online RN programs, you have to make sure that there are a few aspects in place for you own purposes as well. What this means is that you will be studying online and you would therefore need a few things to make this possible:

• You would need access to a computer or a laptop of your choice.

• You would need to have a good internet connection as you would need to access your study material online, your fellow students as well as you lecturers.

In some instances you would need to purchase textbooks as well and you would have to calculate this into your overall cost for the program. These books you could, however, purchase secondhand as well, which would diminish your expenses significantly.

Accreditation For The Online RN Programs

It is of great importance that you make sure that all the online RN programs you research and choose are accredited. There are many schools that would clearly point out that they are accredited, but for others you would need to make doubly sure. There are different places where you could find out whether the school you wish to attend has accreditation. You could find out through the:

• Board of Registered Nursing, as they have a list of all the schools that would offer accredited programs for you.

• The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) that would provide accreditation to different types of nursing qualification programs such as Masters, Bachelors, Associate Degree and Diploma.

• If you do a Masters or a Bachelors Degree, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) would accredit these programs.

• The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) would accredit your nurse anesthesia program at certificate, Masters and Doctoral degree level.

• Midwifery education programs are accredited by The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation (ACNM).

Most of the courses and institutions are listed on their websites and it is therefore easy to have a look at, which of the institutions are accredited. The NLNAC and the CCNE are the major institutions that would provide an institution with accreditation. You should also note that most of the universities that offer the Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral Degrees would most probably be accredited. The accreditation time-frame is also limited to a specific period in some instances. Before you apply for accreditation of your courses, you do have to check whether the accreditation has an expiry date and whether the place had renewed their accreditation.

The importance of accreditation of online RN programs is based in the fact that, should you not study at an accredited institute, you would not be able to further your qualifications at an accredited school. This is because most universities that are accredited cannot accept non-accredited courses into their program. The universities would look at your Nursing courses that you have completed at other institutions, evaluate these on an individual basis and grant the appropriate credit level, to a maximum of forty-one credits. What is also important to note here is that, should you receive accreditation for most of your courses, that this will significantly decrease the length or period of your studies.

The Cost Of Online RN Programs

The cost of online RN programs would vary from one school to another. Most of the courses would be charged at per credit rate. This could make it quite expensive as apposed to a flat rate. You would therefore need to be ready to pay as little as $100 to more than $300 dollars per credit (up to $700 per credit). For online programs at public universities you would generally pay between $110 and $170 per credit. These costs would exclude registration or enrollment fees or any other fees such as accommodation and so forth. It is important to note that you are not charged for out-of-state tuition for the online RN programs.

There are also a number of additional expenses such as:

• Books that could cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per year.

• The cost of your uniforms, your shoes and a few pieces of medical equipment which are required for the nursing program can cost between $160 and $300.

• You would also need to pay an acceptance fee that may range from $80 to $600.

• While you are in the program, you are also required to have insurance for hospitalization or proof that you have individual cover for the duration of the nursing program, which could cost around $1,600.

• Added to this is your nursing license testing fee of $200, which you should be ready to pay once you have obtained your degree. This is a state-administered exam in order for you to receive your nursing license so that you can practice as a nurse.

• Your overall cost from an LPN to a BSN is around $19,000.

There are many scholarships and other means of financial aid available to you. It would therefore not be difficult for you to study as there are also study loans available. All you need to do is contact the financial administrator at your choice of university and find out what is available and for what type of aid you would qualify. You do have to take into consideration as well that the cost does increase with each year you progress to and as you improve you level of studies. However, as already mentioned, you do have loans and scholarships available for you to complete your entire online RN programs.

Some Schools For Online RN Programs

There are a number of schools through which you can obtain the degree you would like to do. The ones that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are randomly listed here:

• Capstone College of Nursing
• University of Wyoming Nursing
• Stratford University – School of Nursing
• Midwestern State University
• University of South Carolina
• Pennsylvania State University
• Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University
• New York University
• Walden University
• University of Illinois Chicago
• Liberty University
• Kaplan University
• Chamberlain College of Nursing Online

The importance of making your choice is that you would look at the courses offered in the online RN programs, the accreditation as well as the cost of the entire package. This will assist you greatly in getting the best for your academic education, finances as well as for your further studies in this field.

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If you have chosen to pursue your RN degree, you may be looking at the study options – an on-campus setting or online. Making up your mind to follow one course over the other will need to be thoroughly evaluated.

Make Sure Your Online Nursing School Is Accredited

When researching which online school you want to attend, the most important thing is to determine if the institution is accredited or not, and also by whom. Accreditation is your college or universities stamp of approval for delivering a quality education. This will ensure the student is properly trained and that the public can know that the nurses attending to them received the proper training. Accreditation is granted by accrediting agencies as well as private associations who establish the educational standards for online schools. There are different resources to determine if a school is accredited:

• The US Department of Education – they list thousands of post-secondary institutions and programs accredited by organizations recognized by them.

• The Council for Higher Education Association – they also list thousands of schools and programs accredited by them or the USDE.

• The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission – they are also responsible for accrediting and approving RN programs in the United States.

You Can Access Your Courses Whenever You Want

Once these online courses start you can access the course whenever you want and work when it is convenient for you. While most courses also have their due dates for assignments, you are most times given the course syllabus at the start of the course and are given a number of weeks notice to complete the assignments.

There are three primary educational paths to becoming a registered nurse, and these are a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing as well as a diploma from an approved nursing program. After completing one of these, the RN will earn a license by taking and passing a national licensing examination. Training programs are made up of a mix of classroom instruction as well as supervised clinical experience in a health care facility.

All nursing degree programs require a certain level of practical training and online RN schools are just the same as regular campuses. Because of the distance learning, students are required to find a hospital or other health care facility which is close to them where they can do their practical training. Some online schools already have established working relationships with health care facilities and they recommend these to their online students.

You Can Still Interact With Instructors When Studying Online

These online courses are much the same as traditional courses. Prospective online students need not worry that by taking courses on-line, they will not have the liberty of interacting with instructors when they don’t understand work. Students won’t be interacting face to face but there will be plenty of interaction via email as well as on-line discussions.

The type of computer equipment you need for on-line RN schools will vary from program to program but whichever on-line program you opt for, you will need Internet connection and also have an email account so that your instructors can communicate with you and so that you can send off assignments.

Some Top Online RN Schools

You are encouraged to request free information from the schools you apply to and which interest you to get an idea of what each one offers. Some of the best ones are:

• Walden University – they have a reputable track record in online higher education and they have thousands of students who make use of their online programs worldwide. Their online degree programs are developed to help students to advance their knowledge in the best way.

• Kaplan University – they offer online education to students in nursing. Some of the nursing degrees offered are a master of science in nursing and master of science in nurse administration.

• Western Governors University – they are a private, nonprofit, online university. Your online degree is based on passing rigorous assessments that measure your skills and knowledge in your field of study. They offer 50 degree programs.With this University you enjoy plenty of advantages:
  • a mentoring team who are committed to your success
  • an online learning model that gives you flexibility and control over your education
  • the university has received accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions
• they offer affordable tuition with the possibility of accelerated learning that equals lower costs for your education.

• California Coast University – they provide degree completion programs designed for students whose geographic, professional, or personal time commitments prevent them from completing their education at regular on-campus programs.

• Southern New Hampshire University – they are dedicated to helping students realize their goals. They offer their students a flexible schedule and the staff are quick to respond to queries.

Different Types Of Registered Nurses

You also get other types of registered nurses; like nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, and they will require even more specific, advanced and specialized training. Registered nurses will work in all kinds of different settings and they will need to be well trained to slot effectively into the setting they select.

What Is The Best Online School?

That will depend entirely on you and what you are expecting from the. There are fantastic resources on the Internet, and they will give you an idea of what the best online schools are. One such site is Online-Colleges-and-Degrees.com.

Online Courses Are Quick And Easy

For many registered nurses, attending a nursing school is impossible for them, and then online RN schools become an excellent alternative. Many of these online nursing schools allow you to get your associate’s degree and qualify for your RN license. Even if you just want to take one or two courses for another degree program you can. The amazing this is that these online courses only last for about six weeks. Some nurses are inclined to think that doing a course online means an inferior type of education; with certain things being left out. Nothing could be further than the truth, because you will not only be amazed at the number of schools offering nursing degrees online degrees, but you will be amazed at the range of degree levels that nursing online schools have available:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – education to become a registered nurse

• RN-to-BSN – a fast track for registered nurses who hold a nursing diploma or an associate’s degree to earn their BSN

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – for nurses looking for an advanced practice nursing career for nurses look to specialize

• Nursing Doctorate – for nurses who want to achieve leadership positions in clinical research or advanced clinical practice for instance.

The instructor will post lecture materials as well as assignments on the website, and if, as a student, you want to ask questions they will have a bulletin board where you can put forward your questions or post comments. Sometimes the instructor will notify students that they are available for comments and questions and a specific time. Once a student has completed an assignment, it will need to be emailed to the instructor.

Most online programs allow students to the course work at their own pace, and this is the beauty of online courses in that students who are working are able to study online at times that suit them. Many working nurses have got other responsibilities and can’t to attend classes every day. Online nursing also requires a lot of commitment and is also demanding, but it is the flexibility that nurses appreciate. Studying on-line also saves having to get to college and waste a lot of time in heavy traffic. Some classes and degrees can be completed at an accelerated pace.

When Can You Start Online Programs?

If the online program is self-paced you can start any time convenient to you. Bear in mind that some online programs are structured to be similar to traditional programs and then they will have a designated starting time.

How Much Do These Online Schools Charge?

You cannot just give one price because there are so many variables which need to be considered. For instance, is the online school a state school or a private school? What course are you taking? The more programs you include the more costly. Prices will vary from school to school and program to program. You will also need to add in registration or enrollment fees.

Online RN Schools And Financial Aid

The purpose of financial aid for those wanting to become a registered nurse is to help students and families meet educational expenses that cannot be met through their own resources. Students who enroll in these online degree programs are most times eligible for the same types of scholarships and financial aid as students who enroll in traditional programs. You can apply for Federal Student Aid, grants and scholarships as well as student loans. To find out about financial aid and how to calculate how much your online school will cost and how much aid you will need, you can visit finaid.org for more information. Whichever college or university you are studying with, they will be happy to help you apply for any financial aid that you may qualify for. If you find that Federal and State Aid is not enough, you can apply for other grants and scholarships as well.

Conclusion

If you believe online RN schools are for you, you must do a bit of research and find the program that fits your schedule, your lifestyle and your budget. A convenient way of getting an idea of online nursing programs is to do a search for accredited online RN programs. Once you find a list of accredited schools, you can contact them for more information. Most of them will have online application forms or you can even call the college or university and request information from the. The fact that there is no travel time, you work at your own pace and you enjoy flexibility has made online education hugely popular.

As with any education program, to enjoy the benefits you need to adhere to their requirements. Have you got all the appropriate prerequisites? To be accepted into some university’s RN degree programs, you may first need to have an associate’s RN degree as well as a minimum GPA from high school. They will also insist that you have access to the appropriate technology, and if you don’t, while you plan to get fixed up, do you have access to a computer at a library or Internet cafe?

Nursing is a wonderful profession, and if you don’t have a nursing degree, giving up your job and going back to school full-time to become a registered nurse just isn’t going to work out for you. But you can certainly make an online nursing degree work for you. There are numerous kinds of nursing degrees offered online through the different medical facilities and if you want to, there is a perfect online nursing program for you. Most people just love the fact that they can keep their jobs and go to school at the same time.

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Students who want to do the RN program should complete prerequisite courses. The prerequisites are Biology, English, statistics, sociology, chemistry, physics and psychology. The actual RN course involves more complex studies into human anatomy, pharmacology and medical science for example. Registered nurses may choose to advance their careers further through more education, and some options include becoming a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist for instance, and then the registered nurse must earn a master’s degree in nursing.

RN Tuition Requires Passing A Licensing Exam

You will see registered nurses assigning tasks to licensed practical nurses as well as nursing assistants. They are nurses because they want to contribute to helping others towards better health. What sets them aside from other nurses is that they have graduated from a nursing program at a nursing college or university and have passed a licensing exam. Their scope of practice is determined by the regional college or government responsible for health care in the particular region they find themselves in, and they determine what is legal practice for registered nurses and what is not as they perform their daily tasks.

Being a registered nurse requires working long and hard hours, but the RN tuition they have received will stand them in good stead to receive a lucrative salary along with other perks for their hard work.

Accredited RN Tuition

When you start looking for a college for your nursing education you will need to take into account things like distance to travel, whether to do a campus based program or online program, and most importantly, whether the college is accredited. There are organizations whose job it is to accredit nursing programs. The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission, NLNAC, is one, and they review programs offered at different institutions. Attending an accredited school gives you more professional and educational flexibility, as there are some places of employment that will close their doors to you if your training was not done through an accredited program. Everyone wants to know that certain regulations and standards apply, and they have this certainty with accredited RN tuition programs.

How Long Does RN Tuition Take?

The time it takes to become a registered nurse is not set in stone and will sometimes vary according to the person’s previous education and what time they have at their disposal to study. Licensing and regulations will also have an effect on how long it takes to enter the profession.

Online Tuition

There are some people who opt for Online RN Tuition, and there are various online nursing schools that allow you to earn your associate’s degree online and qualify for your RN license. The way it works is that the instructor will post lecture materials as well as assignments to the site and you will then email your assignments to your instructor. There is also always place for students to ask questions as well. The beauty of online studying is that you can be working any time of the day or night that you like.The classes are structured in such a way that within 6 – 8 weeks they should be complete.

Another thing is that online students are most times eligible for the same types of scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional programs.

There are many online nursing colleges and universities; two well-known ones are:

• Kaplan University – Programs: MS in Nursing, RN to MS in Nursing, RN to BS in Nursing

• University of Phoenix – largest private university in North America. Available online in most countries around the world. Try them for your associate’s degree, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. Programs are M.S. in Nursing, MS in Nursing where RN is required and BS in Nursing where RN is required.

So What Does RN Tuition Encompass?

The world is rife with problems, and stress is taking its toll on the health and habits of people, young and old. Drugs are a massive problem today as people seek to escape from illness, unemployment, abuse and trauma. There has never been a better time to consider becoming a registered nurse, particularly with the shortage of good qualified nurses, and a growing population of people in need of health care. Psychiatric nurses help patients who are mentally ill, suffering from mental stress caused by a range of traumatic events. To become a psychiatric nurse, you must first earn a nursing degree.

There are several areas of nursing, and a registered nurse must receive training in several of the basic areas of nursing. Courses to become a registered nurse are found in associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in nursing.

The Associate Degree in Nursing program prepares students for careers in the medical healthcare field as a registered nurse. The degree can be completed in about two years and students learn basic nursing skills while preparing for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses -NCLEX-RN. Those entering into the program must have a high school diploma and some programs will require things like maths to gain access to the major courses offered within an ADN program. Some of the course topics will include:

• Nursing Pharmacology
• Health assessment
• Psychology
• Clinical nursing
• Basic nutrition
• Microbiology
• Maternity Nursing
• Medical-Surgical
• Mental Health……. and others

The Mental Health Registered Nurse

They provide nursing care to mentally ill and disabled patients and are responsible for overseeing all medical and nursing procedures. Some of their duties will include assessing the patient’s psychological and physical condition, carrying out the orders of the physician, carrying out therapeutic treatments, evaluating the patient’s response to treatment, keeping records of findings, and also delegating certain types of care to ancillary nursing personnel.

The minimum RN tuition qualifications are that the nurse possesses a valid Registered Professional Nurse’s License at the time of appointment to the position of mental health registered nurse.

Becoming A Registered Midwife Nurse

They hold a master’s or doctoral degree and provide gynecological and prenatal care. They also assist with delivery of the baby.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing is your ticket for entrance into graduate nursing programs that teach midwifery. The BSN program takes about four years to complete and the nurse will get clinical experience inside and outside of hospitals. Accelerated BSN programs will be much shorter and will generally last 12-18 months. There are a number of nurse-midwifery graduate programs which require the applicant to have a year of clinical experience.

Those with a special interest in midwifery will find that there are a number of universities offering nurse-midwifery programs which are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. The Master of Science in Nursing or the Doctor of Nursing Practice awarded for these programs can take about two years to complete.
There are some states that want additional certification for nurse-midwives, and these candidates must have a current RN license and completed a nurse-midwifery master’s or doctoral program accredited by ACME.

What About Financial Help For RN Tuition?

Fortunately private and government options are available to assist students to attend a nursing school. One of the best ways is to fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA. Once the application has been filed, a Student Aid Report will be sent to you which will determine the government financial aid you qualify for. AllNursingSchools is a fantastic resource for grants and scholarships, and for more financial aid information, you can visit their website at: http://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-careers/article/nursing-scholarships-grants

Conclusion

All nursing education includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals as well as other health facilities. With the Department of Labor predicting that the number of nurses needed is growing dramatically, the demand for nurses, and particularly registered nurses means a bright job prospect outlook. In spite of there being a demand for nurses, there are only so many that can fill a position, so it makes sense to be the best you can and to invest in your education to give you that edge in the job market. Achieve the RN tuition you need to turn your nursing dreams into reality.

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