You will find 3 nursing designations in the United States. They’re licensed practical nurse (LPN) or, in some states, licensed vocational nurses (LVN), registered nurse (RN) and in the pinnacle, nurse practitioner (NP).
Today, we’ll take glimpse at the educational tracks to a Registered Nursing career. You will find three major ones. Very first, will be the associate’s degree (AND) from an approved (accredited) nursing plan. This is a two-year degree. 2nd, the bachelor’s degree (BSN), also from an approved (accredited) nursing plan last but not least, but less typical, a diploma from an approved (accredited) nursing program. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about three years.
Many Registered nurses have cherished successful careers that has a diploma, in contrast to an AND or BSN degree, and found it to be no barrier to succeeding of their job.
Whatever the path, to become a RN you must pass the NCLEX-RN to get a nursing license. The acronym translates to National Council Licensure Examination-Registered nurse and passing the exam is really a requirement of all State and territorial nursing boards. The test is based on patient requirements and even probes the depth of understanding the prospective RN has acquired concerning the concepts of nursing. Below are outlines will give you some insight.
The NCLEX-RN exam emphasizes acquired knowledge and is particulary geared to what the patient needs. Listed below are some sample topics.
Developing a safe and efficient recuperative environment
Care regimens
Protocols to maintain patient safety and mitigate infection risks
Maintaining healthy lifestyle and safety measures
Fostering resumption of normal life to victims of violence, trauma & disaster
Restoring normalcy to the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions
Fundamental Care and Attention
Ingested and intravenous, intra-muscular, or subcutaneous drug therapies
Minimizing potential risks
Promoting patient adaption to loss of mechanical, physical, or biochemical function
Although many of the questions are multiple choice, recent tests have included questions requiring broader answers. Some examples are shown below:
Match a certain section within the image of a body part that relates to the question
Choose 1 or more correct answers by checking a box
Answer mathematical questions relating to dosages, etc
Place the elements of a medical or nursing procedure in the right sequence
From the image of a body part, select the specific area that relates to the question
All states require periodic renewal of licenses, and many states require continuing education.
Growth within the nursing career is exploding as baby boomer’s transition into retirement swelling ranks of folks having greater need for medical care. A 23% boost in demand representing some 597,000 new jobs in RN is forecast through 2016.
Much of this growth will be with home medical care services, doctor’s offices and outpatient care centers. Hospitals are releasing patients sooner and people generally prefer the thought of convalescing at home. Physicians are performing more in office procedures as technology advances. Outpatient care centers are on the rise as weapon against high health care expenses associated with the standard hospital setting. This ‘perfect storm” leads to expanding work opportunities across the healthcare spectrum, but especially so for that RN.
According to the Gallup poll, for seven years running, nurses lead the list of most respected professions. If you seek job security, respect and fulfillment, registered nursing is an excellent profession choice.
Winston P. McDonald enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells cherokee scrubs, baby phat scrubs and urbane scrubs as well as a host of additional products.