How Do Rns Differ From Other Types Of Nurses
LPN vs. RN
While the differences between what RNs and LPNs â also known as licensed vocational nurses, or LVNs â are allowed to do vary by state, their duties often overlap. As a whole, RNs have more education, more stringent licensing requirements, and more responsibilities than LPNs. Many RNs are in charge of supervising LPNs.
Meanwhile, LPNs are primarily responsible for general patient care and aren’t allowed to make independent patient medical care decisions. They also don’t typically work in a particular specialty area.
Advanced practice registered nurses have more education and a greater scope of patient responsibility than both RNs and LPNs. Unlike RNs, these health professionals must hold at least a master’s degree and can provide primary care to patients, which often includes prescribing medications, assessing medical test results, and making diagnoses.
The main types of APRNs are nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
How Previous Career Experiences Equip You To Thrive As A Nurse
No matter the industry of your previous career, youve almost certainly cultivated the experiences and skills youll need to be a successful nurse. While clinical knowledge is essential, any number of soft skills will see you through a career in nursing and allow you to reach new heights in your new career. So, even if youre going back to nursing school as a 30-year-old, 40-year-old, or older, see how your previous professional expertise is bound to help you settle into this new career.
Applying To Nursing School
What are the BSN programs in Oregon?
Oregon Health and Science University offers programs at its Portland campus as well as its partner universities in the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education around the state:
- Eastern Oregon University
- Western Oregon University
- Southern Oregon University
- Oregon Institute of Technology
Several community colleges in Oregon are also partners in the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education and in addition to the ADN offer the OHSU bachelors degree on their campus with similar prerequisite and entry requirements.
- Clackamas Community College
- Mt. Hood Community College
- Lane Community College
- Southwestern Oregon Community College
- Rogue Community College
- Umpqua Community College
- Blue Mountain Community College
There are five private nursing schools in Oregon, all in the Portland area:
- Concordia University
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You Have To Pass The Nclex Exam
You have your nursing degree from your nursing program, but your nursing career doesnt quite begin until you pass the dreaded NCLEX exam.
The NCLEX is the gatekeeper for the nursing profession and while I would love to tell you its going to be a breeze to pass, its not.
Dont get me wrong, its doable. So many students before you have passed, but it will require you to stay focused and dedicated a little while longer.
Ive written many articles on how to be successful on the NCLEX, so you can use the search bar on the site to find them. Just search for NCLEX, and youll see all of them.
Heres a few resources you can check out.
Identify The Level Of Nursing Education Youll Need
As you inch closer toward determining the type of nurse youd like to become, youll want to start looking into the specifics surrounding the educational commitment that will be expected of you. If youre looking to become an LPN, for example, you can earn your diploma in as few as 12 months.*
If youre more partial to the job responsibilities and opportunities that could await you as an RN, you can earn your ADN in as few as 18 months, while the traditional BSN route is more likely to take as few as 33 months.* If youve already obtained a bachelors degree in a different field and youd like to pursue a BSN as your second degree, you can complete a program in closer to 18 months.*
There is also an option for practicing RNs who are not yet baccalaureate-qualified to earn a BSN in as few as 18 months with online RN to BSN programs.* And finally, if youre hoping to take your career even further with an MSN, youll need to first earn your BSN and then complete at least another 18 months of schooling to become Masters-qualified.*
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Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing often takes four years to complete. This degree is ideal for those who want to learn the full professional scope of nursing as a career choice. There may be additional job and salary opportunities at this level as well.
Registered Nurses who have earned bachelors degrees are more likely to be employed in hospital settings, rather than medical offices or other types of care facilities. Becoming an RN with a bachelors degree can also mean higher entry-level salary requirements and further educational opportunities down the road.
LPNs or RNs who are seeking a bachelors degree may be eligible for LPN-BSN or RN-BSN programs, which typically take one to three years to complete. Because these candidates already have prior education and licensure in nursing, they can put those prior credits toward their bachelors degree and finish faster than a traditional 4-year program.
Accelerated BSN programs are another option for career changers who may have a bachelors degree in another field and would like to become a nurse. State-approved accelerated BSN programs – like 4-year BSN programs – allow the graduate to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam at the end of their program.
Tips & Requirements For Older Adults Who Want To Go To Nursing School
- Pick a program that suites your career goals! There are two ways to become a registered nurse and this is through an associates degree or bachelors degree program. Read about the differences between ADN and BSN degrees and how long they each take.
- Do you already have a bachelors degree in something else? If you do, then I have great news for you: You can get a bachelors degree in nursing through an accelerated or second-degree nursing program in as little as 1 ½ to 2 years . So, before you apply to a nursing program make sure you look for these types of programs. You will save time and money!
- Youll need a high school diploma or G.E.D! Make sure you have earned one or the other. You will need one of these before you can apply to any type of nursing program.
- Study for the COMPASS exam! If you are under the age of 21, you will have to take an exam called the COMPASS exam. Students who are under 21 take the ACT or SAT and the COMPASS is similar.
This exam tests you are basic things you should have learned in high school, and some universities will have you take remediation classes to bring you up to speed, if you dont do well on this exam. I recommend you get a Compass study guide .
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What Happens After You Graduate From Nursing School
Jun 9, 2016 | Blog, Nursing Students
Graduation. Its the moment that all nursing students look forward to, but what happens after this highly anticipated day? A lot of what happens next depends on how well you prepared during your last semester.
Here are a few tips to help guide you.
In order to be eligible to take the NCLEX after you graduate from nursing school, you must apply for licensure/registration with your states Board of Nursing/regulatory body, as well as register to take the NCLEX exam with Pearson VUE. The cost of applying for licensure and Pearson VUE registration varies from state to state. Be sure to set aside several hundred dollars for this purpose. It also takes some time for your registration to process, so plan ahead and talk to your instructors about how far in advance they recommend applying for your specific state.
For more information on this process, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website here.
Transitioning From Teacher To Nurse
Its by no means uncommon for an adult whos already built up a career to look to make a change. We rarely stay the same as we age, and our priorities shift along with our career goals. For many, nursing is a welcome career shift that involves directly caring and making an impact on individuals in need. Hear from Heather Hay, a Marian ABSN student who made the change to nursing after years in her career.
As a former teacher and mother of five, Heather had a different path toward the nursing profession than most. About seven years ago I got cancer, she shares. When I was going through treatment, I had the most amazing nurse. She was truly an angel to me, and I would watch how she would take care of me and others. I was taken aback with her kindness and gentleness, and I truly feel that it was her and other nurses that saved my life.
At first, Heather was hesitant about nursing school, saying, since then Id wanted to go back, but I was unsure if I had the abilities or the intelligence to. My background was in liberal arts and music and education. I was one of the students who didnt have any higher-level science or math experience.
However, for students with a previous non-nursing bachelors degree like a degree in education Marians Adult Programs make prerequisites accessible and forms a solid foundation. My personal nurse said, Heather, just try it, so I started going back and taking my prerequisite courses.
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Earn A Bsn Or An Adn Degree
A four-year BSN degree offers an in-depth education in multiple disciplines and training in leadership, interpersonal communication, and clinical nursing. A two-year ADN degree covers nursing fundamentals and offers the fastest track to becoming a registered nurse, aside from an accelerated BSN program which lets those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field graduate in as little as one year.
Can You Transfer Into Nursing School After 2 Years Undergrad
< p> I would love to go to Hunter College but I heard that one is not accepted into the nursing school until 2 years of undergrad, THEN you apply for the nursing school. So I guess it’s not direct entry. And I also heard that it’s super competitive and there is only 100 spots. This is super risky because what if I don’t make it ya know? Then I have to wait a whole year to re-apply. :(< /p>
< p> So I was wondering if one could start transfering into say, NYU’s nursing program at the beginning of the 2nd year at CUNY as long as you’ve taken the required classes in the pre-nursing route ?< /p>
< p> Probably the smart thing to do is to apply for some transfers to other colleges in addition to applying to the nursing major at your own college. There are some colleges that only offer nursing the last 2 years, particularly below the Mason-Dixon Line. < /p>
< p> There is at least one school that is a 2 year long program that only accepts transfers from other colleges – Thomas Jefferson University in Phila.< /p>
< p> If a student doesn’t get into the nursing program at their own college and doesn’t want to transfer, the next option is to put yourself in a good position to quickly complete a nursing program for people with non-nursing bachelors degrees. The more required classes you can complete at your first college, the quicker you can complete the second program. Many of those programs are accelerated.< /p>
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Diploma In Practical Nursing
Earning your diploma in practical nursing is the fastest way to jumpstart your nursing career as a licensed practical nurse . LPNs provide basic nursing care and work closely with registered nurses and physicians in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, hospice and urgent care clinics.
Demand for LPNs is expected to grow by 12 percent through 2026, adding more than 88,000 new jobs, according to 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage for LPNs was $46,240 in May 2018, with the top ten percent earning more than $62,160. Find the average licensed practical nurse salary in your state.
Many nurses start out by becoming an LPN before choosing to advance their education and nursing career through an associate, bachelors or masters degree program.
Compare LPN vs. RN and discover the main differences so you can better determine if youd like to start out as an LPN or start working towards becoming an RN right away.
Excelling In People Skills
People skills are one of the first skillsets we develop, from the time we first enter school as children and throughout our careers. As someone whos gathered experience and made connections in your first career, you understand that people skills are essential to getting ahead and advancing as an employee.
As a nurse, youll quickly learn that theres more to the profession than administering care and carrying out nursing techniques. Youll always be working as a team in a unit, and its your goal to make patients as comfortable as possible while under your care. Some of the people skills youve developed can be put to good use by:
- Communicating effectively with doctors and fellow nurses.
- Fostering and encouraging a team spirit as you take on each day.
- Communicating clearly and effectively with patients and loved ones to:
- Keep them in the know on their medical situation.
- Properly prepare them for medical procedures.
- Form a personal bond and make a frightening situation more approachable.
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Reasons Why Nurses May Want To Become Medical Doctors
There are some nurses who have always dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, but college happens, life happens and things change. Nursing sometimes is the next best option. It is only after being in the field and seeing the differences between nurses and doctors do those individuals desire this career path again.
Others want to be more helpful to their patients. Some want more responsibilities including more invasive procedures or overseeing the team. There is a milieu of reasons why someone would want to become a doctor it is a decision that should not be made lightly. It impacts not only the nurse but also their family and friends. Medical training is long and carries a heavy financial burden.
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What You Can Do With This Certificate
After earning a state-approved certificate, youll be qualified to take your states CNA competency exam. With certification, you can apply for jobs in which youll work with patients under the direction of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, depending on the laws of your state.
Per the B LS, CNAs across the country earn an average annual wage of $30,720, with those working in medical and surgical hospitals making slightly above average.
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Which Is The Faster Route To Nursing Practice
Is the ADN a quicker route to employment as a nurse? There are some accelerated options out there, but in some instances, the associates is actually longer. At Penn State, a second bachelors is an intensive experience that can be completed in 16 months if the prerequisites have been done. And the associates? The Penn State Nursing FAQ notes that even with a prior degree, it will still run two years.
When its time to enter the job market, will you be at any advantage because you have a bachelors, even though its not in nursing in addition to your nursing degree? Some. Still, it depends on the local job market. Some competitive positions are going to favor those with a BSN and more advanced nursing coursework. Degree level could also be an issue if you decide to go on to graduate school and advanced practice. Schools like San Diego State University and Ball State University do consider RNs who have a bachelors in another field for admission to MSN programs. However, additional coursework is required prior to entry.
One thing you may want to consider is articulation between programs. Will it be relatively easy to continue taking classes if you decide you want to as you progress up the nursing ladder?
You Might Have To Accept Your First Job Offer
Let me first say when starting your nursing job, you should always try to negotiate your salary . Ive said that numerous times and I still stand by that statement.
But heres the thing unless you have prior healthcare experience, youre probably going to have a hard time negotiating your pay when youre hired.
The reason for that is because when negotiating salary, it helps if youre coming from a position of strength .
As a new grad nurse, you lack the experience. Therefore its unlikely you will be negotiating from a position of strength. Most likely, youll get a no on a higher starting pay, and thats ok. You should still try anyway.
New Nurse Academy
Graduating from nursing school is a joyful time, but it quickly leads to a lot of stress once you start working as a new nurse. Check out the course that helps new nurses bridge the gap and transition smoothly to becoming a nurse.
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