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How To Be A Registered Nurse Essay

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Associate's Degree Programs

An associate's degree in nursing (ADN) includes courses in anatomy, nursing, nutrition, chemistry, microbiology among others. You'll also be required to take general liberal arts classes. Earning an ADN is the most popular option for registered nurses and opens the door to entry-level staff nurse positions which will provide you with hands-on experience in the medical field.

This is the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse as most associate's degree programs last about two to three years.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

An aspiring RN can earn a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) in four years at a college or university. If you're already an RN, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program which is geared specifically …show more content…

After completing your degree program, you'll need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

In order to sit for the exam, you'll need to apply for a nursing license from your state board of nursing. Since each state has different eligibility criteria, check with your state board to ensure you've met the requirements in order to take the exam.

The NCLEX exam covers four "categories of needs," according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing:

Safe, effective care environment: Management care and safety and infection control
Psychosocial integrity: Coping and adaptation and psychosocial adaptation
Health promotion and maintenance: Growth and development through the life span and prevention and early detection of disease
Physiology integrity: Basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies, reduction of risk potential and physiological adaptation
NCLEX is a registered trademark and/or servicemark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing,

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