Registered Nurse Requirements: Getting Your Degree

The Registered Nurse field is constantly expanding, with thousands of jobs added each and every year. There are specific requirements that each individual will have to meet to become a nurse and practice as a Registered Nurse. Some of these requirements will change based on state location and based on the kinds of jobs that future nurses want to hold.

The very first requirement you must satisfy to become a registered nurse involves schooling. While many people who enter into the field will begin with an associates degree, persons that wish to become registered nurses need to complete their bachelors degree. This degree typically takes four years and is going to prepare students for the tests they will take as they work to become registered. Courses that students are expected to take include basic science courses, like microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Students also are required to take nursing-directed courses and will also learn different elements of nutrition and psychology. Individuals must attend an accredited college to complete their requirements to become a registered nurse - these are a few of the classes that are required by that accreditation.

Students must then work to pass the NCLEX-RN. This is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and it's required by every state in the united states. Other than this test, students must go through clinical hours as dictated by their state’s requirements for registered nurses. Students will find that they are going to have to find hands-on apprenticeships in a variety of healthcare situations to meet these requirements.

If you want to concentrate on a specialized area you may be required to become credentialed in the discipline. Even though it is not mandatory, most employers won't hire people who do not hold special credentials. The fields you might need credentials in include ambulatory nursing, pediatric nursing, and gerontology nursing. Look for credentialing courses and programs that are certified by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

If you plan on going after an advanced care position you will need to take additional classes and work to receive your master's degree. Advanced practice nurses can hold many different positions that include nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists. These types of jobs are often allowed to prescribe medication and perform more active physical care compared to the average nurse. There are particular licensure exams that must be taken, which will vary based on the state you reside in.

There are several registered nurse requirements, and for good reason. Nurses are often relied on to give treatment to patients and have to be proficient in their actions. There are many jobs for individuals who satisfy registered nurse requirements, with the field expected to grow by over 500,000 jobs in the next ten years. While it might take you over four years to obtain the education and pass the training requirements needed to become a registered nurse, you can know that there will be employment openings waiting for you upon completion.