So you have decided to become a nurse. AWESOME.
And if you found your way to this blog you are in for a treat. I am your helping hand
through the process or just a mentor to help bounce ideas around.
I will provide you with advice and resources to get you from choosing the right school,
understanding the different programs, to preparing and passing the NCLEX-RN to
assistance with landing your first job.
Now, take a deep breath and stay with me….
There are many pathways into and through nursing. But let’s start with the degrees and
your license.
To practice as a nurse, you need to graduate from an accredited nursing program,pass the National Council Licensure EXamination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN or
NCLEX) and apply to your state’s board of nursing.
The state board grants you the license after you pass your FBI background check,
fingerprinting and passing the jurisprudence examination (covering state nursing laws).
After all this you can be granted the license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in
your state or compact state! Oh and thisThis is where the acronym “RN” comes from.
So back to the education or degree. You will need to check out your state’s board of
nursing website to understand more about degree requirements. I live in Texas so it’s
https://www.bon.texas.gov/. Your school will also help you make sure you get the
required degree. I mean, it’s their job!
Basically*, there are 3 ways to start your nursing education:
- Diploma or Certificate
a. Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
b. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
c. Licensed vocational nurse (LVN) - Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)
All three entry-level educational programs will prepare you to be eligible to take the
NCLEX.
TIP: Most schools like to publicize their “pass rate” for the NCLEX so it’s a good
question to ask or research when dedication on what programs to apply or select if you
are offered multiple acceptance letters.
*I say basically, because there is also the Accelerated BSN in which you have another
degree already and can gain entry straight into a BSN program. These programs
usually take 12 – 18 months to complete and are rigorous but doable.
NurseJournal.org is an excellent website to review and research the different types of
nursing degrees, evaluate the different schools in each state, research some career
paths and types of specialty nurses
CAREER RECOMMENDATION: if you can, I would highly recommend applying for a
BSN or Accelerated BSN program.
After you understand what type of degree you would like to pursue, identify some
nursing programs in your area or try the online route. Don’t forget about
community colleges!
Then take a look at your current degree or any course work you have completed
in the past to see if any of it matches with common prerequisites for nursing
school. Your degree work will probably include a number of the prerequisites you will
need and you could get your BSN in 2-3 years versus the traditional 4 years.
EXAMPLE PREREQUISITE LIST:
Anatomy and physiology I & II
Microbiology
Chemistry
Nutrition
Introductory psychologyI
Introductory sociology
Lifespan growth and development
Statistics
US History I & II
US government
State government
English I & II
Creative arts
Language,philosophy, and culture
No degree? Not a problem! Whether it be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), know that you will need more school.
As always reach out if you need some help talking through your options. I can help you
weight the pros and cons and point you in the right direction. I can also just validate
what you probably already know – ya know just for that boost of confidence!!
Cheers!
Kim
First Name
Email
Helpful links:
NurseJournal.org The 20 Best Nursing Career Specialties Based On Salary
https://nursejournal.org/articles/best-nursing-specialities-for-the-future/#:~:text=What%2
0type%20of%20RN%20is,nursing%2C%20and%20critical%20care%20nursing
The Fastest Paths to Becoming a Nurse
https://nursejournal.org/resources/fastest-paths-to-becoming-a-nurse/#:~:text=Th
e%20fastest%20way%20to%20become,and%20earn%20their%20RN%20license