How To Become A Registered Nurse: Step by Step Guide

What is Nursing, and What are the Steps to Become a Registered Nurse?

Nurses are inadvertently the most important link of the entire health-care system. Not only do they provide a bulk of services to the patients and their attendants, but they also prove to be an efficient link between the doctors and the patients. The job description and the specialization of a registered nurse’s profile depends on the specialty they opt for. Sometimes the job of a registered nurse is equivalent to a doctor. If you opt to be an RN, not only do you have to work in hospitals, but you can also choose to work in care-units, schools, outpatient clinics, et cetera.

It’s not easy being a registered nurse. You have to study for long hours and fight a mean competition to even begin your career. Then, later in the job, you have to sacrifice sleep and give in long hours to work. There is a large scope of emergency on the job, so you have to stay alert and on your feet for sometimes very long periods. You can choose one of the several choices in the field. If you think this sound like something you want to do, they you should pay attention to what is written further in this article. It is a step by step process on how to become a registered nurse.

Ethics In Nursing

Since Nursing is considered to be entirely a bedside job, there is a strict code of ethical principles that the professional has to follow. American Nursing Association has given a guideline of the code for the students to swear by and follow.

The outlook of ethics is to act as a guide to the students in order to carry out their responsibilities with ease and accurate direction. It contains on how nurses are supposed to act, what their demeanor should be, and what is the correct way to respond to the patients.

How Many Years does it Take to Become an RN?

The amount of time that it takes to be nurse solely depends on the course of your choosing. There are two main choices to choose from. Either you can go the Associates’ degree which lasts for two years, or you can choose a bachelor’s degree which lasts for 4 years. There’s also the possibility of three-years diploma program that hospitals provide, but it’s uncommon. So in simple terms, the way to become a nurse is High School–Nursing College-Advanced Degrees.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Registered Nurse?

Step 1:

Before you study the process of how to be an RN and how long it takes to become one, you must realize the definition of Nursing. It goes unsaid that being a registered nurse is a challenge of its own. There are to many hours that go in studying, and the competition is massive. The job itself is challenging and difficult. You have to spend too many hours in the hospital or the service center and wake up at long nights, at the bedside of the patient. You have to stay on your feet, and resist lethargy. Being alert and sharp are also very important. You can never truly relax at your job. One mistake is also too much in this area of profession.

Step 2:

Once you have read theoretically of what it takes to be a registered nurse, it is strongly advisable that you go see a nurse in action. It is important to see what the professionals do in real life. Only then can you come to well-thought out conclusion. Not only do you have to consider the various pitfalls that come with the job, but you also have to closely see the works of a true professional.

Having said that, your path to become an RN starts at school level. The most important thing for you to do is pass the high school with good grades and a clean record. You must develop a liking for the science stream while you’re in school. If you’re interested in serving patients and people in need and get happy when you provide comfort to other people, this is job for you. In order to advance you career in the nursing field, you must realize the importance of finishing your high school. In case you haven’t finished your high school or dropped out of it, it’s not too late. You can still take classes and get your degree.

Step 3:

Now for your undergrad degree to become a registered nurse, there are several ways from which you can choose one. If you’re wondering how hard a nursing school is, then your answer is that it’s pretty difficult. It is not easy to get your degree and license. It is also very expensive, but there are nursing scholarships for that. RNs take the least training before they start practicing. There are many ways to get this training. Either you can enroll yourself in certificate programs offered by many nursing schools, or you can take up an associates’ degree. The certificate program lasts for three semesters in which you have to major in Human Anatomy, Histology, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Nursing Theory, et cetera. You also gain experience in the clinical facilities and practical, real-life situations. If you take this certificate program, you become an LPN or Licensed Practicing Nurse. The other way is to get an associates degree. That degree takes two to three years, and at the end, you get a certificate that makes you a Registered Nurse or an RN, including the nursing residency program. The Registered Nurse courses consist of the education provided to LPN and then some more. You can also choose the BSN program or the Bachelors of Science in Nursing. These days, getting a Bachelors is a strong preference for the candidates interested in nursing. You can also look into programs to become Advanced Practical Registered Nurses or APRNs.

Step 4:

After the certificate course or the undergraduate course, you can also choose to opt for masters in the field or MSN. The programs for masters help in forming advanced careers in the field like Nursing Educators or Nurse Administrators. There is also an option to get a Ph.D. in the field. This way you can contribute in the field of nursing by presenting your papers and journals. The program of Doctor in Nursing is also an option. Those who have Doctoral degrees are involved in the leadership roles that come under nursing.

Step 5:

After you’ve gained your degree, you have to work to get your license next. To earn your license, you have to appear in an exam called NCLEX-RN. You can take a look at the practice test banks for the exam, so you are able to prepare for the better. It stands for National Counsel Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses. It is accredited by the American Nurse Credential Center or The Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Step 6:

After you’ve gained your license, you can either begin working at your career as a registered nurse or get more degrees in the specialization. There is scope of further education to every nurse after every two years. You can also get a Ph.D. and start teaching later on.

Educational Requirements to Become an RN

1. High School: the first degree that you need a hold of before you begin to chase any career is your high school degree. Your school is where you begin learning. It is also where you have to start giving some serious consideration to your career. So the most important thing for you to do in your high school is study, keep your grades high, and you records clean. See beforehand if you have an interest in Science because being a registered nurse takes a lot of knowledge and interest in the field. The future studies consist of deep and long studies under the science stream. You must also see if you have an interest in taking care of people. Empathy is a striking quality to hold for the people who have any interest in being a nurse.

2. Undergraduate Degree: The next step is to acquire an undergrad degree from any recognized and accredited Nursing School. Now there are many choices from which you can choose. You can get a degree from a Nursing school, which lasts for two to three years and get recognized as a Registered Nurse or you can pursue a certification course, which lasts for only three semesters, and you will get certification for Licensed Practical Nurse. Basically, there are four types of degrees that you can pursue if you want to be a nurse. They are:

  • University degrees: The students who are interested in getting a university degree have two options. The first option is to get a Bachelors degree or and Associates’ Degree. The associates degree lasts two years, and a Bachelors degree lasts 4 years. The associates degree can be pursued in the field of Associates of Science in Nursing, Associates of Applied Science in Nursing and Associates Degree is Nursing. The Associates degree holding students can also enroll themselves in the Bachelors Program. That way, they only have to invest two more years. You can also look up for online nursing schools.
  • Hospital Diplomas: Some hospitals also provide a short diploma course to become a registered nurse. These courses last for only 2 to 3 years, during which the students are taught about clinical and practical education in the field of nursing. Some of these hospitals might also ask for you to attend certain classes in college too, along with the diploma.
  • Vocational School: Some vocational institutes might also provide a year-long training to the nursing aspirants. But these nurses (formed out of the vocational diploma) can rarely practice independently. The graduates from here are called Vocational Nurses. Usually, they’re assigned to the Registered Nurses as assistants.

3. Licensing: The next step of the process is to get licensed. To begin your practicing career, you must clear the licensing examination which is called NCLEX-RN. It stands for National Counsel Licensing Examination for Registered Nurse. It consists of questions based on your knowledge in the field and how much of the education have you retained that was taught in the nursing school. Once you pass this exam, you get the license issues and accredited by the American Nursing Association, and henceforth you can begin practicing.

4. Further Studies: After you get your license, either you can just start practicing. The other options are that you can also get further degrees or education in the field. You can opt to get a doctoral degree, or you can get a Ph.d in the field where you can either be a nurse educator or a leader in the field in times to come. The options are endless. You can also go in the teaching arena and teach the novices.

License Requirements To Be A Registered Nurse

Basically, there are three main requirements for license verification, and beyond that, an individual needs to practice as a registered nurse. They are:

  • You need the credits from an approved and recognized college from any of the states, which prove that you have passed the nursing school. Proper and valid documents are required. It is pertinent for you to have these papers as they help you get your certification as an RN.
  • It is important to pass the NCLEX RN in order to obtain your license. It makes you a Licensed Registered Nurse, and you can start practicing henceforth.
  • If you have any history in the criminal background or any transgression worth noting, you should come ahead and mention it, rather than having to find it later on. This shows that you have owned up to your mistakes.

Interview Questions for Nursing Aspirants

After getting the degrees, and passing your exams, you need to sit in for actually getting the job. You have to apply for jobs, and for that you need a strong resume, and an appealing cover letter. To have that, you must take a look at sample resumes for nursing and templates to guide you. You don’t only need a strong resume to get a job in this field. There is one step of the process where you need to be competent in. Interviews and nursing assessment are a vital part to be cleared with ease, if you dream to be a professional in this field. There is a particular set of questions that you need to be answering with confidence, and we are here to prepare you for it. Below are mentioned some frequently-asked questions in nursing interviews for your convenience:

  • Why do you want to work for health-care sector?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What can your contribution be to the field?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What are the biggest challenges for registered nurses?
  • What measures have you taken to upgrade your knowledge?
  • What is your motivation for working in the field of nursing?
  • Do you prefer to work alone, or as a part of a team?
  • Do you have any professional affiliations?

We have also mentioned a list of the professional organizations where you can practice as a registered nurse. They are:

  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Old Age Homes
  • Care Clinics
  • Schools
  • Colleges
  • Defense Forces Offices
  • Offices

Types of Nurses

There are different levels of nurses in the health-care facilities. They all have different roles, duties, and responsibilities in the system. Some of them are:

You can also choose a specialty in which you would like to cement your career. The options for Nursing Specialty are:

  • Cardiovascular Nursing
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Certified Nurse Midwife
  • Critical Care Pediatric Nursing
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Enterostomal Therapy Nursing
  • Gastroenterology Nursing
  • Hospice Palliative Care Nursing
  • Forensic Nurse
  • Gerontological Nursing
  • Labor and Delivery Nurse
  • Nephrology Nursing
  • Neuroscience Nursing
  • Occupational Health Nursing
  • Orthopedic Nursing
  • Perinatal Nursing
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing
  • Patient Care Assistant
  • Rehabilitation Nursing

Some of the other positions in nursing career are:

  • Army Nurse
  • Holistic Nurse
  • Navy Nurse
  • Air force Nurse
  • Flight Nurse
  • Military Nurse
  • Nursing Aide Registry – An unlicensed person who agrees to provide the services of a nurse voluntarily, without the exchange of pay.
  • Nursing Informatics – The individual who has enhanced knowledge of not only the nursing field but also computer science and information of technology.

Top 44 Schools That Offer Programs To Become A Registered Nurse

Below we have mentioned a list of colleges to become a nurse, according to their cumulative rankings.

1. Duke University

Ranked 1st in nursing schools of USA, Duke university is located in Durham, North California. The college was known as the Trinity College back in the early years. It offers various courses like Accelerated Bachelors of Nursing, Post Doctoral Fellowship, simple bachelors degree, et cetera. Currently, the faculty consists of 83 members.

Total Number of Students: 756
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Tuition Fee: $1639 per credit
Address: 307 Trent Dr, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Phone Number: +1 919-684-4248
Official Website: https://www.duke.edu/

2. John Hopkins School of Nursing

The university runs as a nonprofit university, and it nestles in Baltimore. It’s known for the various nursing courses provided to the students. It is also the second best nursing school in the country, according to U.S. News and Reports. The university is one to first colleges open to NIH (National Institute for Health) fundings.

Total Number of Students: 753
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Tuition Fee: $37,056 per year
Address: 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Phone Number: +1 410-955-4766
Official Website: https://nursing.jhu.edu/

3. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Ranked 1st in the USA according to niche.com, this college was one of the first colleges to grant baccalaureates, bachelors, and masters in the field of nursing. It has one of the finest faculty, and it is widely known for the vast plethora of courses offered.

Total Number of Students: 21,826
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Tuition Fee: $53,534 per year
Address: 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Phone Number: +1 215-898-8281
Official Website: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/

4. Emory University

One of the best nursing colleges in Georgia, Emory holds its name firmly as a leader in quality education. It works on a vast $500 million budget per year. It also welcomes leaders from all across the globe to shed light on the winning qualities. These factors have made it stand 7th in the best nursing schools list of 2018. Offering a large number of courses for the nursing aspirants, Emory University in Atlanta is a wonderful choice.

Total Number of Students: 314
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Tuition Fee: $23,928
Address: 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Phone Number: +1 404-727-6123
Official Website: http://www.nursing.emory.edu/

5. Ohio State University

With an impressive faculty to student ratio, the university has scored some major points at correct counseling. It has a faculty of 114 and 45 administrative staff. The college is also one of the most respected institutions for research. Ohio state University has been ranked 5th in the country in the list of best nursing schools.

Total Number of Students: 686
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Tuition Fee: $25,575 per year in state and $39,048 per year out of state
Address: Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Phone Number: +1 (614) 292-4041
Official Website: https://nursing.osu.edu/

6. University of Washington

University of Washington is also synonymously known as the Training Center for Nursing, which has made it rank among the top 3 nursing schools in the whole country. Not only does the college have an extraordinary architecture but the education quality is unmatched. The student-to-teacher ratio of the college is 8:1. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Total Number of Students: 433
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Tuition Fee: $25,575 per year in state and $39,048 per year out of state
Address: Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Phone Number: +1 206-543-8736
Official Website: https://nursing.uw.edu/

7. Yale University

The college is known vastly throughout the world for its stellar education system and several courses offered to the nursing students. The school, though, only offers courses at a graduate level. There is also an option for online or hybrid courses that you can opt for. Yale university stands at 8th rank in USA for nursing and 1st in international relations and best professors.

Total Number of Students: 357
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Tuition Fee: $37,932 per year
Address: 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA
Phone Number: +1 203-785-2389
Official Website: http://nursing.yale.edu/

8. Columbia University

Columbia University towers proudly among the best RN Schools in New York. There are several other branches of the university that spread internationally. The college for nursing is especially known for it’s unparalleled courses in the field of nursing. The faculty-to-student ratio is also very impressive (6:1) and the assisting of the administrative staff to students is spoken highly of. All these factors combine together to make this the 5th best nursing school in the US.

Total Number of Students: 654
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Tuition Fee: $1450 per credit
Address: Columbia University, 617 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA
Phone Number: +1 212-305-5756
Official Website: http://nursing.columbia.edu/

9. University of Pittsburgh

The college is known to hold its ground and a consistent rank when it comes to national accreditation for the various courses that it offers. For nursing in particular, it ranks at 7th in the country. The nursing school in Pennsylvania is divided in three main administrative departments which are Acute/Tertiary Care, Health and Community Systems, and Health Promotion and Development. The entire focus of the departments is based on student welfare and progress.

Total Number of Students: 352
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Tuition Fee: $850 per credit in state and $988 per credit out of state
Address: 3500 Victoria St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Phone Number: +1 888-747-0794
Official Website: http://www.nursing.pitt.edu/

10. University of Maryland – Baltimore

The college is known to be one of the largest institutions to provide nursing education and is ranked 10th in the country. With a total number of 1700 students, the facilities for welfare of the students have a provision of 24 web-based courses. Graduates of this school alone make up to more than 40% of the total nursing staff in Maryland. The state-of-the-art facilities and highly trained professionals making as faculty, the alumni of the college is impressive.

Total Number of Students: 908
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Tuition Fee: $724 per credit in state and $1324 per credit out of state
Address: 620 W Lexington St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Phone Number: +1 410-706-3100
Official Website: http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/

11. Kaplan School of Nursing

The university has many colleges spread not only in The United States of America, but the entire globe. It provides excellent education in the field of nursing, with degrees such as DNP, BSN, Phd, CPN et cetera. It also provides modern techniques and procedures for the students to learn better and help stay parallel to the advancements in the field.

Total Number of Students: 4,376Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $16,037
Address: 4655 121st Street Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone Number: +1 515-727-2100
Official Website: https://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/degree-programs/nursing/

12. St. Joseph School of Nursing

Located in Rhode Island, this college provides 2 year-long Associates’ degree for becoming a registered nurse. It caters the students’ need of advancing in their fields, and garnering abundant knowledge. It is approved by American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Total Number of Students: 114
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $16,786
Address: 200 High Service Ave, North Providence, RI 02904, USA
Phone Number: +1 401-456-3050
Official Website: http://www.sjson.edu

13. Chamberlain College of Nursing

The college is widely known for its three-year BSN program. It inculcates relevant knowledge of the field, along with important skills for the job. It also provides hands-on care to the students, so they can be better at what they do. It also has a branch in Houston, Texas, and is also considered to be one of the best nursing colleges in Chicago, IL.

Total Number of Students: 23,250
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Tuition Fee: $18,000
Address: 3300 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Phone Number: +1 773-961-3000
Official Website: www.chamberlain.edu

14. Frontier Nursing University

The college boasts to have the first family nurse practitioner program in the country, and has been functional for the past 75 years. They understand the need of passionate and caring nurses, and they mold their students to maintain the college’s pristine reputation. It provides excellence in all concerned areas for the overall development of the student. It is also ranked 50th in the list of best online graduate nursing programs.

Total Number of Students: 1,978
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Tuition Fee: $16,047
Address: 195 School St, Hyden, KY 41749, USA
Phone Number: +1 606-672-2312
Official Website: https://frontier.edu

15. Western Governors University

Designed in the year 1995 by 19 US Senators, the school has deep-engraved history of educating students perfectly for their chosen field. They follow a competency-based approach, which allows the students to not only score good, but also get suitable job opportunities.

Total Number of Students: 1,057
Acceptance rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $6,070
Address: 4001 S 700 E #700, Salt Lake City, UT 84107, USA
Phone Number: +1 801-274-3280
Official Website: https://www.wgu.edu

16. Denver College of Nursing

The college is known for providing excellent care in the healthcare field to its students so they can provide care to others. It is a private college, which focuses on educating and training the students to be ideal nurses and provides the students with a recognized nursing license for practicing in Colorado. They are considered among the best nursing schools in Colorado.

Total Number of Students: 807
Tuition Fee: $18,407
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Address: 1401 19th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Phone Number: +1 303-292-0015
Official Website: https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/

17. Ambria College of Nursing

The college is known to provide a nursing LPN degree in just under a year of academic education, along with CNA coursework. They also offer a hands-on approach to the students so that the can excel in their field. It is considered as the only ladder nursing school in Illinois, which provides hopping from LPN to RN, and RN to BSN.

Total Number of Students: 127
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $25,400
Address: 5210 Trillium Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, USA
Phone Number: +1 847-397-0300
Official Website: www.ambria.edu/

18. West Coast University

Nestled in Los Angeles, California the college provides comprehensive education in the field, and prepares the students in under 39 months. It promises the students to earn a Bachelors Degree or BSN in under 39 months of rigorous coursework, training, and internships. They are known for molding students for a better career in the health-care industry.

Total Number of Students: 13 incoming freshmen
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Tuition Fee: $33,675
Address: 2411 W La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA
Phone Number: +1 866-479-4276
Official Website: https://westcoastuniversity.edu/

19. Lakeview College of Nursing

There are a lot of things that the college promises. Among them are skills lab, classes with the latest technology, learning resource center, state-of-art computer lab, and much more. Comprehensive education and training means a lot to the motto of the school. It provides holistic learning opportunities for the students so that they can build a better career for themselves.

Total Number of Students: 316
Tuition Fee: $6,618
Address: 903 N Logan Ave, Danville, IL 61832, USA
Phone Number: +1 217-709-0920
Official Website: https://www.lakeviewcol.edu

20. Galen College of Nursing

The college provides a lot of opportunities to the students interested in the field of private duty nursing, including several online courses. Some of the courses offered to the students are Bachelor in Science Program, Vocational Nursing Program, Online RN to BSN Program, et cetera. The college is affiliated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and is one the best nursing schools in Texas.

Total Number of Students: 635
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Tuition Fee: $26,900
Address: 7411 John Smith Dr #1400, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
Phone Number: +1 210-733-3056
Official Website: www.galencollege.edu

21. Lutheran School of Nursing

The college works towards the accomplishment of certain missions. Most of them are centric towards the overall development of the student for better career growth and evolution. They mold the students to become excellent healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive care to the patients.

Total Number of Students: 83
Tuition Fee: $10,785
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Address: 3547 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
Phone Number: +1 314-577-5850
Official Website: www.nursingschoollmc.com/

22. Rutgers School of Nursing

Ranked 18th in the country, this college aims at providing education, training, and knowledge to the students so that they can be successful at what they do. The college is accredited by Middle States Commission of Higher Learning, and is one of the best nursing schools in New Jersey. It also has earned a spot in the top 20 colleges for a Nursing education, from U.S. News and Reports.

Total Number of Students: 11,270
Acceptance Rate:
Tuition Fee: $13,597 in-state and $28,987 out-of-state
Address: 110 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Phone Number: +1 848-932-7700
Official Website: www.nursingschoollmc.com/

23. Hondros College of Nursing

The college three programs to become a Nurse, and they are Practical Nursing, Associates Degree in Nursing, and a bridge accelerated course from RN to BSN. Their aim to provide valuable information, education, and training to the students so they can provide nothing short on excellence, during their career health-care field.

Total Number of Students: 1,963
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Tuition Fee: $18,725
Address: 4140 Executive Pkwy, Westerville, OH 43081, USA
Phone Number: +1 855-906-8773
Official Website: www.hondros.edu

24. Mount Carmel College of Nursing

It is known to be the largest college providing BSN degree in Ohio., and about 90% of the students enrolled in this college receive any form of financial aid. It is also accredited by Higher Learning Commission, and offers various programs to the students who wish to become successful nurses.

Total Number of Students: 1,063
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Tuition Fee: $12,180
Address: 127 S Davis Ave, Columbus, OH 43222, USA
Phone Number: +1 614-234-5800
Official Website: www.mccn.edu

25. Methodist College of Nursing

Nestles in Nebraska, this college is known for providing high-quality education in the field of Nursing. The curriculum of the school consists of comprehensive educational programs along with real-world experiences so that turning-out nurses can provide the best healthcare services.

Total Number of Students: 606
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Tuition Fee: $20,140
Address: 7600 N. Academic Dr., Peoria, IL 61615, United States
Phone Number: +1 309-672-5513
Official Website: https://www.methodistcol.edu

26. Christ College of Nursing

Christ college is one of the best nursing schools in Ohio, providing excellent education in the field of nursing. It is a private, non-for-profit college, which trains the students with real-life and hands-on approaches. It offers a number of courses to choose from, in the field.

Total Number of Students: 737
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Tuition Fee: $14,667
Address: 2139 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
Phone Number: +1 513-585-2401
Official Website: www.thechristcollege.edu

27. Chamberlain College of Nursing, Atlanta

The University has colleges in a lot of places, and among them one is in Atlanta. The college strives to provide all-round education and training to the students, so that they can mold into successful registered nurses. The chain of colleges is vastly known for their excellence.

Total Number of Students: 457
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Tuition Fee: $19,754
Address: 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA
Phone Number: +1 404-250-8500
Official Website: www.chamberlain.edu

28. Stony Brook College of Nursing

The school provides both, full-time and part-time education to its students. They have comprehensive learning programs for regular and advanced courses, and the college is known for providing excellent education as well as training. They are considered among the top nursing schools in New York City with 50th rank in the US.

Total Number of Students: 25,272
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Tuition Fee: $8,855 in-state and $23,935 out-of-state
Address: 101 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Phone Number: +1 631-689-8333
Official Website: https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu

29. Charity School of Nursing

Located in New Orleans, this college offers various programs for the students to become nurses, like RN Programs, Practical Nursing Programs, et cetera. It is known to foster relevant knowledge in abundance, along with experience and hands-on training.

Total Number of Students: 15,455
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $2,039 in-state and $4,183 out-of-state
Address: 450 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Phone Number: +1 504-568-2670
Official Website: www.dcc.edu

30. UCLA School of Nursing

Ranked 15th in the master’s nursing program, UCLA is a group of colleges that are widely famous for the quality of education that they provide. Among them is the college located in Los Angeles. The college continuously strives to become a leader in the quality of education and training, so that they can mold sincere students into successful registered nurses, hence improving the quality of care.

Total Number of Students: 5,679
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Tuition Fee: $12,763 in-state and $37,471 out-of-state
Address: Factor Bldg, 700 Tiverton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
Phone Number: +1 310-825-9193
Official Website: www.nursing.ucla.edu

31. Montefiore School of Nursing

The college has been providing education to the students from over 100 years. It is located in New York, and has several courses for the students who wish for a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. Their programs are a balance of theoretical knowledge and skills. They promise quality education.

Total Number of Students: 1,316
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $10,000
Address: 53 Valentine St, Mt Vernon, NY 10550, USA
Phone Number: +1 914-361-6221
Official Website: www.montefiorehealthsystem.org

32. University of Maryland Nursing

Based in Baltimore, this college is widely known for the excellence in their programs. They aim to impart knowledge to their students in a practical, research, and many other innovative ways. They give their students freedom of thought and help them learn from experiences. Owing to all this, the college is ranked as the 10th best college for nursing in the USA.

Total Number of Students: 13,839
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Tuition Fee: $11,006 in-state and $23,770 out-of-state
Address: 655 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Phone Number: +1 410-706-0501
Official Website: www.nursing.umaryland.edu

33. Helene Fuld College of Nursing

Having maintained a pristine name for over 60 years, this college is known for the type and quality of education that they provide to their students, in the form of various comprehensive courses. It is a private, not-for-profit university, that has held its name over the years.

Total Number of Students: 254
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition Fee: $18,764
Address: 24 E 120th St, New York, NY 10035, USA
Phone Number: +1 212-616-7200
Official Website: www.helenefuld.edu

34. University of South Alabama School of Nursing

The college provides professional courses of nursing for the students to excel in. They are known to be the national innovator in clinical simulation in nursing education. They also in partnership with a lot of labs and research centers, to provide and offer their students an all-round education and training.

Total Number of Students: 37,098
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Tuition Fee: $10,170 in-state and $25,950 out-of-state
Address: 650 University Blvd E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
Phone Number: +1 205-348-6639
Official Website: www.southalabama.edu

35. Cochran School of Nursing

The college is affiliated with a number of institutes such as Excelsior College, SUNY Delhi, Mercy College, et cetera. The college also offers a two-year program in nursing with the degree of AAP or Associates in Applied Science. The foundation of most courses in the college are liberal arts and science.

Total Number of Students: 89
Tuition Fee: $4,785
Address: 967 N Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701, USA
Phone Number: +1 914-964-4296
Official Website: www.cochranschoolofnursing.us

36. Trinitas School of Nursing

The college offers a Cooperative Nursing Program, in partnership with Union County College. It opened in the year 1891, and has changed its name several times since then. Its NCLEX-RN exam passing rate is 97%, something that college is very proud of.

Total Number of Students: 89
Tuition Fee: $40,280
Address: 40 W Jersey St, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, USA
Phone Number: +1 908-659-5200
Official Website: www.trinitasschoolofnursing.org

37. Dallas Nursing Institute

Among the best nursing colleges in the state of Texas, is Dallas Nursing. It hosts a diverse community, and imparts excellent education in the field of nursing, in the healthcare sector. They believe in hands-on approach at work, and the students are offered mentorship by some great instructors.

Total Number of Students: 211
Acceptance Rate: 13.5%
Tuition Fee: $23,700
Address: 12170 Abrams Rd # 200, Dallas, TX 75243, USA
Phone Number: +1 469-941-8300
Official Website: www.dni.edu

38. Salem State University

Located in Massachusetts, this Nursing College offers financial aid to 90% of its students. They believe in learning as a community, and impart healthy ways of learning in their students. Their excellent education and training program is highly spoken of.

Total Number of Students: 9,215
Acceptance Rate: 70.6%
Tuition Fee: $9,246 in-state and $15,508 out-of-state
Address: 352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Phone Number: +1 978-542-6000
Official Website: www.salemstate.edu

39. Arizona Nursing School

Known as one of the best nursing colleges in the country, Arizona Nursing school is one of the great education providers in the state of Arizona. It is a public university that aims at providing well thought-of and planned education to the students. It has been ranked 26th on the reports of U.S. News and Reports as well.

Total Number of Students: 8,037
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Tuition Fee: $11,403 in-state and $32,630 out-of-state
Address: 2149 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021, USA
Phone Number: +1 602-331-2720
Official Website: www.nursing.arizona.edu

40. University of Portland

One of the known nursing schools in Oregon, this college is widely known for its excellent education and training. It is a private, not-for-profit university, which aims at comprehensive education in the diverse health-care field. It is ranked 72 in the nest nursing schools in the US.

Total Number of Students: 3,609
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Tuition Fee: $31,342
Address: 5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203, USA
Phone Number: +1 503-943-8000
Official Website: nursing.up.edu

41. University of Virginia

Ranked 15th, this college has consistently ranked among the top when it comes to excellent education providers among the nursing schools in Virginia. It’s comprehensive training structure has been the center of attraction and the reason for the success of many graduates. The NCLEX-RN passing rate of this college is also high and promising.

Total Number of Students: 15,622
Acceptance Rate: 16.3%
Tuition Fee: $14,069
Address: Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
Phone Number: +1 434-924-0311
Official Website: www.nursing.virginia.edu

42. University of Florida

Ranked 44th, this college has garnered quite a name for itself, when it comes to the quality of education and training that it provides. It also ranks high in the lists of colleges known for their athletics. It ha the acceptance rate of only 46%, which says that only the students who are sincere about their education choice get an admission in the college.

Total Number of Students: 29,907
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Tuition Fee: $14,786
Address: Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Phone Number: +1 352-392-3261
Official Website: nursing.ufl.edu

43. Covenant School of Nursing

The college for formerly known as The Methodist College of Nursing, and is located in Lubbock, Texas. It takes pride on the fact that it has graduated more than 4500 nurses till now, and most of them have a fulfilling and successful career. The college is a member of Covenant Health, and will celebrate its 100 years.

Total Number of Students: 292
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Tuition Fee: $4,765
Address: 1919 Frankford Ave, Lubbock, TX 79407, USA
Phone Number: +1 806-797-0955
Official Website: www.covenanthealth.org

44. University of Central Florida College of Nursing

It has been considered as the 76th best college to get a nursing degree, according to U.S. News and Reports. It also has a high number of students clearing NCLEX-RN. The college focuses entirely on the quality of education that they impart to the students. They focus on making the students into successful practitioners in the health-care sector.

Total Number of Students: 6,553
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Tuition Fee: $6,368 in-state and $22,467 out-of-state
Address: 12201 Research Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
Phone Number: +1 407-823-2744
Official Website: www.nursing.ucf.edu

Long-term Career Prospects for A Registered Nurse

The prospects of a nursing career are high and bright in the coming future. There is expected a high rise in demand for the nursing professionals, over the coming years. Bureau of Labor Statistics has considered the profession as one of the highest climbing ones. This happens mostly due to the lowering infant mortality rates, over the years. With better healthcare facilities and longer age periods of individuals, the need for nursing professionals also tends to increase. There has been noted a high rise in the job opportunities in the last five years, and seem to need more in the coming years.

Job Outlook For A Registered Nurse

The job outlook of an RN is considered to be among the most promising ones. The need for nursing professionals will rise drastically in the coming years. With higher life expectancy and lower mortality rates, the need for healthcare professionals is on an upward slope. There are several options for a registered nurse to succeed in. There’s an opportunity for enhancement of job, after every couple of years. You can also switch to teaching profession for novice nurses, by getting a Ph.D in Nursing. Alternatively, you can also opt for several educational and vocational programs and become a nurse educator yourself. There’s also an option to contribute to the field of nursing by publishing papers and journals.

Salary of A Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses are one of the highest paid and respected professionals in the States. They serve patients, perform their care-taking tasks extraordinarily and act as a link between the physician and the patient. Sometimes the RNs also act out the duties of a doctor. For their exemplary services, they are paid heftily and generously. There can be differences in how much do registered nurses make for several reasons. Some of them can be considered under the highest paying opportunities, other can be comparatively less. The factors are:

  • Age: While some institutions pay more to an older and more experienced nurse, other prefer the young RNs who have potential and the flexibility to adapt to different environments. Age is a serious factor that leads to difference in the salary. Most institutions, though, still prefer registered nurses with a longer experience as the need to train those nurses is less.
  • Location: Different geographical locations have different salaries when it comes to any profession. Nursing is no exception to it. The salary of a registered nurse in North Carolina will be different than an RN Salary in Texas.
  • Settings: The setting where the nurse is supposed to work will also affect the salary of the nurse. For instance, the salary of a nurse in Hospice will be different from the salary of a nurse serving in Hospital.

P.S. It should be noted that there is no difference between the salary of a male nurse, in comparison to a female nurse.

The average salaries of nurses over the different states of United States of America are given below:

STATESANNUAL MEAN WAGE
Alabama$56,900
Alaska$86,450
Arizona$73,430
Arkansas$57,630
California$101,750
Colorado$70,550
Connecticut$78,270
Delaware$70,820
Florida$64,630
Georgia$64,750
Idaho$62,740
Illinois$70,890
Indiana$60,050
Iowa$56,290
Kansas$58,260
Louisiana$63,370
Maryland$74,710
Massachusetts$89,060
Michigan$69,100
Minnesota$73,940
Mississippi$57,010
Missouri$60,830
Montana$64,300
Nebraska$60,370
Nevada$83,790
New Hampshire$68,680
New Jersey$80,580
New Mexico$68,670
New York$80,830
North Carolina$61,330
Ohio$63,960
Oklahoma$60,630
Oregon$87,000
Pennsylvania$68,770
Rhodes Island$75,200
South Carolina$63,470
Tennessee$58,410
Texas$70,390
Vermont$67,780
Virginia$66,670
Washington$80,120
West Virginia$59,380
Wisconsin$67,930

From the above table taken from Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is obvious that there are differences in the salary of a nurse based on the geographical location. While California pays an annual mean wage of $101,750, other states like Iowa only pays the nurses $56,290. Speaking of hourly wages, an average nurse makes about $34.70 in under an hour.

Duties and Responsibilities of Nurse

The duties and responsibilities of a registered nurse are plentiful, according to the Board of Nursing. Nursing is a career option where you cannot be laid-back or casual about nursing implications i.e. what you do and the consequences of your actions. A little mistake can cause great casualties. So you have be alert and informed about everything that’s going around in the field. The responsibilities can be further classified into several other sub-points, according to the departments where nurses serve. Some of these responsibilities are listed under:

1. The duties towards Patient Care

  • Assessing the needs of patients.
  • Tending and caring for the demands and needs of the patient and the attending.
  • Carefully follow the physician’s orders for post-op or pre-operation treatment of the patients.
  • Taking care of the hygiene quality of the rooms and the patients.
  • Carry out the requests of assisting doctors if and when required.
  • Listen alertly and attentively to the patients.
  • Be empathetic towards the needs of the doctors and the patients.

2. Duties Related To The Administration Of Ward

  • The articles in the inventory to be kept clean and neatly in order
  • Maintaining a list of all supplies and closely scrutinizing it.
  • Keeping and updating the reports of the patients.
  • Making the list of patient belongings and carefully storing them.
  • Monitoring the drugs.
  • Calling for doctors and physicians if in need.
  • Staying alert, attentive, and always on foot.
  • Updating knowledge to keep up with the advancements in the field.
  • Assisting surgeons and doctors on rounds.

3. Responsibilities of Teaching

  • Monitoring the performance and the IQ of the Nursing students.
  • Supervising the students of Nursing in ward.
  • Teaching and guiding the fundamentals of nursing to students in need.
  • Participating in the clinical programs.
  • Keeping in pace with the advancement in the field by following publications and journals of continuing nursing education.

Benefits of Becoming A Registered Nurse

  • A Meaningful Job: Nursing is a meaningful profession. You give care to the ones who need it. It is an honorable thing to do. There are some days when you might even save the lives of patients, and that’s the best benefit there is.
  • No Monotony: There is hardly any monotony in the job. You come across patients from all fields. You see different kinds of illnesses and you them get better. There’s a lot of experience from all kinds of areas.
  • Bonding Experience: As you work with a team to care for patients, you learn to be a part of the group. You learn camaraderie. You learn how to be part of a team and how to work fluidly with other people.
  • Growth Opportunities: Nursing field has continuous opportunities for growth. You get chances to climb the ladder with hard work and performance. There are several posts of nurses in the field.
  • Flexibility of Job: Nurses can also opt to work part-time. You can give in as many hours in the job as you see fit. Some nurses are also employed on an on-call basis.
  • Travel Opportunities: You can also choose the path of Travel Nursing. That way you can choose to travel on job. You can practice across different states of America.
  • Health-care Benefits: As a nurse, your employment area will provide you with a lot of health-care benefits like insurance discounts, discounts on treatments, bonuses, vacation time, et cetera.

Skills and Traits Required to Become an RN

There are certain prerequisites required to become a nurse. The skills and traits needed to become a successful RN are give below:

Skills

  • Organizational Skills: A nurse should be organized. There are a lot of responsibilities of a nurse, and it gets very easy for things to get chaotic very soon. You should know how to effectively compartmentalize things in neat order. You must know how to balance things.
  • Management of Stress: Sometimes what nurses do can get very stressful, hectic and tiring. It is during that time that you need to know how to cope with such feelings. You cannot get disheartened on your job.
  • Communication Skills: A good nurse knows how to communicate properly. He/she knows the need for calmness and stability and delivers messages in the same way. As a nurse, you should also know not only how to express yourself but also learn to listen to others.
  • Attention to Details: One of the skills that you need to master as a nurse is attention to detail. You have to be very critical in reading reports as tiny little details make a world of changes.
  • Flexibility: You must know how to adapt to changes, and how to do it easily without many effects. Nurses change their working environments easily and quickly. You have to know how to handle those changes and adapt to the new ones very quickly.

Traits

  • Empathy: Empathy is the art of understanding the suffering or the elation of others. As a nurse, it is necessary for you to be empathetic. You must not only understand the suffering of the patients and attendants but also reciprocate to them. You need to learn how to be caring and showing it.
  • Desire to Learn: There are advancements and developments in the field every day, along with continuing education for nurses. You must have the desire to learn these changes and be in pace with them. You should be willing to read the journals and the papers published to communicate the changes and should be easily able to adapt to them.
  • Critical Thinking: To be a nurse is to care for another human being. There are times when you face a critical moment. You cannot afford to panic at that time. You must be calm, collective and able to make decisions that are for the best for the patients.
  • Responsible: Nursing is a job for several responsibilities. You must be mature enough to handle all and balance in an effective and efficient way for the same. Things in nursing need utmost care and precision.
  • Physical and Mental Endurance: Sometimes the shifts are long and tiring. You cannot give up your patience at that time. You need to harbor high endurance for strain as you know it already that nursing is a strenuous job to have.

Conclusion

In conclusion of the article, nursing is wonderful job to have. Yes, it is strenuous, tough and challenging but it comes with equally satisfying rewards. It is fulfilling. You get to tend to and care for the people who are in need and there is no better feeling than that. The job outlook for nursing also looks promising. It also seems like a good time to get into the profession.

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