How To Become a Registered Nurse Online

How To Become a Registered Nurse Online. Becoming a registered nurse (RN) is easy to do if you have the motivation and discipline to follow through on your goals. It’s important to know that becoming an RN doesn’t happen overnight; it takes years of training and experience.

But, with the right tools and guidance, you can make this journey a success. In fact, there are many ways to become a registered nurse online—and they don’t all require going back to school full-time at an accredited university!

A few examples include obtaining your associate degree in nursing (ADN), earning an online bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), or enrolling in one of many online RN master’s programs offered by top universities across the country—including Harvard University, Western Governors University (WGU), Liberty University Online School of Nursing & Health Sciences (LUOHSHS), among others.

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What is a registered nurse?

A registered nurse (RN) is the most common nursing specialty and the one with which you will likely obtain your first job. It’s a good choice for those who enjoy working closely with patients and their families, but don’t necessarily want to pursue higher education in nursing school.

It’s also a good option if you plan on moving into management or administration later on in your career—RNs are usually promoted to supervisory positions more quickly than other nursing specialties.

Why become a registered nurse online?

• You can work in any location.
• You can get a job more quickly.
• You can be more flexible with your schedule.
• You don’t have to move.
• Student debt is avoided, which means you will save money and get to spend it elsewhere!
• It’s possible to work while you are still in school if online programs offer on-campus classes or internships at hospitals or clinics that allow students to practice their skills and earn credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate (some programs even offer bachelor’s degrees).

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Requirements for RN candidates

If you want to become an RN, you must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status. Other requirements include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Your nursing education will prepare you for this exam through coursework in anatomy and physiology; microbiology; pharmacology; health assessment; nutrition sciences; professional development courses (including ethics); and nursing fundamentals like communication skills and leadership abilities that are essential when working with patients.

Before applying to become an RN, candidates must also pass a criminal background check as well as complete all necessary paperwork in order to gain employment after graduation from their program.

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How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

The length of time it takes to become a registered nurse depends on the route you take. For example, if you are pursuing your ADN degree online through a program that is accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN), it may take 20 months to complete the curriculum and pass your NCLEX® exam.

On average, it takes 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing online or at an on-campus university (BSN). The average length of time for an RN with no other degrees is about 4 years. If someone has already earned an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), then he or she could get licensed as an RN after graduating from his or her BSN program within two years of applying for the exam.

How do you get an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)?

To become a registered nurse, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

• Earn an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Both of these programs will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This is a necessary requirement for licensure as a registered nurse.

The length of time it takes to earn your ADN or BSN varies by school and program, but on average it takes two years. The cost varies from school to school, but most programs cost between $6,000 and $30,000. You’ll also have to pay application fees that vary depending on whether your program requires them or not; they usually range from $50-$100 each time you apply to different schools’ programs.

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How do you get an RN license?

In order to become an RN, you’ll need to get licensed. Licensure means that your state or organization has approved your nursing education and determined that you’re capable of practicing safely. The process is fairly straightforward, though it can vary depending on which state or organization provides the license.

In most cases, licensure requires that:

• You have graduated from an accredited nursing program
• You pass a national exam with a passing score equivalent to 70% or higher (typically 75%)

Should I pursue an internship or externship?

• Internships and externships give you real-world experience, which is essential as you prepare to enter the workforce.
• Getting a foot in the door early can help you land that dream job.
• The sooner you start networking, the better!
• You can find internships and externships on your own or through programs offered by your school or state.

What is the NCLEX-RN exam?

You will take the NCLEX-RN exam through computer at an authorized testing center. When you register, you must choose to take the exam in English or Spanish.

The exam consists of 265 questions, including 25 alternate item format questions that are randomly inserted throughout the examination; these items may include multiple response and fill-in-the blank items. You’ll have a total of 6 hours to complete it.

The NCLEX-RN examination is offered at more than 1,000 test centers throughout the United States and its territories.

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What are the most popular specializations for new RNs?

Some of the most popular specializations for new RNs are:

• Acute care
• Long-term care
• Psychiatric

You can get your RN license and training completely online

The good news is that you can get your RN license and training completely online. There are many accredited schools offering both degree-granting programs and non-degree certificate programs for those looking to enter the healthcare field.

You’ll need to spend an average of one year in an accredited RN program to earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing, while an associate’s degree typically takes two years to complete.

Online courses can be done at your own pace, so if you choose a school that offers accelerated courses or even summer sessions, it could take as little as six months! This means that if you start now, you could be ready with your license when the next wave of job openings hits—and there will be another wave eventually!

The cost varies depending on which program you choose; however, most schools offer financial aid options such as grants and scholarships based on merit or need.

Some may even have no-cost options available based on their accreditation status with organizations like ACEN (Accreditation Commission). Also remember that some employers might reimburse tuition costs after graduation!

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What Do Surgical Nurses Do?

Surgical nurses are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in caring for patients who are undergoing surgery.

They’re able to perform many of the same duties as a registered nurse, but they also have additional training that allows them to care for patients before, during and after their operations.

A surgical nurse is a nurse who works in the operating room and has a specialized skill set.

The core responsibilities of a surgical nurse include preparing the patient for surgery, administering anesthesia, monitoring vital signs, providing post-operative care, educating patients about their condition and recovery process and helping to answer any questions or concerns patients may have.

Additional responsibilities may include: inserting catheters, drawing blood samples for lab analysis during surgery; performing physical therapy or wound management; assisting with medical procedures such as biopsies or endoscopic procedures; managing patient medications after surgery; assisting with dressing changes and wound drainage; teaching patients how to care for themselves between surgeries (dietary restrictions); providing emotional support during anxious times like pre-surgery preparation (fears about needles).

Salaries vary according to specialization within the field but generally range from $40k – $65k per year depending on experience level.

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How to Become a Surgical Nurse

To become a surgical nurse, you’ll need to be a registered nurse (RN). To do that, you’ll need to get an associate degree from a nursing school or an RN certification from the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Once you’ve completed your education and certification, there are two main paths for becoming a surgical nurse:

• Become certified as a surgical nurse through voluntary organizations like the American Association of Surgical Nurses (AASN) or the Center for Surgical Nursing Education. Certification requires completing at least 600 hours of experience in surgery and passing multiple exams on topics like anatomy and physiology.
• Complete additional schooling after becoming an RN in order to earn further credentials as either an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or critical care specialist RN.

Core Responsibilities of a Surgical Nurse

Your duties will include:

• Providing preoperative and postoperative care. This includes getting the patient ready for surgery, monitoring their health before and after the procedure, and making sure they’re in good physical condition.
• Preparing patients for surgery. This can mean anything from washing a patient’s skin to draping them properly on an operating table.
• Monitoring patients during surgery. You’ll keep track of their vital signs (like blood pressure) throughout the operation to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
• Assisting with surgical procedures when necessary or requested by a surgeon or other healthcare provider in order to help ensure that everything goes smoothly during an operation..

Additional Responsibilities of a Surgical Nurse

Surgical nurses also:

• Administer anesthesia.
• Prepare the operating room by setting up equipment and supplies, sterilizing instruments, preparing fluids for the procedure, assisting with surgical draping and gowning of the patient, and checking equipment before procedures begin.
• Monitor patients’ conditions during their stay in recovery rooms or on floors. They may observe them from behind screens or curtains to ensure privacy while still being able to assess vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and skin coloration (paleness). They might also check for signs of fever or nausea among patients who have just undergone surgery. Surgical nurses provide comfort measures such as ice packs wrapped in washcloths on hot days; offer medications when necessary; answer questions about post-operative pain management; explain discharge instructions; watch over children who are staying overnight after surgery until their parents return from work each day; monitor newborns while they receive oxygen therapy through tubes placed into their noses instead of mouths so that they won’t choke on liquids given at feeding times throughout the day.

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Career Advancement in Nursing

If you enjoy working on the surgical floor, but want to advance your career, there are many opportunities for growth. You may consider becoming a surgical nurse specialist or nurse anesthetist.

The following are just some of the areas in which nurses can grow:

• Graduate from an accredited program
• Become certified in one or more specialties (such as emergency nursing)

A surgical nurse is an advanced practice registered nurse who specifically specializes in helping patients undergo surgery.

Surgical nurses are an advanced practice registered nurse who specifically specializes in helping patients undergo surgery.

What is a surgical nurse?

A surgical nurse is an advanced practice registered nurse who specifically specializes in helping patients undergo surgery. Surgical nurses are usually the most experienced and highly qualified nurses on the surgical floor, but not all surgical nurses have extra training and certification.

How do surgical nurses help patients?

Surgical nurses help prepare patients for surgery by taking vital signs (body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate), administering medications as directed by their physician or attending physician, collecting samples prior to surgery such as blood work or urine samples, assisting in positioning of both the patient and equipment before entering an operating room (OR) room where they assist surgeons during procedures using specialized tools like retractors that keep organs out of sight while being cut open.

Conclusion

When you’re ready to get started with your online nursing degree, it’s important to start by learning about the requirements for RNs. If you don’t meet these requirements or have any questions about them, contact the state board of nursing in your area or call them directly.

Once you have that information in hand, contact a school that offers an online RN program and schedule an appointment with an admissions officer who will be able to answer any questions you may have about their programs and help guide students through the enrollment process.