In addition to good grades, some nursing schools, whether online or traditional classroom format, expect an admission test to prove your ability to successfully complete their program. There are several different types of exams you may take, and it depends on the degree and your coursework. Most nursing programs will give you enough information to complete the exam but there is nothing worse than wasting time on an exam you won’t even remember.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree, you may not need to take any more classes to earn the RN license, which is usually available at many community colleges and technical schools. Most states require a minimum number of credits to get started. Once you pass the test, you may be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, but be aware this exam is usually taken before completing your classes. It requires a passing grade on both the MCAT and the admission test in order to be considered for admission.
Many colleges and universities offer doctor’s certification programs, including the American Board of Nursing. The RN program is a two year program, but some schools will require up to four years. There is no exact time frame, and the classes and curriculum are different at every school.
Nurses are required by law to complete continuing education classes after receiving their certification; some states require nurses to take them as often as they’re able, while others only require nurses to take them every two years. In some states, the nurse must still go through a licensing process to become certified and can then practice independently.
NCPL stands for National Council Licensure Examination and is used to determine whether the registered nurse passed all of the state requirements in order to practice. It is typically taken one or two years before the nurse can practice independently.
Some nurses choose to take online classes instead. Online courses often provide greater flexibility, because they can fit into the busy schedules of working parents or those taking care of elderly parents. Online classes are great for those who have extra time and those who want to work while still taking care of patients.
Whether you decide to take a nursing course at home, attend a nursing school or take nursing classes at a traditional college or university, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll still need to meet all the state’s requirements for licensing to practice. This means taking continuing education classes as you progress toward a successful career.
Many states require nurses to take a certain number of continuing education classes each calendar year, although they may vary from state to state. If you plan to work for several years after you complete your RN degree, you’ll want to make sure you can make up the lost time by taking further training, such as continuing education classes, in the meantime. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do the same number of hours per calendar year in order to maintain your current license and remain active in the nursing profession.
You can check with your state’s board of nursing to find out what the state’s requirements are for continuing education classes. It may be required that you take both an approved online course, and participate in continuing education activities in one of the traditional formats provided by the state’s board.
Although there’s nothing wrong with continuing your nursing certification to gain more experience, continuing education classes can help you maintain your license, just like taking classes in the past. Since nursing certification can change over the years, continuing your education helps you stay current with changes in the nursing field.
Many nurses who become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) switch to becoming Registered Nurses (RNs) later in their career. They continue to study for further certification and find jobs in various fields of nursing until they’ve completed their LPN training. As the number of people needing nursing care increases, so will the number of jobs available.
