Looking for a healthcare career, here’s how to become a registered nurse. Becoming an RN is very rewarding for all those who can help people as well as affect their community and society. To be a key player in this system, an RN is a decisive body that collaborates with doctors over important decisions relating to patients, one shows support to their patients and respective families.
Along with providing you with all the information that you need to begin this rewarding journey. We are going to delve into becoming a registered nurse, what are registered nurse qualifications required to practice, and career advancement into such roles as a nurse practitioner. Lastly, we are going to talk about nurse practitioner roles and responsibilities, so that you understand what’s involved in such a rewarding profession.
Define Registered Nurse: What is a registered nurse?
The most frequently encountered healthcare provider a patient may encounter in the visit to the clinic, the hospital, or the assisted living facility will be the registered nurse. Here are some of the registered nurse job descriptions:
- Patient Care: The professional nurse assesses, monitors, and cares for patients. They advocate for their health, assist with daily activities as well as administering drugs to their patients.
Team Collaboration: Collaborates with other healthcare professionals for example physicians or nurse practitioners about the planning or coordination of activities. - Health Education: The RN educates patients on their conditions, how to prevent such conditions, and how to maintain health.
- Documentation: The nurse documents patient progress, carries out treatments prescribed by a physician, and informs other healthcare providers of critical information.
- Support: Nurses give emotional support to patients and families, alleviating fears and helping them through recovery.
The registered nurse credentials guarantee they are equipped with the knowledge and sensitivity to do so.
Is Being a Registered Nurse a Good Career Choice?
Thinking if: Is registered nurse a good career? Then let’s say a resounding ‘yes’ for sure!
- High Demand: Healthcare professionals remain in high demand, especially for registered nurses. With this complexity in healthcare, the role of RNs becomes a must-have for patients.
- Job Security: Nursing is an excellent stable profession with numerous openings in most health care settings like hospitals, clinics, and private practice.
- Compensation Package: Nurse salary is relatively high and continues to increase with years of experience, specialization, and more, but in addition to compensation, there is also job security and career development.
- Impact: Nursing is one of the most impactful careers. In such a way, RNs become critical players when it comes to patient recovery, effective management of chronic conditions, or prevention of such illnesses.
- Diversified: Having a nursing degree could be practiced practically in almost all specialty fields ranging from family registered nurses, pediatric areas, and emergencies to oncology care.
Step-by-Step Guide How to Become a Registered Nurse
So, how to become a registered nurse? Here’s a simplified roadmap:
1. Complete a Registered Nurse Course
First, you receive a registered nurse course. You can have an Associate Degree in Nursing which usually takes at least two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a duration usually taken for approximately four years. An amount of BSN can offer the best opportunity as well as monetary value in the long run.
2. Passing NCLEX-RN
This should be right after your graduation in nursing as a student and the NCLEX-RN stands for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, which would try to put to test the knowledge you may have acquired during school life and whether a student is ready to become a nurse or not. After having sat for the NCLEX-RN and passing the said examination, you’ll then continue as a registered nurse.
3. Get a State License
The process of obtaining a license in each state varies slightly, but once the NCLEX-RN has been passed, you’ll need to have a test score accepted through your own state’s board of nursing.
4. Gain Experience and Specialize
Many RNs elect to gain experience before specializing. During their careers as an RN, individuals may decide to specialize in certain areas, which may include emergency care, pediatrics, or becoming a family registered nurse. Often, specialists earn higher wages than others and may serve patients with a more satisfying role.
Salary of Registered Nurses in India
There are many exciting specializations in nursing, and some of these also determine your pay scale. Let’s take a look at some of the most sought-after specializations and the nursing salary ranges in India
Nurse Profile | Average Annual Salary |
Staff Nurse | 2.9 lakhs |
Registered Nurse | 3.3 lakhs |
Research Nurse | 3 lakhs |
Psychiatric Nurse | 3.23 lakhs |
Geriatric Nurse | 6.88 lakhs |
Community Health Nurse | 2.5 lakhs |
Home Health Nurse | 2.1 lakhs |
Pediatric Nurse | 1.6 lakhs |
Critical Care Nurse | 2.6 lakhs |
How to Get a Registered Nurse Job
After the NCLEX-RN, becoming licensed, and completing your training, you’ll begin getting hired. Their RN job description contains several major duties and responsibilities:
- Network: Healthcare job fairs and professional nursing organizations provide great resources to listen in on jobs offered by professionals, including other healthcare professionals.
- Online Search: Use job search websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to search for RN positions.
- Resume customization: Prepare a resume tailored to present qualities, education, clinical experience, and any specific type of training one has undergone.
- Preparation for Interviews: Be able to talk about your skills, clinical experience, and why you want to work as a nurse.
Conclusion
Being a registered nurse is very rewarding and influential. Nurses are part of the healthcare team as they help in providing complete care and getting patients through their recovery. In general, the outlook for jobs, the competitive registered nurse salary, and the possibility to specialize in specific areas, like family registered nurse or pediatrics, make nursing very satisfying and worthwhile.
When you’re all set, making that first step, try resources like Nursing Shala, which offers guidance and support for aspiring healthcare professionals. Whether you are just now getting started with your career path or continuing forward in your progress, becoming an RN is a very rewarding profession.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the duration of being a registered nurse?
To become a certified registered nurse, one needs to complete two to four years of coursework following the NCLEX-RN exam.
2. What is a family registered nurse?
All ages are served by a registered nurse in preventive care, chronic illness care, and health education.
3. How much does a registered nurse make?
A Registered Nurse’s salary is between 2.5 lakhs to 6.88 lakhs with variation due to factors such as experience, and place of work.
4. What are the qualifications to become a registered nurse?
One must be an RN which can be attained after passing NCLEX-RN and by passing the accredited programs either ADN or BSN nursing programs.
5. Is nursing a good career?
Yes, it is a very good career in nursing with very strong job demands, job security, competitive pay, and the possibility of making positive differences in the lives of many.