If you decide that nursing is the field you wish to pursue, there are several steps you can
take to get started.
Each state requires a nurse to be licensed to practice. The state’s Board of
Nursing determines the licensure requirements for that state and issues the licenses.
Depending on the state, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is
the first level of license. To earn this license, a nurse must complete an approved LPN program
and sit for a state-administered nursing exam known as the NCLEX-PN or the National
Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.
Registered Nurse (RN) is the next level of licensing and there are several paths to take to
reach this level. You can enter a two-year associate degree (A.D.N.) program and then sit for NCLEX-RN, a state-administered, five-hour, multiple-choice
exam. You can also take this route if you are planning to go on to earn your bachelor's
degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) and earn money as an RN while studying for your bachelor's degree.
Another path is to start at a four-year college, take the prerequisite courses to work on
a standard bachelor’s degree and then apply to that college’s nursing program. Every
college or university differs in the requirements its nursing program asks for, so do
your research to prepare properly. After graduation, you will sit for the NCLEX-RN
examination.
Accreditation
Accreditation is crucial no matter which path you take on your way to becoming a nurse. Your
LPN program must be accredited in order for you to sit for the exams given by
the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the bachelor's degree program must be
accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commissions (NLNAC) or the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Certification and Graduate Degrees
After you’re a working registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree, you might find a specific
area you’d like to specialize in through certification. For example, you can become
certified as a medical/surgical or critical care nurse.
There are also master's degree programs that allow you to specialize further, or, if you
wish to pursue clinical research or executive careers in nursing, some schools even offer
doctorate programs in nursing specialties.
How do I select a school?
Here are critical things to consider when selecting a school to prepare for your career in
health care:
- Type and quality of program you want to attend
- Cost of education (tuition, books, miscellaneous expenses)
- Assistance available (scholarships, academic, loans)
- Recognized transfer options available if needed
- Faculty skill and commitment to students
- Campus facilities (library, computers, dorm rooms)
- "Small" versus "large" programs
Learn about the Baptist College of Health Sciences.
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