How To Become An RN | Online and Distance Learning

What To Study To Become An RN

Submitted by admin on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 13:40

If you're interested in nursing as a career, now is the time to become an RN. The demand for Registered Nurses (RNs) is strong and growing.

But what is the difference between getting registered and getting a Bachelors degree (RN vs BSN)? What can you expect to earn as an RN?

This page tackles these questions, tells you about the pathways to nursing registration, helps you to find suitable programs to prepare you for the NCLEX nursing licensing exam, and more ...

Studying to become an RN (Registered Nurse) in the USA

To be a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States, you must pass the relevant National Council Licensure EXamination (NCLEX).

The NCLEX-RN is taken by both Associate Degree (ADN) and Bachelors Degree (BSN) prepared nurses and the pass rates are about the same for both ADN and BSN prepared nurses. Make sure that your chosen program prepares you for the NCLEX Nurse Registration exam.

There are basically three types of program you can take depending on your qualifications and the time you want to spend:

If you don't yet have a degree, then the two-year online Associate Degree in Nusing (ADN) is one program you could take. The Associate Degree has been the main route to becoming a registered nurse for many years.
If you don't yet have a degree, the other program you could take is the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The popularity of the BSN as a route to registration is growing quickly, both with nurses and with employers.
If you already have a non-nursing degree, the paths to becoming an RN are called "second degree accelerated" BSN programs, and "direct entry" MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs.

Preparing for the NCLEX-RN Exam

The NCLEX-RN exam is a computer based test designed to measure if you have the knowledge and problem solving skills needed to provide adequate health care to patients and is needed in order to work in any health care facility. The length of time it takes you to complete the test will depend on if you get the correct answers. Each time you do, the computer software gives you a question at a higher skill level, whilst a wrong answer will mean going down to a lower level. The software will keep providing new questions until it is clear that you have or do not have the competency at the level required.

The subjects covered include care and comfort; safety; infection control; health promotion and maintenance; psychosocial integrity; pharmacological therapies; and reduction of risk potential.

StudyGuideZone.com provides further information, together with a free, downloadable Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN.

Studying to become an RN (Registered Nurse) in Canada

The registration process in Canada is similar to that in the USA. The national licensing exam to legally practice as a nurse in Canada is called the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE). To become an RN, you must first complete a suitable program (most provinces require a Bachelors in Nursing), apply to the licensing body in the province in which you want to work, and then pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).

Summary of how to become an RN

If you don't yet have a degree:

Take a BSN or an ADN to become an RN;
Take the examination for registration (NCLEX-RN in the USA; CRNE in Canada).

If you already have a non-nursing degree:

Take the "second degree accelerated" BSN or take the "direct entry" MSN
Take the examination for registration (NCLEX-RN in the USA; CRNE in Canada).

What can you expect to earn as an RN?

Your salary will obviously depend on your experience, qualifications and which role you pursue. But in the US, the median salary range for an RN with 1 to 4 years experience is $40,000 - $59.000 whilst in Canada it is C$38.000 - C$56,000 (source: PayScale).