Experience The Joys Of Becoming A
Registered Nurse - Nationwide Positions, Great Pay And
BenefitsBy: Tim Gorman
According to the latest report released
by the American Hospital Association, U.S. hospitals are
experiencing a severe shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) to fill
vacant positions nationwide.
The field of nursing has emerged from its
lowly beginnings. Nurses were traditionally paid a low wage and
regulated to the menial task associated with caring for the sick.
They emptied bed pans, changed beds and filled water containers. In
the present day hospital environment, these tasks are relegated to
nursing assistants. Starting as a nursing assistant or nursing aide
is the first step to determine if a nursing career is feasible.
Becoming a nursing assistant requires only basic course work. The
pay for nursing assistants positions is relatively low. Because of
the low pay and the type of work involved, many nursing assistants
start the educational process to become a Registered
Nurse.
The progression to become a Registered
nurse starts with the nurse assistant. The licensed vocational nurse
is the next step requiring more education and exam. The final step
is registered nurse .
The LVN ( Licensed Vocational Nurse) are
in high demand. The salary is higher than that of a nursing
assistant. And the task performed provide direct patient care. The
LVN will work directly under the supervision of a Doctor or a
Registered Nurse. Employment opportunities for the LVN are
excellent.
The education required to complete an LVN
program is least three semesters of classroom and clinical hours.
The program is intensive and can be completed with a combination of
distance learning courses as well as on-site courses for the lab and
clinical requirements. The LVN curriculum can be different depending
on the location of the training. At the completion of the required
courses from a university of community college program the LVN must
successfully pass a state mandated exam before she can work as a
Licensed Vocational Nurse.
Because of the acute shortage of
qualified Registered Nurses, hospitals are offering in house
training programs to allow employees who want to become Nurses.
These employees are allowed to attend classes on company time. Some
companies offering the training on site. Companies offer tuition
reimbursement and flexible work schedules in return for a commitment
of a certain number of years of employment in exchange for the
opportunity.
To become a Registered Nurse requires the
completion a 4 year course of study. The registered nurses that are
in most demand have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree as
opposed to the Associate Degree Nursing program that requires the
completion of a two year degree program. The salary for an RN has
escalated within the last few years because of the shortage of
Registered Nurses.
Several colleges and universities offer
the basic curriculum for obtaining a degree in Nursing. However, the
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLAC) accredits
certain colleges that meet their stringent requirements. These
nursing programs prepare the student to be able to sit for the
boards prior to getting prior to getting the license to practice
nursing. Being selective in the choice of the educational
institution for your education at the beginning of your training
will save money and time.
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