RN Degree FAQs
Individuals who have already earned their RN Degree, and who are currently working as Registered nurses, are widely considered to be the backbone of the healthcare industry.
Many people opt to earn this type of nursing degree because of the numerous job opportunities within the healthcare industry available to them, meaning that registered nurses have a higher level of job stability compared to people working in other professions.
Whether you have already applied to a school or whether you are thinking about applying to a school, you undoubtedly have a few questions in mind.
RN Degree Information Where do I start? Each state has a Board of Nursing which sets requirements, and licenses nurses to practice in the state.
To earn a professional nursing license, and to be able to practice nursing legally, you must pass a test called the NCLEX.
Before you are able to sit this exam, you first have to complete a nursing program which has been approved by the Board of Nursing in whichever state you reside.
Which Program Do I Need to Take to Qualify for the NCLEX Exam? To qualify to take the NCLEX exam, you can work towards obtaining one of three degrees: -A Hospital diploma program -An Associate's degree in nursing -A bachelor's degree in nursing What Are the Prerequisites for Admission? While each nursing school has their own set of requirements and prerequisites for admission, all schools typically look for the following things: -ACT or SAT exam -A minimum GPA of 2.
0, although this depends on the school -2 years of foreign language -3 years of science, including chemistry and biology -3 years of math, including algebra II and geometry -4 years of English Make sure you check with the nursing school you are planning to apply to, to see what specific requirements and prerequisites they are looking for.
How Long Does it Take to Become an RN? The time taken to become an RN depends on which program you take.
-Nursing Associate's Degree - 2 years -Nursing Diploma - 3 years - RN to BSN - 2 to 3 years How Much Does Tuition Cost for an RN Degree? Tuition varies depending on which program you take (clearly a program which lasts for 2 years will be less expensive than one which lasts for 3 years), whether the school is public or private, whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident, and whether you take an online or offline program.
Is financial aid available? Many people looking to obtain a registere nursing degree are put off by the expense.
However, the good news is that there is a range of both government and private financial aid options available.
If you are looking for financial aid, it is recommended to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Once this is done, you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report), which will inform you of the financial aid you qualify for.
For other forms of financial aid, you will need to contact the school to see what scholarships and grants they offer as well as their requirements for eligibility.
A good place to start is the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing).
Should I only apply to accredited schools? You should most definitely apply to accredited schools.
This is because you can take confidence in the fact that you will receive your education from an institution that has passed the rigorous standards deemed necessary for providing a high quality nursing education.
The majority of states also require a RN Degree from a fully accredited school before you are allowed to sit the NCLEX exam.
Many people opt to earn this type of nursing degree because of the numerous job opportunities within the healthcare industry available to them, meaning that registered nurses have a higher level of job stability compared to people working in other professions.
Whether you have already applied to a school or whether you are thinking about applying to a school, you undoubtedly have a few questions in mind.
RN Degree Information Where do I start? Each state has a Board of Nursing which sets requirements, and licenses nurses to practice in the state.
To earn a professional nursing license, and to be able to practice nursing legally, you must pass a test called the NCLEX.
Before you are able to sit this exam, you first have to complete a nursing program which has been approved by the Board of Nursing in whichever state you reside.
Which Program Do I Need to Take to Qualify for the NCLEX Exam? To qualify to take the NCLEX exam, you can work towards obtaining one of three degrees: -A Hospital diploma program -An Associate's degree in nursing -A bachelor's degree in nursing What Are the Prerequisites for Admission? While each nursing school has their own set of requirements and prerequisites for admission, all schools typically look for the following things: -ACT or SAT exam -A minimum GPA of 2.
0, although this depends on the school -2 years of foreign language -3 years of science, including chemistry and biology -3 years of math, including algebra II and geometry -4 years of English Make sure you check with the nursing school you are planning to apply to, to see what specific requirements and prerequisites they are looking for.
How Long Does it Take to Become an RN? The time taken to become an RN depends on which program you take.
-Nursing Associate's Degree - 2 years -Nursing Diploma - 3 years - RN to BSN - 2 to 3 years How Much Does Tuition Cost for an RN Degree? Tuition varies depending on which program you take (clearly a program which lasts for 2 years will be less expensive than one which lasts for 3 years), whether the school is public or private, whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident, and whether you take an online or offline program.
Is financial aid available? Many people looking to obtain a registere nursing degree are put off by the expense.
However, the good news is that there is a range of both government and private financial aid options available.
If you are looking for financial aid, it is recommended to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Once this is done, you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report), which will inform you of the financial aid you qualify for.
For other forms of financial aid, you will need to contact the school to see what scholarships and grants they offer as well as their requirements for eligibility.
A good place to start is the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing).
Should I only apply to accredited schools? You should most definitely apply to accredited schools.
This is because you can take confidence in the fact that you will receive your education from an institution that has passed the rigorous standards deemed necessary for providing a high quality nursing education.
The majority of states also require a RN Degree from a fully accredited school before you are allowed to sit the NCLEX exam.
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