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How to Become a
Registered Nurse (RN)

发现你需要做什么才能成为注册护士

软件下载赞赏你想加入奖励计划的愿望, fulfilling RN profession, working firsthand to help people heal and make a significant impact in your community. Our goal is to support your pursuit of this wonderful career path.

The best way to get started to become a registered nurse is to fully understand what you’re getting into and begin considering your nursing education. Earning an undergraduate nursing degree represents the biggest step to becoming a licensed RN qualified to practice as an RN.

Here are the key steps to take to become a registered nurse:

如何成为注册护士
Know the Role

1. 了解自己的角色:作为注册护士应该期待什么

Registered nurses are the backbone of the day-to-day operations in many different types of healthcare settings. You’ll wear a lot of hats and be expected to handle a wide variety of tasks, including:

  • Develop and direct treatment plans
  • 与患者和家属沟通
  • 管理药物和治疗
  • Perform diagnostic tests
  • Operate medical equipment
  • Community-based work, including public health education and services
  • 作为病人和医生之间的关键纽带

记住,没有一个职位描述是完全相同的. Your specific roles and responsibilities will vary depending on your education, experience level, and requirements of your employer.

注册护士可能专攻许多不同的领域, including pediatrics, geriatrics, OBGYN, ER, trauma and much more. As you develop more experience you may discover certain types of care or patient populations that interest you more than others.

The field of nursing offers many unique career opportunities for those looking to specialize, and oftentimes you can be qualified to pursue these unique pathways with a BSN and experience. In some cases, like becoming a nurse practitioner, you will be required to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

RN level designations

In the future, 当你准备开始找第一份工作的时候, 你会想要寻找“RN 1”或“RN I”的位置. These designations are usually made for new grads with very little or no experience as a professional RN.

What’s the difference between RN 1, RN 2 (II), RN 3 (III), etc.? The differences between one level to the next vary by hospital/institution. Typically, a mix of experience, tasks you can perform, 角色和职责决定了你的注册护士水平.

Choose Your Pathway

2. Choose your career pathway

Nursing Student

Now that you have a better understanding of what it’s like to work as an RN, take a moment to confirm you’re ready to fully commit to this career. If you’re looking for the fastest path to a job as a nurse, the prospect of going back to school for 2-3 years before getting there may feel daunting.

There are other jobs in nursing you might consider before pursuing a job as an RN:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). CNAs负责基本的病人护理活动, such as bathing, getting dressed, using the toilet, and eating and drinking. 可以快速完成CNA培训, and you could potentially be working as a CNA in a matter of months depending on your state.
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN, or Licensed Vocational Nurse - LVN). Becoming a practical nurse can be a great first step for those who want to get started faster in nursing. It typically only takes 12 months to complete a practical nursing (PN) diploma program, and you can potentially transfer credit into an RN program in the future—or enroll in an LPN to RN bridge program. We offer programs to students looking to go from LPN to Associate in Nursing (ASN) or LPN to 护理学理学士.

Keep in mind that while pursuing these paths may get you to work and making money faster, your earning potential increases considerably by becoming an RN, 根据美国劳工统计局(BLS):*

平均工资估计,劳工统计局

Job / CareerPer yearPer hour
Nursing Assistants (BLS)$36,220$17.41
持牌实用护士及持牌职业护士(BLS)$55,860$26.86
Registered Nurses (BLS)$89,010$42.80

You’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of how much you can potentially make vs. how much time it takes to begin working in the field in a nursing role.

If you’re confident you want to begin working towards becoming an RN right away, beginning to earn the undergraduate education you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN represents the quickest path to begin seeking an RN job.

Get Educated

3. 获得护理本科学位

Ready to begin?

Prepare for nursing school!

Nursing school can be a challenge—but the challenge is what prepares you best to succeed in your later career. We always strive for a steady balance: the curriculum and clinical experiences equip you with the skills and knowledge to truly excel while providing extensive resources to ensure things never get too overwhelming.

注册护士要求:我需要什么学位?

You can’t become a registered nurse without first earning a nursing degree.

To qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), you’ll need to 向护理委员会申请/注册以获得批准及 earn either:

Which degree should I choose?

 

没有放之四海而皆准的答案. It depends on your prior education, what your goals are in the field and how quickly you want to get started. Primary differences between earning an associate and bachelor’s degree in nursing include:

成为RN需要多长时间?

It can take anywhere from 16-36 months for you to earn a degree in nursing, depending on the track you choose, 你已经完成的大学课程, 以及你选择完成课程的速度.

  • 20-24 months:
  • 20 months. Our ASN program for those new to nursing typically takes at least 20 months to complete.
  • 28-32 months. LPNs/LVNs, paramedics, Respiratory Therapists (RT) and Cardiovascular Technicians (CVT) may also be eligible for bridge-style options at the BSN level as well.
  • 36 months. Students new to healthcare with no prior degree may qualify for our 3-year BSN program. 即使你没有完成学位, you may be able to transfer up to 90 credits of prior college courses and lessen the time needed to complete your bachelor’s in nursing. 你可以选择校内课程,也可以选择软件下载的 online BSN program for new nurses looking to become an RN.

There are two basic components of any undergraduate nursing degree curriculum: didactic/lecture-style courses, and clinicals designed to help you prepare for real practice as an RN.

Classes Start July 8th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Frequently Asked Questions

Accreditation varies by nursing degree program and the Herzing campus where it is offered.*

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Atlanta, Brookfield, Kenosha, Madison, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Orlando are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). This accreditation includes the baccalaureate degree program offered at the satellite Herzing University Tampa location.

The master’s degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Herzing University Madison are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin. ​

For more information about accreditation, please check out our nursing programs to discover the program that interests you!

There are many different nursing specialties to choose from. Depending on your personality, educational background and preferred working environment you can follow your own personalized path in the nursing profession.

Here are a few popular nursing specialties you may consider:

You can take our nursing personality quiz to get a better idea of what you might prefer in your nursing career.

None of our nursing programs may be completed entirely online.

Here’s why: real experience in the field is critical to your success as a nurse. Your clinical experience is vital to becoming qualified for the job and excel immediately in your new career.

许多课程可以在线完成,例如软件下载的课程 online BSN program or online MSN Direct Entry program, but it is your hands-on clinicals that will provide you with the best experience to prepare you for your career in nursing. Herzing University provides you with the best of both worlds.

Contact us to determine the program or course of study that will work best for you!

General requirements for our ASN, BSN, and MSN degrees vary across degree programs.

Requirements to enroll in undergraduate degree programs (ASN/ADN, BSN) include a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum GPA requirement.

Most programs also require an interview with a Herzing admissions advisor before acceptance. Conditional admission may also be available for interested students who are waiting to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX).  

如有特殊要求,请在 campus location that you are most interested in, or get in contact with a local admissions advisor.

The advantages of a BSN can include:

  • 增加了工作时的决策自主权
  • 打开护理领域更多专业的大门
  • 成为医院更有吸引力的候选人 Magnet Recognition
  • Build a foundation to grow into education or leadership pathways
  • 让你更适合薪酬更高的护理工作
  • Qualify to enroll in an MSN program
  • Become more familiar and educated with evidence-based practice opportunities
  • Increase knowledge and understanding of RN specialties and skills
  • 从“技术”向“专业”RN的转变
  • Gain a deeper knowledge of nursing theory and leadership theory

A 2022 study from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) indicates employers have the level of education at top of mind in the hiring process. Based on responses from nursing schools, the survey revealed 69.8% of employers show a strong preference for BSN graduates.

最终的好处是提升自己, becoming the best nurse you can be and following the career path of your choosing.

Herzing University is dedicated to providing you with affordable, quality education to help you complete your degree in nursing.

The cost of our nursing programs varies by degree, location and program. More information and an estimate for the cost of your education can be found on our Herzing Tuition Wizard.

Students attending Herzing may be eligible for a combination of grants, scholarships, and student employment to make tuition as affordable as possible. You might also be eligible to qualify for federal financial aid or military benefits and services. 请直接与软件下载联系以获取更多信息.

Yes. 对所有注册护士的需求仍然非常高, 如果你获得了副学士学位, pass the NCLEX and meet the board of nursing requirements in your state, you’re one of them.

Nurses with bachelor’s degrees may have an advantage in earning a nursing position at a hospital (especially hospitals seeking Magnet status), but nurses are currently in such high demand many healthcare organizations are eager to hire ASN nurses.

Because nurses with a BSN have earned that next degree level and generally have the edge on the job market, they will on average earn a slightly higher salary than nurses with an ASN. However, there are always exceptions; an ASN with several years of an experience may earn a higher salary than an RN with a BSN who is just starting their career.

Gain Experience

4. 在临床和模拟中获得实践经验

Degree programs typically begin with didactic courses to help you establish key concepts and build a strong academic foundation.

Eventually, you’ll progress into clinicals and begin establishing a skillset preparing you to work as an RN. Clinicals and hands-on simulation represent a crucial component of your education.

While general education and didactic/lecture style nursing courses can be completed online, and virtual simulation can be an effective teaching tool, there is no replacement for hands-on laboratory and clinical experiences with the guidance of experienced, talented instructors.

Your clinical experience will help you to apply theory to practice and develop key leadership, 批判性思维和解决问题的能力.

What you learn during your clinicals will be key to passing the NCLEX and becoming qualified for your first job as an RN. It will also prepare you best to succeed in your future career right from the start.

Nurse with stethoscope
Pass the NCLEX

5. 毕业后参加NCLEX-RN考试

为了在美国成为一名注册护士.S. 在美国和加拿大,你必须首先通过NCLEX-RN考试. Graduates who successfully pass this national examination will be eligible to practice as registered nurses in the state in which they took the examination.

This exam is very different from those you will take in your nursing classes, so be sure to check out these NCLEX-RN study tips beforehand.

As a registered nurse, you have ample opportunities for advancement. After completing your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can accelerate your career by earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and/or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to position yourself for advanced practice, management and nursing faculty positions.

Registered Nurses in Meeting

Learn more about a career as an RN

6. 找到你的第一份工作,开始你的职业生涯

当你从护理专业毕业的时候, you’ll be ready to join the ranks of healthcare heroes helping those with sickness and illness get better. You will also be positioned for an exciting new career path with many opportunities for advancement.

Take your first step with Herzing University and team up with an institution with decades of experience helping students become excellent nurses.

Our mission is to support your career success, learning and engagement, from your first class to your pinning ceremony—and throughout your nursing career.

在Herzing,你的新职业道路是幸运28计划!

Learn More About Our BSN Program

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幸运28计划的可用性因校园而异.


*美国劳工统计局(BLS).S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2022 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, 会影响职业成果和收入吗. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, 加薪或其他职业发展.

Classes Start July 8th

Learn More Today

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Locations

Online & on-campus options

Herzing University nursing programs are available online and at 11 ground campus locations, each offering extensive student resources and support as you pursue your nursing degree. 幸运28计划的可用性因校园而异 location and state eligibility.

Herzing University - Akron
nursing programs

1600 South Arlington St, 100
Akron, OH 44306

(330) 594-3034

Herzing University - Atlanta
nursing programs

50 Hurt Plaza SE Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 586-4265

Herzing University - Birmingham
nursing programs

280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209

(205) 791-5860

Herzing University - Brookfield
nursing programs

15895 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53005

(262) 457-7624

Herzing University - Madison
nursing programs

5218 East Terrace Drive
Madison, WI 53718

(608) 807-1909

Herzing University - Nashville
nursing programs

100 Centerview Dr., Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37214

(615) 206-2858

Herzing University - New Orleans
nursing programs

3900 North Causeway Blvd Suite 800
Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 613-4295

Herzing University - Tampa
nursing programs

3632 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619

(813) 285-5281

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幸运28计划以获取更多信息

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By selecting this button you agree to receive updates and alerts from Herzing University. 文本HELP到85109寻求帮助,文本STOP到85109结束. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. By opting in, I authorize Herzing University to deliver SMS messages and I understand that I am not required to opt in as a condition of enrollment. By leaving this box unchecked you will not be opted in for SMS messages. Click to read Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.