"Nurses are the heart of healthcare. A person may not remember her name, but he never forgets how she made him feel!"

Nursing is one of the most dignified professions when it comes to serving people. You get an opportunity to serve humanity and earn, both at the same time.

Who is a Registered nurse?

Registered nurses are nurses who assist doctors in various tasks that they do. In order to become one, you need to successfully complete a graduation level nursing program from an approved/accredited college or university. Later, you will have to pass a test called NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse) , which is conducted by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing).

Programs Available:

There are several programs available that would enable you to become a registered nurse. Here is a description of all of the options you have in hand- 1) Associates Degree in Nursing: After completing an Associates degree in nursing, one can directly appear in the NCLEX-RN examination. Several community colleges and nursing schools offer such programs. 2) BSN Programs: It is a typical 4 years program, after completing which, you need to clear the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. 3) Bridge Programs: As mentioned earlier, there are several ways in which you can become a registered nurse. "Bridge programs" enable you to earn your baccalaureate degree in about two years or less.

RN to BSN Programs: Registered nurses take up these programs in order to achieve a BSN degree. It requires 18-24 months for completion.

LPN to BSN Programs: After completing your LPN course, move ahead to this bridge program and attain a baccalaureate degree in 2-4 years.

Accelerated BSN or Second Degree BSN Programs: For students who have a bachelors or a higher degree in a non-nursing field, this program is most beneficial. It takes about a year for completion.

Online Options: For people already busy in work, but longing to earn a BSN degree can get enrolled in online programs. This makes you independent from attending classes on a regular basis. Several bridge programs like RN to BSN programs are offered as online options also.

How to Choose From So Many Options?

With greater number of options comes greater trouble. So many programs and so many universities! Which one to choose? Universities: Choose universities/schools/programs that have been approved by the state board of nursing or have been accredited by any of the accrediting organizations approved by your nursing board. If you hold a degree that has been earned after graduating from an unapproved/unaccredited educational institution, it holds no good! Programs: Selection of the appropriate nursing program completely depends on your educational background. So, go through the details of each available option and then select the one that suits you the most. You can explore about the RN pograms available in your state -

1. Alabama RN Programs

2. Alaska RN Programs

3. Arizona RN Programs

4. Arkansas RN Programs

5. California RN Programs

6. Colorado RN Programs

7. Connecticut RN Programs

8. Delaware RN Programs

9. DC RN Programs

10. Florida RN Programs

11. Georgia RN Programs

12. Hawaii RN Programs

13. Idaho RN Programs

14. Illinois RN Programs

15. Indiana RN Programs

16. Iowa RN Programs

17. Kansas RN Programs

18. Kentucky RN Programs

19. Louisiana RN Programs

20. Maine RN Programs

21. Maryland RN Programs

22. Massachusetts RN Programs

23. Michigan RN Programs

24. Minnesota RN Programs

25. Mississippi RN Programs

26. Missouri RN Programs

27. Montana RN Programs

28. Nebraska RN Programs

29. Nevada RN Programs

30. New Hampshire RN Programs

31. New Jersey RN Programs

32. New Mexico RN Programs

33. New York RN Programs

34. North Carolina RN Programs

35. North Dakota RN Programs

36. Ohio RN Programs

37. Oklahoma RN Programs

38. Oregon RN Programs

39. Pennsylvania RN Programs

40. Rhode Island RN Programs

41. South Carolina RN Programs

42. South Dakota RN Programs

43. Tennessee RN Programs

44. Texas RN Programs

45. Utah RN Programs

46. Vermont RN Programs

47. Virginia RN Programs

48. Washington State RN Programs

49. West Virginia RN Programs

50. Wisconsin RN Programs

51. Wyoming RN Programs

About NCLEX-RN:

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. If the candidate, after graduating from a nursing program, wishes to work as a registered nurse, he needs to pass this test. After a successful attempt, he is issued a license to practice nursing in any part of the state.

Duties of a Registered Nurse:

A registered nurse basically assists the doctor in his tasks. However, some of the duties are training-specific as there are some specialization courses for registered nurses too. Here is an outline of the general jobs that are to be done by him- 1) Identify and make plans on how to meet the needs of the patient under care. Later, all aspects are discussed with seniors. 2) Relatives of the patient are kept informed about his state regularly by the RN. 3) Providing emotional support of the subject's family 4) Keep a check on junior level nurses and see that the patients are satisfied with their work. 5) Prepare documented form of the condition of patients. 6) They may educate patients and other people by conducting seminars that cover certain diseases.

Scope and Salary of a RN:

Registered nurses have bright future. They can go for further education by pursuing a MSN program and later, pursue doctorate level studies. Talking about the salary, it hugely depends on the place where you are working. Factors like area of specialization, setting and location also influences it. On an average, a registered nurse earns $52,330 per year. It is better to try getting a job in a hospital. They are better payers.