Please only answer if you're a nurse. In California, don't you automatically become an RN when you pass the state's nursing test?
138084
I'm a nurse at UCI medical center. \nNurse = RN\n\nAt times, I am forced to say I'm an R.N. because nursing assistants, medical assistants, etc. tend to say they are a nurse. No disrespect to them.\n\nThis profession wants a change to where the term "nurse" should be said with pride. I have answered questions to what I do and a follow up question is, "Are you a full-blown RN?" My argument is that a nurse is an R.N.\n\nSo, the answer to your question is a nurse is an R.N., but you may want to ask if they are a CNA (certified nursing assistant), LVN or LPN (licensed vocational nurse or licensed practical nurse), or an R.N. (registered nurse).\n\nWe, nurses, want that term back, so that we can say it again with pride. We went to a lot of schooling for this and it upsets me when I hear a non-R.N. say they are a nurse.
106986
Of course you can't be a good nurse unless you get pleasure out of helping people. That would be a true answer.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with saying that you want to be a nurse because it pays well (does it?). In fact, an employer would prefer that you like the money and other financial benefits. That way the employer knows you will not readily kiss off the job if the going gets rough--'cause you need the money.\n\n\n(If you follow Melanie's advice, just make sure you spell "affecting" and "it's" correctly.)
271267
First off if you're a licensed RN nurse in a different country your license will not be good here in the US. I know my wife is a licensed RN in mexico. For her to get her RN here in North Carolina she will need to complete the NCLEX, TOEFL, CGFNS. But you will need to contact the board of Nursing in your State since the rules and requirements vary from State to state: http://www.cgfns.com will have more information about the requierements depending on the state and country where you came from...if you're from the US then you should contact your state's boaard of Nursing.
57823
no, you will still be issued the nursing license but you may be required to participate in a diversion program.
593024
I'm a nursing student.  Does that count?
380243
a nurse will never have a problem finding a job, no matter where s/he goes. \nA nurse will earn clearly less money than a doctor, but can have more free time. \nStudying to be a nurse is faster and therefore cheaper than becoming a doctor. \nIf you want to chance to nursing you must have a reason why, So why don't you just tell that. Anyway, it's your decision, nobody can keep you from changing if you want to. \nIf you are looking for advice from your professor you have to state your own reason, not one you thinks sounds good, otherwise he won't be able to give you good advice.
245242
If you want to become a nurse, then it will be for life.  You need to go thru the appropriate courses to become the best you can be.  Check your local hospitals for nursing schools.
628166
I am a recent nurse graduate.  I attended a associate degree program in nyc.  Now I am entitled to take the NCLEX, which is the exam which you need to pass in able to become a Registered Nurse or you can say "RN" which is just an abbreviation or nurse.  The more technical term is Registered Nurse.  The hospital volunteer guy is wrong.  \n \n So, that's a registered nurse, you have to have a degree, either 2 year, which is associates, 4 year, bachelors which is the best minimum education a nurse should have, and extra 2 to however many for a nurse practitioner.  An associates degree is still acceptable and I am able to take the same test as a bachelor graduate, but more  education is better.  Some facilities don't take associates degree, just some though.\n  \n As a nurse practitioner, you will have a specialty, many of them to choose from such as family NP, pediatric NP, Psych NP, etc.  You are able to prescribe meds, just as the others have said.  NP's usually work with an MD.  Some states allow NP's to work independently, meaning you can have your own Nurse practitioner clinic, like a doctor's clinic.  NP's are still RN's so they do bedside care as well.  NP's usually have a higher salary.  Other types of higher educ. RN's are midwives and nurse anesthetists.    \n  \n There are soooooooo many Nursing types.  Some of them still surprises me, like forensic nursing.  Nurses do paperwork and patient care.  If you want you can just do paper work and be a manager or you can just be with patients all the time.\n   Consider Nursing, hope I helped you.  If you want anymore info, just ask.   oh yeah you do clinicals in the hospitals , etc  ...like residency, and DON'T do online programs, u still have to go to clinicals anyway and it won't be as beneficial as the classroom experience and online programs for this major are probably still not approved by your state nursing board and also employers will question ur education.
279035
Check with your state board of nursing.  They will be able to tell you.  Most state boards now have on online site where you can email them...that would be the best way to go.  Get the info straight from the source.
45844
I wanna be a nurse practitioner, and my major is nursing
141352
In the first couple of years of school, when you're taking basic, non-nursing courses, yes.  However, as you move into advanced studies, clinicals and practicums, its going to be VERY hard for you to work full time.  If you need to work, you might consider a hospital-based nursing program where you can work (in a lower job) while pursuing your studies; or at least contract to work after completing your studies so that your educational costs are paid for.\n\nBest of luck!
633247
Try here for links to applications and regulations in Nevada:\n\nhttp://www.nursingboard.state.nv.us/
527270
Hi\n\n1. You can start as a nursing assistant . Usually you can get your certificate while working/training in a nursing home. Nursing assistants do not handle medcations and the work load is heavy. Lots of lifting, and direct patient care. You change urinals, diapers and feed patients.\n\n2. Next step up would be a licensed practical nurse. This level usually requires a year of study at a vocational school or community college. At the end of your studies, you will be required to pass a state nursing exam to receive your license.\nYou still do a lot of the same as the nursing assistant, but you have more paper work and you can pass some meds. It does pay more than the nursing assistant.\n\n3. The registered nurse or "R.N." usually takes  two years of general studies and nursing classes. You are also expected to pass your board exams at the end of your studies.It pays much better than the Licensed nurse, but you also have more responsibility. There is a lot more paperwork and responsibilty, but you may also pass most meds. An RN also oversees the practical and assistant nurses.\n\n\n4. The "BSN" Bachelor's degree in nursing is a completion of  years of studies and nursing practicum. Usually, a registered nurse will bridge into this program. This level usually falls within the managerial level. The BSN usually oversees all nurses and coordinates patient care.\n\n5. Masters degree in nursing requires even more training, but gives the postion of being a nurse practioner. In this position, the nurse is much like a doctor, but may not perescribe medications without the authorization of the overseeing physician.\n\nIf you can take five years of nursing classes, you might as well go on to be a doctor.\n\nI started out as a nursing assistant, then moved in to a Practical nursing program. Also you may consider working as a phlebotomist or technician while pursuing your nursing degree. This will give you an inside real world view of the nursing field. Most hospitals will happily put you through school or offer scholarships towards medical training provided you work for them once you have graduated.\n\nDo understand that no matter which level you pursue, you will get your hands dirty (changing bed pans, cleaning bottoms and cleaning up every kind of human fluid God ever created). Everyone starts at the bottom. Your income will increase with experience. Remember that any medical position is needed and once you become a nurse you can pretty much have a job anywhere you go.\n\nGood luck.
623437
http://allnurses.com/forums/f29/rn-license-renewal-question-114066.html
520849
Any accredited school where the nursing graduate acquires an Associates of Science degree in Nursing.  A degree that upon completion, entitles you to test for your RN license in the state in which you live.  Some licenses will work in multiple states and some states would require you to retest if you ever moved, so you should check on the RN license requirements for your state if you are considering going out of state to attend school, and move back home upon completion or vice versa.  If the school you find that best suits your personal needs and will allow you to become a registered nurse is located in the state you plan on residing in once you graduate, then you should be fine.  Keep in mind that this only licenses you as an RN.  I guess circumstance would allow you to work in Pediatrics or not.  If you want to become a Pediatric nurse, meaning a person that not only has an RN license, but further education to allow them to specialize in children's health, you would more than likely be looking at a bachelor's degree in nursing.  It should be relatively easy finding a school that offers an RN program, but depending on where you live, finding a school that would allow you to get a bachelors degree in nursing with a focus in Pediatrics may be a little more difficult.  Again, that all depends on where you live and how easy it would be for you to make that decision to attend.
137458
Try visiting  www.discovernursing.com - you'll find tons of information there on nursing.\n\nDespite prior statements,  you do not need a BS to be an RN.   There are two-year RN programs and RN bridge programs for persons  who have an LPN/LVN.   The push MAY be for RNs to have a bachelor's degree,  but the  reality is that there is such a shortage of nurses  willing to work  in NURSING (yes, nurses work in  fields outside of active nursing),  that states/countries are creating  avenues to bring  in more  nurses quickly.\n\nWhat you can do with a nursing certificate/degree will depend upon the state/country you live in.  Generically, you could go back and do a 1 year nursing certificate program and become an LPN/LVN.  Or, you could pick up the sciences and other pre-reqs you need and complete a 2nd associates--the outcome could be an LPN/LVN or an RN depending upon the school/program you enter into.  Or, you could transfer to a university and pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.
503062
I know three women who are in the process of going from LPN to RN.  The one who is somewhat ahead in her classes says it significantly easier going from LPN to RN that it was getting the LPN in the first place.\nThat's the extent of what I can contribute to your question other than good luck to you!