

educated candidates taking it for the first time. 3 As of July 2017, the exam had a 88.40% pass rate for U.S. The NCLEX is conducted on a computer with six hours allotted to complete the test. 2 While students will want to study for this exam to be as prepared as possible, college nursing programs are designed to teach everything that a prospective RN needs to know in order to pass the exam.

This exam is given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Here are some general subjects most nursing students can expect to cover in their coursework: 2Īfter earning a degree through an accredited nursing program, an RN must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). A BSN includes additional education in the physical and social sciences, communication, leadership and critical thinking designed to help students develop deeper knowledge in the area of study and a broader skill set. A prospective RN can earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a diploma from an approved nursing program. In order to become an RN, a prospective nurse must graduate from an accredited nursing program. RNs must juggle various patient needs to ensure that each patient is given the appropriate care. RNs regularly find themselves working with a variety of patients who must receive the correct treatments and medicines at the right time. Other fundamental skills that may be required for a registered nurse are the abilities to be detail-oriented and organized. Critical thinking is also crucial, as nurses often work in situations requiring quick decision-making or corrective action. A nurse's communication skills may be tested by patients, their families, attending physicians and even co-workers. Nurses need to be able to explain complex subjects in simple and easy-to-understand ways and actively listen to the patient’s words to successfully interpret symptoms and concerns. 2Ī wide spectrum of clinical and administrative skills may be necessary for an effective nursing career. Nurses must have compassion when caring for patients as well as the emotional stability to cope with suffering, emergencies and other stresses.

No matter how kind, caring or understanding a nurse is, they may routinely have patients or situations to deal with which can be mentally taxing. It takes a special type of person to choose a career in which they care for strangers on a daily basis. 1 However, before deciding on a career in nursing, it is important to recognize the qualities and job requirements of being an RN. Registered nurses (RNs) can expect to see job growth that’s much faster than average through 2024, and in some cases, may need a four-year degree to begin a journey on this career path. For those who have an affinity for caring for others, nursing may be an ideal profession.
