Tag Archives: Colleges for Nursing near Tennessee Ridge TN 37178

Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Tennessee Ridge TN

How to Enroll In a Nursing College near Tennessee Ridge Tennessee

Tennessee Ridge TN surgical nurse assisting surgeonLocating the right nursing college near Tennessee Ridge TN may feel like a complicated project, particularly if you aren’t sure what to search for in a good degree program. As you may already know, in order to practice as a registered nurse, you must obtain the proper education and training to become licensed. So it is essential that you study and determine the qualifications of each program you are thinking about before enrolling in your final selection. Regrettably, too many potential students base their selection entirely on the cost of tuition and the distance of the school. Going with the least costly program or the one that is local to your home is undoubtedly not the most reliable way to select a nursing program. There are many important additional factors to check out before you make a decision where to enroll in classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first look at what the role of a registered nurse is in our healthcare system, as well as the nursing degree alternatives that are available.

Registered Nurse Job Activities

Tennessee Ridge TN Neonatal Nurse with babyRegistered nurses are the most extensive occupation in the healthcare delivery system. RNs practice in a large number of different medical settings, such as Tennessee Ridge TN hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their basic role is to assist doctors in the care of their patients. However, the specific duties of a registered nurse will depend on their job or area of expertise in addition to where they work. A few of the duties of an RN may include:

  • Administering medications
  • Monitoring patients
  • Conducting physical examinations
  • Managing care
  • Managing LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
  • Instructing patients and their families
  • Maintaining health records and charts

Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more high level job duties and accountabilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), as an example, must hold a Master’s Degree and typically work more independently than their RN counterparts. They can provide primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat routine illnesses or injuries.

Nursing Degrees Available

There is more than one degree option offered to become a registered nurse. And to become an RN, a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A student can obtain a qualifying degree in as little as 2 years, or advance to obtain a graduate degree for a total of 6 years. Following are some brief summaries of the nursing degrees that are offered in the Tennessee Ridge TN area.

  • Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a 2 year program offered by community colleges. It preps graduates for an entry level position in nursing in medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many utilize the ADN as an entry into nursing and later attain a more advanced degree.
  • Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) provides more extensive training than the ADN. It is commonly a 4 year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be qualified to complete an accelerated program based on their previous training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program may wish to progress to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the job market.
  • Master’s. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is commonly a two year program after achieving the BSN. The MSN program provides specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or concentrate on administration, management or teaching.

Once a graduating student has acquired one of the above degrees, he or she must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed. Additional requirements for licensing vary from state to state, so make sure to check with the Tennessee board of nursing for any state mandates.

LVN and LPN Courses

Tennessee Ridge TN LPN assisting patientThere are generally two scholastic accreditations available that provide instruction to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that may be completed in the shortest amount of time, typically about 1 year, is the certificate or diploma course. The next option is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and usually require 2 years to complete. The advantage of Associate Degrees, in addition to offering a higher credential and more extensive instruction, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the kind of credential you pursue, it needs to be Tennessee approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or any other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC guarantees that the course of study effectively prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Courses

In contrast to other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to attain a college degree. CNA instruction can be acquired at Tennessee Ridge TN area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The duration of the training program can take anywhere from just one to three months, resulting in either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to obtain at least 75 hours of training, 16 of which have to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimal amount of instruction directed and that each state has its specific requirements. So it’s necessary to make certain that the program you enroll in not only fulfills the federal requirements, but likewise those for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing. One recommendation is to contact the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the training course is state certified. In addition to the training, each state mandates a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there may be other requirements as well.

Questions to Ask Nursing Colleges

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Tennessee Ridge TNNow that you have chosen which nursing degree to pursue, as well as if to attend your classes on campus near Tennessee Ridge TN or on the web, you can use the following pointers to start narrowing down your options. As you no doubt are aware, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges throughout Tennessee and the United States. So it is important to lower the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a workable list. As we previously pointed out, the location of the school and the cost of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the first two factors that you will consider. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So before making your final decision, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick compares to the field.

  • Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the degree or certificate program as well as the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain an excellent education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered in Tennessee Ridge TN for non-accredited schools.
  • Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for registered nurses differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) along with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specified number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are attending not only delivers a top-notch education, but also prepares you to meet the minimum licensing requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing.
  • Reputation. Look at online rating companies to see what the assessments are for all of the schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Additionally, check with the Tennessee school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can contact some Tennessee Ridge TN healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their opinions are of the schools as well.
  • Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the RN colleges you are considering what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to finish their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only confirm that the school has a superb reputation within the Tennessee Ridge TN healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to help students obtain a position.
  • Internship Programs. The most effective way to obtain experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a certain number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing too. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Tennessee Ridge TN hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.

Online Nursing Programs

woman attending nursing school online in Tennessee Ridge TNAttending nursing programs online is becoming a more favored way to get instruction and earn a nursing degree. Certain schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and nearly all programs require a specific number of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare facility. But since the rest of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more practical answer to finding the time to attend school for some Tennessee Ridge TN students. Concerning tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more economical. And numerous online programs are accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. And so if your job and household responsibilities have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online nursing training program will make it easier to fit a degree into your busy schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Tennessee Ridge TN?

Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Tennessee Ridge Tennessee area.  If that is the case, then the following information may prove to be both educational and useful regarding the location of your future Alma Mater.

Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,334 people, 533 households, and 412 families residing in the town. The population density was 360.3 people per square mile (139.2/km²). There were 573 housing units at an average density of 154.7 per square mile (59.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.80% White, 0.22% African American, 0.15% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 533 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town, the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

Enroll in the Right Nursing College near Tennessee Ridge TN

Tennessee Ridge TN nursing studentDeciding on the ideal registered nursing college is perhaps the most critical first step to starting a new career in the health care industry. There are a number of variables that you must think about when deciding on a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently contingent on your existing career goals, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have emphasized in this article, it is essential that you select an RN school and a degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the healthcare community. By using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a short list of schools to choose from so that you can make your final selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your dedication and ambition to succeed, you can become a licensed RN in Tennessee Ridge TN.

More Awesome Locations in Tennessee

  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Hartsville TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Memphis TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Norris TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Smithville TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Elizabethton TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Waynesboro TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Maryville TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Friendsville TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Lyles TN
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Bolivar TN
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 0