Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN - Kiowa CO

How to Enroll In a Nursing Program near Kiowa Colorado

Kiowa CO surgical nurse assisting surgeon Searching for the best nursing program near Kiowa CO may seem like a difficult project, especially if you have no idea what to search for in a good degree program. As you may presently understand, to practice as a registered nurse, you must receive the appropriate education and training to become licensed. So it is vitally important that you research and evaluate the qualifications of each college you are thinking about before enrolling in your ultimate choice. Unfortunately, too many potential students base their selection solely on the cost of tuition and the nearness of the school. Picking the least costly college or the one that is local to your home is undoubtedly not the most reliable way to pick a nursing program. There are many crucial additional considerations to look into before you decide where to attend classes. But before we examine that checklist, let’s first discuss what the role of a registered nurse is in our health system, as well as the nursing degree choices that are offered.

Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities

Kiowa CO Neonatal Nurse with baby Registered nurses are the most extensive occupation in the healthcare delivery system. RNs practice in many different medical settings, including Kiowa CO hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their basic function is to help doctors in the care of their patients. Having said that, the exact duties of a registered nurse will be dependent on their job or specialization along with where they work. A portion of the responsibilities of an RN may include:

Administering medications
Monitoring patients
Performing physical examinations
Coordinating care
Overseeing LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
Instructing patients and their families
Taking care of health records and charts

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

Nursing Degrees

There are multiple degrees offered to become a registered nurse. And in order to become an RN, a student must attend an accredited school and program. A student can acquire a qualifying degree in as little as two years, or advance to earn a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some short explanations of the nursing degrees that are available in the Kiowa CO area.

Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a two year program offered by community colleges. It readies graduates for an entry level job in nursing in medical centers including hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many use the ADN as an entry into nursing and subsequently earn a higher degree.
Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) supplies more extensive training than the ADN. It is usually a 4 year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be allowed to complete an accelerated program based on their previous training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program might want to advance to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the employment market.
Master’s. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is usually a two year program after acquiring the BSN. The MSN program offers specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or concentrate on administration, management or teaching.

After a graduating student has received one of the above degrees, he or she must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) so as to become licensed. Further requirements for licensing vary from state to state, so make sure to contact the Colorado board of nursing for any state requirements.

LPN Certificates and Degrees

Kiowa CO LPN assisting patient There are essentially two scholastic credentials offered that provide education to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that may be concluded in the shortest period of time, usually about 1 year, is the certificate or diploma program. The 2nd choice is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma alternative and normally require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, along with providing a higher credential and more extensive training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Regardless of the type of credential you pursue, it needs to be Colorado approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or some other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the core curriculum properly prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Certificates

Unlike other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to earn a college degree. CNA instruction can be obtained at Kiowa CO 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 receive at least 75 hours of training, 16 of which must be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum period of instruction mandated and each state has its own prerequisites. So it’s crucial to make certain that the course you enroll in not only meets the federal requirements, but also those for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing. One suggestion is to get in touch with the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the training is state certified. In addition to the training, each state requires a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there might be additional requirements as well.

Things to Ask Nursing Colleges

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Kiowa CO Now that you have chosen which nursing degree to enroll in, and if to attend your classes on campus near Kiowa CO or online, you can utilize the following pointers to start narrowing down your options. As you probably realize, there are many nursing schools and colleges throughout Colorado and the United States. So it is essential to reduce the number of schools to select from so that you will have a workable list. As we earlier discussed, the site of the school as well as the expense of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the first two factors that you will take into consideration. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate selection, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick compares to the other programs.

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. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a premium education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not provided in Kiowa CO for non-accredited schools.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing requirements for registered nurses differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in addition to graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are enrolled in not only provides an exceptional education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be working.
Reputation. Visit internet rating services to see what the assessments are for all of the schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Also, check with the Colorado school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some Kiowa CO healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their judgments are of the schools as well.
Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the RN programs you are considering what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to complete their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only confirm that the school has a favorable reputation within the Kiowa CO healthcare community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students gain employment.
Internship Programs. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a certain number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing too. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Kiowa CO hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.

Nursing Online Programs

woman attending nursing school online in Kiowa CO Enrolling in nursing programs online is becoming a more in demand way to obtain instruction and acquire a nursing degree. Certain schools will require attendance on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs call for a specified amount of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training can be accessed online, this method may be a more convenient approach to finding the time to attend school for many Kiowa CO students. Concerning tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus alternatives. Even other expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more affordable. And numerous online programs are accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. So if your work and family obligations have left you with little time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online nursing program will make it more convenient to fit a degree into your active schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Kiowa CO?

Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Kiowa Colorado 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.

Kiowa, Colorado

The town of Kiowa is a home rule municipality and the county seat of Elbert County, Colorado, United States.[7] The town population was 723 at the 2010 United States Census,[8] up from 581 at the 2000 census.

The town was named for the Kiowa people.[9] Settled in 1859, it was originally named "Wendling" after an early settler.[10] It was called "Middle Kiowa" from the 1860s until 1912,[10] when it was incorporated and the word "Middle" was dropped.[11] It became the county seat of Elbert County in 1874.[10] Kiowa suffered from major flooding in 1935.[10]

Kiowa is located in western Elbert County at 39°20′39″N 104°27′46″W / 39.34417°N 104.46278°W / 39.34417; -104.46278 (39.344207, −104.462714),[12] on the east side of Kiowa Creek, a north-flowing tributary of the South Platte River. Colorado State Highway 86 passes through the town, leading east 44 miles (71 km) to Limon and west 23 miles (37 km) to Castle Rock. The town of Elizabeth is 7 miles (11 km) west on SH 86.

Select the Right Nursing Program near Kiowa CO

Kiowa CO nursing student Deciding on the right registered nursing program is perhaps the most critical step to starting a new career in the medical care industry. There are numerous aspects that you must consider when choosing a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career objectives, obligations, and economic status. As we have stressed in this article, it is critical that you select an RN school and a degree program that are each accredited and have excellent reputations within the healthcare community. By using our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to choose from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become a practicing nurse in Kiowa CO.