Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN - Almo KY

How to Select a Nursing School near Almo Kentucky

Almo KY surgical nurse assisting surgeon Finding the best nursing school near Almo KY may feel like a difficult project, particularly if you aren’t sure what to search for in a good degree program. As you may presently know, for you to practice as a registered nurse, you need to acquire the proper education and training in order to become licensed. So it is critically important that you study and measure the qualifications of each program you are thinking about before enrolling in your final selection. Unfortunately, too many prospective students base their decision solely on the price of tuition and the nearness of the school. Selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence is no doubt not the most ideal way to pick a nursing program. There are a number of key additional factors to check into before you determine where to enroll in classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first cover what the function of a registered nurse is in our healthcare system, as well as the nursing degree alternatives that are available.

Registered Nurse Job Activities

Almo KY Neonatal Nurse with baby Registered nurses are the largest occupation in the medical care delivery system. RNs practice in numerous different medical environments, namely Almo KY hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their general function is to help doctors in the care of their patients. However, the exact duties of a registered nurse will be dependent on their job or specialization as well as where they work. A portion of the duties of an RN may include:

Providing medications
Overseeing patients
Conducting physical examinations
Managing care
Overseeing LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
Informing patients and their families
Keeping health records and charts

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

Nursing Degree Options

There are multiple degrees to choose from to become a registered nurse. And in order to become an RN, a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A student can receive a qualifying degree in just 2 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 Almo KY area.

Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is normally a 2 year program offered by community colleges. It preps graduates for an entry level position in nursing in medical centers such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many use the ADN as an entry into nursing and later attain a higher degree.
Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers more comprehensive training than the ADN. It is usually a four year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be eligible to complete an accelerated program based on their prior training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program might 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 typically a two year program after acquiring the BSN. The MSN program offers specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or focus on administration, management or teaching.

After a graduating student has obtained one of the above degrees, she or he must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to become licensed. Additional requirements for licensing fluctuate from state to state, so make sure to get in touch with the Kentucky board of nursing for any state mandates.

LPN Courses

Almo KY LPN assisting patient There are basically two scholastic accreditations offered that provide training to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that may be finished in the shortest period of time, typically about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma course. The second alternative is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and typically require 2 years to finish. The advantage of Associate Degrees, along with offering a higher credential and more in-depth training, are that they furnish more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type of credential you seek, it should be Kentucky approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or any other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC attests that the syllabus effectively prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Programs

Unlike other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to obtain a college degree. CNA education can be received at Almo KY area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The duration of the instruction can take anywhere from just one to 3 months, resulting in either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to have at least 75 hours of instruction, 16 of which must be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum period of training required and every state has its own prerequisites. So it’s necessary to make sure that the training program you enroll in not only complies with the federal requirements, but likewise those for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing. One tip is to get in touch with the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the training course is state approved. Along with the training, each state mandates a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there might be additional prerequisites as well.

What to Ask Nursing Colleges

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Almo KY Now that you have decided on which nursing program to enroll in, along with whether to attend your classes on campus near Almo KY or online, you can utilize the following guidelines to begin narrowing down your choices. As you probably are aware, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges throughout Kentucky 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 location of the school as well as the expense of tuition are probably going to be the initial two factors that you will consider. But as we also stressed, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your final decision, use the following questions to evaluate how your selection measures up to the other schools.

Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the degree or certificate program along with the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Aside from helping ensure that you obtain a premium education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available in Almo KY for non-accredited schools.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for registered nurses vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is required on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) along with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a certain number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only delivers an exceptional education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing standards for Kentucky or the state where you will be working.
Reputation. Look at internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews too. Also, get in touch with the Kentucky school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some Almo KY 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 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 Almo KY medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to assist students attain a position.
Internship Programs. The best way to obtain experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Almost all nursing degree programs require a certain number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing also. Ask if the schools have associations with Almo KY hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.

Online Nursing Programs

woman attending nursing school online in Almo KY Enrolling in nursing programs online is emerging as a more preferred way to get instruction and attain a nursing degree. Certain schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs require a specified number of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local healthcare center. But since the remainder of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more practical solution to finding the time to attend college for many Almo KY 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 reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And many online programs are accredited by organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. And so if your job and family commitments have left you with very little time to work toward your academic goals, perhaps an online nursing training program will make it easier to fit a degree into your hectic schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Almo KY?

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

Kentucky Route 464

Kentucky Route 464 (KY 464) is a 27.658-mile-long (44.511 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The highway connects mostly rural areas of Graves and Calloway counties with Mayfield, Kirksey, and Shiloh.

KY 464 begins at an intersection with KY 121 Bus. (South 6th Street) in the east-central part of Mayfield, within the central part of Graves County. It travels to the east and passes Mayfield Elementary School. Just northeast of the school, it intersects KY 121 on the eastern edge of Mayfield. It crosses over Mayfield Creek and temporarily parallels Vulton Creek. After the highway curves to a due south direction, it intersects the northern terminus of KY 940. At this intersection, it turns left and travels due east. A short distance later, it intersects the northern terminus of KY 2205. The highway then crosses over Vulton Creek. After an intersection with the eastern terminus of KY 1710, it begins to stairstep to the east-southeast. After an intersection with KY 564, it enters Calloway County.[1]

KY 464 enters Backusburg, where it intersects KY 1836 (Hammond Road). The two highways travel concurrently to the east-northeast. They curve to the east-southeast and cross over the West Fork Clarks River. After they split, KY 464 curves to the southeast. It then curves to the east-northeast and then to a nearly due east direction. It crosses over Damon Creek and passes Tucker Cemetery before entering Kirksey. There, it intersects KY 299 (Kirksey Road). The highway curves to the east-northeast and intersects KY 783 (Airport Road). It winds its way to the east and crosses over Rockhouse Creek. It curves to the south-southeast and intersects the northern terminus of Flint Road. At this intersection, it turns left and travels to the east-southeast. It intersects U.S. Route 641 (US 641) and curves to the southeast. The highway enters Almo Heights, where it intersects KY 1824 (Radio Road). It curves to the east-northeast and travels through Almo. It curves to the east-southeast, crosses over some railroad tracks, and crosses over the Clarks River. It winds its way to the northeast before passing Russell Cemetery and crossing over Jonathan Creek. It curves to the east-southeast and travels through Shiloh. A short distance later, it intersects the western terminus of KY 1551 (Old Shiloh Road). It curves to the east-northeast and intersects KY 80. Less than 0.5 miles (0.80 km) later, it meets its eastern terminus, an intersection with KY 94.[2]

Select the Right Nursing College near Almo KY

Almo KY nursing student Selecting the right registered nursing college is probably the most important first step to starting a new career in the medical care industry. There are many factors that you should think about when choosing a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career goals, obligations, and economic situation. As we have emphasized within this article, it is essential that you select an RN school and a degree program that are each accredited and have exceptional reputations within the medical community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a short list of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the proper degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become a licensed RN in Almo KY.