Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN - Columbiaville NY

How to Choose a Nursing College near Columbiaville New York

Columbiaville NY surgical nurse assisting surgeon Selecting the best nursing program near Columbiaville NY may seem like a difficult undertaking, particularly if you don’t know what to search for in a good degree program. As you may already understand, to practice as a registered nurse, you need to obtain the necessary education and training in order to become licensed. So it is critically important that you research and evaluate the qualifications of each program you are thinking about before enrolling in your ultimate selection. Unfortunately, too many potential students base their decision exclusively on the price of tuition and the proximity of the school. Selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house is probably not the most reliable way to select a nursing program. There are various crucial additional aspects to look into before you determine where to attend classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first look at what the role of a registered nurse is in our medical system, together with the nursing degree options that are offered.

Registered Nurse Job Duties

Columbiaville NY Neonatal Nurse with baby Registered nurses are the primary occupation in the healthcare delivery system. RNs practice in many different medical settings, such as Columbiaville NY hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their primary function is to assist doctors in the care of their patients. Having said that, the exact duties of a registered nurse will be dependent on their job or area of expertise as well as where they work. Some of the functions of an RN may include:

Administering medications
Overseeing patients
Performing physical examinations
Coordinating care
Managing 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 responsibilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), for example, must hold a Master’s Degree and often work more independently than their RN counterparts. They can deliver primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat routine illnesses or injuries.

Nursing Degrees

There is more than one degree option 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 obtain a qualifying degree in as little as 2 years, or advance to attain a graduate degree for a total of 6 years. Following are some short summaries of the nursing degrees that are offered in the Columbiaville NY area.

Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a 2 year program made available by community colleges. It prepares graduates for an entry level position in nursing in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many employ the ADN as an entry into nursing and afterwards obtain a higher degree.
Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers more extensive training than the ADN. It is typically 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 may 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 commonly a two year program after receiving the BSN. The MSN program offers specialization training, for example to become a nurse practitioner or concentrate on administration, management or teaching.

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

LPN Programs

Columbiaville NY LPN assisting patient There are basically two academic accreditations offered that provide instruction to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that may be completed in the shortest period of time, commonly about one year, is the certificate or diploma program. The next choice is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and generally require 2 years to complete. The advantage of Associate Degrees, besides supplying a higher credential and more in-depth instruction, 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 New York approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or some other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the course of study adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Training

In contrast to other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to obtain a college degree. CNA instruction can be received at Columbiaville NY area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The length of the training program can take anywhere from 1 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 must be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum period of training directed and that each state has its own prerequisites. So it’s necessary to make certain that the training program you enroll in not only complies with the federal requirements, but also those for New York or the state where you will be practicing. One recommendation is to check with the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the education 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 additional requirements as well.

Questions to Ask Nursing Schools

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Columbiaville NY Once you have chosen which nursing degree to pursue, and if to attend your classes on campus near Columbiaville NY or online, you can use the following pointers to start narrowing down your options. As you no doubt are aware, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges within New York and the United States. So it is essential to lower the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a workable list. As we previously discussed, the site of the school along with the expense of tuition are most likely 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 choice, 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 along with the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping verify that you receive a premium education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not provided in Columbiaville NY for non-accredited schools.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for registered nurses vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s imperative that the school you are enrolled in not only delivers an outstanding education, but also preps you to meet the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing.
Reputation. Check online rating services to see what the evaluations are for each of the schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. Additionally, contact the New York school licensing authority to determine if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some Columbiaville NY 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 programs you are looking at 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 displeased 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 superb reputation within the Columbiaville NY healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to assist students attain employment.
Internship Programs. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Many states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing too. Find out if the schools have associations with Columbiaville NY hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.

Nursing Online Degrees

woman attending nursing school online in Columbiaville NY Attending nursing programs online is growing into a more popular way to receive instruction and attain a nursing degree. Many schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs call for a certain amount of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare facility. But since the rest of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more practical answer to finding the free time to attend college for some Columbiaville NY students. Regarding tuition, a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be lessened, 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. Therefore if your work and household responsibilities have left you with little time to work toward your academic goals, maybe an online nursing school will make it easier to fit a degree into your active schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Columbiaville NY?

Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Columbiaville New York 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.

New York State Route 9J

New York State Route 9J (NY 9J) is a north–south state highway in the Hudson Valley region of New York in the United States. It begins at an intersection with US 9 in the Columbia County town of Stockport and extends for 22.35 miles (35.97 km) to an interchange with US 9 and US 20 in the Rensselaer County city of Rensselaer. The route parallels the Hudson River for its entire length, and several parts of the highway run directly alongside the river. NY 9J was assigned to its current alignment as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York.

NY 9J begins at an intersection with US 9 in the hamlet of Columbiaville, located within the town of Stockport. The route proceeds northwest along a two-rural street that parallels US 9 until the intersection with Day Road, where it turns westward. Reaching the Amtrak and Norfolk Southern's Hudson Subdivision, NY 9J and the tracks begin a northward trek near the Hudson River, winding past a junction with County Route 46 (CR 46) in the town of Stuyvesant. Winding northward along the tracks, NY 9J reaches the hamlet of Stuyvesant, where it intersects with CR 26A (Kinderhook Street),[3] a highway formerly designated as NY 398.[4]

NY 9J continues north out of the hamlet of Stuyvesant, paralleling, crossing then paralleling a spur of the railroad tracks north of town. Retaining its northerly direction, the route parallels the Muitzes Kill and past Schodack Island State Park (composed of what was six islands now reduced to two). A short distance northward, NY 9J crosses into Rensselaer County and enters the town of Schodack. Immediately entering the hamlet of Schodack Landing, the route remains a two-lane residential street, crossing a junction with the western terminus of CR 2 (Schodack Landing Road). Just after crossing the intersection with Knickerboxer Road, NY 9J crosses under the New York State Thruway's Berkshire Thruway and the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge.[3]

Pick the Right Nursing College near Columbiaville NY

Columbiaville NY nursing student Deciding on the right registered nursing degree program is probably the most important first step to starting a new career in the medical care industry. There are a number of variables that you should take into account when deciding on a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your current career goals, obligations, and economic status. As we have stressed 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 produce a shortlist of schools to choose from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your dedication and ambition to succeed, you can become a licensed registered nurse in Columbiaville NY.