Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN - Lumberton TX

How to Find the Right Nursing Program near Lumberton Texas

Lumberton TX surgical nurse assisting surgeon Selecting the right nursing school near Lumberton TX may feel like a difficult project, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for in a good degree program. As you may already know, for you to practice as a registered nurse, you need to acquire the appropriate education and training to become licensed. So it is essential that you study and evaluate the qualifications of each program you are contemplating before enrolling in your ultimate selection. Regrettably, too many future students base their decision exclusively on the price of tuition and the nearness of the school. Picking the least costly program or the one that is local to your home is probably not the most reliable way to choose a nursing program. There are several essential additional aspects to investigate before you determine where to enroll in classes. But before we examine that checklist, let’s first cover what the role of a registered nurse is in our health system, as well as the nursing degree choices that are available.

Registered Nurse Job Functions

Lumberton TX Neonatal Nurse with baby Registered nurses are the primary occupation in the medical care delivery system. RNs practice in many different medical environments, namely Lumberton TX hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their primary role is to assist doctors in the care of their patients. Having said that, the particular duties of a registered nurse will depend on their job or area of expertise along with where they work. Some of the responsibilities of an RN may include:

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

Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more complex job duties and responsibilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), as an 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 Available

There are several degree options to choose from to become a registered nurse. And to become an RN, a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A student can acquire a qualifying degree in just 2 years, or advance to obtain a graduate degree for a total of 6 years. Following are some short summaries of the nursing degrees that are available in the Lumberton TX area.

Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a 2 year program offered by community colleges. It readies graduates for an entry level position in nursing in healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many utilize the ADN as an entry into nursing and afterwards earn a higher degree.
Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers more comprehensive training than the ADN. It is typically a four year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be able to complete an accelerated program based on their past 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 employment 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 concentrate on administration, management or teaching.

After a graduating student has acquired 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. Other requirements for licensing fluctuate from state to state, so be sure to check with the Texas board of nursing for any state mandates.

LPN and LVN Certificates and Degrees

Lumberton TX LPN assisting patient There are principally two scholastic accreditations offered that provide education to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that can be finished in the shortest time frame, generally about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma program. The second alternative is to obtain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and typically require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, in addition to supplying a higher credential and more in-depth training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type of credential you seek, it should be Texas approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC guarantees that the core curriculum adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Training

In contrast to many other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not have to attain a college degree. CNA instruction can be acquired at Lumberton TX area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The length of the training program can take anywhere from one to 3 months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are required to receive at least 75 hours of training, 16 of which must be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Bear in mind that this is the minimum period of instruction mandated and every state has its specific requirements. So it’s crucial to make sure that the program you enroll in not only meets the federal requirements, but likewise those for Texas or the state where you will be practicing. One suggestion is to contact the health or nursing board for your state to make certain 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 can be other requirements as well.

Things to Ask Nursing Programs

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Lumberton TX Once you have determined which nursing program to enroll in, as well as whether to attend your classes on campus near Lumberton TX or online, you can use the following guidelines to begin narrowing down your options. As you no doubt are aware, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges within Texas and the United States. So it is necessary to decrease the number of schools to select from in order that you will have a manageable list. As we previously discussed, the site of the school along with the cost of tuition are most likely going to be the first two points that you will take into consideration. But as we also emphasized, 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 recognized accrediting agency. Aside from helping confirm that you obtain a premium education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not provided in Lumberton TX 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) together with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specified number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s imperative that the school you are enrolled in not only delivers an excellent education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing.
Reputation. Visit 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. Additionally, get in touch with the Texas school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some Lumberton TX 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 schools you are looking at 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 essential that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only substantiate that the school has a favorable reputation within the Lumberton TX healthcare community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students gain a position.
Internship Programs. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing as well. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Lumberton TX hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placement of students in internships.

Nursing Online Classes

woman attending nursing school online in Lumberton TX Attending nursing schools online is growing into a more preferred way to receive training and earn a nursing degree. Many schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and virtually all programs call for a specific amount of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare facility. But since the rest of the training can be accessed online, this alternative may be a more accommodating approach to finding the time to attend classes for many Lumberton TX students. Pertaining to tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be reduced, helping to make education more economical. And a large number of online programs are accredited by organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. Therefore if your work and household responsibilities have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, maybe an online nursing training program will make it easier to fit a degree into your active schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Lumberton TX?

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

Lumberton, Texas

Lumberton is a city in Hardin County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,943 at the 2010 census,[3] up from 8,731 at the 2000 census. Lumberton is the home of Village Creek State Park. The city is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area.

Lumberton is located in southeastern Hardin County at 30°15′50″N 94°12′7″W / 30.26389°N 94.20194°W / 30.26389; -94.20194 (30.263896, -94.201918).[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.4 square miles (34.7 km2), of which 13.3 square miles (34.4 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.77%, are water.[3] The eastern border of the city is Village Creek, a southeast-flowing tributary of the Neches River.

The Eastex Freeway (comprising US 69, 96, and US 287) runs north from Beaumont to the southern border of Lumberton, where it splits into two separate highways, both running north to south, with Highway 96 in the eastern portion of the city and Highways 69 and 287 in the western portion. The two highways house the majority of the commercial development on the city. US 96 leads north-northeast 7 miles (11 km) to Silsbee, while Highway 69/287 leads northwest 11 miles (18 km) to Kountze, the Hardin County seat. Beaumont is 12 miles (19 km) to the south.

Choose the Right Nursing Program near Lumberton TX

Lumberton TX nursing student Selecting the right registered nursing degree program is perhaps the most crucial first step to beginning a new career in the health care field. There are a number of aspects that you need to consider when picking a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently contingent on your current career goals, obligations, and financial status. As we have emphasized within this content, it is essential that you pick an RN college and a degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the medical community. By utilizing 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 final selection. And with the appropriate degree and training, combined with your hard work and desire to succeed, you can become a licensed registered nurse in Lumberton TX.