![\"Auburn](\"https:\/\/nursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surgical-nurse-assisting-surgeon.jpg\" "\\"Auburn")
Choosing the right nursing college near Auburn ME<\/strong> may feel like a challenging 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 must obtain the necessary education and training in order to become licensed. So it is vitally important that you study and determine the qualifications of each program you are contemplating before enrolling in your final choice. Regrettably, too many future students base their selection solely on the cost of tuition and the distance of the school. Picking the least costly school or the one that is local to your residence is no doubt not the most ideal way to pick a nursing program. There are many crucial additional aspects to check into before you determine 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, together with the nursing degree alternatives that are available.<\/p>\nRegistered Nurse Job Duties<\/h3>\n
![\"Auburn](\"https:\/\/nursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Neonatal-Nurse-with-baby.jpg\" "\\"Auburn")
Registered nurses are the most significant occupation in the medical care delivery system. RNs practice in a large number of different medical environments, including Auburn ME hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their basic function is to assist doctors in the treatment of their patients. However, the specific duties of a registered nurse will be dependent on their job or area of expertise as well as where they work. Some of the responsibilities of an RN may include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Providing medications<\/li>\n
- Monitoring patients<\/li>\n
- Conducting physical examinations<\/li>\n
- Managing care<\/li>\n
- Supervising LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides<\/li>\n
- Instructing patients and their families<\/li>\n
- Keeping health records and charts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more complex 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 deliver primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat common illnesses or injuries.<\/p>\n
Nursing Degrees Available<\/h3>\n
There is more than one degree option available to become a registered nurse. And to become an RN, a student must attend an accredited school and program. A student can receive a qualifying degree in just 2 years, or continue on to achieve a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some short descriptions of the nursing degrees that are offered in the Auburn ME area.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Associates<\/strong>. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a 2 year program made available 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 later attain a more advanced degree.<\/li>\n
- Bachelor’s<\/strong>. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) supplies more in depth training than the ADN. It is typically 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 desire to advance to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the employment market.<\/li>\n
- Master’s<\/strong>. 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
After a graduating student has obtained 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 change from state to state, so make sure to check with the Maine board of nursing for any state mandates.<\/p>\n
LPN Training<\/h3>\n
![\"Auburn](\"https:\/\/nursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/LPN-assiting-patient.jpg\" "\\"Auburn")
There are basically two academic credentials offered that provide education to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that can be concluded in the shortest time frame, typically about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma program. The other option is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and generally require 2 years to complete. The benefit of Associate Degrees, aside from providing a higher credential and more comprehensive instruction, are that they furnish more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Regardless of the kind of credential you seek, it should be Maine 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 adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.<\/p>\nCNA Training<\/h3>\n
Unlike other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not have to attain a college degree. CNA education can be received at Auburn ME area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The length of the training program can take anywhere from one to three months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are required to obtain at least 75 hours of instruction, 16 of which have to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum period of instruction mandated and every state has its own requirements. So it’s important to make certain that the course you enroll in not only satisfies the federal requirements, but likewise those for Maine 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 certain that the training is state certified. Along with the training, each state requires a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there can be additional prerequisites as well.<\/p>\n
Things to Ask Nursing Colleges<\/h3>\n
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Once you have decided on which nursing degree to enroll in, as well as whether to attend your classes on campus near Auburn ME or on the internet, you can utilize the following guidelines to begin narrowing down your options. As you undoubtedly realize, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges within Maine and the United States. So it is important to decrease the number of schools to select from to ensure that you will have a workable list. As we already mentioned, the location of the school as well as the expense of tuition are probably going to be the primary two points that you will consider. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your only qualifiers. So before making your ultimate decision, use the following questions to see how your pick measures up to the other programs.<\/p>\n- \n
- Accreditation. <\/strong>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 verify that you get a premium education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not provided in Auburn ME for non-accredited schools.<\/li>\n
- Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing requirements for registered nurses are different 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. Many states require a specified number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are enrolled in not only delivers an exceptional education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working.<\/li>\n
- Reputation. <\/strong>Look at internet rating companies to see what the reviews are for all of the schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. Additionally, contact the Maine school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some Auburn ME healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their judgments are of the schools as well.<\/li>\n
- Graduation and Job Placement Rates<\/strong>. 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 imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only substantiate that the school has a favorable reputation within the Auburn ME medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students attain employment.<\/li>\n
- Internship Programs<\/strong>. The most ideal way to get experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing as well. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Auburn ME hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Online Nursing Programs<\/h3>\n
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Attending nursing colleges online is becoming a more preferred way to receive 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 certain amount of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare center. But since the rest of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more accommodating answer to finding the time to attend classes for some Auburn ME students. Pertaining to tuition, a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be lessened, helping to make education more easily affordable. And many online programs are accredited by organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. So if your job and household commitments have left you with limited time to work toward your academic goals, it could be that an online nursing school will make it easier to fit a degree into your active schedule.<\/p>\nAttending a Nursing School near Auburn ME?<\/h3>\n
Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Auburn Maine 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.<\/p>\n
Auburn, Maine<\/h3>
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States.[6] The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. Auburn and Lewiston (directly across the Androscoggin River from each other) are known locally as the Twin Cities or Lewiston\u2013Auburn (L\u2013A).\n<\/p>
The area was originally part of the Pejepscot Purchase, land bought in 1714 by an association of people from Boston and Portsmouth following the Treaty of Portsmouth, which brought peace between the Abenaki Indians and the settlers of present-day Maine. In 1736, however, the Massachusetts General Court granted a large section of the land to veterans of the 1690 Battle of Quebec. Conflicting claims led to prolonged litigation; consequently, settlement was delayed until after the French and Indian Wars.[7]<\/p>
Auburn was first settled in 1786 as part of Bakerstown, renamed Poland when it was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in 1795. It was then part of Minot, formed from parts of Poland and incorporated in 1802. Auburn would itself be formed from parts of Minot and incorporated on February 24, 1842. The name was apparently inspired by \"Auburn\", a village (real or fictitious) featured in the 1770 poem \"The Deserted Village\" by Oliver Goldsmith.[8] Originally part of Cumberland County, the town became county seat of Androscoggin County at its creation in 1854. By annexing land from towns around it, including part of Poland in 1852, Minot in 1873, and all of Danville (first called Pejepscot) in 1867, Auburn grew geographically into one of Maine's largest municipalities. Incorporated a city on February 22, 1869,[2] Auburn in 1917 would be the first city in the state to adopt a council-manager form of government.[7]<\/p><\/div>\n
Select the Right Nursing Degree near Auburn ME<\/h3>\n
![\"Auburn](\"https:\/\/nursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/nursing-student.jpg\" "\\"Auburn")
Selecting the ideal registered nursing degree program<\/a> is arguably the most crucial step to launching a new career in the health care field. There are numerous aspects that you need to think about when picking a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your current career goals, obligations, and economic situation. As we have stressed in this post, it is critical that you choose an RN school<\/a> and a degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the healthcare community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to select 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 licensed RN in Auburn ME.<\/p>\nMore Awesome Locations in Maine<\/h4>\n
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Sabattus ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – New Sharon ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Island Falls ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Bangor ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Pemaquid ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Athens ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Stetson ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Norway ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Bingham ME<\/a><\/li>
- Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Richmond ME<\/a><\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n - Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing requirements for registered nurses are different 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. Many states require a specified number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are enrolled in not only delivers an exceptional education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working.<\/li>\n
- Bachelor’s<\/strong>. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) supplies more in depth training than the ADN. It is typically 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 desire to advance to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the employment market.<\/li>\n
- Associates<\/strong>. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is commonly a 2 year program made available 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 later attain a more advanced degree.<\/li>\n