Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Nursing Care Processes
Lecture:Nursing roles, responsibilities, and work settings
Slide content:Education and Licensing of RNs Three steps to becoming an RN: Earn a nursing diploma, an associates degree in nursing, or a bachelors of science in nursing over 2 to 4 years Pass a national licensing exam for RNs Meet all state requirements for state licensure 13
Slide notes:Like LPNs, RNs must follow a three-step process to work in their state. Educational requirements, however, are more rigorous for RNs than for LPNs. RNs study nursing for two to four years. In the past, nursing diploma programs were typically based in a hospital provider setting. These programs slowly evolved to academic-based programs. Today, a person may earn an associates degree in nursing from a two-year college or a bachelors of science degree in nursing from a four-year college or university. During the program, students study science and nursing in the classroom and receive supervised, hands-on experience with patients in a health care facility, such as a hospital or a public health department. Students then must take a national licensing exam for registered nurses. Once they pass the exam and meet all their state requirements, they can work as an RN under a state license. 13