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A Nursing Career Resource with Licensing Info & Job Openings
Nursing is a challenging but rewarding occupation. If you love to work hard and want a career that allows you to grow as an employee and as an individual, then nursing may be the career choice for you. Nursing is a fulfilling career choice for anyone who is hard working, caring and creative. Many nurses stay at their job posts until retirement and turnover in the industry is low. Even with the job market at a feverishly competitive level now, nurses are still in demand. There will always be a need for healthcare professionals.
State approved schools usually offer Registered Nurse (RN) degrees at either the Associates or Bachelor’s Degree level. An Associate’s Degree usually takes two years to complete, a Bachelor’s takes four. Licensed Practical Nurses’ (LPNs) training is usually completed within a year. Remember, the length of your education can vary depending on your ability to take on a full time course load. Many working students choose to attend classes part time so that they can still work while they learn.
Once you graduate your program, you will need to take the ‘boards’ to qualify for a nursing license. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the standard of testing used by all states. It is intended to gauge your competence. The application for the NCLEX can be obtained either from your school or the website for the Rhode Island Department of Health. There is an application fee which is not refundable. Most people do pass the NCLEX, but do not worry if you don’t pass it. You can apply to retake the test again until you do pass. You must pass this exam to qualify for your nursing license. After you have passed the NCLEX, you can now apply for nursing licensure. In Rhode Island, licenses are governed by the Board of Health. The application can be downloaded from the board’s website. Rhode Island is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact, so anyone with a license from another participating state can practice here. Remember, though, if you choose to live or work in Rhode Island permanently, you will need to obtain a valid state license.
Rhode Island’s nursing licenses are good for two years. In order to renew, you must have completed at least ten contact hours of continuing education. There is also a $90.00 renewal fee for both RNs and LPNs.
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