How to Become an RN in Nevada
BNursing is a time honored profession that brings about great respect. It is a profession that is very demanding physically and emotionally, but brings about a great deal of satisfaction. It is an ideal profession for anyone who has the passion for patient care and the desire to help others.
To become a registered nurse (RN) in Nevada requires education and an RN license. The educational requirements include the completion of an approved nursing program and pass the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The nursing program must be approved by the Nevada Board of Nursing (NBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The student must earn at least an Associate’s degree to qualify to take the NCLEX-RN. An Associate’s degree takes two years and includes class work and clinical training.
After completing the educational requirements, the RN candidate must apply to take the NCLEX-RN and register with Pearson VUE testing services to take the exam. The application to test is submitted to the NBON and includes a criminal background and fingerprint check. The NBON advise applicants to submit the request for the criminal background and fingerprint check as early as possible in the process, as it takes about 4 months to receive the fingerprint results and a permanent license will not be granted until the criminal background and fingerprint results are received. The applicant must also request a transcript from the nursing school and an affidavit of graduation and have them sent directly to the NBON. Once the NBON receives the affidavit, the applicant will be eligible for a temporary nursing license that is valid for 6 months. In that time, the applicant must pass the NCLEX-RN and the NBON must receive the results of the criminal background and fingerprint check. If the applicant does not meet the requirements within six months, the temporary nursing license expires and cannot be renewed.
The NBON will review the application to test and if all information is in order and the criminal background and fingerprint check are underway, the applicant will receive an authorization to test (ATT). The applicant has 90 days from the issuance of the ATT to schedule a date for the exam and take the exam at any of the Pearson VUE exam locations; including an exam location in another state if that is more convenient. The applicant will be notified by postal mail of passing or failing the exam.
RNs in Nevada are subject to license renewal every 24 months. During those 24 months, each RN must complete 30 hours of NBON approved continuing education and four of those hours must be a board approved course on bioterrorism. RN licenses expire on the licensee’s birthday every second birthday. The initial license renewal may occur in two years or less depending on when the birthday falls in relation to the issue date of the license. The NBON randomly selects RNs to submit fingerprints upon renewal of a license and the license will only be renewed for 6 months, pending the results of the fingerprint check.
The average RN salary in Nevada is $78,000 and the average entry level RN salary is $58,000. N RN in a senior nursing position may earn an average salary of $100,000. The actual salary will vary depending on the geographic location of the facility where employed, years of experience, level of education and responsibility assumed. RNs working in the Las Vegas area will find salaries slightly higher than other areas of Nevada. RNs can also maximize their salary by pursing higher education and assuming positions of greater responsibility as well as taking on a nursing specialty.
RNs typically find employment in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted care facilities, occupational healthcare centers, rehabilitative care facilities, visiting nurse and hospice organizations, the American Red Cross, clinics and doctor’s offices and government and educational facilities, to name but a few.
RNs undertake a variety of tasks that include supervising the nursing staff, including the certified nursing assistants, preparing patient care plans, monitoring patient progress, dispensing medication including injections, perform emergency services and assisting patients with hygiene.
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