Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN - Walnut Bottom PA

How to Select a Nursing Program near Walnut Bottom Pennsylvania

Walnut Bottom PA surgical nurse assisting surgeon Searching for the right nursing college near Walnut Bottom PA may feel like a difficult undertaking, particularly if you aren’t sure what to look for in a good degree program. As you may already know, to practice as a registered nurse, you need to acquire the proper education and training in order to become licensed. So it is critically important that you study and measure the qualifications of each college you are contemplating before enrolling in your final selection. Regrettably, too many potential students base their determination exclusively on the cost of tuition and the proximity of the school. Going with the least costly school or the one that is closest to your house is undoubtedly not the most ideal way to select a nursing program. There are various important additional aspects to investigate before you determine where to attend classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first go over what the function of a registered nurse is in our healthcare system, as well as the nursing degree options that are available.

Registered Nurse Job Duties

Walnut Bottom PA Neonatal Nurse with baby Registered nurses are the primary occupation in the healthcare delivery system. RNs practice in many different medical environments, such as Walnut Bottom PA hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their primary function is to help doctors in the care of their patients. However, the particular duties of a registered nurse will be dependent 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
Supervising LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
Educating patients and their families
Maintaining 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 often 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.

Nursing Degrees Available

There are multiple degrees offered to become a registered nurse. And to become an RN, a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A student can receive a qualifying degree in just two years, or continue on to obtain a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some short descriptions of the nursing degrees that are offered in the Walnut Bottom PA area.

Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is usually a two year program made available by community colleges. It prepares graduates for an entry level job in nursing in medical centers including hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many employ the ADN as an entry into nursing and later attain a more advanced degree.
Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) provides more expansive training than the ADN. It is usually a 4 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 might desire to progress to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the job market.
Master’s. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is typically a 2 year program after acquiring the BSN. The MSN program provides specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or focus on administration, management or teaching.

When 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 vary from state to state, so don’t forget to check with the Pennsylvania board of nursing for any state requirements.

LVN and LPN Programs

Walnut Bottom PA LPN assisting patient There are basically two academic accreditations available that provide instruction to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that may be completed in the shortest amount of time, commonly about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma course. The 2nd option is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and commonly require 2 years to complete. The benefit of Associate Degrees, aside from providing a higher credential and more comprehensive 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 Pennsylvania approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC guarantees that the core curriculum effectively prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Courses

In contrast to other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to earn a college degree. CNA instruction can be acquired at Walnut Bottom PA area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The duration of the training program can take anywhere from just one to 3 months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to obtain at least 75 hours of training, 16 of which need to be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Bear in mind that this is the minimal amount of instruction required and each state has its specific prerequisites. So it’s crucial to make certain that the training program you enroll in not only satisfies the federal requirements, but additionally those for Pennsylvania 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 training 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 might be other prerequisites as well.

What to Ask Nursing Schools

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Walnut Bottom PA Once you have decided on which nursing program to pursue, as well as whether to attend your classes on campus near Walnut Bottom PA or on the internet, you can use the following checklist to start narrowing down your options. As you undoubtedly are aware, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges throughout Pennsylvania 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 pointed out, the site of the school along with the cost of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the primary two points that you will take into consideration. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your only qualifiers. So before making your final choice, use the following questions to see how your selection compares to the field.

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 acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping verify that you get a premium education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available in Walnut Bottom PA for non-accredited schools.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for registered nurses differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Many states require a certain number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s imperative that the school you are enrolled in not only provides a top-notch education, but also preps you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing.
Reputation. Check online rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. In addition, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some Walnut Bottom PA 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 colleges you are considering 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 unhappy 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 Walnut Bottom PA medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to assist students gain a position.
Internship Programs. The most effective way to obtain 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. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Walnut Bottom PA hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.

Online Nursing Schools

woman attending nursing school online in Walnut Bottom PA Attending nursing schools online is emerging as a more in demand way to obtain instruction and attain a nursing degree. Many schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and virtually all programs require a certain amount of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more convenient approach to finding the free time to attend college for some Walnut Bottom PA students. Regarding tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even other expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be reduced, 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. And so if your job and household responsibilities 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 hectic schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Walnut Bottom PA?

Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Walnut Bottom Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania Route 465

Pennsylvania Route 465 (PA 465) is a 6.64-mile-long (10.69 km) state highway located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 174 in Mooredale. The northern terminus is at PA 641 outside of Carlisle. PA 464 heads northeast from PA 174 along Walnut Bottom Road, passing through farmland. The route reaches developed areas on the western edge of Carlisle and turns north onto Allen Road, intersecting Interstate 81 (I-81) and U.S. Route 11 (US 11) before ending at PA 641. Walnut Bottom Road became part of US 11 and PA 13 in 1926, with the latter designation removed two years later. US 11 and PA 33 switched alignments between Shippensburg and Carlisle in 1941, with PA 33 designated onto Walnut Bottom Road. PA 465 was designated to its present alignment in the 1960s, replacing the PA 33 designation along Walnut Bottom Road.

PA 465 begins at an intersection with PA 174 in the community of Mooredale in Dickinson Township, heading northeast on two-lane undivided Walnut Bottom Road. The road passes through open agricultural areas with occasional patches of woods. Upon crossing into South Middleton Township, the route turns north onto Allen Road and heads past industrial warehouses. PA 465 comes to an interchange with I-81 and continues into Carlisle, passing woods to the west and warehouses to the east. The route intersects US 11 and passes near farmland and distribution centers. After entering North Middleton Township, PA 465 reaches its northern terminus at PA 641.[2][3]

When Pennsylvania legislated routes in 1911, Walnut Bottom Road was designated as part of Legislative Route 35, which ran between Chambersburg and Carlisle.[4] By 1926, PA 13 was designated along Walnut Bottom Road, which was paved.[5] With the creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, US 11 was designated along Walnut Bottom Road, concurrent with PA 13.[6][7] The concurrent PA 13 designation was removed from US 11 in 1928.[7] In 1941, US 11 switched alignments with PA 33 between Shippensburg and Carlisle, with US 11 moved to its current alignment between the two towns and PA 33 being designated onto Walnut Bottom Road.[8][9] In the 1960s, PA 33 was decommissioned and PA 465 was designated to run from PA 174 in Mooredale north to PA 641 west of Carlisle, following its current alignment on Walnut Bottom Road and Allen Road.[10]

Choose the Right Nursing Degree near Walnut Bottom PA

Walnut Bottom PA nursing student Selecting the ideal registered nursing school is perhaps the most critical phase to launching a new career in the health care field. There are a number of variables that you must consider when picking a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently depending on your current career objectives, lifestyle, and financial status. As we have highlighted within this content, it is critical that you pick an RN school and a degree program that are each accredited and have exceptional reputations within the health care community. By using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to choose from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your hard work and desire to succeed, you can become a licensed RN in Walnut Bottom PA.