If you have analyzed your goal or path in life and have decided that you want to be in a position to help in the caring of others, then you have probably already made the decision to become a nurse. The first thing that you are going to do after making that decision is to commence training. If you want to become a registered nurse, you will need to start by getting your BSN, which is your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and this is generally a four year course.

You can however choose to start out with an Associate degree in Nursing which takes about half the time to complete, but persons with the BSN, tend to advance quicker and receive higher pay. If you are really anxious to get started however, you can get a diploma in nursing which is awarded by selected hospitals after you have completed three years of training.

To become licensed, you will however have to take and pass the NCLEX exam, despite which of the previous academic routes you had decided to take. In recent times, doctors will not give graduate nurses the opportunity to administer medications until they have passed the exams and have obtained their license. Therefore it is imperative that this step is taken to be able to fulfil your duty as a nurse. If your are already working at a hospital, you do not have to worry about missing a day off from work because they will pay your for the day as long as it is taken to sit your exam.

When a graduate nurse starts working at a hospital, many of them will hold classes for two or even three weeks as orientation for the new nurses and these classes can be used as a refresher and hands on knowledge to be applied in your NCLEX exams. These orientations, will demonstrate skills from the drawing of blood, to I.V insertion and tube feeding among others.

Testing is usually conducted at a Pearson Vue testing centre and you will be required to walk with your ATT form which is your Authorization to test form along with a picture I.D (generally government issued). Upon submitting these at the front desk, you will be assigned a number and given some reading material about the test that you are going to be taken. You will be required to read the information and return when you are finished. Then you will be able to go in and take your test. The test is usually 6 hours long, but you are able to take personal breaks in between.

Upon completing and passing that test, you will be given your Registered nurse licensure and the scope of your responsibilities will spread and your pay grade will increase. This license is only valid for a year as you will need to renew it after that. After the first renewal you will have two years before it needs to be renewed again, but during those two years, you will need to be earning continuing educational credits (CEUs) as different states require different amounts for you to be qualified. Always ensure that you keep records and documentations for your CEUs because the State Board of Nursing can audit you at anytime and if you are not able to provide these credits, they may suspend your license.