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Nevada RN Certification and Schools - NV
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 16th, 2010
Registered Nurse Education in Nevada
Nevada RN schools are regulated by the Nevada Board of Nursing. There are only a handful of schools in Nevada that offer Board approved nursing programs. Currently, individuals interested in pursuing an RN license can complete a two-year nursing degree program leading to an associate’s degree or a four-year bachelors degree. Students take general education coursework, such as communications, English, psychology, mathematics, biology, chemistry, history and social sciences. In addition to general education coursework, students complete courses specific to nursing, including surgery, pharmacology, mental health nursing, prenatal/newborn nursing, and clinical experience in the field. Graduates of a Board approved program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure.
After completing a two-year degree program and a Registered Nurse’s license is obtained, individuals may pursue a Bachelors degree in nursing, which usually takes an additional year. Coursework completed at the Associates level can count toward the Bachelors program, provided it was completed in an acceptable timeframe (usually no more than five years old). Registered nurses that have earned their Bachelors may go on to pursue Masters and Ph.D programs in nursing. Postgraduate education can open up many career paths within the field, for example, professors in nursing, researchers, policy makers, administrators, and advance practice nursing specialists.
Continuing Education for RNs in Nevada
In Nevada, registered nurses are required by the Nurse Practice Act to complete 30 hours of continuing education credit annually. Nurses are also required to take a bioterrorism course as part of their continuing education training. Some employers may offer continuing education opportunities to its nurses. Nurses may also want to contact national or state professional associations for continuing education experiences. State professional associations that can assist nurses in finding continuing education opportunities are the Nevada Nurses Association, the Nevada School Nurses Association or the Nevada Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Through campus or online programs, aspiring Registered Nurses in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Spring Valley Hospital, Sunrise Hospital, Desert Springs Hospital and Northern Nevada Medical Center.