Allied Health World Home  |  Registered Nurse  |  North Carolina RN Schools

| | More

North Carolina RN Certification and Schools - NC

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 16th, 2010

Registered nurses are a vital part of the medical team and represent a large portion of hospital care.  They are trained in a wide range of medical procedures and assist physicians by preparing patients for exams, surgeries and operations.  There are currently over 2.4 million registered nurses in the United States with three out of five working in hospitals.  Due to an aging workforce and universal technological advances, the job market for registered nurses is strong across the country.  It is expected to grow more than the average occupation through the next five years and the same is true in the state of North Carolina. 

Nurse Licensure Compact
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is The National Council of State Board of Nursing response to the Telecommunications Act.  It is a model of multistate nursing license recognition that allows for nurses to become licensed in their "home state" but practice as a nurse in states also a member of the compact.  North Carolina became a compact state in 2000. The goal of the NLC is to promote uniformity in nursing standards and protect patient access to quality care. 

Advancement Opportunities
Like many jobs, the easiest way to advance in nursing is to continue to learn.  Additional education through North Carolina RN schools, especially a master’s degree, will gain you an increased salary and possibly other benefits as well.  Other advancement opportunities exist in the healthcare system beyond just entry-level registered nurses.  Among them are shift leaders or head nurses who supervise a specific group of nurses at a specific time and senior-level administrators whose responsibilities vary by location.    

Continuing Education and License Renewal Requirements
North Carolina issues a two year license to registered nurses.  A reminder is sent to the licensee 90 days prior to the date their current license expires so it is important to keep personal contact information up to date with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.  A license can be renewed through North Carolina Board of Nursing website or by requesting a paper application.  There are minimum continuing education requirements for renewal.  Options for continuing education range from specified contact hours to classroom instruction.  These can be determined by contacting North Carolina Board of Nursing. 

Through campus or online programs, aspiring Registered Nurses in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, High Point and Wilmington, North Carolina 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 Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Forsyth Medical Center, Rutherford Hospital and Pitt County Memorial Hospital.