Become a Registered Nurse in Florida - FL

How to Become an RN in Florida

Registered nurses are taking over as the leading occupation within health care through providing 2.5 million jobs.  In 2006, 147,050 registered nurses were employed in Florida and by 2014 it is predicted to increase to 183,478 being employed which shows an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent. 

Nurses work to assist with promoting health through helping to prevent disease and illness as well as help patients cope with these problems.  They provide not only the patients but also the families and community members with knowledge of what proper health care should be.   They work together with physicians to provide treatments and exams along with administering medicine and providing a rehabilitation process that coincides with the patient’s care plan. 

Nurses work in an environment that is constantly changing to provide the best possible care for patients. Nurses are continuously learning about the latest technology as well as considering the evidence that their nursing practice is based upon.

In Florida, registered nurses are currently in high demand due to a continual climb in the average age of its residents.  All hospitals and doctors offices located within the state of Florida are on a constant search for licensed registered nurses to add to staff, which in turn has continually been inching the salaries to increase each year. 

Florida is a prime destination for people reaching the age of retirement due to the warm climate.  Since a vast majority of the U.S. population is reaching retirement age, pairing these two factors together gives the future for registered nurses in Florida great opportunities and potential to acquire a lifelong career.

http://www.studentdoc.com/florida-nursing-jobs.html
http://flahec.org/hlthcareers/rn.htm
http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/rn-career.html

Becoming a Registered Nurse in Florida

1. Graduate from one of the approved Florida RN programs.  May graduate from another college or university out of state as long as the curriculum coincides with the nursing programs in Florida.
2. Apply for RN licensure by submitting your registered license with an application fee of $200 as well as other required documents.
3. Submit information from your health history in order to prove you are in good health to adequately perform your job. 
4. Take a prevention of medical errors course by registering online at www.CeRegistration.com.  Course must be completed before taking the NCLEX to the Florida Board of Nursing.
5. Official transcripts are sent to the Florida Board of Nursing.
6. Take the NCLEX in order to become licensed.  The NCLEX exam includes the following categories according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing:

1. Safe, Effective Care Environment
   - Management of Care
   - Safety and Infection Control
   
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
   - Growth and Development Through the Life Span
   - Prevention and Early Detection of Disease
   
3. Psychosocial Integrity
   - Coping and Adaptation
   - Psychosocial Adaptation
   
4. Physiological Integrity
   - Basic Care and Comfort
   - Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
   - Reduction of Risk Potential
   - Physiological Adaptation

Becoming a registered nurse in Florida is a little different from most other states because applicants are to note on their license if they would be willing to work as an RN in the event of a disaster situation through requirement.  By noting yes on the license it does not guarantee you to be called upon in the situation of a disaster, but rather gives the state of Florida easy access to a list of who would be available in the time of crisis.

In Florida, the population usually grows up to 35% in the winter months and in turn increases the availability of traveling nursing jobs.  A vast majority of these positions run a course of thirteen weeks on average.  In order to attain one of these positions, one must acquire a travel nursing license in that particular state they would be working and may cost between $25 to $250.