How Can a Medical Assistant Become a Registered Nurse?
A medical assistant differs from a registered nurse in that the medical assistant primarily deals with patients and medical personnel in an administrative manner. In some ways, she operates within the medical office as an intermediary between a nurse and a secretary. As the educational program toward becoming a medical assistant differs from that of a registered nurse, there are no accelerated or special linkage programs for medical assistants desiring to become registered nurses.
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing
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In order to become a registered nurse, the prospective nurse can choose among the three available academic pathways that can lead to licensure as a registered nurse. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the longest academic route, as it takes four years to complete, though it is often the most advantageous because it will afford the nurse greater opportunities for advancement in supervisory and administrative positions. Furthermore, a BSN is required should the nurse decide to apply for admission to a Master of Science in Nursing program, which is a requirement for Nurse Practitioners and other areas of nursing specializations. Completion of the BSN allows the student to take the NCLEX-RN.
Associate Degree in Nursing
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An Associate Degree in Nursing can be completed by the student in two years, though sometimes an additional year of study is necessary depending on how the student chooses to structure the prerequisite coursework. Completion of the program allows the student to take the NCLEX-RN. Prospective students should research community colleges in the area in order to find a program that meets her needs. If the student later decides to return to school, there are BSN programs that offer credits toward the BSN based on academic work completed toward the ADN degree.
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Diploma Program
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A hospital-administered diploma program is available to those who are interested in completing the academic requirements toward becoming a registered nurse within two to three years. Diploma programs are the least common nurse programs available and are only found at teaching hospitals. Interested prospective students should contact teaching hospitals in the intended area of study to determine if a diploma program is offered. Completion of a diploma program allows the student to take the NCLEX-RN.
Application to the State Boards of Nursing and Licensure Examination
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Graduation from a nursing program allows the student to submit an application for registration and licensure examination to the state board of nursing and to the National Council for Licensure Examination within the state. The application to the state board allows the verification of identity and academic credentials to occur. The criminal background check and other personal verification can take up to six months to complete, so it is necessary that the student not waste time after graduation before submitting an application to the state board.
National Council for Licensure Examination
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Once the student has passed the exhaustive verification and background check performed by the state board of nursing, she is able to begin the procedure for registration for the registered nurse examination within the state. Once the student receives notification for authorization to test from Pearson---the administrative body handling registration for the National Council for Licensure---she is able to schedule her examination from any of the available dates. The examination spans six hours, and thorough preparation is required. Once the candidate receives notification of the satisfactory examination results---which are mailed to the candidate within 30 days of the test date---she is able to practice as a registered nurse.
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References
- Photo Credit operation nurse image by Andrey Rakhmatullin from Fotolia.com
