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How to Become a Registered Nurse in USA?
Edited By Stuti Jain | Updated on Jun 26, 2024 12:49 PM IST
Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is a rewarding career path that offers numerous opportunities in the growing healthcare industry. The healthcare industry in India is booming, and with growing healthcare, the demand for registered nurses is also increasing. To get the best nursing colleges in India and practice nursing, the competition is very high. So, one searches for the best countries to become registered nurses other than India.
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With the most number of top universities in the world, the USA is also the best place to become a registered nurse. As one of the most in-demand professions in the United States, nursing provides the chance to make a meaningful impact on people's lives while enjoying job security and competitive salaries.
Indian students need to fulfil the requirements to work as a nurse in USA. One needs to complete the USA Nursing Registration 2024 to appear for the nursing exam USA.
To become registered nurse in USA from India, aspiring nurses must understand a clear set of steps, from completing an accredited nursing program to passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and obtaining state licensure. The specific nursing requirements in USA can vary across different states, but the overall process typically involves 2-4 years of education and training.
Whether you pursue an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or even a Master's degree, the path to becoming an RN is well-defined and achievable for those with the right dedication and passion for the field.
The IELTS requirement for USA nursing registration for Indian students is 6.5 overall or more. Some of the top nursing colleges in USA are University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Duke University, and others. The average USA nurse salary in Indian rupees is Rs 60 lakhs to 90 lakhs. RN salary in USA varies on various factors such as education level and location of practice. Read on to learn more about how to become a registered nurse in USA, the salary of nurses in USA, top nursing schools, and more.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in USA?
A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who is licensed by a state board of nursing to provide care to the patient. The requirements to work as a nurse in USA include an accredited nursing programme, which can be a nursing diploma, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nursing requirements in USA vary by state. After completing their education, aspiring RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is a nursing exam USA requires.
How to Become Registered Nurse in USA from India?
To become a registered nurse in USA, Indian students are required to have a nursing degree in any of the following:
Nursing diploma
Associate degree in nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
USA nursing registration IELTS requirements for Indian students is a band score of 6.5 overall or above to meet the English proficiency requirement. Here are the steps on how to become a registered nurse in USA from India:
Step 1: Complete an Accredited Nursing Education Program
Candidates must obtain a nursing diploma, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited RN programme.
Step 2: Prepare for the Licensing Exam
They must prepare themselves and get ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX-RN
Candidates are required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Step 4: Obtain State Licensure
Students can then seek licensure in the state where they want to practice. State guidelines differ, thus it is essential to learn about individual state RN licensing requirements before applying for a license.
NCLEX Exam 2024
Registration for the NCLEX exam is conducted through Pearson VUE. After applying to the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB), students must register with Pearson VUE and pay the required fees, which can range from USD 200 to 350. Once the NRB declares students eligible, they receive an Authorization To Test (ATT) email. The ATT is usually valid for 90 days, or as specified by the NRB, and students must take the test before it expires.
There are two categories of the NCLEX:
NCLEX-PN: This test is for aspiring practical nurses, seeking licensing as Licenced Practical Nurses (LPN) or Licenced Vocational Nurses (LVN).
NCLEX-RN: This test is for prospective registered nurses (RNs).
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NCLEX Exam Pattern 2024
The NCLEX 2024 exam is a Computerised Adaptive Test (CAT), which means no two exams are identical. The questions are generated based on your performance. Unlike other admission tests, the NCLEX's grading methodology is different. The number of questions varies between 75 and 265, depending on how quickly a candidate achieves the 95% confidence interval. If a candidate fails to meet this confidence interval, they will not pass the test. The exam can take up to six hours to complete.
The NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams evaluate candidates in the following categories:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
How to Prepare for the NCLEX 2024?
Preparation for the NCLEX includes understanding its format. The NCSBN website provides two practice exams, each containing 125 questions, to help students become familiar with the test structure.
What do Registered Nurses do?
Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Registered nurses typically do the following:
Responsibilities
Assess patients’ conditions
Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
Observe patients and record the observations
Administer patients’ medicines and treatments
Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute information to existing plans
Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals
Operate and monitor medical equipment
Help perform diagnostic tests and analyse the results
Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
Explain what to do at home after treatment
Types of Nursing Jobs in USA 2024
There are several types of registered nurses in the USA, each working in different healthcare settings. Some of these nurse specialities and their work environments are mentioned below:
Types of Registered Nurses
Type of Nurse | Work Places |
Addiction Nurse | They work in recovery centres, hospitals, and outpatient care facilities |
Cardiovascular Nurse | They work in hospitals, coronary care units (CCUs), and physician practices that care for patients with heart disease |
Critical Care Nurse / ICU Nurse | These nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and CCUs. |
Gastroenterology Nurse | They assist doctors during colonoscopies and endoscopies. |
Medical-Surgical Nurse | They work in hospital settings and handle heavy patient loads. |
Neonatal Nurse | They work in a Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), CCU, ICU, trauma unit, or other healthcare setting. |
Occupational Health Nurse | They work in a clinical setting |
Public Health Nurse | They work for government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations that promote public health. |
Nursing salary in USA 2024
The nursing salary depends on the location in USA. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics for 2022, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in USA was USD 81,220. The salary for a registered nurse in the top 5 states in USA is mentioned below.
Registered Nurse Salary USA
City | RN Nurse Salary USA | USA Nurse Salary in Indian Rupees |
California | USD 133,340 | Rs. 1,11,32,323 |
Hawaii | USD 113,220 | Rs. 94,52,539 |
Oregon | USD 106,610 | Rs. 89,00,682 |
Massachusetts | USD 104,150 | Rs. 86,95,301 |
Alaska | USD 103,310 | Rs. 86,25,171 |
Best Nursing Colleges in USA 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to become a registered nurse USA?
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) in the United States generally takes 2 to 4 years. This includes obtaining either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in about two years or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about four years. After graduation, aspiring nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain a license to practice in USA.
2. What are the requirements to be an RN in USA?
To become a registered nurse (RN) in the United States, individuals must usually complete a recognised nursing programme (either an ADN or BSN), pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and meet particular state licensing criteria, which might include background checks and continued education.
3. How to become a registered nurse in the USA from India?
To become a registered nurse (RN) in the United States from India, you must first complete a nursing degree (ADN or BSN) at a recognised institution. Next, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and meet state licensure requirements. International nurses must additionally meet English language proficiency requirements.
4. Can a foreigner be a nurse in USA?
Yes, foreigners can work as nurses in the United States. They must complete specified prerequisites, such as earning a nursing degree from a recognised programme, passing the NCLEX-RN exam, and gaining state licensure. International nurses must also complete visa criteria, which includes getting a work visa or permanent residency (green card) in order to work in the United States as nurses legally.
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Questions related to
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Anushri Varshney 12 June,2022
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Piyush kesarwani 13 May,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Tabitha 08 January,2022
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Sohamsengupta8 13 February,2022
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