Acute Care Nurses
Special Requirements
Acute Care Nurses are licensed as registered nurses. The three typical educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program. Nurses most commonly enter the occupation by completing an associate degree or bachelor's degree program. Individuals then must complete a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license. Advanced practice nurses—clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners—need a master’s degree.
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General Education and Training Requirements:
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There are three typical educational paths to registered nursing—a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as a staff nurse. There are hundreds of registered nursing programs that result in an ADN or BSN; however, there are relatively few diploma programs.
Individuals considering a career in nursing should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of enrolling in each type of education program. Advancement opportunities may be more limited for ADN and diploma holders compared to RNs who obtain a BSN or higher. Individuals who complete a bachelor's degree receive more training in areas such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking, all of which are becoming more important as nursing practice becomes more complex. Additionally, bachelor's degree programs offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. A bachelor's or higher degree is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching
Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter bachelor's degree programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. Often, they can find an entry-level position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. Accelerated master's degrees in nursing (MSN) programs are also available. They typically take 3-4 years to complete full time and result in the award of both the BSN and MSN.
There are education programs available for people interested in switching to a career in nursing as well. Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field may enroll in an accelerated BSN program. Accelerated BSN programs last 12 to 18 months and provide the fastest route to a BSN for individuals who already hold a degree. MSN programs also are available for individuals who hold a bachelor's or higher degree in another field; master’s degree programs usually last 2 years.
All nursing education programs include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences, and nursing. Coursework also includes the liberal arts for ADN and BSN students.
Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A number of programs include clinical experience in nursing care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics.
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Licensure and certification:
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All registered nurses must pass a written exam as required by the Board of Nursing. In order to apply to take the exam, an applicant must:
A. File the required application, any necessary documentation and fee no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the month in which the applicant expects to take the examination. B. Arrange for the board to receive an official transcript from the nursing education program which shows either: a. That the degree or diploma has been awarded, or
b. That all requirements for awarding the degree or diploma have been met and specifies the date of conferral. C. File a new application and reapplication fee if:
a. The examination is not taken within six months of the date that the Board determines the applicant to be eligible; or
b. Eligibility is not established within six months of the original filing date. D. The minimum passing standard on the examination for registered nurse licensure and practical nurse licensure shall be determined by the board.
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Licensure by examination:
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A. The board shall authorize the administration of examinations for registered nurse licensure and examinations for practical nurse licensure.
B. A candidate shall be eligible to take the examination (i) upon receipt by the board of the completed application, fee and an official transcript from the nursing education program; and (ii) when a determination has been made that no grounds exist upon which the board may deny licensure pursuant to the Code of Virginia.
C. To establish eligibility for licensure by examination, an applicant for the licensing examination shall:
1. File the required application, any necessary documentation and fee.
2. Arrange for the board to receive an official transcript from the nursing education program which shows either:
a. That the degree or diploma has been awarded and the date of graduation or conferral; or
b. That all requirements for awarding the degree or diploma have been met and specifies the date of conferral.
3. File a new application and reapplication fee if:
a. The examination is not taken within six months of the date that the board determines the applicant to be eligible; or
b. Eligibility is not established within six months of the original filing date.
D. The minimum passing standard on the examination for registered nurse licensure and practical nurse licensure shall be determined by the board.
E. Any applicant suspected of giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during the examination may be noticed for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) to determine eligibility for licensure or reexamination.
F. Practice of nursing pending receipt of examination results.
1. A graduate who has filed a completed application for licensure in Virginia and has received an authorization letter issued by the board may practice nursing in Virginia from the date of the authorization letter. The period of practice shall not exceed 90 days between the date of successful completion of the nursing education program, as documented on the applicant's transcript, and the publication of the results of the candidate's first licensing examination.
2. Candidates who practice nursing as provided in subdivision 1 of this subsection shall use the designation "R.N. Applicant" or "L.P.N. Applicant" on a nametag or when signing official records.
3. The designations "R.N. Applicant" and "L.P.N. Applicant" shall not be used by applicants who either do not take the examination within 90 days following receipt of the authorization letter from the board or who have failed the examination.
G. Applicants who fail the examination.
1. An applicant who fails the licensing examination shall not be licensed or be authorized to practice nursing in Virginia.
2. An applicant for licensure by reexamination shall file the required application and reapplication fee no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the month in which the applicant expects to take the examination in order to establish eligibility.
3. Applicants who have failed the examination for licensure in another U.S. jurisdiction but satisfy the qualifications for licensure in this jurisdiction may apply for licensure by examination in Virginia. Such applicants shall submit the required application and fee. Such applicants shall not, however, be permitted to practice nursing in Virginia until the requisite license has been issued.
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Licensure by endorsement:
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A. A graduate of an approved nursing education program who has been licensed by examination in another U.S. jurisdiction and whose license is in good standing, or is eligible for reinstatement, if lapsed, shall be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Virginia, provided the applicant satisfies the same requirements for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure as those seeking initial licensure in Virginia.
1. A graduate of a nursing school in Canada where English was the primary language shall be eligible for licensure by endorsement provided the applicant has passed the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination (CRNE) and holds an unrestricted license in Canada.
2. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who has not passed NCLEX may only be issued a single state license to practice in Virginia.
B. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who has submitted the required application and fee and submitted the required form to the appropriate credentialing agency for verification of licensure may practice for 30 days upon receipt of an authorization letter from the board. If an applicant has not received a Virginia license within 30 days and wishes to continue practice, he shall seek an extension of authorization to practice by submitting a request and evidence that he has requested verification of licensure.
C. If the application is not completed within one year of the initial filing date, the applicant shall submit a new application and fee.
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Required Fees:
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Application for licensure by examination
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$130.00
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Application for licensure by endorsement
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$130.00
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Reapplication for licensure by examination
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$25.00
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Biennial licensure renewal
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$95.00
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Late renewal
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$35.00
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Reinstatement of lapsed license
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$145.00
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Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license
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$185.00
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Application for CNS registration
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$95.00
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Biennial renewal of CNS registration
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$60.00
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Reinstatement of lapsed CNS registration
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$105.00
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Verification of CNS registration to another jurisdiction
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$25.00
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Late renewal of CNS registration
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$20.00
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Inactive licensure renewal
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$50.00
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Late renewal of an inactive license
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$15.00
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
