Renewal
Rhode Island Continuing Education Requirements
All nurses licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education must meet continuing education requirements, even if they no longer practice. You must complete ten (10) continuing education hours per renewal cycle (every two years). One continuing education unit is equivalent to ten (10) continuing education hours. One continuing education hour is equivalent to one contact hour. You can take online or live courses that are accepted or approved by a nursing organization, such as Rhode Island State Nurse Association , the American Nurses Credentialing Center, approved nursing schools or any other recognized professional nursing organization. You can request a six month extension for meeting the continuing education requirement if you have have suffered a hardship which prevented meeting the educational requirements. You must sign an attestation statement at the time of your license renewal attesting to the completion of your continuing education requirements and retain documentation of your course completion for four years.
Practice
Traditional and Non-Traditional Nursing Roles
Nurses acquire their basic knowledge, skills, and abilities while completing a nursing program. Then, as they begin working as registered, licensed, or vocational nurses, they build upon that basic knowledge and become more efficient and knowledgeable. Traditional nursing roles include providing direct client care, acting as a nursing program instructor, and working as a nurse administrator, however, there are other activities performed by nurses which use nursing knowledge and skills and may not fall within the traditional nursing roles. Volunteer positions, as well as caring for a family member or friend qualify as nursing practice in some states even if compensation has not been received. One state which recognizes volunteer positions as well as taking care of a relative is Texas.
All nurses need to comply with the Nursing Practice Act, Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations, as well as any laws, rules, or regulations applicable to the nurse's area of practice. RNs and LPNs must know and follow the rules and regulations in the state in which they are practicing for both paid and volunteer nursing positions. Professional boundaries and client confidentiality should also be top priorities. An example of a nurse who may use her specialized nursing knowledge, skills and abilities is when a nurse researcher performs health related research in support of improved practice and patient outcomes. Other examples of non-traditional nursing roles include health education, utilization review, health information technology, policy and rule writing, consulting, and writing for nursing publications such as journal articles, books or continuing nursing education programs.Licensure
Can I take the NCLEX in a different state?
The NCLEX can be taken in any state convenient to you. The results will be directed to the board of nursing where you applied for your authorization to test (ATT) and licensure. You should apply for a license in the state where you intend to legally reside and practice.
Exam
Can I take the NCLEX in a different state?
The NCLEX-PN exam is administered on a computer at approved test sites throughout the United States. First, the nurse graduate chooses a test center where to take the examination. Since all states administer the same exam, it is not required that a candidate sit for the examination in the same state in which he or she applies for licensure. Each exam is individualized according to the responses given to previous test questions but all exams follow a standard plan. A minimum of eighty-five (85) questions must be answered by a candidate in order to determine a pass or fail status. Some candidates may be answering items for up to five hours in order to finish the test. Every question is multiple choice and each item needs to be answered in order to move to the next one. Candidates with disabilities need to notify the test center in order to receive special accommodations. The NCLEX-PN exam has no more than 205 questions but you can pass with only 85 if you answer correctly. Those who fail the test can take it again but must wait at least forty-five days to retest.
Education
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program
In exchange for at least two years of service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses, the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program pays tuition, required fees, other reasonable costs including required books, clinical supplies, laboratory expenses, and a monthly stipend of 1,344 for the 2017-2018 academic year.
The program enables students accepted or enrolled in diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs, including RN to BSN Bridge Programs to receive funding for tuition, fees and other educational costs in exchange for working at an eligible Critical Shortage Facility upon graduation.
The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities located in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients work at these facilities for at least two years, earning the same competitive salary and benefits as any new hire.
Career
How can I get a higher wage?
If you are looking to increase your income as an LPN then one option is to get more education in your field. For those who are interested in expanding their nursing practice, the option of becoming a registered nurse is a great choice. Many nursing schools are offering special LPN to RN programs which take no longer than a year and a half to complete.
Another option that will help you earn a higher income is to become certified in specific areas such as long-term care, gerontology, pharmacology, or intravenous therapy. Obtaining certification in one or several areas is a sure way for a practical nurse to increase her nursing knowledge, become more marketable to health care employers, and earn a higher wage.
There are two national licensed practical nurse associations which offer certification courses for practical nurses throughout the United States. The National Federation Licensed Practical Nurses Association (NFLPN) is known for its gerontology and IV therapy certification courses. If you would prefer a certification in pharmacology or long-term care then you should contact the National Association for Practical Nurses Education and Service (NAPNES) which offers both study materials and certification exams for practical and vocational nurses. Other types of certifications are widely available from many recognized nursing organizations and include Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), wound care certification, hospice and palliative care certification.
Organizations
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
The American Society for Pain Management Nursing's mission is to advance and promote optimal nursing care for people affected by pain by promoting best nursing practice. This is accomplished through education, standards, advocacy and research.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
The mission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is to promote excellence in nursing and health care globally through credentialing programs. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify and recognize individual nurses in specialty practice areas, recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments, and accredit continuing nursing education organizations.