Become Nurse In Delaware + Requirements & Licensing
November 12, 2021 , Updated on June 21, 2022 · 3 Min Read
Delaware is a great state to work in as a nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earned an average annual salary of $70,660 in 2013.
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Delaware is a great state to work in as a nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earned an average annual salary of $70,660 in 2013, which is very high. For most, however, the profession is a calling and not about the money, although it does help. So how do you become a nurse in Delaware?
ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE NURSES
Becoming a nurse in Delaware is a three stage process. STAGE 1. CHOOSE YOUR DEGREE PROGRAM. You can become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) by completing a one year diploma program. Alternatively, you can become an RN (Registered Nurse) by completing a two year associate’s degree (ADN) or a four year bachelor’s degree (BSN). Most prospective nurses choose to become an RN, as this leads to greater job opportunities and salaries. STAGE 2. MEET THE PREREQUISITES. Usually, an LPN program only requires you to have completed high school or hold a GED. However, to take part in an ADN or BSN program, you will usually have to complete a number of undergraduate courses. The exact courses vary depending on the school, but generally include such subjects as statistics, math, English and biology. STAGE 3. PASS THE APPLICABLE NCLEX EXAM. The NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN examination will certify you as an LPN or RN, respectively. This is nationally recognized, which means you can transfer it between states.ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES
If you want to become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Delaware, there are four stages you must be aware of. STAGE 1. GAIN A GRADUATE EDUCATION AT MASTER’S LEVEL OR ABOVE. Furthermore, you must become nationally certified by a body that is recognized by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Board has set a number of standards for programs that can be checked here. The Board has also determined that graduates have completed either a recency requirement prior to license or a set number of practice hours. Additionally stipulations exist for those graduates who cannot be certified in their chosen specialty. APNs in Delaware can apply for prescriptive authority. To do so, they must have completed courses in diagnosis and management of problems in their clinical specialty; advanced health assessment; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) can focus on a specific area of population. This must be maintained through a recognized national certification. The specialties that are recognized include adult health, acute care, psychiatric/mental health, pediatric, family, emergency nursing, neonatal, geriatric, school health and women’s health. It is also possible to apply for a temporary permit if you have graduated but are awaiting licensure. You cannot be granted prescriptive authority with a temporary permit. Additionally, you must work under supervision. Your temporary permit will last for 90 days. STAGE 2. BECOME NATIONALLY CERTIFIED IN ONE OF THE FOUR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION. Each of these has specific requirements. They are:- NP (Nurse Practitioner), who must hold a population focus.
- CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist), who must be specialized if certification exists in that specialization.
- CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), who must be nationally certified.
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), who must be nationally certified.
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
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