Are you looking for a career in healthcare in the state of Alabama? Becoming a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse are two excellent paths to enter into the healthcare industry. The Alabama Board of Nursing offers plenty of opportunities for new nurses across several specializations. Whether you want to become a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Alabama, it is essential to understand the Alabama Board of Nursing’s requirements for licensure.
Fast CE For Less offers nursing continuing education courses to help registered nurses and licensed practical nurses renew their credentials and progress in their careers. We have created this guide to help you understand the Alabama Board of Nursing requirements to become a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the state to help you start on this career path.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Alabama
To become a registered nurse, you must complete years of specialized education and training. As with any state, you must meet prerequisites for pre-licensure educational requirements, pass the national exam for nursing professionals, and apply for state licensure.
Earn a BSN or Associate Degree
If you want to become a registered nurse in Alabama, you must complete a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. You can find a list of state-approved programs here. While you can apply for state licensure as a registered nurse in Alabama after obtaining an ADN, we highly recommend pursuing a BSN to improve your chances of better job opportunities. A BSN program will offer more in-depth training and education necessary to take on more complex roles as a nurse.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN)
After completing your ADN, BSN, or higher, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, also called the NCLEX-RN. The Alabama Board of Nursing has made videos and published them on its website to explain the process of taking the NCLEX-RN examination before you apply for a license to become a registered nurse in Alabama. To register for authorization to take the NCLEX-RN, you can click here and follow all the steps.
Apply for Licensure as a Registered Nurse
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, you must apply for the state licensure by examination through the Alabama Board of Nursing’s official website here. To apply for state licensure, you must have a valid Social Security Number and provide a transcript of your nursing education program to the board in addition to passing the NCLEX-RN.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alabama
Pursuing an LPN license is one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare industry as a nurse. While the requirements are not as time-consuming or complex as becoming a registered nurse, one who desires to become a licensed practical nurse in Alabama must still complete a state-approved nursing education program, pass the professional exam for LPNs, and renew credentials through nursing continuing education courses.
Complete a State-Approved LPN Program
Unlike becoming an RN, when you want to become a licensed practical nurse in Alabama, you do not need to obtain an ADN or BSN. Pre-licensure education requirements stipulate that you must have a high school diploma and successfully complete an accredited LPN education program approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. You can find a list of approved nursing education programs here.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN)
Once you complete the LPN education program and receive an LPN certificate from the educational institution, you must prepare for and pass the NCLEX examination for Practical Nurses, also called the NCLEX-PN.
Apply for Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse
After obtaining your LPN certificate and passing the NCLEX-PN, you must apply for state licensure as an LPN in Alabama through the Alabama Board of Nursing’s official website. To gain the license, you must complete an online application, send your transcripts to the Alabama Board of Nursing, and pay the application fees.
Once you submit your application, you can request a temporary permit to practice nursing until the Alabama Board of Nursing issues your permanent license. The temporary license is valid for up to 90 days, after which you will receive your permanent LPN license.
Renew Credentials to Continue to Practice Nursing
Whether you become a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in the state of Alabama, it is essential to complete nursing continuing education courses to renew your license and continue practicing as a nurse. The Alabama Board of Nursing requires nurses to renew their license every two years. You can learn more about the state’s continuing education requirements for RNs and LPNs at www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-alabama/.
Each state has its own requirements for continuing education for licensure renewal. In Alabama, RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years to renew their credentials. Additionally, when you renew your credentials as an RN or LPN in Alabama for the first time, you must complete four contact hours on the Nurse Practice Act. This is a state board-provided continuing education program you must take through the Alabama Board of Nursing.
To fulfill the 24-nursing continuing education contact hours you must complete to renew your license in Alabama, you should consider the online nursing CEUs offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com. The courses available at www.fastceforless.com can be the perfect resource for quick, convenient, and affordable nursing continuing education.
