Are you interested in joining the healthcare industry? If you are based in Delaware or plan on moving there, becoming a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Delaware can be excellent career paths to choose. With the growing nursing shortage nationwide, the demand for nurses is high. The Delaware Board of Nursing offers several opportunities across various specializations for nurses. If you are interested in a career in nursing, becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse in Delaware are some of the most accessible ways to do it.
Granted, becoming a nurse is the quickest route to joining the healthcare industry. Still, it is not a career to choose lightly. To become an RN or LPN in Delaware, you must understand the state’s nursing board’s requirements. You should meet several prerequisites to qualify for a state license as a practical nurse or registered nurse in Delaware. Additionally, you must pass the national licensure exam for nurses and take on nursing continuing education courses to renew your certifications.
Fast CE For Less offers a complete solution for RNs and LPNs seeking nursing continuing education courses when they need to renew their credentials. For prospective nurses, we also create resources to help them make more well-informed decisions regarding career opportunities as nurses. This guide will help you understand the Delaware Board of Nursing’s requirements to become a practical nurse or a registered nurse in Delaware.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Delaware
If you want to pursue a career in healthcare with a position that sets you up for more lucrative opportunities, becoming a registered nurse might be a better fit for you. While the requirements are tougher than for becoming an LPN, qualifying for state licensure as an RN opens up more doors for higher-paying roles as a nurse.
You must meet several requirements for pre-licensure training and education, pass an exam, and apply for state licensure to become a registered nurse in Delaware. This section of the guide will give you an overview of what you must do.
Obtaining a BSN or ADN in Delaware
A primary pre-licensure requirement to become a registered nurse in Delaware is earning a diploma, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) through programs approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing. While earning a diploma or ADN can qualify you to apply for state licensure to become an RN in Delaware, we recommend pursuing a four-year BSN to improve your prospects. With more in-depth training and education, BSN courses will make you a more attractive prospect for employers. You can find a complete list of approved diploma, ADN, and BSN programs through the Delaware Board of Nursing’s official website here.
Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in Delaware
After completing your chosen pre-licensure nursing education program to become a registered nurse in Delaware, you must pass a mandatory criminal background check and receive authorization to take the licensing examination. To understand the process for the background check, follow the instructions on the Delaware Board of Nursing’s official website here. Request the educational institute where you completed your nursing education program must send your transcript to the Delaware Board of Nursing to receive approval to appear for the licensing exam.
Once the criminal background check and transcript goes through, the Delaware Board of Nursing will approve you to appear in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Applying for a State License to Become a Registered Nurse in Delaware
Applying for state licensure to become a registered nurse in Delaware requires submitting a service request through the Delaware Board of Nursing’s online application system called Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services (DELPROS). To create an account there, visit the DELPROS website here. While you await your permanent application, you can apply for a temporary permit as an RN in Delaware through the state’s nursing board’s official website here.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Delaware
The pre-licensure educational and training requirements to become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware might be less extensive. However, it is essential to understand the process if you want to choose this career. This section of the guide will explain what you need to become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware.
Completing an Accredited Practical Nursing Program in Delaware
To become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware, you must hold at least a high-school diploma and earn a degree through a practical nursing program approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of pre-licensure nursing education programs approved by the state’s board of nursing through its official website here.
Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) in Delaware
Once you complete the pre-licensure educational requirements to become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware, you must appear for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Qualifying to appear for the exam requires passing a criminal background check and submitting your transcript to the board’s office. Follow the instructions shared by the Delaware Board of Nursing for the criminal background check here. You must request the education institute where you completed your practical nursing program to send your transcript directly to the Delaware Board of Nursing. Once the board reviews the information and approves, you can appear for the NCLEX-PN.
Applying for a State License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Delaware
To apply for a state license to become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware, you must ensure you have followed through with all the requirements and pass the NCLEX-PN. Once you pass the licensing examination, you can apply for state licensure through the Delaware Board of Nursing’s online application platform, DELPROS.
Create an account on DELPROS through this link, submit your application, and await approval from the Delaware Board of Nursing. Once approved, the board will send you your license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Delaware. While you await your permanent license, you can request a temporary permit to practice as an LPN. You can submit a request for the temporary permit through the state’s nursing board’s official website here.
Renewing Your Credentials to Continue Practicing as an RN or LPN in Delaware and Advance Your Career
To stay updated with the most current developments in healthcare and consistently deliver quality care to patients, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must renew their certifications. To recertify as a nurse, you must complete a certain number of contact hours through qualifying nursing continuing education courses after predefined intervals. Each state has its own requirements for nurses to complete the contact hours necessary to recertify.
The Delaware Board of Nursing has set the requirement for nurses to renew their licenses once every two years. If you have become a registered nurse in Delaware, you must complete at least 30 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years, with a minimum of three contact hours on substance abuse. If you choose to become a licensed practical nurse in Delaware, you must complete at least 24 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses, including three on substance abuse. To learn more about the Delaware Board of Nursing’s continuing education requirements for RNs and LPNs, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-delaware/.
If you are already a nurse and approaching the time to renew your credentials, the online nursing CEUs offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com offer an easily accessible, convenient, and affordable solution to recertify and advance your career.