The staffing shortage of nurses throughout the US has been a growing problem for several years. Since the pandemic took hold, the situation has only become more dire. According to an analysis by Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, the state needs over 4,000 new registered nurses to meet a sustainable RN-to-population ratio. If you are interested in pursuing a nursing career, this is the perfect time to understand nursing board requirements in Nevada to learn how to become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Nevada. While the educational and training requirements might not be as extensive as for physicians, there are certain requirements you must meet to become a licensed practical nurse in Nevada or an RN in the state.
Fast CE For Less has created this guide to help prospective nurses understand nursing board requirements in Nevada. From pre-licensure education requirements to understanding the nursing continuing education requirements for the Nevada Board of Nursing, this post will cover everything you need to know about nurse licensing requirements in Nevada.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Nevada
To become a registered nurse in Nevada, you must earn a pre-licensure nursing degree, pass a nationally recognized nursing license exam, and pursue nursing continuing education courses. This guide will give you a quick overview of the process.
Obtain a Nursing Degree
Before you can apply for a nursing license, you must meet the Nevada Board of Nursing’s pre-licensure educational requirements. To become an RN, you must obtain a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While pursuing an ADN means less time spent training, it might be better to choose a BSN. With a four-year degree, you can get more in-depth training and education for better career prospects. Employers prefer to hire nurses with more qualifications.
Regardless of the path you choose for your pre-licensure education, it must be from a program approved by the Nevada Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of state board-approved nursing programs on the board’s official website here.
Apply to Become a Registered Nurse
Once you earn a nursing degree, you can apply for your license to become a registered nurse in Nevada. The application process involves passing the National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). First, you must complete and submit an application through the Nevada Nurse Portal. After submitting your application online, you must register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN.
Earn Your License
After completing registration, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse in Nevada. Once you pass the exam, you must wait for the Nevada Board of Nursing to review all your documents and issue your license. The board typically takes one to two weeks to process applications. That said, it may take longer or shorter, depending on individual cases.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Nevada
If you want to become a licensed practical nurse in Nevada, you will not need to pursue a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN. However, the Nevada Board of Nursing still has pre-licensure educational requirements you must fulfill before applying for a license. Besides a nursing degree, you must also pass a nationally recognized licensing exam for licensed practical nurses and complete continuing education courses to renew your license.
Obtain a Nursing Certificate
If you have a high school diploma or equivalent, you can be well-positioned to apply for an LPN license after completing a practical nursing program. A practical nursing certification is essential to qualify for applying as an LPN in Nevada. You must obtain your practical nursing certification through a state board-approved program. The Nevada Board of Nursing has published a complete list of approved nursing programs on its website here.
Apply to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
After obtaining your practical nursing certificate, you will be eligible to apply for an LPN license. To become a licensed practical nurse in Nevada, you must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). To begin your application process, you must register through the Nevada Nursing Portal and register with Pearson VUE.
Earn Your License
Once you complete the registration process and provide all the requested documents, you must pass the NCLEX-PN. The Nevada Board of Nursing will review your documents after you pass the NCLEX-PN. If you qualify for the license, the board will issue your license to become an LPN in Nevada. It typically takes the board one to two weeks to process applications, but it may take longer.
Renew Your License with Nursing Continuing Education Courses
After becoming an RN or LPN, nurses must renew their credentials every two to three years. Nursing boards across all states require nurses to renew their licenses. A major part of the license renewal process is completing a required number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses. Each state sets its own requirements when it comes to continuing education.
For the Nevada Board of Nursing, RNs and LPNs must renew their licenses every two years. If you are an RN, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education, with at least two contact hours on cultural competency and four contact hours on bioterrorism. If you become an LPN, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education. To learn more about the nursing board requirements in Nevada for continuing education, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-nevada.
If you are an RN or LPN nearing the time to renew your license, online nursing CEUs like those available at www.fastceforless.com are an excellent fast and easy option to consider.
