If you are based in Ohio or plan to move there, the Ohio Board of Nursing offers plenty of opportunities for nurses to join the workforce in the state. Becoming a registered nurse in Ohio or a licensed practical nurse in the Buckeye State can be a great way to start a nursing career.
With Columbus and Cleveland being the largest cities and home to many highly ranked nursing programs, becoming a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Ohio is a possibility you should consider. However, it is essential to understand the requirements set forth by the Ohio Board of Nursing to earn your license to practice nursing. At Fast CE For Less, we offer nursing continuing education courses to practicing nurses across all specializations. We help them renew their credentials through convenient online nursing CEUs.
For prospective nurses, we also create helpful guides to assist them in understanding the nursing board requirements for various states. Today, we will tell you everything you must know about the nursing board requirements in Ohio.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Ohio
To become a registered nurse, you must go through years of training and education, pass a national licensure exam for registered nurses, and complete nursing continuing education courses to renew your credentials.
Earn a Nursing Degree
Becoming a registered nurse in Ohio requires you to earn a degree from a state-approved prelicensure nursing education program. You can pursue a diploma, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
While you can apply for state licensure through examination after earning an ADN or a diploma through a state-approved program, earning a BSN offers you more educational and practical training in the nursing field. Employers prefer hiring registered nurses with BSNs due to their advanced training and education, making it a more attractive option for registered nurses seeking better-paying positions.
Regardless of the type of program you choose, it is essential to ensure you complete your pre-licensure training and education through a program approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. You can find a list of state board-approved programs through its official website here.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
Once you earn the required nursing degree, you can apply for state licensure to become a registered nurse in Ohio via examination. After completing your degree, you must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, also called NCLEX-RN. Pearson VUE administers the NCLEX-RN. You can register for the examination at Pearson VUE’s website. Upon registration, you will receive detailed instructions to follow. Primarily, you must request the institute where you earned your nursing degree to send your transcripts to the Ohio Board of Nursing and apply through the state board to appear for the NCLEX-RN.
Receive Your State License to Become a Registered Nurse
Once you receive approval to appear for the NCLEX-RN through the Ohio Board of Nursing, you must take the exam and pass it. After passing the NCLEX-RN, the state board will issue your license to become a registered nurse in Ohio.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Ohio
If becoming a registered nurse is not your calling, you can consider becoming a licensed practical nurse in Ohio. Unlike registered nurses, prospective professionals applying for a license to become licensed practical nurses in Ohio do not need to go through pre-licensure education and training as extensively. While it may take a shorter time to become an LPN in Ohio, it is essential to understand the state’s nursing board requirements.
Earn Certification Through a State Board-Approved Practical Nursing Program
For pre-licensure educational requirements to become a licensed practical nurse in Ohio, you do not need to earn a two-year ADN or four-year BSN. You must have at least a high school diploma and complete a state board-approved practical nursing program. You can apply for state licensure after obtaining certification from a qualifying practical nurse training program. You can find a list of practical nursing programs approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing through its official website here.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
Once you complete the practical nursing program, you can apply for state licensure via examination. To get the state licensure to become a licensed practical nurse in Ohio, you must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, also called the NCLEX-PN.
Pearson VUE administers the NCLEX-PN. To register for the exam, you can register through Pearson VUE’s website here. Upon registration, you will get detailed instructions on how to proceed. You must request the educational institute where you earned your practical nursing degree to send your transcripts to the state’s nursing board. After following the instructions and receiving approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing, you can appear for the NCLEX-PN.
Receive Your State License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
You will receive your license to become a licensed practical nurse in Ohio after passing the NCLEX-PN. The Ohio Board of Nursing will automatically issue your license a few weeks after passing the NCLEX-PN.
Renewing Your Credentials to Continue Practicing as an RN or LPN in Ohio
The healthcare industry is always evolving and offers plenty of room to learn new procedures and processes to improve patient care delivery. To ensure that nurses across all specializations are updated with the most current practices and techniques, each state’s nursing board requires RNs and LPNs to renew their credentials after two to three years. For recertifying and renewing their licenses, RNs and LPNs must complete a required number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses defined by the state’s nursing board.
For recertifying as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Ohio, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education courses every two years. The courses must also include one hour on Ohio Nurse Practice Act when renewing your license, and the successful completion of the Category A course requires achieving 70% or higher on the posttest. You can find more details about the continuing education requirements for the Ohio Board of Nursing at www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-ohio/.
If you’re a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse nearing the time to renew your license, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com give you an accessible, affordable, and convenient solution.
