Registered Nurses are primary caregivers to patients who work under the constant supervision of assistants and physicians. Their day-to-day activities highly depend on the field they have specialized in and must have an adequate level of training. Some common fields are pediatrics, oncology, hematology, orthopedics, and urology. RNs are typically found in all types of medical facilities: Outpatient Centers, personal or group practices, hospitals, and clinics. Let us know Who Is A Registered Nurse?
How are Registered Nurses different from other nurses?
RNs typically help with patient coordination, admission, and summarizing the patient details and health concerns although. They do not have any legal prescribing authority for any pharmaceutical drug in the industry as they are professionals who are still acquiring a medical degree. RNs have a higher advantage in the long run since they start practicing in the medical field before the MDs/DOs.
Steps to become a licensed RN:
Step 1: Decide you want to become an RN and ensure you are in it with full dedication.
Step 2: Achieve their bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) which takes approximately 4 years or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) which usually takes up to 3 years to complete.
Step 3: Receive hands-on training with higher levels of nurses: Licensed Practice Nurses.
Step 4: Apply for a license in a state you wish to practice in.
Step 5: Ensure you have a bachelor’s degree and clear the National Council Licensure Examination.
Step 6: Pay the licensing fees involved in the process.
Step 7: Provide adequate and correct details for a background criminal verification.
Step 8: Receive the active license and practice.
Step 9: Ensure to renew your license when it closes the expiration date. The state of West Virginia renews the licenses on 31st October every year.
Earning potential for a Registered Nurse in the state of West Virginia?
Facts:
RNs in the US tend to earn a decent wage of up to $80 per hour.
But, in the year 2016, West Virginia was the lowest paying state for Registered Nurses and that year, the standard of living was adjusted as the wage was below the normal wage for the US.
The salary range gap has amounted to $15,000 between the then highest paying state of the US, Maryland.
Scope of Improvement in WV:
In recent times due to growth in the US economy and pharmaceutical industry, West Virginia has surpassed the 5th position from below from last and has increased the average salary and standard of living. It is an active state with a free lifestyle and for a comfortable living, the salary range must be $39,000-$42,000.
The average salary for newly licensed RNs in WV lies within the range of $55,000 to $65,000 as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics which leads to approximately $32 to $40 per hour, which is yet below the national average of the US for Registered Nurses. With a higher level of experience in the industry, the salary may soar up to even $90,000 per annum.
The highest-paying city is Ranson with an average payout of $82,000 per annum.
The Importance of RN in healthcare:
Nurses have been acting as the backbone of the US healthcare sector for the past decade and it is the most trusted professional ranked every year. With the continuous rise in the needs of the complex healthcare industry, the role and demand for nurses have significantly changed and increased. This is due to the following reasons:
Nurses spend the maximum time understanding the patients’ backgrounds, needs, and medical conditions.
Nurses form an emotional connection with the patients that help the latter to reside with confidence regarding health concerns.
The declining health education in the economy leads RNs to become advocates to the patients and explain the medical terminologies/procedures explained by the doctor.
Nurses contribute a significant amount of taxes to the economy because RNs can earn and assist in the medical fields before the physicians themselves. RNs usually follow the earn-and-learn method of growth.
Should I become an RN in WV?
It can be easily derived that the US is facing a critical shortage of nurses when the importance and role of an RN are understood. Nurses are hired in every medical field like hospitals and surgical centers, concentration houses, physician offices, nursing care facilities, and outpatient centers. Currently, there are 44% of hospitals hire health care providers with a BSN degree, and 75% of employers wide-spread in the US look at graduates with the degree of BSN.
The projected surplus of RNs in WV in 2030 is 21.2% as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projected demand and supply are as below:
Projected Demand: 20,800 RNs
Projected Supply: 25,200 RNs
WV is currently looking to recover from the nursing shortage by following the two below methods:
The government is providing an investment grant that covers the cost of the degree of nursing for residents who agree to work in the field for 2 years and pass a drug test.
The government is also relying on local medical centers to provide scholarships, bonuses, and loan forgiveness to incentivize the nurses to enter and stay in the field.
The reason for this two-fold retention method is that there is a projection that 32% of nurses plan to retire/leave from the RN field in the year 2021-2022. Currently, there are 34,000 RNs in the state of WV, out of which 38% are considering retirement from the field leaving a huge opportunity for new RN’S to enter and sustain in the field in the state of West Virginia.
FAQ’s
Q. Is RN a good sustaining field?
Yes, due to the rising shortage of RNs in the US healthcare sector, the government has launched multiple monetary benefits to incentive the field.
Q. Should I become an RN in WV?
Yes, because WV has improved from the lowest-paying state to 5th lowest and the rise in retirements of RNs leave a vacancy for new ones which in turn would lead to a rise in payments when the supply meets or exceeds the demands.
