Affordable RN Schools Online Altadena CA

How to Find the Best RN School near Altadena California

Altadena CA RN with Doctor and PatientSearching for the right nursing college near Altadena CA may feel like a difficult undertaking, especially if you have no idea what to look for in a good degree program. As you may already understand, to practice as a registered nurse, you must receive the proper education and training to become licensed. So it is essential that you research and determine the qualifications of each school you are thinking about before enrolling in your final choice. The fact is, too many potential students base their selection solely on the cost of tuition and the proximity of the school. Choosing the least costly school or the one that is closest to your house is probably not the most reliable way to pick a nursing program. There are many key additional considerations to explore before you determine where to attend classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first look at the nursing degree choices that are offered along with what the roles of nurses are in our health system.

Request Free Information on Nursing Schools Below

Nursing Degrees

There are several degree options to choose from to become a nurse. And to become a Registered Nurse (RN), a student must attend an accredited school and program. A nursing student can earn a qualifying degree in as little as 2 years, or advance to achieve a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some brief explanations of the nursing degrees that are available to aspiring students in the Altadena CA area.

  • Associates Degree. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is generally a two year program offered by community colleges. It preps graduates for an entry level position in nursing in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many use the ADN as an entry into nursing and subsequently obtain a higher degree.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers more in depth training than the ADN. It is generally a 4 year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be allowed to complete an accelerated program based on their prior training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program may want to progress to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the job market.
  • Master’s Degree. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is usually a two year program after receiving the BSN. The MSN program offers specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or focus on administration, management or teaching.

After a graduating student has earned one of the above degrees, she or he must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) so as to become licensed. Other requirements for licensing vary from state to state, so be sure to get in touch with the California board of nursing for any state requirements.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Nursing Schools Near You!

Why Nursing?

geriatric nurse with Altadena CA nursing home patientNurses are an indispensable component of a Altadena CA medical team, and for many patients, their primary care providers. A nursing career opens doors to many opportunities, including research, health care education and specialty areas of practice. Nurses go into the profession for many reasons, among the most meaningful are its personal and practical advantages. Nurses provide direct, one-on-one care to patients. Many individuals in a medical facility or home care setting have more contact with nurses than with physicians. Nurses commonly choose the profession out of a desire to administer to the needs of patients, including in situations of short-term treatment of illness and extended care of chronic ailments. This humanistic aspect of the healthcare profession, as opposed to the analytical or research related aspects, is attractive to many who elect to enter into a career in nursing. Nurses have a wide range of applicable skills and can select from an assortment of work environments, such as home care facilities, physician’s offices, health clinics, community centers and hospitals. Also, nurses can advance into a variety of specialties, such as addictions, critical care, genetics and neonatology. Although most nurses deliver direct patient care, others opt to be educators, policy consultants and pharmaceutical representatives.

Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities

Altadena CA nurse greeting patientRegistered nurses are the primary occupation in the medical delivery system. RNs practice in a large number of different medical settings, such as Altadena CA hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their general role is to assist doctors in the care of their patients. Having said that, the specific duties of a registered nurse will depend on their job or specialization along with where they work. A portion of the responsibilities of an RN may include:

  • Administering medications
  • Observing patients
  • Performing physical examinations
  • Managing care
  • Supervising LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
  • Instructing patients and their families
  • Taking care of health records and charts

Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more advanced job duties and accountabilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), for instance, must hold a Master’s Degree and generally work more independently than their RN counterparts. They can deliver primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat basic illnesses or injuries.

Online Nursing Classes

Altadena CA student attending nursing classes onlineEnrolling in nursing programs online is emerging as a more popular way to obtain instruction and earn a nursing degree. Certain schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and almost all programs require a specified number of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this method may be a more practical approach to finding the free time to attend school for some Altadena CA students. Pertaining to tuition, many online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. And so if your work and household commitments have left you with very little time to work toward your academic goals, maybe an online nursing program will make it more convenient to fit a degree into your busy schedule.

Things to Ask Nursing Degree Programs

What to ask Altadena CA nursing schoolsNow that you have determined which nursing program to enroll in, as well as if to attend your classes on campus near Altadena CA or online, you can utilize the following guidelines to start narrowing down your choices. As you no doubt realize, there are many nursing schools and colleges throughout California and the United States. So it is important to lower the number of schools to choose from to ensure that you will have a manageable list. As we previously pointed out, the location of the school as well as the expense of tuition are probably going to be the first two points that you will take into consideration. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So before making your final choice, use the following questions to evaluate how your selection compares to the other programs.

  • Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Aside from helping confirm that you get a premium education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available in Altadena CA for non-accredited schools.
  • Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for registered nurses vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in addition to graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a certain number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are enrolled in not only provides an outstanding education, but also readies you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for California or the state where you will be working.
  • Reputation. Visit internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for all of the schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Also, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some Altadena CA healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their assessments are of the schools as well.
  • Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the RN programs you are looking at what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to finish their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only verify that the school has a superb reputation within the Altadena CA medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students obtain employment.
  • Internship Programs. The most ideal way to obtain experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing as well. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Altadena CA hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the positioning of students in internships.

Colleges That Offer Nursing Altadena CA

Affordable RN Schools Online Altadena California

Enrolling in the ideal nursing degree program is probably the most critical step to beginning a new career in the health care industry. There are numerous aspects that you must consider when selecting a nursing college. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your current career objectives, obligations, and economic situation. As we have highlighted in this post, it is critical that you pick a nursing college and a degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the health care community. You originally came to this website due to your interest in Affordable RN Schools Online and wanting more information on the topic Compare RN Courses Online.. However, by using our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to choose from so that you can make your final selection. And with the proper degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become a practicing nurse in Altadena CA.

More California Nursing Locations

  • Accelerated Nursing Training Programs Online Concord CA
  • Top Online Nursing Schools Ripon CA
  • Becoming A Nurse Deer Park CA
  • Masters Degrees In Nursing Online Redwood Estates CA
  • Requirements for RN Training Near Me Weed CA
  • Nursing Grad School Kelseyville CA
  • Top Nursing Schools Online Big sur CA
  • How Much Schooling To Be A RN Mojave CA
  • Online Graduate Nursing Programs Littlerock CA
  • Affordable RN Training Programs Near Me Tahoe City CA
  •  

     

     

    Altadena, California

    Altadena is an unincorporated[4] area[5] and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately 14 miles (23 km) from the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center, and directly north of the city of Pasadena, California. The population was 42,777 at the 2010 census, up from 42,610 at the 2000 census.

    In the mid-1860s, Benjamin Eaton first developed water sources from the Arroyo Seco and Eaton Canyon to irrigate his vineyard near the edge of Eaton Canyon. This made possible the development of Altadena, Pasadena, and South Pasadena. He did the construction for B. D. Wilson and Dr. John Griffin, who jointly owned the Mexican land grant of Rancho San Pascual, about 14,000 acres (57 km2), that was the future sites of these three communities. They hoped to develop and sell this land in a real estate plan called the San Pasqual Plantation. Their efforts failed by 1870, despite Eaton's irrigation ditch that drew water from the site of present-day Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Arroyo Seco. They had failed because the land was relatively inaccessible and few believed crops could thrive that close to the mountains.

    Eaton tried to sell the land for the partners, and in late 1873 he helped broker a deal with Daniel Berry, who represented a group of investors from Indiana, to buy 4,000 acres (16 km2) of the rancho. This included the land of present-day Altadena, but they developed a 2,500 acres (10 km2) section further south as Pasadena. In 1881, the land that would later become Altadena was sold to John and Fred Woodbury, brothers who launched the subdivision of Altadena in 1887. The land remained primarily agricultural, though several eastern millionaires built mansions along Mariposa Street, and a small community developed through the 1890s and into the next century.

     

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 332

    Rose Garden Convalescent Center
    4 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    1899 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

    Pasadena Park Healthcare and Wellness Center
    16 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Skilled Nursing, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2585 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

    Brighton Care Center
    26 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    1836 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

    Villa Gardens Retirement Community
    5 Reviews
    Retirement Homes
    Phone:
    842 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91101

    Villa Gardens Health Center
    4 Reviews
    Retirement Homes, Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    842 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91101

    Monte Vista Grove Homes
    10 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living Facilities, Memory Care
    Phone:
    2889 San Pasqual St, Pasadena, CA 91107

    Pax House Recovery
    10 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center, Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach
    Phone:
    2052 N Lake Ave, Ste F, Altadena, CA 91001

    24 Hour Home Care - Pasadena
    7 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Personal Care Services, Elder Care Planning
    Phone:
    2700 E Foothill Blvd, Ste 208, Pasadena, CA 91107

    Faith & Hope Hospice and Palliative Care
    21 Reviews
    Hospice
    Phone:
    1575 N Lake Ave, Ste 208, Pasadena, CA 91104

    Two Palms Nursing Center
    4 Reviews
    Hospitals
    Phone:
    2637 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107