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Ariella Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC

Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Louisiana

The nursing profession is robust in Louisiana with over 66,000 registered nurses. There are different ways to enter the nursing profession and for registered nurses to obtain professional advancement. With so many choices, this post serves as a guide to help you navigate the landscape of Louisiana nursing education.  

Choosing a nursing program may feel stressful and confusing. To help, Incredible Health created a list of the best nursing programs in the state of Louisiana.

*Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University ranked 2nd are tied for 1st. Nicholls State University and McNeese State University tied for 5th are ranked 4th.

Louisiana’s top nursing program:

  1. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
  2. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
  3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  4. Nicholls State University
  5. McNeese State University

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#1 Northwestern State University of Louisiana – Score 75 

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.15%
  • Annual in-state tuition: $5,180
  • Annual out-of-state tuition: $15,968

NSU’s College of Nursing was the first public institution in Louisiana to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Students can complete many courses online while in-person learning is also an option. Their graduation rate is 39% and they offer the following CCNE-accredited programs: ASN, BSN, ABSN, LPN to ASN, RN to BSN, MSN and DNP

One unique nursing pathway NSU offers is a Military Medic-Paramedic to RN program. The requirements focus on what is needed to support a medic in passing the NCLEX. The curriculum accounts for the strong base of clinical skills paramedics experientially bring with them. This program is designed to be completed in only four semesters.

The faculty are deeply involved in the community as healthcare experts, volunteers, consultants, and leaders. 

NSU believes that learning is a lifelong process. They encourage students to interact with the faculty in order to continue to understand the “application of knowledge, skills, and understanding relevant to nursing.”

#2 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University – Score 75

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
  • Annual in-state tuition: $8,679.30
  • Annual out-of-state tuition: $8,679.30

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a nursing school that believes that learning should be active and student-centered.  They offer many programs that are both in-person and online. Their RN to BSN program is entirely online. The graduation rate is 59%. They offer the following ACEN-accredited programs: RN to BSN, BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN and DNP

The nursing programs are student-centered with the goal of supporting students to realize their full potential. The school uses a Catholic Social Justice framework to give students opportunities for hands-on learning while offering their service to the community. 

FranU cultivates “a climate of honesty, respect, inquiry, creativity, and collaboration.” Their vision is to provide the best education possible in order for students to excel in their journey towards nursing.

#3 University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Score 73

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.55%
  • Annual in-state tuition: $11,150
  • Annual Out-of-state tuition: $24,878

With an established and robust online learning foundation, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers all MSN courses online. The BSN program follows a hybrid model to create a rich learning experience for nursing students. 

The College of Nursing offers a strong health information management program where students learn cutting edge healthcare technology. Their simulation program was recently accredited by the Society for Simulation in HealthCare and its Council for Accreditation of Healthcare Simulation. The graduation rate is 50%. They offer the following CCNE-accredited programs: RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, DNP and Post Graduate Certificates

The college also offers a one-day per week clinic for the University’s community that is exclusively run by nursing students. The program is called Wellness Wednesdays and the University students, faculty, and staff can receive health screenings, blood pressure checks, personalized health education plans, and much more. This experience helps to prepare nursing students for a strong nursing career.

#4 Nicholls State University – Score 67

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.17%
  • Annual in-state tuition: $7,976
  • Annual out-of-state tuition: $10,869

The graduates at Nicholls State University serve as advocates and providers of nursing services for their clients. The mission is to “prepare students to contribute to a global society and a diverse workforce as productive, responsible, and well-educated nurses.” Nicholls also teaches students to be culturally aware of their patients’ backgrounds. 

Nicholls State University offers an LPN to BSN program that values prior experience as an LPN. The program is built to validate and award credit for knowledge you already bring to the Bachelor’s degree program. This is the same for their RN to BSN pathway. Nicholls’ nursing students expand on their current clinical knowledge and skills with classroom learning and clinical rotations. 

Their academic support team is ready to assist with completing your application online. All academic programs have some online component and prepare you to provide nursing services to all ages. The graduation rate is 46% and they offer the following CCNE-accredited programs: LPN to BSN, BSN, RN to BSN, MSN

#5 McNeese State University – Score 67

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.28%
  • Annual in-state tuition: $9,000
  • Annual out-of-state tuition: $14,000

The College offers state-of-the-art technology for students to hone their skills. They also have many opportunities for hands-on learning with the support of dedicated faculty. The programs help students develop their clinical judgment while learning to work as part of a collaborative healthcare team. Their graduation rate is 44%. They offer the following CCNE-accredited programs: BSN, RN to BSN and MSN

The mission of this university focuses on changing the lives of students so they can provide excellent “services to the employers and communities in its region.”

RN-to-BSN students of McNeese’s College of Nursing are eligible to apply for a competitive scholarship. Applicants must be residents of one of Louisiana DRA’s parishes and hold a GPA of 2.0 or greater. 

McNeese State University has a local  chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International which is a global organization that focuses on advancing world health through excellent student scholarship and leadership. Membership is by invitation only to those students who have demonstrated excellent work in their field of study.

SchoolRankIn-state tuitionOut-of-state tuitionAccreditedNCLEX pass rateGraduation ratePrograms
Northwestern State University of Louisiana1$5,180$15,968Yes95.15%39%ADN, BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University2$8,679.30$8,679.30Yes100%59%BSN, RN-BSN, ABSN
University of Louisiana at Lafayette3$11,150$24,878Yes98.55%50%BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, Post Graduate Certificates
Nicholls State University4$7,976$10,869Yes92.17%46%BSN, RN-BSN, MSN
McNeese State University5$9,000$14,000Yes98.28%44%BSN, RN-BSN, MSN

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

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Next Steps

After you’ve gathered all the info you need about program types and schools, it’s time to apply. Nursing school is not easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make. You’ve got this!  

Once you start looking for a job, let us help. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

Sources

Ariella Rosalie Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC is a writer specializing in a variety of healthcare issues. Ariella is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience. She specializes in family medicine, women’s health, and lactation support. Her nursing experience includes work on inpatient oncology, med surg, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant units. She also works as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Ariella has written for hospital nursing newsletters. She graduated from Duke University with a BSN, MSN, and DNP in Nursing.

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Best Nursing Schools in Idaho for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Idaho

Idaho is a great state to be a nurse. Known for its rugged beauty, the Gem State offers a variety of nursing programs. Registered nurses have plenty of opportunities for professional advancement as well. With so many choices, this post serves as a guide to help you navigate the landscape of Idaho nursing education.    

Choosing a nursing program may feel stressful and confusing. To help, Incredible Health created a list of the best nursing programs in the state of Idaho.

Idaho’s top nursing program:

  1. Brigham-Young University-Idaho
  2. Lewis-Clark State College
  3. Boise State University
  4. Idaho State University

1. Brigham-Young University-Idaho Score: 72.50  

NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.22%

Annual in-state tuition: $4,416

Brigham-Young University has a high graduation rate of 86%. They also have a high job placement rate with most students securing a job before graduation. Their program teaches students hands-on skills, with a focus on caring and compassion. 

The experienced faculty share their knowledge and compassion for nursing with their students through in-person classes, clinicals, and simulation coursework. 

This school offers a pre-licensure BSN program. This helps students “develop strong clinical reasoning skills, integrity, and leadership.” These skills provide the groundwork for excellent patient care.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

2. Lewis-Clark State College Score: 62.50

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.87%

Annual in-state tuition: $6,982 

Annual out-of-state tuition: $20,238

The state college’s BSN program is very competitive. All courses in the BSN program are held in-person with hands-on learning opportunities. Their RN to BSN program is offered online and students can complete the degree in as a little as nine months. The current graduation rate for Lewis-Clark State College is 38%. 

What sets this college apart is its focus on preparing nurses to become “engaged citizens, advocates, and lifelong learners.” This is a great way to arm nurses with the skills they need to provide patients with the best care possible. This includes using best practices learned through continuing education. 

The CCNE-accredited school offers:

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN

3. Boise State University Score: 60

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.53%

Annual in-state tuition: $8,060 

Annual out-of-state tuition: $24,980

The University’s program boasts a state-of-the-art simulation lab where students can practice their nursing skills. They also offer an exceptional student/faculty ratio of 8:1. Their DNP program focuses on leadership development. Depending on your program of focus, courses are available in-person, hybrid, or fully online. Their graduation rate is 47%. 

BSU helps students build strong partnerships with health care facilities. They also help expand clinical experience opportunities. Providing key introductions to potential employers is also a great service this university offers.

These are the CCNE-accredited programs offered: 

4. Idaho State University Score: 55 

NCLEX Pass Rate: 84.25%

Annual in-state tuition: $7,872 

Annual out-of-state tuition: $25,326 

Idaho State University’s programs focus on preparing nurses to improve the health of rural and diverse populations. The school also focuses on research initiatives. They help students apply new nursing knowledge to improve population health in communities locally and globally. The graduation rate is 44%.

Idaho State has the John William Jackson Fund which awards students with $2,000 scholarships in order to help ease the burden of student debt.

The CCNE-accredited school offers hybrid online and in-person programs including: 

SchoolRankIn-state tuitionOut-of-state tuitionAccreditedNCLEX pass rateGraduation ratePrograms
Brigham-Young, Idaho1$4,416 (member)$8,832 (non-member)Yes92.22%68%BSN
Lewis-Clark State College2$6,982$20,238Yes94.87%38%BSN, RN-BSN
Boise State University3$8,060$24,980Yes91.53%47%BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP
Idaho State University4$7,872$25,326Yes84.25%44%BSN, ABSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D.

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How to choose the right nursing program

When entering the nursing profession, there are different career paths to choose from. You want to think about what education you’ve already completed, where you want to live, cost of the program, and what each degree allows you to do. 

Location

The location of the school is an important consideration as you may want to live close by. Each program may have an in-person component. Consider your proximity to the school when doing your research.

Tuition

There is a wide range of how much your nursing education will cost. This is based on whether you will pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. Often students come to nursing as a second career, which means they also bring other student debt with them. Fortunately for nurses, there are several different ways you can receive school loan repayment or even loan forgiveness after graduation. You can also look at the salaries to see if it will provide what you need to cover expenses. 

NCLEX pass rate

The NCLEX exam is a big focus of undergraduate nurses. It is the next step between completing the degree and working as a nurse. Each school reports the percent of their nursing students who passed the exam. The program should not only teach you about nursing theory and practice, but also prepare you to pass the NCLEX. Idaho’s Board of Nursing can also guide you through the process of obtaining your license. 

Programs offered

When choosing a nursing school, you want to ensure they offer the right programs to meet your academic needs. Most schools offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to prepare you to sit for the NCLEX exam. You may also want to consider what additional programs they offer. If you are interested in advancing your education beyond a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can see if the school offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 

Graduation rate 

Consider graduation rates of each program to guide your decision. After getting accepted into a program, your next focus will shift to graduation. This rate is determined based on the percent of undergraduate students who complete their program in 4-6 years.

Next steps

After you’ve gathered all the info you need about program types and schools, it’s time to apply. Nursing school is not easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make. You’ve got this!  

Once you start looking for a job, let us help. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduate rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered. 

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score. 

We used data from:

Sources

Ariella Rosalie Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC is a writer specializing in a variety of healthcare issues. Ariella is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience. She specializes in family medicine, women’s health, and lactation support. Her nursing experience includes work on inpatient oncology, med surg, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant units. She also works as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Ariella has written for hospital nursing newsletters. She graduated from Duke University with a BSN, MSN, and DNP in Nursing.

Read more from Ariella

Best Nursing Schools in Delaware for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Delaware

Delaware is home to thousands of nurses. Also called the First State, Delaware boasts five nursing schools offering many programs to choose from. There are different ways to enter the nursing profession and for registered nurses to obtain professional advancement. With so many choices, this post serves as a guide to help you navigate the landscape of nursing education.    

Finding the right nursing school can be overwhelming as there are several paths to becoming a nurse. However, accelerated degree programs and bridge programs are offered to nursing students that can significantly reduce the amount of time spent in school.

Choosing a nursing program may feel stressful and confusing. To help, we’ve created a list of the best nursing programs in the state of Delaware.

In this post, we will cover:

  • Top Nursing Schools in Delaware
  • How to choose the right program for you 

Delaware’s top nursing program:

  1. University of Delaware
  2. Delaware Technical Community College, Dover
  3. Wilmington University
  4. Delaware State University
  5. Beebe Healthcare

1. University of Delaware– Score 74

NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.03%

In-state tuition: $12,980

Out-of-State tuition: $34,840

The University of Delaware School of Nursing is the top nursing school in the state, offering bachelors to doctorate programs. Students can take a variety of elective nursing courses. The graduation rate is 80%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

2. Delaware Technical Community College, Dover -Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.42%

In-state tuition: $4,575

Out-of-State tuition: $11,437.50

Delaware Technical Community College’s Dover Campus offers an Associates degree program and a bridge RN to BSN program for nursing students. The associates program can be completed in five semesters with an accelerated option. The bridge program is offered online with two clinical rotations designed for registered nurses to advance their knowledge and credentials by completing their BSN.

This MSCHE accredited school offers the following programs for nursing students:

  • ADN
  • RN to BSN

3. Wilmington University -Score 58

NCLEX Pass Rate: n/a

In-state tuition: $11,700

Out-of-State tuition: $12,960

Wilmington University supports its nursing students by offering hybrid, online, and traditional classroom options. Each of the CCNE accredited programs focuses on delivering rigorous academics at an affordable rate while offering flexibility for working nurses. Their graduation rate is 48%.

The school offers the following programs for nursing students:

  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • DNP with Post Master’s Certificate
  • DNP + MBA
  • PhD, DNSc to DNP

4. Delaware State University -Score 54

NCLEX Pass Rate: 77.78%

In-state tuition: $7,038

Out-of-State tuition: $16,960

Delaware State University Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences has SMART classrooms and simulation labs. They emphasize real-world experience with robust clinicals and fieldwork. The MSN programs can be completed entirely online. The programs are accredited by ACEN.

This ACEN accredited school offers the following programs for nursing students:

5. Beebe Healthcare -Score 52

NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.71%

In-state tuition: $6,400

Out-of-State tuition: $6,400

The Beebe Healthcare Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing partners with the University of Delaware, Wilmington University, and Wesley College to provide accelerated options for nurses to obtain their BSN quickly and easily. Their programs follow a hybrid model with online and in-person learning. The program is located in beautiful Lewes, Del.

 The ACEN accredited school offers the following programs for nursing students:

  • RN to BSN
SchoolRankIn-state-tuitionOut-of-state tuitionAccreditedNCLEX pass rateGraduation ratePrograms offered
University of Delaware1$12,980$34,840Yes87.03%80%BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D.
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry2$4,575$11,437.50Yes85.42%23%RN-BSN, ADN
Wilmington University3$11,700$12,960Yes48%RN-BSN, MSN, DNP
Delaware State University4$7,038$16,960Yes77.78%41%BSN, MSN
Beebe Healthcare5$6,400$6,400Yes85.71%BSN

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How to choose the right nursing program

There are several paths to consider when entering the nursing profession. You want to think about what education you already completed, where you want to live, cost, and what each degree allows you to do. 

Location

Between city life and beautiful beaches, there is a lot to decide when picking the right nursing school in Delaware. Although many programs have hybrid or online options, you will likely be on campus for some amount of time. To balance schoolwork and outside life, choose a program with an easy commute.  

Tuition

Money talks! Determine whether you will be paying in-state or out-of-state tuition when choosing a program. Many nurses take out federal loans through FAFSA to help pay for school. Often students come to nursing as a second career, which means they also bring previous student debt with them. Fortunately for nurses, there are several different ways you can receive school loan repayment or even loan forgiveness after graduation. 

NCLEX scores

In order to be a registered nurse, you will need to pass the NCLEX exam. Each school reports the percentage of its nursing students who passed the exam. This is important to review. The program should not only teach you about nursing theory and practice but also prepare you to pass the NCLEX exam. 

Programs offered

When choosing the right nursing school, you want to ensure they offer the right programs to meet your academic needs. Most schools offer a BSN program to prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to be a registered nurse. You may also want to consider what additional programs they offer if you are interested in advancing your education beyond a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

Graduation rate

Consider the graduation rates of each program to guide your decision. The graduation rate is determined based on the percent of undergraduate students who complete their program in 4-6 years. 

Next Steps

Choosing the right school is a daunting process. We’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you but there are still major decisions to make. 

After you’ve gathered all the info you need, it’s time to apply. Yikes! All the hard work is worth it, right? Just remember, nursing school is not easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make. You’ve got this!  

Once you start looking for a job, let us help. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

Sources we used data from:

Sources

Ariella Rosalie Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC is a writer specializing in a variety of healthcare issues. Ariella is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience. She specializes in family medicine, women’s health, and lactation support. Her nursing experience includes work on inpatient oncology, med surg, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant units. She also works as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Ariella has written for hospital nursing newsletters. She graduated from Duke University with a BSN, MSN, and DNP in Nursing.

Read more from Ariella

Intensive Care Unit Nurse vs Emergency Department Nurse: What’s the Difference?

Nurse Types / ICU Nurse vs. ER Nurse

Emergency Department (ED) nurses work with patients who seek emergency medical attention at a hospital. These nurses can quickly triage patients to filter out the sickest of the sick. ED nurses are trained to work quickly and efficiently with a multidisciplinary medical team. 

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses are highly skilled and use many different medical technologies and therapeutic practices to support patients with life threatening conditions. Intensive Care Unit nurses work with fewer patients who are often sedated.

In this article, we’ll explore:

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What is an intensive care unit nurse? 

ICU nurses work in the intensive care unit of a hospital. They care for patients experiencing a life threatening condition that requires a lot of intervention and monitoring. Their patients are medically fragile and require meticulous, knowledgeable care from highly trained ICU nurses. 

What is an emergency department nurse?

An ED nurse works in the emergency department of a hospital and quickly supports patients to get the lifesaving treatment they need. For example, a patient may require:

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
  • Blood sugar management in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Swift identification of a STEMI or stroke requiring the patient to go to the cath lab or receive tPA

ED nurses care for a wide variety of patients and learn different skills to best help each patient. These skills are needed in order to ask about:

  • Domestic violence 
  • Food insecurity 
  • Other safety concerns

They must use active listening skills, and work quickly and accurately under pressure for the health of their patients. 

How do ICU and ED nurses compare?

The emergency department provides immediate medical care to patients arriving at the hospital. That means ED nurses triage and stabilize patients who will then be transferred to the ICU. 

ICU nurses primarily take care of patients who require a higher level of care than what an emergency nurse typically provides. There are different types of intensive care units in a hospital, such as the pediatric intensive care unit or the cardiovascular intensive care unit. 

Emergency department nurses may be assigned 4 patients at one time. Typically intensive care unit nurses have 1 to 2 patients at a time. 

Both ED and ICU nurses do the following:

  • Advocate for patients
  • Manage life threatening conditions
  • Work with a multidisciplinary team
  • Provide patient education
  • Care coordination
  • Blood transfusions
  • Close monitoring of patient condition

If you are currently working on an inpatient hospital unit and are looking to make a switch to ED or ICU nursing, there are some initial steps you can take. You may want to informally interview a nurse who works in one of those departments. Get to know the culture of that unit. 

There may be certifications or experience requirements necessary to transition to ED or ICU nursing at your current facility. If you are looking for a new employer, review the job requirements to see if obtaining a certification in a specialty can increase your chances of being hired. 

What are the differences between intensive care unit nurses and emergency department nurses?

There are some significant differences between the work performed by ED and ICU nurses. Both nurses are known for being highly detail oriented and meticulous. Each unit requires their nurses to have quick decision making.

ED nurses:

  • Make quick decisions
  • Provide trauma care
  • Start IVs and draw labs
  • Assist surgical procedures
  • Provide discharge education

ICU nurses:

  • Manage care for sedated patients
  • Provide wound care
  • Manage central lines and multiple infusions
  • Manage patients who are intubated and have ventilators
  • Respond to health emergencies throughout the hospital
  • Monitor and report subtle changes in patient health status

Salary

When looking to make a career move, salary is an important factor. Keep in mind the factors that affect salary by looking at salaries by state or even comparing salaries by city. 

Intensive care unit nurses make on average $90,855 per year which can vary widely by state cost of living, years of experience, and education. 

Emergency department nurses make an average annual salary of $91,071. This can be also be affected by experience, credentials, education, and geographic location. 

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Education

Both ED and ICU nurses work in the inpatient hospital setting. In hiring nurses, hospitals may require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or include “BSN preferred” in their job description. 

Per the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), BSN prepared nurses are “prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.” 

You will also see the Veterans Administration (VA), along with the armed forces, require a BSN to be an active duty Registered Nurse. 

Licenses

After completing your nursing education and passing the NCLEX, you must apply for a nursing license with your state’s board of nursing. The requirements to obtain a license vary by state. For example, some states require a background check, child abuse reporting, continuing education, or opioid use education.

Certifications

There are a variety of certifications ICU and ED nurses can obtain. For most ICU and ED positions, these certifications are required.

What are the career outlooks for ICU nurses and ED nurses? 

The career outlook for both types of nurses is very positive. It is an exciting time to be a nurse as this is a rapidly growing profession. Job growth is expected to be 6% between 2021 and 2031. Nurses help support people with critical, life threatening conditions, so nurses are in high demand!

Next Steps

Once you’ve gained experience as an ED or ICU nurse, there are many ways you can advance your career. Some nurses choose to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to advance the work they do in the ED or ICU. You can also complete free continuing education units through Incredible Health. 

The transition to an ED or ICU nurse can be a wonderful career advancement as you will gain new knowledge and experience in healthcare. Let Incredible Health help you land your dream job!

FAQs

What are the main differences between ICU and ER nurses?

Work environment, patient load, pay, and duties.

What is the salary different between ICU and ER nurses?

The salaries are close with ICU nurses making about $90,855 and ED nurses making about $91,071. 

Which job is easier: ICU or ER?

That depends on the work environment you prefer. The ER can be hectic with life changing decisions made in an instant. The ICU is much more calm as many patients are sedated.

Sources

Top Emergency RN jobs on Incredible Health

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Ariella Rosalie Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC is a writer specializing in a variety of healthcare issues. Ariella is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience. She specializes in family medicine, women’s health, and lactation support. Her nursing experience includes work on inpatient oncology, med surg, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant units. She also works as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Ariella has written for hospital nursing newsletters. She graduated from Duke University with a BSN, MSN, and DNP in Nursing.

Read more from Ariella

Become a Primary Care Nurse in 3 Steps

Nurse Types / Primary Care Nurse

Primary care plays an important role in preventing illness and improving people’s health. The role of the primary care registered nurse is critical in the delivery of comprehensive care. Nurses not only focus on preventative medicine, but also identifying care gaps, especially in vulnerable populations. Making the switch to primary care nursing can be very rewarding. 

In this article, we will discuss:

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What is a primary care nurse?

A primary care nurse is a registered nurse who works in an outpatient primary care office. They typically work with a primary care physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. They can work autonomously but always have the providers and support staff in the office to ask questions or to work collaboratively to solve a problem. 

Qualities of a successful primary care nurse

A successful primary care nurse possesses some of the following traits:

  • Self-motivated 
  • Organized 
  • Detail oriented 
  • Good listener 
  • Comfortable with multitasking
  • Sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences

Clear documentation and communication with the healthcare team is also essential. By remembering details about a patient, the primary care nurse facilitates a smooth delivery of healthcare. 

For example, the primary care provider orders a test for a patient. The patient needs to complete that specific diagnostic test as soon as possible. It can be helpful to know where the patient lives, and what transportation method is available. The nurse also needs to convey urgency to the patient as well which diagnostic facility to use. This ensures the test is completed in a timely manner.  

What do primary care nurses do?

Primary care nurses work as an essential team member to promote wellness while also being an advocate for their patient when needed. They are well versed on a variety of healthcare issues as any condition can be managed by a primary care office, even if not directly. 

One part of the primary care nurse’s responsibilities is to help manage chronic disease in the outpatient setting while preventing hospitalization when avoidable. 

Some primary care offices serve as a patient’s medical home, where medical, dental, and other healthcare services are performed. 

Patients may have multiple referrals and specialists they see, and a primary care nurse provides care coordination. They ensure the patient’s medications, allergies, other issues, and treatment plans are shared amongst the appropriate medical providers. 

A day in the life a primary care nurse

A primary care nurse may perform some of the following tasks:

  • Phone triage
  • Patient education
  • Assistance with medical procedures
  • Phlebotomy
  • Wound care
  • Care coordination with other medical offices

They may spend part of their day performing phone triage, where they assess the symptoms a patient is experiencing and decide whether the patient needs to be seen in the office that day. They may direct the patient to an urgent care or emergency department if the primary care office cannot manage their specific condition. 

Primary care nurses find their day to be a mix of caring for post surgical patients, acutely ill respiratory conditions, administering immunizations, and a mix of community and mental health care.

Primary care nurses also spend a considerable amount of the time providing patient education in person or over the phone. The nurse may call a patient after his or her visit to review lab results or explain the next steps in their treatment plan. 

They may provide education around medication changes such as insulin or blood pressure. In some offices, nurses may speak to patients before their appointment to review an in-office procedure and to prepare the patient with what to expect.

Often in primary care, there are patients who need to be seen urgently on the day they call into the office. The primary care nurse needs to be able to juggle the needs of same-day appointments with patients that are already scheduled. The nurse has to act as an advocate for their patients while maintaining the schedule and workflow of the office. 

Common conditions treated by primary care nurses

Most commonly, primary care nurses will care for patients with the following conditions: 

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol 

They may also triage patients who are experiencing an acute condition such as a cough, low back pain, abdominal pain, pharyngitis, rash, or a UTI. 

Where do primary care nurses work?

Primary care nurses typically work in freestanding offices. They can also be located within a hospital or medical campus.

Depending on the geographical location, many primary care offices are part of a large healthcare system. It is common to find them on a medical campus adjacent to a hospital. 

What are specific types of primary care nurses?

Primary care nurses may choose to specialize in a variety of fields depending on the population they serve. Some specialities include: 

Closely related fields

Nurses who work in outpatient specialist’s offices have similar roles and responsibilities to those of a primary care nurse. For example, the workflow of a nurse working in an outpatient cardiology office is related to that of a primary care nurse. 

Even though the work setting is comparable, the difference in primary care nursing is the longevity of the nurse-patient relationship. 

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How do you become a primary care nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step in becoming a primary care nurse is to complete your nursing education. There are several paths you can take to do this. See which career path is right for you. 

Once you’ve identified the right educational path, you’ll need to complete any prerequisites and apply. There are many nursing schools, and each may have their unique set of requirements. Nursing education programs can take anywhere from eleven months to four years. 

Earn a BSN degree

Although some primary care nurses completed their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), it is more common to see Bachelor of Science in Nursing-prepared nurses working in primary care offices because the nurses can work autonomously. If you have your ADN and wish to obtain your BSN there are bridge programs available such as the ADN to BSN.

If you are already a registered nurse and wish to complete your BSN there is an RN to BSN program. For those with a BSN in an unrelated field, you can complete the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in under 2 years.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

After completing your degree, you will need to sit for the national exam called the NCLEX-RN. Your school will likely prepare you to pass the exam by offering a review course, practice tests, and study materials. 

This is a standardized test with a five-hour time limit. The content includes basic nursing knowledge necessary for provide safe nursing care. You’ll have to obtain licensure in the states where you plan to practice. 

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

Nurses switching to primary care will find it a smooth transition if they have any experience with triage in previous nursing jobs. For example, experience in the emergency department can be very useful in primary care. 

The skills needed to be a strong primary care nurse overlap with those of a great emergency department nurse. Some primary care nurses also come into nursing with experience as a medical assistant or front desk staff member, which is very valuable.  

Changing specialty to a primary care nurse 

Making a change mid-career to a new nursing specialty can seem like a hard move to make. Incredible Health has a wealth of nursing career resources and can help you make the transition to primary care nursing. Here’s an example:

Sarah had five years of experience as a registered nurse working inpatient at her local community hospital. She had worked on the medical telemetry unit and was deciding where to go next in her career. 

She had been charge nurse on her unit for the past two years and really enjoyed working with the house supervisor to ensure the right patient came to their floor. Before she made the career switch, she began looking at her time on the medical-telemetry unit and realized how much experience she already had that would be applicable to primary care. 

For example:

  • Triage
  • Strong communication skills
  • Effective listening
  • Time management
  • People management

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Although there is no specific certification to become a primary care nurse, it is common for primary care nurses to obtain a primary care certification or have a specialty certification.

What are the additional requirements of primary care nurses? 

Primary care nurses may have come to their role with inpatient hospital experience, but it is not a requirement. You may also need to maintain your basic life support certification. 

To maintain your state licensure, and to stay current in your nursing practice, it is crucial to complete continuing education units.

What are the salary and career outlooks for primary care nurses?

The outlook for the nursing profession in 2022 is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the nursing profession to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031. This is faster than many other occupations. 

Salaries vary by state for registered nurses. While the average annual nursing salary is $82,750, a primary care registered nurse can make $88,524 on average. Primary care nurses should consider where they want to live and the highest paying cities in the U.S. for registered nurses.

Primary care nurse salary by state
Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
North Carolina
Nebraska
New Jersey
Nevada
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

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Job satisfaction

Many primary care nurses report high job satisfaction. Here are some of the top reasons:

  • Follow patients across the lifespan
  • Autonomy
  • Schedule
  • Faced paced environment without the acuity of inpatient care

A transition to a more regular schedule can be a welcomed change from the three twelve-hour shifts of traditional inpatient hospital care. Primary care, for the most part, operates on normal business hours. There has been a recent trend to increase patient access by offering evening and early morning hours, but this is not typically done five days per week. 

Traditional business hours are ideal for nurses balancing work with home life. Nurses with children in school, partners whose work follows that of the traditional business hours, or others looking for schedule consistency may like working 9 to 5. 

Next steps

After getting experience as a primary care nurse, consider other ways to advance your career. One option is to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. 

The experience triaging patients in primary care naturally lends itself to progressing into the role of a primary care nurse practitioner. There are also free continuing education courses available through Incredible Health. 

The transition to primary care nursing can be rewarding and fun. You will gain new knowledge and experience while working as a patient advocate. Let Incredible Health help you land your dream job!

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Sources

Ariella Rosalie Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC is a writer specializing in a variety of healthcare issues. Ariella is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience. She specializes in family medicine, women’s health, and lactation support. Her nursing experience includes work on inpatient oncology, med surg, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant units. She also works as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Ariella has written for hospital nursing newsletters. She graduated from Duke University with a BSN, MSN, and DNP in Nursing.

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