Alabama RN Programs

Current Events in Alabama Nursing

With the 2024 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature approaching, the ABN will be supporting two different pieces of legislation. The first bill aims to make adjustments to the Loan Repayment Program which offers qualified nurses $15,000 towards advancing their education, as long as they remain in an advanced nursing position. The second item is designed to come up with a system to credential Nursing Support Technicians (NSTs) across all 50 states. One universal governing code that will establish and enforce certain professional standards amongst those who assist nurses. The average RN salary in Alabama is $60,510 per year, or $29 per hour.

RN Programs in Alabama

Choosing a career is one of the biggest steps you will ever take in your life because it affects every aspect of your life. You will want to consider which career is right for you. If you have decided pursuing a nursing career is where you want to begin or where you want to change the direction of what you are doing, then finding the appropriate training school is very important. Alabama has some of the finest schools for registered nurses.

To become a registered nurse in Alabama you must graduate with a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree or a diploma from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination. You will also have to pass a state exam with periodic renewals of licenses every couple of years. They have required clinical hours and must also receive on-going nursing education throughout their careers. As in everything else, nursing changes as new technology, methods and equipment come into place.

Registered nurses in Alabama work in hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, schools, private in-home care, educational institutions and government agencies. They keep records, record patient vitals, take detailed notes, assist in surgeries, observe and assess patients and help patients cope with illnesses and diseases along with many other tasks.

A bachelors of science in nursing degree takes about four years to complete. An associate degree in a nursing program takes approximately two years. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement if a nurse decides to go back to school for higher education in their current field of employment. Registered nursing includes classroom and clinical instruction to fulfill the requirements. Registered nurses supervise licensed practical nurses and are usually on a higher pay scale.

Depending on where you work, a nurses job duties might differ from place to place, as will their salaries. A registered nurse makes about $52,000 a year in the US. Licensed Practical nurses are trained for one year in a Votech setting or in a state approved program. An LPN must also pass a state licensing exam and in Alabama the clinical part of their training is usually done in hospitals. The LPNs sometimes will supervise the nurse aides in the facility and are under the watch of the RNs. Their rate of pay can vary from $35,000 to $46,000 a year. The number of nurses in Alabama is expected to keep on growing as the demand for nurses rises.

There are many schools available for whatever type of nurse you desire to become in Alabama. Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Oakwood College, Samford and the University of Alabama are just some of the colleges in Alabama that have nursing programs. If you are looking to become an LPN then you may want to look at places like Central Alabama Community College, Faulkner State Community College, University of Mobile, and Wallace Community College the list goes on.

Registered nurses are respected and thought of highly as they deal with the everyday stress and difficulty of health care. Physicians would not be able to function without the jobs that a registered nurse performs in health care settings.

Whether you are planning one year, two to three years or four years and more Alabama has a college or a program that will fit your needs. Your dream of becoming a nurse is authentic and real and will happen with some research and wise decision making. Alabama RN programs can fulfill your dreams and help you become the best nurse you can be.

Alabama RN Resources

Alabama State Board of Nursing
Alabama State Nurses Association
Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Free Alabama RN Continuing Education