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CareerPaths
Registered Nurse
At Sentara, we feel a career in nursing should include a variety of experiences and opportunities. Our Professional Nursing Development Program provides for limited financial assistance to attend job related conferences, seminars, workshops, and other continuing education offerings. Exact details can be found on our Nursing Home Page at www.sentara.com/nursing. There you will also find information on our Critical Care, Cardiac/Vascular Medical Surgical and Emergency Nursing Internship programs. These in particular are designed to meet the needs of recent graduates of RN programs as well as those of experienced RNs who are transitioning from other specialty areas. At Sentara we believe in building experience for recent program graduates, or nurses returning to the career field. Opportunities are often available in Medical Surgical units where they get a solid foundation to apply on their next step.
Job Information
Registered nurses provide direct care for patients and may often supervise other healthcare providers. Nurses provide treatment and care to patients in hospitals, physicians offices, long-term care facilities, and clinics. They work closely with a patient's physicians and other health professionals as part of the health care team. Depending on their area of specialization and work setting, RNs perform some or all of the following:
 develop and implement individualized plans for a patient's care
monitor and record patients' needs and changing conditions
administer prescribed medications and treatments
educate individuals and families on self-care, including
maintaining health and preventing illness/injury
conduct health screening tests and procedures
direct and supervise other nursing personnel
Work Environment
Registered nurses are employed in a wide variety of work settings: hospitals, physicians' offices, industrial and corporate sites, clinics, government or community health agencies, nursing homes, hospices or patients' homes. RNs also may choose to pursue careers in health administration, teaching, utilization review, consulting, research and many other specialties. Within our hospitals, depending on training and experience they may work in operating rooms, intensive care units, labor and delivery areas or in emergency medicine.
Job Outlook/Advancement
Nursing careers offer great personal satisfaction. Advances in medical technology and increasing demand for healthcare services have increased the demand for skilled nurses. Additional training opportunities and many different areas of specialization afford nurses with tremendous career options and advancement opportunity. As the demand for healthcare services grows in the years to come, the future of nursing is very bright.
Training, Educational & Licensure Requirements
Educational requirements for Registered Nurses are met in three different ways. In Virginia, four-year college degree programs offering a baccalaureate degree; community and junior colleges offering an associate degree, and hospital-based schools offering diplomas will all meet the basic educational requirements. Once these basic requirements have been met, candidates must successfully pass a licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse. A baccalaureate degree is required to enter graduate programs in nursing, which prepare advanced practice nurses, nursing administrators and nurse educators.
How Do I Get There
A career in nursing requires extensive education and training. In order to meet the educational requirements, you will be required to complete challenging courses in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses. Your training will include a variety of hands-on and classroom instruction. The school or program of your choice will have more specific information on which courses or training are offered. Experience as a Nursing Care Partner, Certified Nursing Assistant, LPN or military training and experience as a Hospital Corpsman will provide you with a basis of experience and knowledge that will serve you well as you advance into a nursing career. Financial assistance, including Sentara’s Tuition Assistance Program can make your journey easier, and by taking part time classes, you can continue to work while you learn.
Note on Educational Institutions. This list does not represent a complete listing of all institutions offering nursing programs, nor does it constitute endorsement or indicate preference. You should evaluate the school, the curriculum, the accreditation status, the costs, and your own abilities and interests before making any career educational decisions. Students must make application directly to, and meet the entrance requirements for the individual educational institution of their choice.
Related Links
All Nursing Schools
All Nursing Schools makes it easy to find the schools that interest you.
American Nurses Association
(202) 651-7000 or 1-800-274-4262
Nursing for Nurses
The largest and most active online nursing community where you can join 230,589+ nurses from around the world discussing all things related to nursing.
Virginia Department of Health Professions
Virginia Nurses Association
1-800-868-6877
Virginia Nurses Online
Virginia Organization of Nurse
Virginia Partnerships for Nursing
804) 828-2011 or (540) 899-1455
Educational Programs in our area
Diploma Programs
Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing
Richmond, Va
Riverside Regional Medical Center
Newport News, Va
Sentara School of Health Professions
Chesapeake, Va
Southside Regional Medical Center
Petersburg, Va
University of Virginia Health Systems
Richmond, Va
Associate Degree
Eastern Shore Community College
Melfa, Va
Germanna Community College
Fredericksburg, Va
J.Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, Va
John Tyler Community College
Richmond, Va
Lord Fairfax Community College
Warrenton, Va
Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, Va
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, Va
Southside Virginia Community College
Keysville, Va
Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, Va
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, Va
Baccalaureatte Degree
Hampton University
Hampton, Va
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Va
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Va
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, Va
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Va
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Va
Radford University
Radford, Va
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Va
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Va
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Va
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