How to Become a Resource Nurse
Resource nurses help primary nurses with admissions, discharges, and various other nursing responsibilities during their shifts. The steps to become a resource nurse include education, testing, and licensing, after which resource nurses can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a resource nurse, and where to start.
Become a Resource Nurse in 6 Steps
To become a resource nurse, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue certification in a specialty after a few years of bedside experience.
4
Work as a Registered Nurse
Before an RN can work as a resource nurse, they must gain a few years of bedside clinical experience. Any field can provide helpful experience for a future career as a resource nurse. However, critical care nursing positions, such as in the ICU or ER, are highly encouraged.
5
Apply for Resource Nurse Jobs
After spending some time at the bedside, nurses can apply for resource nurse positions.
6
Earn Resource Nurse Certification
After some bedside experience, resource nurses may pursue specialty certification in critical care, like the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). While not required for work in this field, specialty certification can make candidates more desirable to potential employers.
Schooling Requirements for Resource Nurses
Resource nurses must be registered nurses, a title earned by graduating with an ADN or a BSN degree.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a resource nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.
Time to Complete
18 months to 2 years
Clinical Hours
190 to 900*
Pros
- Earn a nursing degree in less than two years
- Less competitive than a BSN
- Lower cost than a BSN
Cons
- May limit job opportunities compared to a BSN
- Must obtain a BSN before pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Central New Mexico Community College, Teaching and Learning in Nursing
Resource nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to those with a BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future resource nurses a well-rounded education experience. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.
Clinical Hours
160 to 750*
Pros
- More likely to pass NCLEX on the first attempt (82.32% with a BSN vs. 77.91% with an ADN)
- Easier to find work in highly specialized environments like gerontology or neonatology
- Higher salary than an ADN
Cons
- Takes longer to complete than an ADN
- More competitive than an ADN
- More expensive than an ADN
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Forbes Advisor, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
A BSN prepares aspiring resource nurses to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.
Resource Nurse Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Resource nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Some resource nurse positions require certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Additionally, resource nurses may choose to pursue specialty certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN).
Where Do Resource Nurses Work?
Resource nurses can find employment in several settings. These may include:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living residence
- Rehabilitation facilities
FAQs: How to Become a Resource Nurse
1. What education is needed to become a resource nurse?
Resource nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
2. How many years does it take to become a resource nurse?
The time it takes to become a resource nurse depends on which degree one pursues, but it may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree, plus bedside experience.
3. What are the steps to become a resource nurse?
To become a resource nurse, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps and a few years of bedside experience, they may apply to resource nurse positions and pursue specialty certification.
4. How much do resource nurses make an hour?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), resource nurses earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.
