Becoming an RN in Ohio
One becomes a registered nurse in Ohio by completing an approved educational program and then passing the NCLEX exam. There are four different types of RN programs in the state of Ohio. If nursing is your first degree, you can select from an ADN, BSN, or diploma program. If you already have a degree in another field, you have the additional option of pursuing a direct-entry master’s degree.
While all of these programs qualify you for the same licensing exam, some provide more career options and opportunities for advancement than others. The MN, an advanced generalist degree, may also qualify you for certification as a clinical nurse leader. Magnet hospitals will often prefer candidates with at least a BSN. Of course, if you intend to pursue advanced practice later, a degree at the BSN level or higher will put you a step closer than an associate’s or diploma will. It used to be that job postings simply asked for an RN. Increasingly, though, they are identifying RNs by level of education.
Before you are admitted to the clinical program, you will be expected to take some prerequisites. At the heart of professional nursing are strong science aptitude and strong communication ability. Make sure you receive high grades in the science disciplines.
Registered Nursing Academic Paths
Previous nursing experience at the practical or vocational nursing level will shorten your path to RN status. In Ohio, the same is true of licensing as a paramedic. If you meet entrance requirements, including prerequisites, you are sometimes allowed to join an ADN program at the second year level. Policies vary by institution. Some ask you to complete a transition course, and, upon successful completion, award credit for several lower level clinical courses.
One reason LPNs may want to pursue RN training is that there is a better job market for registered nurses within the state. In a 2008 report, the Ohio Center for Nursing noted that RN and LPN represented two extremes of the Ohio health care market. It was a challenge to find enough qualified RNs, even though the supply of lesser trained LPNs significantly exceeded jobs.
Some second degree students opt for a BSN, but want to complete it as quickly as possible. Ohio has a number of accelerated BSN programs.
Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Ohio
The Ohio Center for Nursing declared in 2008 that health care is remarkably resilient to recession. It’s a big industry within the state. Ohio has a greater concentration of health care workers than the nation as a whole does; this may have occurred for a combination of reasons, including high unemployment in other industries in the region. In some parts of the state, though, it appears that health care is actually an export industry with people coming from elsewhere for services.
While the number of positions and the number of RNs entering the labor market were very close in the years examined (2005 to 2006), the Center of Nursing expected a shortage in the near future, driven by changes in demographics. The population of Ohio is also older than that of the nation as a whole.
The Application Process for Schools in Ohio
Admission procedures vary from school to school and by level and type of program. Some programs admit all students who meet stated requirements, but maintain waiting lists due to limited slots. An example is the Paramedic to RN program at Clark State. Some community colleges, like Cuyahoga, award slots to qualified applicants on a first come, first serve basis, even for general ADN programs.
Other nursing programs are quite competitive. Universities like Ohio State have a multidimensional review process, considering academics, work and volunteer experience, as well as leadership. A HOSA representative notes that professionalism is among the skills that nursing schools value.
In some cases, an excellent academic record will gain a student early admission. At Cleveland State, a student will be considered for early review if they have a 3.25 average in prerequisite courses. Ultimately, students with strong academics and health care backgrounds can expect to have more choices among Ohio schools.
ADN Programs Approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing
Bryant & Stratton College
Graduates of the Associate’s in Nursing program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam and receive their license to practice as a RN in the state of Ohio. The program is approved by the State of Ohio Board of Nursing.
Programs Offered: Associate’s Degree in Nursing
Akron Institute (ADN) | ATS Institute of Technology | Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Belmont Technical College- ADN Program |
Bryant & Stratton College – Department of Nursing | Central Ohio Technical College – ADN | Chamberlain College of Nursing- ADN | The Christ College of Nursing and Sciences |
The Cincinnati State Technical & Community College | Clark State Community College- ADN | Columbus State University | Cuyahoga Community College- ADN Program |
Edison State Community College- ADN | Galen College of Nursing | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | Hocking Technical College |
Hondros College- School of Nursing- ADN | James A. Rhodes State College – ADN | Kent State University | Kettering College of Medical Arts |
Lakeland Community College | Loraine County Community College – ADN | Marion Technical College | Mercy College of Northwest Ohio- |
Miami University – Assoc Degree in Nursing | North Central State College | Northwest State Community College- ADN | Ohio Academy of Holistic Health |
Ohio University – ADN Program | RETS School of Nursing | Owens Community College | Shawnee State University – ADN Program |
Sinclair Community College | Southern State Community College- Associate Degree Nursing Program | Stark State College of Technology | Terra State Community College- ADN |
University of Cincinnati- Assoc Degree in Nursing | University of Rio Grade Holzer School of Nursing – ADN | The University of Toledo- ADN Program | Washington State Community College |
Ohio Board of Nursing Approved BSN Programs
Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
The BSN and MSN programs are approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) and the Nurse Midwifery program is accredited by the ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN, Direct Entry MSN, RN to MSN, Part-Time MSN, MSN – (Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) w/ Subspecialty: Flight Nursing or Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing or Subspecialty: Infection Control or Subspecialty: Gerontology, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing or Subspecialty: Gerontology, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)), MSN Joint Degrees – Master of Science in Nursing/Master Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Anthropology, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Bioethics, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health, DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, Post-Master’s Certificates
Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing in Columbus, OH offers a BSN program for new students interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. This program is approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing and is accepting new nursing student applications. The BSN program in Columbus, OH is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get started by requesting info today!
Programs Offered: BSN – Columbus, OH
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University holds institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Programs Offered: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, MSNA, MSNE | Nursing, Nursing Admin, Nursing Education, Primary Care
Capital University – BSN | Case Western Reserve University | Cedarville University | Chamberlain College of Nursing |
Cleveland State University | The College of Mt. St. Joseph | Franciscan University of Steubenville, BSN Program | Hiram College – Department of Nursing |
Kent State University | Lourdes College, BS in Nursing | Malone College | MedCentral College of Nursing |
Mercy College of Northwest Ohio | Miami University- BSN Program | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Mount Vernon Nazarene University – School of Nursing and Health Sciences |
Muskingum College – BSN | Notre Dame College | Ohio Northern University – BS in Nursing | The Ohio State University, College of Nursing BSN Program |
Otterbein Nursing Program | The University of Akron | University of Cincinnati, BSN Program | The University of Toledo College of Nursing |
Ursuline College | Walsh University, BSN | Wright State University – Miami Valley | Xavier University |
Youngstown State University | Firelands Regional Medical Center | Huron School of Nursing | Springfield Regional School for Nursing |
Tri-Rivers School of Nursing Diploma Program | Trinity Health System School of Nursing |