Becoming A Nurse In Delaware + Requirements & Licensing
Delaware presents a rewarding opportunity for those aspiring to work as nurses, with an impressive average annual salary of $70,660 in 2013, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the financial aspect is appealing, many are drawn to nursing as a vocation. If you’re considering becoming a nurse in Delaware, here’s a comprehensive guide to the process.
Entry Level Practice Nurses
Embarking on a nursing career in Delaware involves a three-stage process.
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1. Choose Your Degree Program:
– Opt for an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) designation through a one-year diploma program.
– Alternatively, pursue an RN (Registered Nurse) role by completing a two-year associate degree (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN). The majority of prospective nurses prefer the RN path due to its broader job prospects and higher salaries.
2. Meet the Prerequisites:
– LPN programs typically require a high school diploma or GED, while ADN or BSN programs may necessitate completion of various undergraduate courses. These courses typically cover subjects like statistics, math, English, and biology.
3. Pass the Applicable NCLEX Exam:
– Success in the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN examination is crucial for LPN or RN certification, respectively. The national recognition of these certifications allows for seamless transfer between states.
Advanced Practice Nurses
For those aspiring to become Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in Delaware, a four-stage process awaits.
1. Gain a Graduate Education at Master’s Level or Above:
– Obtain a graduate degree at the master’s level or higher.
– Achieve national certification through a recognized body by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Board has established specific standards for programs, detailed on their official website.
– Graduates must fulfill either a recency requirement before obtaining a license or accumulate a set number of practice hours. Additional conditions apply for graduates unable to obtain certification in their chosen specialty.
– APNs in Delaware can seek prescriptive authority, contingent upon completing courses in diagnosis and management, advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology.
– Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) can specialize in areas such as adult health, acute care, psychiatric/mental health, pediatric, family, emergency nursing, neonatal, geriatric, school health, and women’s health.
– Temporary permits are available for graduates awaiting licensure, allowing supervised practice for 90 days without prescriptive authority.
2. Become Nationally Certified in One of the Four Areas of Specialization:
– Obtain national certification in one of the four areas: NP, CNS, CNM, or CRNA, each with specific requirements.
– Recognized national certification programs include:
- The AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board) that recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
- The NBCRNA (National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists) that recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
- The AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.
- The AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) that recognizes the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
- The NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties) that recognizes the Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
- The PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board that recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care and Primary Care.
3. Apply to be Licensed as an APN:
In order to proceed, you will need to provide your social security number. While there are potential exemptions, it is mandatory for all Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) to fulfill the Application for Licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse, accompanied by the necessary documentation and fees. Upon submitting this application, you also have the option to submit your collaborative agreement; alternatively, this can be done after obtaining your license. However, it’s important to note that you are not permitted to engage in practice until you have submitted the Collaborative Agreement Information Form. The Collaborative Agreement necessitates the signature of a registered physician, granting you prescriptive authority for both standard medicinal agents and controlled substances. Notably, there is no additional fee for this application. However, you are required to submit a Delaware Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) and register with the DEA if you intend to prescribe controlled substances. The status of your APN application can be conveniently checked online. Additionally, undergoing a criminal history background check at both state and federal levels is mandatory, and you must schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken, incurring an extra fee.
4. Renew Your License Together With Your RN License:
Renewing your license, in conjunction with your RN license, is a biannual process conducted in odd-numbered years. Three opportunities for renewal arise annually on February 28, May 31, or September 30. A renewal notice will be dispatched a few weeks before expiration, and the renewal process can be completed online. Each national certification agency imposes its own requirements regarding the number of practice hours and continuous education (CE) obligations that must be fulfilled for license renewal. Compliance with these requirements is imperative. The Board stipulates that, for specialty renewal, a minimum of 1,500 practice hours in the last five years, with 600 accumulated in the past two years, is mandatory. CE requirements, set by the Board exclusively for those with prescriptive authority, include completing 10 CE hours in pharmacology over the preceding two years.
Division of Professional Regulation
Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, Delaware 19904
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