Key Takeaways
Fortis’ ADN program in Ohio can be completed in as little as 96 weeks, blending online and on-campus training.
Ohio projects 7,600 annual RN job openings through 2032, despite only 3.4% workforce growth statewide, according to Projections Central.
Students in Fortis’ ADN program gain skills in health assessment, human nutrition, nursing ethic, standards of care, and more.
Americans trust nurses. They see them as both honest and ethical, according to a 2024 survey from research and analytics firm Gallup. That makes nurses the most trusted of all professionals included in the survey — and they have held that position for 23 years straight.
For individuals who are interested in pursuing a nursing career, here is information on how to become a registered nurse (RN) in Ohio and how earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Fortis College at their campus in Centerville, Cincinnati, Cuyahoga Falls, or Westerville can help.
What Does an RN Do?
The primary responsibility of a registered nurse (RN) is to provide direct care to patients. Common core duties for caninclude:
Assessing patients and helping other staff develop care plans
Monitoring patients while taking detailed notes about their status and care
Administering medication to patients
Educating patients, their caregivers, and their loved ones about managing the patient’s illness or condition
Assisting in the administration and interpretation of medical tests
Communicating information to other members of a patient’s care team
Collaborating with doctors, surgeons, nutritionists, and other medical professionals
Where Do RNs Work?
RNs work in a wide range of healthcare settings such as hospitals, specialty clinics, the offices of primary care physicians, and skilled nursing facilities. Many also work in patients’ homes, schools, and other nonclinical settings. An RN’s exact duties vary based on which setting they work in.
What Are the Steps to Become an RN in Ohio?
RNs in Ohio must obtain a license from the Ohio Board of Nursing before they are allowed to work in the field. To earn a license, future registered nurses must receive the proper amount of education, submit a formal application to the OBN, and pass a national nursing exam.
Step 1: Earn a Nursing Diploma or Nursing Degree
The first step in becoming a registered nurse in Ohio is completing a nursing training and education program. Future RNs have three options. They can earn either a diploma in nursing, an ADN, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Each type of program has its advantages. At Fortis College’s four campuses across Ohio, students in the ADN program can earn their degree in as little as 96 weeks, or about 22 months. This is a hybrid program, meaning students take a combination of online and on-campus classes, benefitting from in-person support and the flexibility they may need to complete the program
Fortis’ ADN program in Ohio is made up of classes that cover both the fundamentals of nursing and nursing skills. This includes classes on:
Anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, sociology, and psychology
Health assessment
Pharmacology
Human nutrition
Human growth and development
Nursing ethics, standards of care, and other core concepts
Patient care techniques
Fortis also offers classes on nursing leadership, so students can transition into management and administrative roles after gaining some experience. And with classes on mental health, surgical, pediatric, community, and maternal-newborn nursing, students can learn the skills they need to work in a variety of settings.
Step 2: Submit an Application to the Ohio Board of Nursing
After completing their education, future RNs in Ohio must submit a formal application to the Ohio Board of Nursing. Applicants must also submit official transcripts that show they have completed an education program and sign up for a criminal background check through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The board advises applicants to submit their application no more than 60 days before graduation.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX-RN
The final step in becoming an RN in Ohio is passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX-RN is the final exam all nurses must pass before obtaining their license. Applicants can only register for the exam once the OBN has received and processed their application.
The NCLEX-RN is primarily made up of multiple choice questions, but it also includes other formats including fill-in-the-blank and visual identification questions. Questions cover topics such as:
Care management
Safety and infection control
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial integrity
Providing basic care and comfort
Risk control
Pharmacological therapy
The exam is administered year-round by Pearson VUE at approved testing sites throughout Ohio. Results are submitted to the Ohio Board of Nursing. The OBN then shares their scores with applicants, usually within six weeks.
Step 4: Renew License Every Other Year
Once RNs have obtained their nursing license in Ohio, they must renew it by September 15 of every odd year. In that two year period, they must pay a renewal fee and complete 24 hours of continuing education. Newly licensed RNs are not required to earn continuing education hours until after their first renewal.
To earn continuing education hours, RNs in Ohio can:
Complete courses from an accredited educational institution
Participate in an independent study project
Create or present an educational course
Complete any other continuing education activity from a provider approved by the OBN or another agency that regulates healthcare professionals
Courses can be completed online or in person. RNs must dedicate at least one continuing education hour to Ohio nursing laws and rules.
What Is the Projected Job Growth for RNs in Ohio?
According to Projections Central, the RN workforce in Ohio is expected to grow by 3.4% from 2022 to 2032. Projections Central expects there will be an average of over 7,600 job openings for RNs in Ohio every year during that period. This indicates a healthy job market for registered nurses entering the field for the first time.
Find Your Place in Ohio’s Talented Nursing Community
Becoming the kind of nurse patients fully trust and respect often means going beyond minimum requirements. With its in-depth curriculum and experienced faculty, the Associate Degree of Nursing program at Fortis can help you do just that.
In addition to learning through classroom and online instruction, ADN students at Fortis’ campuses in Centerville, Cincinnati, Cuyahoga Falls, and Westerville have the opportunity to participate in group lab projects and hands-on clinical training experiences. Fortis’ multiformat curriculum is designed to help students not only prepare for the NCLEX-RX and get licensed, but handle their duties with the confident, responsible, and ethical approach patients and their loved ones need.
To enroll or find out more about what each campus has to offer, contact the Fortis admissions team today.
Recommended Readings
Creating a Work/Life Balance as a Nurse
Nursing Job Interview Questions
What Are the Different Types of Nurses?
Sources:
Gallup, “Americans’ Ratings of U.S. Professions Stay Historically Low”
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Ohio Board of Nursing, CE Requirements for License Renewal
Ohio Board of Nursing, RN/LPN Licensure Exam Process
Ohio Legislature, Rule 4723-7-02: Requirements and Application for Licensure by Examination as a Nurse
Ohio Legislature, Rule 4723-7-09: License Renewal for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses
Ohio Legislature, Rule 4723-14-05: Educational Activities That Do and Do Not Meet the Continuing Education Requirement
Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses