---
title: "National Nurses Week: What Do RNs Need In Addition to a Degree?"
description: This blog is part of a series in celebration of National Nurses Week which is held from May 6-12 every year. When anyone makes a decision to become a Registered Nurse (RN) there are specific skills they need to be taught. However, there are some essential....
---

[The Hocking College Experience ](https://blog.hocking.edu)

# [National Nurses Week: What Do RNs Need In Addition to a Degree?](https://blog.hocking.edu/national-nurses-week-what-do-lpns-rns-need-in-addition-to-a-degree)

 Written by [Tim Brunicardi](https://blog.hocking.edu/author/tim-brunicardi) | May 12, 2018 7:46:00 PM

When anyone makes the decision to become a [Registered Nurse](https://www.hocking.edu/registered-nursing) (RN), there are specific skills they need to be taught. However, there are some essential qualities all RNs need that simply can’t be acquired in a classroom.

### What Qualities do RNs Need?

Below are some of the essential traits anyone planning to go into either of those professions needs:

- Demonstrate positivity in any situation
- Be a team player
- Remain calm under pressure
- Keep emotions in check
- Flexibility at the work place
- Excellent decision-making skills
- Endless supplies of compassion
- Excellent communication skills
- Critical thinking/reasoning skills
- Honesty and integrity
- Outstanding organizational skills
- Objectivity

### What Other Requirements Do RNs Need to Meet?

Those who are contemplating pursuing an RN degree at Hocking College should be prepared to pass a criminal background check and meet the following physical, academic, and cognitive requirements:

**Physical Requirements:**

- Ability to pass a drug test
- Good health
- Good mobility
- Physical strength
- Good hearing and vision
- Good hand-eye coordination

**Academic Requirements:**

- High school diploma or equivalent
- Good computer skills
- Basic math skills
- Good writing skills

**Cognitive Requirements:**

- Ability to collect, recall, and analyze information
- Ability to calculate, measure, and reason data
- Ability to relay information clearly, precisely, and effectively

### What Are Some Reasons To Get Your RN at Hocking College?

**Registered Nursing**

By making the decision to pursue a RN degree at Hocking College, students will become part of a program that has been approved by the [Ohio Board of Nursing](http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/) and accredited by the [Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)](http://www.acenursing.org/).

In addition to getting hands-on, real-world, and clinical experience, students who make a commitment to get an [Associate of Applied Science in Nursing](https://www.hocking.edu/registered-nursing) from Hocking will graduate fully qualified to take the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN) in Ohio.

**Additional Benefits of the Programs**

The following list represents some of the additional advantages of enrolling in Hocking College’s RN programs:

- Smaller class sizes will give students more one-on-one time with their instructors.
- Clinical experience by working in local hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, schools, clinics, and camps all located within a 75-mile radius of the college.
- Students will shape their own individualized academic success plans.
- Hocking offers a payment plan option to help students pay for their education in manageable installments.
- Students pursuing a PN certificate can receive their diploma in Nursing-Practical Nursing in only 3 semesters.
- Students pursing a RN degree can receive their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing in only 5 semesters.

*This blog is part of a series in celebration of National Nurses Week which is held from May 6-12 every year.*

[View full post](https://blog.hocking.edu/national-nurses-week-what-do-lpns-rns-need-in-addition-to-a-degree)

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