[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At NurseJournal.org, we aim to include accurate and timely information, along with transparency about our chosen sources. We constantly update our pages and check for the latest data and statistics. While not all-encompassing, this guide lists the most common websites we use.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Employment and Salary Information[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an agency of the federal government, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures and publishes information about the U.S. employment landscape, including job descriptions and duties, education and licensing requirements, and working environments. We use BLS data to research average salary and projected job growth data for nursing occupations, geographic locations, and industries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/” target=”_blank”]PayScale[/hen-ui-link] provides additional information about average salaries, job duties, and job growth, often in greater detail than the BLS. This site lists more nursing career categories and includes salary information based on years of experience, skills, and education level. It also publishes survey responses from workers regarding salaries and job satisfaction, along with examples of current employment listings in different regions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because employees [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/content/PayScale_Methodology.pdf” target=”_blank”]self-report their salaries[/hen-ui-link], to ensure accuracy and reliability, we generally do not report salary data for occupations with fewer than 50 survey responses. PayScale does not adjust the data for inflation, general wage increases, or geographic differentials.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Licensure, Certification, and Professional Development Information[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]State Licensure[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Each state’s board of nursing licenses nurses at all levels, including certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm” target=”_blank”]National Council of State Boards of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (NCSBN), a nonprofit organization that comprises the nursing regulatory state agencies, provides links to each board of nursing. This association develops and administers, with its partner Pearson VUE, the national council licensure examination (referred to as the NCLEX) is required for [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] and practical nurse licensing. Each state lists its own additional licensure requirements, and we use the NCSBN website to research them.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]National Nursing Associations[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We find information about professional development events, continuing education opportunities, and other benefits for nurses on national nursing association websites. Hundreds of national nursing associations include the broader nursing practice (e.g., American Nurses Association, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aannet.org/home” target=”_blank”]American Academy of Nursing[/hen-ui-link]). Others focus on specific areas of advanced practice (e.g., [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nadnp.net/” target=”_blank”]National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aana.com/” target=”_blank”]American Association of Nurse Anesthetists[/hen-ui-link]) and healthcare settings (e.g., [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.amsn.org/” target=”_blank”]Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.narhc.org/” target=”_blank”]National Association of Rural Health Clinics[/hen-ui-link]).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]National Certification Boards[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced registered nurse practitioners earn certification from national boards and specialize in specific populations and practice areas. Each board administers its own examination in the applicable specialization area, and state nursing boards require advanced practice license renewal.[/hen-ui-text]Some examples of national certification board website we consult for information include:[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]

[hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nbcrna.com/Pages/default.aspx” target=”_blank”]The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.amcbmidwife.org/” target=”_blank”]The American Midwifery Certification Board[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aanpcert.org/index” target=”_blank”]The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Nurses Credentialing Center[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/index” target=”_blank”]The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]School Program Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When writing about specific programs, we visit each school’s website for details on costs, the curriculum, representative coursework, admission criteria, and experiential learning, such as clinical [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-internships-and-practicums/”]internships and practicums[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For program overviews, we research program websites and state licensure board pages. While we usually do not mention specific schools or programs, we find commonalities among curriculums and licensing requirements to develop a roadmap for prospective students. In addition, we cite BLS information and statistics to provide start-to-finish information on earning a degree, obtaining and maintaining a license, and advanced or continuing education. Finally, we recommend that students refer to schools and state nursing boards for details.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Accreditation Information[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Licensure boards and many employers require degrees from accredited schools and programs. Regional accreditation from organizations like the Higher Learning Commission indicates satisfaction of rigorous academic standards. Top nursing programs hold accreditation from either the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.acenursing.org/” target=”_blank”]Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing[/hen-ui-link] or the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE” target=”_blank”]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-link]. Other accrediting bodies approve specialty areas, such as midwifery.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Our Rankings Data[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use two main sources to develop our school rankings: the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/” target=”_blank”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (NCES) and the [hen-ui-link href=”https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/” target=”_blank”]U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard[/hen-ui-link]. NCES, a federal statistics, research, and evaluation division, collects data submitted by higher education institutions and maintains a database of degree level, location, and available programs and majors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Also maintained by the federal government, the College Scorecard provides details about college programs, costs, admissions, and outcomes. It collects data from institutions, along with tax records and financial aid information.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To learn more about how we create our rankings, please visit our [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]rankings methodology guide[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Contact Us[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Our writers do their best to provide accurate and relevant content, but if we publish out-of-date or incorrect information, [hen-ui-link href=”/about-us/”]please let us know[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text]