What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Nurse in Alaska?

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To become a registered nurse (RN) in Alaska, you need the right education and credentials, along with experience through a practicum. You also need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain a nursing license from the Alaska Board of Nursing. But of course, before you take any steps to become an RN, you need a passion for helping others and it also helps to love the state of Alaska. Are you ready to become a nurse in the Last Frontier? Check out what you need to do to qualify.

Passion for the Nursing Profession in Alaska

Nursing is more than just a career. It’s a calling that demands compassion, resilience, and a deep desire to help others. Whether you’re caring for patients in remote villages or at a busy Anchorage hospital, your dedication can make a profound difference in people’s lives. That passion fuels the long hours of study, clinical training, and ongoing learning required to succeed. It helps you connect with patients, earn their trust, and advocate for their needs. In Alaska’s diverse and often challenging healthcare environments, heart and commitment matter just as much as credentials.

Some Natural Abilities to Be a Nurse in Alaska

Your natural abilities can set you up for success as a nurse in Alaska. Do you have any of these:

Aptitude for Science: Understanding biology, anatomy, and pharmacology is crucial for safe and effective patient care.
Comfort with Math: You need to accurately calculate medication dosages, IV rates, and conversions under pressure.
Strong Communication Skills: As a nurse in AK, you often serve as the link between patients, families, and healthcare teams, especially in rural settings.
Emotional Intelligence: Compassion, patience, and empathy help you build trust and support patients in vulnerable moments.
Adaptability: Alaska’s unique geography and weather demand flexibility and calm under pressure.
Critical Thinking: You need to be able to assess patient conditions, prioritize needs, and make informed decisions quickly.

Registered Nurse Career Training in Alaska

Before you can train to become a nurse in Alaska, you need to have a high school diploma. A high school diploma will help you qualify for a training program and provides you with a good foundation in subjects like biology, anatomy, math, and English.

With your high school diploma in hand, you can apply to an accredited nursing program approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing. Your nursing program will teach you the principles of patient care, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. You also gain insight to nursing specialties such as pediatrics, gerontology, and mental health. And your program will help prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Completion of Nursing Clinical Components

Your nursing program will include a clinical immersion that allows you to work at a local health facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This is where you can put what you learned in the classroom into practice—with the safety net of a professional who can guide you and help you if you make mistakes. You must complete your clinicals before you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Alaska State Nursing Licensure by Exam

If you live in Alaska and have not worked as a nurse in the state before, you need to apply for state licensure by exam. Apply for licensure by examination with the Alaska Board of Nursing. You need to submit your nursing school transcripts, undergo a background check, supply your fingerprints, and pay a fee of $375. Once you submit the application and all related materials, you will receive a temporary state license and instructions for scheduling the NCLEX-RN. Once you pass the exam, you receive your state license.

Alaska State Nursing Licensure by Endorsement

If you reside in Alaska but already have a nursing license in another state, you can apply for state licensure by endorsement. To receive a temporary license in Alaska, you need to submit to a background check, provide your fingerprints, provide proof of licensure, and send the $375 fee. Once you are issued the temporary license, you then need to submit proof of employment to earn the state license.

Additional Qualifications to be a Nurse in Alaska

Once you have your license, you can begin the most exciting part of the journey – looking for your dream job. You can find work in hospitals like Alaska Regional Hospital or Providence Alaska Medical Center. You could also apply to physician’s offices like Medical Park Family Care, or Anchorage Neighborhood Health. No matter where you choose to work, there may be additional qualifications that the employer looks for such:

Soft Skills—To be a well-rounded nurse, you need a mix of technical and soft skills. This includes communication, organization, time management, and the ability to be a team player and collaborate.
Industry Certifications—If you work in a specific area of nursing, your employer may look for an industry certification such as Certified Pediatric Nurse or Certified Gerontological Nurse.

A Love of the Great Alaskan Outdoors

There’s no other state quite like Alaska. While the winter months can challenge even the most resilient, the grand vistas, ocean, lakes, and abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities can fill your physical and emotional health. If you already live in the state, you know. If you don’t, check it out before you start your nursing career in Alaska.

Are you ready to be a nurse in Alaska? Charter College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing that can be completed in as few as 19 months. The program is offered in blended learning format, with both online and face-to-face classes for flexibility and convenience. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.

888.200.9942