No matter what type of nursing career you’re considering, there are basic steps everyone who wants to become a nurse must take.
Before you begin to plan for a nursing career, consider your personality. Nursing careers are most suitable for those who are very compassionate and enjoy working with all sorts of people. Nurses must be able to think fast and perform well under stress, and they must be able to maintain composure even under very trying circumstances.
If your personality is in line with a nursing career, to start you’ll need a high school diploma or GED to attend nursing school. Nursing schools are becoming increasingly competitive, so focus on science and math courses and try to obtain the best grades you possibly can.
No matter what type of nursing school you apply to, very good grades will demonstrate your ability to handle the intensive study and academic discipline nursing programs typically involve.
In order to become a nurse, you’ll need education and training, and the amount of each will depend on what type of nurse you wish to become.
Many people choose to start their nursing careers by working as a nursing assistant or nurses aide. Nursing Assistants enroll in a program that usually takes between 6 to 12 weeks to complete. They learn basic nursing skills and at the end of the course, obtain a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) certificate.
CAN positions may include working as an orderly, a home health aide or a patient care technician in a hospital, nursing home or long term care facility. CNAs must work under the supervision of a nurse.
The next step for a CAN would be to become a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse. This would involve enrollment in a one year LPN/LVN program that’s state approved. Such programs are usually offered at community colleges or vocational schools and involve classroom study as well as clinical practice, usually in a hospital setting.
After completing the LPN/LVN program, nurses need to pass a licensing program in the state where they intend to work. LPN/LVNs work under a physician or RN, and are in high demand in many areas of the medical profession.
If you wanted to further your career beyond work as an LPN/LVN, you would seek to obtain a RN degree. You could then complete the two year associate nurses degree or AND, or attend school for four years to obtain the Bachelor of Science or BSN degree. A BSN is recommended if you wish to specialize in a specific nursing care area.
RN degree programs must be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Nurses also must pass the National licensing examination or the NCLEX-RN, also known as the state board’s exam. Once you’ve passed the exam, you can start your career as an RN.
Starting a nursing career as a nursing assistant and working your way up provides a great deal of practical experience, but it isn’t the only way to become an RN. You could decide to complete a two or four year degree program first and start your career as an RN.
Beyond the BSN, nurses can pursue further education to specialize in one specific nursing field. The possibilities for nurse specializations are practically endless, as are nursing career opportunities in general.
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