Ten Steps to Becoming a Nurse
Do you want to become a nurse but don’t know where to start out? Here is a ten step guide that will help you find the way. You will learn about the nursing profession, find out about the educational requirements and certifications, and you’ll discover tips on how to survive your first year as a nurse. This guide is meant for prospective, current, and second career nurses.
1. Learn Everything You Can About The Nursing Profession
Nursing is the largest health care profession in the US, with over 2.9 million RNs nationwide. Because nurses are involved in every type of health care need from basic health to acute care, every nurse has followed a specific path of education to become an RN and develop an expertise.
Nurses do everything from treat and educate patients, provide emotional support, record medical histories, and perform diagnostic tests. Most nurses work in hospitals, but they can also be found in nursing homes, community health clinics, and ambulances.
2. Find Your Path to the RN Title
In all States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN. But there are many ways to get there!
You can obtain one (or more!) of several degrees in order to become a nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): This degree is typically gained through a year of training at a hospital, graduation from vocational-technical school, or through community college.
Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN): is acquired through graduation from community college and usually takes two years. It prepares an RN for a very defined set of clinical practices, and coursework includes technical practice and nursing theory. Many nurses with an ADN will return to school for a BSN or higher degree.
Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (BSN): A Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (BSN) requires graduation from a traditional 4-year college or university, and provides the full preparation for the entire scope of RN responsibilities. The preparation from a BSN includes nursing theory and broad clinical practice, as well as study of human development, psychology, chemistry, biology, and nutritional sciences. BSN holders are qualified to pursue masters degrees and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) professions, including Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNW) , Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
3. Choose the Nursing School That Fits You
There are nursing programs in the largest universities as well as the smallest community colleges. There are even online programs! So there’s bound to be something for you. Here are the questions to ask yourself when selecting a school.
Deciding whether you want to go for an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree is essential at this point. Community colleges typically offer associates degrees and are a good value if you are trying not to spend too much money. The advantage of getting an ADN is that it doesn’t take as long as a BSN and it requires less of the prerequisites. However, there are many positions that require a Bachelor’s degree for advancement, so it may be advisable to get the BSN when you can.
You must also consider where you want to go to school, and if you want to be a full- or part-time student. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to nursing programs. Not only are there full- and part-time degree programs, there are also online schools where you can go to class from the comfort of your own home.