Did you just finish high school and you are wondering how you can start a career in nursing? Or are you wondering how you can become a registered nurse? This article is a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to become a registered nurse. The main aim of this article is to explain using four simple steps how you will start your career journey towards becoming a registered nurse. If you are in a nursing school, you can place your order in case you need any nursing paper writing help.
With the recent advancement in technology, many careers have been impacted greatly by this change. The healthcare sector also has not been left behind, technology has improved the treatment of patients and has increased overall productivity in all the health care settings. However, no matter how much the world evolves, it will always need nurses.
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What is nursing?
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. It is a field that emerged from medical science. It focuses more on assistance to the doctors who specialize in different fields.
Who is a nurse?
A nurse is a person who has completed a program of basic, generalized nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority to practice nursing in his/her country.
It takes a whole team of professionals to tend to national healthcare needs. Nurses are the backbone that keeps the health care system running. They perform different tasks ranging from providing bulk daycare, serving as liaisons between physicians and patients, and sometimes perform the role of doctors.
How to become a registered nurse.
There are four steps to becoming a nurse. These steps include:
- Choosing a career path.
- Earning a degree/ Getting the necessary education.
- Getting a license.
- Becoming a life-long learner.
1. Choose a nursing path.
Nursing has many fields and specialties. You first start out as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) then you can work your way to the top to become a nurse administrator. Before you choose your career path, you should first think about the kind of health care setting you prefer to work in. You should think about which type of setting will inspire you the most. Certified nurses often work in nursing homes whereas registered nurses work in many different settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical settings.
The second thing that you should consider before choosing your career path is the role you want to play. For example, if someone is willing to support other medical staff as part of a team, a certified nursing assistant is suitable for the individual. If the individual is interested in managing other nurses or assistants, then pursuing a career as a registered nurse or as an advanced practice nurse suits him/her well.
The third thing you should consider before choosing your career path is what you want to specialize in. The nursing field has many different specialties. You need to know what work you will have to do to achieve your career goals. You may choose to work in geriatrics or critical care or any other specialty, this varies on the preference of the nursing student.
2. Earn a degree.
The type of nursing degree that you will need depends on the career path you are interested in pursuing. There are many nursing programs for aspiring nursing students. You will need to choose a nursing program that fits into your busy life.
A nursing program includes classroom work and clinical experience. Clinical training allows you to gain hands-on knowledge and to connect with other nurses. This experience also allows you to observe how a medical facility works.
3. Get a practicing license.
Nurses need to be licensed to practice. Once you have finished your nursing education, you should take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and nursing skills. This exam is the prerequisite to licensing.
4. Become a long-life learner.
With the recent advancements in technology, the healthcare industry is constantly changing. Nurses need to stay informed so they can remain effective as their roles are frequently changing. Nurses who stay educated have the advantage of new opportunities and roles as they arise.
For a nursing student to be a long-life learner, he/she needs to:
- Earn an advanced degree.
- Get certified – This shows your commitment to the field and demonstrates your skill set to employers.
- Take continuing educational courses – Nurses should complete the continuing courses, usually every two years.
