Nurses are in fact heroes without capes, not only is the process of achieving that title hard but maintaining it is just as hard if not harder! So if you are interested in becoming a nurse, you need to do a little bit of research first – this is such an important job title, it will take more than just being interested in it to actually achieve the status of a nurse in the first place! As much as it’s an exhausting job, it’s still one of the most noble ones and the world needs more people willing to do the same! Here’s what you need to become a certified nurse!
The right assets
So to become a nurse, you need to understand everything that goes into becoming one in the first place. The level of responsibility is pretty high, and having certain soft skills is a must if you want to be good at what you do. So before you even start looking at different universities and programs, you might want to ask yourself do you even have the needed qualities to become a nurse! There are actually a lot of people who go into certain professions, that are simply not a good fit – making it hard for themselves and everyone around them. And if you want to be a good license practicing nurse, you need to know how far your abilities go. Ask yourself, are you calm and collected enough to work in a high stress environment, and are you a team player? These are all important indicators that will hint if you are suitable to become a nurse or not!
Education
Obviously your nursing journey starts as soon as you step into a nursing school! But here’s the thing, there are so many different types of schools and programs to choose from, it’s better to do as much research as you possibly can. Experts from Labouré nursing Milton state that the right university or program is the only thing that can kickstart your nursing career, so you might want to choose it correctly! Have in mind the different positions you want to work, not all of them are covered by the same education! Some programs last for two years, some for up to four or even six years – it all depends on what you chose to do. From hospital nurses to nurses who work in retirement homes, it can totally differ from one position to another, so make sure you know exactly what you want to do and how to achieve it!
Higher education
Just like with anything else, the higher education you get the better job positions you’ll land~ The truth is, you can continue your studies whenever you want, it’s actually not uncommon for a nurse to go back to school, even if they are well past the normal student age. This is completely fine, as some nurses chose to work with their bachelor degree and gain more experience before they head out and get a higher degree in something else. This is pretty useful and it can open so many doors – like allow you to work in other states or even other parts of the world! Make sure you have a good plan of action, nursing schools can be great, but you must have a plan for the future so you can get the best out of the whole education!
Licencing
Before you can call yourself a real nurse, you need to get a licence that will allow you to work! This can vary from state to state, and depending on the type of nursing job you are applying for, you will either have to get a RN (registered nurse) licence or a LPN (licenced practical nurse) licence, they do overlap at the end of the day, but they are far from the same. You do this by applying for a program and obtaining the licence once you finish it successfully! There are just simply some exams you have to take to ensure you are the right person for the job. Make sure you talk to a professional and seek advice, especially if you have a specific nursing type in mind – asking someone who already does it can help you out a lot!
At the end of the day, if you really want to become a nurse, there is nothing standing in your way – the world needs more people like you after all! But make sure to be prepared, have goals in mind, talk to already successful nurses and anyone that can help guide you as it can help a lot!