If you're planning to pursue a career as a nurse you've made a wise choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nursing is one of the fastest growing job categories in the country. An aging population, advanced medical technology, and the anticipated increase of tens of thousands of patients to the health insurance rolls over the next couple of years all contribute to the fact that more and more people are accessing health care.
Job growth in the nursing field is expected to be in the double digits at least through the next 5 to 10 years. If you decided that one of the many different types of nursing opportunities interests you, then you are almost certain to find many job prospects upon qualification throughout the states of the U.S.
Becoming a nurse is not necessarily hard to do, as long as you have the ability to learn, a willingness to take instruction, and good people skills. It also helps to be as physically fit as possible. If you possess these qualities then it's simply a matter of going to school and getting the appropriate amount of education commensurate with the type of nursing you'd like to do. When you finish your education you will have to take a licensing exam before you can begin working. After that, your license will need to be renewed on a regular basis.
Choose Your Level of Nursing
Your first choice in the road to becoming a nurse is the level of nursing you plan to practice. There are three basic levels starting with the licensed practical nurse (LPN). The LPN, sometimes also known as the licensed vocational nurse (LVN), is the lowest nurse on the "totem pole" and requires the least amount of education. Typically you can earn your LPN license through a local program that can be completed in a year or so. Keep in mind that LPN's are limited in the types of duties they perform and the care they can provide.
The registered nurse (RN) is the next level up and the most common type of nurse in the industry. They are very flexible in the types of care they provide, which makes them the nurse of choice in most hospitals, public clinics, and private practices. The interesting thing about the registered nurse is that she typically will choose a specific specialty which may require an extra year or two of education. Examples of specialties include neonatal care, intensive care, and pediatrics.
In order to become a registered nurse you will have to complete either a bachelor or associate degree program and pass your licensing exam. The scope of your degree program will depend on the specialty you choose. In most cases you should be able to complete your education within 2 to 4 years.
Beyond the RN
The third level of nursing goes beyond the RN into things like nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthesiology. This higher level of nursing typically requires a Masters degree which takes between four and six years to earn. In addition, ongoing education will be required in order to keep you up to date with the changes in your specific specialty.
Nurses who reach this level are second only to physicians in terms of the types of care they can provide. A nurse practitioner for example, can work in a private physician's practice and dispense almost the entire array of services provided by that office. In some states that may include writing prescriptions, ordering tests, and so on. Other states do place some very specific limitations on what the nurse practitioner can do.
Finding a Nursing School
Once you decide the level of nursing you want to pursue your next step is to find a school. You have several different choices depending on the level of education you're seeking. Most LPN candidates can complete their education through a local program offered at a community college or hospital nursing school. Some hospitals even offer their own LPN programs as a means of filling their staffing needs. If you decide to use a program like this be prepared to agree to work at the hospital upon graduation for at least a couple of years.
If you want to be an RN or higher, you'll have to seek out a nursing school offering the appropriate degree program. There are literally hundreds of state universities and private institutions all over the country offering nursing programs. You might check with some of the nurses at your local hospital or doctor's office for their opinions. You can also search online for reviews of specific schools you might be interested in.
Complete Your Education
Once you're accepted at a school the next step is to complete your education. Make sure that while you're in school you always do your absolute best to get the highest grades possible. While you might be able to get a job even with a low GPA, hospitals and clinics are looking for the best and brightest graduates for their highest level positions. You are only doing yourself a disservice by going through school without putting in your best effort.
Keep in mind that your education will consist of both classroom time and hands-on experience. For the latter portion of the program you'll be taken into a clinical setting in order to demonstrate to your instructors that you can perform the routine day-to-day tasks of nursing. You'll be taking vital signs, completing paperwork, moving and bathing patients, and so on. Many candidates find this the most intimidating part of their education even though all of their practice will be under the supervision of a licensed and experienced RN.
Take Your Exam
The last step in becoming a nurse is to take and pass your licensing exam. Many programs across the country offer the exam as part of the total package you pay for. If your school doesn't, you'll have to contact whatever state agency is responsible for issuing licenses and inquire with them about your exam. When you do pass, and are given your license, that license will only be good in the state where you've earned it. Should you decide to move to another state you will most likely have to take a new licensing exam there. Fortunately, you won't have to repeat your education.
Now that you know the steps to becoming a nurse it's time for you to start making plans to make it happen. If you're still in high school you might want to contact some nurses already in the industry and get their advice and feedback. If you're finished with high school, or you have your GED, there's no better time than right now to start searching for nursing schools and get enrolled. Financial assistance is available for individuals who cannot afford to pay for their education out of pocket.