5 answers
Aniyah
Student
Callahan, Florida
2
Questions
Updated
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Would Nursing be a good Career for me?
My name is Aniyah. I'm a very big people person. When doing a job I love to be around others. Normally I am very kind and understanding. Also I am very hard-working. Normally I learn hands on. I try to learn new things everyday, laugh when I can, and help others laugh to. Since I was little I've loved helping other people. However I am not sure if Nursing is a good career for me. #careeradvice #career #job #nursing #medicene
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5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Aniyah if you like caring for people and are willing to put the time into training, a career in nursing may be for you. You can work toward certification and licensing for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse. The nursing field encompasses a variety of careers centered around patient care and medical health, many of which offer excellent compensation. Additionally, many employment opportunities in nursing are expected to increase, often significantly outpacing average job growth across all industries. While a career in nursing can be demanding due to stressful patient situations and long hours, nurses can build schedules to suit their needs.
EDUCATIOAN REQUIREMENTS
After obtaining a high school diploma, if you're interested in becoming a nurse you would typically select from a range of educational options. Students can choose to pursue training to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). An LPN can later enroll in further classes to become an RN. Nurse training can come from college or hospital education programs that lead to a diploma, associate's degree or bachelor's degree. Diploma and associate's degree programs take less time to complete but may offer fewer job opportunities after graduation. Nursing programs feature a combination of class lectures, hands-on laboratory work and clinical experience. Students take courses in anatomy, pathology and microbiology. During clinical instruction, students work under the supervision of professional nurses in a health care facility. Registered nurse programs typically include more in-depth study than licensed practical nurse programs. Diploma and associate's degree programs last for about two years and are available at community colleges and vocational schools. Colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in nursing and last for four years. Students with an associate's degree can often transfer credits towards a bachelor's degree in nursing.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)
Certified nursing assistants work to complete routine medical duties, such as recording patient vitals and bathing and dressing patients. They often work under the guidance of another health professional, such as a doctor or registered nurse, and often report patient concerns to these specialists. This is considered an entry-level nursing position and as such, most states only require a certificate program, training program, or competency exam, rather than a post-secondary degree and licensure. The average Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the United States is $34,500 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $30,500 and $38,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)
LPNs work under the guidance registered nurses to care for patients. LPNs may perform basic tasks such as checking and recording vital signs and assisting patients with daily tasks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), job opportunities for LPNs are expected to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, faster than the national average. The average Licensed Practical Nurse salary in the United States is $49,500 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $45,000 and $55,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
RNs may run tests on patients and oversee their medication. While most LPNs provide general care, registered nurses have a greater degree of specialization and career options available within their field. The BLS reports the job opportunities for RNs are projected to increase by 15% between 2018 and 2028. Nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing typically have an easier time finding employment. The average Registered Nurse salary in the United States is $80,000 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $65,000 and $102,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
I hope this was Helpful Aniyah
EDUCATIOAN REQUIREMENTS
After obtaining a high school diploma, if you're interested in becoming a nurse you would typically select from a range of educational options. Students can choose to pursue training to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). An LPN can later enroll in further classes to become an RN. Nurse training can come from college or hospital education programs that lead to a diploma, associate's degree or bachelor's degree. Diploma and associate's degree programs take less time to complete but may offer fewer job opportunities after graduation. Nursing programs feature a combination of class lectures, hands-on laboratory work and clinical experience. Students take courses in anatomy, pathology and microbiology. During clinical instruction, students work under the supervision of professional nurses in a health care facility. Registered nurse programs typically include more in-depth study than licensed practical nurse programs. Diploma and associate's degree programs last for about two years and are available at community colleges and vocational schools. Colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in nursing and last for four years. Students with an associate's degree can often transfer credits towards a bachelor's degree in nursing.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)
Certified nursing assistants work to complete routine medical duties, such as recording patient vitals and bathing and dressing patients. They often work under the guidance of another health professional, such as a doctor or registered nurse, and often report patient concerns to these specialists. This is considered an entry-level nursing position and as such, most states only require a certificate program, training program, or competency exam, rather than a post-secondary degree and licensure. The average Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the United States is $34,500 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $30,500 and $38,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)
LPNs work under the guidance registered nurses to care for patients. LPNs may perform basic tasks such as checking and recording vital signs and assisting patients with daily tasks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), job opportunities for LPNs are expected to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, faster than the national average. The average Licensed Practical Nurse salary in the United States is $49,500 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $45,000 and $55,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
RNs may run tests on patients and oversee their medication. While most LPNs provide general care, registered nurses have a greater degree of specialization and career options available within their field. The BLS reports the job opportunities for RNs are projected to increase by 15% between 2018 and 2028. Nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing typically have an easier time finding employment. The average Registered Nurse salary in the United States is $80,000 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $65,000 and $102,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
I hope this was Helpful Aniyah
Avis Boswell
Managed Care Professional
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Avis’s Answer
Is there a way you can do a summer internship or a Health Occupations course in school? When I was in high school, I enrolled in Health Occupations, which allowed me to go to the local hospital and nursing home and complete the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) curriculum and internship. It was through this hands on experience that I realized nursing wasn't necessarily for me, but I still wanted to be in the Healthcare field. I took a different route, received my Bachelor's degree in Health Care Management and now I work for health insurance companies on the managed care side, which is non-clinical. So, I found what I actually liked by doing what I thought I liked. My advice is try to gain as much exposure as you can in the field of nursing and see how you like it. Remember, this has to be something you enjoy doing even if you didn't get paid for it. Best wishes in your healthcare career pursuits!
I'm not sure if my school offers that, however, I know my senior year I will be able to join the CNA program. I will look into this though. Thank You!
Aniyah
Awesome! The CNA program would be great for you to explore and see how you like it! I'm cheering for you Aniyah! Don't hesitate to message me if you have any other questions. I know a lot of nurses so if I don't know the answer, I'm sure they will. Best wishes!
Avis Boswell
Nicole Beck
Nurse
6
Answers
Saint Louis Park, Minnesota
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Aniyah! Having an interest in helping others is a great quality to have for a nurse! I am a nurse and one of my favorite things about it is that there are so many types of nursing that one can practice and if one area of nursing is not a good fit there are so many other areas of nursing that you can switch to that might be a better fit. My first job as a nurse was working in an operating room in a general surgery/urology surgery unit. When I was first hired I was so happy and excited and thought that it was going to be my dream job. After I started the job though I realized quite quickly that it was not a good fit and then I switched to being a telephonic triage nurse in an internal medicine clinic which I enjoyed much more. I decided that I wanted to try to find a work from home position and about a year and half ago I got a position with an insurance company that is work from home and I assist customers with filing claims for short term disability and long term disability. I share my career path just to illustrate the variety of nursing positions that are out there. In short, I think that nursing is a great career and there is opportunity to explore many different areas of nursing until you find the perfect fit. Best of luck to you if you do pursue a career in nursing! :)
Michele Lundin
Senior Recruiter
9
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Michele’s Answer
I was similar to you many years ago where I wanted to be a doctor, in particular a pediatrician. I shadowed my pediatrician for school maybe in 7th grade and got a lot of insight as to what that role was like. I think I changed my mind because I was not sure I was "cut out" for all the science that was needed.
A good first step would be to interview a few nurses and learn more about the role and what they like and don't like.
Being a big people person can help you in many areas, some based on Science like those in Medical fields/Nurses, other ideas could be teaching, sales and so many more. You might even be able to take some sort of career assessment that might provide some additional insight of careers you had not thought of.
Good luck to you
A good first step would be to interview a few nurses and learn more about the role and what they like and don't like.
Being a big people person can help you in many areas, some based on Science like those in Medical fields/Nurses, other ideas could be teaching, sales and so many more. You might even be able to take some sort of career assessment that might provide some additional insight of careers you had not thought of.
Good luck to you
Thank You so much! I have thought about being a high school teacher as well. Talking to people with those career's is a great idea! Thanks again!
Aniyah
Great answer!
Avis Boswell
You are Welcome Aniyah. The real opportunity for success lies within the person and not in the career.
Doc Frick
Shelby Steuber
Teacher
66
Answers
LaBelle, Florida
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
Aniyah, it sounds like nursing would be a very good career for you, as long as you remain honest and true to your intentions. My mother was a nurse in Florida, and she loved helping her patients. She is an extremely empathetic person; she wants the best for others in any situation. However, in the hospital she was at, there was a lot of corruption, nepotism, and capitalism that unfortunately influenced the care the nurses could give. She was ordered to discharge patients, even if they needed some more rest and care, that way they could get more patients in and out of beds. It was very money-centric. I definitely am not trying to imply that you should not enter this field, especially with how caring and motivated you sound. But I would say to make sure you research what hospital/clinic/office has morals and values aligned with your own. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much! I will be sure to look into the hospitals and clinics as well!
Aniyah