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What does it take to become a nurse?

What are the steps

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John’s Answer

Jessica - Not knowing where you are in your education, I will make this response more general. If you're in high school currently, then taking classes like biology and chemistry will be helpful. In addition, having a good level of comfort with algebra and solving equations is also very important as there will always be medication doses to calculate, and while we do these calculations manually less and less, you will still need to be able to do them manually.

After high school, there are a couple options for school / education for nurses. The 2 registered nurse paths are a 2-year associate degree (ADN) or the 4-year bachelor degree (BSN). Both will allow you to sit for the licensing test and become an RN upon completion.

The ADN route is the fastest way to obtain an RN license and is the most cost effective option. Most ADN programs are offered through community colleges and the cost difference between these programs and any from a private college can be significant. The ADN in no way limits the holder clinically speaking. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years and I have never seen the shortages in nursing we have right now in the US. That means RN's are being hired in almost all places and areas so long as they hold a valid license because the need is significant.

A BSN is nice, but it can be expensive and it's not necessary to start working as an RN. If you want to continue your education and obtain your BSN down the road because you'd like to be in management / leadership, go into research, or consider becoming a nurse practitioner, many employers will help with tuition reimbursement, so that's something to consider.

Both the ADN and BSN paths will have clinical rotations as a part of the program. This clinical experience is used as a base, and when you are hired, your employer will provide an orientation. As a new nurse, that orientation is likely to be longer and much more in-depth than an orientation would be for an experienced RN being newly hired. Some orientations for brand new RN's may actually last 3-6 months and help you to develop and sharpen the specific clinical skills you will need in your role.

Best of luck to you.
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Char’s Answer

Hi Jessica,
Start by keeping your grades up. Getting into a nursing program can be really competitive so you'll want to have a good grade point average in high school and in college. You'll also have to keep your grades up to stay in the nursing program.

Then talk to a school advisor about your plan to go to nursing school. They can help you get on the right track. They will help you to prepare.

Char recommends the following next steps:

Decide if you want a 2 or 4-year nursing degree first, then apply to colleges that offer these programs.
Enroll in general and prerequisite classes like chemistry and whatever other non-nursing classes are required for your degree.
Apply for the nursing program at your college. Usually you can start taking nursing classes in your 2nd or 3rd year of college. Getting into college isn't the same as getting into a nursing program. It's a seperate step.
Once in the program, you'll take nursing courses in the classroom and will train at medical facilities with an instructor.
One you graduate, you'll have to pass a state nursing exam to get your nursing license. Then you'll officially be a nurse!
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