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whats the best path to take when you want to become a nurse?
whats the best path to take when you want to become a nurse
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Barry Eugene Graham, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN
Nursing Faculty - The College of the Florida Keys, Adjunct Online Nursing Professor Graduate Studies - Florida National University , Retired Flight Attendant & Doctoral Graduate.
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Barry Eugene’s Answer
Here are the general steps to follow if you're interested in becoming a nurse:
1. Education: Start by securing a high school diploma or its equivalent. Next, enroll in a nursing education program. This could be a diploma program, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). More and more employers are favoring candidates with a BSN degree as it provides more room for career growth.
2. Licensure: Once you've finished your nursing program, you'll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). Keep in mind that licensure requirements can differ from state to state, so make sure to check the specific requirements in the state where you intend to work.
3. Specialization: Think about obtaining specialized certifications or advanced degrees in nursing. Specializations can range from pediatrics and critical care to oncology and mental health. Specializing can boost your expertise and job prospects.
4. Gain Experience: Begin acquiring hands-on experience by working in a healthcare environment. This could be through internships, clinical rotations, or entry-level nursing jobs. Gaining experience will help you hone your nursing skills and knowledge.
5. Continuing Education: Since nursing is a rapidly changing field, it's crucial to keep up with the latest developments and research. Look into continuing education courses, conferences, or advanced degrees to further improve your nursing skills and knowledge.
Bear in mind, the exact route to becoming a nurse can differ based on your location and personal circumstances. It's always wise to do your research and seek advice from nursing schools or healthcare professionals for guidance that fits your specific situation.
1. Education: Start by securing a high school diploma or its equivalent. Next, enroll in a nursing education program. This could be a diploma program, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). More and more employers are favoring candidates with a BSN degree as it provides more room for career growth.
2. Licensure: Once you've finished your nursing program, you'll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). Keep in mind that licensure requirements can differ from state to state, so make sure to check the specific requirements in the state where you intend to work.
3. Specialization: Think about obtaining specialized certifications or advanced degrees in nursing. Specializations can range from pediatrics and critical care to oncology and mental health. Specializing can boost your expertise and job prospects.
4. Gain Experience: Begin acquiring hands-on experience by working in a healthcare environment. This could be through internships, clinical rotations, or entry-level nursing jobs. Gaining experience will help you hone your nursing skills and knowledge.
5. Continuing Education: Since nursing is a rapidly changing field, it's crucial to keep up with the latest developments and research. Look into continuing education courses, conferences, or advanced degrees to further improve your nursing skills and knowledge.
Bear in mind, the exact route to becoming a nurse can differ based on your location and personal circumstances. It's always wise to do your research and seek advice from nursing schools or healthcare professionals for guidance that fits your specific situation.
Updated
cj’s Answer
From a nurses aide perspective, the best path to becoming a nurse is to become an aide first. This gives you an entirely different perspective in how to treat patients and how to truly care for someone.
Start as an NA and become certified. Try and find a job in the medical area that suits your interests most. Most aides start in a nursing home, hospital or in-home care-giving setting.
Work towards becoming an lpn by finding a college program that suits your learning abilities the best, most of the time, in 1-3 years you can obtain a degree that allows you to take your boards in your home state. If your desire is higher then LPN, more schooling time is required, but worth it if it still suits your interests, desires, and/or needs.
During this time, work as an aide. It also allows employers to see you have expirence in the medical field, as well as increasing your comfort level and knowledge of the area you want to specialize in.
Be willing to be hands on often, don't shy away from hard tasks, and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. Your patients will thank you.
There's no perfect formula to becoming a nurse of any level, you will have obstacles to overcome, whether it be time management, levels of interest in the medical field after being in it for a time period, etc., but the best nurses I've worked with, generally have started as nurses aides/assistants (terminology can vary from state to state), they care more about their patients and their needs, along with their own aides because they understand the struggles of just being a nursing aide.
Nurses aides often don't even require a hs diploma, just hours in a classroom/live setting.
Start as an NA and become certified. Try and find a job in the medical area that suits your interests most. Most aides start in a nursing home, hospital or in-home care-giving setting.
Work towards becoming an lpn by finding a college program that suits your learning abilities the best, most of the time, in 1-3 years you can obtain a degree that allows you to take your boards in your home state. If your desire is higher then LPN, more schooling time is required, but worth it if it still suits your interests, desires, and/or needs.
During this time, work as an aide. It also allows employers to see you have expirence in the medical field, as well as increasing your comfort level and knowledge of the area you want to specialize in.
Be willing to be hands on often, don't shy away from hard tasks, and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. Your patients will thank you.
There's no perfect formula to becoming a nurse of any level, you will have obstacles to overcome, whether it be time management, levels of interest in the medical field after being in it for a time period, etc., but the best nurses I've worked with, generally have started as nurses aides/assistants (terminology can vary from state to state), they care more about their patients and their needs, along with their own aides because they understand the struggles of just being a nursing aide.
Nurses aides often don't even require a hs diploma, just hours in a classroom/live setting.
Updated
Sumant’s Answer
Hi Samaya,
I have a friend, who pursues Nursing career, checked with him and got these steps below:
Education: The first step is to obtain the necessary education. You can pursue different levels of nursing education:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): This typically requires about one year of education in a vocational or community college program.
Registered Nurse (RN): You can become an RN by completing either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, which takes about two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which takes about four years.
Licensure: After completing your education, you'll need to pass the licensing exam for nurses in your country or region. In the United States, for example, this is the NCLEX-RN exam for RNs or the NCLEX-PN exam for LPNs/LVNs.
Specialization: Once you've become licensed, you may choose to specialize in a particular area of nursing. Specializations can include pediatrics, oncology, critical care, psychiatric nursing, and many others. Some specializations may require additional education or certification.
Experience: Gain experience in the field. Many nursing roles require a certain amount of clinical experience, which you can gain through internships, residencies, or entry-level nursing positions.
Continuing Education: Nursing is a field that requires lifelong learning. Stay updated with current practices and advancements in healthcare by pursuing continuing education courses, attending workshops, or obtaining additional certifications.
Advanced Degrees: If you're interested in advancing your career, you may consider pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. These advanced degrees can qualify you for leadership positions, advanced practice roles (such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist), or roles in education and research.
I have a friend, who pursues Nursing career, checked with him and got these steps below:
Education: The first step is to obtain the necessary education. You can pursue different levels of nursing education:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): This typically requires about one year of education in a vocational or community college program.
Registered Nurse (RN): You can become an RN by completing either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, which takes about two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which takes about four years.
Licensure: After completing your education, you'll need to pass the licensing exam for nurses in your country or region. In the United States, for example, this is the NCLEX-RN exam for RNs or the NCLEX-PN exam for LPNs/LVNs.
Specialization: Once you've become licensed, you may choose to specialize in a particular area of nursing. Specializations can include pediatrics, oncology, critical care, psychiatric nursing, and many others. Some specializations may require additional education or certification.
Experience: Gain experience in the field. Many nursing roles require a certain amount of clinical experience, which you can gain through internships, residencies, or entry-level nursing positions.
Continuing Education: Nursing is a field that requires lifelong learning. Stay updated with current practices and advancements in healthcare by pursuing continuing education courses, attending workshops, or obtaining additional certifications.
Advanced Degrees: If you're interested in advancing your career, you may consider pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. These advanced degrees can qualify you for leadership positions, advanced practice roles (such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist), or roles in education and research.