What You Need to Know about choosing a career in nursing

What does it take to be a nurse?

No matter which nursing career you end up settling on, certain skill sets and aptitudes are a must for anyone preparing to be a nurse. Good nurses are organized and able to keep their cool, even in stressful situations. They can work well with a team and are adept at communication. Above all, nurses are compassionate and empathetic. If you feel these qualities describe you, consider which field of nursing you might find most rewarding.

Which career paths are open to you?

There are many different directions you could go in, once you decide nursing is right for you. A Certified Nursing Assistant is a good entry level choice, but people who choose this profession still play a vital role in patient care. Registered Nurses (RNs) are in especially high demand. As an RN (registered nurse), you have an array of specializations to choose from. Ambulatory Care, Cardiac Intensive Care, Dermatology, and Health Policy are only a few. 

Whatever your particular interest in medicine or patient care, you could opt to become a nurse with focus on that area. A step up from the role of the RN is that of the Nurse Practitioner. NPs often work in—or even oversee—community clinics and private practices. They are trained and licensed to make diagnoses, prescribe medications, and read test results. NPs also are qualified to perform certain medical procedures.

What education will you need to pursue nursing?

Obviously, the type and level of education required will hinge on which nursing job you opt for—at least, in the first stage of your journey. Being a CNA does not require a college degree, but rather, completion of a training program and an exam. 

To be an RN, you need at least an associate degree, but a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing will both equip you to take on more responsibility and earn a higher salary. Nurse Practitioners have to have either a master’s degree or a doctorate. If you are already working in a nursing field but hope to broaden your career opportunities, consider an online degree, which will allow you to carry on working and complete your studies on your own time.

If you choose to take out student loans to pay for your schooling, be sure to keep up with them on a monitoring app that uses a loan API. You’ll be able to keep track of your balances and terms while also being able to make payments. Staying on top of your student debt will keep it from becoming a hassle.

What licenses or certifications are necessary?

Once you have completed your course of studies and earned your degree, you will then have to take the national licensure exam. These exams are authorized by the state, and the application period can take a little while. If you intend to work as an LPN or RN, you will need to be licensed by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). This also requires an exam, which must be authorized by the state. Yes, it may look like a lot of hoops to jump through, but nursing is a huge responsibility, and those who prepare nurses to serve patients and communities take it very seriously!

Nurses fulfill many essential roles in our communities, from helping babies into the world to caring for seniors and those in end-of-life situations. It is a significant responsibility and a lot of work, but nurses have the satisfaction of knowing they are providing important services, and really making a difference in people’s lives.