5 answers
Phuong
Student
Lynnwood, Washington
1
Question
Asked
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I'm a senior and I want to learn to be a nurse in college but There are a lot of types of Nurse and I'm just want to work as a nurse in the clinic so which type should I choose, what is its name?
Now I'm a senior in High school so it's very hard for me to know enough information about nursing and I really need help. #career #student #nurse
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5 answers
Raquel Davis
Registered Nurse, premed student
148
Answers
Providence, Rhode Island
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
There are two main ways to become a registered nurse. You can go to a community college and get an associate’s degree in nursing then take the NCLEX to become a nurse, this is the faster and often cheaper route to start with. Or you can go to a university and enter a BSN program to get your bachelors in nursing. This route takes a bit longer and is more expensive at the start, but many hospitals are moving towards requiring nurses to hold a BSN degree, so getting the BSN from the start ends up being cheaper in instances where you want to go back to school to get the BSN later. But either route will allow you to become a nurse. For either path you will have to complete prerequisites specific to the program and then apply and be accepted, many nursing programs are very competitive so it is important for you to do well in these prerequisite courses. I would look up nursing programs in your area, or areas that you are interested in going to, to get an idea of what their prerequisite requirements are.
Once you get your licensure as a nurse you will be able to practice in many settings, one great thing about being a nurse is that there are such a variety of options for it! You mention wanting to work in a clinic, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by that. You can work as a nurse in a doctors office, a wound clinic, a community health clinic, etc. The most common job for new graduate nurses is working in the hospital, the most general form of nursing is working on a medical floor. So although there are different specialties of nursing a nurse is a nurse is a nurse, you just need to determine what kind of nursing you like.
Once you get your licensure as a nurse you will be able to practice in many settings, one great thing about being a nurse is that there are such a variety of options for it! You mention wanting to work in a clinic, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by that. You can work as a nurse in a doctors office, a wound clinic, a community health clinic, etc. The most common job for new graduate nurses is working in the hospital, the most general form of nursing is working on a medical floor. So although there are different specialties of nursing a nurse is a nurse is a nurse, you just need to determine what kind of nursing you like.
Thank you so much for your answer. And if I study for two years in college and then transfer to the University with two more years, Is that ok if I want to become a Registered Nurse with a bachelor's degree? Or I must study for all four years at the university to get a bachelor's degree?
Phuong
I want to be a nurse working in the clinic because when I went to the clinic, there were some nurses who took care of me like measure my blood pressure, work in the lab for blood tests,... and I want to work similar.
Phuong
Yes you can absolutely do two years at a community college and then transfer to a four year university! That’s what I did. Just find what university you want to transfer to first so that you can know what their nursing program prerequisites are, the community college I went to didn’t offer a few of the classes I needed so I was prepared to have to take them at the university before starting the nursing school. This may happen for you too, so just be aware of the possibility. You will learn just as much at a community college and it saves a lot of money. When you graduate from the university nursing program you will have a bachelors degree in nursing.
Raquel Davis
One of the best parts of being a nurse is that you get to make a big impact on so many people’s lives, it’s very rewarding and I’m glad you’re pursuing nursing!
Raquel Davis
Thank you so much for your help, I'll try my best to follow this path to become a nurse.
Phuong
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1345
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Phuong if you like caring for people and are willing to put the time into training, a career in nursing may be for you. Nursing demands a lot of those who join the profession, mentally, emotionally, physically, and even spiritually – and it can give you a lot back too. Those interested in nursing should be prepared to ‘go the distance.’ It takes a lot of hard work to become a nurse, and more hard work to practice as a nurse.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) – works with doctors to provide patient care in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinics. Training to become a physician assistant is extensive and involves both a bachelor's degree and a further two-year master's program, as well as a certification exam and continuing education. Similar to physicians, PAs conduct patient examinations, order lab tests and take patient histories to make a medical diagnosis. They also prescribe medications and provide treatment of routine conditions. Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of licensed physician. PAs can prepare casts or splints, suture small wounds and interpret medical tests. The average Physician Assistant salary is $101,500 as of December 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $90,900 and $117,000. 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.
REGISTERED NURES (RN) – are employed with hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, clinics and other medical facilities. Individuals who are interested in medicine and health care may want to pursue careers as registered nurses (RNs). Registered nurses help physicians with basic healthcare procedures; they also educate patients, families and communities about health issues. For those who would like to pursue this career, college-level training is required. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains, there are two common educational paths for aspiring RNs. Students may choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an associate's degree in nursing. Both are enough to attain an entry-level position. However, those who would like to be promoted within the nursing industry should consider earning a bachelor's degree. The average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States is between $57,900 and $98,500 as of December 28, 2020. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the actual Registered Nurse (RN) position you are looking for.
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN) – works 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, job opportunities for LPNs are expected to increase by 12% between 2020 and 2030, faster than the national average. LPNs made an average salary of $48,500 as of December 28, 2020.
Volunteer in a hospital or clinic. Many healthcare settings welcome volunteers; this is a great way to see how you feel about being in a clinical environment, and around sick or injured people. If you can, try to get training or experience that allows you to work directly with patients in some way.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) – works with doctors to provide patient care in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinics. Training to become a physician assistant is extensive and involves both a bachelor's degree and a further two-year master's program, as well as a certification exam and continuing education. Similar to physicians, PAs conduct patient examinations, order lab tests and take patient histories to make a medical diagnosis. They also prescribe medications and provide treatment of routine conditions. Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of licensed physician. PAs can prepare casts or splints, suture small wounds and interpret medical tests. The average Physician Assistant salary is $101,500 as of December 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $90,900 and $117,000. 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.
REGISTERED NURES (RN) – are employed with hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, clinics and other medical facilities. Individuals who are interested in medicine and health care may want to pursue careers as registered nurses (RNs). Registered nurses help physicians with basic healthcare procedures; they also educate patients, families and communities about health issues. For those who would like to pursue this career, college-level training is required. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains, there are two common educational paths for aspiring RNs. Students may choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an associate's degree in nursing. Both are enough to attain an entry-level position. However, those who would like to be promoted within the nursing industry should consider earning a bachelor's degree. The average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States is between $57,900 and $98,500 as of December 28, 2020. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the actual Registered Nurse (RN) position you are looking for.
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN) – works 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, job opportunities for LPNs are expected to increase by 12% between 2020 and 2030, faster than the national average. LPNs made an average salary of $48,500 as of December 28, 2020.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Thank you very much for your answer. You are the first person to help me better understand this career because I've only lived in the US for a year.
Phuong
Your Welcome Phuong. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
Doc Frick
Thank You Prashanth. “Our generation has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.” — Natalie Portman
Doc Frick
And I also have a question that If I'm done with my bachelor's degree and become a Registered Nurse, then going to work, Can I still continue to take advanced learning into a PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT after that?
Phuong
Absolutely Phuong, you may even have a considerable advantage when it comes to admission into the Physician Assistant Program, because physician assistant (PA) programs typically require that applicants have clinical experience involving direct patient care. Because nearly all PA programs require applicants to have some degree of patient care experience, your RN direct care experience easily fulfills those requirements. Since each PA program has different admissions standards, be sure to consult with the head of a program to gain insight on transfer credits between the two programs.
Doc Frick
Thank you so much for your answer.
Phuong
Janice Dietrich
36
Answers
Updated
Janice’s Answer
Hi Phuong-
Nice to hear you want to join the nursing profession.
When you apply to colleges and universities you will want to include that you are interested in nursing and can you apply to the program from high school. You will also need to choose if you want to attend a 2 or 4 year nursing program.
Although your interest now is ambulatory nursing, you may change your mind once you complete all your clinical rotations in the nursing program. Working in clinics also has many different opportunities. You can choose from a doctor's office, drugstore, free standing clinic or hospital clinic. Also the population you serve could be children or adults. Specialties range from medicine, surgery, psychiatry, urgent care, orthopedics and much, much more.
Consider job shadowing, volunteer work or even obtaining a part time position to learn more about the nursing role.
Good luck!
Nice to hear you want to join the nursing profession.
When you apply to colleges and universities you will want to include that you are interested in nursing and can you apply to the program from high school. You will also need to choose if you want to attend a 2 or 4 year nursing program.
Although your interest now is ambulatory nursing, you may change your mind once you complete all your clinical rotations in the nursing program. Working in clinics also has many different opportunities. You can choose from a doctor's office, drugstore, free standing clinic or hospital clinic. Also the population you serve could be children or adults. Specialties range from medicine, surgery, psychiatry, urgent care, orthopedics and much, much more.
Consider job shadowing, volunteer work or even obtaining a part time position to learn more about the nursing role.
Good luck!
Sanober Charania
Registered Nurse (RN)
73
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sanober’s Answer
Hi Phuong!
I think it's great that you already have an idea of what career you want and the type of nurse you want to be. When you are in nursing school, you will learn about nursing in more depth, and from that, you will be able to get a better sense of the different types of nurses. Although less common, you can definitely be a clinic nurse right after you become licensed as an RN, and there is a higher demand for this type of nurse right now and I suspect that will be the case in the coming future as well. If you are looking to work part-time while in nursing school, I would suggest looking to see what outpatient practices are hiring nursing assistants, that way you can work side by side with clinic nurses and have a better chance at getting a job there right after college.
Hope this helps :)
Sanober
I think it's great that you already have an idea of what career you want and the type of nurse you want to be. When you are in nursing school, you will learn about nursing in more depth, and from that, you will be able to get a better sense of the different types of nurses. Although less common, you can definitely be a clinic nurse right after you become licensed as an RN, and there is a higher demand for this type of nurse right now and I suspect that will be the case in the coming future as well. If you are looking to work part-time while in nursing school, I would suggest looking to see what outpatient practices are hiring nursing assistants, that way you can work side by side with clinic nurses and have a better chance at getting a job there right after college.
Hope this helps :)
Sanober
Thank you so much, your answer is very helpful for me.
Phuong
Prashanth TM
20
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Prashanth’s Answer
Hi Phuong,
I hope you’re doing well & wish that you have a great week ahead.
A high school diploma is typically required in order to enter a basic nursing school. After high school, an aspiring nurse can go on to earn a nursing diploma, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree, depending on his or her career goals.
Those who are hoping to get into nursing school will need to meet specific education requirements and possess certain qualities that will help them succeed in the field.
For many types of nursing programs, a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement. A high school student planning on entering nursing school after graduation may want to complete high school courses in the following subjects: biology, chemistry, English, and algebra. They may also want to seek opportunities to volunteer at medical facilities or shadow working nurses in order to demonstrate their commitment to the field. When preparing their application, it is important for aspiring nurses to show that they have the skills needed for success in the career. Through academic transcripts, application essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, it is important for prospective nursing students to ensure that the following qualities shine through:
Critical thinking abilities
Communication skills
Compassion and emotional stability
Attention to detail
Organizational abilities
Nursing school applicants can also seek the advice of a guidance counselor or practicing nurse for more application tips. The specific requirements for acceptance into a nursing school depend on the type of program. Here are some of the nursing education options available to students interested in this field.
Certified Nurse Assistant
A student interested in entry-level positions in the nursing field may be interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Students can earn a CNA certificate in as little as 6-10 weeks at a vocational school or community college. A high school diploma is required for entry. Upon graduation, individuals must sit for the Board of Nursing certification examination in their state of residency. CNAs perform such tasks as cleaning, bathing, and transporting patients.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Prospective nursing students may also be interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Along with a high school diploma or GED, LPN programs may require student to take the ACT test or specific nursing pre-admission tests. These programs take about a year to finish and can be found at vocational schools or community colleges. Individuals can look up accredited nursing schools through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing website. Once students finish the program, potential LPNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nursing to be licensed in their state of residency. Successful completion allows a graduate to work in entry-level LPN positions, performing such tasks as basic patient care and taking vital signs.
Registered Nurse
Earning a Registered Nurse (RN) license is often the best choice for people wishing to get into the nursing field. A background in medicine is not a requirement to enroll in an RN program, but students will need a high school diploma or GED and may have to undergo a background check and meet minimum GPA standards in English, physiology, and anatomy prerequisite courses. Registered nursing programs are available at the diploma, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree levels. Students can find these programs at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities. A passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nursing is needed to become licensed and work as an RN. Registered nurses assist doctors with procedures and work closely with patients.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) must complete a graduate-level degree program in nursing and be licensed in order to practice. To get into an NP program, individuals usually need to submit bachelor's-level transcripts with a minimum GPA, provide proof of taking prerequisite nursing-related courses, hold a valid RN license, turn in a resume, provide letters of recommendation, and write a statement of goals. In most states, a nurse practitioner works without the supervision of a physician and can even prescribe medications to patients just as a doctor can.
In order to get into nursing school, aspiring nurses need to make sure that they complete the admissions requirements for the specific program they are interested in. Undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are available for a variety of occupations ranging from nursing assistant to nurse practitioner.
Source : https://study.com/how_to_get_into_nursing_school.html
Hope this answers your query
Good Luck 😊
Prashanth TM
I hope you’re doing well & wish that you have a great week ahead.
A high school diploma is typically required in order to enter a basic nursing school. After high school, an aspiring nurse can go on to earn a nursing diploma, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree, depending on his or her career goals.
Those who are hoping to get into nursing school will need to meet specific education requirements and possess certain qualities that will help them succeed in the field.
For many types of nursing programs, a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement. A high school student planning on entering nursing school after graduation may want to complete high school courses in the following subjects: biology, chemistry, English, and algebra. They may also want to seek opportunities to volunteer at medical facilities or shadow working nurses in order to demonstrate their commitment to the field. When preparing their application, it is important for aspiring nurses to show that they have the skills needed for success in the career. Through academic transcripts, application essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, it is important for prospective nursing students to ensure that the following qualities shine through:
Critical thinking abilities
Communication skills
Compassion and emotional stability
Attention to detail
Organizational abilities
Nursing school applicants can also seek the advice of a guidance counselor or practicing nurse for more application tips. The specific requirements for acceptance into a nursing school depend on the type of program. Here are some of the nursing education options available to students interested in this field.
Certified Nurse Assistant
A student interested in entry-level positions in the nursing field may be interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Students can earn a CNA certificate in as little as 6-10 weeks at a vocational school or community college. A high school diploma is required for entry. Upon graduation, individuals must sit for the Board of Nursing certification examination in their state of residency. CNAs perform such tasks as cleaning, bathing, and transporting patients.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Prospective nursing students may also be interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Along with a high school diploma or GED, LPN programs may require student to take the ACT test or specific nursing pre-admission tests. These programs take about a year to finish and can be found at vocational schools or community colleges. Individuals can look up accredited nursing schools through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing website. Once students finish the program, potential LPNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nursing to be licensed in their state of residency. Successful completion allows a graduate to work in entry-level LPN positions, performing such tasks as basic patient care and taking vital signs.
Registered Nurse
Earning a Registered Nurse (RN) license is often the best choice for people wishing to get into the nursing field. A background in medicine is not a requirement to enroll in an RN program, but students will need a high school diploma or GED and may have to undergo a background check and meet minimum GPA standards in English, physiology, and anatomy prerequisite courses. Registered nursing programs are available at the diploma, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree levels. Students can find these programs at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities. A passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nursing is needed to become licensed and work as an RN. Registered nurses assist doctors with procedures and work closely with patients.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) must complete a graduate-level degree program in nursing and be licensed in order to practice. To get into an NP program, individuals usually need to submit bachelor's-level transcripts with a minimum GPA, provide proof of taking prerequisite nursing-related courses, hold a valid RN license, turn in a resume, provide letters of recommendation, and write a statement of goals. In most states, a nurse practitioner works without the supervision of a physician and can even prescribe medications to patients just as a doctor can.
In order to get into nursing school, aspiring nurses need to make sure that they complete the admissions requirements for the specific program they are interested in. Undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are available for a variety of occupations ranging from nursing assistant to nurse practitioner.
Source : https://study.com/how_to_get_into_nursing_school.html
Hope this answers your query
Good Luck 😊
Prashanth TM
Thank you very much, your answer is very clear and helps me so much.
Phuong