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How do I get started with nursing?
I love helping people . #nursing #healthcare
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Tonya’s Answer
To get started, here are three steps and websites for more information.
Step 1: In addition to asking your great question at CareerVillage.org, speak to nurses who work in different settings. Nurses work in more than hospitals and as school nurses. Nurse work in provider/doctor’s offices/ambulatory settings/clinics, colleges/universities, business, camps, jails/correctional facilities, flight nurse, midwife, legal, nursing homes, military, and more
Speak with nurses who enjoy their career so they can share the great aspects and challenges of being a nurse. For example, the opportunity to help others with their disease(s), health/wellness, teaching patients, families, communities, and others; and providing patient care, writing healthcare policies, and more. The challenges can depend on the setting and ability for one to manage challenges. For example working 12 hour shifts, complex patient diseases, death, and distressing patient situations. Even in challenges, learning experiences and nurses making a positive difference can still occur.
There is also the option to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The higher the degree the more career opportunities are available.
Website for where nurses work:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021). Registered Nurses
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Search: nursing specialties or nursing careers
Step 2: Consider volunteer/working in a healthcare setting. This can give you the opportunity to learn about caring for patients, working with healthcare team members, and various diseases and health/wellness for patients. When I was in high school, I worked in a dentist office and even though it was not as a nurse, I learned quite a bit about dental care and the impact on health, how to care for patients, billing, insurance, and working with a team.
Step 3: Investigate the college/university you would like to attend. You can look for accredited nursing schools across the United States at the two websites provided below. The websites include the location of the school and the degrees offered. Then you can visit the website for each school to learn more. There are various types of nursing programs available. A person interested in nursing can start in a Bachelor program and there are also Bachelor to Masters and Doctorate nursing programs. There is also an option to start in an Associate program and there are a limited number of diploma programs (which are the shortest programs).
Website for Accredited Nursing Schools:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021)
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
*American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021)
https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/CCNE-Accredited-Programs
Step 1: In addition to asking your great question at CareerVillage.org, speak to nurses who work in different settings. Nurses work in more than hospitals and as school nurses. Nurse work in provider/doctor’s offices/ambulatory settings/clinics, colleges/universities, business, camps, jails/correctional facilities, flight nurse, midwife, legal, nursing homes, military, and more
Speak with nurses who enjoy their career so they can share the great aspects and challenges of being a nurse. For example, the opportunity to help others with their disease(s), health/wellness, teaching patients, families, communities, and others; and providing patient care, writing healthcare policies, and more. The challenges can depend on the setting and ability for one to manage challenges. For example working 12 hour shifts, complex patient diseases, death, and distressing patient situations. Even in challenges, learning experiences and nurses making a positive difference can still occur.
There is also the option to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The higher the degree the more career opportunities are available.
Website for where nurses work:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021). Registered Nurses
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Search: nursing specialties or nursing careers
Step 2: Consider volunteer/working in a healthcare setting. This can give you the opportunity to learn about caring for patients, working with healthcare team members, and various diseases and health/wellness for patients. When I was in high school, I worked in a dentist office and even though it was not as a nurse, I learned quite a bit about dental care and the impact on health, how to care for patients, billing, insurance, and working with a team.
Step 3: Investigate the college/university you would like to attend. You can look for accredited nursing schools across the United States at the two websites provided below. The websites include the location of the school and the degrees offered. Then you can visit the website for each school to learn more. There are various types of nursing programs available. A person interested in nursing can start in a Bachelor program and there are also Bachelor to Masters and Doctorate nursing programs. There is also an option to start in an Associate program and there are a limited number of diploma programs (which are the shortest programs).
Website for Accredited Nursing Schools:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021)
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
*American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021)
https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/CCNE-Accredited-Programs
Updated
K'Undra’s Answer
I would say there are not specific steps. I would suggest shadowing a nurse if at all possible. Shadowing gives a good idea of what the job responsibilities are. Search for nursing programs. Look at the different nursing programs requirements and classes that are needed before being accepted into the nursing program. Also, look at the passing rate of the NCLEX for the specific nursing program that is being researched. This is very important. In order to become a nurse, the NCLEX must be passed. Be prepared! Being in a nursing program will take up a lot of your free time, because you have to study a lot. A lot of the studying once in the program is not based off of memory, it is based on understanding and be knowledgable. Keep in mind that the information being learned in required class before the nursing program and while you are in the program will be to save a person life. Once you have picked a nursing program and sure of the decision to pursue nursing as a career, start tackling required classes for entry of the nursing program with an emphasis to make a good grade. Once all the required classes are taken, apply to the nursing program. Getting into a nursing program is very competitive. Therefore, good grades and volunteering makes an applicant appealing to the nursing administrative approving applicants.