How To Become A Nurse A Complete Guide

In the United States, about one in eight Americans have jobs in the healthcare industry. With such popularity, it can be challenging to make sure you take the right steps to get into the field. But the real question is, how to be a nurse? For those looking for the best, check out this important complete guide of how to become a nurse. Read on to learn more.

Earn a Degree or Certification

The first step in becoming a nurse is to earn a degree or certification from an accredited program or university. There are several types of entry-level nursing including:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certified Registered Nurse (RN)

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) requires you to get a post-secondary certificate or diploma through a four to twelve-week program. This is a great choice for those aspiring to be health care professionals who want to get their foot in the door. As a CNA, you’ll help with basic patient tasks like feeding and bathing. You’ll work closely alongside a Certified Registered Nurse. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a one year program. In most states, an LPN has more responsibilities than a CNA and can administer medications in addition to basic nursing care. A Certified Registered Nurse (RN) is a four-year program, typically completed at a college or university. As an RN, you’ll assist doctors with procedures and exams, administer medications, and provide basic care to patients. Get all the latest study materials with teas prep to make sure you’re ready for anything school throws your way.

Choose Your Specialty

Within nursing, there are lots of specialties to choose from. Though in your first few years as a nurse you’ll likely not have a lot of choice on where you work, as you advance in your car there’s an abundance of specialties. Consider careers such as:

Cardiac nurse Critical care nurse ER nurse Geriatric nurse Surgical nurse Oncology nurse Orthopedic nurse

You’ll also have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of settings such as a hospital, doctor’s office, or clinic.

Obtain Licensure

As a Certified Registered Nurse, you’ll need to obtain your licensure by taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to decide if you’re ready to begin practicing. If you pass, most go directly into the workforce, as the job outlook is growing much faster than average at 12 percent. Some choose to go back to school to get advanced nursing degrees such as a:

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Most advanced nursing careers require an additional 2 year Master’s degree program to be completed.