From the satisfaction gained from serving to others to nice employment prospects to working in an ever-changing and diversified area that enables for skilled development, there are numerous explanation why individuals determine to pursue a profession in nursing.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that employment for registered nurses will develop 6% annually between 2022 and 2032, with roughly 193,100 job openings projected annually throughout that decade.
“There is such a huge nursing shortage,” says Peggy Maddox, appearing co-chair of George Mason College’s College of Nursing. “You can depend on going pretty much anywhere in the United States and not having difficulty getting a job as a registered nurse.”
So, how does somebody enter the nursing career? Learn on to seek out out.
The way to turn into a nurse
Changing into a nurse generally is a rewarding profession transfer. No workday is similar, and nurses typically really feel a way of satisfaction about serving to different individuals. Right here’s begin your journey to turning into a nurse.
1. Perceive the distinction between a registered nurse and a licensed sensible nurse
Whereas the titles registered nurse (RN) and licensed sensible nurse (LPN) could sound related, they’re very totally different by way of academic paths, wage ranges, and the job duties which might be anticipated of them. Typically, LPNs are accountable for the consolation of a affected person and offering fundamental nursing care. Along with these duties, RNs administer remedies, medicine, and provide academic recommendation.
LPNs should full an accredited sensible nursing program, which takes a couple of yr to complete most often and could also be taken at a technical or neighborhood school. RNs have a wide range of academic choices out there to them (detailed within the subsequent part), that are extra concerned.
Typically talking, LPNs work in docs’ places of work, long-term care or outpatient amenities. RNs often work in high-acuity settings, like hospitals.
LPNs can rise to supervisory positions after gaining work expertise or could endure extra schooling to turn into an RN, nurse practitioner, or pursue roles in academia, scientific schooling, and analysis. RNs often begin as employees nurses however can transfer into administration positions via work expertise and extra schooling.
“A lot of it really depends on where you see yourself in nursing, what you want to do, and what your background is,” says Cathy Wilson, director of admissions on the Johns Hopkins College College of Nursing.
In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that LPNs had a median annual wage of $59,730, whereas RNs had median annual pay of $86,070.
2. Earn a level
These considering a profession in nursing should think about totally different academic pathways that result in totally different job outcomes.
A sensible nursing program lets you turn into an LPN. Provided at neighborhood and vocational schools, this program typically takes a couple of yr and grants graduates a sensible nursing certification. It additionally permits college students to take the Nationwide Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which results in licensure as a sensible nurse.
The commonest methods to turn into an RN are by incomes an associates diploma, a bachelor’s of science in nursing, or attending an accelerated nursing program.
An associates diploma in nursing is the quickest and least costly pathway to turn into an RN. This diploma provides college students core information and scientific abilities within the area. This diploma often requires two to 3 years of coursework. Upon competitors, graduates can take the nationwide licensure examination (NCLEX-RN).
“It’s a good place to start, especially if finances are a concern. It’s good foundational knowledge and it’s a building block for future degrees, if that is something that you want to do,” Wilson says. “Many employers will be OK with that level of degree, but others will be looking for a BSN.”
With a bachelor’s of science in nursing, or BSN, college students endure three or 4 years of coursework that features schooling in liberal arts, nursing particular programs, and scientific schooling earlier than taking NCLEX. Nurses with a BSN have a greater probability of employment than these with an associates diploma, and infrequently earn increased salaries and have extra office obligations.
An accelerated nursing program is geared towards those that have already got a bachelor’s diploma in one other area of examine. Related coursework from a previous diploma can depend in direction of an accelerated nursing program. This sort of program permits individuals to earn their BSN in 12 to 16 months.
A grasp’s of science in nursing can enable individuals to enhance their common information and abilities in nursing, and find out about broader subjects like schooling and management. It’s frequent for MSN packages to specialise in a sure space, like anesthesia, midwifery, or turning into a nurse practitioner.
Most MSN packages require college students to carry a BSN earlier than making use of. This extremely customizable program could also be supplied on-line, in addition to on a full-time or part-time foundation. It’s really helpful that MSN candidates have a selected profession purpose in thoughts once they determine to pursue this diploma.
“The key is to make sure that, with any of those routes that you choose, that it is a program that is accredited and recognized in the state that you’re going to be seeking licensure,” Wilson says.
3. Get a license
All nurses should cross an NCLEX examination to acquire a nursing license in the USA. Previous that, licensing necessities can fluctuate. Legal guidelines regarding every state’s guidelines and laws for nursing could be discovered on the web site for the Nationwide Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Some states have barely totally different necessities. California, for instance, has separate course necessities for schooling about youngster and elder abuse, whereas that data is baked into nursing program necessities in Virginia. New York requires specified coursework and coaching in an infection management and barrier precautions.
Forty-one states and two territories are a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, an settlement that enables nurses the power to have one multi-state license that lets them observe in collaborating states.
4. Land a job
There are a lot of methods for nurses to hunt employment. College students could also be linked to potential employers via scientific practicum experiences of their nursing packages. Many hospitals, clinics, and nursing houses have “learn and earn” preparations the place college students can achieve sensible expertise whereas gathering a paycheck.
Nursing faculties typically assist their graduates join with employers, as do nursing organizations just like the Nationwide Pupil Nurses’ Affiliation, job boards, and organizations specializing in an space of observe, just like the Oncology Nursing Society.
Making connections with individuals within the medical area is paramount.
“Networking is as important in nursing as it is in every other field,” says Maddox, who’s additionally a professor and chair of the division of well being administration and coverage at GMU and co-director of GMU’s Heart for Well being Workforce. “Truly knowing individuals and being known by an agency or an organization in which you want to work is always helpful.”
5. Specialize
There are a lot of various kinds of RN specializations.
An habit nurse works in hospitals, outpatient care amenities, and restoration facilities. These nurses display screen for indicators of substance abuse problems, implement therapy plans, provide help throughout restoration, and administer medicines to stop relapse and handle withdrawal.
A cardiovascular nurse administers direct help to sufferers who’re going through power or acute coronary heart situations. They might assess coronary heart well being utilizing vascular monitoring, stress checks and electrocardiograms.
A crucial care/ICU nurse works with critically in poor health sufferers in an intensive care unit. Normally, these sufferers are quickly deteriorating due to an sickness or are popping out of surgical procedure and require around-the-clock statement.
A gastroenterology nurse helps sufferers who’re experiencing abdomen, esophagus, or bowel points. These nurses could help with colonoscopies and endoscopies, and deal with situations like stomach accidents, inflammatory bowel illness, ulcers, or most cancers.
A medical-surgical nurse supplies look after sufferers with many medical challenges, together with acutely in poor health sufferers experiencing power diseases, problems, and comorbidities. They typically deal with heavy caseloads.
A neonatal nurse makes a speciality of caring for infants who’re born with life-threatening or power points, or who have been born prematurely.
An occupational well being nurse may fit in a company setting and endeavor to reduce office accidents, in addition to administer staff’ compensation and household medical depart. They might additionally provide counseling for psychosocial wants, substance abuse and different work- or health-related issues.
A public well being nurse goals to stop sickness, harm, and incapacity for total inhabitants teams. As a substitute of ready for sufferers to come back to them with an sickness, these nurses go into communities to stop illness and enhance a inhabitants’s well being.
6. Pursue extra schooling
For those who’re already a nurse however wish to transfer up the ladder or right into a specialised area, extra education could also be so as. This may increasingly embrace pursuing an MSN, a grasp’s of public well being, or a physician of nursing observe diploma. The latter is designed for nurses and focuses on management, scientific observe, and making use of analysis to enhance affected person care. There are additionally nursing Ph.D. packages that concentrate on analysis as an alternative of scientific observe.
When considering additional schooling in nursing, it’s vital to think about how this extra education will make it easier to obtain your profession objectives.
“They need to be sure that they’re picking the right career path for them,” Wilson says.
The takeaway
Nursing is a rewarding, nicely paying, and in-demand area. Completely different schooling paths can yield totally different employment outcomes, but it surely’s at all times potential to get extra coaching to vary your profession trajectory.
“There is a great need for nurses everywhere,” Wilson says. “It’s such a wonderful, versatile career choice, and there are so many different employment opportunities out there.”
