Summary
Nursing is a profession that focuses on a variety of human related responses that can be seen in a healthy and sick person. Nursing comes with a theoretical base selected from various science and research. Nursing is done in any specialty and can be shaped into a rewarding career.
Information regarding nursing
Nursing is a challenging job and if you are interested and capable of handling challenging jobs, then nursing is the best bet. Nurses are crucial part of any medical institutions and they work in every type of health setting from accident to working in the homes of patients and with people of all ages. People who are sensitive towards others feelings and pain, can really do well in the nursing career. Nurses usually work their way up as they work that does not require any particular qualifications. They can further go on to train themselves and become a registered nurse with a degree or diploma in nursing.
Career options for nursing
Nursing is the largest health care occupation and opportunities as a nurse are excellent in this thriving medical field. People in their old age need nurses and proper medical care and the number of older people are on the increase due to advanced medical treatments and facilities that have helped increase the life of an average man. As the nursing positions increase further beyond the traditional hospital nursing roles, the nurses have a wide option and flexibility. There are many areas in which nursing as a career can be shaped out well that include:
1. Hospitals: hospitals provide the most jobs for nurses. Most of the staff is nurses, who provide nursing care, handle medical regimens, supervise licensed practical nurses etc. in the hospitals nurses are assigned to one particular area like the obstetrics, pediatrics, cancer patients, surgery, emergency room, intensive care etc. they may even rotate among departments.
2. Clinics: nurses can work in the clinics and physician’s offices, surgery centers and emergency medical centers. The nurses here prepare patients for examinations, injections, medications, assist the doctor, dress wounds and also maintain records. They can also perform routine laboratory and office work.
3. Nursing Homes: career option in nursing home as a nurse for residents can also be opted and can work with patents ranging from dressing wounds to Alzheimer’s disease. Here they can also asses resident’s health condition, supervise licensed practical nurses, develop treatment plans etc. they can work in specialty department in rehabilitation units for those with head injuries or strokes.
4.Home-health: employment in the home health care is on the increase due to the older persons with disabilities, patient’s preference to stay at home with a nurse and the advanced technology that has made it possible for them to be treated at home.
5.Public health: Nurses work in private agencies or in government offices, community settings and retirement communities. Nurses in public health instruct families, individuals and others regarding care, health issues, nutrition, disease prevention and many other subjects concerning health. They arrange for immunization, testing and other odd jobs.
There are many more fields that a nurse can work for and can benefit with a rewarding job by helping others in pain and help them recover.
How to become a nurse?
If you have decided that nursing is what you want to pursue as a career, then you must now decide on which nursing discipline to pursue. Today, employment prospects are higher for Registered nurses, licensed practice nurses and those with even a little bit of experience on hand. The registered nurses have several degree options to choose from:
1 Two year associate degree course
2. Four years Bachelor of Science degree
3. Person with Bachelor’s degree in any field for 3 to 4 years can get a nursing certificate.
4. Person with bachelor’s degree in any other field in one to two years can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
The licensed practical nurse can opt for 1 year program. Here they perform nursing tasks under the guidance of the Registered nurse. Some can even opt for Licensed practical nurse and can complete registered nursing’s course later. However, there are many aspects of nursing that may determine the degree you choose to take. The general one is obviously the degree programs available in your region. The convenience of going to such school may also be one of the aspects to determine the degree program. Many opt for the 2 year associated degree and is quickly gaining acceptance in many medical facilities. It is also very significant to choose those programs that are accredited one. The 2 available organizations that are most recognized in the United States are the National League for nursing accreditation commission and the Commission on Collegiate nursing education. These two schools are recognized and accepted as meeting the standards required to be a good nurse. Further more if the nurses have earned a degree programs and the associate degree course can appear for licensure exams as well.
There are many advanced degree programs that can specialize you in specific discipline of nursing that include, adult nursing, midwifery, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing etc.
Prerequisites for a nursing school
There are certain nursing prerequisites that are needed in order to be able to earn a degree in nursing. However, every School has slightly different prerequisite. Let us take a look at the main prerequisites for nursing. In order to get enrolled in a nursing schools the candidate should complete these classes with certain points to say forward in your education. One is expected to complete 6 to 8 credits of physiology and anatomy. 3 credits of psychology, 4 credits of chemistry, 3 credits of sociology, 3 credits of statistics, 3 credits of nutrition and 4 credits of microbiology. There are many colleges that offer substitute for some classes. Approach a guidance counselor at the college to find out the prerequisites for nursing. You can then be able to chalk out a plan for your course in nursing.
Nursing school requirements
Different degrees come with different nursing school requirements. An associate degree the basic responsibility are to measure the vital signs, administration, check up the patient’s chart and medication administration. After completing two years of study course, the candidate is able to work as a primary health care provider. A bachelor’s degree is a higher degree and should be completed in four year academic requirement with much bigger responsibilities of meeting higher expectations. After the degree, a graduate should take the nurses’ licensure exam according to the state or the country you live or practice on. Reaching master’s degree or doctoral program is the highest tier in the nursing education. Specialization can be done in medical surgical nursing, community health nursing, psychiatric nursing, pediatric nursing etc. A doctoral program needs two more years after the master’s degree.
How to get into nursing school?
Enrolling into a nursing school requires one to have certain education and qualification with them. The following factors will give you an idea for getting into a nursing school.
Apply early: it is better to apply early as it is your best chance for getting admission. Never cross their deadlines that may decrease you chances of admission to the school.
Have proper prerequisites: while applying, it is important to meet the criteria the school has established. It means you have to meet the prerequisite classes, failing in which may not get the admission you desire.
Honestly fill the form and the needed information correctly and sincerely or chances are you might be throw out of the school upon disclosure of you identity.
Get the necessary transcripts on time. Most of the nursing schools need transcripts from the high school you attended last. They are sent by the schools themselves and can take several weeks before reaching the nursing school. Delay in transcript may also mean to get your application thrown out.
Many nursing schools need certification in first aid, CAN license or CPR. You must have a certification that you need and that is before the deadline of the nursing school.
How to find best nursing school
Finding the best nursing school can be difficult, there is no one-size fits all nursing schools anywhere. Everybody has a unique personal qualification background. Therefore while choosing the right school, you must know what you would like to do with nursing degree, the method of educational process and what is your future plan. This way you can set to search the right school instead of relying on those guidelines that most of the schools provide to make them the best.
Know more about the school and find out if it is accredited. Meet past students of that school and ask questions regarding the study course and the teaching methods. You must also visit schools, meet the teachers and know more about their way of teaching and how they go about it. Cost of the total education or program that you can going to have in that particular school is also very important. There are some schools that ask for higher fees, yet do not have the quality education required to be a great nurse. On the other hand there are nursing schools that cost less and also provide quality education that can take you to higher levels.
Online nursing schools
The online nursing schools provide the flexibility that one needs while they are in a job and want to pursue further education. Today online education is taking momentum and nursing education is not left behind. The online nursing programs provide all the necessary knowledge and education online like any traditional schools. However there is no teacher – student interaction. One can take his own time and study for the course he has chosen. Online nursing schools also cost you less and even save your precious time that would otherwise have taken up if one enrolls in a traditional school. The online nursing schools can help you earn any degree you wish.
However, one should be very careful while choosing online schools. While the traditional schools have a building so that you can meet teachers and talk to them, the online schools do not have any interaction with teachers. Find out if the online school is accredited or not, because only an accredited certification holds any weight when you are out to find a job for yourself. You should also ask people or read the reviews on their site and know more about the school. Many times such reviews will help you to make the right decision as they can tell you the advantages and disadvantages of the nursing school.
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