5 steps to become a nurse…

Before I became a nurse, I was clueless as to how to go about becoming one. It was by pure accident that I got the degree I did. So here are some tips on the steps you can take to become a nurse and maximize your time.

1. Research the degrees

There are a lot of degrees out there that people consider “nursing school”. There are also some certifications with the word “nurse” in them. When I began my search, I had no idea the differences between them.

CNA (certified nurse aids)

They perform the basic care skills for patients.  They perform bed baths, linen changes, vital signs, positioning of patients, etc.  This is a certification, not a degree.

LPN (licensed practical nurse)

They can perform most of the skills of an RN, but cannot perform any IV skills (unless they get a post grad IV certification), give narcotics (in most facilities). They must be paired with an RN for the skills they are unable to perform on their own. This population is slowly being phased out of many hospital settings and primarily work in long term care facilities or nursing homes.

RN (registered nurse)

The skills of the RN are the same whether you graduate from an ADN program or a BSN program. However, the pay will most likely be higher for the BSN, and some facilities only hire BSN grads. Most facilities will only hire BSN’s into management roles as well.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Most programs are 2 years in length and you learn pretty much everything a BSN does, other than some higher level classes on evidence based care and some further critical thinking courses.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

These programs are usually 4 years in length and cover the general education of a bachelor’s degree combined with the nursing portion. There are some programs out there that offer an accelerated nursing program (usually 1 year) to those who already possess a Bachelor’s degree in another area of study.

Now that you know a little more about what you are looking at, let’s go a step further.

2. Research the schools

You need to find out what schools offer the programs you are looking at. Most of these programs are not offered online, but some may be. Just realize that the convenience of online may not help you out in the real world. There are many skills to practice and being on campus can give you the advantage of being able to practice skills and also give you a group that you can rely on, as they are going through the same challenges as you.

Most schools will offer various degrees in the nursing field. Compare the length of the program, cost and  reputation of various schools in your area to make an educated decision. Also realize that many nursing schools have waiting lists, so that may be a factor also. Find out what prerequisites are necessary for admission and get them done as soon as possible.

3. Volunteer and follow

Volunteer in a hospital or other setting where nurses work. Get a feel for what they do all day and talk with them. Get their opinions about various subjects and ask if they would mind if you followed them for a day.

Volunteering is not only good to give back to the community, but it will help you gather more information about your chosen career path. It will also give you a sense of accomplishment caring and spending time with others. It will also come in handy for your personal statement on your nursing school application. Writing about being in service to others is a self-less act which nursing schools look highly upon.

4. Get support from friends and family

Realize that nursing school is a big commitment that many don’t realize until they are in the midst of it all. Many schools request or even require that you don;t work during the program. This may take some planning on your part. If you have children or a spouse, you need to ask for their support while you are going to school. It takes some decisions about finances; not only paying for school, but also possibly losing an income while attending school.

I will recommend that you do not work while going to school, at least until you know the rigors of the program and how much extra time you may be spending outside of the classroom either studying, in clinicals, etc. Once you have been in a program for a few months, you can make a more educated decision. Also realize that if you do work, choose a job that is flexible in scheduling as each quarter or semester will require different work loads or scheduling requirements.

5. Make the commitment to nursing

Realize how big of a commitment this is. You are not just choosing a job, but a career path. This is a lifetime of learning and it can be a very physically, emotionally and intellectually draining profession. However, it can also be the most rewarding profession as well. Just realize that nursing is not a good fit for everyone. I want you to have a realistic view of nursing, the pros and the cons.

The hours are not always great. Nursing is a 24 hour, 365 day job. You may have to work nights, weekends or holidays. You may have to rotate days and nights. You may have to give up some holidays with the family.

The smells and sights can be a real turn off. We deal with body fluids…of ALL types. Things you may never thought you would see. It is amazing what people do to their body. And the stuff that comes out of people’s bodies. It is amazing to me, but some people in nursing school don’t truly realize what they will be working with, so I am just preparing you.

These are just a few of things you are committing to as a nurse. There are more, and I will blog about those in future posts. However, just realize all the things that you are committing to before you go through all the work, just to realize in the first month of nursing school that this isn’t for you. Make an educated decision to go into this field and it will be rewarding…I guarantee it.

I hope this top 5 helped you get an edge on how to go about becoming a nurse. It really is a great career. Let me know if this post helped you prepare for nursing school.