How to Become a Nurse

How to Become a Nurse

How to Become a Nurse
Meena Tamang

Nursing includes providing independent and team-based care to people of all ages, families, groups, and communities, whether they are ill or not and regardless of the location. Nursing encompasses all aspects of health promotion, illness prevention, and the care of the ill, handicapped, and dying.

A nurse is a person who has finished a basic, generalized nursing education program and has been given permission by the relevant regulatory body to practice nursing in their nation. For the general practice of nursing, for a leadership position, and for post-basic education for speciality or advanced nursing practice, primary nursing education is a professionally recognized program of study that offers a comprehensive and solid basis in the behavioural, life, and nursing sciences.

A nurse is a person who has finished a basic, generalized nursing education program and has been given permission by the relevant regulatory body. It also includes providing independent and team-based care to people of all ages, families, groups, and communities. Even if they are ill or not and regardless of the location, knowing more about nurses this side help to see the skill, meaning, advantage, salary, etc.

Who is a Nurse?

A person with medical training works in a hospital or doctor's office and is licensed to care for the sick or disabled. Nursing is known to utilize a patient's surroundings to aid in his rehabilitation. Nursing includes providing independent and team-based care to people of all ages, families, groups, and communities, whether they are ill or not and regardless of the location. Health promotion, disease prevention, and the care of the sick, disabled, and dying are all included in nursing.

A person who has completed a basic, generic nursing education program and been awarded authorization by the appropriate regulating authority is referred to as a nurse. It also includes giving care to individuals of all ages, families, groups, and communities on an independent and team-based basis. Knowing more about nurses on this side helps to understand their talent, meaning, advantage, income, etc., regardless of whether they are sick or not and regardless of where they are.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a Nurse?

  • Evaluating, watching and conversing with patients.
  • Keeping a record of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and state of health.
  • Patient preparation for examinations and treatment.
  • Administering drugs and medicines, then keeping track of patients' reactions and adverse effects.
  • Collaborating with the medical staff to develop, carry out, and evaluate patient care plans.
  • Take care of wounds by washing and bandaging them.
  • Providing support for medical procedures, as necessary.
  • Using and keeping track of medical equipment.
  • Obtaining samples of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids for laboratory work.
  • Educating patients and their families about treatments and care plans and responding to their inquiries.
  • Nursing students, nursing assistants, and certified practical and vocational nurses under supervision.

Qualities required to Become a Nurse

Communication

Effective communication is arguably the most crucial skill in any business, but it is much more critical in a hospital. Being able to send and receive information calmly and promptly, whether written or vocal, can be the difference between life and death, whether you are working on a general ward, in a hectic trauma team, or as a midwife in a birthing room.

It is crucial to accurately record patient and treatment information since these records may be used as legal evidence in court if necessary. Additionally, if the next shift is not handed off properly, errors may occur, endangering.

Decision-making 

In the past 30 years, nursing has seen a significant transformation, and as professional and training levels have risen, so have levels of responsibility. As a result, registered nurses (RNs) may occasionally be required to make decisions based on their judgment and analysis. Sound judgment in these situations is crucial because the results could potentially have adverse effects. The circumstance might also be time-sensitive or take place in a high-stress setting.

Observation of details

When interacting closely with medicine doses and administrations, it is imperative to be aware of the finer aspects. Making a mistake can be simple, especially if your busy shift has lasted ten hours. To practice nursing, you must be able to examine serial numbers, batch numbers, and expiration dates and recognize when anything is wrong. Paying attention to detail can also assist you in identifying patient behaviour patterns or symptoms that may raise a concern. For instance, if you make a mistake during a first appointment, you can be investigated and potentially prosecuted for professional negligence.

Leadership

This might not be the most obvious choice on this list, but leadership is crucial to a nurse's career. You will need to take command of circumstances regularly; applying your expertise and experience can entail taking the initiative when a doctor is absent or helping less experienced coworkers through the typical procedure phases. As you advance in the ranks, running a ward or department can also entail running. Many nurses move on to non-clinical positions and develop outstanding management and leadership resumes.

Discretion

Sensitive information, including medical data and potentially disclosed personal information, is trusted by nurses. They are expected to treat such material confidentially, both morally and legally. As a result, it is highly suspicious and maybe unlawful to share a patient's information with a healthcare provider who is not engaged in the case, or even worse, with your relatives and friends. Managing medical information with the utmost caution and respect for your patient's privacy is not just a necessary skill but also your responsibility as a nurse.

Conflict resolution

The ability to resolve conflicts is another critical competency for nurses. Nurses work with many different people, including patients, doctors, and other nurses. Additionally, working closely with people might lead to conflict due to different values, attitudes, and expectations, especially in high-stress environments like hospitals or clinics. In certain situations, you might need to intervene as a facilitator who can diffuse the problem and prevent conflict. 

Teamwork

Working effectively with others is a must on every employability checklist, which is valid for nurses. Every list of employability skills must include the capacity to work well with people, and nurses are no exception. In addition to working with other nurses, you will need to speak with various other medical professionals, such as doctors, paramedics, and healthcare assistants. In a more critical situation, like a trauma team, everyone's ability to respond quickly, efficiently, and understand their respective tasks is crucial to the patient's survival.

Other Skills

  • Imagination and a diligent work ethic.
  • Cultural sensitivity.
  • Mental and physical endurance.
  • Organizing Techniques.
  • Thinking critically and solving problems creatively.
  • Positivity and assurance.
  • Observation of details.

Steps to Become a Successful Nurse

Academic Requirements

To become a nurse, students must meet the required educational requirements. A nursing degree or certificate from a recognised program is necessary for LPNs. An associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or other corresponding education is required for aspiring RNs. A graduate degree in nursing is essential for advanced nursing positions, such as APRN.

After earning your nursing degree, you must apply for state approval to take the LPN or RN national licensing exam. Most states do not establish a deadline to support exam authorisation applications. Candidate applications should be submitted well in advance of the intended exam dates.

Acquire more knowledge after high school.

RNs who wish to further their careers and education, aspiring advanced practice nurses, and LPNs who want to become RNs can all benefit from bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees because they provide more advanced training than ADN programs. Various nursing schools offer ADN to BSN, LPN to BSN, and RN to BSN bridge programs, which compress courses and shorten the time required to complete the program. Programs typically need four years of full-time study.

Students who earn master's degrees in nursing (MSNs) are prepared for various advanced nursing positions, including administration, education, research, and direct patient care. Clinical nurse leaders, health policy consultants, research nurses, and educators frequently pursue MSN degrees. Advanced practice nurses (APNs), defined as nurse practitioners, nurse anaesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives, are commonly required to earn at least a master's degree to practice.

Experience (work and related fields)

The provision of contemporary healthcare requires nurses. More than ever, there is a demand for them. We would not have a working healthcare system without them. The path to becoming a nurse is anything but simple, though. A lot of effort is involved whether you are pursuing your BSN or want to become a nurse practitioner. Assist physicians in checking blood pressure, measuring heartbeats, and documenting vitals during physical examinations, in addition to providing immediate, high-quality treatment to patients regularly for up to 20 patients. Students must Team with four other nursing staff members to keep the patient care environment peaceful. A future RN can complete a BSN in four years at a college or university.

An even faster BSN alternative is available for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another discipline. Students can transfer general education credits from their first degree to the BSN through an expedited program. It takes one to one and a half years to travel this route.

Training (job or related fields)

BSN degrees offer more advanced training than ADN programs, making them advantageous for RNs who want to enhance their careers and studies and aspiring advanced practice nurses and LPNs who wish to become RNs. Additionally, many nursing programs provide speciality tracks that let students combine general education requirements with specific training in particular areas of the industry. Registered nurses (RNs) in practice and recent nursing school graduates are typically eligible to participate in RN to MSN or BSN to MSN bridge programs designed to speed up the learning process and minimise overlap. Most MSN programs are often offered by research institutes, graduate schools, and career and technical colleges, some of which can be partially completed online.

Although programs and curricula differ, most schools offer advanced instruction in the theories, methods of inquiry, and leadership that APNs and nursing administrators employ in various clinical contexts.

A career as a Nurse

Nurse help patients cope with illness, improve health, and prevent disease. They can practice independently and have a particular area of expertise, but they also work with the rest of the medical staff to give each patient the specialised treatment they require. It is not only a reliable field to enter but also expected to expand, making it a popular career choice. According to the National Library of Medicine, the healthcare industry will grow by 15% between 2020 and 2029, adding over 2 million new jobs and 222,000 nurses.

Employment areas

  • Hospitals
  • Surgical Centers
  • Clinics
  • Specialty Doctor’s Offices
  • Medical practices
  • Physician’s Offices
  • Nursing Homes
  • Schools
  • Cancer Treatment Centers
  • Community Clinic
  • Psychiatric Facilities
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Home Care and Rehab Centers
  • Correctional establishments
  • Outpatient Care Centers

Job titles

  • Ambulatory Surgery Manager
  • Burn Unit RN
  • Charge Nurse
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Community Health Nurse
  • Director of Emergency Nursing
  • Flight Nurse
  • Head Psychiatric Nurse
  • Home Care Nurse

Salary of A Nurse

Let us see the average annual salary of a Nurse in some popular countries.

Country

Annual Average Salary of a Nurse

Australia

$106,646 (AUD)/yr

Argentina

$ 1.218.569 (ARS)/yr

Belgium

61.966 € (EUR)/yr

Brazil

R$89.989 (BRL)/yr

Canada

$90,099 (CAD)/yr

China

¥225,739 (CNY)/yr

Costa Rica

₡14 001 442 (CRC)/yr

Denmark

558.836 kr. (DKK)/yr

Egypt

125,705 ج.م.‏ (EGP)/yr

Finland

58 655 € (EUR)/yr

France

53 021 € (EUR)/yr

Germany

59.943 € (EUR)/yr

Hong Kong SAR

HK$526,006 (HKD)/yr

India

₹8,43,702 (INR)/yr

Italy

48.525 € (EUR)/yr

Japan

¥7,460,427 (JPY)/y

Malaysia

RM99,372 (MYR)/yr

Mexico

$288,263 (MXN)/yr

Netherlands

€ 62.260 (EUR)/yr

New Zealand

$97,955 (NZD)/yr

Poland

92 359 zł (PLN)/yr

Portugal

29 398 € (EUR)/yr

Russian Federation

1 092 082 ₽ (RUB)/yr

Switzerland

CHF 87'575 (CHF)/yr

Spain

36.596 € (EUR)/yr

Thailand

฿687,093 (THB)/yr

UK

£47,145 (GBP)/yr

Ukraine

391 196 ₴ (UAH)/yr

United Arab Emirates

243,733 د.إ.‏ (AED)/yr

United States

$83,559 (USD)/yr

Vietnam

382.596.013 ₫ (VND)/yr

Training Courses for Nurse

Let us talk about some degree to become a successful Nurse.

Level

Program

   

    Diploma

Diploma in Nursing

Diploma in Auxiliary Nursing Sciences

Diploma in Practical Nursing (PNRS)

PG Dip Nursing

Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing Practice with CO-OP

Technical Diploma in Nursing Assistant (Bilingual Program)



   Bachelors

B.Sc. in Nursing

Bachelor of Health Care in Nursing

BSc in Nursing

BSc in Adult Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Registered Nurse - Adult)

Bachelor in Nursing Sciences

Graduate Certificate in Business Management (BMGT)

Bachelor of Science (Nursing)

Entry B.S. Nursing

Masters

MA in Nursing

MSc Advanced Professional and Clinical Practice

MSc in Nursing and Health

MSc Nursing (Pre-registration - Adult)

Master of Nursing

MSc Early Years Practice Health Visiting

MSc in Nursing Studies (Leadership in Clinical Practice)

Master of Nursing (with specializations)

Master of Science in Nursing + Master of Business Administration

Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

MSc Nursing




      PHD

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Doctor of Nursing Science

PhD in Nursing and Midwifery

Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Ph.D. in Nursing Education

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Nurse

If there weren't some alluring advantages to this vocation, there probably wouldn't be millions of nurses around the globe. Today, nurses have excellent career options, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. These factors constantly place nursing as one of the most significant healthcare professions in the country. But obligations and difficulties also come with advantages.

You can determine whether the potential benefits outweigh the potential disadvantages using the following list of pros and cons:

Advantages of becoming a Nurse

  • Helping Others.
  • High Demand.
  • Earning Potential.
  • Diverse Opportunities.
  • Flexible Schedules.
  • Trusted Profession.
  • Work Wardrobe.
  • excellent job security.

Disadvantages of becoming a Nurse

  • Physical Demands.
  • Long Hours.
  • Virus Exposure.
  • Stress and Pressure.
  • Emotional Burnout.
  • Bodily fluids.
  • Exposure to germs and viruses.

How to Become a Nurse: FAQs

What exactly does it mean to be a Nurse?

In the spirit of honesty, being a nurse is not all roses and butterflies, but the value of being a nurse makes everything worthwhile. Nursing is Challenging. It frequently entails giving up your time, effort, and resources so that others can receive the needed assistance.

What are some Jobs a Nurse can Pursue?

With over 100 different specialisations available, nursing is a flexible field of work. A nurse can work in many various areas, including acute care nursing with specialities in cardiac, pulmonary, neurology, renal, endocrine, psychiatric, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and geriatrics, as well as long-term care, intensive care, critical care, and ambulatory care in places like offices and clinics. A nurse can teach other nurses, work as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner, conduct research, and even write.

Maximum hours to work as a Nurse?

Most full-time nurses have a schedule that calls for no more than 40 or 80 hours every two weeks UNLESS they want to work more. You will observe several things as a nurse, including the abundance of overtime chances. Once more, this relies on your workplace and what your boss or employer permits. If you were in good physical and mental health, you could likely work as much as you desired. But as a nurse, you will quickly discover that earning more money does not necessarily make it worthwhile to put in extra time.

Is nursing considered an 'in-demand' occupation?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased demand for registered nurses (RNs). Additionally, according to Indeed's Hiring Lab, the top job title search in 2019 among employers was for registered nurses.

What permits are necessary to practice as a registered nurse?

To work as a registered nurse, you must have a license as a registered nurse (RN).

What nursing skills should you list on your resume?

Registered nurses should list the following abilities on their resume:

  • Focus on the details.
  • Teamwork.
  • ICD coding.
  • Patient care.
  • Urgent care.
  • Triage.
  • Leadership
  • Dialysis knowledge.
  • Review of usage.
  • Empathy.

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