What are Some Prerequisites for Being a Nurse?

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Being a nurse can be a truly rewarding career, as you are going to support and be next to people who are in need of help. Sometimes, this job can be extremely demanding, but when you will see the positive results, fatigue and stress vanishes away. If you are positive that you want to be a nurse, then you should know that there are some steps you must follow in order to get there. The prerequisites for nursing stand mainly in certifications and education, as these are the foundation for this career.

Training Programs: LVN and LPN

The lowest positions in nursing are licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses. To obtain one of these jobs, you need entry-level training, so you must follow an educational program lasting one year offered by community colleges, vocational schools and technical schools. During the LVN/LPN programs, you will be following both practical and theoretical courses and the hands-on clinical practice will be taken in a clinic or hospital. Some of the most common classes will be physiology, nutrition, first aid and anatomy.

ADN and BSN Programs

According to Study.com, two of the other prerequisites for nursing are obtaining an associate or bachelor degree in nursing. These certificates are necessary for becoming a registered nurse. If you want to take the RN licensing exam, you must obtain the associate degree in nursing. This program will feature courses like medicine practices, anatomy, adult care and nutrition.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing will allow you to obtain better paying jobs in this area. This degree program is also going to help you deepen your previous knowledge. Some of the most common classes are infant care, human development, chemistry, nursing theory and healthcare.

Master Degree in Nursing

If you want to take your career to the next level and be an advanced practice nurse, you will have to complete a degree program called Master of Science in Nursing, simply known as MSN. Sometimes, you will be required to be a licensed RN in order to enter a MSN program. Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives are all advanced practice nurses. The classes you will take will differ depending on the specialization you choose.

Licensure

Besides the previously mentioned prerequisites for nursing, you will also have to obtain the state licensure in order to be a nurse. So, after you have obtained your diploma from one of the above educational programs, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN, the exam for an RN Licensure or the NCLEX-PN, the exam necessary to become a practical nurse.

In order to take one of these exams, you need to pay a fee. These tests can be taken using a PC. You must answer a series of questions and their number differs based on your knowledge level and performance. The questions will be related to subjects like the patients’ safety, handling of infectious items or the use of ergonomic principles.

Once you have met all the prerequisites for nursing, expect to work with ill and suffering people from healthcare institutions, clinics or hospitals.