What are the Steps in Becoming a Nurse?

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Nurses offer emotional support, education and medical care to patients. If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, this is the best time to do it, as the employment in this field will grow by 26% until 2020. This means that nursing will have a faster growth rate as compared to the majority of the jobs. If you want to be a nurse, you should know that there are a few steps that you should follow in order to obtain the wanted career. You can discover them below.

Start Your Training from High School

According to the Board of Registered Nursing, your preparation in becoming a nurse should begin from high school. The Board recommends the following prep classes: foreign languages, social studies, science, math and English. You should make a list with the colleges you want to go to and see what their nursing prerequisites are, so you are informed and prepared. It is truly important to pay attention to your skills and performances from high school, in order to pave the way for your future career as a nurse.

Decide on the Nursing School

It is very important to always know what you want when it comes to your career and if becoming a nurse is your dream then you will have three educational paths at your disposal. First of all, there is the BSN or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This program last four years and the cost depend on the institution you opt for. Most of the courses will focus on social sciences and they include critical thinking, sociology, leadership and communications.

Then, you have the ASN or the Associate of Science in Nursing degree. You will complete this program in two to three years. It is usually offered by community colleges. After, you’ve completed your ASN program; you can always make the transition to BSN, in order to obtain a better and higher-paying job.

The final option would be to graduate from an accredited nursing program. The majority of the registered nurses complete either an ASN or a BSN, but a vocational nursing program can also make you eligible to obtain licensure. Licensures are offered by various institutions, and their length varies accordingly.

Take the NCLEDX-RN Exam

If you want to become a licensed registered nurse, then you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse. This is a national exam and it can be taken after completing one of the above programs. You should check with your state for the prerequisites for this test, as they can vary. In order to enroll for this exam, you must meet the educational requirements and offer evidence that you’re a U.S. citizen.

Find Your Nursing Job

After you have completed all the steps mentioned above, you are now eligible to become a nurse. Prepare yourself to work in schools, hospitals, elderly care homes, offices of physicians and many other settings. If you have graduated from a bachelor’s degree program, you will have more chances to get a better job, so you should consider this educational path as your first option.