It is often said that registered nursing practice is equal parts of science and heart. It is a science because it is grounded in evidence-based research and current clinical knowledge. And it is the heart that helps make the nursing practice uniquely human.
If you are passionate about helping people and looking for a career that offers you opportunities, then becoming a nurse is the perfect fit.
Five Steps to Become a Registered Nurse
To be successful as a registered nurse and thrive in a healthcare environment with constantly changing demands, you must build a solid clinical foundation.
There are many exams to prepare you for this exciting career such as the CNA exam for those who want to become a certified nursing assistant. Many potential nursing students take free CNA practice tests to check their preparedness for this nursing exam. This practice CNA test can help you get a sample of the questions on an actual nursing assistant certification exam Make the decision to become a registered nurse easier with insightful tips, and explore fulfilling opportunities in ICU nursing with ICU travel nurse jobs at Medical Solutions. Take the next step in your nursing career with confidence.
Registered nurses must have technical nursing skills to administer nursing care and medical knowledge of drug properties and interactions.
Also, registered nurses need critical thinking skills to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, and organizational skills to implement care plans also to be a travel rad tech. They also need communication skills to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Nurturing these skills takes time and commitment. Before you can work as a registered nurse, you must gain the necessary education and clinical training to meet the testing, licensing, and certification requirements.
In this post, we have outlined some tips on how to become a registered nurse.
- Take College Prep Courses in High School
You may not realize it, but many students begin to prepare for their future careers as registered nurses in high school or even earlier. The classes you take in your high school and the lessons you learn will prepare you for your college education and career later on.
Most high schools offer students the opportunity to take college preparatory classes that prepare them for the college-level coursework necessary to pursue a nursing degree.
If your high school offers the option, you can take advantage of the opportunity to get a head start on the prerequisites you will be needing for nursing school.
Some of the most important classes for high school students include math, science, social studies, foreign language, and English. Other recommended areas of study include physics, psychology, anatomy, and physiology.
Math and science classes are directly relevant to nursing students’ classes in a college nursing program.
- Choose a Nursing Degree Program
There are three pre-licensure degree programs for individuals who wish to become registered nurses. It is important to decide on the type of nursing program you want to attend because this decision will impact you financially and professionally.
Future nursing students should know the differences between each program type:
- The time needed to complete each program
- The number of credits required to graduate
- Each choice’s impact on their future scope of practice
- Select a Nursing School and Apply
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are approximately 996 baccalaureate programs and nearly 1,100 associate degree programs in the US. This makes selecting a school a potentially daunting endeavor.
With this challenge in mind, it is vital to research which programs are a good fit for your career objectives and personal needs.
When considering a nursing program, it is best to ask the following questions:
- Is it essential to stay close to home?
- Does the school have a strong affiliation with hospitals and clinics?
- How involved is the faculty in student development?
- Does the program address the industry’s increasing reliance on technology in patient care?
- What medical areas of specialization does the program curriculum support?
These are just a few questions you should consider as you weigh your personal needs and the program’s effectiveness.
- Complete Your Supervised Clinical Training Requirements
Clinical rotations are a vital part of your nursing education and are mostly regarded as a “right of passage” for nursing students.
Clinical experience comes in a variety of forms. Still, most are spent in a healthcare facility where you will experience real-world patient care. You will be under the coaching and supervision of your preceptor so you should make the most out of the learning experience.
Supervised clinical hours are part of a learning process that allows you to apply all theories to practice. It is the point when most nurses start to nurture advanced competencies, grow their expertise, and develop clinical judgment.
The general expectation is that nursing students will experience at least three clinical hours in a health care facility for each hour of classroom instruction.
These diverse experiences will prepare you to apply your nursing knowledge safely. And also give you first-hand insights into hospital protocols and what it is like to work as a part of a complex medical team.
- Apply for Your Registered Nurse License & Pass the NCLEX
To practice as a registered nurse in any state in the country, you must be licensed by the state board of nursing where you intend to work. Uniform licensure requirements published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing recommend that all licensure candidates must:
- Verify graduation from an approved nursing program
- Pass a criminal background check
- Pass the National Certification Licensing Examination (NCLEX)
Before they can provide registered nursing care.
To apply for licensure, you must:
- Submit an application to the Board of Nursing
- Provide official school transcripts
- Complete a fingerprint background check
- Take and pass the NCLEX
It is essential to check your state Board of Nursing’s specific requirements to ensure that you have met all the eligibility requirements. This is important because some states may have unique needs that differ from others. Once they review your application, and all requirements have been verified, you will be licensed as a registered nurse.
Conclusion
Becoming a nurse can feel daunting, but with the proper knowledge, you can identify the best area of nursing for you. Before you go into the field, familiarize yourself with all information concerning the nursing degree and the various types of nursing specialties available.
It is also essential to gather as much career information as possible. Remember, at the core of the profession, nurses specialize in helping people maintain good health and overcome health challenges.
