How to Become a Nurse: A Career Guide

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There’s a reason why there are over three million registered nurses. Nursing is one of those professions where there will always be a need for new workers. As such, this makes it the perfect career path for people who want job security.

But, exactly how do you get this type of job position? If you want to learn how to become a nurse, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through the basic steps that are necessary to begin working. Let’s get started!

Decide on a Nursing Career

Before you start looking for nursing courses it’s important to think about the trajectory that you want your career to go in. For most people, this means training as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or as a staff nurse.

From there, you can work your way up to the position of a nursing administrator. Here are some of the different nursing positions that you can consider:

  • Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
  • The licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • Registered nurse (RN)
  • Nurse practitioner (NP)
  • Nurse midwife
  • Nurse anesthetist

Get the Necessary Education

Once you decide on a career path, then you can begin getting the degree that’s required for that position. Nursing education consists of both practical lecture knowledge and hands-on clinical work.

You can become a nurse with either a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. However, healthcare locations might be more likely to hire you if you have a bachelor’s degree.

If you want to get ahead during the education portion of your nursing training, then we recommend joining a society made specifically for nursing majors. If you want to learn more about this, then make sure to read on this honor society.

Get Properly Licensed

Once you get your degree, then you will need to take an exam to demonstrate that you have a grasp of the material that you’ve learned. Once you pass these exams, then you can get the necessary license that’s needed to practice.

Keep in mind that different states have different license requirements. The same goes for different nursing positions. For example, with a CNA position all you need is to pass the state exam and earn a license.

However, to become an LPN you need to pass a certification program as well as the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). After that, you can earn a state license.

Enjoy Learning How to Become a Nurse? Keep Reading

We hope this article helped you learn how to become a nurse. As you can see, becoming a nurse is hard work. It involves a lot of education and work. However, this is an important part of learning how to take care of the sick and injured.

So, if it sounds like the right career path for you, then start enrolling in education programs today! Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Scroll to explore the topics that might interest you.