Nurses will always be in high demand as an integral part of the health care field. Nursing school will help you obtain the training you need to pursue a health care career.
Because there is a small number of nursing educators, this education path is competitive and rigorous. It is not a field to take lightly.
Applicants must obtain a high school diploma or GED, present a CPR certificate, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to apply.
Extra curricular activities that develop other skills, such as leadership, patience and compassion, are good preparation for the health-care field. These jobs and activities also help prove to admission committees that an applicant is well balanced.
Some states offer nursing camp as an opportunity for preparing to work in the health-care field. This camp can help determine whether or not the career is right for you and offers basic RN skill training.
Basic prerequisite courses required will vary at each school. Courses in biology, anatomy, chemistry, English, math and physiology are common required prerequisite classes.
There are more than 1,500 different nursing programs in the United States. Some schools will require a pre-admission test by the National League for Nursing.
Volunteering at a local hospital is a great way to determine if this is the career path for you. Other opportunities include volunteering at a nursing home or VA hospitals.
People preparing to enter this field will need strong amounts of compassion, flexibility, leadership, a sense of humor, a level-head in a crisis situation, patience and people-skills to succeed.
Common courses required in the degree program include chemistry, critical care, biology, anatomy, physiology, adult, pediatric and geriatric care, home health care, human growth and development, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, pharmacology, sociology, statistics, etc.
Students will also receive training in procedure education. This includes sterile dressing changes, appropriate administration of medications, physical examinations, proper bedside care and other skill sets.
An associates degree requires two years as a full-time student in a nursing program often offered at community and junior colleges. This degree will provide an opportunity to go on to receive a bachelor's degree with four years as a full-time student.
The University of Pennsylvania was ranked one of the best programs in the country in 2009. Other highly ranked schools include UC San Francisco, Columbia University, University of Washington, and Yale University.
On-line course work allows students who are not in proximity of a nursing school to obtain a great deal of their training from home. All of the training cannot be completed on-line, but it can be a good option in conjunction with on-site classes.
Many schools also offer accelerated programs for students who already have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in another field. This type of education commonly appeals to those who do not want to spend another four years to obtain a nursing degree.
Many students choose to obtain an advanced degree. Master's degrees and doctoral degrees are two great options for those who are looking for more independent roles and for those who want to participate in research.
After graduating, individuals must complete the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN license examination in order to become a licensed RN.
The majority of graduates find jobs in hospitals, with specific jobs varying according to your degree. Most nursing jobs at hospitals are for specific areas of the hospital, such as ICU, surgery, etc.
Other job opportunities include office assistants in a physician's practice, home health nurse, public health in assisting organizations to evaluate and improve public health standards, midwives, etc.
Most RNs working in the United States make between 38,000- 45,000 per year. When an individual obtains a higher degree, they have a better opportunity to earn more each year.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has worked in health education and has written hundreds of articles relating to Utah nursing school. He was a nurse for nearly 20 years.
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