Becoming a Nurse

Choosing a career in nursing offers many benefits including job stability, potential for specialization or diversity within the field, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.

Becoming a Nurse
Nurses are among one of the career professionals most in demand in the United States today. This is the result of a number of factors including the aging of the US population, changes in health care practices, and as a result of a shortage of qualified PhD level nursing faculty. Choosing a career in nursing offers many benefits including job stability, potential for specialization or diversity within the field, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.

There are many different ways to become a part of the nursing profession. Choosing a career path depends not only on the area in which you would like to work, but the time you want to spend to achieve that goal and the financial resources available to you to fund your education. The following options outline the various educational paths you may choose from in order to become a nurse:

Certificate Program: This type of program prepares the student to become a nursing assistant or nursing aide. This option requires the least amount of educational preparation to enter the nursing field. Nursing assistant students are required to complete a 75-hour certified nursing assistant training course and pass the competency exam. Upon completion, nursing assistants are skilled at tasks such as walking, feeding, and bathing patients. These types of certificate programs are often available at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Vocational Training: A vocational training educational path will enable a nursing student to become a licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN, LVN). Training to become an LPN or LVN is often available through vocational schools, hospitals or community colleges. Nurses at this level typically work under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. This course of study can take as little as one year to complete. Upon completion of training, students are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. The LPN and LVN designator are considered entry level nursing degrees. LPNs and LVNs are directly involved in patient care and perform tasks relative to the scope of their training and experience. These tasks may range from simple to complex procedures including administering medications, recording chart information, assisting in surgeries, patient care planning, first aid, and other basic care.

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Author: L Jane



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