You’ve carefully done your homework, weighed the options and decided that pursuing a rewarding career in nursing is the right path for you. Now it’s time to simply sign up for classes, excel in your coursework, pass a quick exam and find work immediately in the field; because after all, there’s a nursing shortage.
If only it were all that easy. Yes, many hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other institutions are seeking the skills and talents of well-qualified nurses. But, did you also realize that many of these same employers won’t even give your resume a second look unless you achieve at least a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nursing? Before taking the plunge and enrolling in an accredited online or campus-based nursing program, here are five points to remember both during your studies and after you graduate:
5. Do I Have the Right Disposition to Become a Nurse?
There’s no getting around the fact that nursing isn’t always pretty. You’re often literally dealing with life and death situations on a daily basis. Not to mention many sights that could potentially haunt you for years to come or at least turn your stomach into a pretzel. A large part of the nursing profession is about providing compassionate care, but rest assured; many times your job will be more about performing unpleasant duties or counseling someone facing their own mortality. It’s a wise idea to realize your limitations prior to taking on these Herculean tasks or before you have someone else’s life and future well-being in your hands.
4. Find the Right Program that Fits Your Schedule and Ambitions
Countless community and four-year colleges offer nursing programs, but not all are created equal. Before signing the next two to four years of your life away, pay attention that the university or junior college is accredited, offers a scholastically challenging curriculum and is staffed with qualified, caring professionals. Once in the classroom, it’s a good idea to make friends with equally ambitious individuals and form a study group. Many of the concepts and theories you encounter might be very foreign, which is where a few extra sets of eyes, ears and varying talents will definitely come in handy.
The workload you’ll face while studying to become a nurse is strenuous, to say the least. As a rule, you can expect to spend at least two to three hours studying for every hour spent inside the classroom. To help ensure success, make your nursing education a top priority, which might mean skipping your weekly bowling league or even dropping down to part-time status at your job.
3. Passing your Certification Exam
To begin, it’s never a bad idea to study harder than you’ve potentially ever studied before to ensure you not only merely pass your RN certification exam, but that you also blow your instructors and potential employers away. There are a number of study aids available, which will help you learn what to expect on test day. These books, and countless websites, also offer nursing certification practice tests. Take as many tests as possible, and during the early stages of studying, as this will help you determine your strengths and weaknesses right off the bat.
2. Explore Your Options
Earning your Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide you with the foundation for a successful career, but this isn’t always enough to help you advance to the next level. There are several other options out there, including studying to become a clinical nurse leader, which requires you enroll in a nursing master’s program. The clinical nurse leader is a newly-created profession and is an executive-level position that deals with patient safety and implementing procedures to ensure hospitals and clinics adhere to certain standards of care. This is only one of the several job opportunities available for those willing to continue on and earn their Master’s degree in nursing.
1. Finding a Great Job
The recent hype over the supposed nursing shortage in the United States has driven many to seek this career path, because of the mistaken belief this profession is “recession proof.” As a recent graduate of a nursing program, you might find it difficult to secure the most sought-after positions, simply because employers are seeking candidates with advanced degrees, years of practical experience or a combination of both. Don’t expect to land your dream job after your first interview; instead keep your expectations realistic and continue to press forward until you land the position of your dreams.
If you currently possess a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and are interested in seeking an advanced degree, don’t overlook the benefits of online education. Many times you’re able to continue working full-time while you pursue your Master’s degree, which will ultimately allow you to demand a higher salary and advance further than you ever thought possible.
This article was provided by Aaron Hageman. Aaron is a freelance writer and student who is currently pursuing an online Masters degree in education.
Leave a Reply