Nurse, Healthcare Nursing

Overview

With human needs constantly evolving and numerous health care specialties available, nursing is a profession that may offer you variety, as well as the opportunity to do meaningful work. Because nurses administer valuable patient care, those aspiring to become one must take specific steps to complete a nursing education and get licensed. If you’re wondering how to become a nurse, how long it takes, and what to expect in this profession, this guide is for you.

Read on for common steps you can take to become a registered nurse.

Becoming a nurse is a serious career choice. Nurses take on a lot of responsibility—and the rigors of the profession alone can cause high stress and anxiety. But it can also be an extremely rewarding profession if you’re committed to helping people through your work. To start your journey, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I enjoy interacting with people of many different backgrounds and life experiences on a daily basis?
• Am I prepared to deal with patients who may be struggling with serious health problems?
• Can I manage my time effectively, work long hours, and stay calm under pressure?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may wish to explore the field of nursing.

Know that nurses have a very specific educational track—and not a lot of freedom to stray from it, due to the various licenses and standards they must uphold. Be prepared to commit at least two to four years to earn your degree and complete the licensure exam to earn licensure in your state as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).

As a nursing professional, there are many areas in which you can work. RNs can work in nearly any setting that provides health care, including:

• Hospitals
• Physicians’ offices
• Schools

In addition to choosing the care setting, nurses also have freedom to specialize and work with a population or in a department that appeals to them the most. For example, RNs can pursue additional certifications to provide cardiovascular care, gerontological (adult) care, or ambulatory care among others.

After becoming an RN and earning some experience, nurses may wish to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). These masters-level nurses may provide care independently or in collaboration with a physician. Some may be able to prescribe medications, depending on their state of practice and licensure requirements.

The most important thing to remember is that should you choose to become a nurse, you’ll have options—and plenty of potential opportunities to advance your career.

You’re probably aware that nursing candidates may earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to help them secure their license. But there are other educational avenues to explore if you think you’ll want to pursue more advanced roles. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is required to become an APRN—and many MSN programs even offer concentrations in advanced practice realms like midwifery and women’s health.

There are many ways to earn your degree, including online nursing programs.

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is what you might pursue to get your license—or further your education if you already possess an associate’s degree.
• A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) will typically be completed after an individual has earned a BSN. The MSN is a next step toward becoming an APRN. There are also bridge programs that can speed the trajectory from becoming an RN to earning an MSN degree for those who hold an associate’s degree.

Pursuing an undergraduate degree is often a starting point for aspiring nurses. It may help you understand if nursing is right for you and decide on whether to invest in a graduate education later on.

To get into nursing school, you’ll need to meet certain academic prerequisites and program requirements. Depending on the type of program you apply to, requirements may vary. For example, many BSN programs are four years in…