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Author: Bryce Daniels
With advancement in health technology and in the average lifespan of people, registered nurses are in demand. The longer people live, the more diseases they will encounter in their lifetimes. Likewise, older people are also likely to suffer from problems associated with the elderly as well as injuries. Also, birthrate is also increasing proportionately to population growth which leads to more health checks. If you are inclined to help ailing people or have an interest in joining the medical profession, you might want to consider nursing as a career.
Registered nurses assist doctors as they treat patients and are directly responsible for the hands-on care of patients. Nurses can be found in physicians' offices, health care clinics, hospitals. and other medical facilities. Registered nurses come in contact with a wide variety of patients and conditions throughout their careers. Many nurses choose to acquire a specialization in a certain field, such as childbirth or surgery. In such cases their expertise becomes valuable in maternity clinics, operation rooms, or wherever their area of specialization takes them.
A level of registered nursing that requires more intense education is the nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners have many of the same responsibilities as a doctor. They are allowed to examine patients, offer a diagnosis, and provide treatment that includes drug prescriptions. Nurse practitioners are also allowed to establish private practices in certain states.
Your education determines how fast you'll make headway and what position you will achieve as a registered nurse. All aspiring registered nurses must complete a college education and pass the qualifying license test. This means that you can apply with a master's degree, bachelor's degree, three-year diploma, or associate's degree in nursing or a related field. If you earn a higher degree, you will also be able to serve in higher capacities within the nursing profession.
You can improve your long-term success as a registered nurse by earning high grades during your education. Diligent studies in your high school biology and chemistry courses will help you greatly while earning your nursing degree. Diligence and focus will also help you make fast headway. Make sure that you obtain a nursing degree from a school that is recognized by the Nursing Accrediting Commission.
In order to become a nurse, you will have to pass a federal nursing exam to show you are capable of handling your responsibilities. It is called the NCLEX-RN exam. Periodic license renewal is mandatory in all states, sometimes requiring continuing education classes. If you are already a registered nurse in one state and you move across state lines, ask the Nursing Board if you need to retest.
It is important that you get hands-on experience in the medical field to boost your skills. Spend some time in a volunteer capacity at doctors' offices or medical facilities. Non-profit organizations that work with senior citizens or provide medical assistance to the poor are great places to volunteer. While this will definitely look good on your resume, it will also help you gain valuable experience in patient care.
Apply to local medical facilities, including clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, and nursing homes. Don't overlook sports clinics, schools, and government-operated health centers. Do not be afraid to accept an entry level job. By proving yourself to be a hard and capable worker, you may soon see yourself attaining a job more in line with your skills and training. Once employed, you may wish to advance through nursing certification programs or pursue a higher degree.
Nursing may be an ideal career for you if you feel that you have the calling to help other people with their health concerns and can master the skills necessary to complement your caring nature. Work hard to complete all of the necessary components and apply your skills to your nursing career.
