
What Does It Take to Be a Nurse?
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a nurse? This is a question that many people ask, and it makes sense. After all, there are a lot of opportunities in the nursing field. You can work in a hospital or a doctor's office, and you can work in a variety of different specialties.
Before we proceed, we need to understand the types of nurses we have. There are three main types of nurses, and they include:
- Registered nurses (RNs) have an associate's degree from an accredited school. They are responsible for diagnosing patient conditions and administering treatments.
- Registered nurse practitioners (RNPs) have at least a bachelor's degree and advanced training in a specialty area such as pediatrics or geriatrics. They can perform many of the same duties as doctors but cannot prescribe medications or do surgery.
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have an associate's degree from an accredited school and can administer many routine medical procedures but not medications or surgery.
What does it take to be a nurse practitioner?
A career in nursing is one of the most rewarding professions available, but it requires a lot of training, commitment, and time.
The good news is that there are many different paths to becoming a nurse. To qualify for a registered nursing (RN) license, you must have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma from a registered nurse training program.
Bachelor's degrees in nursing are available at all four-year institutions, and some nurses choose to go on for further education to specialize in a particular field.
Diploma programs are generally two-year programs that combine classroom study with clinical experience. An RN has the most options when it comes to employment opportunities, but an LPN can work in almost any hospital setting.
What does it take to be a travel nurse?
Travel nursing can be a rewarding experience. If you are a nurse who wants to work in various healthcare settings, travel nursing might be a good choice for you. You can live in one location and work at another by working as a travel nurse. Travel nurses typically receive benefits such as housing and transportation, and they still receive the same pay rate as other staff nurses in the facility.
Qualifications needed to be a travel nurse are:
- You need nursing knowledge and experience.
- You must have a current license to practice nursing in your state of residence.
- You need excellent communication skills.
- It would be best if you enjoyed helping people and working with others.
- It would help if you liked to travel and be willing and able to move regularly.
Travel nurses usually work 12-week contracts, although some facilities offer shorter contracts. During this time, you will be sent to work at another facility in another city or state. After your contract is up, you will move on to another assignment.
What does it take to be a pediatric nurse?
A pediatric nurse requires an advanced degree, specialized training, and certification.
Most pediatric nurses work in hospitals, sometimes in the intensive-care unit or on an emergency team. They might also work in private offices or clinics.
The key to being an excellent pediatric nurse is compassion for all children. You must be caring and patient with young children who are scared or hurt, as well as with the parents who are worried about them.
A special skill for pediatric nurses is communication. It's essential to explain medical information to both children and their parents clearly. You will probably spend most of your day communicating with patients' families, but you'll need to be able to talk with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals too.
To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). While earning your degree, take anatomy, physiology, pediatrics, and psychology courses. Get some experience working directly with children by volunteering at your local community child care center or school system preschool. To become certified as a registered nurse (RN), pass the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Then you can apply for jobs as a pediatric registered nurse (PN).