Key Considerations When Following a Nursing Career
Becoming a nurse is obviously a rewarding career choice. By all means, it’s a tough job. The hours are long, the work is tough, but you get a sense of accomplishment every day. You change lives, and people appreciate the work you do.
If you are considering venturing into the field, you would be pleased to find out that getting started in nursing is easier than you thought. You can become a nurse quickly by taking accelerated online ABSN programs, which can be completed in just a year. With the American Association of Colleges of Nursing continually encouraging nurses to obtain bachelor’s degrees, nurses with BSN are becoming the industry standard. They are also preferred by many employees who wish to fulfill the recommendation of having an 80 percent bachelor-holding workforce by the Institute of Medicine.
You can acquire an accredited ABSN program from a wide range of Universities nationwide, where you may also choose various specializations. Specializing allows you to choose a career path that best suits your background, interests, and career goals. It also allows you to choose from a wide range of working environments and get good pay as you continue to gain experience. Some of the specialties available in nursing include;
· Hospice nurse
· Clinical development
· Infection control
· Home healthcare nurse, and
· Labor and delivery nurse.
If you want to pursue this career, then you need to be prepared for what lies ahead. It’s not the type of career you can just waltz into without a plan. So, here are the key considerations to be aware of:
What type of nurse do you want to be?
It sounds like an obvious question, but a lot of people assume that nurses have one role. In reality, there are so many different types of nurses and so many roles to choose from. You could become a registered nurse that works in hospitals and takes care of patients. Or, you could be a surgical nurse that assists with surgeries. The possibilities are almost endless, and it’s well worth looking into the different types of nursing careers and jobs available to you. Some may appeal to you more than others, and you might need to do extra training to become qualified. But, it could mean you work in a more specific field that you enjoy.
Where will you work?
Again, most people assume that nurses work in hospitals. In a lot of cases, that’s very true. Loads of nurses find work in hospitals and will stay in a hospital for the duration of their working life. However, you could also work in a private healthcare institution. There’s a blog post from Bradley University that really goes into detail about how private institutions and hospitals differ. It’s worth learning about the pros and cons of each before you decide where to work. Some nurses prefer working in hospitals, and others like the private life. Generally speaking, private jobs are harder to get into and come sometimes pay better. But, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re the best option for you.
What education do you need?
Obviously, this depends on your answers to the first two questions. But, the educational requirements for nurses are a vital consideration. Do you need a degree, or will you have to gain some extra qualifications? Does it have to be a degree from a college, or can you get one via an online school? Do your research and look into the educational background for nurses. This will set you on your path to a successful nursing career.
If you are approaching the age where you go to college, then a nursing degree could be perfect for you. It’s an advantageous career to follow as many rewards come with it. Or, if you’ve been stuck in the same job for years – and want to change – then this could provide an idea for you to level up your life in 2020. Switching to a more rewarding and promising career can help you get your life together and provide more fulfillment. Regardless, if this is a career path you want to journey down, then make sure you think about the three key elements shown above.
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