First Steps to Becoming a Nurse: What do I Need to Do?

Natural caregivers can find a work-home in the nursing field. If you have caregiving tendencies or find that you enjoy nurturing others, then you should consider a degree as a nurse or in the medical field. What do nurses do on a daily basis and how can you prepare to enter this field? 

What Do Registered Nurses Do?

Registered nurses' (RNs) most important job is providing patient care, as well as educating them about their health conditions so they can be proactive in taking care of themselves. They also provide advice on maintaining good healthcare, offering emotional support to both their patients and their family members.

Nurses have a lot of duties, many of which may change based on the type of nursing they decide to pursue. Their responsibilities may also change based on the setting they choose to work in. Some of the typical roles include charge nurse, floor nurse, and even some management positions in long-term care facilities. Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, graduates could potentially find work in many types of healthcare settings:

• Hospitals
• Primary Care Facilities
• Short- and Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Facilities
• HMO/Insurance/Managed Care Facilities
• Public Health Facilities
• Home Healthcare Visits
• Outpatient Care Centers
• Schools
• Mental Health Agencies
• Hospices
• Military and Industry
• Nursing Schools
• Private Practice
• Research Outlets

Starting Your Nursing Journey

If you are starting from scratch or have some prior education, you need to figure out how to begin your educational journey to nursing. Here is a helpful step-by-step process that can guide you along your path:

• Determine potential areas of specialty. Lay a foundation now if you want to be a nurse practitioner, educator, or specialize in a particular type of nursing.
• One you know what path you want to take, then you can research the best nursing schools. 
• Once you’ve completed school, you will need to take and pass a test in order to be licensed.
• After you gain your license, you can look for a job and become a nurse!

What to Expect in Nursing School?

Each state has their own criteria for nursing school, but generally, to earn your nursing degree you will need to take the following classes:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Pharmacology
• Acute Care
• Medical/Surgical Nursing
• Maternal/Newborn Nursing

After completing the mandatory classes, you will be qualified to take the RN-CLEX exam administered through the State Board of Nursing.

Full- or Part-Time, Which is Best for You?

There are some fields that can be pursued without having to get a degree, the medical field isn’t one of them. Those that decide to enter the medical field must take specific courses. Nursing school, whether full- or part-time, is a necessary requirement.

Not everyone has the luxury of going to nursing school full-time. Many that are trying to juggle work and school need alternative-style programs that will enable them to fast-track their education. Some nursing schools offer year-round programs that enable students to get their Associate Degree in nursing in as little as 18 months and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in as little as 2.5 years.

The Nursing Education at ECPI University

Are you interested in earning an Associate Degree of Nursing? If you want to become a nurse, consider ECPI University's accelerated program. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions officer today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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