How to Start your Nursing Career (Before You Step Into a Classroom)
Many people feel anxious when they are about to venture into something new. Opting to pursue a degree in nursing is no different. However, you can overcome the anxiety by preparing yourself for the road ahead. Knowing what to expect and having plans and backup plans for whatever might happen in your degree path can help you to feel better and react calmly and efficiently during an unexpected event, just like a nurse would.
A drive to help and care for others can be a wonderful foundation for your nursing career. But you need many other things to be successful. Let’s take a look at some ways you can start your nursing career before you even start your classes!
Research, Research, Research, and then Research Some More
Start by researching nursing schools in your area and find out which one would be right for you. Examine the curriculum, the amount of hands-on learning you will receive, the opportunity for job placement after graduation, and a host of other factors. Be sure that the school also fits within your life so getting to class won’t be an issue and the hours will work with your current job or responsibilities.
If a friend or relative has been a nursing role model to you during your life, reaching out to them is a great way to get an idea of what it’s like to work as a nurse. Ask them about a good day on the job, a bad one, a weird one, and any other questions you might be curious about. If you don’t have someone you can speak with in person, the internet is full of blogs, forums, and even social media pages that can answer nursing questions and give aspiring nurses a clear picture of what it’s like to care for others in the medical field.
When you think of a nurse, you might imagine scrubs and long hospital hallways. But nurses can work in a variety of places other than hospitals. It’s a good idea to consider all of your options and see where you would be most happy. While your first job is probably not going to be your perfect dream job, you have the chance to work toward where you want to be in the future and gain valuable experience along the way.
Conduct Yourself Like the Professional You Are
Remember that nurses are some of the people who will be caring and providing medical care for individuals at their most vulnerable. Whether it’s the nursing school admission’s staff or future medical employers, no one will want to work with or education someone who appears to be untrustworthy or unprofessional. So what can you do?
Read up on professionalism for student nurses. Also read up about how to develop professionalism as a student. When you go in for your admissions interview, you want to impress the admissions staff and make them feel confident that you will complete your program of study and go on to be a wonderful nurse.
Dream Big for Your Future Nursing Career
It’s difficult to be excited about the journey when you don’t know where you’re going or what the ride will be like. Before starting your degree program, write down some thoughts about what you want to do and where you want to be throughout your education and upon graduation. It’s okay if these ideas change, get altered, or even completely rewritten. Having a plan for your path can help you to focus, refine exactly what it is that you want to do, and drive you to completing your goals.
Are you ready to take the first step in your nursing career? If you’re interested in earning an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated rate of study. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions counselor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Nursing (RN) - Associate’s
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