Nursing

By: Kelsey Mathie

What does it take to become a Nurse?
Pursue one of the following educational
paths. There are three ways to become a
registered nurse. Whatever path you choose,
the coursework involved will include
physiology, biology, chemistry, nutrition, and
anatomy.
3 different paths
Obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). Programs typically
take four years to complete, and vary in cost depending on which
institution you choose. Bachelor's programs usually include more
training in social sciences than other nursing programs. You may take
courses in sociology, communications, leadership, and critical thinking.
Complete an associate's degree in nursing (ASN). These programs
usually take two to three years to complete. Many students transition
to BSN programs after having completed an ASN.
Get a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Though most
RNs complete a BSN or an ASN, you can also be eligible for licensure
by completing a vocational nursing program. These programs vary in
length, depending on which institution you choose.
Exams
Take the National Council Licensure Examination-
Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). This test is the nationally
recognized licensing exam for registered nurses. You will need
to have completed one of the three types of nursing programs
before you can be eligible to enroll for this examination.
Prerequisites to the exam may differ between states. Check
with the requirements for your state, or for the state you plan on
practicing in.
To enroll for the test, you will need to have completed the
proper educational requirements and provide documentation
that shows that you are a US citizen.
Find a job as a Nurse
There are more than 2 million nurses in the United States,
making the position the largest in the healthcare field. There are
a variety of settings in which a nurse can work, including
hospitals, physicians' offices, elderly care homes, and schools.
First-year nurses should consider working in a specialty unit, as
the patients in these facilities are more homogenous. Examples
of specialty units include orthopedic and pediatrics units.
Nurses with a bachelor's degree have better employment
prospects than those who do not. Increase your job prospects
by obtaining a bachelor's degree, if possible.
How much do nurses make?
The mean annual RN salary is $67,930
which is about $32.66 per hour
Lowest ten percentile is $45,040 annually
Top ten percentile is $94,720 annually

Usually the RN with the highest salaries are
those that have extensive experience in the
field for 20 or more years.
Benefits of being a Nurse
LOCATION A nursing license is very easy
to transfer from state to state once you have
your initial license.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE There are many
different work shifts for nurses such as: 8
hour work shifts, 10 hour work shifts, or 12
hour work shifts. There are day shift and
night shifts.

Benefits of being a Nurse
VARIETY There are many different options for
nurses as far as where they work and who they
work with. A nurse can work in a hospital, a clinic,
or a school. There are also many different areas in
which they can specialize in such as: pediatrics,
oncology, urology, and neurology. Those are just a
few of the different avenues you can pursue.

CHALLENGE Nursing is a profession which will
continue to always provide a new challenge.

Nurses duties and different specialties
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=rgS0y_WJr
zs

Works Cited
education-portal.com/nursing_duties.html
myponderings.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/top-5-
benefits-to-being-a-nurse/
www.discovernursing.com/explore-specialties#no-
filters
www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Registered-Nurse
www.access2knowledge.org/jobs-education/how-
much-do-nurses-make/