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How to Prepare for a Career as a Nurse
Making a career as a nurse could be an excellent choice. There are numerous employment opportunities in healthcare. Check the want ads for any major metropolis and you will see long lists of positions waiting to be filled. In a relatively short period of time, you could have the required credentials to fill one of those positions. Nurses are well-paid and the profession is well respected. Here's a look at the education you will need and the experience that can help you prepare for this exciting profession.
During high school, it is a good idea to focus on science, mathematics and biology classes. Learning a foreign language, particularly Spanish, is helpful and in some areas, it is a practical necessity. Being able to use a computer is important, as more hospitals are changing to paperless files.
In addition to education, volunteering in a hospital can help you become accustomed to the environment. It also looks good on a resume, once you are ready to look for a job. Most hospitals want and need volunteers to deliver items and help the nursing staff. Looking for a part-time job in a doctor's office or other facility is another way to gain experience and earn some money, while you are still getting your education.
There are a number of different degrees that lead to a career in nursing, starting with the LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse), as it is called in some states. LPN or LVN programs typically last for a year and are offered by technical or vocational schools. RN (Registered Nurse) Programs are offered by two and four year colleges.
Financial aid is available for those that qualify. A number of hospitals offer work-study and diploma programs. Basic science and English classes are taken at a junior or community college, while classes in patient care are taught at the hospital. The hospital-based programs typically take 2-3 years to complete. The costs are typically lower than those of other programs, but you may be required to work a number of years after graduation, in that specific hospital, in order to qualify.
Advanced degree programs are also available, including a Master's Degree in nursing, which would prepare you for a career as a nurse practitioner or other independent role. Once you complete the educational program of your choice, you will need to take one of the state licensing examinations. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing is your source of information for questions about licensing. School counselors, colleges and hospitals can provide additional information as well.
About the Author Bill Miller is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center. Bill writes on careers, online degree programs, college search strategies, scholarships, and financial aid.
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