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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – So you want to be a registered nurse. The path to becoming an RN is arduous, to say the least, but as they say, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” If you make it to the end, you’ve earned it. But to get there, you first need to know the way.
The following is a step-by-step guide to what it takes to become a registered nurse:
Graduate from an accredited RN program
Nobody becomes a nurse without first graduating from an accredited nursing school. There are plenty to choose from, which means there’s a good chance of an accredited program close to where you live. You can also consider prestigious options like those offered by Johns Hopkins or Duke University. It’s important to know that getting into nursing school requires more than signing up for classes. You’ll need to pass the HESI entrance exam or a similar test to be accepted into the program. Preparation is critical, and considering how you’ll be taking many more exams before you graduate, you’ll want to make test prep a habit.
Pass the NCLEX exam
The series of exams required to become a nurse culminate with the NCLEX exam. It’s taken at the end of the program and determines whether or not an individual is ready to go to work as a registered nurse. Think of it as the RN version of the bar exam taken by law school students. As a result, how to study for the NCLEX exam becomes an obsession for nursing students nearing graduation. Given the investment of time and effort leading up to it, there’s immense pressure to pass the NCLEX the first time through. Candidates who fail to pass the exam receive a performance report they can use to better prepare for next time. Retaking the NCLEX is not the end of the world, but it’s imperative to prepare better than ever before. Retaking the exam more than once is not unheard of, but it’s a setback you’ll want to avoid.
Get licensed
Nursing school grads need to obtain a state license before being able to work as an RN. The requirements for registered nurse licensure vary from state to state, so individuals must know what their state of residence mandates. Fortunately, most nursing schools factor state licensing into the program, ensuring students will meet the criteria. With that said, those planning on moving elsewhere will need to look into the licensing requirements for practicing RNs. 80% will be the same but expect some variation.
Get hired
You worked hard, studied hard, and did what you needed to do to get a degree and a license. Now it’s time to get a job. The good news is the demand for RNs is so high that it shouldn’t be hard to get hired at a hospital or other healthcare facility. Just be prepared for life as a rookie nurse. Don’t be surprised by working overnight shifts and getting handed the dirty work no one else wants to do. A rite of passage exists in virtually every profession, so consider it a badge of honor to get through the first few years of working as a nurse, since they’re likely to be the hardest ones of your career.
Never stop learning
Medical science will never stop getting better. With this in mind, RNs need to participate in seminars and training programs after they graduate. Over time, aspects of nursing will change and evolve to the point where things you learned in school have become outdated. By exposing yourself to updated information and improved protocol, you keep up with modern medicine and don’t find yourself getting reprimanded for practicing outmoded medical techniques.
Becoming a registered nurse is a career path that deserves the utmost respect. It isn’t easy, but nursing is noble and essential. Nurses serve as guardian angels for the sick and the injured, watching over them with care and concern. Where would we be without them?