Registered Nurses have long enjoyed the attention as the main caregivers in the hospital setting. Due to the increasing number of the population, the need for nurses seems all the more great. More population means more work and responsibilities for nurses, which means the demand for the care they provide must be specific and precise. Their job description used to be simple: care for patients while providing education on prevention and promotion of health. Now nurses need to monitor their patients and manage all the people that work under their supervision- licensed practical nurses and nursing aides included.
As a registered nurse, you are expected to promote and maintain the overall well being of your clients and patients. You need to be someone that they can count on when they want to talk to someone. As you will be dealing with a lot of different types of personalities- psychiatric personalities included- you must be a really good communicator to effectively deliver your brand of care to the people that need it the most.
The nursing profession is still in high demand. You can work in a variety of settings as a nurse. Nurses are not limited to giving medications and performing paperwork. They can become educators who can teach the public about various health issues or become owners of various health institutions. Some nurses work in specialty areas in companies and hospitals. They may be allowed to perform treatments along with the doctors and even perform diagnostic exams without the assistance of physicians.
The type of educations you are planning to obtain is important. In the real world, experience and education count for higher salaries and benefits. As a high school graduate with a diploma, you will be able to enroll in community schools that offer nursing programs. If you want to work as soon as possible, earning an associates degree in nursing will get you there faster. An associates degree in nursing takes about two years to obtain. A bachelor of science in nursing degree takes four years to complete, but the benefits and salary of a BSN title holder is a lot better. As a BSN title holder, you will be able to reach higher levels of management in the hospital setting. You can continue your education in nursing by earning a master’s degree and then a PhD. Whatever path you choose earns you a nursing title, however if you want to work, you must be a registered nurse.
In order to become a registered nurse, you will have to take the nursing licensee exam (NCLEX). Different states have different work requirements for nurses so check out you local nursing board for more information. The NCLEX is a computer adaptive test administered to nursing hopeful and contains 75-265 questions. The minimum number of questions is given to those who show the computer that their basic knowledge and skill as a nurse is exemplary. It doesn’t matter for those who are asked more than 75 questions because at that point, the computer is still trying to gauge the examinees competency level. Other states require you to pass their state licensee exam in addition to the NCLEX.


