Nurses work in many different areas of healthcare, but they all have one thing in common—they help people. Becoming a nurse can be a highly fulfilling career path. Of course, nurses require special training before they can work in the field, and this article explores some of the steps you need to take to get your nursing career off the ground making aware choices.
Step 1 - Check your options
You can take your nursing career in many different directions. Nurses perform a wide variety of daily tasks depending on what area they specialize in. According to Medical News Today, there are over 100 nursing specialties! Some common specialties include diabetes care, home health, forensic nursing, neuroscience, trauma, and geriatrics. If you want to advance your career by earning a master’s or doctorate degree, you can work as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Not sure which path will lead you towards a fulfilling career?
Think about your personality, what you like to do, and the types of people you like to spend your time around. If, for example, you enjoy adventure and flexibility in your work, travel nursing might be right for you.
Remember, you can always experiment with different nursing specialties until you find what you like best.
Step 2 - Get the right education for a fulfilling career
Before you become a nurse, you will need to earn certain qualifications. Registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) come with different educational requirements, so you’ll have to decide between these two paths first.
RNs train for two to four years, earning either an associate degree or bachelor of science degree in nursing.
Can you get a nursing degree online?
You can! Just make sure the online program you plan to attend is approved by the state in which you want to land a nursing job. Earning an online degree is a great option for students who want to keep working while they earn their nursing credentials.
Step 3 - Finding your first job
Once you’ve earned the appropriate credentials, you’re ready to get out there and land your first nursing job!
Look for entry-level positions in the area you want to work. Entry-level nursing jobs span various niche industries, from patient care to medical records management, so focus on the ones that’s in sync with your vision of a fulfilling career. Although, most entry-level nurses can find work in a general medical or surgical hospital.
Networking is an important part of landing your first nursing job. Nurse Money Talk explains that making connections within the nursing industry will give you an edge over other nursing applicants, creating opportunities that you may not have come across otherwise.
Step 4 - Keep moving in the right direction
Landing your first nursing job is just the beginning. Once you gain experience and learn more about your work preferences, you have all kinds of paths to choose between. Your idea of a fulfilling career in nursing may very well change with all the possibilities you would be now aware of by this time. And the nursing industry offers countless opportunities for advancement, which is one reason why nurses find their job so satisfying.
My advice as a board certified nurse practitioner
Whenever you find yourself getting comfortable, look about a bit and revisit your goals. Have you outgrown them?
If so, what seems to be the next right step? Is it going back to school, finding a mentor, networking with different nursing specialists, attending conferences, and engaging with nursing leaders on social media?
Just be careful to avoid burnout as you take all of this on. Good time management and daily success habits will enable you to juggle your nursing career alongside leading a well-balanced life personally, professionally as well as mind, body, and soul.
If you want the opportunity to serve members of your community and make a real difference in people’s lives, becoming a nurse might be the best path for you. Plus, a career in nursing offers countless opportunities to fit your profession with your personality and desired lifestyle.
Ready to get started? Just think about the type of nursing you want to do and create an action plan for your career path with all that you learned today.
About the Author
Julia Merrill is a retired board-certified nurse practitioner with many years in the medical field. She created BefriendYourDoc.org to share tips to help patients be their own advocate in seeking medical care, dealing with insurance companies, and contributing to their own health and well-being.
