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Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.
When choosing your career path, think about the type of work environment you prefer. For example, RNs can be found in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other medical settings, but certified nursing assistants often work in nursing homes. What type of setting will inspire you most?
You should also consider what role you want to play. If you want to support medical staff as part of a team, a CNA or LPN/LVN could suit you well. If you want to manage other nurses and assistants or oversee systems, a career as an RN or advanced practice nurse is likely a good fit.
Because there are so many facets to healthcare, nurses often specialize in certain areas, such as geriatrics or critical care. If you have a passion for a certain type of nursing, consider the type of education you’ll need to get there.
The career path you’re interested in pursuing will typically dictate the type of nursing degree you’ll need. Nursing programs include classroom instruction as well as clinical experience. Clinical training allows you to gain hands-on knowledge, ask questions in real-life scenarios and connect with nurses. The experience will also give you the chance to observe how a medical facility runs. Each degree will be a little different depending on the role it prepares you for.
Once you complete your education, you’ll need to take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and nursing skills. Nurses also need to be licensed to practice and exams are prerequisites to licensing.
With a nursing shortage that is projected to continue, you should have plenty of options for the types of jobs that are available to you. Your clinical experience may have given you a taste for the different environments and settings in which you can work, so you’ll have an idea of what kind of environment is right for you.
Nurses can find jobs in many healthcare settings, including:
Nurses are required to complete continuing education courses, usually every two years. Depending on where you practice, these may be listed as contact hours or as continuing education units (CEUs). Every state has different laws that determine how many hours of continuing education you need and how often. Check with your state nursing board for requirements.
With new technologies and treatments, the healthcare industry is constantly evolving. Working on the front lines of healthcare requires nurses to stay informed and educated to remain effective as their responsibilities change. Employers also need nurses who are willing to go the extra mile and apply themselves to specific medical and surgical fields and hone their advanced knowledge. Nurses who pursue their careers from the perspective of lifelong learners may set themselves up for new opportunities and roles.