Nursing is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding career paths one can embark on. If this is the decision you’re leaning toward, congratulations!
This is a profession that combines skill, expertise, and compassion to make a positive impact on people’s lives every single day.
Before embarking on a career in nursing, it’s important to understand the essentials of preparing for a career in health care. There is a lot to this profession that people might not be aware of, so we’re diving into the most important things you need to know about a career in nursing.
Education and Licensing
Becoming a nurse require a solid educational foundation. There are a few different paths you might take, but the bottom line is that you will first need to complete a nursing degree, which is usually three to four years in duration, and will require your full attention.
In many nursing schools, passing mandatory exams before graduating, such as the HESI exam, is a requirement. These exams hold significant importance, as they are similar to the NCLEX. Adequate preparation for the HESI exam demands considerable time and dedication.
Fortunately, many online resources exist to assist students in independent exam preparation. One notable resource is the free HESI A2 study guide provided by Career Employer test prep experts. This comprehensive guide, coupled with additional reading materials, can be immensely helpful in understanding the exam content and requirements. After completing your degree, you will also need to pass a licensing examination in order to become a registered nurse.
Once you have these qualifications under your belt, you’ll be able to get some real work experience. However, ongoing learning is encouraged and often required for your career.
Daily Duties
Nurses perform a broad range of tasks in their day-to-day, including patient care, documentation and admin, planning and communication, emergency response, patient education, and emotional support. As a nurse, you will collaborate with the healthcare team to make a meaningful impact on those they serve.
Nurses are also often responsible for managing and maintaining the inventory of essential medical supplies and will use high-quality equipment like Innerspace hospital supply storage units to organize and access supplies.
Diverse Opportunities
One of the most exciting aspects of a career in nursing is the wide range of opportunities you’ll have for specialization. There are many different nursing career specialties that will fulfill different interests and passions, and you’ll also have the opportunity to work in different settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and even in patients’ homes.
Within your nursing career, you’ll have flexibility and versatility that will keep your job exciting and in line with your passions. You’ll also be presented with consistent opportunities to learn and grow through additional certifications and training.
Emotional and Physical Demands
While this is an extremely rewarding path, nursing is also physically and emotionally draining. In a physical sense, you will often be required to work long, hard hours on your feet, and night shifts can impact your sleeping patterns and family life. You will also often need to work on weekends and holidays.
Emotionally, there is a lot of pressure too. You will be dealing with high-stress situations, managing others’ emotions, and acting as a support system for patients who might be struggling. As a nurse, you will need to have reliable self-care strategies alongside resilience and a thick skin.
Final Thoughts
While the job might be tough at times, nursing is a noble and fulfilling choice to make for your career.
Make sure that you’re aware of all the details before you commit to this lifestyle, but make sure to throw yourself into it fully if you do – and make the most of every step of the journey.