Entry Level Nursing Education and Other Requirements
ningcontentTo become an entry level nurse, you are required to have a certain amount of education. For admission into nursing school, students must have earned a high school diploma and have good grades in high school subjects like English, algebra, chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Having experience with computers is also a benefit.
Students who want to get into nursing need to apply to state-approved and accredited schools of nursing. Courses taken include biology, chemistry, physics, the social sciences, nursing theory and practice, and the humanities. Students also participate in clinical hands-on experience in hospitals and health care settings, while under supervision. It is important for entry level nursing students to be studious and have critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a passion for becoming a nurse.
The United States offers over 1,500 nursing programs. There are three entry level nursing programs available to prepare students for different jobs after graduation:
–Bachelor Science in Nursing (BSN)– a four to five year program offered at colleges and universities; the program prepares nurses for jobs in inpatient and community settings.
–Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)– a two year program offered at a community college and some hospital schools of nursing; the program prepares nurses for staff positions in hospitals and other inpatient facilities.
–Hospital Diploma– a two to three year program offered in a hospital that may work with a community college that offers science and English requirements; the program gets nurses ready for staff jobs in hospitals and other inpatient facilities.
The BSN provides the best opportunity for advancement and offers the most flexibility. It is a requirement for anyone looking to obtain a master’s degree in nursing, which allows nurses to work in advanced specialty areas of nursing.
Graduates of a nursing program are required to pass a national licensing exam to become a registered nurse (RN). You can take the exam through the Board of Nursing from the state you will work in. In addition, nurses may be required to get more education or continue their practice to keep their nursing license, depending on their state of residence. Nurses usually take additional courses to stay up-to-date on new information on medical and nursing sciences.
Once you have graduated from an entry level nursing program, you can expect to get on-the-job training in hospitals and other health care establishments through orientation programs and similar events. Remember to be attentive and ask questions; this will help you feel more comfortable on your path to becoming a successful nurse.
Here is a list of qualities that nurses also need to have:
- Leadership and organization skills
- People skills
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Compassion
- Problem-solving skills
- A sense of humor
- The ability to stay calm in a crisis
The right education and personality can make you a good candidate for an entry level nursing job.
Sources
http://www.marylandhealthcareers.org/html/student/nursing.html
http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/programs.php
