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Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Nurse

Nursing is a noble profession. Becoming a nurse takes dedication and a desire to help people from all walks of life.

During the height of the COVID epidemic, we learned how vital nurses are for our survival. Sometimes they are the only force standing between life and death.

Did you know that the United States needs more nurses? There’s a national nursing shortage, and it puts a strain on our healthcare system.

If you would like to become a nurse, you’ll need to study nursing at the college level and get licensed wherever you live. Here’s all you need to know about getting into the nursing profession, from classes to licensing.

Why Become a Nurse?

So why become a nurse? Nursing is one of the world’s oldest professions. It’s full of caring people who want to help others.

Nursing takes physical stamina since most hospitals schedule their nursing staff for long, 12-hour shifts. This is in part because of patient care needs and the nursing shortage.

Nursing may be the right choice for you if you have high energy and a genuine passion for caring for other human beings. You’ll need to learn about science and the best ways to help people with various medical conditions.

How to Become a Nurse

The steps to becoming a nurse are straightforward. If you want to become an RN or registered nurse, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you’re planning on becoming an LPN, you’ll need an Associate’s degree.

All states have a licensing process for nurses to ensure competency. Once you’ve completed your education, you’ll need to take the state licensing exam where you live.

If your passion is becoming an expert on the nursing profession and training future nurses, you’ll want to become a Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse?

Becoming a nurse takes about two to four years, depending on whether you want to be an LPN or RN.

And if you decide to further your education and become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need an extra two years for graduate-level study.

Just as there is a nursing shortage, there’s a shortage of primary care providers. Nurse practitioners are primary care providers who help ease some of the strain on the medical system due to doctor shortage. They diagnose and treat everyday ailments like the common cold, plus most types of minor conditions.

How to Become a Travel Nurse

Some nurses travel around the country, helping fill in the gaps where nursing shortages are severe.

To become a traveling nurse, you’ll need to sign up with a healthcare agency that hires, trains, and deploys traveling nurses.

Traveling as a nurse is a great way to experience different microcultures around the country and make new friends. Many traveling nurses own RVs so they can take their homes with them.

Help Others by Becoming a Nurse

Becoming a nurse is one of the most rewarding things you could ever do. If you have an aptitude for science and want to help people, you’ll thrive in the nursing profession.

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