Step by step, learn how to become a nurse!
One of the most stable career fields available is nursing. Many people wonder how to become a nurse and how long it takes to become a nurse. The good news is that you can become a licensed practical nurse, an LPN, in as little as a year or two years.
The great news is that you can get into the nursing field with just a few months' training and, with a combination of paid work and education, advance all the way to the nurse-practitioner level without a break in employment while becoming a nurse by following the certified nursing assistant to Master of Science in nursing path.
1. Become a certified nursing assistant (CNA)
If you have at least a high school diploma, you can become a certified nursing assistant in less than 60 days. This certification qualifies you to do the most basic nursing work like cleaning, taking care of diets and checking basic vitals.
2. Become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)
With another year's study, significant work experience working directly with patients, passing of the NCLEX-LPN exam and fulfillment of your state's licensing requirements, you can become an LPN. State laws vary, but LPNs are generally allowed to administer medication and may be able to do vein work, like setting up IVs and giving certain injections. An LPN is the first stage where someone can truly be called a nurse.
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3. Become a registered nurse (RN)
To continue in this career path, you need to become a registered nurse (RN). Again, rules on becoming a registered nurse vary from state to state. To become an RN, you will need at least an associate degree in a nursing program preparing you for the NCLEX-RN examination. You may be able to find a hospital-based program for a diploma in nursing, but most prospective RNs attend nursing colleges and get a nursing degree to prepare for this challenging career.
A Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) will also prepare you for the RN certification, but the standard four- or five-year program is more demanding and does not allow for the incremental steps above. Nurses with an RN certification can attend an RN-to-BSN bridge program either online or in a college to acquire the additional BSN nursing qualification.
4. Earn a Master of Science in nursing
If you plan to become a nurse practitioner or want a Master of Science in nursing (MSN), you need to attend an MSN program after acquiring your BSN. This is a one or two-year postgraduate program designed for nurses and nursing students who want to acquire the highest level of nursing education.
Most MSN nurses work in administration or teach at nursing schools and colleges. An MSN program or higher is also how to become a nurse practitioner. These advanced degrees can give you the advanced expertise necessary to diagnose and treat basic diseases just as a medical doctor would. Nurse practitioners specialize in a national area of competence and are board-certified at the state level.
5. Specializations and certifications
If you don't want to invest the time and cash to earn a bachelor's or master's degree, or even if you do, there are a number of nursing specializations and certifications you can gain on the side and to continue your education. Read these guides:
Nursing is a lucrative and stable field with a great future. The ability to advance to the highest levels by increments is definitely a bonus. If you want more information on how to become a nurse, Reply! has educational resources on nursing and health care.
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Photo credit: syringes and stethoscope by strangebrewfreak via Compfight CC. Second photo credit: nurse from overhead by Walt Stoneburner via Compfight CC. Third photo credit: medical scissors by Stanford EdTech via Compfight CC.