You know you want to be a nurse. It’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing. But what does a nurse do? How do you get started in this profession? What nursing program certifications do you need? We broke it down for you to make it short and simple – so that you’ll be able to make a change today to get started in nursing school.
What is a nurse?
A nurse is a career profession that is in the healthcare sector that focuses on the well-being of individuals, families, kids, communities, etc. A nurse who is certified usually works in a specific nursing care focus, which is defined by treatment, health condition, and patient. There are different certifications that are offered for nursing, such as a licensed vocational nurse and registered nurse, which will help dictate what field of nursing you can practice in and what nursing program you need to take.
What do they do?
Nurses provide medical care under the direction of doctors and their supervisors. Licensed vocational nurses may administer basic medical care, including monitoring patient health, ensuring patient comfort, and keeping records of patient treatment and health. In general, nurses are able to specialize in their chosen area of interest. You can become a pediatric nurse if you decide taking care of children is more of your passion. You could also be a OBGYN nurse, which specializes in women’s health, or a nurse who focuses on cardiovascular conditions.
What is the job outlook?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is expected to grow exponentially from now until 2026, much faster than other industries. This is due to the aging population and the increase of chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes.
What nursing program certifications do you need?
There are different educational requirements for each specialized area of nursing; however, nearly all of them require that candidates are certified through a nursing program. Becoming a licensed vocational nurse requires that the individual complete an approved nursing program, typically found at trade schools. After completing the nursing program, the individual also needs to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) certification exam. Depending on your specific field or your ultimate career goals, you might consider pursuing further educational training, such as a registered nurse or bachelor’s in nursing program.
Once you are a licensed nurse, you’re ready to be employed and can begin providing patient care, educating hospital patients about their health issues, and providing advice and support to patients and their families.
Ready to take the next step?
The SBBCollege Vocational Nursing Program provides the skills and knowledge for students to become vocational nurses. The nursing program includes hands-on training to enable students to master the skills of patient care, safety, hygiene, feeding, vital signs assessment, medication administration, and much more. Students can complete the program in about 14 months, including on-the-job training where nursing students get to work with patients in different hospital settings.
After training, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and receive job-placement assistance, such as interview preparation, resume writing and job lead development.
Have questions about our nursing program or the nursing field in general? We’re happy to answer all of them! Call us today at 866-749-7222!
