Nursing is an excellent career choice for people interested in the healthcare industry. Nurses play a primary role in bringing patients back to health. Therefore, they are a significant part of the healthcare system.
Due to the prominence of nurses in the healthcare industry, the demand for them has increased. Between 2021 and 2031, there will be a 46% rise in nursing opportunities. Thus, it will be the fastest-growing profession in the United States of America.
Similarly, Texas also has a high demand for nurses. The state has the second-largest nursing workforce in the country. In addition, as a registered nurse, you can also earn handsomely in Texas. The average annual salary is $76,800, higher than the national salary of $75,330.
Undoubtedly, with the rising demand, nursing is a field that offers multiple opportunities and growth. However, to become a nurse, there are certain requirements that you must fulfill. Through the following guide, you can learn about them to kick-start your career.
1. Obtain a degree
Formal nursing education is necessary to become a nurse. Almost every nursing position in the industry requires a degree. Choosing a degree that best suits you will help you decide where to take your career. Hence, there are a variety of nursing degrees that you can choose from, such as:
Bachelor of science in nursing
Most registered nurses prefer this degree as it increases the prospects of achieving high-paying jobs. The degree is also a gateway to different healthcare settings and career paths.
One of the best programs you can choose is RN to BSN UTA degree. The University of Texas Arlington offers an excellent online BSN program that will elevate your career. The program is highly advantageous as it is affordable and only requires 35 credit hours.
Associate degree in nursing
Having at least an associate degree to become a registered nurse is mandatory. Associate degrees are popular as they require less cost and time. The degree also qualifies you to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Besides, it also brings you a step closer to a BSN degree if you want to widen your career paths in the future.
Master of Science in Nursing
You must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing. The degree is a higher qualification, opening doors to higher-paying jobs. A master’s in nursing will allow you to specialize in the field and gain valuable knowledge. Through the degree, you can achieve advanced skill nursing positions, such as clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse anesthetist.
2. Earn a license
After your degree, the next step in your nursing career is to obtain a license. Without a nursing license, you cannot practice in the field. It is important to remember that your credentials matter a lot when earning your licensure. You will only get it if you have studied in an accredited and state-approved program.
Once you have the approved credentials, you can apply for a license through a nursing board or your state’s licensing agency. LPNs, APRNs, and RNs have a single nursing board in most states. However, some states have a different board for each one of them. Many nursing boards also include CNAs. Yet, in some states, CNAs have a separate professional licensing agency. Therefore, research your state’s license requirements before applying.
Moreover, once you know your state’s license requirements, the next step is to submit your transcript and fees to the state’s nursing board. Examination cost is mandatory for LPNs, APRNs, and RNs in all states. However, CNAs don’t have to pay in some states.
After applying for your license, you can now take the National Council Licensure Examination. It is a standard test that nursing boards use to decide whether a candidate is ready to be a licensed nurse. The test is a requirement in every state. LPNs have to take NCLEX-PN, which is an entry-level test. While RNs have to give NCLEX-RN, a more comprehensive exam specifically for RNs.
3. Choose your specialization
Once you have earned your license, you can take your career in many directions through specialization. You should choose a specialty according to your preferences and interest. Choosing a path you enjoy will give you greater career satisfaction.
Specialization has many benefits, such as making you eligible for high pay jobs. It opens the door to managerial positions. It also lets you learn valuable skills and expertise. Besides, if you’re not interested in a job, you can work independently by starting your private practice.
As a nurse, you can choose your specialization from various areas in nursing. For example, you can opt for community nursing. It is an area of specialization where you treat, educate and manage people’s health from particular regions. You can specialize as a school nurse or as an occupational health nurse.
Furthermore, you can specialize in the emergency field. In this area, you cater to patients who are in life-threatening conditions. You must give immediate medical assistance to the patient’s injury and trauma. You can specialize as a trauma nurse in the emergency room. Besides, disaster management nursing is also excellent for emergency specialization.
You can also specialize in family nursing. As a family nurse, your primary focus will be the well-being of families. You will educate, treat and Prevent diseases in families and treat people of all ages.
4. Preparation and Compassion
When people think of nursing, they often focus on the technical skills and knowledge essential for the job. Beyond these formal requirements, there’s a heart-centric element that’s equally important: to become a nurse a genuine passion for healthcare and patient well-being is required.
Nursing isn’t merely a profession – it’s a vocation. It calls for more than just executing tasks; it demands empathy and compassion. The best nurses view their work not as a routine but as an opportunity to make meaningful differences in the lives of individuals and entire communities.
Consider the nurse who, after a long shift, still takes a moment to hold a patient’s hand or comfort a distressed family member. Such gestures, powered by deep-rooted compassion, underscore the essence of nursing.
5. Continuing Education
Staying at the forefront of healthcare, however, requires more than just passion. The medical world is in a constant state of evolution. As diseases evolve, so do treatments, technologies, and best practices. For a nurse, this means that learning never stops.
Continuing education becomes a cornerstone of excellence in the field. Whether it’s through pursuing additional certifications, attending relevant workshops, or participating in global healthcare conferences, proactive learning ensures nurses remain updated and effective.
For instance, a nurse equipped with the latest knowledge about wound care techniques can significantly improve healing outcomes.
6. Find employment
After completing your degree, license, and specialization, you are eligible for high-paying jobs. Unarguably, nursing is a flourishing industry with hundreds of opportunities available. With the rise in nurses’ demand, salaries are higher than ever. Since 2022, registered nurses’ wages have increased by 3.3%.
With so much growth, you can find opportunities that will allow you to have a fantastic nursing career. You can find many nursing roles in the area of your choice. You can work in a private or public clinical environment or with NGOs as a crisis or disaster management nurse.
Conclusion
Nurses play a pivotal role in the healthcare industry. They are the first to assist patients and stay with them until they are healthy again. If you are interested in becoming a nurse, there are mandatory steps that you have to follow. The first step is to obtain a degree. The next is to earn a nursing license and decide on your specialization. Once you finish that, the last thing left is to find your dream job.