Reasons to Become a Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RN) are nurses who have completed at least a 2-year degree in the field of nursing. Upon completion of this degree, they must pass state certification exams. A career as a registered nurse can be an excellent choice of profession, especially if you like the sciences and love to work with people.
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Mental Challenges
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Registered nurses must pass classes in the hard sciences and math. If you like to work with numbers and find biology and chemistry intriguing subjects, then consider a career in this field. RNs often use math to calculate dosages of medication and to monitor patient progress. They may be called upon to perform medical tests that require an understanding of the biological processes behind the test. Nurses must also understand how to maintain hospital standards that discourage the growth of bacteria and other potentially infectious agents.
Patient Care
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An RN works directly with patients. They help teach people to manage their health care needs. An RN may teach a pregnant woman suffering from gestational diabetes how to use insulin or what to eat during her pregnancy. She may assist an elderly patient to learn to walk with a walker after a stroke or teach someone suffering from cancer how to manage his pain medications. Think about becoming an RN if you enjoy teaching others and helping them recover from illness.
Ease of Entry
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In order to become an RN, you must complete a 2-year degree at a community college or school of nursing. Nurses must also pass state licensing exams. Once you have an associate's degree, you can gain employment as an RN. Completing a 2-year rather than 4-year degree can save you thousands of dollars in tuition money. Registered nurses are not required to complete a bachelor's degree in this subject. They may later choose to attain a BSN, or bachelor's of science in nursing. BSNs have an advantage in the hiring process. They may then go on to receive further training in the field of nursing such as a master's degree. This credentialing flexibility can be an asset for the student who prefers to complete her educational requirements in steps rather than all at once.
High Wages
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Nurses can command high hourly wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a nurse can earn a starting salary in the mid to upper 50s. This translates into an average wage of over $25 an hour. Nurses may also choose to work for nursing staffing agencies. Staffing agencies provide nurses with hourly employment in return to foregoing staff positions. Hourly wages can exceed $30 an hour.
Teamwork
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Many nurses work as part of a health care team. They interact with doctors, physical therapists, nursing aides and other health professionals. Working with others in a professional setting can be exciting and fun. The feeling of accomplishing a goal with others can lead to a sense of camaraderie and fulfillment.
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