How to Become a Nurse

As long as people need medical care, they will need doctors and nurses. Becoming a nurse is not an easy process, especially due to a lack of nursing educators. Still, becoming a nurse can open doors to several jobs in hospitals, clinics and schools, and it can be a very self-satisfying career for people who want to help others.

Instructions

1. Get your high school diploma. This is needed for pretty much all walks of life.

2. Determine which level of nursing degree is best for you. You can get an Associates degree all the way to a Ph.D. Your high school or college counselor can help you.

3. Find and enroll in the right college. This is one that has the degree plan you are looking for. Your counselor again can help you find the right school as well as financial plans.

4. Complete your nursing degree. This can take 2 to 8 years, depending on the type of degree.

5. Study as a nursing assistant or technician at a clinic or hospital.

6. Complete the state nursing license exam. Apply in as many states that you can.

Tips & Warnings

• An Associates degree in nursing with a license will help land any ground level nursing job, but advancement may not be possible without a higher degree.

• You can also get a Nurse Practitioner degree, which ranks between a Masters and a Ph.D. This will allow you to open your own practice under the guidance of a doctor, although this is not available in all states.

• A Ph.D. is required if you wish to teach nursing.