How to Transition to a Career in Nursing
The field of nursing is in high demand, making a career transition into nursing well worth the effort. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is projected to produce over 587,000 new jobs by 2016, being the fastest growing occupation. Transitioning from one career into a new career in nursing requires the acquisition of an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing, as well as a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination.
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Instructions
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Research to determine which type of nurse you would like to become. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are different in many ways. Registered Nurses (RN) have a higher level of education, have greater responsibilities, and earn more salary; although becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is faster.
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Choose the nursing program that is right for you. While transitioning careers, you may need to maintain a job to pay bills. Some nursing courses are offered online and may be conducive to your lifestyle. Furthermore, you may simply need to decide between the level of education you want to pursue for this career transition. Nursing degrees are offered at two-year colleges as well as four-year universities.
It's important to note that The American Nurses' Association recommends entry-level nursing candidates obtain at least a bachelor's degree in order to receive a more comprehensive education and prepare themselves better for the job, according to the University of Georgia.
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Apply to a few schools that offer either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing. An associate's degree can be earned at a two-year institution, and a bachelor's degree must be earned at a four-year college. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and apply to more than one college or university.
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Ensure the school of your choice is accredited. According to All Nursing Schools, if the school is not approved by its state's Board of Nursing, graduates will not be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is required to work as a nurse.
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Register for nursing entrance exams for the schools in which you plan to apply. Passing scores on the nursing entrance exam, which vary from each school, are mandatory for acceptance into nursing programs. There are a variety of entrance exams schools may choose to use which include the HESI, Kaplan, TEAS, or NET.
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Complete your degree and pass the NCLEX in order to become a licensed nurse in the state in which you test. You may become either an LPN or RN, based on the education you have completed.
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Apply previous work experience, from prior careers, into your nursing career. For example, if your background and prior work was in the communication field, use your advanced communication skills to excel with patient/nurse relationships.
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Further your nursing skills by obtaining additional credentials. Becoming CPR certified in Basic Life Support is often times mandatory for nurses. In addition, if you which to pursue a more advanced career in nursing, such as a nurse-anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, cardiac nurse, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner, you may need additional certifications or degrees.
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Tips & Warnings
Financial assistance may be available at colleges and universities. You should also apply for grants and other loans online though FAFSA, which offers a free application for federal student aid.
