Nursing careers are in demand and can be very rewarding. As a nurse, you will be making an impact on the lives of many people. If you are considering a change of career, becoming a nurse is a lucrative option with plenty of opportunities because of the ongoing nursing shortage.
There are many programs available that can help you become successful in this field. Nursing can be challenging at times, but a degree in healthcare will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to be able to prosper in this profession. Knowing what you can expect from a degree in healthcare will ensure you are well-prepared for working in this industry.
Why nursing and healthcare?
A career in nursing will be a good fit for you if you are passionate about helping people. Healthcare professionals work tirelessly to keep people healthy and safe. Nursing school will provide you with the education, practical skills, and training needed to deliver high-quality patient care.
The program can be quite rigorous and will prepare you to work in a fast-paced environment. Depending on the specialization you choose, your skills, and your expertise, you will have a number of nursing roles from which to choose. Walsh University offers advanced online programs such as MSN, DNP, and Nurse Educator programs so you can pursue an area of specialization that you find rewarding and fulfilling.
Nurses have numerous advancement opportunities and the chance to work in a variety of traditional and non-traditional environments such as offices, government agencies and schools. With so many specialties available, you will be able to work in an area that interests you. You will also be able to earn additional income by working on-call or overtime shifts, pursuing higher-paying roles through advanced degrees, and becoming an educator. Nursing also offers excellent job security.
Jobs and responsibilities of nurses
With a nursing degree, you will be able to work in many specialties and settings. Nurses can work in hospitals, shelters, clinics, schools, ambulatory care, and health centers. A degree will prepare you to undertake several professional tasks, such as:
- Collecting health history
- Performing physical exams
- Research
- Decision making
- Coordinating care with multidisciplinary teams
- Administrating care, medications, and interventions
- Supervisory duties
Depending on the degree you choose, you will also be able to specialize in areas such as burn care, ambulatory, emergency, hospice, nephrology, home health, geriatrics, pediatrics, and many others. You may need to pursue certain specialized degrees, such as DNP, MSN, or BSN, to work in certain settings. You may also be able to advance your career by pursuing various APRN specialties such as:
- Nurse practitioner: NPs work in many specialties to provide advanced care to their patients. They may also provide preventative and primary care, diagnose conditions and prescribe medications depending on the regulations of the state where they reside. They may work in areas such as family health, oncology, pediatric health, women’s health, and acute care in private practices, clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals.
- Nurse-midwife: A certified nurse-midwife provides gynecologic and obstetric care to healthy women. They can work in a variety of settings such as in patients’ homes, birthing centers, and hospitals.
- Nurse anesthetists: These are advanced nurses who work in surgical departments to provide anesthesia during certain procedures.
- Clinical nurse specialists: A CNS is a specialist nurse who can work in the community, nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals providing advanced care to patients.
Skills learned in nursing school
Nurses play an important role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for communicating with patients and their families, administrative tasks, and patient care. The duties they perform can vary widely depending on their work environment and the facility in which they work. They are required to be competent in clinical skills and compassionate.
As healthcare organizations become more complex, nurses’ roles and responsibilities are evolving. Nursing school will teach you several technical skills needed on the job, such as wound management, CPR, patient assessment, nursing intervention, and telemetry. Additionally, these programs will teach you several essential soft skills such as patient advocacy, empathy, communication, leadership, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Nursing is a rewarding career, but it can also be challenging at times. To excel in this career path, you will have to develop skills such as compassion, listening skills, and stress management so you can handle the challenges that come your way with ease. As a nurse, it will also be crucial for you to learn the professional values that form the foundation for nursing practice. Nursing programs focus on teaching you about professional values such as altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice.
How to prepare for nursing school
Nursing school can be challenging, but if you are well-prepared, you can get the most value from it. If you are planning to enroll in a nursing program, here are a few tips to maximize your learning experience.
Create a study space
Before you start your online program, create a dedicated space for studying. Having a separate study space in your home will allow you to focus, retain information, and avoid distractions. Make the area as comfortable as possible with a suitable chair, good lighting, and noise control measures. This will be an effective way to start your education journey.
Stay organized
With the many challenges of nursing programs, you may become overwhelmed at times. The time investment, responsibility, and workload may make you feel frustrated and anxious. The best way to avoid this is with good organizational skills. Use a calendar or planner to keep track of deadlines for projects, tests, and assignments. You can also block out study hours so you feel more in control of your day. Make to-do lists so you can prioritize important tasks and check them off as they are completed. Reduce distractions when you are studying so you can get more done in less time.
Focus on your health
To succeed in nursing school, it is important to first take care of your physical and mental health. This will help you avoid burnout and remain productive. Eat healthy food, stay active, and get plenty of sleep. Your wellness affects every part of your life, including your studies.
Take frequent breaks when you are studying. As a nursing student, studying for long hours will be a part of your routine. It is important to take regular breaks so you can go outside for a walk, get some fresh air, and recharge your mind. When things become challenging, do activities that bring you joy and help you relax, such as going out with friends, taking a bath, or watching your favorite movie. This will ultimately help you achieve your goals.
Be prepared to work hard
As a nursing student, you will have to prepare yourself to work hard and handle a significant amount of reading. As a new healthcare student, this can be overwhelming. Stay on top of your required reading so it doesn’t pile up. Break your reading down into smaller chunks and prepare your schedule in advance so you know exactly what to do and when. This will ensure that you stay on track with the program.
With so much reading, it may also be challenging to internalize information and retain knowledge. If you try to read everything at once, you may not be able to retain or recall information. For challenging subjects, it is best to break them down into smaller parts. Once you read the material, try to reflect on it and articulate it in a way that makes the most sense for you before moving on.
Familiarize yourself with your classwork and course outline. If you prepare yourself before the start of the class, you will be able to retain much more information. This will also ensure that you are referring to the material several times in multiple ways, which can help you retain information and recall it during exams and assignments.
Take a balanced approach
One of the biggest challenges you will face in nursing school is balancing your academics, home life, and work. To do this effectively, you will have to learn to manage your time well and find a good work-life balance.
Develop routines and habits that will allow you to accomplish all your goals for the day. Learn to say “no” so you can focus on things that are truly important to you. Establish boundaries and let go of perfectionism. Take the time to enjoy your life and activities that bring you joy outside of academics. As a nurse, you will need to learn to be resilient and face challenges head on. You will also need to learn how to take care of yourself while taking care of others.
The bottom line
Nursing school may seem overwhelming and challenging, but with the right approach and a good time management strategy, you’ll have a great chance of succeeding. These studies will lead you to a fulfilling career in healthcare and open new and exciting options for your future.
