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Nursing is the most popular career path across the whole healthcare industry. It offers individuals the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others, thereby making it a gratifying and fulfilling career. However, this career path requires hard work.
Registered nurses are essential professionals in the healthcare system, and their responsibilities to doctors, patients and their families highlight the essentials for qualification for the nursing career path. For most people, advanced degrees are considered the top qualification for nurses. However, while there are numerous benefits of advanced degrees in nursing, from specialization certifications to MSN degrees for nursing leadership, the nursing profession offers flexibility in the qualification options.
What is a qualified nurse?
A qualified nurse is an individual who holds a certificate or license from a recognized nursing council or a reputable institution and is employed on the recommendation of an attending medical practitioner. This definition shows some patterns that make up a nurse’s qualification.
There are many ways to become qualified in the nursing sector, with nurses exposed to various flexible options that help to evidence their competency in a generalized or specific field. The essentials for qualification incorporate educational and technical capabilities and skills required to carry out nursing responsibilities effectively.
Becoming a qualified nurse
As a nurse, two significant responsibilities include providing physical healthcare and giving emotional support. This is why the profession requires specific types of people with relevant technical knowledge and soft skills. Obtaining these competencies is a process that includes the following essential steps.
Earn a degree
As with many other critical professions, formal education is required as the first significant step on the road to becoming a qualified nurse. Across the nursing profession, almost every position requires a degree, from most entry-level roles to management positions. Thankfully, nurses have various degree programs to choose from. They can also decide early on the specialization and type of institution they prefer. Here are some program options that are available to nurses.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The BSN is possibly the prevalent option for individuals looking to become nurses. The bachelor’s degree does not require any industry prerequisite, and graduating with this degree propels an individual into nursing roles with significant responsibilities and salaries.
Typically, BSN programs span about three to four years of coursework, depending on the institution, and in most locations, nurses are still required to sit for a national licensure examination before they become practicing professionals. Coursework also varies based on the institution, but individuals can expect general education courses alongside clinical and nursing-specific courses.
Associate degree in nursing
Individuals looking for something other than a BSN can opt for an associate degree in nursing. With this program, individuals can develop a solid foundation in the nursing practice through knowledge, viewpoint and competency. Individuals opting for this degree typically engage in about three years of coursework. A national licensure exam is required to begin practice.
Accelerated nursing program
The accelerated nursing program is designed for individuals who have previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in some other field of study. Previous coursework related to nursing is identified, and they count toward completing this program. Due to the rapid nature of this program, students almost always engage in it full-time.
Typically, a BSN through an accelerated nursing program can be obtained in as little as 12 to 16 months, depending on the institution and particular program. An individual’s participation in an accelerated program paired with a BSN evidences their competency in working in a dynamic setting.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A master’s degree is an advanced-level degree in every field, and nursing is no exception. Prior to starting a master’s degree, most institutions require a BSN as a prerequisite. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has grown massively in popularity. As such, numerous institutions offer an online master’s in nursing education for students looking to take courses part-time or full-time.
Based on a student’s objectives, a master’s degree can be hugely beneficial in several ways. Firstly, an MSN degree is one of the most significant factors that evidence a nurse’s qualifications. Additionally, nursing courses with specialties such as education, leadership and business qualify a professional for various career advancement opportunities.
Obtain licenses
Aside from earning degrees, passing a national licensing examination is crucial in a nurse’s career. It also qualifies a professional for practice in the medical field. The various processes to obtain a nursing license depend on the location and particular specialization. Most nursing organizations have comprehensive information on the types of licenses and examinations required to get them. Some of the prevalent ones include the following.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
The CSA is a competency exam for professionals seeking employment as nursing assistants. This license only qualifies an individual to become an assistant. Hence, it has a limited scope of responsibilities that shows in the exam’s difficulty level.
NCLEX-PN
With this license, a professional becomes qualified to become a licensed practical nurse. The scope of responsibilities for a licensed practical nurse is broader than that of a nursing assistant. Licensed practical nurses can perform different duties autonomously, from running tests to administering medications.
NCLEX-RN
This variant of the NCLEX license qualifies a professional to become a registered nurse. Every qualified nurse must have passed this examination to practice as a registered professional.
Choose a specialization
Most professionals opt to enter a nursing specialty after completing a nursing degree and obtaining a license. Specialization in healthcare offers numerous advantages to both patients and medical professionals. Healthcare outcomes are improved due to increased focus and knowledge in a particular area of medicine. Medical professionals explore greater responsibilities and can attain higher salaries.
Some specialized nursing paths require additional certifications or degrees. Some of the most popular specializations include clinical nurse, critical care nurse, nurse midwife, neonatal nurse, registered nurse, cardiac nurse, family nurse practitioner, emergency room nurse, and geriatric nurse.
Explore additional training
Learning is a continual process for nurses, and for an industry as dynamic and critical as healthcare, professionals strive to gain perfection and stay up to date with new developments in the industry. One way to do this and achieve specific career goals is by exploring extra training opportunities.
Advanced degrees qualify professionals for top-level employment, better salaries and broader responsibilities. Ultimately, additional training is not necessary for nurses in most cases, yet it can help professionals stay updated with industrial advancement.
Essential skills for qualified nurses
All the steps required to become a qualified nurse focus on developing an individual’s competence and knowledge to engage effectively in their responsibilities. If you wish to pursue a career in nursing, here are a few sought-after skills.
Communication
For most experienced nurses, communicating effectively in different forms is arguably the most critical skill in any medical setting. Regardless of a nurse’s unit, passing across and receiving information quickly and calmly can mean the difference between life and death. Communication should also include written and verbal skills.
Decision-making
The responsibilities of nurses have transformed massively in recent years. Today, nurses are relied upon to make critical decisions based on their viewpoints, opinions and analysis. For situations like this, nurses must show competent decision-making skills, as a wrong decision can adversely impact a high-pressure environment such as a clinic.
Attention to detail
In the healthcare industry where even the smallest detail can lead to significant consequences, it’s vital for nurses to exercise attention to detail. Needless to say, nurses go through hectic shifts, and it can be easy to make mistakes. Employers prioritize nurses who pay attention to minor details. In summary, a nurse’s attention to detail qualifies them for better positions.
Confidence
In healthcare, patients and their families rely entirely on professionals to make them better. Therefore, as a medical professional, you should have absolute faith in your abilities, knowledge and training. A nurse can only be qualified to deliver healthcare when they are assured of themselves and their competency. Giving off a calm and confident persona puts tense patients at ease and makes them more open and compliant.
Adaptability
Adaptability in a medical context represents a nurse’s ability to be flexible and engage in different clinical units at different times. It also requires getting quickly acquainted with any environment you find yourself in. Qualified nurses should be able to adapt accordingly to a wide range of situations.
Evidently, nursing is not for everyone, and for those who opt for the profession, several steps and essential skills are required to carry out primary responsibilities. Thankfully, the progress of becoming a qualified nurse is gradual, with even the most experienced nurses learning new things daily. Therefore, becoming a qualified nurse depends on two critical factors: hard work and consistency.
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