Nurses are In Demand – Is this the Career for You?

The US healthcare sector employs a remarkable number of people and continues to expand. Registered Nurses have never been in such demand as now, and there are numerous paths you can take if this is a career that you wish to follow.

Becoming a registered nurse is much more than a job. It is a calling, a vocation that you have likely thought about for a long time. There is plenty of satisfaction to be had by training and qualifying as a registered nurse, and it can be a lucrative career.

So, what qualifications do you need to become a registered nurse, and what are the various ways of getting a foot in the door? That’s what we want to look at here, so let’s begin.

Studying to Become a Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse is far from the sole career in the healthcare industry, yet it is one of the most popular. For example, to become a licensed practical or vocational nurse requires only a high school diploma and the training and experience needed to qualify. Of course, as with all careers the better your level of education, the better the jobs you can apply for.

To become a registered nurse will require a bachelor's degree as a minimum. Usually, a bachelor's degree is a four year study program that can be followed at university or – more commonly these days – online. The course will also involve some practical experience as an intern or work experience.

However, you may want to explore the idea of an associate's degree. These two-year courses provide a basis for moving on to a bachelor's degree at a later date. The benefit is they can be followed at the community or junior college level, which will save on expenses. Once complete, two years at university adds the credits to convert to a bachelor's degree.

For more specialist roles – midwives, for example – a master’s degree will be necessary, and this is completed once you hold a relevant bachelor's degree. While a bachelor's degree will involve many classes in general subjects such as English, Mathematics, and humanities, a master’s is more focused on the major subject and provides a more in-depth education that will allow you to be considered for high-level roles.

If you wish to then study for a Doctorate – a PhD for example – the potential for employment moves into the academic realms of research, and other high-ranking and high paying jobs.

Is the job of a registered nurse one that you believe will be right for you? There is a lot of reward and satisfaction in such a career yet it is one that requires absolute dedication and commitment.

Conclusion

There is a need in the US healthcare system for registered nurses and many other important roles. Once qualified the individual will need to be licensed by the relevant state, and the requirements for this differ. We recommend you check the licensing requirements in your state and ensure you work towards the right degree.