How to Choose the Right Nursing Career
You're compassionate. You're caring. You know you want a career that lets you make a positive impact on the lives of others. And you're pretty sure that it's got to be nursing.
But there are a number of different kinds of positions within the nursing field, each requiring specific training. So choosing the best path can be downright difficult if you don't understand your options.
Your first step should be to learn what each nursing career entails:
Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) usually requires more training than the other nursing professions. The duties of an RN often include patient care in one of many specialty fields-everything from mental health to maternity to surgical and critical care.
Registered nurses may also take on tasks related to nutrition, pharmacology and community health. They may have the responsibility to delegate tasks to other nursing staff and assistants while overseeing their duties.
Trained RNs can obtain employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, surgical centers, ambulatory centers and schools.
Practical/Vocational Nurse
As a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), you would perform a wide-range of hands-on duties involving preventative, rehabilitative, restorative and therapeutic care. You would acquire an understanding of anatomy, physiology and common diseases and be able to properly administer medications.
LPN or LVN training would equip you with solid foundational knowledge about nursing's legal and ethical responsibilities and how cultural differences impact patient treatment.
Upon completion of LPN/LVN training, you can seek employment in settings like hospitals, acute care centers and government or community agencies.
Patient Care Technician
Work with other medical professionals to help keep therapeutic programs running smoothly. As a patient care technician, you would help patients by performing duties related to bedside care, EKGs, phlebotomy and CPR. You also might help prepare patients for surgery and provide post-operative care.
Many patient care technicians create, prescribe and carry out rehabilitative care programs. They may need to set up and operate special equipment or help conduct patient exams.
Training to be a patient care technician allows you to seek work with home medical services, hospitals, rehabilitation centers or private practices.
Nursing Assistant
Choosing to be a nursing assistant is perfect if you want to join the nursing profession but don't want to invest the time necessary for becoming a licensed or registered nurse.
Nursing assistants still work directly with patients and other medical professionals, providing assistance with personal hygiene, eating meals and other daily activities. They may also monitor blood pressure, set up equipment, and help with pre- and post-operative care.
With the necessary training, you can seek work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices or patients' homes.
Your Next Step
Make the choice that fits you best. Then, find a school that meets your needs. Many nursing programs offer short-term training that can get you into the workforce faster than you think. They can prepare you for state licensing and certification exams.
Quite a few schools even offer flexible schedules that allow you to attend part-time or in the evenings. Online programs also exist.
- Nursing Schools
- Patient Care Technician Schools
- Practical Nursing Schools
- Registered Nursing Schools
- Vocational Nursing Schools
You're compassionate. You're caring. You know you want a career that lets you make a positive impact on the lives of others. And you're pretty sure that it's got to be nursing. But there are a number of different kinds of positions within the nursing field, each requiring specific training. So choosing the best path can be downright difficult if you don't understand your options. Your first step should be to learn what each nursing career entails.
