Deciding to Become a Nurse

When the public is surveyed about which professionfor both genders.
they respect the most, nursing is always at the top ofOne of the major tasks and joys of being a nurse is
the list. Nurses are the ones that take care of peopleseducating your patients, their families and the public.
sons and daughters, mothers and fathers andYou are the ambassador to good health as you
husbands and wives in their time of illness and need.explain the latest research and trends in medical care.
Although the ups and downs in the economy have hadMost nurses work 12 hours shifts. The advantage to
it's effect on nursing there is still a strong demand forthis is full time is three days a week. The disadvantage
nurses in many areas. Listed below are some of theis that 12 hours is a long shift and it is hard to stay
things to consider when deciding to become a nurse.awake at times. The three day a week shift does give
New grads from nursing school can earn more thanyou opportunity to pick up extra shifts or have a
many people graduating with Master's or even PhDs insecond job.
other fields. Depending on where you live a new nurse,The nurse is the last line of defense for the patient. It is
can earn between $22 and $35 an hour.up to the nurse to make sure the patient is
There are several different paths to becoming a nurse.repositioned so they do not get pressure ulcers, also
There are diploma programs run by the hospital,known as bedsores. They need to make sure the
although most are now associated with a communityfoley is inserted using sterile technique and is cleaned
college. You can get an Associated Degree in Nursingevery shift to prevent urinary tract infections. It is also
or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Any of thesethe nurse who has to make sure that all the
paths will fulfill your education requirement to sit for themedications are appropriate for the patient and given
NCLEX. You also have the option of becoming eitherat the proper time, route and dose.
an RN or an LPN/LVN. Most students become an RNOne of the challenges for nurses is unsafe nurse to
because there are more job opportunities and the paypatient ratios. An unsafe ratio is when a nurse has to
is usually better.provide care to more patients than they can care for
Although you may visualize the nurse working at thesafely. The only state in the United States that has a
side of the bed at the hospital, there are many othermandated nurse to patient ratio is California. Other
opportunities for those that become a nurse. You canstates are attempting to pass legislation at this time.
work in a clinic, in a doctor's office, in a school or aSuch legislation will make it safer for patients and for
prison just to name a few.the nurses who are trying to perform their duties.
The majority of nurses in the United States areThere is a lot to think about when deciding whether to
women, but there is an increase in the male nursingbecome a nurse. The decision whether to pursue a
population. Nurse recruiters show little preferencecareer in nursing is up to you. It can be a rewarding, but
between men and women and there are opportunitiesalso challenging profession.