How to Become a Nurse

1. How to Become a Nurse By Cindy O’Connor, BSN, RN

2. About Me • My first degree was in Public Relations • Worked at a shelter for victims of domestic violence • Self-examination and Classified job searches • While doing pre-reqs at local community college, I went through the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course through the local hospital where I wanted to work • I worked part-time at the hospital while I went through nursing school

3. Four key questions • How do I become a nurse? • What does it take to become a nurse, academically? • What soft skills do you need? • What should a high school freshman be focusing on to become a nurse?

4. #1 How do I become a nurse? • Nursing pipeline Visit this site: https://nursing.jnj.com/find-nursing-path/starting-fresh • Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) • Associate Degree in Nursing • Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

5. LPN/LVN LPN/LVN = Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse • This is a certificate program • Fastest career path to becoming a nurse • 9 to 12 months • Salary: $29k - $50k/year • There are 23 schools in OH that offer LPN/LVN pathway, six of which are private • Pass the NCLEX-PN • Where you will work • Benefits

6. What you’ll learn • Core classes: A&P, and general education • Hands-on experience: You will work in a school lab, as well as practice in a clinic or other healthcare facility

7. Duties of lpn • Your duties will include monitoring patients, administering medication, collecting data and performing other hands-on tasks.

8. NCLEX-PN • Before you can practice (work as an LPN), you will need to pass the standardized exam set by the Board of Nursing in every state. It’s designed to make sure you are ready to work as an entry-level nurse.

9. Where lpns work • Hospitals • Doctor’s offices • Outpatient care centers • Nursing homes

10. benefits • Varied experience • Exposure to different fields and environments can help you find out what you love to do. • Learning • You’ll get invaluable experience working with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

11. What’s next? One of the best things about being a nurse? You’ll never stop learning. You’ll have opportunities to grow from the day you start your career. • Continue your education • Most of the places you’ll work will offer courses that keep your skills sharp and your knowledge up to date. • The next step up the nursing career ladder is ADN/ASN

12. ADN/ASN • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) • This degree will give you a solid foundation and set you up to specialize later, if you want to. • There are 21 schools in OH that offer ADN/ASN programs, nine of which are private. • Course length: 2 – 4 years • Pass NCLEX-RN • Expected Salary: $54k - $88k per year • Where you will work • Benefits

13. What you’ll learn • Core Classes: A&P, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and other social and behavioral science courses are some of the subjects you’ll study. • Hands-on experience: you’ll work in a school lab, practice in a clinic or other healthcare facility.

14. NCLEX-RN • The NCLEX-RN tests you on the practical application and analysis of everything you’ve learned while studying for your degree at nursing school. It’ll let you demonstrate you have the knowledge, skills and decision-making abilities you need to enter the field as a Registered Nurse. • In 2018, the national average pass rate for the NCLEX-RN was 89.54% (https://www.ncsbn.org/12171.htm)

15. What You’ll do • You’ll get experience in many different specialties while working with doctors and other Registered Nurses in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities. • Most of your duties will involve caring directly for patients, monitoring their condition and helping them learn how to manage their illness or injuries at home.

16. Where ADN’s work • Hospitals • Doctor’s offices • Outpatient care centers • Clinics • Nursing homes • Jobs for Registered Nurses will increase 15% by 2026. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

17. benefits • Varied experience • As with LPNs, you will get exposure to different fields and environments can help you find out what you love to do. • Engaging work • With different patients, tasks, and situations, every day can be fresh and fascinating.

18. The Next step • Continuing education: Most of the places you’ll work will offer courses that keep your skills sharp and your knowledge up to date. • Get a BSN: this will lead to more responsibilities and more opportunities.

19. BSN • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will prepare you for a rewarding and advanced career in nursing. • There are 37 BSN Programs in OH, 24 of which are private. • 4 years in length, unless you are coming from an LPN or ADN background. Some colleges and universities will take into account your prior education. • Pass NCLEX-RN • Average salary: $57k - $130k per year • Where you’ll work • Benefits

20. What you’ll learn • Core classes: (same as ADN) Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and other social and behavioral sciences are some of the subjects you’ll study. • Hands-on experiences: Again, as part of your curriculum, you’ll work in a lab and practice in a clinic, or other healthcare facility.

21. NCLEX-RN • The NCLEX-RN tests you on the practical application and analysis of everything you’ve learned while studying for your degree at nursing school. It’ll let you demonstrate you have the knowledge, skills and decision-making abilities you need to enter the field as a Registered Nurse. • In 2018, the national average pass rate for the NCLEX-RN was 89.54% Source: https://www.ncsbn.org/12171.htm

22. What you’ll do • You’ll get experience in many different specialties while working with doctors and other Registered Nurses in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities. • Patient Care • Most of your duties will involve caring directly for patients, monitoring their condition, and patient teaching; helping them learn how to manage their illness or injuries at home.

23. Where bsn, rns work • Magnet hospitals • Hospitals • Doctor’s offices • Outpatient care centers • Clinics • Nursing homes • Nurses with a BSN are eligible for 88% of nursing positions.  Source: https://nursejournal.org/bsn-degree/top-9-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree/

24. What’s a magnet hospital? • The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. • For nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. • To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. • Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/

25. Benefits • Varied experience • Exposure to different fields and environments can help you find out what you love to do. • Leadership • University lecturer, head of a laboratory and other managerial positions. They’re all within reach as you work in your field. • Earning potential • Advanced qualifications and more expertise bring a bigger salary. • Chance to grow • Your knowledge and experience will set you up to take on more advanced roles.

26. What’s next? • Advancing your degree to a master’s or a doctorate • Gaining certificates in specialities • The learning doesn’t have to stop if you are motivated and passionate!

27. #2 Academics • Nursing schools are competitive – they want a high NCLEX pass rate. • When pursuing the BSN, RN pathway, get prerequisites done at local community college while applying to your local college. • You need to pass all of your courses with at least a C. • When taking the classes full time, it will be difficult to have an active social life if you have a part-time job.

28. NCLEX • NCLEX = National Council Licensure Exam • This is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing. • Developed by The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).. • The NSCBN is dedicated to developing psychometrically sound and legally defensible nurse licensure and certification examinations consistent with practice. • Take practice courses! • It takes preparation and costs money to take this test. Be prepared.

29. #3 Soft Skills • Communication • Enthusiasm/attitude • Teamwork • Networking • Problem solving and critical thinking • Professionalism Source: https://www.americannursetoday.com/fostering-soft-skills-must-nurse-leaders/

30. Soft Skills and where you work • Soft skills are go hand-in-hand with with nursing standards and the company’s integrity. If a nurse’s soft skills are low, patient satisfaction is low, which will lead to lower hospital reimbursement by insurance companies. • If insurance companies don’t pay because patient satisfaction is down, the institution will go under, and you will be out of a job. • Examples of patient satisfaction surveys: • During this hospital stay, how often did nurses treat you with courtesy and respect? • During this hospital stay, how often did nurses listen carefully to you? • During this hospital stay, how often did nurses explain things in a way you could understand? Source: https://www.americannursetoday.com/fostering-soft-skills-must-nurse-leaders/

31. #4 Focus • Focus on getting good grades and positive relationships • Focus on courses such as science and math • Typing classes

32. Keep learning! • There are countless tools to help you succeed in a nursing degree. Use them. • Change the world! Reach out Cindy O’Connor oconnor1124@gmail.com

33. Sources listed • https://nursing.jnj.com/find-nursing-path/starting-fresh • https://www.ncsbn.org/12171.htm • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm • https://nursejournal.org/bsn-degree/top-9-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree/ • https://www.americannursetoday.com/fostering-soft-skills-must-nurse-leaders/