Nursing is one of the most rewarding positions around, but how do you get started as a nurse, what qualifications and education do you require, and do you have what it takes to thrive within a nursing position. As nursing can be both physically and mentally demanding, it is certainly not the right choice for everything, so how can you get that career as a nurse started, and where should your priorities lie?
An Adequate Education
A nursing degree or a degree and a BSN is needed to get that role you are after. Of course, not all education is the same, and quality matters. When it comes to looking at online accelerated BSN programs, it is vital that you assess what you are getting and assess its suitability. A good BSN to pursue will be one that is recognized and one that is provided and taught by a respected and recognized university. A good quality education will help you land a job, so its importance should not be underestimated. So, take the step now and look at what education you have at the moment and establish what is needed to take you to the next step. Remember that advice and guidance is always readily available, so be sure to take advantage of experienced professionals and those within the education system to ensure that you get the right education for you and your career goals.
Setting Your Goals
When you have established exactly what education and studies you need to get into nursing, it is time to start setting those goals and working towards them. So, what goals do you have? Do you want to complete your BSN alongside working within a year and be in a new role a few months later? Do you want to study alongside working, or do you want to take time out of your job to focus all of your efforts and attention on studying and getting a good quality qualification? What goals can you set now that will help you get to that rewarding and aspirational role as a nurse? As well as setting goals, it is important to involve family, friends, and loved ones when you are starting studying as it can be very demanding trying to juggle everything on your own, so do not be afraid to reach out to others for help and assistance when you need it.
Aspirations & Mentors
When you are studying and you are going for your first position, it is important to be aspirational, and ideally, it is wise to have a mentor to help you as much as possible. Setting aspirations will help you get through your studies, and it will help you land the position you deserve after all of that studying and dedication. Mentors are always useful to have, and a mentor can come in the shape of a person within a nursing role, or it could be someone from an educational setting. Having a mentor behind you can often give you the strength, energy, and dedication to push through and push forwards to get your nursing position, even when it feels too tough at times.
