Not all nurses work in hospitals. Though most of us imagine an overworked woman in scrubs when we hear the word “nurse: the truth is that the definition is much broader than that.
Anyone can be a nurse and nurses can use their license in different ways. This article explores what it takes to become certified in different nursing careers. Read to learn more about how you can contribute to the healthcare community.
A Quick Note
This article assumes several things. That you are:
- Smart
- Compassionate
- Hard-working
These are requirements for any good nurse. We also assume that you are already fully licensed in your state. If you have not yet achieved your nursing license, the first step you will need to take will be to enroll in an accredited nursing school.
Without a four-year degree, this will mean getting your bachelor’s degree from an accredited program.
Those who already have their bachelor’s degree will be able to accelerate the process. Depending on the pace you choose, may be able to get your license in as little as 8 months.
Once you are fully licensed, you can begin the exciting process of looking into new ways to explore the world of healthcare with your nursing degree.
Time
Time is an excellent first ingredient. Through professional experience, you can learn what areas of healthcare interest you the most.
Most nurses indeed begin their careers working on the hospital floor. But that doesn’t have to be the beginning and end of your career.
Use your experiences as a landing board from which you can spring into new certifications and areas of focus.
If you find yourself passionate about helping babies, you might consider a neonatal nursing certification. If you’ve treated victim violence in the ER, it may be possible that the criminal aspect of healthcare is of interest to you. In that case, you may become a forensic nurse.
A regrettable number of people get frustrated with life as a floor nurse and leave the profession entirely. It doesn’t have to be like that. There are so many different ways to use your nursing degree. Gain experience and figure out what you want to do with it.
Patience
Certification programs often take time. For example, people wishing to be forensic nurses may need to gain several hours of clinical experience in addition to their continuing education requirements.
This can take a long time to get, especially when the clinical hours need to be balanced with other professional and personal responsibilities.
The good news is that some careers will allow you to work on gaining experience while working within your chosen career path.
For example, diabetes educators are required to have a specialized certification. However, they do not need to be fully certified to start performing their responsibilities. They can begin working at an entry-level and then assume more responsibilities once they have fully completed all of their certification requirements.
While the process can be tedious and time-consuming these allowances do make the programs more user-friendly.
Education
Some nursing careers will require an additional degree. Anything that requires a person to become a certified nurse practitioner will involve getting a master’s degree.
This is an investment of 2 to 3 years of your time and up to $100,000. The good news is that there are lots of scholarship opportunities that make graduate school more affordable for nurses.
You may also find that your current employer is willing to pay for some or all of your degree.
Becoming a nurse practitioner is difficult, but it is also rewarding. Nurse practitioners have a high level of autonomy.
They can see patients in essentially the same way doctors do. This means performing basic consultations, making diagnoses, and even writing prescriptions.
Note that laws directing nurse practitioners can do vary by state. While some states allow nurse practitioners to operate almost the same way as general practitioners, others are much more strict.
If you have entrepreneurial ambitions in the form of opening your own practice as a nurse practitioner, it is important to establish that this will be allowed in the community where you currently work.
In all cases, nurse practitioners are compensated for their efforts. Certified NPs can make more than $100,000 a year and enjoy greater flexibility than standard RNs.
Money?
Money is not a skill. It is something you might need. All of the certification programs you will encounter will require a degree of continuing education. These courses usually aren’t free. Some certification programs cost several hundred dollars. Some cost several thousand.
Most are worth their price tag both in the context of the rewarding opportunities that they lead to and in financial benefits as well. Nursing jobs that require additional certifications generally pay more.
Why did we put a question mark at the top of the heading? While all certification programs will almost certainly cost some money, you won’t necessarily be the person paying the bills.
It’s always important to remember that hospitals need nurses. Badly. Many healthcare networks are willing to pay their nurses to acquire additional certifications that correlate with positions they need to fill.
Employer-sponsored education opportunities are an excellent way to expand your skill set and save money in the process.
Conclusion
Continuing education is a requirement that all nurses are obligated to fulfill. You have to learn anyway. Why not learn skills that will translate into a job you will love? Getting new certifications is an excellent way to not only make more money but also renew your passion for healthcare.
Delve deeper into your passions and help your community. Get certified in a healthcare job that you care about.
