subject: Qualities Necessary In A Registered Nurse [print this page] To be a registered nurse is more than just a job, it is a calling. It can be difficult work at times, but it also provides immeasurable rewards. This article will examine the process of becoming a nurse.
What qualities do people who become nurses possess? Above all there is a desire to help others, even when doing so requires hard work and sacrifice. Beyond that, someone considering a career in nursing should be interested in the sciences, such as biology and chemistry, as well as comfortable with adapting to new technologies. Aside from these intellectual and academic attributes, being a good nurse requires certain other, less tangible, qualities as well, including good interpersonal skills, the ability to stay calm in a crisis, patience, and leadership. A person with all these traits and interests is much more likely to make a good nurse than one who lacks them.
Once someone has decided that nursing is a good career fit, he or she must go to school in order to attain a proper education. Admission to nursing school requires, at minimum, a high school diploma. Many schools also require that those seeking admission take the National League for Nursing's Pre-Admissions Exam, or PAX. The PAX is used to evaluate a candidate's abilities in math, science, and verbal skills.
Once the student has been admitted to school, he or she takes courses in science and the humanities as well as special classes focusing on the theory and practice of nursing. They also get experience working in the real-life environments such as hospitals. The standard program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation, some will want to stay in school in order to earn a Master's degree, which opens up new opportunities to work in certain specialized fields. It is also possible to continue on and earn a Doctorate, but this is mainly for those who wish to focus on research or to teach a new generation of students, rather than working in the field.
Graduation is not the final step in becoming a registered nurse, however. The new graduate must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. Passing this examination signifies that one is capable of working as a professional nurse. Of course, even then, there is a good deal left to learn about the world of nursing. However, this will come primarily through on-the-job training. Nurses should also expect to attend continuing education courses from time to time in order to keep their skills current in the ever-changing world of medicine.
