Nursing Career Information & More! - WGCMakeTheSwitch.com

Things to Consider

There are a lot of different things to thing about when switching careers, especially to the field of nursing.

Below are some things that you may want to consider!

Do You Like Helping People?

If you like helping people or have a passion for helping those in need, nursing may be something to consider. If not, you may want to think about another career. Nurses spend a lot of time with people, so if you want to be a nurse or CNA, you want to think about whether or not you'd like that. Thinking about whether or not you'd like a career before you get into it can save you a lot of time and hassle down the road.

Do You Enjoy School?

Becoming a CNA or nurse requires going to school, and there's no way around that. If you're someone who doesn't like studying or doesn't want to go to anymore school, then you might want to rethink switching careers. However, if you're someone who generally enjoys school, then you might not might be fine with the preparation that goes into becoming a nurse or CNA.

Are You a Good Communicator?

Being a nurse or CNA requires a person to be able to communicate effectively with their patients. However, some people prefer more introverted careers where they can keep to themselves. If this sounds like you, then you might want to choose a different career from nursing where there's less interaction with people. There's nothing wrong with preferring a career where you have less interaction with people, it's just that nursing isn't one of those careers.

Basic Steps to Becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Below are some general steps that people tyically need to follow in order to become a CNA. It's important to understand that these may vary depending upon where you live, the local rules in your area, and other factors. These steps are only meant to be taken as general information.

Step 1: Meet Any Necessary Prerequisites

Because nurse assisting is a medical profession, there are a variety of prerequisites that a person typically needs to meet. For example, a background check may be required, a minimum of a high school diploma, as well as proof of immunizations and other various things. To know for sure, what's required, you may need to check with the Board of Nursing in your state.

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Step 2: Find a School and Go Through a CNA Training Program

If you want to become a CNA, you'll most likely need to take some CNA classes and training. Certain states might let you take online courses, where other states will require you to take all in-person classes. Other states may allow you to take blended classes. Schools such as community colleges and technical colleges are common places to find CNA training courses.

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Step 3: Complete any Required Clinical Work

It is important to note that some schools may require you to do clincicals, which is another term for getting experience in the field, in order to acheive your practical nursing licensure. During clinicals (if offered at the school you choose), you might shadow a CNA or nurse in a hospital or another setting in order to gain real world experience. The amount of clincial hours you may need to complete can vary depending upon the rules in your state and the school that you attend.

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Step 4: Take and Pass the CNA Exam in Your State

Depending upon where you live, there may be different exams required in terms of written and skills testing. Generally speaking though, most state require a person to take and pass a skills and competency exam in order to be a CNA. You can find out more about this from the Board of Nursing in your state. Generally speaking, after passing a CNA exam and completing any other required steps (some of which may not be listed here), a person may then be considered a CNA.