Are you keen to become a nurse? Likely, there are certain questions about your future career that you’ll want answered before you start on your journey to becoming an RN.
From how to obtain your nursing qualification, to whether you should specialize in a certain area of advanced practice, which personal qualities you need to cultivate to complement your skillset, and finally, how to fast-track your nursing career – let us take you through it.
How Do I Attain My Nursing Qualification?
Unsurprisingly, there are certain educational requirements an individual needs to attain to become a registered nurse.
For budding nurses who are new to the field, you’ll need to complete a state-accredited RN program to gain your nursing diploma. For registered nurses wanting to specialize their career further, there exists an abundance of master’s degrees focusing on different areas of nursing specialization. Some of the varied, specialized types of nursing you can qualify for include:
- Neonatal nursing.
- Occupational health nursing.
- ICU / Critical care nursing.
- Oncology nursing.
- Cardiovascular nursing.
- Gastroenterology nursing.
- Substance addiction nursing.
- Mental health nursing.
But irrespective of which area of specialization you choose to take your nursing career down, one factor remains the same. You’ll need to complete higher studies in your specialized field. For neonatal nurses, for instance, a master’s degree that incorporates study units focusing on the needs of newborns and their parents may be required. For aspiring mental health nurses, further studies in psychology and human behavior are especially advantageous. Similarly, for registered nurses who are keen to specialize in cardiovascular or gastroenterology nursing, studies centering on those specific areas will need to be completed.
What Personal Qualities Do I Need to Become a Nurse?
In addition to your professional skillset, to become the best nurse you can be, there are certain personal qualities you’ll need to develop.
Some of these qualities include:
- Compassion, empathy, and care.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
- The ability to stay calm and clear-headed under pressure.
- Impeccable attention to detail.
- Attention, focus, and the ability to concentrate in fast-paced environments.
- Integrity, honesty, and advocacy.
- Willingness to learn and take initiative.
In truth, some of these qualities are innate. For someone to want to pursue a career as a nurse in the first place, they’re likely to already be a natural caregiver. This is, of course, somewhat of a stereotype of the nursing profession. But the truth? The desire to help and give care to others is a fundamental motivator for many budding nurses.
How Can I Fast-Track My Nursing Career?
You’ve completed your nursing diploma, attained your RN licensure, and cultivated the skills and personal qualities you need to become a nurse. You may be asking yourself where you can go from here, like for example how to become an APRN in Missouri. Just like in other states in the US, there are certain steps you need to take:
Step 1: Select Your Area of Advanced Practice Specialization
For registered nurses in Missouri in particular, obtaining the relevant licensing in your selected area of advanced practice specialization will take your career further. You can choose from advanced nursing practice in several areas. Your selection will allow you to qualify as one of the following APRN specialists, for example
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Step 2: Obtain Your State-Accredited APRN Licensure
While each APRN specialty varies in its scope, responsibilities, and area of focus, there is a commonality between them. They each require the APRN to obtain the relevant state licensure to enable them to practice in their chosen field. This requires the aspiring APRN to follow an advanced nursing degree path, in addition to completing their nursing diploma. The good news? Doing so will usually result in further career progression, improved professional outcomes, and in most cases, an increase in salary expectations.
Step 3: Complete Your Clinical Placements
As with any nursing qualification, becoming an APRN requires you to complete clinical placements in your field. The best part? Your nursing rounds are an integral part of your formation and will enable you to receive on-the-job training and experience.
