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5 Things to Know if You Are Wanting to Become a Nurse

by Regina Thomas Freelance Writer

If you have an interest in becoming a nurse, there are a few things you should learn about before you commit to this type of vocation. As a caregiver, you should have a great deal of empathy for others, but there are also practical concerns to consider. 

Here are a few things to think about in deciding whether or not to pursue this career path.

Personal Protective Equipment is a Necessary Expense

In many other types of jobs, an employer will supply you with a uniform and the PPE, or personal protective equipment, that's required for that job. While hospitals may supply gloves, earplugs, and other minor items, you'll be responsible for buying most of your own PPE and clothing. 

This includes buying nursing scrubs and comfortably fitting shoes. You will have to be able to move quickly and steadily, so your shoes and clothing shouldn't be ill-fitting or too constrictive.

Take Your Own Health Seriously

Once you begin a career as a caregiver, your ability to go into work each day will depend on your own health condition. If you suffer from an illness, you could pass germs and bacteria on to your patients, so you may have to miss work if you're under the weather. For that reason, you'll have to be more diligent about eating right, exercising, sleeping well, and relieving stress. 

You will also have to undergo regular testing to ensure you're free of HIV, Covid-19, and other contagious viruses. Your risk for contracting these illnesses is higher as a healthcare worker, so that's something else to consider. If you do become a nurse, practicing good hygiene, wearing proper PPE, and taking other steps to remain disease-free will become a necessary part of your daily life.

Accept That You'll Always Have New Things to Learn

Even after you complete nursing school and earn your license, your education will not stop. As a nurse, you'll have to keep up with new technologies, procedures, and medical conditions, because you'll never know when you'll be expected to use that knowledge in your nursing career

Your continuing education can consist of taking classes at a local college, attending lectures and seminars, or doing your own research online. You will even have to learn changes in coding medical treatments and changes to your hospital's standard practices. If you're always eager to learn something new, nursing may be the right path for you.

Understand the Time Commitment

Another thing you should think about is how much your free time means to you. Unless you get a job in a doctor's office, where your schedule is limited to normal business hours, you should expect to work plenty of overtime. Anything can happen to require you to work more hours than you plan, including a late or absent co-worker, a big traffic accident with several injury victims, or an outbreak of the flu. 

Most hospitals and clinics are understaffed, so you may be required to work more than 40 hours per week even when there isn't a major medical incident. If you don't love caring for others, or you place greater value on your free time, you may get burned out very quickly.

Learn That Your Co-Workers are Family

You'll spend at least as much time at work as you do at home, but, in reality, you'll probably spend more time working. This means your co-workers will be as much a part of your family as your own spouse and children, so you should learn how to like them in spite of their flaws. 

If you don't get along well with your co-workers, the long hours you spend at work will be even more challenging. Once you accept that the other hospital employees in your unit are in the same boat, you'll find it easier to embrace them. Over time, you really will think of them as family.

Almost every television show and film show nurses and other caregivers in some capacity, but those representations are rarely accurate. If you really want to know what it's like to be a nurse, visit your local hospital and talk to a few nurses. You'll find that it's very hard work, but you'll also find that it's very rewarding work. Becoming a nurse isn't for everyone, but those that do follow this path find that the challenges are worthwhile.



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About Regina Thomas Advanced   Freelance Writer

25 connections, 2 recommendations, 149 honor points.
Joined APSense since, June 29th, 2020, From Southern California, United States.

Created on Aug 12th 2020 10:49. Viewed 383 times.

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