Be a Super Hero

What it Takes to be a Nurse

Within the nursing field, there are literally hundreds of ways that nurses can care for others. Like doctors, nurses can specialize in a variety of medical areas — the emergency department, surgery, cardiac (heart) testing, pediatrics, psychiatry, intensive care, and many others.

Whatever the position, the nurse must be able to communicate clearly with the patient and other members of the health care team. And because nurses are often one of the first people patients see when they need treatment, nurses must be able to remain calm in emergencies and take action quickly and effectively when necessary.

If you want to become a nurse, the nursing positions open to you will be determined by your level of nursing education. There are two-year nursing programs offered by local community and junior colleges, as well as three-year diploma programs run by a hospital or a school. The longest program takes four or five years of study at a college or university and graduates receive a Bachelor's degree. With any of these options, you must pass a state licensing board exam to become a registered nurse, or R.N.

Another option is a one-year training program for an L.P.N. (Licensed Practical Nurse) certificate. The difference is that L.P.N.s are not legally allowed to perform as many nursing duties as an R.N. You may also decide to be a Nurse Practitioner, which means that you will have a more advanced degree. Nurse Practitioners are allowed to do some of the things that a doctor would ordinarily do, such as making diagnoses (deciding what’s wrong with a patient) and writing prescriptions.

If you're interested in becoming a nurse, talk to one of the nurses at the hospital or at your doctor’s office. Or talk to your school counselor who can help you plan the kinds of classes you need to take now to prepare yourself for a career in nursing. You can also learn more about nursing as a career by visiting Nursing 2000.