How Students Can Kickstart a Career in Nursing
Nursing is an exciting, tough but ultimately rewarding job. Some people know from a young age that it’s what they want to do in life and stick with it until the day they retire. For others it may take a few more years or specific experience to lead them down the medical care path.
Whether you’re thinking about doing a degree in nursing or are a current student wondering about working in the sector after graduating, here’s how to go about making it reality.
Have the Passion
Many skills are required to excel at being a nurse and they are all driven by the same component: passion. The best nurses are compassionate, caring and committed to their job and it’s these character traits which help pull them through the hard times and keep going. You’ll need to have this desire and caring attitude in abundance to become a nurse, as well as being a good communicator with people from all walks of life. Listening, getting across important messages, working in a team and managing emotional situations are all demands of the job.
Do the Training
To become a nurse in the UK you now have to hold a degree in pre-registration nursing so you can then register with the nursing and midwifery council (NMC) and start practicing. Lots of universities across the country offer these degrees and for anyone wishing to study part-time or away from an actual university, the Open University also offer a few different nursing courses. Usually at least five GCSEs and two A-Levels or equivalent (including apprentice schemes) are required to apply.
Gain Experience
During or after training it’s a good idea to get as much experience as possible. Make the most of long summer holidays by doing a mix of volunteering, in both local and further afield hospitals, care homes and other healthcare centres. The more varied your experiences the better it will make you at dealing with different situations and people. Volunteering abroad can also open up more opportunities for your career.
Join an Agency
After completing your degree there are a few ways to find a nursing job, such as registering with a nursing agency like Nursing Personnel. This is helpful for discovering a nursing job suited to you, whatever area of the industry and country you wish to work in. Permanent and temporary jobs are available with placements in hospitals, healthcare centres and overseas, as every nurse will have different ambitions.
Get researching and applying to start your nursing career today.
Category: Health
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