A clear, step-by-step guide to planning your path into nursing.
Introduction
Nurses are at the heart of healthcare. They care for patients, give medications, support families, and work closely with doctors and other professionals to keep people safe and healthy. Nursing is a rewarding career that offers many specialties, flexible paths, and the chance to make a real difference every day.
If you are wondering, “What should I do if I want to be a nurse?”, this article will guide you through the main steps: understanding what nurses do, preparing in school, choosing the right nursing program, getting licensed, and building a long-term career.
1. Understand What Nurses Really Do
Nursing is much more than taking temperatures or following doctor’s orders. Nurses are trained professionals who:
- Assess patients by checking vital signs and asking questions.
- Give medications and treatments safely and on time.
- Educate patients and families about illnesses, medications, and home care.
- Coordinate care with doctors, therapists, pharmacists, and social workers.
- Advocate for patients’ needs and rights.
- Respond to emergencies and sudden changes in a patient’s condition.
- Document everything clearly in medical records.
Nurses work in many places: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, workplaces, home health, and even in telehealth or remote settings.
2. Check Your Motivation and Personal Qualities
Nursing can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Ask yourself:
- Do I truly enjoy helping people, even when they are sick, scared, or difficult?
- Can I handle seeing blood, pain, and serious illness?
- Am I able to communicate kindly and clearly with many types of people?
- Can I stay organized and calm when things get busy?
- Am I willing to work shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays?
You do not need to be perfect at all of these things right now, but you should be willing to grow in these areas.
3. Focus on Helpful School Subjects
If you are still in middle or high school, building a strong academic base will make nursing school easier.
Key Subjects
- Biology: Understanding the human body, cells, and diseases.
- Chemistry: Helpful for medications, fluids, and lab results.
- Math: Needed for calculating medication doses and IV rates.
- Language / English: Important for reading medical information and writing notes.
- Psychology or Social Studies: Useful for understanding behavior, emotions, and society.
4. Get Early Experience in Healthcare
Real-world experience will confirm your interest and strengthen your applications.
Volunteering
Many hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes welcome volunteers. You might help with non-medical tasks like guiding visitors, delivering supplies, or talking with patients.
- Gives you a feel for the hospital environment.
- Shows your commitment to helping others.
Shadowing Nurses
Shadowing means observing a nurse during their shift. You learn how they talk to patients, work with doctors, and handle emergencies.
- Ask your school counselor or healthcare contacts for opportunities.
- Always follow privacy and safety rules.
Entry-Level Healthcare Jobs
Depending on your location, you may be able to work as:
- Nursing assistant or home health aide (often requires short training).
- Medical receptionist or unit clerk.
- Patient transporter or support worker.
These jobs give hands-on experience and look great on nursing school applications.
Health-Related Clubs or Courses
Join first-aid clubs, health science classes, Red Cross activities, or community health projects to build skills and meet like-minded people.
5. Understand the Different Types of Nurses
Nursing education and titles vary by country, but many systems include several levels. Knowing the differences helps you choose where to start.
Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide
- Provides basic care: bathing, feeding, helping patients move.
- Usually requires a short course and certification.
- Good starting job to gain experience.
LPN/LVN (Practical or Vocational Nurse)
- Provides basic nursing care under supervision of an RN or doctor.
- Training typically takes about 1 year in a practical nursing program.
- Works in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health.
Registered Nurse (RN)
- Provides and coordinates patient care, gives medications, and educates patients.
- Requires a nursing degree and passing a national or regional licensing exam.
- Has broader responsibilities and higher pay than LPN/LVN in most places.
Advanced Practice Nurse
- Includes nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.
- Requires advanced degrees (often a master’s or doctorate) and additional licenses.
- Can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage long-term care in many regions.
6. Choose a Nursing Education Path
If your goal is to become an RN, there are usually several paths:
Diploma or Certificate Programs
Some hospitals or schools offer diploma programs for practical nursing or entry-level RN roles. These are often shorter and very focused on nursing skills.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Usually 2–3 years at a community or technical college.
- Prepares you to sit for the RN licensing exam.
- Often more affordable and faster than a full bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Typically 4 years at a university or college.
- Includes more theory, leadership, research, and public health content.
- Preferred or required by many hospitals for certain roles or promotions.
Bridge and Second-Degree Programs
- LPN-to-RN or ADN-to-BSN: Let you build on an existing license or degree.
- Accelerated BSN: For people who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
7. Succeeding in Nursing School
Nursing school combines classroom learning with clinical practice in hospitals and clinics. You will learn subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing skills.
To do well:
- Stay organized with a planner or digital calendar for classes, labs, and clinical shifts.
- Review material regularly instead of cramming before exams.
- Practice skills in labs and ask instructors to watch your technique.
- Form study groups but keep them focused on problem-solving, not just chatting.
- Take care of yourself with sleep, nutrition, and stress management.
8. Licensing Exams and Getting Your First Job
After graduating from your nursing program, you usually must pass a licensing exam to practice as an LPN/LVN or RN (the name of the exam depends on your country).
Preparation tips:
- Start reviewing months before the exam using review books or online question banks.
- Take many practice tests to get used to the style and timing.
- Focus on understanding priority questions (who do you see first, what is most urgent).
When you receive your license, you can apply for jobs in:
- Hospitals (medical-surgical floors, intensive care, emergency, maternity, pediatrics, etc.).
- Nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
- Clinics and doctor’s offices.
- Home health and hospice.
- Schools, workplaces, government agencies, and more.
9. Nursing Specialties and Career Growth
Once you have some experience, you can explore many specialties, such as:
- Emergency, intensive care, or operating room nursing.
- Pediatric, neonatal, or maternity nursing.
- Oncology (cancer care), cardiology, neurology, or dialysis.
- Public health, school nursing, or occupational health.
- Psychiatric and mental health nursing.
- Travel nursing or humanitarian/mission work.
You can also grow into roles like charge nurse, nurse educator, case manager, or advanced practice nurse with further study.
10. Advantages and Challenges of Nursing
Advantages
- Strong demand and job stability in many regions.
- Wide variety of workplaces and specialties.
- Chance to build long-term relationships with patients and families.
- Opportunities for flexible schedules and part-time or travel work.
Challenges
- Physically demanding work (standing, lifting, long shifts).
- Emotional stress from illness, death, and high responsibility.
- Shift work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Need to keep learning as medical knowledge and technology change.
Step-by-Step Summary
- Learn what nurses do and reflect on why you want to join the profession.
- Strengthen your foundation in biology, chemistry, math, and language.
- Gain experience by volunteering, shadowing, or working in healthcare.
- Decide which nursing level (LPN/LVN, RN, advanced practice) fits your goals.
- Choose an accredited nursing program (diploma, ADN, BSN, or bridge path).
- Develop strong study habits and clinical skills during nursing school.
- Graduate and pass your licensing exam.
- Apply for your first nursing job and keep learning on the job.
- Explore specialties and additional education as your career grows.
Conclusion
Becoming a nurse is a meaningful goal that can lead to a lifelong, flexible, and impactful career. The path includes hard work and responsibility, but you will never stop learning or making a difference in people’s lives.
Start from where you are now: study your current subjects carefully, look for opportunities to experience healthcare, and plan your education step by step. With dedication and compassion, you can move closer to your dream of becoming a nurse.