The nursing profession is an outlier in today’s uncertain job market; it’s a field that is almost guaranteed to grow over the next generation. More than 30 million people are in line to be insured for the first time, so doctors will need more help with patients than ever. That’s not to mention the aging baby boomer generation, which will seek an increasing amount of medical care in the coming years.
Plus, health care can’t be outsourced (yet) and still demands a personal touch. That’s where you come in.
If you like caring for people and are looking for workplace stability, nursing may be for you. Where to start? First off, you’ll need a high-school diploma or a GED. From there, most prospective nurses go one of two ways. The first is to become a licensed practical nurse.
This involves enrolling in a one-year program typically offered by a vocational school or community college, and accredited by the Pennsylvania board of nursing. Under the supervision of doctors, an LPN’s typical duty is to provide basic bedside care — dress wounds, give injections, and so on.
The other path is to become a registered nurse. This usually means getting a four-year bachelor’s degree. But once you graduate, you’ll earn more money and wield more authority than an LPN, and you’ll have the opportunity to move up the professional ranks in the future.
Registered nurses often work at hospitals, and typical tasks include administering treatments and educating patients about medical conditions.
