Registered Nurse Training

With all the complexity of today’s health care environment, I wonder if Florence Nightingale would fare as well, without the benefit of proper registered nurse training. Before embarking on her illustrious career, would she be subjected to the current requirements of our National Board of Nursing. Nowadays, the path to a noble career, such as the one she is most known for, is marked by a tedious journey that is a combination of both practical experience and formal education. Registered Nurse Training describes a process that prepares a person for passage of the National Council Licensure Exam, (bearing the acronym, NCLEX).

The exam is so rigorous in its demands of a person’s superior mastery of the field of nursing, that mere on the job training will not be sufficient to cover all the areas of knowledge covered in the exam. This sort of training cannot be acquired in a purely academic setting. Most individuals seeking the RN designation receive their training under the auspices of an employer, such as a hospital or assisted-living care facility. If a candidate for RN was focusing on their academic preparation, in a purely university setting, they would eventually be required to do a practicum under the supervision of that school’s nursing department.

The plethora of specializations within the health care industry provide the impetus for the very wide range of opportunities that exist for those needing registered nurse training. Geriatrics, pediatrics, nutrition, mental health, ob/gyn are just a sampling of the areas where a person can choose to specialize. Certain specializations are chosen based on a person’s affinity for that particular area. For others, it is a choice based on the demand and financial compensation offered in the field of specialization. Extra training is required of RNs wishing to work in many of these specializations.

Not too long ago, the media plastered headlines across our land, bemoaning the shortage of nurses and touting the opportunities for those looking to find a solid future in a worthwhile career. Well, successful they were. The trend has been shifting now, as the demand has tilted over to the oversupply side. In the wake of the shortage, training schools quickly cropped up, recruiting a fresh new army of dutiful and aspiring nurses. The gap has been filled. Now the employment line queues are lengthening. It’s not a bad thing, per se, just a matter of basic economics, supply and demand.

Those who successfully run the gauntlet of any registered nurse training program should rest assured that their futures are secure. Although you may have to wait a while for that one perfect position to appear, the knowledge and skills you have worked so hard to attain have value and are marketable immediately. Your noble ambitions to serve the weak and infirm will not go unnoticed. As baby boomers continue to age, the need for skilled RNs will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Truly, the healthcare industry is strong, and it’s a great field to pin your financial and professional future to.