The first point of contact for patients and clients in healthcare are nurses. For this reason, nurses must demonstrate compassion and sympathy. Nurses are one of the vertebrates of the healthcare industry. They are one of the first people a patient sees before and after the doctor leaves. As a nurse, you provide care to people based on your own mortality, professional and ethical standards. Nursing is a complex profession and offers great opportunities to ensure that the highest level of safety, ethics and quality of care is provided to patients and their families. So in this essay I will talk about nursing and why I want to become a nurse. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay In most nursing settings, some nurses may battle conflicting topics from their workplace, co-workers, patients, or even their own personal beliefs. Nurses have a responsibility to contribute to a moral climate that demands their respect. According to the American Nurses Association (2015), nurses are required to examine conflicts that arise between their own personal and professional values, the ethics of their associates who are also responsible for patient care, and care decisions health. It can be difficult to distinguish what is considered legally right and what is morally right. Nurses may accept or reject a specific role based on requirements and assignments. They exercise their judgment based on their level of education, knowledge, skills, experience, following their assessment of the level of risk to patient safety. It is not wise to take on a role that you are not trained for, no matter the leader who asks you to do so. Nurses must understand and know their own assessment and competence. When a patient's needs exceed the qualifications or skills of the nurse, that nurse should conduct review of competent colleagues and collaboration with qualified nurses, other health care professionals, or other resources appropriate according to the American Nurses Association. A nurse taking on a role for which they are not prepared or trained could be a deadly mistake. Nurses cannot assign responsibilities such as assessments, but they can order selected interventions in accordance with state nursing practice laws. Nurses must not knowingly assign or represent to a member of the nursing team a task for which that person is not prepared or qualified. Assigning a task to a nurse they know could be costly and dangerous for patients. Administrative, educational and research nurses also have obligations to the recipients of nursing care. Although the relationships a nursing administration has with patients are less direct, they nevertheless share some form of responsibility for the care provided by those they supervise and teach. The prohibited laws should not be applied by any nurse, whether their work environment is in close proximity to patients or not. When a professional nurse teaches, you provide others with skills and lessons that they will use in the nursing field. It is not only a reflection of them as a student, but also ofyou as a teacher. Each state includes a legal sanction known as the Nurse Practice Act. Each registered nurse must understand and observe the content of the act of nursing practice in his or her state. The professions collaborate to determine the nature and scope of nursing practice within the State to protect the health and safety of the general public. “Individuals who become nurses must not only conform to the guidelines and moral standards of the profession, but also embrace them cooperatively as a domain of what it means to be a nurse.” Compliance with the Nurse Practice Act requires nurses to adhere to standards and maintain them within guidelines to avoid being reckless and operate as they see fit in the healthcare field.To become a registered nurse, she must first graduate from an accredited nursing school and pass a licensing exam known as the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. There is no passing score for the NCLEX, but you must pass 50 percent of the test questions. The primary purpose of the licensure exam, like all other important areas of healthcare, is to protect the public from unsafe or uneducated practitioners. As newspapers and other journal articles show, patients are putting their lives in the hands of unlicensed medical professionals, causing a deadly response. Licensing is a legal requirement in every state. Nurses are allowed to be licensed in more than one state. This can happen in several ways, either through examination, approval of a license issued by another state, or through an agreement between multiple states to accept a nursing license. There are two ways to earn a degree and become a registered nurse: either obtain an ASN or BSN. The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a program that requires only 2 years and is traditionally offered at a community college. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 4-year degree program typically delivered by a university. BSNs are often highly recommended by most healthcare institutions. Many employers view graduates of a 4-year program more favorably. There are roles that nurses who have acquired a BSN are more likely to be able to perform or supervise, whereas those who only have an ASN are not. A nursing education includes classroom instruction, supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other healthcare settings. During clinicals, this is where nurses gain their hands-on experience to ensure their confidence when out in the field. Before qualifying or being accepted into the nursing program, students must take and pass the following courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and more, to name a few sciences. In a 4-year bachelor's degree program, nursing specialization is often focused on the last 2 years of school. It is anticipated that the time will come when a bachelor's degree will be the minimum degree required to become a registered nurse, and today in some healthcare settings this is already in practice. Some nursing positions require a BSN, such as administrative, analyst roles, and a nursing specialization. Locally in my state of Miami, Florida, Miami Dade College or MD has an ASN program in which a student can graduate in 2 years. To receive a BSN, a student can attend FIU or any 4-year university of their choice that has an accredited nursing program. After which,they can take the required recorded test and get started in their field. There is a major cost gap between attending a community college and a university. To attend a nursing program at a community college such as MDC with a BSN degree, the average cost would be $1,559.00 per term for residents and $6,432.00 for non-residents. At a Miami university like FIU, the average cost of education would be $14,390 for residents and $43,321 for non-residents. According to Travel Nursing Guide, the demand for nurses in 2017 is the highest ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that employment of registered nurses is expected to increase 16% by 2024. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all occupations, making nursing a valuable area to get started in. The number of new registered nurse jobs created through 2018 will be 581,500. When I drive around Miami, Florida, I see many billboards advertising people wanting to become nurses all over the city. While researching, I only came across a few news articles advertising how to become a nurse. When thinking about reasons to become a nurse, many people look at salary rates. A registered nurse's salary will range between $30,000 and $65,000. Certain factors can determine your salary, such as where you work, the state you work in, and your education. Nurses with an MS receive a higher salary than those with only an ASN. In addition to the number of nurses in your area, if there is a shortage, you will earn more compared to an area overcrowded with nurses. After 5 years of employment, the annual salary averages around $50,000, and after 10 to 15 years of employment, the average increases from $15,000 to $65,000. The median annual income is around $45,000. The middle 50 percent earn between $37,750 and $55,000. For career advancement and increased income, continuing education is necessary, such as a master's degree or doctorate. After research, there are organizations that registered nurses can join locally and nationally. For example, according to the Florida Nurses Association, to become a member of the FNA, one must pay an annual fee of $190.00. The fee helps cover administration costs and the cost of other nursing services. Joining an organization will help you stay up to date with what's happening in the healthcare industry. There are also nursing journals that one can subscribe to. There are a myriad of journals, but one of the most popular is the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), subscription is $34.00 per year. Being well-informed would not only help you stay informed about what's happening across the country, but also when you need to continue your education. There are times when it is necessary for practicing licensed workers to continue their education after obtaining their license. This is to help them be informed of changes in the medical field. Continuing education units must be completed annually in many states and will typically cover a variety of topics focused on many nursing interests. For the state of Florida, registered nurses are required to complete 24 hours of applicable continuing education during each Florida Board of Nursing renewal period. There are ways to advance in the nursing field without having to obtain another degree. There are many certifications and other continuing education programs that can help..