Are you asking, “What does it take to be a nurse?” Nursing can be a demanding career but also highly rewarding. Nurses must be smart, compassionate, and possess good time management and strong communication skills to succeed. If you’re passionate and ready to learn, you might have what it takes.
Have you always known you wanted to be a nurse from a young age? Are you inspired by a nurse in your family? Regardless of how you became interested in nursing, you might be wondering, “What does it take to be a nurse?”
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track will help you harness your natural caretaking traits and teach you the theory and practical skills needed to become a registered nurse.
Let’s dive into what it takes to become a nurse to help you decide if the career is right for you.
What Does It Take to Become a Nurse?
There are several factors to consider when deciding to become a nurse. Let’s learn more about the traits and qualities of nurses.
5 Key Traits and Qualities of a Successful Nurse
- Empathy: Nurses must be aware of their own emotions and able to imagine another person’s emotions as if they were their own.
- Compassion: Nurses must show kindness while caring for others without passing judgment based on perceived differences.
- Communication: Nurses must relay complex medical information to their patients and inform the care team.
- Emotional Intelligence (EI): Nurses must self-manage their emotions to improve interpersonal relationships and communication. A recent study indicated a direct link between EI and improved patient care.
- Physical Stamina: Nursing is physically demanding. Nurses must be able to stand, walk and assist patients throughout their shift, which can be 12 hours long.
What other skills are needed for nursing? Read more to learn about the top 5 nursing skills.
Is Being a Registered Nurse Hard?
Nursing can be challenging. You must care for several patients at once, each experiencing various medical conditions. Because of this, it’s common to ask, “Do you have to be smart to be a nurse?” Remember, you are not expected to know it all right away. That’s why you are continuing your education in nursing school.
At UIW, we are committed to providing a holistic nursing education steeped in Christian values. Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for their future careers, starting with prerequisites.
Prerequisites are collegiate-level courses that students must pass before applying to the UIW nursing track. These courses are essential because they equip students with the scientific understanding necessary for nursing practice and patient care. Additionally, prerequisites help nursing schools assess an applicant’s readiness for the academic and clinical demands of the ABSN track.
Taking time to prioritize self-care is essential to meeting the challenges of nursing and nursing school. Learn 5 self-care tips to help avoid burnout.
Understanding the Demands of Nursing School
Nursing school is rigorous and demands a strong commitment from students. The curriculum covers various topics designed to prepare future nurses for the field. Nursing clinicals can also be demanding as they require students to provide direct patient care in actual healthcare facilities for the first time.
The workload can be intense and requires time management, perseverance and passion to navigate successfully. Fortunately, at UIW, we offer students ample support resources to help them meet their goals and graduate ready to earn their nursing licenses.
As nurse theorist Patricia Benner wrote in her research on the continuum of nursing knowledge known as Novice to Expert, Nursing Pathways for Patient Safety, no one starts at the top, and every nurse must go through the stages of learning to become proficient.
Knowing what to expect as you move along your nursing journey will help answer the question, “What does it take to be a registered nurse?”
Read more to learn what makes nursing school challenging and how to set yourself up for success.
The Challenges of Becoming a Registered Nurse
After graduating, nurses must pass the national NCLEX-RN exam to earn their nursing license, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to practice safely. Once licensed, new nurses often enter fast-paced environments, like hospitals or clinics, where they must quickly adapt to working long shifts, managing multiple patients and handling emotional stress.
The NCLEX can be a challenging exam. Read more to learn how to study for the NCLEX.
The transition from student to professional can be tough, but the rewards of making a real difference in patients’ lives make the challenges worth it. Committing to life-long learning, whether through formal education or learning from more experienced nurses, is key to successfully transitioning from student to professional.
How Do You Know Nursing Is for You?
Becoming a nurse requires a deep passion for healthcare and a genuine desire to make a difference in patients’ lives. Reflecting on your motivations and evaluating your ability to handle high-pressure environments will help determine if this demanding yet rewarding career is the right fit.
If you are ready to embrace both the challenges and fulfillment that come with nursing, it could be the perfect path for you. Contact our admissions team at the University of the Incarnate Word today to learn if our accelerated nursing track is right for you.