If you are looking for a career that offers you the opportunity to help people while also enjoying job stability, nursing might be your ideal career path. Becoming a nurse can present some challenges, especially since there is currently a shortage of nursing educators. This guide can give you some valuable information on how to become a nurse.

Before you can start really working towards becoming a nurse, you will need to finish high school, either by graduating or obtaining your GED.

There are several different kinds of nurses. Two of the most common are Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (LPN or LVN) and Registered Nurse (RN). Both of these have great job prospects, but have different educational requirements and give you different privileges in dealing with patients.

Licensed Practical or Vocation Nurse

1. Attend a vocational school or community college that offers a state licensed nursing program.http://www.collegecrunch.org/education/how-to-become-a-nurse/
2. Learn about anatomy and basic patient care via classroom and clinical work.
3. Once you finish your coursework, you will need to pass a licensing exam in the state where you want to work.
4. As an LPN or LVN, you will be able to deal directly with patients and perform tasks such as administering medication, charting information, planning patient care, charting patient treatments, helping in surgery, first aid, and other basic care.http://www.howtodothings.com/careers/a4143-how-to-become-a-nurse.html

Registered Nurse

1. Obtain either an Associate's Degree in nursing or a Bachelor's of Science Degree in nursing. Both of these can lead you to becoming an RN, but the BSN will take you four years while the ADN will take two. On the other hand, having a BSN will open up potential for a higher salary and the possibility for specialization.http://www.collegecrunch.org/education/how-to-become-a-nurse
2. As an RN, you will do all of the things that an LPN or LVN would do, often while acting in a supervisory capacity to those nurses. In addition, you will need to ensure patient safety and well-being, counsel patients and educate patients about their ongoing well-being.

Once you know the nursing career path you wish to pursue, you can start researching different nursing programs to find the one for you. Things to keep in mind include:

1. Cost. Community colleges often have good programs. You should also make sure to look for scholarships or grants that might be available to those pursuing nursing studies.
2. Time. Some programs have a long waiting list due to the shortage of nursing educators. If you are willing to pay more for your program, sometimes you can start sooner. Make sure to explore all possibilities.
3. Admissions timeframe. This will dictate when you can begin your nursing studies. If you are closer to the spring semester than the fall, you might want to find a school where you can begin mid-year.

Once you have completed your coursework and received your certificate or degree, you will need to pass the licensing exam for the state in which you want to work. These exams normally incorporate written and clinical components.

Becoming a licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse or registered nurse is a great way to get started on a solid and rewarding career path.