There are many descriptions of what a nurse is. Through the years, this noble profession has evolved from the humble beginnings of women catering to wounded soldiers to men and women who are able to work for themselves while maintaining the age old job of aiding the dying, the sick and the health conscious. The nursing profession is well respected throughout the world and the job that they do is not just for the payment and job security. If there is one job in the health care industry that never seems to die out, it’s the nursing profession. Nurses can work in a variety of health care settings and the pay is always good.

Most registered nurses work in the hospital setting. Unlike most health care professions which are limited to a certain part in the hospital, a registered nurse can work in just about any area found in the hospital. This specialization in nurses has allowed them to work in different areas, giving them additional titles and responsibilities. You can earn higher salary rates by working in different areas in the hospital.

Ward nurses are the nurses who work on the floor to maintain the integrity of patients admitted for diseases or illnesses. The ward nurses can be divided according to pediatrics, medical and surgical cases or ob cases. These are nurses who are in charge of the nursing assistants and make sure that the medications are given on time and the paperwork for patients is complete. Their job is to make sure that the patients receive their medications and treatments on time while reporting anomalies to the attending physicians. Specialty area nurses are nurses who work in various parts of the hospital such as the operating room where they are in charge of cleaning the instruments, prepping the patient for surgery, and making sure that the area is safe and secure for the operation. Other nurses specialize in hemodialysis, where they are in charge of attaching the hemodialysis machine on the patient for the procedure and intensive care unit nurses who have to constantly monitor critical patients. These are just some of the few specializations that nursing can offer.

In order to become a nurse, one has to enroll in a community college. In college, you will be taught all about the basics of nursing work. The subjects included in college include pathophysiology, basic anatomy and physiology and a host of other science related topics. Before enrollment, you must submit a high school diploma or equivalent. Nursing school usually takes months or years to complete. Depending on the number of subjects you take, you can earn a certificate, associates degree or a bachelor’s degree.

As a nurse, you will have to take the nursing licensee exam (NCLEX) in order to be licensed to work in your state. Different states have different requirements. Some states require that you pass other exams along with the NCLEX before working. While taking the NCLEX, expect a lot of critical thinking questions. Since there won’t be time to change your answers after the exam is over, always tackle the questions patiently.