What is a Nurse?
Someone who cares for the sick and infirm. A nurse is a member of the health care team and provides different kinds of health care to patients based on the nurse’s level of education.

What is a Registered Nurse?
A nurse who has graduated with a diploma or a degree from a state-approved nursing program, passed the state board examination for professional nurses and has been granted a license by the state to practice professional nursing in that state. R.N.s with advanced degrees and certificates will have increased options for their scope of practice.

What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?
a technical nurse who has graduated from a state-approved nursing program, passed the state board examination for practical nursing and has been granted a license to practice in that state as a practical nurse. The LPN/LVN works under the supervision of an R.N. or a physician to provide patient care. With IV Certification, the LPN/LVN can perform certain aspects of IV care. The title of Practical or Vocational nurse varies by state law, but the role is essentially the same.

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is unlicensed. A CNA delivers limited care to patients under the supervision of licensed nurses. The CNA may take vital signs and assist in activities of daily living such as giving baths, making beds, dressing, feeding, and positioning patients. The CNA completes a training course that includes classroom and clinical instruction. They are regulated by state agencies.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse?
There is more than one way to become a nurse. There are two-year programs at community colleges and four-year programs at state schools.

Most of these programs require certain classes in order to enter the program (called pre-requisites), if you don’t have them already, you’ll have to take them first. A college counselor can help you plan your schedule.

What if I can’t Stand the Sight of Blood?
Not everyone is cut out for the emergency room or the operating room. Many nurses choose to stay out of the hospital, and don’t wear a uniform. There are so many options in the profession. One is bound to suit you.

If you want to be the boss, nursing has a place for you. Nurses are also:

• Educators
• Managers
• Executives
• Entrepreneurs
• Lawyers
• Government officials

Nurses can also work with the police in forensics departments, on movie sets, as flight nurses in the military and as expert witnesses.

When it comes to finding a challenging career as a nurse, the possibilities are endless.

Is the Pay Any Good?
New graduate nurses in California make between $40 to $46 per hour, depending on geographic location.

The highest starting salaries in California are around $83,000 per year. And in some areas, sign on bonuses are being advertised at up to $10,000.

The more education and experience you have, the more money you can earn. For example nurse practitioners make over $89,000 per year.

Is Nursing School Costly?
Community colleges are the least expensive way to go. Seventy percent of nurses educated graduate from community colleges. The tuition at community colleges is about $12 per unit.

Four-year schools are around $2,200 per year. But don’t let these numbers scare you. The fact is, universities and larger colleges sometimes have the best programs for helping you afford school. Four-year degrees offer even greater opportunities in nursing than community college degrees.

There’s lots of money out there to help you pay for tuition, housing, meals, books, etc. You just have to put in a little effort to get it.

What is a State Board of Nursing?
the governing board in each state that oversees the statutory laws that comprise the NPA for that state. This board is responsible for protecting the public by determining who is competent to practice nursing in that state and suspending or revoking the license of anyone who is deemed incompetent.

What Are the Top 10 Facts a New Nurse Should Know?
1. Nursing is one of the noblest professions.

2. Nursing involves a process of lifelong learning.

3. Once a Nurse; Always a Nurse.

4. Nursing is a profession and not a gender.

5. Nursing combines the art of caring with the skills and technology of math and science.

6. Nursing is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding jobs.

7. Always set the bar high; expect professionalism.

8. If you’ve “burned out,” you just need to find another niche as a nurse.

9. The present nursing shortage isn’t going to be solved entirely by recruiting more nurses.

10. Nurses make a difference in someone’s life everyday and are masters at the fine art of caring!