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Ohio University Chillicothe-Berger Health System
Nursing Partnership
Facts About Being a Registered Nurse

1. Nursing is not an insurance policy. It is not something to fall back on in case you are forced to work in the future. Skills and knowledge in nursing must be kept current. With technology changing so frequently, it is hard for a practicing nurse to keep up.

2. Nursing is not a "do-as-you-are-told" job. It demands that one be able to interview, analyze, detect, develop, write, teach, interpret, counsel, coordinate, collaborate, insert, inject, dispense, change, document, count, order, improvise, supervise, create, give, and take. It takes much more than a nice personality, a ready smile, and good intentions to make a good nurse.

Melodie Chenevert invites you to take her quiz to find out if you have the substance for nursing, not the fluff. Do you have...

a strong background in math (algebra) and science (chemistry and biology)?
good hand-eye coordination?
lots of common sense?
the ability to stay calm in emergencies?
excellent communication skills?
a sound body?
a stable mind?
an above-average intellect?
an affinity for machines and computers?
a compassionate heart?
teaching abilities?
leadership qualities?
patience, tolerance, flexibility, persistence?
a strong ego?
an affinity for problem solving?
confidence in your decision-making abilities?
good organizational skills?
reliable powers of observation?
the ability to see the best in people in the worst of times?
no objection to working weekends, nights, or holidays?

Chenevert states the more qualities that you have (the yes to the above questions), the more likely that you are to make a success out of the nursing profession. (From her book Tour Guide to Nursing School, Mosby Publishers.)

3. The jobs as a Registered Nurse (RN) are no longer found in the hospital setting. Most openings for RNs can be found in the home health setting, clinics, doctors' offices, schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, convalescent homes, adult day care settings, assisted living settings, community settings, etc. Do not expect to work in the hospital immediately after graduation from a nursing program. Those jobs are just not as available as they once were. RNs have expanded the areas in which they work. Be prepared to expand too.

4. If you are interested in becoming a Registered Nurse, apply to several different programs of nursing. Make yourself aware of what the application requirements are for each program (they are usually different in each program). Meet the deadlines. Make certain that you have turned in everything that is needed. It is your responsibility to make sure that your application is complete and on time. Schedule an appointment with the faculty advisor or director of the nursing program to find out more about it. Get the information in writing.

5. Points to keep in mind: what is the pass rate on the licensure exam (you want the high 80s to 100 percent); the program should be State Board of Nursing approved and National League for Nursing (NLN) accredited; cost of tuition, books, uniforms, and other incidentals of a nursing program; apply early.