The Heart of Health Care: The Vital Role of Family Medicine & How to Become a Nursing Professional by 30Seconds Health

Health care forms a vital part of the lives of many American families – whether it be characterized in medical dramas such as E.R. or Chicago Med, or if we experience a medical episode and, as a result, become party to the vital work that health-care professionals such as paramedics and nursing practitioners provide.

For many, witnessing a medical episode may encourage them to pursue a qualification in health care, such as an affordable online MSN FNP, or other related nursing certifications. Understanding what qualifications lead to nursing roles and what leads to other medical professions can sometimes be a task in itself. Let’s discover what it takes to get out there and become a nursing professional.

Qualifications for Nursing Graduates

Depending on the specialization you’d like to pursue, there is a litany of learning pathways available for the determined and passionate nursing student. To first become a nurse, however, three key elements are required: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or related qualification in Nursing, successful completion of a licensing examination (such as the National Council Licensure Examination, more commonly known as the NCLEX-RN), as well as a background check.

While this may get you in the door as a Registered Nurse (RN), many students have an interest in entering an advanced registered nursing role, such as that of a Family Nurse Practitioner. In those situations, an additional qualification such as a Master of Science in Nursing (FNP) may be required to provide a nursing student with the necessary skills to succeed in the role.

The road to becoming a qualified FNP may seem complicated, but opportunities are available to complete both a BSN and FNP sequentially. This, combined with the completion of the necessary checks and licensure examinations, can help prospective nurses get qualified for advanced nursing roles in less time than it would take to study the courses concurrently.

Health Care: Transforming Lives

Health care can be a transformative element in the lives of those suffering from medical conditions. Having access to regular health-care providers can have dramatic impacts on the expected mortality of Americans – a 2021 study published in the National Center for Biotechnology dubbed this as the “rural mortality penalty” – often as a result of the community and structural influences that make up rural areas.

Many states, including Michigan, are working to invest in improving the health of Michigan residents, no matter whether they live in cities like Detroit, or one of the many rural towns dotted throughout the state. Recently, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund announced an investment of $14.3 million in grants, designed to support rural health outcomes.

For many prospective nursing graduates, opportunities will arise in facilities in both urban centers and rural communities. As a health-care professional, no matter what you choose, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of citizens who need medical support – and it may just change a life or two.

Skills For Success: Crucial Nursing Attributes

What attributes are crucial for nursing professionals? Curiously, the answer lies not in the qualification that a nurse may hold. It’s a combination of the personal experiences and know-how that a qualified nurse has picked up throughout their career.

Take, for example, the ability of a nurse to empathize with a patient who is having a difficult treatment experience. A well-trained nurse may be able to demonstrate a level of compassion and empathy that makes a patient feel supported and reassured in a difficult moment. These sorts of skills aren’t necessarily learned in a classroom, however, they are crucial to the success of nursing professionals.

A nurse must be committed to the role. Often, nursing staff can see patients at the lowest point of their lives, and in some careers, such as working in a palliative care facility, they may repeatedly see patients at the end of their natural lives. Being able to support patients who are going through a difficult moment displays a level of commitment that, while essential for nurses, is seldom seen across other industries.

Providing care is one thing, but being able to communicate that to a patient is also essential. Any nurse worth their salt can communicate what the issues are with patients in a clear manner. When patients are going through a stressful time, a nursing professional needs to be able to communicate with them, to help ease their concerns and answer any questions they may have.

Nurses must be competent. Qualifications form one part of competencies, however, the true challenge is the practical application of care within an environment. Sometimes, nursing practitioners are expected to make decisions independent of other medical supports – sometimes, that can be a challenge for even the most experienced of nurses.

Additionally, nurses must be able to demonstrate confidence. A nurse may not be able to save the life of every person who comes through the hospital doors, however, demonstrating confidence to patients who are in distress can help to reassure them in a difficult moment.

These core competencies, alongside the ability to demonstrate a conscience, form the Six Cs, critical skills that make caring roles, such as nursing, vastly different from other professional careers, as defined by Sister Marie Simone Roach (1922 - 2016), a pioneer in the field of nursing ethics. To be truly prepared for success, a nursing graduate must be a master of what they know, and humble enough to request support from professionals when they need it.

An In-Demand Profession: The Importance of Nursing

No matter what nursing qualification you choose, nursing can be a highly rewarding profession that is highly demanded. A role as a nursing practitioner had an average salary of $118,640 in 2021, some $35,000 a year higher than their registered nurse counterpart.

For those who are looking to leap into a nursing career, a qualification can provide you with a path into a highly respected, well-paying career. Few careers offer the flexibility, opportunity and diversity that a role as a nurse does – it’s a profession that can truly transform the lives of the patients that you care for.

Note: The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get inspiration in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.