How to Become a Nurse
Nurses care for patients by helping them feel better, stay healthy and manage illnesses. They work closely with doctors, give medicine, check on patients and support families.
A Day In The Life
If you were a Nurse, you’d spend your day…
Reviewing patient charts, getting handovers from the previous shift and preparing for medication rounds
Checking vital signs, giving patients treatments and helping doctors with procedures or emergencies
Talking to patients about their symptoms, answering questions and updating their medical records at the end of the shift to be passed on to the next nurse.
Wanna see a nurse in action? Check out this video!
Is This Career Right for Me?
According to the Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits:
Challenges & Skills
No job is easy, but if you’ve got the right skills, you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way!
Challenges & Skills Needed to Overcome Them
Working 12-hour or overnight shifts can cause physical and mental exhaustion
Skills: Time management, self-care and prioritising rest between shifts.
Giving the right medication, dose, route, and timing is important (even small errors can be dangerous).
Skills: In-depth pharmacology knowledge, attention to detail, strong focus and use of the five rights (right patient, medicine, dose, time and method)
You need to quickly understand what’s going on with your patients using vital signs and test results
Skills: Clinical judgment, critical thinking, pattern recognition and familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs).
You may be exposed to infections, needle-stick injuries and contact with harmful substances
Skills: Always follow strict hygiene practices, use proper PPE, stay up-to-date with safety protocols, and get vaccinations
Emergencies like heart attacks or serious injuries can happen anytime.
Skills: BLS/ACLS training, crisis management, calm decision-making under pressure and rapid assessment skills
New medical technologies and systems
Skills: Having technical competency, hands-on training, ongoing certification and staying updated with new technologies.
Sound like you? Then you might just have what it takes to tackle these challenges and thrive as a Nurse!
Career Pathway
Thinking long term? This career path shows you how you can grow your role (and salary!) in the world of nursing.
With every step, you’ll gain more skills, responsibility and opportunities. If you’re passionate about medicine, health & sciences, this career path could be your perfect match!
Global Opportunities
Pros in this field are in demand everywhere—your career could literally take you places!
Top countries hiring professionals in this field:
Switzerland
Offers the highest average nurse salaries globally, with experienced nurses earning up to $112,900 annually. There are high nurse-to-patient ratios, excellent healthcare infrastructure and strong professional development support.
United States
There is a wide range of opportunities across various specialities, with advanced healthcare technology, diverse work environments and potential for career advancement.
Canada
The country is facing a significant nursing shortage, with over 28,000 vacancies reported in early 2023, creating high demand for nurses. There are competitive salaries, excellent work-life balance and opportunities for permanent residency.
We hope this guide has helped you understand what to expect and inspired you to explore a path that fits your strengths and passions. Good luck—and have fun discovering your future!
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