What is dissuading you from studying nursing? Do you not feel you have the technical or soft skills? In nursing you can easily expect job stability in a field with diverse working environments that is growing quickly in beautiful, sunny Florida.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Registered Nurses earning $64,890 whereas Nurse Practitioners earn a yearly $99,930.
At Florida National University, we are committed to helping our community members excel in their fields and considering the medical field is one of the highest-paying and fastest growing, nation-wide, we emphasize these program offerings.
FNU offers an Associates of Science and a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing. If you haven’t heard, our Masters’ of Science in Nursing degree has just passed the accreditation board and now an MSN grad degree is 100% recognized nationally. You can easily go from an A.S. to a B.S. to a Master’s degree right here at FNU. We also have a Registered Nurse (R.N.) to MSN program.
Let’s see if you have the soft skills it takes to study nursing.
1. Teamwork and Communication
Many nursing students comment on the camaraderie that exists among their classmates. While many students may already be working in health care in some form or another, some of the skills, studies and things you will do in your practicum when pursuing a formal degree can be a little intimidating. And yet, students comment that it is comforting knowing that you are all in the same boat.
Florida National University caters to their immediate Hialeah and South Miami community, so you will find yourself surrounded by students that can sympathize with you as you all engage in your studies. Look forward to being a part of a team.
Communication and teamwork is often a large part of working as a nurse and these are skills that are cultivated less so by the courses and more so by your professors and student body.
Nursing students comment that the “community feel” begins there: in the classroom.
Speak with someone in the nursing division at 305-821-3333 about your soft skills to see which program would suit you best at FNU!
2. A Little Bit of Science
Pathologies, how the body works, how drugs affect the body, all of these are central to nursing and you should gain basic knowledge. That’s where nursing degrees require science, (see the science classes required at FNU for the most basic Associate’s in Science of Nursing degree):
- Chemistry
- Chemistry lab class
- Microbiology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Human Growth & Development
Once you have some of these science courses under your belt at FNU, if you want to move on to your B.S. studies at FNU, you can have those science classes you took in your A.S. degree “count towards” your B.S. degree in nursing.
3.Don’t be Shy!
If you are asking questions, it is a good sign! Patients look to you for help, and you receive great personal satisfaction being useful in a meaningful way. That is one of the first reasons that nursing students will blurt when asked: “why nursing?”
To fully help your future patients, you should put aside your shyness. Do not hesitate to ask for clarifications from your teachers, supervisors and mentors.
Nurses and doctors perform many of the same tasks today, only the level of responsibility is different. A doctor may study longer before being able to practice and they are usually held responsible. However, today certain nurses can prescribe medications, see patients and make recommendations on par with a doctor. Patients’ lives are partially in your hands in this group effort to boost their health, so no one can blame you for asking questions during your studies and practicums.
Note: at the end of your A.S. studies at FNU, you will be required to go on a practicum. The very last course in our A.S. degree counts towards your degree, yet is dedicated to helping you prepare for the licensure exam.
At FNU our professors and head of programs make it our business and expect for you to pass your certification exams, go on to continue your studies and grow in your career, responsibilities and job satisfaction. Listen to what some of our students have to say about their time at FNU and their futures.
4.Passion and Perseverance
There is rarely a student who said their studies were a breeze, so starting off your career in nursing won’t be anything less than rigorous. But your passion and reason for starting this path will be that inner energy that keeps you going. Rely on your passion to help you get through your studies – the rewards are great!
5. Thinking on Your Feet
Job advertisements list many responsibilities for each nursing position posted. Aside from the communication, heavy admin and teamwork involved, something that you will start experiencing during your studies is multitasking, learning to prioritize, critical thinking and thinking on your feet!
Most of our students at FNU are juggling work and studies, or sometimes work, studies and family life as heads of households. Adding studies to an already full life can be complicated but soon enough students tend to develop routines and smart systems that work for them. This is just one step towards the skills you will need when you enter your first position in a health care setting.
Your placements (practicum) will fine-tune any of the basic soft skills and technical you started in your studies. Most students find this moment a time to expand, grow their network,
Many nursing jobs list the following soft skills:
- Management and administration
- Staying cool in fast-paced environments
- Evaluations and assessments
- Interpersonal skills for collaboration with colleagues
- Communication skills with patients’ families
- Ethics and accountabilityAdhering to protocols
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
A.S. in Nursing (AND) Studies at FNU
Our Associate of Science in Nursing degree is track-oriented, to give you the quickest path to graduation possible. Many of our students are already working in healthcare in the area, they just need a boost with some knowledge and degree on their side to advance in their chosen career path.
You can find out more about our 4-year Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing and our 2-year Master’s of Science in Nursing.
Our MSN allows you to choose a concentration of: Nurse Educator, Nurse Leadership/Management, Family Nurse Practitioner. Nurse Educator and Nurse Leadership/Management are 100% online and Family Nurse Practitioner is a hybrid.
Online Classes
In response to the needs of our community, some of the nursing basic coursework can be completed online, through our distance learning program.
Financial Aid at FNU
FNU offers some scholarships specifically for FNU students as well as general programs, which you can find on our financial aid and scholarships pages. You will also find tuition incentives and a sharp reduction in fees for active military.
Accredited University
Florida National University’s Nursing Division is accredited, with multiple licenses and our degrees are nationally-recognized. Note that each state has their own certification tests and requirements, which have a degree from an accredited university as a basis.
Don’t hesitate to speak with someone if you are interested in getting into the healthcare field and are curious about nursing as a career. Already working in the field? See how far you can go with a B.S. or an accredited Master’s degree! Contact FNU now.
