How To Break into the Medical Profession

To break into the medical profession you may want to start at the bottom and work your way up.

1. By starting in a job such as becoming a CNA, or Certified Nursing Assistant, you will be able to tell within a few weeks if you are truly cut out for work in the medical profession. CNA training doesn't take long and is well worth the hands-on knowledge that you will get working in this job. You will learn the basics of nursing, such as caring for the patients' needs. You will also learn how to provide the best care for patients who suffer from different illnesses and diseases such as Dementia, or those who have had a stroke. Becoming a CNA is a great way to break into the medical profession.
2. The second step you may wish to take to break into the medical profession would be to become an LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse. The LPN has many more responsibilities then a CNA does, but still does hands-on personal care. The salary for an LPN is much higher then it is for a CNA. Most schools offer training for LPN licensing with about one year of college. Each state differs in the amount of time you have to spend in school, and having a back ground of working as a CNA may cut your class time down considerably, since you will already be familiar with many things taught in the LPN class. LPN's can work in a variety of places including a hospital setting, nursing homes, doctor's offices or home health agencies.
3. After you have worked as an LPN for a while, the next step that would help you break into the medical profession would be to go on to become an RN or Registered Nurse. RN's are the highest paid nurses and do much less hands-on work and personal care for the patient. The responsibilities of an RN are much greater then those of an LPN or CNA though. An RN may be responsible for passing out medications to the patients. They work closely with the doctor and are literally the physician's "right hand man" when it comes to patient care. The RN closely monitors the patient's progress and reports every aspect of the patient's care and well being directly to the doctor. If you are already an LPN you will only have to attend college for another year to become a Registered Nurse. If you aren't already an LPN you will most likely have to attend college for two years to become licensed.