Nurse Technician Programs

What Is A Nurse Technician?
Nursing students or recent graduates who have not received licensure often enter hospital programs to gain practical experience. They work under the close supervision of a registered nurse (RN) and are responsible for the provision of basic healthcare to patients. This ranges from monitoring vital signs to changing dressings and preparing patients for surgery. These individuals are known as nurse technicians.

Nurse Technician Benefits
Students working in a real medical setting as nurse technicians are able to gain hands-on experience, which furthers their understanding of medicine and its practical applications. Students earning a diploma or degree to become registered nurses could use this experience to learn the responsibilities of RNs in a healthcare facility, and begin developing the qualities expected in these senior professionals. The nursing licensure examinations required for all students at the end of their programs involves a practical component as well. Students with technician experience could have a higher chance of passing this component given their background. Getting technician experience under your belt is a great way to groom your professional skill set for application in the practical world.

Requirements to be a Nurse Technician
Students who wish to become nurse technicians must have some basic understanding of nursing before they are entrusted with patient care. As a result, many universities and hospitals offering technician programs enforce basic criteria which must be fulfilled before a candidate may be granted admission. Usually, hospitals favor candidates who have some clinical experience and have taken introductory nursing courses. The information could be further built upon in the hospital's training programs themselves.

Job Duties
The duties of nurse technicians vary by state and employer. Some states require nurse technicians to work only under the supervision of registered nurses, and with more of an observational role. Others grant enough independence for the technicians to obtain and test blood and other samples based on requirements. Before enrolling in a program, checking to see what kind of training they offer you is a good idea because it will help you make a better informed choice which would be more aligned with your professional goals.

Where Do Nurse Technicians Work?
These professionals work in a variety of fields. Many students take the time during technician programs to gauge their interest in a particular area of healthcare as well. As a result, some choose to work in larger hospitals providing care to multiple patients, while others work in private clinics focusing their care on elderly, handicapped, or an area like radiology.

Job Outlook
With the healthcare industry growing at a rapid rate, the need for individuals with experience in nursing is becoming more important. Having nursing technician experience under your belt helps prepare you for the professional world by giving you sufficient exposure beforehand. If you pass your licensing exam to practice as a registered nurse and have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, then you could go on to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing degree, and further specialize in a particular area of medicine. You could use this combined experience to enter more senior positions in healthcare facilities.