Having studied this profession in our nursing job description, let's now focus on an essential aspect of this career: how to become a nurse? In this article, we'll take a look at the prerequisites for training as a nurse, as well as the various stages along the way.
What is a nurse?
Nurses are care specialists. Usually working in hospitals, they are responsible for the specific care and hygiene required by patients. As part of their work, they may also provide psychological support or carry out administrative tasks. The nature of their work means that they may have to work at night or at weekends, as medical needs do not follow schedules. It's a demanding job, requiring a strong sense of self-sacrifice. A sense of service and support are essential to withstand the pressures of the job.
The different routes into the nursing profession
There are a number of different ways to enter an Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers (IFSI). Students can take a general, technological or vocational baccalaureate. It is also possible to enter with a nursing assistant diploma, a childcare assistant diploma, a medical-psychological assistant diploma or a nursing diploma from a European Union country (provided you can show proof of 3 years' practice).
Entry to the IFSI is by competitive examination, but this is not national. Students must therefore contact the structure(s) of their choice via the Parcoursup platform. After providing proof of certain obligations (vaccinations, absence of pathologies, etc.), the candidate must take two eligibility tests. The first is a two-hour written test, while the second is a psycho-technical test designed to assess abilities. To pass, candidates must obtain an average score of at least 8/20. Once this stage has been validated, a final oral examination before a jury will decide whether or not to admit the candidate to the IFSI.
The nursing training course
Students admitted to the IFSI must follow a three-year training program. In total, training to become a nurse lasts 4200 hours, broken down as follows:
- 1ᵉʳ semester: 231h lectures, 234h tutorials; 60h guided personal work.
- 2ᵉ semester: 126h lectures, 183h tutorials; 41h guided personal work.
- 3ᵉ semester: 118h lectures, 177h directed classes; 55h guided personal work.
- 4ᵉ semester: 109h lectures, 187h directed classes; 54h guided personal work.
- 5ᵉ semester: 116h lectures, 184h directed classes; 50h guided personal work.
- 6ᵉ semester: 50h lectures, 85h tutorials; 40h guided personal work.
These different periods cover different subjects and disciplines, including human, biological and medical sciences; nursing techniques, foundations, methods and interventions; and professional knowledge and postures.
Possible specializations for becoming a nurse
There are many specialties available to qualified nurses, generally after several years of practice. Of course, all require additional training of varying duration. These are the best ways to apply for nursing jobs. These include
- Anesthesia : nurses can specialize in preoperative, perioperative and postoperative care. They assist the anaesthetist during surgical procedures and manage patients' pain.
- Operating room : the nurse assists the surgeon during operations. They are responsible for equipment preparation and sterilization, as well as safety and hygiene in the operating room.
- Childcare : Nurses focus on the care of children, from birth to adolescence. They work in maternity wards, pediatric departments or child protection structures.
- Health executive: nurses develop their skills to be able to manage a care team or teach in nursing schools.
- Infirmier de Pratique Avancée (IPA) (Advanced Practice Nurse): this is a recent specialty, having been introduced in 2018. IPA nurses can monitor patients referred by a doctor, prescribe complementary examinations, request follow-up and preventive procedures or renew prescriptions.
Skills developed
Technical skills
To provide care in a comfortable and safe environment, nurses must possess technical skills such as :
- Mastery of technical gestures
- Care of wounds and dressings
- Use of medical equipment
- Knowledge of pharmacology
- Resuscitation techniques
Interpersonal skills
Since they are in contact with a fragile, sick and vulnerable public, these professionals need to demonstrate many interpersonal skills in order to relieve patients of their pain, whether physical or psychological. What's more, they have to be able to work irregular and sometimes hectic schedules. All this requires characteristics such as :
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Conflict management
- Adaptability
- Resilience
Administrative skills
Although they do not always perform these functions within the organizations in which they work, nurses must still master office skills such as :
- Medical records management
- Planning and organization
- Knowledge of protocols
- Inventory management
- Care follow-up
In short, training to become a nurse is demanding and comprehensive. It enables us to reinforce the medical workforce with competent, operational professionals as soon as they leave school. What's more, the most ambitious nurses will be able to diversify their careers by specializing in one (or more) of the many ramifications of this colorful profession, making it one for the future.
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Nurse - Boulogne-sur-Gesse 31
Employee
2800 - 3500 per month
Boulogne-sur-Gesse
We are recruiting a nurse M/F to join an EHPAD located in Boulogne-sur-Gesse, Haute-Garonne, on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time - 1 weekend out of 4 worked - Working hours from 06:45 to 16:45 or from 10:00 to 20:00 The structure You will be joining a well-established public hospital-based EHPAD. Built in 2012, the facility is bright, air-conditioned and fully equipped to ensure quality care. It has a capacity of 150 beds, divided into open and protected living units, with 5 care sectors and a range of activities including a snoezelen room and a PASA. The care team is stable and experienced, complemented by a coordinating doctor, private practitioners and paramedical professionals. The facility operates autonomously for laundry and catering. Finally, you should know that access to the site requires a vehicle, that parking is available and that there is no regular public transport. Your salary - According to the Fonction Publique Hospitalière salary scale, with seniority taken into account - 200€ Ségur bonus - 90€ Bonus - Sunday bonus - Insalubrity bonus Duties - Technical care such as dressings, urine tests and blood tests - Follow-up and individualized support for residents - Work in coordination with the multidisciplinary team - Participate in continuity and quality of care - Transmitting and maintaining care records The advantages - Bright, air-conditioned, fully-equipped facility - Stable, family-oriented care team - Fixed annualized schedule with 10-hour days - Annual training paid for, DU and in-house training funded - Service vehicle for training and parking available - On-site catering at €3.90 per full meal - Well-being interventions offered to staff and green setting with terrace and 3 hectares Our equipment - Snoezelen room - PASA 14 places - Fully-equipped treatment room - Educational workshops - In-house laundry and catering A little something extra The EHPAD offers a soothing environment, with a vast terrace and three hectares of grounds ideal for walks and outdoor activities. The PASA system and Snoezelen room are real assets for non-medicinal care and entertainment projects. Profile required Registered nurse in France. Contact us on 07 45 01 29 85 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference: 12532 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Nurse - Paris 15e
Employee
2100 - 2500 per month
Paris 15e
We are recruiting a nurse to join a multidisciplinary health center in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, on a full-time permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time - 35h or 39h - Flexible working hours depending on activity The structure You will work in a multi-disciplinary health center with an ophthalmology and optics center, as part of a network covering the Paris region and several major cities. The establishment favors coordinated care and a global approach to patients. Lastly, this new position is intended to strengthen the facility's prevention and follow-up services. The remuneration - 2100 to 2500€ net per month Duties - Structured interview of medical and family history - Gather information on current treatments and lifestyle habits - Assess the patient's psychological and social status - Take vital signs - Identify risk factors - Detect frailties - Refer to other professionals if necessary - Achieve a target of 30 preventive check-ups per day - Participate in the development of missions as required The benefits - Company mutual insurance - Target-based bonuses - Contribution to public transport costs - Flexible working hours depending on activity - Position within a multidisciplinary health center - Opportunities for development - Patient flow structured around preventive check-ups The little extra Paris is a world city, with all the amenities needed for personal fulfillment, but also all the opportunities to enrich a career. Between monuments, public gardens and transport networks, you're bound to find the right balance. Profile required Registered nurse in France. Contact us on: 07 49 91 78 20 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Ad reference: 12530 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Nurse - Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois 91
Employee
2100 - 2500 per month
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois
A multidisciplinary nursing home in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Essonne, is looking for its new nurse M/F on a full-time permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time - 35h or 39h - Flexible working hours depending on activity The structure You will work in a multi-disciplinary health center with an ophthalmology and optics center, as part of a network covering the Paris region and several major cities. The establishment favors coordinated care and a global approach to patients. Lastly, this new position is intended to strengthen the facility's prevention and follow-up services. The remuneration - 2100 to 2500€ net per month Duties - Structured interview of medical and family history - Gather information on current treatments and lifestyle habits - Assess the patient's psychological and social status - Take vital signs - Identify risk factors - Detect frailties - Refer to other professionals if necessary - Achieve a target of 30 preventive check-ups per day - Participate in the development of missions as required The benefits - Company mutual insurance - Target-based bonuses - Contribution to public transport costs - Flexible working hours depending on activity - Position within a multidisciplinary health center - Opportunities for development - Patient flow structured around preventive check-ups A little something extra The commune is home to a famous Russian necropolis and is located close to the Sénart forest and the Paris metropolis, offering a pleasant setting for walks and easy access to urban services. Profile required Registered nurse in France. Contact us on: 07 49 91 78 20 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference: 12529 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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