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 M/F - Saint-Doulchard 18
Employee
1846 - 2280 per month
Saint-Doulchard
A private healthcare establishment located in Saint-Doulchard, in the Cher department, is actively seeking a nurse M/F on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time - Monday to Friday - Shift schedule: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m - On-call evenings after 6pm and weekends from 8pm to 8am The facility This is a private healthcare establishment based in Saint-Doulchard, just outside Bourges in the Cher department. Governed by the FHP collective bargaining agreement, it includes an operating theater and relies on multidisciplinary teams in a structured, caring working environment. Your salary - Base salary of €1,846.90 to €2,280 gross/month, depending on the FHP collective agreement coefficient - SEGUR of €260 gross/month - IDE bonus of €183 gross/month - Block bonus €50 gross/month - Technical bonus of 200€ gross/month paid one month after hiring - On-call lump sum of €75 gross, on-call hours paid at €27 gross/hour - Attendance bonus of €60 gross per quarter, i.e. €240 gross/year - Transport bonus of €300 net in September, for employees with a vehicle registered in their name Missions - Carry out nursing care and monitor patients' clinical condition - Preparing, administering and tracking treatments - Accompany patients throughout their care pathway - Working closely with the multidisciplinary team and practitioners Your benefits - Welcome bonus of €2,000 gross, including €1,000 on validation of the trial period and €1,000 after one year's service - Possibility of temporary accommodation while settling in - 120€ CSE Christmas gift card - Gift vouchers for children under 16 - Ticketing at preferential rates - Active approach to quality of life in the workplace The little extra At the gateway to Bourges, you'll enjoy an exceptional setting dominated by Saint-Étienne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also hides its famous marshes, a vast network of market gardens right in the heart of the city, and hosts the famous Printemps de Bourges festival every spring. Profile required Registered nurse in France. Contact us on 07 45 01 29 85 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference: 10111 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 - Valence 26
Employee
17,5 - 20 per hour
Valence
As part of the development of its business, an industrial company in Valence is looking for a Nurse M/F on a permanent contract. Conditions of employment - CDI - Part-time - Two and a half days a week (to be defined) - From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m The company You will join a company specializing in prevention and medical assistance in the workplace, specializing in the outsourcing of infirmaries, prevention and assistance on industrial sites. The activity takes place in an inter-company context within an industrial site offering a working environment focused on safety and quality of life at work. Salary - From €17.50 to €20 gross per hour Assignments - Manage routine care and emergencies in the workplace - Conduct nursing interviews and follow up medical appointments - Planning and follow-up of medical visits (VM) - Administrative management of employee files, occupational injuries and registers - Follow-up of employees on sick leave and referral to the appropriate parties - Carrying out studies of workstations and identifying necessary adjustments - Design and implement prevention and health information initiatives - Leading prevention workshops and enhancing employee skills - Teamwork and collaboration with external contributors Benefits - Luncheon vouchers - Health insurance - Provident scheme - Mobility package - Profit-sharing bonus - Possible training - Skills enhancement program - Personal protective equipment provided Profile required Qualified nurse in France. Contact us on: 07 45 01 29 85 or by e-mail at [email protected] Reference of the advertisement: 12623 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.
Nurse M/F - Saint-Michel-sur-Meurthe 88
Employee
17,5 - 20 per hour
Saint-Michel-sur-Meurthe
As part of the development of its business, an industrial company in Saint-Michel-sur-Meurthe is looking for a nurse M/F on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - Permanent contract (fixed-term contract possible) - Part-time - Wednesdays and Thursdays - From 8am to 5pm The structure You will be working for a company specializing in prevention and medical assistance in the workplace, outsourcing infirmaries, medical assistance on industrial sites and prevention in the workplace. You will work on an industrial site with around 270 employees, in close collaboration with the occupational health department and operational teams. Remuneration - To be defined according to profile and experience Duties - PPE: personal protective equipment - Liaison with the OPSAT occupational health department - On-site prevention - Field liaison - Role in maintaining employment - Employee support and follow-up - Occupational health and prevention initiatives - Participation in training and skills enhancement Benefits - Luncheon vouchers - Health insurance - Provident scheme - Mobility package - Profit-sharing bonus - Possible training - Skills enhancement program - Personal protective equipment provided Profile required Qualified nurse in France. Contact us on: 07 45 01 29 85 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Ad reference: 12624 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.
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