This paper outlines a personal career plan focused on trauma nursing, beginning with the author's motivations and core values that align with the profession. It examines New Jersey licensing requirements for both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, including background checks, the NCLEX-RN exam, and continuing education obligations. The paper then details the educational pathway from an associate degree in nursing through a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), describing required coursework and credit hours. It concludes with a reflection on lessons learned and strategies for overcoming personal and academic challenges on the path to becoming a trauma nurse.
A nursing career in the trauma unit has been my goal for a long time, particularly since joining college. I find it an attractive career because it will provide me with the opportunity to wear different hats when dealing with emergency situations. Trauma nurses are typically among the first healthcare professionals to attend to emergency situations involving seriously injured patients (Health Career Institute, n.d.). Through this career, I will be able to provide a variety of nursing interventions to seriously injured patients. I chose this path because I enjoy fast-paced working environments and helping people during their most difficult and challenging moments. Since working as a trauma nurse means being on the front line of emergency care, I look forward to the intensity of the work and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for severely injured patients.
My personal values align strongly with trauma nursing. These include happiness, living a healthy lifestyle, demonstrating competence at work, contributing to the welfare of others, and making important contributions to humankind. I discovered my happiness when I began taking better care of my health, and I believe that living a healthy lifestyle and being happy go hand in hand. Once I started eating well and exercising consistently, I found that I was sleeping better and became a more positive person overall.
I genuinely enjoy helping other people whenever I have the opportunity to do so, and I take great pride in my work — which is why I believe a career in nursing will fulfill my aspirations. The biggest reason I returned to complete my education was my desire to contribute to my community and to humankind more broadly. My main goals in life are to be successful in my chosen field, achieve financial stability, start a family, and be happy.
Working as a trauma nurse requires proper education and training before being licensed as a practitioner. Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in New Jersey are licensed by the state's Board of Nursing. For licensed practical nurses, the licensing process requires completing a criminal background check. The state uses MorphoTrak electronic fingerprinting services, carried out after the candidate pays a fee of $67.50. Candidates whose fingerprints were examined after November 2003 do not need to be re-fingerprinted, but are still subject to an additional background check for a fee of $22.55.
Candidates are also required to register with Pearson VUE and pass the NCLEX-RN for a testing fee of $200 (Nursing Licensure, n.d.). Upon determination of eligibility, the candidate may schedule an exam in one of three ways: online, via a paper registration form, or by telephone at Pearson VUE sites across the state. In contrast, RNs must complete an approved registered nursing program, and their program certification must be sent to the New Jersey Board of Nursing upon completion of all requirements. The renewal deadline for licensed registered nurses in New Jersey is May 31, with nurses assigned to either an odd or even year for renewal. A minimum of 30 hours of continuing education is required for every RN licensee in New Jersey within the two-year period preceding renewal.
"Associate degree coursework and credit requirements"
"BSN program courses and 120-credit completion plan"
"Lessons learned and strategies for overcoming challenges"
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