Published on January 27, 2010 – Updated on December 03, 2015
Become a nurse
In a healthcare establishment, the nurse is the interface between the patient, the family, the doctors and the administration. He provides care, ensures the well-being of patients, informs doctors of their physical constants… In private practices, businesses and schools, the nurse provides first aid.
Summary
What is the role of the nurse?
To tend to
The nurse gives care prescribed by the doctor. He checks the physical constants (temperature, voltage, etc.) and ensures the positive evolution of the patient’s health.
Manage
In a healthcare establishment, the nurse also has a management role. He controls the stocks of equipment and medicines. It implements and monitors prevention and hygiene actions.
To listen
The nurse is the link between the medical team, the patient and his family. He ensures that they have understood the doctor’s explanations and provides additional information if necessary.
What are his working conditions?
Hospital and clinic in priority
- 73% of nurses work in a hospital or clinic;
- 14% in private practice;
- 13% in schools, companies and humanitarian associations.
Difficult conditions
The nursing profession is very demanding physically and psychologically: night work and 12-hour shifts are very frequent.
Employed nurses
Nurses in companies, schools or humanitarian associations often have easier working conditions. They work according to office hours.
How much does a nurse earn?
A level I nurse (beginner) in a hospital earns around €1,500 gross per month.
What training to become a nurse?
On competition
To become a nurse, you have to pass the entrance examination for a nursing training institute (more than 30,700 places open each year).
This competition takes place after the baccalaureate, in more than 350 establishments, private or public.
It consists of a general knowledge test, a test of psychotechnical tests and an interview.
Training in 3 years
The training lasts a little over 3 years. It is organized in modules of 40 to 100 hours, supplemented by compulsory clinical internships.
The evaluation of the students is done in continuous control.
The final test consists of the defense of a dissertation and a professional situation.
What qualities are needed?
Human qualities
The nurse must be a psychologist and dedicated. He must know how to take care of patients with attention and empathy. He must be able to manage their family and play the role of interface between it and the medical world.
Teamwork
The nurse must know how to work in a team. He must transmit patient information to all the personnel concerned: doctors, physiotherapists, midwives, etc.
Good physical resistance
The nurse must be in good physical condition. He works long hours on his feet.
His hours are often staggered. Night and weekend work are commonplace.
Content updated on 07/10/2012
Our tips:
After obtaining the State nursing diploma and 2 years of professional experience, it is possible to follow a training course in 18 months to be an operating theater nurse or in 24 months to be an anesthetist nurse.