Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Bill started working as a construction worker after high school. Although Bill likes his job, he has been thinking about changing careers, so he takes an online quiz that matches his personality with career options. He learns that a job in healthcare would be a good career choice for him.

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Since Bill’s mother is a nurse, he asks her questions about her job. He also reads some information about common characteristics of nurses. Many of the qualities match his personality. He learns that communication is important for many jobs in nursing because workers must be able to easily communicate with patients and others as well as follow directions.

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Bill likes his construction job because he is always doing something new, so he’s happy to learn that duties change often in healthcare. Nurses need to be flexible while providing quality care to patients. In addition, nurses must be able to provide compassionate care to sick people. They must be able to show concern for their patients’ well-being. Being conscientious is also important; for example, nurses must give correct reports and information about patients’ conditions.

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Bill reads about the requirements needed to become a nurse. To get work experience in healthcare, he thinks he should work as a nursing assistant first. The American Red Cross offers a 75-hour CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) class. Bill thinks he could work his construction job during the day and go to school at night.

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There are many jobs for CNAs. After he finishes the class and passes the state exams, he will apply for CNA jobs in a hospital or nursing home. If he works as a CNA for a few years, Bill will get the experience he wants to apply to nursing programs. Bill estimates it will take him five to six years to finish nursing school as a part-time student. He is excited about starting a new career in nursing.