When considering nursing as a profession there are a variety of different degrees that one can obtain to begin one’s career. Nurses are employed at a variety of different educational levels with all nurses requiring licensing and registration in their applicable state of professional practice. There are a number of avenues an individual can take to begin a career as a nurse.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a vocational nurse is what some may consider the entry level area of nursing. Any one considering a career as a LPN must have a general education diploma or have successfully completed high school. Training for a position as a licensed practical nurse can usually be obtained through a community college or a vocational school, or through online LPN nursing classes. With full time study most students are able to complete training within a year. After completing a practical nursing program students must complete and pass a state licensing exam. LPNs make a decent entry level salary starting anywhere from $35,000 annually for a year’s worth of training. Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide daily living maintenance to patients, dispense medication to patients, start IVs and in some medical facilities maintain medical paperwork.

For those individuals looking for higher pay and more professional responsibility seeking licensure as a registered nurse is the ideal. A registered nurse (R.N.) completes an associate of nursing degree (A.S.N.) at a local community college. With the full time study most A.S.N. programs can be completed in two years and this includes both classroom and clinical portions of the program. Nurses with a two year degree are eligible to take the NCLEX which is the nursing certification test to obtain a license to work in their chosen state. Obtain passing the NCLEX a person is officially a registered nurse and has an unlimited amount of opportunities to work and any medical facility as a nurse. The pay for a registered nurse is higher than those of the practical nurse with starting salaries beginning as high as $50,000 a year depending on the employer. Registered nurses have the training to provide a vast amount of patient care and they can specialize in many different areas such as neonatal care, intensive care and medical surgical nursing to name just a few.

Registered nurses can further their education and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N). Many hospitals are willing to assist their registered nurses in furthering their education by offering tuition assistance and reimbursement. Likewise, there are many nursing programs that offer R.N. to B.S.N. programs to aid current nurses in obtaining their bachelors degree. For an R.N. bridging their education to a bachelor’s degree it can take anywhere from two to four years to finish the program depending on full time or part time study. For those without previous nursing experience a traditional B.S.N. program is four years in duration. A bachelor’s degree in nursing helps to expand on the clinical skills already obtained and then offers a core in nursing foundation such as the history of nursing and the application of nursing on a broader level such as in administration.

Finally, there are a number of advanced practice degrees that can be obtained by nurses with a four year degree. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) can be obtained in a variety of specialized fields such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nurses are highly trained in their chosen areas and earn a much higher income because of the additional education and training. Most master’s degree programs can be completed in two years if attended full time.

Anyone considering becoming a nurse as a profession has a variety of pathways to pursue their career, beginning with choosing their nursing degree.

The profession of nursing is dedicated to caring for the sick and providing compassion and comfort while doing so. It is a profession that is very much in demand because if its job stability and pay. Many people are familiar with the Registered Nurse or R.N. programs which require an associate degree level of education.

There are also Bachelors of Science of Nursing (B.S.N.) programs which are the four year degree programs found at many colleges and universities. There is demand for both R.N. and B.S.N. nurses, but there is also a huge demand for advanced practice nurses. The best ways to become an advanced practice nurse is by completing a master’s level nursing program.

If you already have your RN certification, you might want to consider one of the RN-to-BSN programs available, since this can reduce the time and requirements necessary. Depending on your situation, you may also find that your employer is willing to foot the bill for an RN-to-BSN program is you agree to continue employment there.

There are many accredited master’s level nursing programs available throughout the United States. Depending on your chosen specialty completion of such a program will take between two and three years. To apply for a master’s level nursing program you must have a BSN. In addition, as with many other masters’ programs a LSAT or other master’s level quantitative test will be required.

Master’s level education in all areas generally requires choosing a specialization and with nursing this is also applicable. There are a number of nursing specializations which include nursing practitioner, midwifery, certified registered nursing anesthetist and public health nursing just to name a few. In addition, there has been a rise in graduate level programs catering to nursing education.

With the demand for nurses rising the demand for qualified applicants to teach nursing students rises also. In addition, many BSNs who pursue a master’s degree in nursing are able to do so while continuing to work. Some work part time and devote full time to study to a master’s program. Others do the opposite. Many nurses also find that hospitals are willing to assist with the cost of an advanced nursing degree by offering tuition reimbursement. Ultimately, there is definitely a need and an incentive for nurses to pursue an advanced nursing degree.

As the demand for healthcare increases nurses with advanced degrees will have the advantage of obtaining coveted head nurse and private practice positions. Likewise, master’s level nursing programs help to supply many medical facilities with quality high-trained nurses who area capable of administering services at a significantly lower cost as opposed to a doctor. More important is that regardless of the education level a nurse is still a nurse. Nurses are the backbone of many medical facilities. A doctor may diagnose and treat but it is ultimately the nurse that will monitor and help maintain the care of a patient. Having an advanced degree will allow nurses to continue to provide patient care at a higher and more specialized level.

If you’re already a registered nurse, a RN to BSN program offers you the chance to earn that 4 year degree. The courses can be taken online or at a state university or private college. Some of these programs today are offered on weekends or even during evening hours. These are ways of making the RN to BSN program accessible to more nurses who hold full time jobs.

There are even RN to BSN programs available through online programs. These are perhaps the most convenient way for any nurse to complete their transition from RN to BSN. The programs offer courses that can be scheduled when you have free time and you do not have to struggle to fit your life around nursing courses any longer.

If you are an RN and you have been interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree online RN to BSN programs may be the perfect solution. You will be able to continue working your regular job and can take courses as needed or when you are able to fit them in to your own schedule. The online nursing community offers quality instruction and you can even find tutors if you need to.

The courses for the RN to BSN program offer you the opportunity to study and learn at the pace most comfortable for you. There is no need to rush to finish courses and miss half of the material in the process. You can complete the courses and the work as you learn it. Having online courses is one of the least stressful ways of getting a nursing education. Online courses are every bit as challenging as on-site courses, but you have time to learn the material at a comfortable pace and rhythm. The key in selecting the right nursing program is to choose which route is right for your lifestyle. Whichever route you choose to get your bachelor’s degree should be the one that you feel most comfortable with.

Choosing whether to get an Associates Degree in Nursing or ADN vs. BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) degree can be a big decision for nursing will students. Both degrees can lead to getting your RN or register nurse certification however their are some significant differences between the degrees.

The biggest difference between adding a key and person BS is the amount of time and number of credits necessary to complete the program. Typically, an ADN takes 2 years to complete, while a BSN degree can take up to four years to complete.

For students that already, a previous bachelors degree, they are also accelerated BSN programs.

Both degree programs will require similar core curriculum fulfillments: Maternal and newborn nursing, Adult health,  and pediatrics. Community health nursing, psychiatric nursing, and gerontological nursing are often required as well. A BSN program would typically offer more courses in nursing theory than an ADN, including nursing research, and nursing informatics, which is a field of study that examines how nurses use technology.

The starting salaries for an ADN or a BSN prepared nurse are similar, however since  many advanced nursing positions require a BSN, the BSN prepared nurse has the potential to earn more money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 the average starting pay for a BSN was $75,017 while the starting salary for ADN’s was $70,804.

Some of the benefits of an ADN program is that it can be less expensive, and usually quicker, meaning you would become a nurse much sooner.

On the other hand, with a BSN you usually have more advancement opportunities, such as to a nurse manager. You’re also be prepared to enter an advanced degree program such as for a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist.

ADN vs BSN can be a difficult choice to make. That said, both are wonderful paths for anyone pursuing a nursing career. Both offer excellent opportunities for great pay, job security, opportunities for advancement, and a tremendously wide range of work environments and experiences.

Online LPN nursing classes continue to grow in popularity. Due to the chronic shortage of qualified LPN’s (Licensed Practical Nurse) and LVN’s (Licensed Vocational Nurse), nursing in general has become one of the most sought-after careers, with more and more students considering online nursing classes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field will continue to grow, outpacing even other fast-growing health care careers. With the continuing shortage of nurses, nursing schools are faced with an influx of new students that they are unable to accommodate. As a result, many schools have developed their own online nursing degree programs.

Getting an online education isn’t necessarily less demanding than traditional education, but the option of learning online allows many nurses to earn an advanced degree at home.

Getting an online LPN degree can be just as good as one obtained in a traditional classroom setting, and the  benefits can be significant:

• Eliminate the time and expense of commuting to a campus
• Breeze past material that you already know
• Create your own study schedule to accomodate a job or parenting
• Enroll in an accelerated nursing programs
• Saving money on tuition

Taking an online program means that you’ll complete the non-clinical portion of your course work via online classes. Since you won’t be able to fulfill your clinical requirements online, the clinicals are typically arranged at a medical facility near where you live.

In terms of scheduling, some online degree programs will allow students to complete course work at their own pace, however many programs that are affiliated with traditional campus universities will require online students to maintain the same quarter or semester schedule as on-campus students. Many online classes are structured around a series of assignments and examinations, much like traditional courses. While some classes and degrees may be completed at an accelerated pace, classes are usually structured in such a way that they require a minimum of six to eight weeks to complete.

Some nursing school programs offer a variety of advanced degree and certificate options for students seeking online education, while some schools limit their online degrees to a handful of programs.

Nursing students can expect to pay between $100 and $300 dollars per credit, with average tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities averaging between $110-170. Though additional registration or enrollment fees may also be charged, one advantage of taking classes online is that out-of-state tuition is not typically charged.

Online LPN nursing classes, along with RN-to-BSN programs and MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) degrees are the most commonly offered online degrees. If you’re looking for a career in health care but are not in a position to attend a traditionally-scheduled campus program, this might be just the ticket for you.

Best Nursing Schools 2009

The health care industry is expanding enormously, and finding the best nursing schools 2009 is the objective of many who are looking to enter the field for the first time, or pursue an advanced degree in nursing. As technology continues to grow, nurses will be expected to provide care to patients over great distances via the Internet as well as by telephone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, by 2012, the employment rate of Registered Nurses will exceed the growth rate of all other occupations. Therefore, if you are looking to apply to the best nursing schools 2009, you may want to begin your search by determining which schools are pushing technology.

There are several questions that you may want to ask yourself or examine in order to determine which programs are ranking as the best nursing schools of 2009. Firstly, do you want to attend school locally or are you able to travel or perhaps relocate? In the U.S., there are at least 739 nursing schools. Out those, 728 offer full-time programs and 478 also offer part-time programs. In its June 2009 edition, U.S. News and World Report lists top nursing programs across the country. However, this data was gathered in 2007, and is based on ratings by nursing educators, who essentially nominated up to 10 schools for each area of excellence.

There are many professional nursing sites and periodicals where you can get detailed information about programs as well as the most recent awards in your field of interest. One such site is The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which in November gave out Awards for Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Education. The categories included:

1. Baccalaureate-Level Curricular Innovation at Harding University College of Nursing (Arkansas) and University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions.
2. Advanced Practice-Level Curricular Innovation at Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing.
3. Geriatric Nursing Faculty Champion at the Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, University of Rochester School of Nursing.
4. Outstanding School of Nursing Communications at Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University.

For more information on this and other Best Nursing Schools 2009 go to http://www.aacn.nche.edu/index.htm.

Book Review:  “Should I Be A Nurse? A Journey Of Self-Exploration For Those Considering A Career In Nursing” by Lori Havens.

Getting a nursing degree can cost a lot of money – more than $50,000 – $100,000 at some schools. Then there’s all the time invested. This begs the question, “Should I Be A Nurse”?

Lori Havens, a long-time RN, wrote a book with just that title.

Nursing school program drop-out rates are pretty high.  Some nursing students have personal or family situations that don’t allow them to continue.  Others simply can’t cut it academically.  And even with no ‘outside’ problems, nursing school is not easy!

But most of the students who drop out of nursing school do so because they stepped into a program that they should never have started in the first place…not because they were incapable, but because they were incompatible.

Some of the topics covered in “Should I Be A Nurse” include:

• “Roadmap to Becoming an R.N” – different ways to become a nurse
• Getting into nursing school…why it’s so tough and what you can do about it
• The future of nursing…is the job security really there?
• The difference between an R.N. and an L.P.N., and which one is best for you
• “Am I too old?” -  entering the profession later in life.

The book is extremely well-written, something I wish I had read when I was considering nursing programs. Ms. Havens has also included some very valuable “extra bonuses”, including some very good career guide books, a resume-writing report, and a “members website” with more information about topics in the book.

At $19.95, I think it’s a no-brainer – especially since it carries a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you want to read more about it, or order it online (you get an instant digital PDF download which you can dive into immediately), you can click here:

“Should I Be A Nurse” by Lori Havens

There are a variety of BSN nursing programs available to meet your individual needs. In a traditional BSN program, your will be required to complete three years of nursing classes as well as hands-on training in various health care facilities, providing you with extensive job opportunities after graduation from the program.

Aside from qualifying to offer direct care to patients in a hospital setting, you will be capable of providing nursing care to individuals and families in other health care communities. Extensive training and research will keep you up to date with all the latest medical advances. Additionally, completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will better prepare you to extend your education by acquiring a Master’s of Nursing degree.

BSN programs strengthen knowledge about the health care community and public health issues. Programs focus on nursing management and the enhancement of necessary skills to allow for superior patient care. Unlike 2 year nursing degrees, the BSN program guides the student to perfect patient assessment skills and explore the path physiology of sickness and disease. Acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree will provide nurses with better career opportunities and ease of entry into administrative positions in hospitals or other inpatient facilities, faculty teaching careers and Federal government careers in nursing.

A BSN is preferred by most nursing employers, and the provides the most opportunities for a nursing career. In a 4 year BSN program, the first 2 years focus on meeting general education requirements. Specialized nursing courses are completed during the final 2 years of the program. RN graduates with an associates degree who are seeking a BSN degree can enroll in a bridge program. An RN to BSN program will apply nursing skills acquired in the workforce combined with RN coursework towards credit for the BSN. Many online programs exist to fulfill RN to BSN requirements.

Another popular option for BSN nursing programs is the Second Degree BSN program, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing to bridge to a BSN. Students will receive credit for the general education requirements of the BSN from a previous degree. Students can then complete the nursing courses necessary to obtain the degree and can acquire a BSN in 2 years time. Similar to the Second Degree BSN is the Accelerated BSN. Credit will be received for completion of liberal arts requirements from the previous bachelor’s degree and the undergraduate portion of nursing requirements will be completed at an accelerated pace. Accelerated BSN programs cover the same nursing courses as a traditional BSN program and can be completed in 12-16 months.

Enrolling in a licensed BSN program is a natural progression for many LPN’s looking to advance their nursing career. While working as a practical nurse is a great starting point in the health care industry, registered nurses are eligible for advancement opportunities and significantly higher income levels. Many LPN’s choose to pursue additional training to obtain a BSN while continuing to work as a licensed practical nurse.

Students who are not licensed nurses can attend a basic licensed BSN program that will take four years to complete. The class sequence requirements for the basic BSN program are 6 semesters of full time course work, equivalent to 3 academic class years, or 8 semesters of part time course work. The LPN to BSN bridge program allows LPN’s to matriculate any formal training acquired during LPN courses, which will count towards the BSN degree.

The courses offered to LPN’s are designed to build on previous nursing experience and eliminating unnecessary classes and clinical studies. Classes include pharmacology, advanced clinical nursing, acute and chronic health care, pediatric nursing, public health and geriatric nursing. The class sequence requirements for the LPN to BSN bridge program are 5 semesters of full time course work, equivalent to 2.5 academic class years.

After acquiring the BSN degree, passing a national standardized nursing test will be required in order to obtain licensure to become a registered nurse. For those RN’s who are AND-prepared and would like to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree, there is the RN to BSN bridge program.

Licensed practical nurses who enroll in a BSN bridge program are often pleased with the greater career potential that accompanies a BSN degree. Specialized, advanced training in a licensed BSN program allows nurses the advantage of pursuing their choice of specialties in the medical field with less limitations than a general LPN.

After completing a licensed BSN program, students can pursue a career as a registered nurse in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, long term health care facilities and in-home health care.

Individuals considering a career in nursing have a variety of nurses programs to choose from. With over 2.5 million people working as nurses in America today, nursing accounts for the highest rate of job growth across the nation in the health care field. Those interested in becoming a nurse can pursue a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), a registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner (NP) just to name a few.

The quickest way to enter into a nursing career is to receive training as an LPN. After completing approximately one year of training, under the supervision of a physician or RN, students enter into a direct care patient setting in all areas of healthcare including clinics, hospitals, home health care, private practice and long-term care facilities. This is a good starting point for individuals that are not sure how far they wish to pursue additional studies in the nursing field.

Many individuals choose to begin their training through a CNA program (Certified Nursing Assistant ). Also known as nurse’s aids, CNA’s provide assistance to patients with basic care services under the direct supervision of an LPN or RN. Requirements to become certified as a CNA include a high school diploma or GED and the completion of a 6-12 week certified nursing assistant program at either a medical facility or a community college. In addition to basic nursing skills, coursework involves nutrition, anatomy and physiology, infection control and an abundance of direct training in clinical procedures. From here, individuals may choose to continue their education with either a CNA to BSN program. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or  BSN degree are required to complete a 4 year curriculum that includes foundational courses as well as all major nursing classes.

The Registered Nurse (RN) degree provides a wider range of career opportunities and advancement. RN’s make up the majority of health care workers today. Registered nurses are supervisors to LPN’s and CNA’s and generally have the responsibility of assigning various tasks in hospitals and institutional settings. RN’s have a concrete foundation that prepares them for graduate nursing programs and often go on to pursue an education in graduate studies.

Prospective nursing students should evaluate all of the choice for nurses programs and decide which provides the best option. A popular choice for non-nurses who possess a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field is the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. These degree programs generally take 3 years to complete. During the first year, students complete entry-level nursing classes, followed by 2 years of studies on a master’s level. The direct entry program is appealing to individuals who wish to complete a shorter work schedule in undergraduate nursing classes before advancing directly to graduate level courses.