Reading newspapers, online news reports, health care blogs, and more, you can not miss stories about the shortage of nurses in this country today. In fact, more than one million new and replacement nurses are needed by 2016. This is a projected growth of over 23 percent, making nursing the leading profession in projected job growth in this country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in November 2007.
Registered nursing education programs are available in a most locations throughout the U.S. Programs are available in hospitals, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools.
Education is available in a range of degrees: registered nurse certification, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates. Registered nursing (RN) education programs are designed to prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure.
Hospital Based Nursing Programs
Hospital based nursing programs are affiliated with specific hospitals. Although the number of hospital based programs has declined over the years, they provide unique opportunities other programs do not offer.
Hospital based programs are typically less expensive when compared with other programs and students start working with patients in their first year of studies. College and university programs spend more time on knowledge based education, leaving only the junior and senior for clinical internships with patients
Hospital based programs provide students with a quick assessment of their actual ability to work with patients early. Waiting to the junior or senior year is not the best time to find out that a student is not suited for working with patients as a nurse.
Junior colleges and technical schools are similar to colleges; clinical internships working with patients come near the end of their programs.
Associate Degree in Nursing Programs
Many community and junior colleges offer nursing programs which lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Students in these programs typically take two to two and half years to complete. Students complete course work, clinical internships, and preparation for completing the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Some community colleges offer accelerated nursing programs for those who want to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in about three years.
Completion time for both of these degrees is based on full time enrollment. Part time enrollment will take a longer period of time; however this is a viable option for those can not attend school full time.
Bachelor Degree in Nursing Programs in Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities offering nursing degrees typically provide two options for earning bachelor degrees in nursing. The first option is for those with no prior nursing education and takes three and half to four years of full time enrollment to complete.
The second option is for RNs who want to earn a bachelor degree. These students can typically complete the bachelor degree program in one to two years of full time enrollment. The length of time is based on prior education, continuing education courses completed, and experience.
The advantage for earning a bachelor degree is the different doors that are now open for an RN. Bachelor degrees are necessary for RNs who want to become military nurses (officers), nursing teachers, or work in nursing schools.
Just like associate degree programs, bachelor degree programs can be completed through part time enrollment.
Graduate Degrees in Nursing
Many colleges and universities offer Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, RN to MSN programs, graduate specialty programs, and doctorate degree (PhD) programs.
These degrees are designed for those who want to pursue research and advanced nursing work. Reading The Value of Graduate School Education will provide answers to the question of why earn an advanced degree.
With projected and current shortage of nurses in this country, the opportunities are unlimited for those considering nursing as a career. The two biggest factors to consider prior to entering nursing are being mentally ready for working with patients in all health care situations and having a caring nature for others. Reading 10 Tips for Adults Going Back to School for ideas and suggestions on how to ensure you are prepared for completing adult education programs.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
Join the Conversation