Is A Nursing Career Right For You?
For those looking for a challenging, rewarding, and often fast-paced career, nursing is an exciting option. Those seeking to become a Registered Nurse (RN) have several options. If you have no college degree, you can obtain either a two year Associates Degree in nursing of a four year Bachelor of Science Degree.
If you already have a Bachelor’s Degree in another field, you can obtain a Nursing Doctorate in 3-4 years or a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1-2 years. Another option is to become a Licensed Practiced Nurse (LPN). This requires approximately one ear of schooling. This is a good option for people who want to work as an LPN for a while and then complete their RN courses at a later time.
No matter which path you take, choose the school you take courses through carefully. Ensure that the program you choose is an accredited one. Schools accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education are considered reputable.
A degree from an accredited school will help assure that you will be able to find a job once you’ve completed your degree and passed the licensure exam. You must pass the licensure exam for the state in which you want to practice. When choosing which type of nursing program to pursue, consider the job opportunities that go with each one. Employment prospects are usually best for those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and this degree is preferred. However, this is not an option for some people.
An Associated Degree in Nursing provides many career opportunities as well. The key is to choose the program that is right for you and then excel in it.
Other things to consider when selecting a nursing school are if the program provides a lot of clinical rotation time, nursing exam pass-rates, class sizes, and the reputation of the nursing school.