Options And Steps To Become A Nurse
You have come to the decision that you want to beome a nurse; that is a very noble profession to pursue. But it is also one that requires some consideration as to what type of nurse you want to be as well as what it takes to achieve that. Being a nurse can range from being an LPN (Licensed Nursed Practitioner) in a hospital setting to an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner.
An LPN can obtain their education from a vocational school or a community college and is therefore perfect for someone just entering the field of medicine. This is a great way to get into the office and working with patients before you decide if pursuing more of an education is something of interest to you. In many states the LPN course completion is determined by classroom hours as well as clinical experience. After you pass the course, you merely have to take the state exam and pass that to be fully certified. This is the place to start if you are not completely sure about being a nurse, the tuition cost is lower, the amount of time is significantly less and there is less responsibility because most often you will work under a Registered Nurse (RN).
If you desire is to be an RN this requires a degree known as an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. It is a minimum of two years for completion and can be obtained at a community college or university. After you have finished the course you will work under supervision by a Graduated Nurse until you pass your state exam. The state exam is necessary to being able to work unsupervised.
Once you become an RN, if you wish, you can return to school for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. This is occasionally available at a community college, but more commonly at a university. This degree will not only provide you with a higher income and more job opportunity, it allows you to work in a variety of specialty areas like Neo-Natal, Pediatrics, and Cosmetic Surgery among others.
A Master’s degree is the highest qualification offered in Nursing and provides the highest income and most job possibilities. It is normally only available through a major university. There are no restrictions on the facilities you can work in or the specialty fields you can pursue. Your options within the medical field are truly unlimited. With a master’s degree, you can teach, work in supervisory positions, administrative positions, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthesiologist. Also this is the first step into a Physician’s Assistant (PA) position.
With all of these degrees you can work in a hospital, doctor’s office, school, prison facility, nursing home, or anywhere else there is a need for nurses. There is always a need for qualified individuals and with so many diverse areas to work in; there is nothing to wait for.
Online Nursing School Programs
The US Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of over 200,000 registered nurses in 2010. While the continuing nursing shortage is disturbing, it creates opportunities for those men and women willing to commit to Nursing School programs.
The heath care industry has recognized that nursing school programs need to be tailored to the needs of it potential students and online nursing schools have helped to fill the gap for training nurses. The RN-to-BSN and MSN degrees are the most commonly offered online degrees. Some institutions offer a assortment of advanced degree and certificate programs for students seeking online nursing education.
Determine Your Nursing Career Goals
A decision to enroll in an online nursing school should be accompanied by a decision to what are of area nursing you want to pursue. Do you want to be you want to be? An LPN, RN or BSN? There are online nursing programs for all career paths, but ultimately the individual needs to make that decision.
Licensed Practical Nurses or LPN’s generally enroll in nursing school programs for two years. Studies include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and practical patient care. A large portion of that training can be accomplished through online nursing schools. Starting median salaries are in the $40,000.00 range
Registered Nurses, or RN’s can pursue a 2 year Associates Degree in Nursing although preference is given to the person with the Bachelors of Nursing or BSN degree. This will vary from employer to employer. Registered nurses can expect median salaries to be in the $60,000.000 area per year.
How To Prepare For Nursing School Programs
Start with a search on your own area for nursing school programs that may be able to accommodate your needs. The needs of a graduating high school senior will be vastly different that the mother of two who has decided to pursue a health care career in nursing. Becoming a nurse is a rewarding profession.
Online nursing school programs are available for practically any area of nursing you may want to pursue. Prerequisites to qualify your entry into a nursing school program can be accomplished at your own pace and financial means.
Choosing Online Nursing Programs
The decision of which online nursing program to choose should be carefully considered. A primary concern for most is the cost of tuition. No doubt that is important, but there are other factors. Class sizes, class times, where and when you will be expected to complete clinical rotations are just a few of questions you need to have answered. Online nursing programs help to complete course studies online, but clinical rotations are required before graduation.
The Cost of Online Nursing School Programs
Higher education is never inexpensive. You can expect to pay between 100 to 400 dollars per credit hour. However most colleges offer tuition assistance programs and can provide you with nursing school grants , scholarship programs and student loan information. The nursing profession wants to provide you with every available opportunity to complete your nursing education. If you have the desire, there are online nursing schools that will help.
