Should You Pursue Getting A Nurse Degree? Trying To Decide Which Nurse Degree To
Pursue?
NIZ is glad to see that you are seriously considering a career as a
nurse.
Of course you would have to enter and complete a nurse degree program to be
allowed to take and pass the test required to become a registered nurse, the NCLEX-RN Test.
Pursing a nurse degree allows you to work in an industry where there are many
positive benefits that include financial improvement, career growth and personal satisfaction.
Nurse Degree Types
There are five main degree designations within the nurse profession in the United
States.
To become a registered nurse, you will need to acquire least one of the first four
nurse degrees listed below to do the following:
- Be allowed to sit for the NCLEX-RN test
- Be allowed to apply for and take a state test to receive a license to
practice as a registered nurse.
Some states have reciprocal license agreements where you can work in multiple
states as a licensed RN. Some states require you to take a test specifically designed for their licensing
requirements. A person can also take the national licensing exam for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed
vocation nurse (LVN).
The last degree listed below is the Doctorate in Nursing Degree program designed
for advanced level training to allow nurses the opportunity to pursue research and practice aspects within the
nurse discipline.
Associate of Science in nurse (ASN)
Typically a two (2) year college degree obtained at a community college or nursing
school that can take up to 3 to 4 years to complete depending on the prerequisite courses required by where you are
wanting to work
Diploma in Nursing
Typically a two (2) year college diploma obtained at hospital based nurse schools.
While not as numerous as they once were, hospital based nurse schools are still operating in some areas of the
United States.
Depending on the hospital school, a person may be required to take non-nurse
prerequisite courses at local colleges prior to admission or in conjunction with
nurse courses.
The time frame for completing this diploma may be 3 years depending on the
school's course requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four (4) year academic degree that may take 5 years to complete.
While the first 2 years are used to complete similar course work required for an
(ASN) degree or Diploma in Nursing, the degree is designed to take a registered nurse away from regular bedside
duties to prepare her or him for a career in a nurse leadership position, as a researcher, or involved in nurse
informatics.
Master of Science in nurse (MSN)
An entry level degree for nurse educators and managers. May be a prerequisite
required to enter the Doctorate in nurse program to become Advanced Practical Nurses (APNs).
Individuals can pursue a career in one or more advanced nurse specialties that
include nurse practitioner, neonatal, geriatric, adult, family, pediatric, clinical nurse specialist, acute care,
certified registered nurse anesthetist and certified nurse midwife.
Note: A Master of nurse
(MN) is a fast track program designed for an individual already possessing a Non-nurse Bachelor's Degree who wants
to be a nurse. Courses taught include clinical reasoning, theoretical perspectives, and research.
Doctorate in Nursing
With the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) replacing the Doctor of Nursing
(ND), individuals will have to pursue and obtain the DNP to become Advanced Practical Nurses (APNs).
The individual can pursue one or more advanced nurse specialties that include
nurse practitioner, neonatal, geriatric, adult, family, pediatric, clinical nurse specialist, acute care, certified
registered nurse anesthetist and certified nurse midwife.
Individuals can also pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, the
research side of the Doctorate in Nursing.
As you can see above, the options to pursue in the nurse profession are varied,
numerous and interesting.
You can also master many nurse specialties during your
career which adds further stability to your job security while increasing the potential for a higher
income.
Where Can I Work As A Registered Nurse?
The list of where you can work is as varied as the many specialties you can
pursue.
Hospitals give a registered nurse the best
opportunities for a flexible work schedule and overtime pay.
Maybe you're not wanting the stress generated by the dynamics of a
hospital.
Don't worry, you can be a registered
nurse for schools, drug companies, cruise ships,
occupational health centers, home nurse, HMO's, doctor offices, mental health centers, lawyers as legal nurse
consultants and corporations.
What Other Type of Nurse Positions Are Out
There?
NIZ wants you to know the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)is one position,
within the nurse profession that is currently available in high demand that does not require a nurse degree or
nurse diploma.
Use the (CNA) Position to
start earning money within a few weeks to a month.
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is available for a person to pursue as a
career choice.
You can also use the position as a source to sustain you financially while
attending a college or hospital based nurse school to pursue a nurse degree.
To receive the credentials to work as a CNA, a person is required to receive a
minimum of 75 hours of training in addition to 16 hours of supervised clinical training. The position also requires
a person to complete 12 hours of continued education annually.
A certified nursing assistant provides basic patient care under the direction of
nurse staff while performing varied duties such as feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, moving patients, or
changing linens.
Try the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational
Nurse (LVN) Program to make money sooner
Another vehicle to use to have money coming in to sustain yourself while pursuing
a nurse degree is the licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) program which takes 1-1/2
to 2 years to complete.
You must pass state or national board license exams to obtain a license which has
to be renewed at specific intervals as decided by the state.
NIZ wishes you much success in obtaining a Nurse Degree that can help create
a new exciting adventurous world for you.
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