-
About 60 percent of registered nurses work in hospitals. Scott Quinn Photography/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Registered nurses fill 2.6 million jobs, making them the largest occupation in the health care industry. A registered nurse, regardless of which aspect of the medical field they work in, are responsible for treating patients, educating patients and the public about medical issues and providing advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Future nurses can take three different educational paths to become a registered nurse.
Bachelor's of Science in Nursing
-
A bachelor of science degree in nursing, or BSN, requires at least four years of study at the university level. This is the longest program to become a registered nurse but often provides more internship and networking opportunities. Students in a BSN program have more opportunities to train in and learn about nursing in settings other than hospitals. By having a more well-rounded educational experience, registered nurses with a BSN receive training in leadership, critical thinking and communication. A BSN is required for nurses that want to work in administrative positions, teaching, research or consulting. It also is recommended for nurses that want to receive a master's degree in order to become nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists or nurse midwives.
Associate Degree in Nursing
-
An associate degree in nursing, or ADN, is offered in junior and community colleges and take two to three years to complete. ADN programs offer more flexibility for students working during school by offering part-time programs, night classes and online classes. ADN programs include foundational courses, such as microbiology and anatomy, nursing care specific courses and clinical experience in hospitals, nursing homes and public health departments. ADN graduates typically begin their nursing career in hospitals and then move on to private practices, home care or community health clinics. Some employers offer nurses with an ADN a tuition-reimbursement program. This gives nurses with an ADN the opportunity to return to school to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing.
Diploma Program
-
Registered nurse diploma programs are 18- to 36-month long programs offered through hospitals. Before the 1970s, this was the most common way to gain an entry-level nursing degree, and future nurses had more than 800 diploma programs from which to choose. It's now much less popular with only 100 programs in the United States. A diploma program can be limiting in that it only prepares nurses for work in a hospital or other in-patient facility. For nurses with a diploma that find their career options limited, they can take advantage of employer-funded tuition reimbursement programs in order to earn a BSN. Diploma holders can even do accelerated MSN programs and graduate with both a BSN and an MSN.
No comments:
Post a Comment