One of the fastest growing professions in the United States is nursing. The competitive salary and encouraging job prospects for nurses has led many people into pursuing a degree in nursing from a nursing career college. As the population in the country continues to grow, the need for professionals with a nursing degree also grows. Now is a great time to get started in the field of nursing.
Getting your feet wet by becoming a nursing aide or a nursing assistant is a great way to begin. To obtain these jobs, you may need to accomplish course work at a nursing career school, but coursework will not be as extensive as that required for licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
Achieving a nursing degree is essential if you would like to become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or an LVN (Vocational Nurse). To become an LPN or an LVN, a one-year nursing course is usually required. As an LPN or LVN, you will work under the supervision of an RN (Registered Nurse) and physicians. As an LPN or LVN, you will have a higher salary and will be able to perform more tasks than a nursing aide or assistant. The long-term goal of many LPNs and LVNs is to gain experience as they work toward becoming a Registered Nurse.
To become a Registered Nurse, you will need to follow one of two courses of study—an Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program or a Bachelor of Science Nurse (BSN) program. The former requires two years of study, while the latter requires four years of study. Achieving a BSN from an accredited nursing career school will allow you to expand your opportunities in nursing as well as your annual salary.
Registered nurses have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of health care settings, including private health care agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, specialty medical offices, research facilities, physical therapy clinics, and more. The benefits of the job include a good salary and job security. In addition, nurses enjoy a lifelong learning opportunity in which every day presents new and rewarding challenges. As a result, you will be continually engaged in your career.
Begin your career as a nurse by discussing your goals with counselors at a nursing career school. You will be given the guidance that you need to achieve a degree in one of the most exciting and rewarding fields available today!