Tips to find the Right BSN/ MSN Program for You
Nurses have outstanding and diverse job opportunities in health care industry today. Nurses continue to enjoy prosperous employment growth even in today’s competitive job market amidst the recession. The shortage of qualified nurses in the U.S. continues to provide more job opportunities in the specialized health care service. So, if you are planning for a recession proof career, this is the perfect time to start your studies in this rewarding nursing career.
Nursing degree programs are of the following types:
- One-year certificate or diplomas
- Two-year Associates degree in Nursing
- Four-year Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN )
- Post-graduate Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Ph.D. in Nursing.
Which Nursing Program to Choose?
Graduates of a two-year degree and upwards is necessary for a nurse to go for the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure exam. To appear for Licensed Practical Nurse exam (LPN), student has to take up one-year degree or a diploma.
Direct Entry MSN are generally for non-nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field; they can complete their nursing education through a direct entry MSN, and complete the degree typically in three years. Direct entry MSN give students get credit for having completed undergraduate liberal arts requirements.
RN-to-MSN course is designed for registered nurses who want to receive their MSN immediately after their BSN. Nurses receive as much advanced placement credit for their BSN degree as possible. This helps to eliminate overlapping of their BSN and MSN courses.
Nurses that graduate with an MSN are called Advanced Practice Nurses. These APNs deliver health care services which are delivered by physicians previously. They normally focus on any one of the following four advanced practice areas:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
In general for traditional or online BSN programs have the following prerequisites
- A 2.0 -3.0 GPA (depending on the school)
- 2 years of high school foreign language
- 4 years of high school English
- 3 years of high school math(algebra II and geometry) and science(chemistry and biology)
- SAT or ACT exam; minimum scores vary widely by school
MSN, RN to MSN and RN to BSN, programs generally require the following:
- A current RN nursing license
- Graduation from a National League of Nursing
- Minimum GPAs range from 2.5 -3.0
Whichever nursing degree you choose will have a significant impact on your career. Take closer a look at various nursing masters’ degree options and learn about what a masters’ degree in nursing can offer, before you decide on a nursing degree program. For all your nursing degree requirements, online nursing degrees and programs are available.
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