There are plenty of nursing degrees to choose from and each nursing degree comes with its own specifications and scope of work.  The yearly remuneration, the place of work and the degree of responsibility will depend a great deal on the nursing degree and the institution from which the student has graduated.

There is nothing to despair.  With medical sciences opening the gates of opportunities, there is plenty to look forward to.  In many places the position of a certified nursing assistant is considered as the most basic level.  Here the nursing assistant mainly works as per the instructions of the senior nurse and does not have any decision making powers.  Moreover, the training course of a nursing assistant extends only for a few weeks and once they are through with the test, they can begin with their work.  Now you may begin to wonder as to what is the difference between a qualified nurse and a nursing assistant.  The job responsibilities of a nursing assistant are limited and they carry out the most basic functions.  The basic functions include making beds for the patients, helping them in dressing, bathing and feeding the patients and monitoring their vital parameters.

Now there is a great demand for the two types of nursing degrees offered by the community colleges.  One is an Associate Degree and the other is a Diploma.  There is also an accelerated program offered by many community colleges called the Bachelor of Science in Nursing which can easily be completed within three years.  For a nurse to obtain a license to practice in the state of their choice it is necessary for them to graduate with an Associate degree or diploma in Nursing.  Depending upon the nature of license examination taken by the nurse, they are classified either as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse also addressed by the abbreviations RN and LPN respectively.

As the name suggests, a LPN performs the most basic functions and their duties are similar to those of a nursing assistant.  In addition to the basic functions, a LPN performs far more advanced functions than the nursing assistants.  This may include assisting the doctors in the delivery rooms, bathing and feeding the newborn babies, keeping a strict vigil on the patient’s health and monitoring the improvement, providing medications and giving injections to the patient.  To become a LPN, the students will have to equip themselves with a nursing diploma which may extend for a year.

The LPNs are required to take instructions from the senior nurses.  A RN is usually senior to a LPN and is eligible to perform the sum total of all the functions performed by the nursing assistants and LPNs.  A RN reports directly to the doctor and receives instructions from the doctor himself.  Their functions include providing medication and giving injections to the patients, assisting the doctors in surgeries, operating advanced medical equipments, design care plans for patients and monitoring the work of junior nurses.  Most of the RNs are expected to equip themselves with an Associate Degree and ought to have at least two years of nursing education.  However, most of the hospitals prefer their RNs to equip themselves with a Bachelors degree usually extending for four years.

For all the RNs who wish to pursue their education, plenty of nursing degrees are offered by both graduate and undergraduate programs.  These types of nursing degree programs are available at all leading universities and colleges.  For registered nurses, who hold an Associate degree or a diploma, there are programs where a RN can be converted in to a BSN.

Types of Career Degrees in Nursing

The health care industry is having a growing requirement for nurses.  Nursing, with two million jobs is amongst top 10 occupations that have largest number of new jobs. As there is already a shortage of qualified nurses world wide the opportunities seem extremely good.  The salary of a nurse is above average.  This is especially true in the case of advanced nurses having additional training and education.

Many degrees are available in the field of nursing which can be pursued with the help of a nursing school or nursing program.  This can be done on campus and can also be done online. Here are some of the degrees you can consider if you want a career in nursing.

CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

A CNA training class is easy and quick to complete and the requirements are lesser.  It is an entry level position and is considered a stepping stone towards becoming a LPN.  It gives you an exposure to every facility and environment you might find after becoming a nurse.  You will work under and perform tasks under the directions of a nurse.

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

This involves -3 years of study and is available at a lot of community colleges.  On its completion you will be able to give RN care in different settings.  After completion you can become a LPN or an RN depending on the license examination type.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

This is a four years course and is also sometimes known as a Baccalaureate degree.  It is offered at the California State University and also in some private colleges.  You will be able to give  RN care on completion.  You can also move to leadership and administrative positions with the help of this.

Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing

This program is for those adults who already possess a degree in some other field and want to become RNs.  It takes about 1-2 years.  The time period varies in terms of nursing course pre requisites that you may have already completed.  It is considered a Masters Degree.

APRN (Advanced Practical Registered Nurse)

An APRN specializes in complex nursing care. Most of the APRN licenses require you to have studied four years and are having  a bachelor’s degree.  Also  a bit of post graduate study. Some may even require a Masters degree.

You may or may not find a campus program close to your home depending on the type of degree you opt for.  You can consider going in for online degree and courses if you are unable to.  These are available for almost all areas and specialties although they might limit you from clinical experience.

After completion of your nursing degree you will be required to send a nursing application to your states ‘Board of Registered Nursing’.  Your transcripts will need to be sent by your Nursing School as well.  Your final requirement will be to clear the’ National Council Licensing Examination’.

The salary and job responsibility of a person will depend on the education and training received.  Hence if you have a higher degree you have more opportunities in securing a job of your choice.  With some consideration and good thought one can enter into a nursing level of their capabilities and be satisfied with a rewarding career.

Why LPN to BSN Programs?

Acquiring a Bachelors degree in Nursing (BSN) is the ultimate dream of every nursing student.  And why not?  Not only does a BSN degree equip a student with all the best nursing skills but it also opens a sea of opportunities with the best job offers coming their way.  Besides getting a chance to work in the best hospitals, it also prepares the students for administrative and leadership roles in the field of health and medicine.  For all Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who aspire to become a Registered Nurse (RN), there is great news.  There is a provision wherein all the LPNs can convert their LPN diploma into a BSN degree.

These LPN to BSN programs would give a boost to the careers of LPNs.  As we have already seen, a BSN degree usually takes a good four years to successfully complete.  However, certain concessions and credit are given to those students who already have a LPN diploma.  The first year at the BSN degree consists of all the topics covered in the LPN diploma.  It is precisely due to this reason that the selected LPN students are able to graduate to the second year, foregoing the first year.

One of the main benefits of acquiring a LPN to BSN degree is that, you will be able to take the license examinations required to work as a Registered nurse.  These examinations are conducted by NCLEX-RN.  Such nurses are in great demand, since they come up with plenty of advanced skills. When a LPN nurse completes the BSN degree, they are now equipped with double qualifications sending their demand rate soaring.  So when a doctor or a hospital approaches you, you can negotiate a good salary package.

Now the question arises as to where can you find these LPN to BSN courses? There are plenty of options.  Many LPN nurses would not like to leave their jobs and would like to work and study at the same time.  For such students, plenty of fast track programs are available, thus allowing them to continue with their job.  These programs are also available at the local colleges and state universities.  But here the classroom sessions are scheduled weekly, thus making it inconvenient for working LPNs.

LPN to BSN Online Programs

Although the LPN to BSN online courses may prove to be a boon for the working nurses, it has a major disadvantage. Many of the working nurses fear that without direct interaction with the fellow students and not attending classroom sessions may make them lose out on certain skills.  The University of Phoenix is a pioneer in providing online courses and it has come up with a novel idea.  It has designed the course curriculum in such away that all the working LPN students are able to attend the first few classes and the last few classes of the classroom session.  This will enable them to have a fair idea of what the classroom sessions are all about.  The remaining part of the course can be completed online.

A  LPN to BSN degree is truly rewarding and also gives rise to plenty of employment opportunities.

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Whether you are studying for a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), or undertake online LPN nursing programs, completing any of the nursing school program is quite a great achievement. All your valuable time spent in studying and passing each test is paid off in the form of a nursing degree. But you cannot become nurse unless and until you pass in one of the very crucial test known as the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). By passing the NCLEX exam one gets license to practice nursing ethically. If you wish to work as a nurse in any state of USA, you will have to pass this NCLEX exam. NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.

The NCLEX exam is governed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It comprises of 2 types the NCLEX-RN for practicing as a registered nurse and the NCLEX-PN for practicing as practical/vocational nurse.

Each state in USA separately conducts this NCLEX exam and entire tests are professionally supervised. You have to pay examination fees to enroll yourself for this test. In case if any one fails in this exam then he/she has to wait for about 45-90 days which is a grace period after which one can again undertake the test. Every state has different criteria based on which it is decided how many times any student can appear for the exam. This exam is comprises of multiple choice questions, mathematical questions, arranging nursing procedure according to chronological order and also drawing body parts based on the questions. NCLEX examinations are conducted in (CAT) computerized adaptive testing format.  This test helps the examiner to get better idea about candidate’s knowledge related to nursing. If you want to practice nursing in USA then passing the NCLEX exam is definitely added advantage.

All your years of hard work put in to pass in nursing school program will go waste if you fail to pass in the NCLEX exam. So it is very important to prepare well for this exam. Though there are few nursing school programs which review the NCLEX as part of their curriculum but it is not enough. Seeking an extra guidance and putting in extra effort is very important. Once you graduate from any of nursing school it is important to take up the NCLEX test as all the knowledge is fresh in your mind. You can find help from NCLEX study groups or purchase NCLEX review materials and most importantly practice. Study every topic especially pharmacology and triage information because these are most likely questions. NCLEX examinations are specially designed to test your skill, knowledge, and abilities to practice effective and safe nursing at the entry-level.  This is you opportunity to prove yourself so just go for it.

As a nursing school graduate, the NCLEX is one of the most vital tests which you take up. By successfully passing the NCLEX exam you can show your ability to become a qualified licensed nurse. Now, whether you become NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN it is entirely your decision but one thing is for sure Nursing is one of the well respected profession were apart from earning good salary you’ll also have job satisfaction of helping needy.

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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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