Are you wondering what you will find in a nursing school? This comprehensive article explains everything that you expect in a nursing school. This guide will not only show you the different specialties in a nursing field but will also list different types of nursing degrees and levels you can pursue in nursing school.
Table of Contents
Ways to become a nurse.
- A two-three year diploma program which allows you to become a registered nurse in less time than a bachelor’s program.
- A two-year associate degree provides a registered nurse designation without a bachelor’s degree.
- A four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree results in a registered nurse’s resignation. With a BSN, you can choose to further your education by pursuing a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) to have a huge list of high-paying jobs to choose from.
Advantages of nursing degree programs.
- A nursing degree program provides an opportunity to get employed in many different healthcare settings.
- They provide training to the nursing students on how to care for the patients.
Why you should get a nursing certification.
Nursing certifications aid practicing nurses to demonstrate their advanced, specialized knowledge about working with a particular illness, disease, or population.
Examples of patient’s population include:
- Families and individuals across the lifespan.
- Acute or primary adult-gerontology care.
- Women’s health.
- Pediatric care.
- Mental health and many others.
If you are interested in getting a nursing certification, you should check with the state board of nursing, local nursing schools, or online colleges.
1 Entry Level nursing degree programs.
You can choose to pursue a diploma, certificate, or associate degree to earn an entry-level nursing degree. Each qualification will lead to a different job. You can complete a certificate or a diploma in less than a year. An associate’s degree program requires two or more years of full-time study. Graduates take an NCLEX examination before they can start practicing.
These programs are meant to create culturally-sensitive competent healthcare team members.
Topics covered in entry-level nursing degree programs:
- Pathophysiology.
- Foundations and communication.
- Basic health assessment.
- Principles of medication administration.
- Mental health.
- Gerontology.
- Pediatrics and medical-surgical nursing.
These are some of the prerequisite courses covered in the programs. These include basic chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.
Diploma in nursing program – take 1-3 years to complete. It is provided in hospitals, nursing schools/colleges, and other training facilities.
Associate degree in nursing – It may take two years of full-time study to complete although part-time options are also available. It is mainly offered in community colleges and technical schools.
Licensed practical nurse – This takes about one-year to complete. It is offered by schools through diplomas and certificates.
2 Bridge Nursing Degree Programs.
Bridge programs are meant to aid nurses who already possess diplomas or associate degrees to complete bachelor-level degrees. They give credit for previous educational courses and experiences. They take less-time to complete unlike other programs since they build on the knowledge already gained through previous education. Most require 1-4 years depending on the student’s ability to study full-time or part-time.
3 Bachelor’s degree in nursing programs.
Students choose to pursue BSNs in several different formats depending on their education experience. Programs usually last four years. You can choose to pursue accelerated BSN programs to graduate more quickly or pursue part-time coursework.
Graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree receive more job opportunities and higher-paying jobs than their counterparts with ADN qualifications. They must also pass the NCLEX-RN examination to receive licensure in their state.
A BSN degree allows professional nurses to function in a highly complex, ever-changing health care system.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – BSN degrees require four years of full-study, though accelerated, online and part-time options also exist. However, clinical programs require in-person or through simulation experiences.
LPN-to-BSN programs – these programs build on existing knowledge and typically take 24-36 months to complete.
4 Master’s degree in nursing programs.
Acquiring an MSN degree helps graduates to compete for advanced practiced roles such as practitioners (NP) and nurse educators among other roles.
Direct -entry MSN programs – for students who possess a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated subject.
RN-to-MSN program – helps students with ADN qualifications to attain master’s level qualifications.
BSN-to-MSN program – designed for Rns who already have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
5 Doctorate degree in nursing programs.
This Ph.D. program is a research-based degree and trains nurse’s function as researchers and academics. Most nurses possessing a Ph.D. serve as faculty in universities.
Getting a good education is one of the primary needs of human beings. Thus earning a nursing degree is a good education investment. Moreover, jobs in the nursing profession are growing as years pass by. This is because the nursing field has many types of degrees and specialties. If you have joined a nursing school and want help with nursing assignments, place your order and we will deliver quality nursing papers.
