School Nurses
Two-year Associate of Arts in Nursing (AAN) degree programs provide general registered nurse education and training through courses on anatomy and physiology, mental health, pharmacology, and nutrition. Students may also undergo practical laboratory and clinical instruction, receiving hands-on experience with patient care and other related health care tasks.
One major difference related to job availability for ADN nurses is some healthcare systems will only hire nurses with a bachelor’s degree. This is directly related to Magnet status and accreditation.
The first step in becoming a nurse is nursing school. But it’s not that simple. You need to choose a program (CNA, LPN, ADN, BSN) figure out what prerequisites and other requirements you need for that program, figure out how to pay for school, and oh so much more.
What You'll Learn in an ADN Program. The ADN program is focused solely on nursing core classes and clinicals. Classes focus on the clinical aspect of nursing instead of the leadership, research, and management focus seen in other nursing programs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average income of a nurse anesthetist to be $169,450 per year , with some CRNAs earning over $252,000.
Once certified, CNA licenses typically last for two years.
An LPN is responsible for providing patients with essential care, which includes helping them to eat, dress, bathe, etc. They also assist Registered Nurses and doctors in keeping detailed records, maintaining clear communication between the entire care team and working with patients and their families.
A BSN can typically be completed in three to four years and you'll find them at traditional university.
This is very important because most nursing schools develop a very rigid curriculum, and they have a lot of prerequisites you must follow to be allowed into the nursing program, or to graduate within the normal time frame . If you happen to skip this very important part, it could set you back in time and tuition.
Again, most nursing programs have their own adviser to help students with this very task, and usually it is a free service provided by the university. Once you do this, they will tell you exactly which courses you need to take and when.
A degree in nursing is the first step toward a career as a school nurse. Required courses such as anatomy, microbiology and chemistry provide a foundation in the field, while many upper-level courses focus more on health and patient care. Management courses in leadership may be helpful when working with school administrators, students and parents. Both associate's and bachelor's degrees in nursing can lead to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).
An introductory course in nursing will help you understand the concepts and theories in a professional nursing curriculum. You will learn how today's nursing problems can be looked at in an historical context. Diverse issues that influence health, illness, and treatment options are also explored. There is an emphasis on the code of ethics and practice which all nurses must adhere to, along with a focus on the initial development of standard nursing procedures in diagnosis and intervention.
The minimum age to become an LNA is 16-18 years old, so some students get certified and work part-time as a nursing assistant while still in high school.
This job requires graduating from an accredited LPN program, usually two years at a technical school or community college.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) / Nurse Practitioner. APRNs can prescribe medication, treat and diagnose illnesses, and more with less or no supervision from a medical doctor, depending on the state. This requires at least a master’s degree in addition to the education and licenses required to become an RN.
Nurses are often on the frontlines of patient care and provide healthcare, treatments, and management of the entire patient experience. You probably interact with a nurse when you go for your annual health checkup, as they often take your general health measurements (such as blood pressure), and administer shots.
There are options if a two-year college works better for you than a four-year one. This might be the case if you need to work while you study, or if you studied something else in undergrad and come to nursing later on. Or, if you’re aiming for a traditional four-year path, you can take that too!
In some cases, a nurse may even perform the same responsibilities as a doctor. The job requires both strong medical knowledge as well as empathy, respect, and compassion to help ensure the patient gets the best care possible. Nursing has many specializations and levels of study. These include:
Most programs are 11 months, about 3 semesters, or 40 credit hours. This route may or may not include a clinical component within the curriculum, and many people report being able to work part-time throughout the program if necessary.
Nurse Apprenticeships are programs offered by hospitals and academic programs to allow those who are in the process of obtaining their nursing degree, to begin working while in school. Although this doesn’t necessarily shorten the length of your nursing coursework, this does allow you to earn money while in the program, and provides an avenue of resources for you to land a job as soon as — or even before — you graduate. Learning on the job and making connections is a great way to jumpstart your career. Look for positions titled: “nurse apprenticeship,” “nurse technician,” or “nurse internship.” Click here to learn more about this program .
The restrictions to an ADN are typically career growth — positions like management, leadership, or clinical nurse specialists are reserved for bachelor’s prepared nurses. Just like the LVN to RN bridge, there are many ADN to BSN programs that can help you advance your career when the time is right for you. 3.
These programs range from 12 months to 2 years. Click here to read more about the accelerated BSN . 4. Nurse Apprenticeships.
Your pay will begin on the scale of a registered nurse. However, in many places, the salary ceiling is lower than for a bachelor’s prepared nurse.
Entry into a Ph.D. in Nursing program requires having graduated from an accredited Masters in Nursing Program, as well as nursing experience. Nurses who pursue a Ph.D. do not generally have a certification that requires renewal unless they have an advanced practice degree that they wish to maintain.
Earning an Associate’s Degree in Nursing is the shortest path to becoming a Registered Nurse. Completing an ADN program generally takes two to three years. Though ADNs do not have the same training in leadership and research that Registered Nurses who have earned BSNs do, those who choose the ADN path learn the same nursing procedures ...
A Nurse Practitioner is one type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse that is available as a career to those who complete either an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) program or a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program.
Before applying to a Nurse Practitioner program, candidates will need to have become Registered Nurses, and those who have done so by earning an ADN degree will need to pursue an RN-to-MSN program that supplements their nursing training with a baccalaureate education program.
First-time test takers can schedule themselves to take the test within thirty days of eligibility, and the test itself takes just four hours to complete. Some states allow test takers to get their test results within 48 hours after taking the exam, though official results are mailed from the state board of nursing within two months of taking it.
Earning a Ph.D. in nursing is the final degree available for those who want to conduct nursing research or become a nursing educator. Though a nurse who has pursued and completed this level of education may provide hands-on care, in most cases they do not pursue these responsibilities.
Completing a BSN program generally takes four years. The most common and direct way of earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing is to attend a full-time baccalaureate program.
Have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in the last three years prior to the examination (either direct or indirect clinical practice) Complete the application and pay the required fee. Aside from the NBCSN, some universities and colleges have continuing education programs that offer school nurse credentialing.
School nurses help manage injury and illness for school-age children. They can administer first aid and assist in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or seizures. Because school nursing is a unique field, certification is sometimes required for employment.
The requirements to become certified through the NBCSN include: Applicant must furnish a copy of their RN license. Submission of transcripts or proof of a BSN or equivalent or a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
The National Association of School Nurses provides resources for those who need to find out what the requirements are for each state. However, requirements aside, it's prudent to obtain certification as it can demonstrate the nurse: Is familiar with school policy and education laws.
The entry exam covers the subjects that are needed for entry to nursing school: math, reading, science, and English. Whether it’s the HESI, ATI, or TEASE, there are many resources to help you review and score well on the entrance exam. GPA is an important consideration for accelerated BSN programs, as many programs will require a minimum GPA ...
Usually, the minimum GPA for consideration into the program ranges from 3.0 to 3.5.
Accelerated BSN programs are popularly known to offer Associate Degree Nurses a fast-track option for obtaining their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. However, there are also many programs across the country that offer an accelerated program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree - even if it’s not in nursing. ...
For those who are considering a career change into nursing and already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject — finance, restaurant management, even music — an accelerated BSN as a second degree may be an excellent option for you. Accelerated BSN programs are popularly known to offer Associate Degree Nurses a fast-track option ...
What is an Accelerated BSN? 1 Your existing bachelor's degree must be from an accredited school. 2 Your degree GPA must be at least 2.5. 3 The cumulative GPA of your science classes must be at least 2.75.
Even if your degree is not science related, your credits still count. As long as you prove proficiency with an average GPA of 2.75 for your science courses, you can use your previous experience to shave years off of your BSN.
Your existing bachelor's degree must be from an accredited school. Your degree GPA must be at least 2.5. The cumulative GPA of your science classes must be at least 2.75. Other documentation and testing are required to complete a nursing program application.
Your RN credentials mean you’ll never have to worry about finding a job, no matter how tough the rest of the economy gets. Nurses are on the cutting edge. If technology excites you, the medical field has what you’re looking for.
This means you spend your class time concentrating on developing the skills needed to be a successful RN. More than skipping repetitive general requirements, accelerated learning programs are highly customizable. Many courses are self-paced. Students can work as quickly as they like to complete their program earlier.
Even if your degree is not science related, your credits still count .
Besides great pay and personal fulfillment, a career in nursing offers many benefits as a second career. A nursing career is highly customizable. Once you face the fact that your current job is not what you thought it would be, it becomes easier to identify the things you really want from a career.