Nursing Program 2021-2022
Best Degree for a Career in Nursing
Nursing is one of the most satisfying of all health professions. It pays well, it offers a lot of career advancement opportunities and diversity, and best of all, it's personally rewarding and fulfilling. However, becoming a successful nurse requires more than just desire and good intentions, it requires education, and it requires a college degree. If you're serious about a career in nursing, it's important that you become familiar with the different nursing certificates, diplomas, and degree programs available, and the value of each to your career aspirations. Below we'll explore the best educational and degree paths to becoming a nurse, as well as which nursing careers and specialties each degree will prepare you for.
Diploma in Nursing
Earning a diploma in nursing is the quickest path to launching your nursing career. A diploma in nursing can be acquired in as little as one year. The nursing diploma is the minimum qualification for becoming a practicing nurse. While nursing diplomas are still available through hospital-sponsored nursing schools, the majority of accredited community colleges, vocational schools, and four-year universities no longer offer nursing diplomas. Earning a nursing diploma does not qualify a student to become a registered nurse. For this reason, the popularity of the nursing diploma has dropped in recent years.
The diploma in nursing will qualify students for a career as a:- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is the best degree for students who–in the shortest time possible–want to launch a career
Registered Nurse (RN)
Earning the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree is the fastest path to becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. This is a two-year nursing degree program offered by community colleges and vocational schools across the United States. The ASN degree is the minimum qualification for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Earning an ASN is not only great preparation for a career in nursing, it is a stepping stone into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program down the road. Once students complete the ASN from an accredited nursing program, they're able to it sit for the NCLEX® exam and become a licensed Registered Nurse.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is the best degree for students who–in the shortest time possible–want to launch a career
Registered Nurse (RN)
Earning the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree is the fastest path to becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. This is a two-year nursing degree program offered by community colleges and vocational schools across the United States. The ASN degree is the minimum qualification for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Earning an ASN is not only great preparation for a career in nursing, it is a stepping stone into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program down the road. Once students complete the ASN from an accredited nursing program, they're able to it sit for the NCLEX® exam and become a licensed Registered Nurse.
LPN-to-Associate or LPN-to-RN
The LPN-to-Associate degree sometimes referred to as an LPN-to-RN, is a 1 to 2-year associate degree program designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses who want to earn a degree that will enable them to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). This program is often called a "bridge" program because it bridges the gap between LPN and RN. The LPN-to-Associate degree program is offered at select community colleges and vocational schools throughout the United States.
The LPN-to-Associate or LPN-to-RN is the best degree for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses who–in the shortest time possible–want to launch a career as a:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Like the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. However, unlike the ASN, which takes two years to complete, the BSN is a 4-year degree program. The BSN is the nursing degree that most employers prefer, and it provides graduates the best career opportunities straight out of school. The minimum requirement for many nursing positions these days is a BSN.
The BSN is the best degree for those who want to prepare for future higher education and career advancement opportunities and launch a career as a:
- Registered Nurse
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Perioperative Nurse
- School Nurse
- Staff Nurse
- Neonatal Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nursing Informatics Analyst
- Nurse Researcher (MSN preferred)
- Nephrology Nurse (MSN preferred)
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