Types of Nursing Degrees and Their Salaries

Many students look for a career in nursing. This is because of the vast career opportunities they get from a nursing degree. There are many ways of getting a nursing degree or a diploma.



It is a known fact that in all fields, higher the degree the better is the salary. And nursing is no exception! Salaries for RN is always much higher than a LPN or a LVN. So, if you are interested in making a career in nursing then you should look for ways to accelerate your RN salary by getting the appropriate educational qualification and of course experience.



Currently, nurses are very much in demand due to the on-going shortage of manpower. Qualified nurses have great career opportunities in government as well as private health care institutes across the country. Nurses not only have career potential but also salary potential if you have the right kind of degree and experience in this noble field.



Nursing salaries depend on various factors-



- Nursing degree and education: As much as the nursing degree is important to pave a smooth career path, the way in which you obtain the degree is equally important. You need to do some researching before you choose a nursing program. Different programs such as LPN degree, RN degree, Nursing diploma, Associate's degree, BSN degree are available which offer different nursing education with different time frames. Individuals need to choose the one which fits their career endeavor.



- Experience: Like any other profession, RN salary too depends on the years of experience the individual brings with them. If you have an impressive experience list of let's say 4-5 years, then it shouldn't be difficult for you to bring in good salary at a top health care institute.



- State and city where you work: This is a very important factor as far a RN salary goes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses have higher salaries in larger cities like New Your, Los Angeles or Chicago. They also have better benefits and perks when compared to smaller cities or towns. It's because the cost of living is much higher in larger cities.



Payscale.com conducted a survey on RN salaries in June 2009. Statistics below mention the hourly pay-scale of nurses from different states



California: $33.73
New York: 27.91
Texas: $25.95
Illinois: $25.84



- Specialty: You could do a nursing degree with specialty in mental health or psych nurse, certified RN anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, orthopedic nurse, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse, neonatal nurse, etc. The nursing specialty with prime focus will always fetch a higher salary.



Nursing is not a charity profession for sure and nurses get paid well too, for the service they render to mankind.

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Associate Degrees

Associate Degrees are playing their role in streamlining the skill sets and providing jobs to hundreds of thousands of young and talented individuals in the United States of America. Associate degrees in the States have an extensive array of specializations as well as sub-specializations. Hundreds of community colleges and private organizations are further developing their labs, increasing their teaching staff and enhancing the overall curriculum to address the ongoing demand for specialized labor. Associate degrees fill the requirement of hundreds of thousands of jobs ranging from dental hygienists to culinary art specialists. The associate degrees are typically less than 2 years and have a lower ranking as compared to the bachelor degree but have a wide range of selective professions to choose from and immediate job placement in all different segments of the market.



One of the fast growing degrees has been in the domain of fashion design and visual and performance arts. The world of multimedia media has changed manifold due to the easily available software applications that drive the dynamic features of advertisements, audio clips and even multimedia projects. Associate degrees in digital audio production and graphic designs have been increasingly popular among art majors. Associates in video and motion graphics provides students with a more robust and calculated understanding of media and graphics. The colleges in the eastern states focus more on multimedia technologies and give students an opportunity to work on current projects. Associate degrees in radio, television broadcasting as well as in visual communications and advertisement communication are now the current needs of the market. Associate degrees are also available in audio and sound recording, fashion merchandising, film and video, animation in art and design, drafting and design, computer aided graphic technology, and digital media design and production. All of these associate degrees play an important role in improving the overall standard of the multimedia and fashion industry.



Another thriving degree has been in the culinary arts and food industry. Various colleges and universities now specialize in teaching their staff about hotel management and chef course work. Specialized degrees are now available in understanding how to manage restaurants and food chains. Associate degrees in food management, hotel resource infrastructure, and customer service management are all available for students interested in pursuing careers in culinary and hotel management.



The last decade has seen a significant increase in the overall number of teachers that are required to educate students across the nation. One of the reasons behind the surge for teachers is the ongoing increase of specialized fields of study and understanding of new international courses readily available for learning. Students are now willing to learn more and the overall percentage of research done in the field of education has increased exponentially. Associate degree in education can range from specialization in early childhood education all the way to elementary education. Some of the colleges in the east coast also provide general education associate degrees that give a general perspective to all the different tools and methods for all age types.



The field of law has also benefited from the short courses and associate degrees available in their line of work. Hundreds of processes and policies have now standardized in this particular field and it is extremely conducive and efficient to hire individuals with talents and skill sets that cater to the demands and needs of the profession. Associate degrees in legal office technology, paralegal technology, paralegal studies and legal assistant management are all available through out United States. There are other associate degrees within the realm of paralegal studies that further specialize in criminal and civil procedures.



Another fast and growing arena has been the automotive industry. United States is home to several of the great automotive giants in the region. Ford, GMC, Buick are all the name brands that have been built in the States and sold all over the world. Each year these manufacturing giants come up with new models, features and value added services in their line of vehicles. To cater to the demands of the market, various associate degrees have been crafted and further honed to keep up with the pace of jobs and employment opportunities available in the automotive industry. Electronic technology associate degree teaches a wide array of tools and applications that assist in improving the electrical gadgetry of cars and other units used in the manufacturing plants. Associate degrees in Automotive Technology, AutoCAD development, Automotive Service Management, Auto and Diesel Technology, Steel and Rod Customization, electronics engineering have all played its due role in improving the industry as a whole.



Another similar story lies with the medical profession. Hundreds of jobs are available that assist nurses, doctors, medical devise specialists in further improving the health care industry for millions of patients in States alone. Ample research, analysis and topics are added each semester to align the associate degrees with the demands and requirements of the industry. It is imperative that the colleges and institutions that cater to the requirements of the medical institutions and hospitals keep a strong affinity with doctors and professionals so that the learning is gradual and up to date. One of the most successful associate degrees in the medical arena has been that of the medical assistant associate degree. Associate degrees in respiratory therapy, medical assisting, Physical therapy, Radiological technology, Nursing, Message therapy, clinical medical management, health information technology, medical assistant technology, occupational science and IT health care informatics have all extremely useful in the development of the field. Similar degrees are available in the dental field. Associate degrees in dental assistant management and dental healthcare management are courses and degrees available in almost all the colleges of United States.



Accounting and financial management segment also has a plethora of associate degree offerings. Their degrees specialize in general accounting, business administration, and office administration, accounting technology, science in accounting, and applied business in accounting, business and computer specialization in accounting and accounting and taxation. All of these degrees provide students with a general understanding of accounting and the importance of numbers in the business world.

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Associate Degrees With High Starting Salaries And Room For Further Education

As general wisdom goes, the more education an individual has, the more he or she might expect to earn. For the most part, for instance, a college or university graduate with a bachelor's degree might expect to earn more than the graduate with an associate's degree, the graduate with a master's degree more than the graduate with a bachelor's degree and so on.



There are exceptions, however, and they have to do in part with the occupation as well as the individual. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that students with associate's degrees who go on to work as dental hygienists, nuclear technicians, computer specialists, fashion designers and radiation therapists on average earn between $62,600 to $68,600 a year. A social worker with a bachelor's degree, on the other hand, might earn $45,000 a year even with 15 years of experience, Payscale.com shows.



Some wondered for a time also whether the type of college or university - Ivy league institutions that tend to cost more, for instance - produce higher paid graduates. A Payscale.com survey published in the New York Times in 2009 suggested that graduates of engineering schools were paid the highest starting salaries, while Ivy League graduates earned more at mid-career. College and university majors made a difference: Those who earned engineering, economics, math and science degrees earned some of the top 20 highest paid starting and mid-career median salaries, the Payscale.com survey showed. In Florida, community college graduates with associate's degrees were also found to earn higher entry-level salaries than those who obtained bachelor's degrees from public and private colleges and universities.



The Miami Herald and the St. Petersburg Times on Jan. 4 didn't single out individual institutions but showed that, in general, students graduating with bachelor's degrees from Florida's public and private universities in 2009 were provided average starting salaries respectively of $36,552 and $44,558 annually as compared with the $47,708 that students graduating with associate's degrees in science from community colleges earned. Students with bachelor's degrees over time, however, might expect to earn more based on their potential for advancements in the workplace, the article noted.



At least one expert in The Herald and St. Petersburg Times suggested also that community colleges tend to train students for in-demand careers in areas such as nursing, dental assisting and auto collision repair. "Green collar" jobs also are said to be experiencing increased demand. In Toledo, a university as well as a community college are offering associate's degrees in alternative energy, according to a Jan. 18 report in Toledo on the Move. The associate's degree programs would train students in developing, installing and maintaining alternative energy systems, the Toledo on the Move article noted.



In Worcester County, Mass., community colleges might see increased enrollment as a result of new sheriff's department hiring policies. The News Telegram on Jan. 20 reported on a new requirement that sheriff's department employees either have associate's degrees or two years of experience in the military. The county sheriff centered some of his new hiring policies on those that other sheriff's departments in the state already have in place, the News Telegram noted.



Many two-year colleges are also collaborating more often with four-year institutions in their area. The Orlando Business Journal on Jan. 19 noted that a two-year associate's degree in architecture was part of a new partnership that took students on to bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture at a university in Florida. Students in Pennsylvania who obtain an associate's degree from community colleges in the area are able to apply all of their academic credits toward fulfilling Allentown college's general education requirements in instances where they enroll in the institution's School of Adult and Graduate Education, according to a Jan. 20 article in The Morning Call. In Tennessee, a community college and a technical university have established a "dual admissions" program partnership where students are offered a more structured means of completing an associate's degree at the community college and moving on to a bachelor's degree program at the technical university, a Jan. 19 article on knoxnews.com noted.

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Online Nursing Degrees - The Right Choice For You?

Online nursing degrees are growing in popularity as more people rush to enter the lucrative, highly in-demand field of nursing.



Online degrees offer some wonderful advantages. You can take classes at whatever time of day is convenient for you. You can work full-time and still earn a salary while getting your degree. You can bring your laptop with you and study and send in homework assignments while you are on the bus or subway, at the beach, or at the coffeeshop. You don't have to spend time and gasoline driving to a college campus, looking for parking, walking half a mile to your building, walking back....
However, online nursing degrees do have their limitations.



First of all, there is currently only one online program in the country that we know of - the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh - that allows a person with no healthcare degree or certificate to get their nursing degree. They take a limited number of students, they require you to have a previous bachelor's degree, you must have completed a number of science and other prerequisites, and they grant an accelerated second bachelor's degree. Most of the program is online, but you must go to the campus in Oshkosh several times, AND not every state offers the clinicals that are required for the program.



What is much more common are programs that allow an LPN or a paramedic to take a "bridge" program which allows the LPN to complete their associate degree and become a registered nurse. An example of this is Chamberlain College of Nursing. Excelsior College and many others offer these opportunities as well.



You can also, after you get your associate's degree in nursing, take online classes to get a bachelor's of science in nursing. This frequently will result in a higher salary, and also, if you want to progress into managerial positions, you generally need at least a BSN.



There are online nursing degree programs which grant master's degrees in nursing as well.
Also, you can take many of your prerequisites online - English, psychology, nutrition, etc. You need to have those completed before you are accepted into an LPN to RN bridge program.



For information and links to a bunch of great online nursing degree programs, click here: http://nursingschoolprograms.com/online-nursing-degree-programs



IMPORTANT NOTE: Not every state accepts these online nursing programs. For example Florida does not recognize Excelsiors paramedic to lpn program, so if you took that program, you would not be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN program in Florida. You must check with your state board of nursing before you sign up with the online program, because you do not want to spend all that time and money and find out that you are not eligible to sit for the NCLEX, which is the test that you must pass in order to be licensed as a nurse.

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Top Associate's Degrees to Land Health Care Jobs

It's no secret that health care is one of the most stable and rapidly-growing industries you can enter today. What you may not know, though, is that you don't need an MD to work in health care. An Associate's degree can start you on a path to the operating room (or the emergency room, or anywhere else you'd like to work), where you'll be helping doctors, nurses and patients in just two years (or less).



Sound too good to be true? See for yourself. Check out these health care careers you can start with a diploma, certificate, or Associate's degree.



Surgical Technician Degrees
Scalpel. Sutures. Bandages. When a nurse or surgeon needs help during operating procedures, surgical technicians are there to provide valuable support. But before you can don those infamous green hospital scrubs, you'll need the hands on-training provided by a certificate, diploma or Associate's degree program.



Respiratory Therapist
If you've ever suffered through an asthma attack or watched someone struggle with emphysema, you know the important role respiratory therapists play in the health care industry. An Associate's degree will give you the background in anatomy, chemistry and pharmacology that you'll need to help patients manage their breathing rate, breathing medication, and other treatments.



Registered Nurse
One of the best-kept health care secrets is that there's not just one, but three ways to become a registered nurse. One is a traditional, four-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Another is a three-year diploma program administered by a hospital. And the third is a two-year Associate's of Science in Nursing, which is offered by community colleges, junior colleges and technical schools. With an Associate's degree, you'll learn all you need to diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and provide treatment plans to patients.



Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists don't have magic x-ray glasses; they have something better. They have chemical solutions, magnetic resonance imaging (aka MRI), and x-ray machines that can take images of our bodies and internal organs to help doctors diagnose illness. To learn how to use these tools, radiologic technologists start with specialized Associate's degrees.



For more information, check out these health care career profiles.

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Nursing Degrees - BSN Or ADN

Nursing students are sometimes confused about what kind of nursing degree to obtain. The two choices nurses most often consider are between an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) , which usually takes two years to complete, or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Both of these nursing degrees lead to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, but there are crucial differences between them. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals.



The major differences between the two nursing degrees involve the length of time required to complete each program and the number of academic credits required. A typical ADN degree will take two years, compared to four years for the BSN - plus the time it takes to finish the prerequisites necessary to enroll in a BSN program. (This may not be a factor for individuals who already have Bachelor's degrees (BAs) from accredited institutions, since accelerated BSN programs allow them to complete all requirements in 18 to 21 months.)



While nursing instructors had previously believed that the ADN degree was likely to be phased out, the fact is that some 66 percent of current nursing graduates complete training programs resulting in the ADN or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. These Associate degrees continue to provide health care facilities with capable nurses who can manage patient care. As insufficient numbers of nurses are graduated from four-year BSN programs each year to meet the needs of the health care industry, two-year Associate degrees are expected to remain important for some time to come.



However, BSN programs prepare graduates more effectively to make critical patient care decisions and to question doctors when orders appear inappropriate. The education provided in a BSN program is more focused on critical thinking, exposing students to more people and cultures, and enhancing the skills required for nursing management. They also offer more opportunities to improve skills in patient assessment and provide a greater examination of disease pathophysiology. Nurses who have the BSN degree will also have an easier time winning faculty teaching positions and high-level administrative jobs.



In summary, ADN programs usually cost less and take less time to complete, so graduates can begin working in the field more quickly. BSN graduates have more chances to advance to higher positions in the health care industry, and they are better prepared to take an advanced nursing degree - to become a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, for example - if they decide to do so. There are many innovative choices for online nursing degrees in today's digital world. Many traditional and prestigious schools now offer their nursing degrees online.



My-nursing-career offers listings of online nursing degrees with no admissions waiting list. You can graduate in less time at about half the cost of traditional nursing schools. You can also find a complete list of nursing degrees offered throughout the United States.

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Nursing by Degrees - From ADN to BSN

California RNs with associate degrees in nursing programs from 73 community colleges are increasing opportunities to advance their careers by obtaining a degree, while BSN working full or part time.



The association American College of Nurses strongly supports these programs and back a trend in some states to allow students to obtain BSN nursing degrees in some community colleges, often in collaboration with four-year institutions. In most states, however, students enter college degree programs through a broad articulation agreements that ensure the seamless transfer of their community college credits to school offered by BSN.



In California and 17 other states, school to school articulation agreements exist to facilitate the transfer of credits from community colleges to universities with BSN programs. In general, the covenants to allow the transfer of 60 semester credits, which is consistent with agreements between two four-year institutions for other academic disciplines.



Sharon Johnson, RN, PhD, associate degree nursing program director at Santa Rosa Junior College said that the state of the joint program allows community college graduates to transfer some universities with the knowledge that most of their claims will be accepted. "They only have to complete courses at higher levels."



About 62% of Santa Rosa de nursing students to implement programs BSN during his last semester, usually near the Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Johnson said. One third of the 85 students who enroll annually in the associate degree program also have a college degree in another field, and some qualify for a fast-track a master plan studies, without going through the BSN.



Foster BSNs



"We are well prepare nurses for the direct care of patients, probably better than anyone, but if they want to become a supervisor, educator, or public health nurse, they need an advanced degree," says Johnson. "From day one, we encourage all our students to get their BSN."



With 600000 U.S. dollars in two years capacity-building grants and tuition, Santa Rosa JC is to enroll 60 students in each spring and fall classes in 2006 through a selection process that has made the school one of the best results in state with a low of 10% wear and a rate of 97% NCLEX pass rate.



Johnson said, and graduates often have jobs as RNs in local hospitals and pursue their BSN degrees from attending classes part-time and via Internet and distance learning.



At CSU San Marcos, a period of two years, part-time RN to BSN is being launched in autumn 2007 with an initial class of 24 to 27 students, said Laurie Lindeneau, adviser and coordinator of outreach for the school of Health and Human Services Department. She expects that most applicants will be working with nurses and degrees of community colleges in San Diego County. "The program is designed so that nurses can work and come to school a couple of days a week in the afternoon or evening," says Lindeneau.



Grades long distance



California State University, Fullerton has 387 students in its BSN program, all of whom are RNs with a community college and degree, but 232 of them are not walking to classes on campus. Instead, we are working in hospitals across the state and taking a mix of videoconferencing and online courses.



"The nurses choose our program of distance education first because it is so convenient," says Jo-Anne Andre, RN, MSN, the principal of distance education. "The courses are offered frequently at the place where he is employed and conducted in a cohort model of one night per week."



Andre said that the part-time distance program gives nurses a BSN in three years through a unique combination of learning through interactive video broadcasts, online surveys, and face to face physical evaluations of school instructors travelling to nurse workplace. Those attending classes on campus can get a BSN in two years, with flexible schedule that includes afternoon and evening courses.



The programme of distance education has doubled from registration for five years and videoconferencing courses are now held in state hospitals selected Kaiser, as well as Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, and Anaheim Memorial Hospital.



Pressing higher



"There is much interest in the program," Andre said, adding that some hospitals require a certain number of nurses with BSNs that can be promoted or put in leadership positions. "I would think there is a big boost for nurses to get BSNs."



The AACN said future nurses need to go beyond the criteria of associate degree which makes them good bedside nurses due to the increasing demands of the profession. "BSN nurses are valued for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management and health promotion, and his ability to practice across a variety of inpatients and outpatients," says a recent document AACN position. "Clinical environments throughout the country are the differentiation of practice and advertising positions that either require or prefer the BSN for employment."

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Associate Degrees

Associate Degrees are playing their role in streamlining the skill sets and providing jobs to hundreds of thousands of young and talented individuals in the United States of America. Associate degrees in the States have an extensive array of specializations as well as sub-specializations. Hundreds of community colleges and private organizations are further developing their labs, increasing their teaching staff and enhancing the overall curriculum to address the ongoing demand for specialized labor. Associate degrees fill the requirement of hundreds of thousands of jobs ranging from dental hygienists to culinary art specialists. The associate degrees are typically less than 2 years and have a lower ranking as compared to the bachelor degree but have a wide range of selective professions to choose from and immediate job placement in all different segments of the market.



One of the fast growing degrees has been in the domain of fashion design and visual and performance arts. The world of multimedia media has changed manifold due to the easily available software applications that drive the dynamic features of advertisements, audio clips and even multimedia projects. Associate degrees in digital audio production and graphic designs have been increasingly popular among art majors. Associates in video and motion graphics provides students with a more robust and calculated understanding of media and graphics. The colleges in the eastern states focus more on multimedia technologies and give students an opportunity to work on current projects. Associate degrees in radio, television broadcasting as well as in visual communications and advertisement communication are now the current needs of the market. Associate degrees are also available in audio and sound recording, fashion merchandising, film and video, animation in art and design, drafting and design, computer aided graphic technology, and digital media design and production. All of these associate degrees play an important role in improving the overall standard of the multimedia and fashion industry.



Another thriving degree has been in the culinary arts and food industry. Various colleges and universities now specialize in teaching their staff about hotel management and chef course work. Specialized degrees are now available in understanding how to manage restaurants and food chains. Associate degrees in food management, hotel resource infrastructure, and customer service management are all available for students interested in pursuing careers in culinary and hotel management.



The last decade has seen a significant increase in the overall number of teachers that are required to educate students across the nation. One of the reasons behind the surge for teachers is the ongoing increase of specialized fields of study and understanding of new international courses readily available for learning. Students are now willing to learn more and the overall percentage of research done in the field of education has increased exponentially. Associate degree in education can range from specialization in early childhood education all the way to elementary education. Some of the colleges in the east coast also provide general education associate degrees that give a general perspective to all the different tools and methods for all age types.



The field of law has also benefited from the short courses and associate degrees available in their line of work. Hundreds of processes and policies have now standardized in this particular field and it is extremely conducive and efficient to hire individuals with talents and skill sets that cater to the demands and needs of the profession. Associate degrees in legal office technology, paralegal technology, paralegal studies and legal assistant management are all available through out United States. There are other associate degrees within the realm of paralegal studies that further specialize in criminal and civil procedures.



Another fast and growing arena has been the automotive industry. United States is home to several of the great automotive giants in the region. Ford, GMC, Buick are all the name brands that have been built in the States and sold all over the world. Each year these manufacturing giants come up with new models, features and value added services in their line of vehicles. To cater to the demands of the market, various associate degrees have been crafted and further honed to keep up with the pace of jobs and employment opportunities available in the automotive industry. Electronic technology associate degree teaches a wide array of tools and applications that assist in improving the electrical gadgetry of cars and other units used in the manufacturing plants. Associate degrees in Automotive Technology, AutoCAD development, Automotive Service Management, Auto and Diesel Technology, Steel and Rod Customization, electronics engineering have all played its due role in improving the industry as a whole.



Another similar story lies with the medical profession. Hundreds of jobs are available that assist nurses, doctors, medical devise specialists in further improving the health care industry for millions of patients in States alone. Ample research, analysis and topics are added each semester to align the associate degrees with the demands and requirements of the industry. It is imperative that the colleges and institutions that cater to the requirements of the medical institutions and hospitals keep a strong affinity with doctors and professionals so that the learning is gradual and up to date. One of the most successful associate degrees in the medical arena has been that of the medical assistant associate degree. Associate degrees in respiratory therapy, medical assisting, Physical therapy, Radiological technology, Nursing, Message therapy, clinical medical management, health information technology, medical assistant technology, occupational science and IT health care informatics have all extremely useful in the development of the field. Similar degrees are available in the dental field. Associate degrees in dental assistant management and dental healthcare management are courses and degrees available in almost all the colleges of United States.



Accounting and financial management segment also has a plethora of associate degree offerings. Their degrees specialize in general accounting, business administration, and office administration, accounting technology, science in accounting, and applied business in accounting, business and computer specialization in accounting and accounting and taxation. All of these degrees provide students with a general understanding of accounting and the importance of numbers in the business world.

Readmore...

Online Nursing Degrees - The Right Choice For You?

Online nursing degrees are growing in popularity as more people rush to enter the lucrative, highly in-demand field of nursing.



Online degrees offer some wonderful advantages. You can take classes at whatever time of day is convenient for you. You can work full-time and still earn a salary while getting your degree. You can bring your laptop with you and study and send in homework assignments while you are on the bus or subway, at the beach, or at the coffeeshop. You don't have to spend time and gasoline driving to a college campus, looking for parking, walking half a mile to your building, walking back....
However, online nursing degrees do have their limitations.



First of all, there is currently only one online program in the country that we know of - the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh - that allows a person with no healthcare degree or certificate to get their nursing degree. They take a limited number of students, they require you to have a previous bachelor's degree, you must have completed a number of science and other prerequisites, and they grant an accelerated second bachelor's degree. Most of the program is online, but you must go to the campus in Oshkosh several times, AND not every state offers the clinicals that are required for the program.



What is much more common are programs that allow an LPN or a paramedic to take a "bridge" program which allows the LPN to complete their associate degree and become a registered nurse. An example of this is Chamberlain College of Nursing. Excelsior College and many others offer these opportunities as well.



You can also, after you get your associate's degree in nursing, take online classes to get a bachelor's of science in nursing. This frequently will result in a higher salary, and also, if you want to progress into managerial positions, you generally need at least a BSN.



There are online nursing degree programs which grant master's degrees in nursing as well.
Also, you can take many of your prerequisites online - English, psychology, nutrition, etc. You need to have those completed before you are accepted into an LPN to RN bridge program.



For information and links to a bunch of great online nursing degree programs, click here: http://nursingschoolprograms.com/online-nursing-degree-programs



IMPORTANT NOTE: Not every state accepts these online nursing programs. For example Florida does not recognize Excelsiors paramedic to lpn program, so if you took that program, you would not be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN program in Florida. You must check with your state board of nursing before you sign up with the online program, because you do not want to spend all that time and money and find out that you are not eligible to sit for the NCLEX, which is the test that you must pass in order to be licensed as a nurse.

Readmore...

Associate's Degrees Vs Bachelor's Degrees

Feeling the effects of a recession, more and more people have realized the benefits of having a solid educational background, especially in the face of economic crisis of this magnitude. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70.1 percent of high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities in October 2009.*



At the same time, not everyone has the wherewithal to spend five to seven years on higher education. For those who want to fast track into fruitful careers without compromising on college education, Associate's and Bachelor's degrees offer the perfect start. Here is some information on both types of degree programs:



Associate's Degree: This degree is the lowest in the hierarchy of post-secondary academic degrees. It is awarded to students who have completed two years of study in a particular field. The degree is usually offered by private, community, and technical colleges as well as some Bachelor's degree granting colleges and universities.



Average Annual Income: $33,838**



Best Suited for: Associate's degrees are best suited for entry-level jobs in a variety of fields such as nursing, respiratory therapy, graphic design, computer programming, medical specialties, and many other professions.



Pros & Cons: The biggest advantage of an Associate's degree is the relatively short amount of time needed to complete it. This two-year college degree qualifies individuals for many white collared jobs that would not have been open to high school graduates. The other benefit of an Associate's degree is that it is less expensive than a four-year Bachelor's degree. Apart from saving on tuition fee, students also save money on boarding, fuel, car, books, etc. An Associate's degree prepares the ground for future educational pursuits. Students have the option of applying their Associate's degree credits to a Bachelor's degree.



But Associate's degrees have certain drawbacks when compared to Bachelor's degrees. First, they put you at a disadvantage when you compete for the same jobs as baccalaureates. Second, your earning capacity is definitely lower than those who graduate with a Bachelor's degree. Lastly, moving up the ladder to supervisory or managerial positions may be difficult without a higher degree.



Bachelor's Degree: This is a degree awarded by a post-secondary institution to students who complete an undergraduate program that generally lasts for about four years.



Average Annual Income: $47,853**



Best Suited for: Bachelor's degrees are best suited for careers in accounting, computer software engineering, healthcare administration, business management, and many other high profile, white collar jobs.



Pros & Cons: A Bachelor's degree generally increases your job prospects, as some positions are only open to those who have this degree. Your earning potential also goes up with the level of your degree. Graduates who have a Bachelor's degree find it easier than those who hold an Associate's degree to rise up the ranks and take up roles with higher levels of responsibility in their respective fields. A Bachelor's degree gives you a wide knowledge base and expertise in your area of study, and you are likely to be treated as a serious professional if you have completed a four-year degree as opposed to a two-year one.



The biggest disadvantage of a four-year degree is the cost, as a Bachelor's degree tends to be more expensive than an Associate's. Since it also takes a longer duration to complete, you end up spending a lot of money on rent, car, fuel, books, etc.



Both degree programs have their advantages and drawbacks, and one must make a decision based on their personal goals, expectations from education, and available resources.



*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
**U.S. Census Bureau

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Associate Degrees In Nursing Or Criminal Justice Gets You Right To Work, Earning A Great Salary

It's true that most people recognize that college is an important component of getting a good job, especially today. But the fact of the matter is, not everyone has the desire or time to go to school for four years before they begin to work. In fact, a lot of people need to get to work sooner rather than later, especially if they are raising a family.



If you're one of these students and know that you need to go to school, but you also know a bachelor's degree isn't the right tool for you right now, you can think about getting an associate's degree. The associate's degree has a couple of distinct advantages that a bachelor's degree doesn't offer. With an associate's degree in several fields, you are ready to get right to work in a good paying job, because your associate degree has prepared you to get right to work, in as little as two years.



One field that is a great example of this "get to work" maxim is an associate degree in nursing. An associate degree in nursing will allow a student to graduate with degree in nursing after just two short years. Everyone knows that nursing is a real up and coming field, especially with the new health reforms and an aging population that needs more medical care than ever.



The great news about an associate in nursing is that you will graduate ready to take the national Licensure examination. You will graduate ready and prepared to take your licensing exams right away. It's very likely that you will be able to get hired right after graduation, or even before, because the demand for nurses is so high right now.



Nursing jobs are also among the most well paid jobs for two year degrees. That's because the growth rate in the field is scheduled to be much faster than average in comparison to other work fields. The government says that the field is going to grow so much because tens of thousands of new jobs are being developed, in addition to the tens of thousands of nurses who are scheduled to retire in the next decade. All of those jobs will need to be filled.



Another great example of an associate degree that will help you get right to work is an associate degree in criminal justice. This degree will enable a student to be prepared to apply for a job in the field of law enforcement at a number of levels. One of the most popular jobs that people seek with a criminal justice degree is that of a local law enforcement officer.



In fact, some associate programs in criminal justice are coupled with police academies at community colleges. In these programs, students get excellent classroom instruction in the background of law enforcement and criminal justice. After they graduate with their associate degree in criminal justice, they are well prepared to enter a police academy setting. In fact, many law enforcement agencies are now requiring their applicants to hold an associate degree as a minimum, and many offer tuition assistance to approved new hires.

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The Different Levels Of Nursing Degrees Lead To Different Types Of Employment

Thousands of men and women enter nursing degree programs each year hoping to make a difference in the lives of many patients. The nursing degree program provides a balance between classroom content and laboratory, plus clinical sessions. A nursing degree offers career mobility in a wide range of different health arenas, in addition to scheduling flexibility with plenty of opportunities to work part-time, full-time or flex-time. In addition, the need for nurses has been and continues to grow steadily.



When you earn an Associate's degree in nursing, you'll be prepared to administer safe, patient-centered care in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other health care facilities as well as provide in-home care. You'll learn the fundamentals of health care, which will serve you well throughout your career. If you choose to advance your education, hundreds of bridge programs exist for nurses with who wish to complete a Bachelor's or advanced grad level degree.



The Bachelor's degree is the most recommended nursing degree. The bachelor's program takes just four years to complete, and you'll have a well-rounded background. It also gives you a stepping stone for further education into areas of specialization. And, since many nursing jobs are structured to pay you based on your level of education, instead of experience, a four-year degree offers a happy medium.



When you enter into the Bachelor's degree program for nursing, you can expect to develop a sound theoretical and clinical foundation for entering the world as a professional (registered) nurse. Graduates are prepared for a variety of roles in clinics and hospitals, nursing homes and community health settings. Registered nurses can work in their communities with the responsibility for health promotion, disease prevention and aiding individuals.



If your intent is to specialize even farther in a role such as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist, you'll need to earn your Master's degree in nursing. This can take between one and three additional years of schooling after obtaining your Bachelor's and passing the registered nurse exam.



With a Master's degree, you're prepared to serve in a more independent role. Your area of specialization with this type of nursing degree will help you tackle tough areas such as geriatrics, community health and disease outbreaks. Additionally, you'll often be called on to serve as faculty or management roles at leading educational, research and health care facilities.



The highest level to complete is a doctoral degree in nursing. These programs prepare nurses to take on very visible leadership roles within the profession, conduct high-level research that impacts nursing practice and health care as well as prepare to teach at colleges and universities. If you decide to pursue your doctoral degree, you'll be included in the elite realm of nurses who are asked to serve as health system executives, school deans and researchers.

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Top Associate's Degrees to Land Health Care Jobs

It's no secret that health care is one of the most stable and rapidly-growing industries you can enter today. What you may not know, though, is that you don't need an MD to work in health care. An Associate's degree can start you on a path to the operating room (or the emergency room, or anywhere else you'd like to work), where you'll be helping doctors, nurses and patients in just two years (or less).



Sound too good to be true? See for yourself. Check out these health care careers you can start with a diploma, certificate, or Associate's degree.



Surgical Technician Degrees
Scalpel. Sutures. Bandages. When a nurse or surgeon needs help during operating procedures, surgical technicians are there to provide valuable support. But before you can don those infamous green hospital scrubs, you'll need the hands on-training provided by a certificate, diploma or Associate's degree program.



Respiratory Therapist
If you've ever suffered through an asthma attack or watched someone struggle with emphysema, you know the important role respiratory therapists play in the health care industry. An Associate's degree will give you the background in anatomy, chemistry and pharmacology that you'll need to help patients manage their breathing rate, breathing medication, and other treatments.



Registered Nurse
One of the best-kept health care secrets is that there's not just one, but three ways to become a registered nurse. One is a traditional, four-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Another is a three-year diploma program administered by a hospital. And the third is a two-year Associate's of Science in Nursing, which is offered by community colleges, junior colleges and technical schools. With an Associate's degree, you'll learn all you need to diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and provide treatment plans to patients.



Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists don't have magic x-ray glasses; they have something better. They have chemical solutions, magnetic resonance imaging (aka MRI), and x-ray machines that can take images of our bodies and internal organs to help doctors diagnose illness. To learn how to use these tools, radiologic technologists start with specialized Associate's degrees.



For more information, check out these health care career profiles.

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Associates Degrees Allow More Choices In Jobs And Education

Students of all ages and area codes are getting ready to go back to school when the new semester starts. They may be ready to get more job training, like a certification in a particular job, or they might be interested in getting the academic knowledge that will advance them further in a career they are in or that they want to move into.



Whether it's academics or job training, an associate degree can get you on the path to future success. People who have already decided on their career path may want to get technical or vocational training. For example, there are a number of vocational certifications at the associate degree level that are available - from such diverse fields as air conditioning, automotive repair, and computer programming.



There are also a great deal of other jobs that require either a specialized certification or education. Many of these can be attained with an associate degree in a particular field. Nursing is a good example of an associate degree that is extremely specialized. There are a number of other medical jobs that require at least an associate degree, such as a lab technician, or a radiology technician. Getting an associate degree in one of these exciting fields can lead to a very good job in a growing field.



Other people may not be interested in the medical field, but they still want a challenging job that pays well. They may want to think about an AA degree in the legal field. You may be asking yourself, "Hey, I thought you had to go to law school to do that?" However, there are a number of jobs in the legal arena that pay well and only require an associates degree.



One of the best associates degrees in the legal field is a degree in paralegal studies. A paralegal actually performs many of the same duties a lawyer does, but isn't allowed to give legal advice or try a case in court. However, paralegals conduct interviews with clients and witnesses, and do a great deal of research and support work for a variety of interesting cases.



Many people seek an associate degree as a gateway degree to further education. Earning this two year degree can make the transition into a top university easier, because many universities and university systems have mandates in place that allow higher acceptance rates for students who already hold a degree. Additionally, earning an associates before moving to a university or college can also potentially save students thousands of dollars in tuition costs, because tuition at community colleges is usually cheaper than that at a university.



Students with an AA degree in a particular field also may have an easier time transitioning to university life. They will already have a great deal of knowledge in their field of study, because associate degrees programs are designed to focus on a particular area of study, unless it is a liberal arts degree, which is intended to be broader in scope. By having this degree in hand, students will spend far less time taking unnecessary classes trying to decide their field of study.

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Laurea infermieristica - BSN o dell'ADN

Los estudiantes de enfermería a veces son confundidos acerca de que obtener el diploma en enfermería. Dos decisiones que mantienen en la mayoría de los casos, enfermeras son un grado de pertenencia en enfermería (ADN), que normalmente tiene dos años para completar, o la licenciatura en enfermería grado (BSN), que dura cuatro años. Este grado de atención que resultan en la designación de registrado enfermera (RN), pero existen diferencias importantes entre ellos. La selección es uno de los factores financieros emitidos por el período de tiempo en un programa educativo y objetivos a largo plazo de su carrera.



Las principales diferencias entre el grado incluyen cuidado de ambos la longitud de tiempo requerido para cada programa y el número de créditos requeridos. Un grado típico ADN tiene dos años, en comparación con cuatro años BSN-Plus el tiempo que tarda hasta las condiciones de fin de programa de registro BSN. (No eso puede ser un factor para el pueblo, los grados de bachiller (BAs) por instituciones acreditadas, ya puedan completar todos aceleraron requisitos de programas BSN en 18-21 meses.)



Durante enfermería instructores creían que ADN va ser desarmado fue probablemente, es el hecho de que cerca del 66 por ciento de las actuales atención integral formación programas ADN o associates grados de ciencia (AS) graduados. Posición, enfermeras, cuidado del paciente, puede manejar esta asociado grados continúan con los servicios de salud. Como insuficiente número de enfermeras de BSN cada año cuatro años cursos están diseñados para la industria de la salud, debería ser importante para algún tiempo dos años asociar grados.



Programas BSN preparan graduados pero efectiva unidad de cuidados intensivos pacientes decisiones y prácticas en cuestión si órdenes aparecen irrazonables. La enseñanza impartida en un programa BSN exponer los estudiantes a más personas y culturas y mejora de habilidades para la gestión de la atención se centró más en el pensamiento crítico necesario. Ofrecen nuevas formas de mejorar las habilidades en la evaluación del paciente y proporcionar un estudio más amplio de la fisiopatología de la enfermedad. Enfermeras que tienen el grado BSN también tienen que un más fácil docente de la Facultad ganadora de tiempo posiciones y puestos de trabajo de administración general.



Para resumir, programas usualmente cuestan menos y tener menos tiempo, ADN para que graduados están trabajando en la zona puede iniciar más rápido. BSN graduados tienen más oportunidades en altos cargos en el sector de la salud y están mejor preparados, un grado avanzado Enfermería-enfermera, enfermera partera o enfermera anestesista, por ejemplo-si decide hacerlo. Hay muchas maneras innovadoras grado de enfermería en línea en el mundo digital de hoy. Muchas escuelas tradicionales y prestigiosas ahora prestar su asistencia grados en línea.



Mi carrera de enfermería ofrece enfermería grado anuncios en línea sin lista de espera de tráfico. Puede ser entrenado en menos tiempo a la mitad el costo de tradicional de las escuelas. También encontrará una lista completa de enfermería han ofrecido grados en los Estados Unidos.

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Nursing by Degrees - From ADN to BSN

California RNs with associate degrees in nursing programs from 73 community colleges are increasing opportunities to advance their careers by obtaining a degree, while BSN working full or part time.



The association American College of Nurses strongly supports these programs and back a trend in some states to allow students to obtain BSN nursing degrees in some community colleges, often in collaboration with four-year institutions. In most states, however, students enter college degree programs through a broad articulation agreements that ensure the seamless transfer of their community college credits to school offered by BSN.



In California and 17 other states, school to school articulation agreements exist to facilitate the transfer of credits from community colleges to universities with BSN programs. In general, the covenants to allow the transfer of 60 semester credits, which is consistent with agreements between two four-year institutions for other academic disciplines.



Sharon Johnson, RN, PhD, associate degree nursing program director at Santa Rosa Junior College said that the state of the joint program allows community college graduates to transfer some universities with the knowledge that most of their claims will be accepted. "They only have to complete courses at higher levels."



About 62% of Santa Rosa de nursing students to implement programs BSN during his last semester, usually near the Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Johnson said. One third of the 85 students who enroll annually in the associate degree program also have a college degree in another field, and some qualify for a fast-track a master plan studies, without going through the BSN.



Foster BSNs



"We are well prepare nurses for the direct care of patients, probably better than anyone, but if they want to become a supervisor, educator, or public health nurse, they need an advanced degree," says Johnson. "From day one, we encourage all our students to get their BSN."



With 600000 U.S. dollars in two years capacity-building grants and tuition, Santa Rosa JC is to enroll 60 students in each spring and fall classes in 2006 through a selection process that has made the school one of the best results in state with a low of 10% wear and a rate of 97% NCLEX pass rate.



Johnson said, and graduates often have jobs as RNs in local hospitals and pursue their BSN degrees from attending classes part-time and via Internet and distance learning.



At CSU San Marcos, a period of two years, part-time RN to BSN is being launched in autumn 2007 with an initial class of 24 to 27 students, said Laurie Lindeneau, adviser and coordinator of outreach for the school of Health and Human Services Department. She expects that most applicants will be working with nurses and degrees of community colleges in San Diego County. "The program is designed so that nurses can work and come to school a couple of days a week in the afternoon or evening," says Lindeneau.



Grades long distance



California State University, Fullerton has 387 students in its BSN program, all of whom are RNs with a community college and degree, but 232 of them are not walking to classes on campus. Instead, we are working in hospitals across the state and taking a mix of videoconferencing and online courses.



"The nurses choose our program of distance education first because it is so convenient," says Jo-Anne Andre, RN, MSN, the principal of distance education. "The courses are offered frequently at the place where he is employed and conducted in a cohort model of one night per week."



Andre said that the part-time distance program gives nurses a BSN in three years through a unique combination of learning through interactive video broadcasts, online surveys, and face to face physical evaluations of school instructors travelling to nurse workplace. Those attending classes on campus can get a BSN in two years, with flexible schedule that includes afternoon and evening courses.



The programme of distance education has doubled from registration for five years and videoconferencing courses are now held in state hospitals selected Kaiser, as well as Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, and Anaheim Memorial Hospital.



Pressing higher



"There is much interest in the program," Andre said, adding that some hospitals require a certain number of nurses with BSNs that can be promoted or put in leadership positions. "I would think there is a big boost for nurses to get BSNs."



The AACN said future nurses need to go beyond the criteria of associate degree which makes them good bedside nurses due to the increasing demands of the profession. "BSN nurses are valued for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management and health promotion, and his ability to practice across a variety of inpatients and outpatients," says a recent document AACN position. "Clinical environments throughout the country are the differentiation of practice and advertising positions that either require or prefer the BSN for employment."

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Online Nursing Degrees - The Right Choice For You?

Online nursing degrees are growing in popularity as more people rush to enter the lucrative, highly in-demand field of nursing.



Online degrees offer some wonderful advantages. You can take classes at whatever time of day is convenient for you. You can work full-time and still earn a salary while getting your degree. You can bring your laptop with you and study and send in homework assignments while you are on the bus or subway, at the beach, or at the coffeeshop. You don't have to spend time and gasoline driving to a college campus, looking for parking, walking half a mile to your building, walking back....
However, online nursing degrees do have their limitations.



First of all, there is currently only one online program in the country that we know of - the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh - that allows a person with no healthcare degree or certificate to get their nursing degree. They take a limited number of students, they require you to have a previous bachelor's degree, you must have completed a number of science and other prerequisites, and they grant an accelerated second bachelor's degree. Most of the program is online, but you must go to the campus in Oshkosh several times, AND not every state offers the clinicals that are required for the program.



What is much more common are programs that allow an LPN or a paramedic to take a "bridge" program which allows the LPN to complete their associate degree and become a registered nurse. An example of this is Chamberlain College of Nursing. Excelsior College and many others offer these opportunities as well.



You can also, after you get your associate's degree in nursing, take online classes to get a bachelor's of science in nursing. This frequently will result in a higher salary, and also, if you want to progress into managerial positions, you generally need at least a BSN.



There are online nursing degree programs which grant master's degrees in nursing as well.
Also, you can take many of your prerequisites online - English, psychology, nutrition, etc. You need to have those completed before you are accepted into an LPN to RN bridge program.



For information and links to a bunch of great online nursing degree programs, click here: http://nursingschoolprograms.com/online-nursing-degree-programs



IMPORTANT NOTE: Not every state accepts these online nursing programs. For example Florida does not recognize Excelsiors paramedic to lpn program, so if you took that program, you would not be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN program in Florida. You must check with your state board of nursing before you sign up with the online program, because you do not want to spend all that time and money and find out that you are not eligible to sit for the NCLEX, which is the test that you must pass in order to be licensed as a nurse.

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Nursing Degrees - BSN Or ADN

Nursing students are sometimes confused about what kind of nursing degree to obtain. The two choices nurses most often consider are between an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) , which usually takes two years to complete, or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Both of these nursing degrees lead to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, but there are crucial differences between them. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals.



The major differences between the two nursing degrees involve the length of time required to complete each program and the number of academic credits required. A typical ADN degree will take two years, compared to four years for the BSN - plus the time it takes to finish the prerequisites necessary to enroll in a BSN program. (This may not be a factor for individuals who already have Bachelor's degrees (BAs) from accredited institutions, since accelerated BSN programs allow them to complete all requirements in 18 to 21 months.)



While nursing instructors had previously believed that the ADN degree was likely to be phased out, the fact is that some 66 percent of current nursing graduates complete training programs resulting in the ADN or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. These Associate degrees continue to provide health care facilities with capable nurses who can manage patient care. As insufficient numbers of nurses are graduated from four-year BSN programs each year to meet the needs of the health care industry, two-year Associate degrees are expected to remain important for some time to come.



However, BSN programs prepare graduates more effectively to make critical patient care decisions and to question doctors when orders appear inappropriate. The education provided in a BSN program is more focused on critical thinking, exposing students to more people and cultures, and enhancing the skills required for nursing management. They also offer more opportunities to improve skills in patient assessment and provide a greater examination of disease pathophysiology. Nurses who have the BSN degree will also have an easier time winning faculty teaching positions and high-level administrative jobs.



In summary, ADN programs usually cost less and take less time to complete, so graduates can begin working in the field more quickly. BSN graduates have more chances to advance to higher positions in the health care industry, and they are better prepared to take an advanced nursing degree - to become a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, for example - if they decide to do so. There are many innovative choices for online nursing degrees in today's digital world. Many traditional and prestigious schools now offer their nursing degrees online.



My-nursing-career offers listings of online nursing degrees with no admissions waiting list. You can graduate in less time at about half the cost of traditional nursing schools. You can also find a complete list of nursing degrees offered throughout the United States.

Readmore...

Nursing Degrees - BSN Or ADN

Nursing students are sometimes confused about what kind of nursing degree to obtain. The two choices nurses most often consider are between an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) , which usually takes two years to complete, or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Both of these nursing degrees lead to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, but there are crucial differences between them. Choosing one over the other depends on financial factors, the length of time to be spent in an educational program, and long-term career goals.



The major differences between the two nursing degrees involve the length of time required to complete each program and the number of academic credits required. A typical ADN degree will take two years, compared to four years for the BSN - plus the time it takes to finish the prerequisites necessary to enroll in a BSN program. (This may not be a factor for individuals who already have Bachelor's degrees (BAs) from accredited institutions, since accelerated BSN programs allow them to complete all requirements in 18 to 21 months.)



While nursing instructors had previously believed that the ADN degree was likely to be phased out, the fact is that some 66 percent of current nursing graduates complete training programs resulting in the ADN or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. These Associate degrees continue to provide health care facilities with capable nurses who can manage patient care. As insufficient numbers of nurses are graduated from four-year BSN programs each year to meet the needs of the health care industry, two-year Associate degrees are expected to remain important for some time to come.



However, BSN programs prepare graduates more effectively to make critical patient care decisions and to question doctors when orders appear inappropriate. The education provided in a BSN program is more focused on critical thinking, exposing students to more people and cultures, and enhancing the skills required for nursing management. They also offer more opportunities to improve skills in patient assessment and provide a greater examination of disease pathophysiology. Nurses who have the BSN degree will also have an easier time winning faculty teaching positions and high-level administrative jobs.



In summary, ADN programs usually cost less and take less time to complete, so graduates can begin working in the field more quickly. BSN graduates have more chances to advance to higher positions in the health care industry, and they are better prepared to take an advanced nursing degree - to become a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, for example - if they decide to do so. There are many innovative choices for online nursing degrees in today's digital world. Many traditional and prestigious schools now offer their nursing degrees online.



My-nursing-career offers listings of online nursing degrees with no admissions waiting list. You can graduate in less time at about half the cost of traditional nursing schools. You can also find a complete list of nursing degrees offered throughout the United States.

Readmore...

The Different Levels Of Nursing Degrees Lead To Different Types Of Employment

Thousands of men and women enter nursing degree programs each year hoping to make a difference in the lives of many patients. The nursing degree program provides a balance between classroom content and laboratory, plus clinical sessions. A nursing degree offers career mobility in a wide range of different health arenas, in addition to scheduling flexibility with plenty of opportunities to work part-time, full-time or flex-time. In addition, the need for nurses has been and continues to grow steadily.



When you earn an Associate's degree in nursing, you'll be prepared to administer safe, patient-centered care in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other health care facilities as well as provide in-home care. You'll learn the fundamentals of health care, which will serve you well throughout your career. If you choose to advance your education, hundreds of bridge programs exist for nurses with who wish to complete a Bachelor's or advanced grad level degree.



The Bachelor's degree is the most recommended nursing degree. The bachelor's program takes just four years to complete, and you'll have a well-rounded background. It also gives you a stepping stone for further education into areas of specialization. And, since many nursing jobs are structured to pay you based on your level of education, instead of experience, a four-year degree offers a happy medium.



When you enter into the Bachelor's degree program for nursing, you can expect to develop a sound theoretical and clinical foundation for entering the world as a professional (registered) nurse. Graduates are prepared for a variety of roles in clinics and hospitals, nursing homes and community health settings. Registered nurses can work in their communities with the responsibility for health promotion, disease prevention and aiding individuals.



If your intent is to specialize even farther in a role such as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist, you'll need to earn your Master's degree in nursing. This can take between one and three additional years of schooling after obtaining your Bachelor's and passing the registered nurse exam.



With a Master's degree, you're prepared to serve in a more independent role. Your area of specialization with this type of nursing degree will help you tackle tough areas such as geriatrics, community health and disease outbreaks. Additionally, you'll often be called on to serve as faculty or management roles at leading educational, research and health care facilities.



The highest level to complete is a doctoral degree in nursing. These programs prepare nurses to take on very visible leadership roles within the profession, conduct high-level research that impacts nursing practice and health care as well as prepare to teach at colleges and universities. If you decide to pursue your doctoral degree, you'll be included in the elite realm of nurses who are asked to serve as health system executives, school deans and researchers.

Readmore...