Earning a college degree in nursing will give you the opportunity to enjoy a career that is both personally and professionally rewarding. The right people for the job are those that are both compassionate and bright, and who are willing to continue learning throughout their career. For college students considering pursuing a nursing major, the shortage of nurses in the US has created a large number of educational options that will allow you to pursue your degree and even continue your education at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level to earn top salaries.
While there are some practical training courses that are designed to help you pursue a degree in nursing, earning a college degree will prepare you for a much more diverse number of jobs than practical training will. The farther you take your education, the greater the likelihood that you will be able to earn a better salary and the better your chances of finding a job are. There are a number of different degrees you can choose from, and even if you are already a nurse, there are degrees that will help you further your education. While each program is different, you will be required to take the National Certification Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse at any level.
Nursing programs in college vary in both length and intensity, depending on what your educational goals are. Many students choose to complete an Associate’s degree in nursing and begin working as an LPN as soon as possible. This prepares them for working in the medical field and helps them get a feel for the work. After this degree is complete, there are a number of programs that offer a LPN to RN track, most of which can be completed while you are already working. Those hoping to go into the highest paid positions may choose to pursue a Master’s in Nursing, which will require around six years of schooling. Programs that help students move from RN to a master’s degree are available as well. While hands-on training must be completed in person, a large number of programs will allow you to complete classes on line so that you can work on your degree whenever you choose. These programs are ideal for highly motivated students, but many students prefer to complete traditional training on campus.
After completing a BSN, students can work in emergency rooms, home health care, mental health facilities, critical care facilities, and in specialized fields like oncology, geriatrics, pulmonary care, obstetrics and pediatrics. Completion of a master’s degree will allow you to work in all of these fields, but you may also enter high paying fields such as psychological nursing, work as a nurse practitioner, provide nurse education, or specialty fields in hospitals and medical centers such as nurse anesthetist or flight nurse.
The nursing career is one of the most versatile careers that a student can choose. While many fields today are laying off workers and moving jobs overseas, the shortage of qualified nurses is still at a critical level. You can work anywhere in the country – or even the world – with your nursing degree, and salaries for nurses are some of the best in the country. Becoming a nurse isn’t for everyone, but if you are the type of person that can handle a demanding career where you will truly make a difference, the nursing major may be for you.