| A bachelor's degree in nursing generally arms an | | | | degree or diploma programs, who want to complete |
| individual with the knowledge, techniques and | | | | their BSN degree. It provides credit for nursing skills |
| procedures for promoting health. It teaches how to | | | | that are already learned through school or work |
| care for and cure the sick, disabled and injured. It | | | | experience. |
| provides instruction in the administration of medication | | | | Quite often, these programs are available with a very |
| and treatment. One is allowed to assist a physician | | | | flexible schedule, designed to meet the needs of |
| during treatment and examination, as a part of the | | | | working nurses. Classes might be held only in the |
| internship program. | | | | evenings or on weekends. Second degree BSN |
| The 4-year BSN degree (also called a "Prelicensure | | | | programs are designed for non-nurses who have |
| BSN" program) is preferred by most nursing leaders, | | | | acquired bachelors' degrees in non-nursing fields. |
| as it provides the best opportunities in today's job | | | | These programs give credit for having completed the |
| market. | | | | liberal arts requirements, allowing one to complete the |
| BSN is a pre-requisite for various positions. It is only | | | | nursing portion of coursework in two academic years |
| the entry point for professional nursing practice. | | | | or less. |
| Generally, the first one or two years of the program | | | | A variation of the second degree BSN program is an |
| are spent fulfilling general education requirements, | | | | accelerated BSN program. In addition to giving one |
| while the last two to three years are spent on | | | | credit for having completed the liberal arts |
| nursing courses. | | | | requirements, an accelerated BSN program allows one |
| There are various types of nursing degrees for | | | | to complete the undergraduate nursing course |
| people who wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in | | | | requirements earlier than the students enrolled in a |
| nursing. The LPN program offers a licensed practicing | | | | traditional BSN program. Accelerated BSN programs |
| nurse or a licensed vocational nurse an opportunity to | | | | usually take 12 months to complete, though some |
| attain the BSN degree in just four academic | | | | programs may even run for 16 to 20 months. A 3.0 |
| semesters. The RN is a program designed for | | | | GPA is often an entrance requirement for both |
| Registered Nurse (RN), graduates of associate | | | | second degree and accelerated BSN programs. |