| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | required to advance in some nursing courses. |
| Are you considering a career in nursing? Before you | | | | Do you intend to get an advanced nursing degree? |
| enter nursing school, there are a few things you | | | | If you already know that you intend to get an |
| should know. Most of them have to do with getting | | | | advanced nursing degree, find out what is exactly |
| to know yourself, and a few have to do with | | | | required to reach that level before you start your |
| understanding the nursing profession. If you are | | | | nursing school education. It is far easier to map your |
| thinking of entering nursing school, here are some of | | | | education from the end backwards, so to speak, |
| the things you should be considering. | | | | because you will be able to plan your courses and |
| What nursing field do you want to specialize in? | | | | classes to fulfill as many requirements along the way |
| There are many different fields within the nursing | | | | as you can. You can also use that knowledge to try |
| profession, and most of them have very specific | | | | to arrange work in the field where you want to end |
| requirements for education and licensing. If | | | | up. If you know that you’ll need to do a turn |
| you’re dreaming of being a Public Health nurse, | | | | on a med-surgery floor as part of your requirements |
| for instance, there are licensing requirements and | | | | for a degree next year, you can try to arrange that |
| special courses that you’ll need to take. | | | | in advance through your work. If you know that a |
| Knowing those things will make your decision of | | | | class you want to take in two years has a |
| where to go to nursing school far easier, you can | | | | prerequisite, you can try to take it before you even |
| eliminate any nursing school that doesn’t offer | | | | enroll in nursing school. |
| the required courses. | | | | The three major nursing degrees are: |
| If you do not know what kind of nursing you want | | | | LPN — Licensed Practical Nurse - An LPN |
| to do, or even whether you really want to be a | | | | program is a diploma program that takes about a |
| nurse, there are many different ways to get some | | | | year. As an LPN you’ll be able to do some |
| practical experience in nursing before you start | | | | patient care under the direction of doctors and |
| nursing school. Volunteer in a hospital or nursing home | | | | registered nurses. |
| to see what nurses do first hand. Talk with neighbors | | | | ADN — Associates Degree in Nursing - An |
| and relatives who are nurses and learn more about | | | | ADN typically takes about two years to complete |
| their jobs. Ask specific questions. Find out what they | | | | and is generally given at a community college. As an |
| like about their positions, and what they would like to | | | | ADN, you will often be able to apply for licensing and |
| see improved. Becoming knowledgeable about these | | | | registration in your state and will be able to do direct |
| aspects, yourself and about the career as a whole | | | | patient care in most settings. |
| will make it easier for you to start planning your | | | | BSN — Bachelor of Science in Nursing - A BSN |
| education and your career. | | | | is a four year program that prepares you to work in |
| What are your short term and long term career | | | | most care settings. If you intend to eventually get a |
| goals? | | | | Masters in Nursing, or would like to get into nursing |
| One of the advantages of choosing a career in | | | | management, a BSN is your best choice. |
| nursing is that you can often work your way up the | | | | What kind of nursing degree do you need to do the |
| career ladder while you gain more advanced degrees. | | | | work you want to do? |
| Setting up a plan to do that will make it far easier to | | | | Find out the requirements for the kind of nursing that |
| take advantage of opportunities like tuition | | | | you want to do. Will you need a BS in Nursing? Can |
| reimbursement. It’s fairly easy these days to | | | | you learn what you need in a hospital certificate |
| get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, which is | | | | program? Is an LPN course right for you? Once you |
| your first step on the career ladder. That ADN will be | | | | have figured out which degree you want to get, you |
| your main requirement for a job in nursing, which will | | | | can start looking at nursing schools that offer that |
| often include tuition reimbursement and other | | | | degree. Some things you might consider when |
| assistance from your employer in pursuing a more | | | | choosing are: |
| advanced degree. That kind of advance planning can | | | | - Am I academically equipped for this program? |
| help you decide which schools to attend, which ones | | | | - Can I get financial aid for nursing school? |
| your company will reimburse, and which courses to | | | | - Can I get tuition reimbursement from my employer |
| take. You may also find that your job experience | | | | for nursing school? |
| gives you a leg up on your practicum that’s | | | | - Is the school you’re considering accredited? |