While all nursing schools are required to meet certain educational
mandates, programs do differ in a variety of significant ways. Choosing
the right program to suit your career aspirations can be a challenge,
but a working knowledge of the basics of each type of program and the
credentials that will be earned can make choosing to your advantage
easier.
The shortest course of study for entrance into the
nursing field is a licensed practical nurse program. These are offered
in a variety of vocational and technical schools and are generally a
year in duration. While this route is the fastest way to gain licensure
and enter the employment market, LPN positions are not as plentiful as
opportunities in other nursing categories, and the pay scale can be
significantly lower than that of a registered nurse.
Nursing
schools that train registered nurses have programs that vary from two
years to four, depending upon the credentials awarded upon graduation.
The shortest programs are diploma courses, ranging from two to three
years in length. Nursing schools that offer an associate’s degree in
nursing are most often three year programs, while those that offer a
bachelor’s of science degree in nursing are the longest at four years.
If
your career goals are geared towards direct patient care in your local
hospital, nursing facility, or doctor’s office, the faster graduation
time of the shorter nursing schools programs may be the way to go,
giving sufficient credentials for your chosen field in a quick and
efficient manner.
Registered nurses who graduate from nursing
schools that award a bachelor’s degree will have the widest range of
career choices, meeting the qualifications for more positions than
nurses who have earned an associate’s degree or a diploma. If a high
tech specialty is your aspiration, this may be your best option to gain
the credentials you will need for advancement in your chosen path.
Many
options are available to launch your nursing career, ranging from
formal college programs to online and distance learning programs. No
matter your goals for your new career, there are sure to be programs to
suit your needs among the vast selection of nursing schools available
today.
Leave a Reply