Q: What schools are the best for nursing degrees?

A:

There are several schools that are great nursing schools. It is important to be sure that the school of your choice has the degree options you are looking for and is accredited. It is important to choose a school that is aligned with your professional goals. Some schools have certain programs but don’t have others, and it is important to research which degree will provide the proper gateway to your desired career. It is also important to consider class size, nursing school rotation, tuition, and location of the school.

Q: Are there scholarships and grants for nursing school?

A:

There are several grant programs as well as scholarships and student financial aid that can assist with funding school for nursing students. Some scholarships have restrictions regarding which degree is pursued and all grants and scholarships have deadlines for applying. There are also several programs that offer loan forgiveness. These also have specific rules and guidelines and state which professions will be affected.

Q: What types of Nursing Programs are there?

A:

There are many nursing education programs available for students depending on what field of study you are most interested in and what your career goals are. There are many different nursing occupations that

can be studied. Here is a listing of a few nursing programs that are available in schools today.

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocation Nurse (LVN): This program is the shortest program with only one year of training in a hospital, technical school or community college. Students can then take the licensing exam to become a LPN or LVN.
• Associates of Science in Nursing Degree (AS): This degree program typically takes two years to complete and then the graduate is eligible to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This is one of the most popular programs for nursing school because it provides the fastest way to begin earning money as a nurse.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BS): This is a four year program that also provides the graduate with an RN degree. This degree is considered a bridge program that may lead to higher paying jobs and positions. There are also Accelerated Bachelor Degree Programs which take half the time off the last two years. This makes the entire program from start to finish three years. All applicants to this program must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be accepted.
• Masters of Science in Nursing Degree Program (MSN): This degree program is usually entered into after a BSN degree has been completed. This is considered a graduate degree program and allows students to enter the nursing field with a higher paying salary and position.
• Doctorate Nursing Degree Programs (ND): This degree prepares the student in advance nursing skills. This degree takes about three to four years full time. Most students who enter this degree program do not have other obligations because it is a demanding program. The focus is in a clinical setting working on specific research that you choose.

Q: What type of job or career can I have after completing a nursing program?

A:

There are numerous fields that a nursing student can enter into once they have completed a nursing program. Here is a sampling list of jobs or careers that are available for students with a nursing license or degree.

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Acute care nursing is working with patients that have acute conditions such as respiratory shock or cardiac arrest. These practitioners usually work in trauma centers or hospital settings. These positions require a MSN degree and specialization in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner field of study.
• Oncology Nurse: This type of position cares for those who have been diagnosed with cancer. Typically an oncology nurse would administer chemo and walk the patient and their family through education of the disease and treatment plans. Oncology nurses typically work in a doctor’s office or hospital setting. These positions usually require an Advanced Nurse Practitioner Degree or an MSN.
• Rehabilitation Nurse: This type of nurse helps people with chronic conditions or injuries recover. This typically includes physical therapy and lifestyle changes to help achieve and maintain physical health. This type of nurse is usually required to have an RN license or a BSN degree.
• Pediatric Nurse: This type of nurse practices care for all children. This type of nurse can handle a wide spectrum of work settings. This type of nurse can work in a hospital, a pediatric general physician’s office handling small issues or well visits or any other doctor’s office or setting where pediatrics are seen. This position requires an RN license but they usually have obtained a BSN degree as well.

There are many more types of nursing positions in various settings but this is a sampling of some of the career paths that a nursing student can take after completing a nursing program pursuing a nursing career.

Q: Can I take complete a nursing program online?

A:

There are online nursing programs including online LPN programs, and online RN programs. Certain programs have all the coursework that can be completed online and the clinical experience that is required can be fulfilled at a medical facility that is accepted close to your home or office. It is important to compare the online accredited course work to that of the traditional classroom setting at a school before making a decision to take only online courses. There are benefits to both, and each student’s learning process is different.

Q: How will the nursing shortage affect me if I am entering into nursing school now?

A:

Due to the baby boomer generation aging in the United States and their requirement for nursing care, there is a huge demand for nurses. At this point there are not enough nurses entering into nursing school to meet the demand for nurse jobs. This means that for most nursing students entering into school, this is a career path that should surely be a successful path to choose whether you are looking into an RN program or an LPN program. The choice of jobs will outnumber the applicants for those jobs so it will be an employee’s market to choose from. This also means competitive salaries.