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Registered Nursing Degrees
What types of academic degrees are available when training to become a registered nurse?
Introduction
In the class of nursing profession, registered nurses segment provides the largest opportunities for employment. A
registered nurse license is granted to those who undergo the requisite training in a nursing school, college or
university and completed their studies for registered nursing degrees, and had further passed the certification
examination for obtaining a registered nurse certification (NCLEX-RN). Registered nurses form part and parcel of the
health care profession by performing duties under the supervision of a senior nursing practitioner or a physician. While
typically they are engaged in inpatient and outpatient departments, they can also be specialists in niche areas as
cardiology, maternity, including child care, etc.
Types of Registered Nursing Degrees
Associate in Nursing Science (ASN or ADN)
This course, which would usually take two years, prepares the students for a degree in nursing being awarded by the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Some of the main subjects studies in the program are:
- Foundations in Nursing and basic Math for Nursing
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Psychology
The students taking this course will also have to undergo practical training in real clinical setting, which would
include examining the patients, carrying out tests and performing permitted medical procedures. Subjects covered are:
- Pediatric, Psychiatric and Surgical Nursing
- Health assessment of Adults
- Leadership in Nursing
Prerequisites for an Associate Degree in Nursing
The aspiring students should have passed high school. Some require SAT or ACT and a minimum GPA score. Some of them
may insist on prior mathematical and English skill.
Job Opportunities
Such opportunities are available in:
- Clinics and Nursing Homes
- Hospitals (inpatient as well as outpatients departments)
- Health centers
- Home Care giving
Bachelor of Nursing Science
This degree program is of either four years duration or two years for those who have already completed two years in a
technical school and such of them who enroll in this program learn to equip themselves to treat a range of persons, right
from infants to elderly. They undergo professional training under the supervision of senior faculty members.
Prerequisites
For a direct entry into the four-year the candidates should have high school qualification as well as SAT and ACT.
Many schools need a minimum 3.0 GPA as an eligibility requirement for admission.
Job Opportunities
Employment prospects of those coming out these schools have brightened because of the gap between demand and supply.
A majority of them gets engaged in hospitals with the average salaries estimated close to $70,000 per annum.
Educational institutions offering RN programs
There are many universities and colleges which offer a BSN degree. We will mention here just a few:
- Arizona State University
- Capella University
- DeVry University
- Grand Canyon University
- Herzing University
- Kaplan University
- Keiser University
- Rogers State University
- South University on-line
- University of Phoenix
- Walden University
Conclusions
Medical field being dynamic in nature changes keep taking place regularly. Nursing professionals having to give
life-saving duties would have constantly to upgrade themselves both in educational and practical knowledge. In this
regard, continuing education is an ideal area for practicing nurses to secure a further ability in a number of fields
that include critical, cardiovascular, adult and pediatric care and a number of other branches.
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