Everybody is discussing the current nursing shortage; and it’s true that society needs more nurses in order to function and thrive. But how do the student, the professional and the person looking to shift careers get into this burgeoning field? We’re about to explore just that.
As you may recall from previous posts, the nursing industry is seeking a few good folks who care enough about helping others to make it their career. Well, consider this a reminder that the shortage isn’t going away any time soon. Before 2018, the medical industry seeks to hire 581,000 new nurses, and replace hundreds of thousands of current nurses who are set to retire.
Why such a shortage? Briefly, it’s supply and demand. Baby-boomers, who still make up the majority of the population, are aging. This generation places a high value on health maintenance and has the resources to spend on it, seeking more medical treatment than previous generations. Additionally, the new health care bill extended healthcare to numerous previously uninsured Americans. The combination of these two factors will increase patient volume, causing an increased need for medical personnel - like nurses.
So what does it take to become a nurse? Luckily, there are a variety of avenues to enter into the nursing profession, open to people with diverse educational backgrounds. Here are just a few ways to break into this field that is brimming with opportunities and job security.
Licensed Practical Nurses / Licensed Vocational Nurses
There are a variety of nursing roles, with responsibilities ranging from basic care to advanced and highly specialized duties. Licensed Practical Nurses, or LPNs (also called LVNs in some states), can perform basic tasks in a medical environment, such as preparing a room for a physician or taking vital signs. Functions performed by LPNs are more limited in scope than a Registered Nurse (RN), which accounts for the $10-$15 per hour pay increase nurses receive when they advance from LPN to RN. The LPN/LVN path provides a great starting point for eventually becoming an RN.
Becoming an LPN:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- One year of practical training in a hospital, vocational school or community college
- Passing scores on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses
Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses (RNs) perform a wider range of medical functions than LPNs, and therefore have greater benefits, compensation and employment prospects. There are many avenues to becoming a Registered Nurse. Regardless of the educational pathway taken to become an RN, all nurses seeking RN status must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to gain employment.
Option 1 - Undergraduate Certificate:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- It takes 2 - 3 years to complete diploma program and become eligible for RN status
- Often based in hospitals, in conjunction with community colleges, the nursing diploma concentrates on practical and clinical experience with less emphasis on theoretical study
Option 2 - Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN):
- Offered through community or technical colleges
- The ADN will take around two years to complete if you enter the program with the proper science pre-requisites (microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, algebra and psychology)
- If science pre-requisites must be taken, the degree will take 3 – 3.5 years to complete
- Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible for RN status
Option 3 - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN):
- This degree provides the greatest clinical and theoretical preparation for nurses, making it the industry preference for new hires
- The BSN takes four years to complete and become eligible for RN status
- For those entering the profession from non-science backgrounds, the commitment is only slightly longer than the ADN degree and the BSN increases your chances for commanding jobs with higher pay
Option 4 - Graduate Certificate in Nursing:
- Must have already completed a bachelors degree in another field
- Over 200 graduate nursing certificate programs exist
- Students coming from a science background can complete accelerated certificate programs in 12 - 18 months or regular certificate programs in two years
- Students lacking science pre-requisites can complete accelerated certificate programs in 2 - 2.5 years or regular certificate programs in three years
- Both the regular and accelerated graduate certificate programs cover the same material, but the programs differ in pacing and intensity
Other Nursing Options:
- Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN): Students pursuing this degree must already hold a bachelors degree. The MSN prepares students for advanced positions in the nursing field like Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthetist.
Nursing and Integrative Health Degree: An appealing option for those with an interest in alternative health, this degree teachers nurses to integrate conventional practices with alternative and complementary healing therapies.- Nursing Education Degree: Specifically designed for RNs interested in teaching and training the next generation of healthcare providers.
Beyond the basic science requirements, most nursing programs teach students anatomy, physiology, health care management, psychology, nutrition and clinical practices. The major advantage to earning your nursing degree through online education is that there is a program out there to meet your specific career goals, regardless of your educational background or home and work commitments. Distance learning brings the classroom to you, making it possible to pursue an intellectually stimulating and rewarding career in a field that desperately needs passionate, qualified individuals.
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