ADN Programs in Utah

Is There a Nursing Shortage in Utah?
Due to the current economic climate, what was formerly projected to be a shortage of nurses has been avoided in Utah, as nurses who were formerly considering retirement or who were only working part-time have come back to work full time.

Yet, ultimately, as the economy improves and the large percentage of nurses in Utah that are at retirement age finally proceed to their retirement, there will again be a shortage of nurses. When that happens, those people who are already in position with their ADN Degree and their registered nursing license will be poised to take advantage of it.

Does Utah Recognize ADN Programs for Registered Nursing?

Yes, Utah does recognize ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) programs for the purposes of becoming a registered nurse. The Utah Board of Nursing has several approved ADN programs in Utah. Utah also allows graduates from out of state ADN programs to apply for licensure, as long as the out of state ADN program has been accredited by the one of several nationally recognized accreditation agencies for nursing, or has been approved by the Board of Nursing in the state where it is located.

What kind of duties can a RN with an ADN Degree perform in Utah?

A graduate of an ADN program who obtains his or her registered nursing license from the state of Utah can perform the same duties that any other person holding a registered license can. The scope of practice act in Utah allows a registered nurse to make nursing judgments as required, to make a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition and where, necessary, make a nursing plan to help improve a patient’s condition in many overlapping areas, including not only medical issues by psychological and spiritual ones also, to perform treatments as ordered by attending physicians and to ask for clarification when a physician’s order does not make sense.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Utah

Ameritech College (Draper, UT)

12257 Business Park Drive Building 6 Suite 108
Draper, UT 84020
Phone: (801) 816-1444
Fax: (801) 816-1456
Toll Free: (800) 652-0907

The Ameritech College is among the best superior educational institutions that are NLNAC accredited and that can therefore issue Associate Degrees in Nursing for graduate students. These degrees are vital when it comes to getting a job as a registered nurse, and therefore should be regarded with a lot of seriousness. In addition, besides great courses and study programs, the Ameritech College provides as well financial aid programs for students that simply can’t afford to pay the tuition taxes on their own but still want to obtain a degree.

College of Eastern Utah (Price, UT)

451 East 400 North, Price, Utah 84501

Phone: 435-613-5000

The College of Eastern Utah can offer graduate students Associate Degrees in Nursing which are essential when it comes to finding a job as a registered nurse. In addition, besides the perfect combination between regular, traditional classes and practical training sessions, this college also offers students the possibility of transferring or studying abroad in order to experiment other nursing environments, as well. The college welcomes international students also, plus financial aid programs to those students that simply can’t afford to pay college tuition on their own, but still want to get their degree.

Dixie State College of Utah (St. George, UT)

225 S. 700 E. St. George, UT 84770

Phone: (435) 652-7500

There are multiple educational institutions that can offer you an Associate Degree in Nursing and the Dixie State College of Utah is one of them. In case you want to become a registered nurse in the future and work in the private or public healthcare system, you must necessarily get this degree, as this is critical in finding a job as a registered nurse. In order to be able to complete your studies at this college and pass the NCLEX exam at the end successfully, you can also apply for financial aid and for accommodation within the campus.

Everest College (Salt Lake City, UT)

3280 West 3500 South, Salt Lake City

UT 84119

Phone: (801) 840-4800

Everest College is one of the best educational institutions able to offer Associate Degrees in Nursing. The college has multiple nursing study programs from which students can choose whatever they’re interested in. Besides, this college also provides the opportunity of getting online degrees that worth the same as those awarded to students that attend courses regularly. In addition, the fact that this college also welcomes international students who want to work as registered nurses in the future creates a very pleasant and interesting environment for students here.

Provo College (Provo, UT)

1450 West 820 North

Provo, Utah 84601

Phone: 877-777-5886

Provo College offers students the possibility of choosing among numerous interesting and attractive study programs. However, some of the most highly regarded ones are the nursing courses at the end of which students are granted with Associate Degrees in Nursing that they can use later on in order to get hired as registered nurses. Besides, this college also offers financial aid to students who wish to get their degree, but who can’t afford to pay fess and tuitions on their own.

Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City, UT)

4600 South Redwood Road

Salt Lake City, UT 84123

Phone: (801) 957-SLCC (957-7522)

The Salt Lake Community College offers graduate students the possibility to get their ADNs in order to be able to get hired as registered nurses in the future. This college is NLNAC accredited and therefore prepares students for the NCLEX final exam. It seems that it does it very well, as the pass rate for this exam here is of 82.0%. In addition, this college provides as well financial aid to students that can’t afford an education, but still want to graduate and work as registered nurses in the future. The financial aid comes in the form of scholarships, loans or grants.

Stevens-Henager College (Ogden, UT)

1890 South 1350 West

Ogden, UT 84401

Phone: (801) 392-1471

In order to get an Associate Degree in Nursing and then be able to work as registered nurses in public or private healthcare systems, students must graduate and NLNAC accredited college and then successfully pass the NCLEX exam. One of the NLNAC accredited institutions is the Stevens-Henager College that has a NCLEX exam pass rate of 92.0%. The nursing career path is greatly looked for, as the salaries in this area are very big.

Stevens-Henager College (Layton – Satellite of Ogden, UT)

1660 West Antelope Drive

Suite 115

Layton, UT 84041

Phone: (801) 525-8870

The Stevens-Henager College can offer its graduate students Associate Degrees in Nursing, which are essential for getting hired as registered nurses in the future. The nursing programs here are only taught by the best professors in the field, and are doubled by practical learning sessions. This college is NLNAC accredited, meaning that it can prepare students to take their NCLEX exam at the end and pass it successfully. In addition, the college also offers financial aid programs to students needing them, and accepts international students, also.

Utah Valley University (Orem, UT)

800 West University Parkway

Orem, UT 84058

Phone: (801) 863-INFO (4636)

The Utah Valley University is NLNAC accredited and has a pass rate of the NCLEX exam of 91.0%. This high percentage stands as evidence of the fact that only the best professors teach here. This exam is taken at the end of nursing classes by all graduates who wish to work as registered nurses in the future, and it can get graduates employed very easily, as it provides an ADN. In order to be able to get through classes, the college provides students with different financial aid programs, such as loans, scholarships and grants which they can use in case they don’t afford to pay for their education on their own.

Weber State University (Ogden, UT)

Ogden, Utah 84408-3903

Phone: (801) 626-6132

In order to get an Associate Degree in Nursing for working as a registered nurse in the future, students must necessarily attend the courses of a NLNAC accredited college and then take the NCLEX exam. The Weber State University is one of these accredited institutions that can issue these types of degrees. The pass rate of this exam here is of 90.0%, and this stands as evidence of the implication teachers have in the education of students. However, the greatest feature of this university is that it meets the needs of students that are already working or have families, as it doesn’t have strict timetables.

ADN Programs in Washington DC

What kind of nursing will an ADN in Washington D.C. let me do?
An ADN (“Associate’s Degree in Nursing”) will allow you to fulfill the other requirements for obtaining a registered nursing license in Washington D.C.

Without an ADN, or a four year bachelors degree, an individual will not be allowed to take the national licensing exam for RN’s, or apply for licensing from the District of Columbia.

Why obtain an ADN in the Washington D.C. area?

Nurses of all forms are in short supply, even in Washington DC.  Of all nurses in the field of nursing in Washington DC., registered nurses are particularly in demand.  As the baby boomer generation enters its golden years, the demand is expected to further increase.  Obtaining your Associates Degree in Nursing allows you to apply for a registered nursing license from Washington D.C.’s Board of Nursing, and begin a rewarding career in an area where it is in high demand.

What National Licensing Exam does Washington D.C. require its ADN graduates to pass?

To become a registered nurse, the District of Columbia, as well as most states, requires you to take the NCLEX-RN examination.  NCLEX-RN simply stands for the National Council (of State Boards of Nursing) Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.  (There is a similar exam, the NCLEX-PN for licensed practical nurses.)  The examination is a comprehensive, six-hour test.  In order to be eligible for the test, you must first have completed your ADN program, and then have submitted an application packet both to the Washington D.C. Board of Nursing and Pearson Vue, the company that designs and administers the test.  Once your application is accepted, then you will be assigned a testing spot and date for your examination.

What is the average salary of an RN with an ADN in Washington D.C.?

The average RN salary in Washington D.C. is $74,406 annually, which equates to $35.77 an hour.  Obviously, your salary as a new nurse will be lower, but it will increase as you gain experience.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Washington D.C

Radians College

1025 Vermont Avenue NW

Suite 200

Washington D.C. 20005

(202) 291-9020

The only ADN-RN approved program contained within the boundaries of the city of Washington D.C., Radians College offers individuals a chance to earn their ADN-RN in 28 months.  Upon completion of the ADN-RN program, the Radians’ graduate is eligible to apply to the District of Columbia Health Licensing Authority for a registered nursing license, and to take the NCLEX-RN, the licensing examination used by the District of Columbia.

ADN Programs in Washington State

What types of nursing licenses does Washington State award?
The agency in the State of Washington responsible for the licensing of nurses is the Nursing Commission, which is part of the Washington State Department of Health.

The Nursing Commission recognizes three types of nurses: licensed practical nurses (LPN’s), registered nurses (RN’s) and APRN’s (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). The Nursing Commission is also responsible for developing the standards under which each of the three categories of nurses will be licensed, and the standards for nursing education programs within Washington State.

Can you become a registered nurse in the State of Washington with an ADN degree?

Yes. The Nursing Commission in Washington State has approved many ADN programs within its borders for the purpose of education registered nurses. In order to become a registered nurse in Washington State, you must graduate from a school approved by the Nursing Commission with either a two year ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) or a four year B.S. (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.) Following graduation, you are required to apply to the Nursing Commission to obtain your registered nursing license. You also will be required to take and pass an examination called the NCLEX-RN, which stands for the National Council (of State Boards of Nursing) Licensure Examination for RN’s.

What is the average salary of a registered nurse with an ADN in the State of Washington?

The average salary for a registered nurse with an ADN in Washington State is $72,400 a year, and the average hourly salary is $34.84. The average salaries for RN’s fluctuate wildly, though, between different areas of the state. For example, an ADN registered nurse in the city of Yakima, Washington makes an average annual salary of $61,055, while an ADN registered nurse in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area makes over $76,000 a year on average.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Washington State

Bellevue Community College (Bellevue, WA)

Mail Stop R1 30

3000 Landerholm Circle SE

Bellevue, Washington 98007

Phone: 425-564-2012

The Bellevue Community College has a great staff that can prepare students for their final NCLEX exam. This exam is the final one of the nursing program and if it’s passed successfully it can get students the Associates Degree in Nursing that they have always wanted in order to work as registered nurses. The teachers here combine theoretical courses with practical training sessions and therefore can train students in getting their degree successfully.

Bellingham Technical College (Bellingham, WA)

3028 Lindbergh Ave. Bellingham WA 98225

The Bellingham Technical College has one of the most appreciated nursing programs there are. The college is NLNAC accredited and can issue Associate Degrees in Nursing to students wanting to work as registered nurses in the future. In addition, it also lets students choose between regular classes which they must attend daily, and eLearning which they can do from home. Moreover, it has special training program for students with disabilities, as well.

Big Bend Community College (Moses Lake, WA)

7662 Chanute Street N.E.

Moses Lake, WA 98837

Phone: 509.793.2222, 877.745.1212

The Big Bend Community College has a NLNAC accreditation. Therefore, it’s able to offer students the Associate Degree in Nursing that they need in order to work as professional, registered nurses in the future. Its NCLEX pass rate is of 95.0%, and this only stands as evidence of the professionalism teachers here have towards the student’s education. Moreover, this college also offers financial aid to students who want to complete their education, but can’t afford this on their own.

Centralia College (Centralia, WA)

600 Centralia College Blvd.

Centralia WA 98531-4099

Phone: (360) 736-9391

Centralia College is among those superior educational institutions that can provide students with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, which they can use later on in order to work as professional, registered nurses. In addition, besides regular classes and practical labs, this college also offers students the possibility of choosing the eLearning option. Through this, they can study online, from the comfort of their own home and anytime they want.

Clark College (Vancouver, WA)

1933 Fort Vancouver Way

Vancouver, WA 98663
Phone: (360) 699-6398

Clark College is able to offer students the Associate Degree in Nursing that they need in order to work as professional, registered nurses. Besides regular classes, this college also provides students the possibility of learning online through the eLearning programs it has, or to study only during the weekend. In addition, this college is NLNAC accredited and has a NCLEX pass rate of 95.0%.

Clover Park Technical College (Lakewood, WA)

4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW

Lakewood, WA 98499

Phone: (253) 589-5800

Clover Park Technical College has many interesting study programs for students interested in getting an accredited degree. One of the most appreciated of them is the nursing program. The college is NLNAC accredited and therefore it has the ability of issuing Associate Degrees in Nursing for students who want to become registered, professional nurses. Its NCLEX pass rate is of 86.0%.

Columbia Basin College (Pasco, WA)

2600 North 20th Avenue

Pasco, WA 99301

Phone: (509) 547-0511

Fax: (509) 546-0401

The Columbia Basin College has one of the most appreciated nursing study programs in the state. The college is NLNAC accredited and therefore allows students to take the NCLEX final exam which can get them the Associates Degree in Nursing that they need in order to function as registered, professional nurses in the future. Here, the pass rate for this exam is of 94.0%, this showing how hard-working teachers and students here are. Besides regular classes, this college also offers students the opportunity of choosing eLearning. In addition, it also helps those who can’t afford an education, by offering them financial aid.

Everett Community College (Everett, WA)

2000 Tower Street

Everett, WA 98201

Phone: 425-388-9100

The Everett Community College not only provides students regular classes which they must attend every day, but also eLearning opportunities in case they wish to study from the comfort of their own home. One of the programs that enter the eLearning options is the nursing one. This college is NLNAC accredited and has a NCLEX pass rate of 96.0%. Therefore, it’s able to offer students the associate Degree in Nursing that they can use later on in order to work as registered nurses.

Gray’s Harbor College (Aberdeen, WA)

1620 Edward P. Smith Dr, Bldg 200

Aberdeen, Washington
Phone: (360) 532-9020

The Gray’s Harbor College has a NLNAC accreditation, meaning that it can issue Associate Degrees in Nursing for students who wish to become registered nurses in the future and work as true professionals. The nursing program is only mastered by the best teachers in the field who know how to combine exactly the theoretical courses with practical sessions of learning during which students to perfect their skills. The result of this is the NCLEX exam pass rate of 93.0%.

Highline Community College (Des Moines, WA)

2400 S 240th St. Zip, 98198-9800

Des Moines, Washington
Phone: (206) 878-3710

Highline Community College is NLNAC accredited, meaning that it’s allowed to issue Associate Degrees in Nursing to all graduate students that successfully pass the NCLEX exam. The pass rate of this exam here is of 94.0%, meaning that almost all students graduating here are prepared in the end to work as registered and professional nurses in the private or in the public healthcare system. In addition, this college not only welcomes local students, but also international ones who wish to study and practice their skills in the States.

Lake Washington Technical College (Kirkland, WA)

11605 132nd Avenue NE

Kirkland, WA 98034-8506

Phone: (425) 739-8100

TDD: 739-8109

The Lake Washington Technical College makes it all about the students. This college is NLNAC accredited and has a NCLEX pass rate of 90.0%. This high percentage shows just how well teachers here know how to spread wisdom and instruct the students into becoming registered, professional nurses in the future. As soon as they graduate form the nursing program here, students can get their Associate Degree in Nursing and then employ as real nurses.

Lower Columbia College (Longview, WA)

1600 MAPLE STREET LONGVIEW

WA 98632

Phone: 360.442.2311

The Lower Columbia College is able to offer graduate students the Associate Degree in Nursing that they need in order to be able to practice as registered nurses. This college is NLNAC accredited and therefore can issue these degrees with no problem. In addition, the college can also provide students with financial aid programs in case they need it. Moreover, it can assist businesses and individuals to meet the professional, personal and corporate training needs that they might have.

North Seattle Community College (Seattle, WA)

North Seattle Community College
9600 College Way North
Seattle, Washington 98103
Phone: (206) 934-3600

The North Seattle Community College can issue Associate Degrees in Nursing to students following the nursing courses offered by the study program with the same name. This college is NLNAC accredited and has a pass rate of the NCLEX exam of 95.0%. Therefore, here are enrolled only great students that are working hard in order to be able to practice as registered nurses in the future. Besides, even if they can’t afford to pay on their own for their education, they can also benefit from the financial aid programs offered by the college.

Olympic College (Bremerton, WA)

1600 Chester Avenue

Bremerton, WA 98337-1699

Phone: (360) 792-6050

During the nursing courses of the Olympic College, students are trained in order to become professional, registered nurses. Mainly, they attend theoretical classes, but they also have the chance to perfect their skills during practical sessions. Once they end the classes, they’re allowed to take the NCLEX exam that here has a pass rate of 86.0%. As almost all of them pass it successfully, they’re awarded with the ADN they need in order to be hired in private or public healthcare centers.

Peninsula College (Port Angeles, WA)

1502 East Lauridsen Boulevard

Port Angeles, Washington 98362

Phone: 360-452-9277

Toll Free: 1-877-452-9277

The Peninsula College is a NLNAC accredited educational institution that is able to offer students an ADN as soon as they complete their studies and graduate. The nursing study program here provides a dedicated, qualified and caring group of instructors that know how to combine theoretical lectures with practical classes. In addition, the classes are small in size and the equipment meant for practicing skills is of the latest generation.

Pierce College (Puyallup, WA)

9401 Farwest Drive Southwest Lakewood

WA 98498
Phone: (253) 964-6615

Pierce College is able to offer graduate students the ADN they need in order to work as registered nurses in the future. This college is NLNAC accredited and has a pass rate for the NCLEX exam of 85.0%. In addition, besides the degrees that it can issue at the end of one’s studies, it also helps students who can’t afford for college, to pas their exams, also.

Renton Technical College (Renton, WA)

3000 NE 4th St Renton

WA 98056

Phone: (425) 235-2352

Renton Technical College can provide ADNs for those graduate students that want to work as registered nurses in the future, in the public or private environment. In addition, besides regular, normal classes which students must attend daily, this college also offers students the ability of studying online. At the end, all students can take the NCLEX exam which here has a pass rate of 83.0%.

Seattle Community Colleges (Seattle, WA)

1500 Harvard Avenue, Seattle

WA 98122

Phone: 206.934.4100

The Seattle Community College is one of those educational institutions able to offer you the accredited degree that you need in order to work as a registered nurse in the future. The college is NLNAC accredited and therefore has the capability of issuing Associate Degrees in Nursing. In addition, this college also welcomes international students that want to study in the States in order to perfect their skills.

Shoreline Community College (Seattle, WA)

16101 Greenwood Avenue North Shoreline

Washington 98133
Phone: (206) 546-4101

Shoreline Community College is a well-regarded educational institution that doesn’t only offer ADN for American students, but also for international ones. It’s a great idea to attend the courses of this college in case you’re someone wanting to work as a registered nurse. This college offers on ground courses, but also blended and hybrid online courses for students interested in studying from home.

Skagit Valley College (Bellingham, WA)

2405 East College Way
Mount Vernon
Phone: (360) 416-7600

The Skagit Valley College is an educational institution which requires a two year attendance in order for graduates to obtain an accredited AND. Besides the great study programs, this college is also the perfect way of taking teaching preparation courses. Therefore, in case you don’t only want to work in the nursing field, but also to teach some time in the future, you’ll be able to do it by attending the special courses of this college.

South Puget Sound Community College (Olympia, WA)

2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia

WA 98512

Phone: (360) 754.7711

The South Puget Sound Community College is one of the best when it comes to offering students classes for getting their AND, a crucial diploma that can help them get a job as a registered nurse. Here, future students can benefit only from the most advanced care procedures there are. In fact, due to the practical lessons here, they can start their career before even leaving school.

Spokane Community College (Spokane, WA)

1810 N. Greene St.

Spokane, Washington 99217-5399

Phone: 509-533-7000

One of the NLNAC accredited colleges is the Spokane Community College. Due to this accreditation, the college is able to offer students who graduate the possibility of enrolling in the NCLEX exam and of getting an ADN. This diploma is a vital part of their future career as registered nurses, so it must be regarded with much seriousness.

Tacoma Community College (Tacoma, WA)

6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma

WA 98466
Phone: (253) 566-5000

The Tacoma Community College is one of the superior educational institutions that are able to offer its students as soon as they graduate, an ADN. This degree is vital for getting jobs as registered nurses. The classes here are held not only during daytime, but also during evenings and weekends only. Plus, students enrolling here can benefit from financial aid in case they need it for being able to complete their studies.

Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA)

500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla

WA 99362
Phone: (509) 522-2500

The Walla Walla Community College is NLNAC accredited and its NCLEX exam pass rate is of 91.0%. Due to its accreditation, this college is able to issue ADNs to all students who graduate from the nursing program here. In addition, it provides financial aid programs to all the students needing them in order their complete their education. These are in the form of grants, scholarships or loans.

Wenatchee Valley Community College (Wenatchee, WA)

1300 Fifth Street

Wenatchee, WA 98801

Phone: (509) 682-6800

The Wenatchee Valley Community College is among those educational institutions able to provide students with ADNs at the end of their studies. The college is NLNAC accredited, and its pass rate for the NCLEX exam is of 85.0%. This high percentage stands as evidence of the professionalism with which both teachers and students do their job here.

Whatcom Community College (Bellingham, WA)

237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham

WA 98226

Phone: (360) 383-3000

The Whatcom Community College has an accreditation from the NLNAC that allows it to issue Associate Degrees in Nursing to everyone wanting to work to registered nurses in the future. Therefore, after graduating from the nursing program here, students can take the NCLEX exam which can get them the degree they need.

Yakima Valley Community College (Yakima, WA)

Yakima Valley Community College

South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd

Yakima, WA. 98902

Phone: 509.575.4600

The Yakima Valley Community College is able to provide students not only with great nursing programs and insightful classes, but also with an Associate Nursing Degree at the end of their studies. Therefore, those who wish to function as registered nurses in the future must take this option into consideration when it comes to their education as besides regular classes this college also provides the opportunity of eLearning.

ADN Programs in Virginia

What is an ADN?
ADN stands for an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. The Virginia Board of Nursing recognizes over 40 different ADN programs as programs of sufficient quality to permit their graduates to apply to be licensed as a registered nurse in Virginia.

How do I become an RN once I finish my ADN program?

Upon the completion of your Virginia approved ADN program, you will need to fill out an application for licensure by examination. Once you have done so, you will also need to register for the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam for RN’s administered by Pearson Vue. The NCLEX-RN is administered via computer at recognized testing locations throughout the state of Virginia. Once you receive your authorization to take test (ATT) from Pearson Vue, you will be able to schedule the time and location at which you will take the test. Due to the unique computer technology used in preparing the test, no two tests will be alike. Once you have passed the NCLEX-RN, and the Virginia Board of Nursing has approved your application, your registered nursing license will be sent to you.

What salary will I make in Virginia as an RN with an ADN degree?

The average salary for an RN in Virginia is approximately $62,935 annually, or $ 30.26 an hour. That salary varies both by location as well as years of experience. Nationally, a registered nurse with an ADN who has less than one year of experience receives on average an hourly wage between $20.11 and $25.25. To give you some idea of the manner in which RN salaries may vary from city to city in the State of Virginia, a nurse in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia makes, on average, approximately $ 62,400 annually, while a nurse around Blacksburg, Virginia will receive an average annual salary just over $51,100.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Virginia

Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave, VA)

1 College Lane
Weyers Cave, VA
Phone: (540) 213-7002

The department of nursing from the Blue Ridge Community College is one of the most appreciated ones in the state. Due to the fact that the college is NLNAC accredited, it allows students to take the NCLEX exam at the end of their studies. Here, the pass rate for this exam is of 85.0%, which shows just how well professors teaching here are doing their job. As soon as students pass this exam, they can get their Associate Degree in Nursing and practice as registered nurses. In addition, here they can choose between part-time and full-time curricula.

Bryant & Stratton College (Richmond, VA)

8141 Hull Street Rd Richmond

VA 23235
Phone: (804) 745-2444

The Bryant & Stratton College is among those superior educational institutions that are able to offer Associate Degrees in Nursing to students interested in working as professional, registered nurses in the future. In addition, besides the regular and traditional courses in this field, this college also provides students the opportunity of choosing to study online, on their own. However, even if they choose this way of studying, they must also pas the final NCLEX exam in order to become registered nurses.

Career Training Solutions (Fredericksburg, VA)

10304 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Tel: (540) 373-2200
Fax: (540) 373-4465

As specialists in adult education, the Career Training Solutions are able to offer students Associate Degrees in Nursing. Therefore, in case you wish to work as a registered nurse in the future, you can choose this educational institution in order to train. Here, you can find fast track nursing programs and also the top professional teachers to work with you.

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (Clifton Forge, VA)

1000 Dabney Drive, Box 1000, Clifton Forge

Virginia 24422

Phone: 540.863.2800

Toll Free: 877.73.DSLCC

Fax: 540.863.2915

The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College is NLNAC accredited, meaning that it can issue Associate Degrees in Nursing to students interested in working as registered nurses as soon as they graduate college. These degrees are vital when it comes to working as a registered nurse in the public or private healthcare system, as they state you’ve got the skills and the right education to do it. Besides the fact that this college can issue these degrees in the traditional sense, they can also be earned by studying online.

Danville Community College (Danville, VA)

1008 South Main St, Danville

VA 24541

Phone: 434.797.2222

TTY: 434.797.8542

Fax: 434.797.8541

Toll-Free: 1.800.560.4291

The Danville Community College is able to offer graduate students Associate Degrees in Nursing, which they can use later on in order to work as registered nurses. These degrees are essential when it comes to finding a workplace in this field, as it states exactly the level of performance of graduates. Besides offering these degrees after students pass the final NCLEX exam, this college is also great as it provides financial aid plans for students who can’t afford an education on their own.

Everest College (Tysons Corner, VA)

1430 Spring Hill Road #200

McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (703) 288-3131

Everest College is able to offer graduate students the chance of getting an Associates Degree in Nursing. Therefore, in case you wish to work as a registered nurse in the future, you should take this college into consideration. If you think you can’t afford a superior education that can make you eligible for working in private and public healthcare centers, then you should know that this college also provides financial aid in case you need it. In addition, it offers short-term career training, also.

Fortis College (Norfolk, VA)

6300 Center Drive, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: 757-499-5447

The Fortis College provides students with everything that they might need in order to successfully pass the final NCLEX exam, get their ADNs, and start their careers as professional, registered nurses. The education this college provides is a career-focused one, and it can be followed not only in the traditional way, but also online. In what concerns the NCLEX exam, this can be taken by both groups of students, whether they chosen to follow daily programs or online ones. The pass of this exam here is of 69.0%.

Fortis College (Richmond, VA)

2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-323-1020

Fortis College can provide quality training for students wanting to work in the nursing domain as registered nurses. Besides the regular types of classes, this college also provides students the possibility of choosing online courses and study from home. However, this can’t influence at all the results of the NCLEX exam that graduated must take as soon as they complete classes, for obtaining the associate Degree in Nursing that they necessarily need for hiring.

Germanna Community College (Locust Grove, VA)

2130 Germanna Highway
Locust Grove, VA
Phone: (540) 423-9030

The Germanna Community College is one of the superior educational institutions that offer graduate students Associate Degrees in Nursing. These are crucial degrees when it comes to working as a registered nurse, and therefore they must necessarily be gained. As this college is NLNAC accredited, it allows students to take the NCLEX exam as soon as they graduate. Here, the pass rate for this exam is of 92.0%. In addition, this college also provides distance learning options and welcomes international students, also.

Global Health Nurse Training Services (Alexandria, VA)

25 S. Quaker Lane Alexandria

VA 22314

Phone: (703) 212-7410

Fax: (703) 212-7414

The Global Nurse Training Services have a pass rate for the NCLEX exam of 100%. This shows just how well trained all the students here are. These services not only offer great courses for students wanting to get an Associate Degree in Nursing, but also financial aid programs for those who want to study but don’t afford it. The financial aid programs come in the form of scholarships, grants and loans and can be offered to anyone needing them.

ITT Technical Institute (Norfolk, VA)

863 Glenrock Road, Suite 100

Norfolk, VA 23502-3701

Phone: 757-466-1260

Toll Free: 888-253-8324

There are multiple schools of nursing from which students interested in this domain can choose from. However, one of the best of them is the ITT Technical Institute that is able to offer students Associate Degrees in Nursing, which they can use later on in order to work as registered nurses in private or public healthcare systems. The nursing program here combines theoretical lectures with practical courses during which students can practice and in the same time perfect their skills in order to pass the NCLEX exam successfully.

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Richmond, VA)

P.O. Box 85622, Richmond, Virginia

Phone: 23285-5622, (804) 371-3000

One of the best nursing study programs can be found at the J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. This superior educational institution is NLNAC accredited and has a NCLEX pass rate of 100%. In addition, besides offering great study programs for its students and only professional teachers, this college also provides students with financial aid, which comes in the form of grants, loans and scholarships. These can be used by students that want to complete their education and become registered nurses by getting the ADNs, but who can’t afford it.

John Tyler Community College (Midlothian, VA)

800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian

VA 23114-4383

Phone: 804-796-4000, 800-552-3490

TDD: 804-796-4197

The John Tyler Community College can provide students with Associate Degrees in Nursing, taken into consideration the fact that it’s NLNAC accredited. These degrees are vital when it comes to working as a registered nurse, and therefore the preparation they request in order to be earned must be taken very seriously. Besides classes that can prepare local students for the NCLEX exam which here has a pass rate of 100%, this college is also great because it provides international students the opportunity of learning here, as well.

Lord Fairfax Community College (Middletown, VA)

173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown

VA 22645-1745
Phone: 540-868-7000, 800-906-LFCC

TDD: 540-868-7218

The Lord Fairfax Community College is a superior educational institution accredited by the NLNAC, which means that it allows its graduates to take the NCLEX exam at the end of their studies, in order to obtain their Associate Degree in Nursing. This degree can get them a job in the public or in the private healthcare system as registered nurses. The NCLEX exam pass rate for this college is of 100%, and this just justifies how well teachers here know to train their students. Besides great theoretical and practical courses, this college also offers needy students financial aid in order for them to be able to complete their education.

Lord Fairfax Community College (Warrenton, VA)

6480 College St., Warrenton

VA 20187-8820
Phone: 540-351-1505

The Lord Fairfax Community College can be the beginning of your successful career as a registered nurse. As this college is NLNAC accredited, it allows students to take the NCLEX exam as soon as they graduate, in order for them to be able to get employed as registered nurses in the future. The nursing program they offer represent the perfect combination between theoretical classes and practical ones, which can get graduated the ADN they need in order to get a job. In addition, this college also offers online courses, for those who wish to study from the comfort of their own home or from the office.

New River Community College (Dublin, VA)

5251 College Drive Dublin

VA 24084
Phone: (540) 674-3600

For getting an Associate Degree in Nursing, students must follow the special nursing program of a college. One of them can be found at the New River Community College. The nursing program here has a two years length and can help students gain the information that they need in order to pass the NCLEX exam at the end and therefore become registered nurses. Here, the pass rate for this exam is of 85.0%.

Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA)

700 Park Avenue Norfolk

VA 23504
Phone: (757) 823-8600

The Norfolk State University offers Associate Degrees in Nursing for more than 50 years now. Its experience in this field and the fact that it’s NLNAC accredited makes 6,000 students to choose this educational institution in order to start their formation as registered nurses, every year. Due to its accreditation, this university allows students to take the NCLEX exam at the end of their studies. Here, the pass rate of this exam is of 76.0%.

Northern Virginia Community College (Springfield, VA)

8333 Little River Turnpike Annandale

VA 22003
Phone: (703) 323-3131

The Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the NLNAC. Therefore, it allows all of its students to take the NCLEX exam as soon as they graduate. This exam can get them the Associate Degree in Nursing that they can use later on in order to work as registered nurses. In addition, this college also offers financial help to those students who can’t afford to pay their tuition on their own.

Patrick Henry Community College (Martinsville, VA)

645 Patriots Avenue Martinsville

VA 24112

Phone: (276) 656-0319

The Patrick Henry Community College is a NLNAC accredited educational institution which can offer graduate students an Associate Degree in Nursing that can be used later on for getting a job as a registered nurse. Besides regular classes combined with practical training sessions, this college also provides students the opportunity of choosing distance education programs that are perfect for those that have families or a job they can’t give up. In addition, it also offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships or loans to those students who can’t afford this type of education.

Paul D. Camp Community College (Franklin, VA)

100 North College Drive

Franklin, VA 23851

Phone: 757.569.6700

The Paul D. Camp Community College is among the best educational institutions providing nursing study programs for students who want to become registered nurses and find a job in the public or in the private healthcare system. As soon as students graduate here, they can enroll in the NCLEX exam and if they pass, get the Accredited Degree in Nursing that can get the, the job they have always dreamt of. Besides, this college offers also distance education opportunities and financial aid for future students who want to study, but can’t afford it.

Piedmont Virginia Community College (Charlottesville, VA)

501 College Drive

Charlottesville, VA 22902

Phone: 434.977.3900

At the Piedmont Virginia Community College, students can start their education in order to become registered nurses in the future. This college is NLNAC accredited and the NCLEX pass rate here is of 84.0%. In case this exam is passed successfully, students obtain the ADN, which they can use later on in case they decide to work as professional nurses. In addition, the nursing program provided by this college can also be studied from home, by students who have a job and cannot attend regular classes.

Rappahannock Community College (Warsaw, VA)

52 Campus Drive

Warsaw, VA 22572

Phone: 804.333.6700

Toll Free: 800.836.9379

Fax: 804.333.0106

The purpose of the Rappahannock Community College is to prepare students for their NCLEX exam which they have to necessarily pass in order to become registered nurses and work in the private or in the public healthcare system as professional nurses. The practical courses and the theoretical ones are combined here in such a way that students get to improve their skills more and more as the nursing program goes on. Therefore, they get to successfully pas the final exam and thus obtain the Associate Nursing Degree.

Southside Virginia Community College (Keysville, VA)

109 County Road 378

Alberta, VA 23821
Phone: (434) 949-1000

The Southside Virginia Community College is able to issue Associate Degrees in Nursing for students who wish to work as registered nurses in the future. These degrees are critical when it comes to getting such a job, but if students manage to graduate the nursing program here, it can’t be hard for them to get their degree. In addition, this college also provides students financial aid, in case they need it to be able to complete their education.

Southside Virginia Community College (South Boston, VA)

South Boston, VA 24592

Phone: (434) 572-5451

The Southside Virginia Community College offers not only local students, but also international ones the possibility of choosing the nursing study program that can get them at the end of their studies an Associate Degree in Nursing. This degree can be used later on in order to get a job as a registered nurse. In addition, for those students who can’t afford to pay their tuition, this college provides financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans, to help them out.

Thomas Nelson Community College (Hampton, VA)

99 Thomas Nelson Dr.

Hampton, VA 23666

Phone: 757.825.2700

The Thomas Nelson Community College offers all students who want to become registered nurses in the future, the ability of getting their Associate Nursing Degree. In addition, this college offers students who can’t afford to pay their tuition, some financial aid in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Moreover, for students who are working and can’t attend regular classes, or for those who have families, this educational institution also offers distance learning nursing programs.

Tidewater Community College (Franklin, VA)

Tidewater Community College
121 College Place
Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1938

Phone: (757) 822-1122, (800) 371-0898

The Tidewater Community College is able to offer all of its graduates from the nursing program an Associate Degree in Nursing. This college is NLNAC accredited, meaning that it allows students to take the final NCLEX exam that can get them a degree and later on a position as a registered nurse. In addition, this college also provides the opportunity of distance learning and offers financial aid to those who simply can’t afford to pay for their studies on their own.

Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA)

1070 University Boulevard
Portsmouth, VA
Phone: (757) 822-2623

The Tidewater Community College is NNAC accredited and therefore has the possibility of issuing Associate Degrees in Nursing to those students interested in working as registered nurses in the future. As soon as they tale the NCLEX final exam which here has a pass rate of 87.0%, students can consider themselves graduates and professionals in the nursing field, in the same time. One of the most interesting features of this college is that it can offer ADNs to students who choose distance learning as a study method, as well.

Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program (Abingdon, VA)

PO Box 828, Abingdon, VA 24212

Phone: 276-739-2439

Fax: 276-739-2594

The Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program is perfect for students who desire to become registered nurses in the future. This status can be acquired very easily here, as all students have to do is to enroll, attend classes and then take the final NCLEX exam and pass it successfully in order to get their Associate Degree in Nursing. The pass rate for this exam here is of 89.0%, and this is only because all the professors teaching at this college are dedicated to what they do and combine perfectly theoretical classes with practical training sessions.

Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program (Richlands, VA)

P.O. Box SVCC
Richlands, VA

Phone: (276)739-2400

The Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program can issue as soon as students graduate Associate Degrees in Nursing. These can be very useful to students wanting to work as registered nurses in the future in the public or in the private healthcare environment. Due to the fact that this institution is NLNAC accredited, it’s able to provide degrees that are fully recognized by all healthcare organizations.

Virginia Community College System (Midlothian, VA)

101 N. 14th Street, 15th Floor

Richmond, VA 23219

At the Virginia Community College System, students can start their education in order to become registered nurses. This can be done if the just attend the courses and at the end take the NCLEX exam and pass it successfully in order to get their ADN. The NCLEX exam pass rate here is of 100% and his only shows the dedication of the professors teaching here. In addition, this college system also welcomes international students and helps them pay their tuition through financial aid programs in case they can’t afford to do it themselves.

Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA)

1 Hayden Dr. · Petersburg, VA 23806
Phone: 804-524-5000

The Virginia State University is one of the best when it comes to the offer of nursing study programs. Students who want to work as professional, registered nurses in the future can simply attend the special classes provided by this college and successfully pass the NCLEX exam at the end of their studies in order to get their Associate Degree in Nursing. If they can’t afford to, they should know that this university offers financial aid programs from which they can benefit.

Virginia Western Community College (Roanoke, VA)

3094 Colonial Avenue Southwest Roanoke

Virginia 24015
Phone: (540) 857-8922

For those wanting to get an Associate Degree in Nursing, the Virginia Western Community College could be the best way to go. This college is NLNAC accredited and has a NCLEX exam pass rate of over 85%. This only shows how well its curriculum is developed and how dedicated the teachers working here are when it comes to teaching students and to help them perfect their skills.

Wytheville Community College (Wytheville, VA)

1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, Virginia 24382
Phone: (276) 223-4700
Toll-free: (800) 468-1195
Fax: (276) 223-4778

The Wytheville Community College is among the best ones when it comes to the field of nursing study programs. This college can get students the Associate Degree in Nursing that they need in order to be able to work as registered nurses, and it is NLNAC accredited, giving a pass rate for the NCLEX exam of 84.0%. In addition, this college also provides financial aid programs in the form of grants, scholarships and loans to students who can’t afford to pay their education on their own.

ADN Programs in West Virginia

What Agency Do I Need to Contact Regarding Whether I Can Become an RN in West Virginia with a 2 year  ADN Degree? The West Virginia Board of Professional Examiners for Registered Nurses is the agency responsible for licensing RN’s and providing the academic standards approved nursing programs in the state are required to meet.

Accordingly, the West Virginia Board of Professional Examiners for Registered Nurses will be able to answer most of your questions about obtaining your Registered Nurse (RN) license through an ADN program.

What is a Registered Nurse?

According to the West Virginia Center for Nursing, a person acts as a registered nurse in West Virginia when he or she is paid for services that require detailed nursing knowledge. Registered nurses are an integral part of a patient’s health care team, often becoming aware of health issues of the patient’s before any other health care provider. Registered nurses, including those with ADN degrees, provide comprehensive assessments of their patients’ conditions and make detailed plans for helping their patients while they are in their care. RNs often have a very special relationship with their patients, more so than other health care providers, simply because they see their patients more often than, for example, a physician does

What is an ADN program in West Virginia?

An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program is a two to three year program designed to provide you with the fundamentals of nursing and science that you will need in order to be a successful RN, to pass your licensing exam and to be licensed by West Virginia as a registered nurse. The West Virginia Board of Professional Examiners for Registered Nurses has approved several ADN programs throughout the state for registered nursing license purposes. Some of those schools have pass rates on the NCLEX-RN that are between 94 and 97.4%, which is a pretty phenomenal track record.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in West Virginia

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

400 West Stephen Street

Martinsburg, WV 25401

304 – 260 – 4380

The individuals who are located in West Virginia and want to practice nursing can go for the ADN program offered by Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Throughout the program, the students are going to learn about the dignity and value of people and will also comprehend the nursing skill and knowledge. This NLNAC accredited program has a pass rate of 95%.

Bluefield State College

219 Rock St.

Bluefield, WV 24701

304 – 327 – 4000, 1 – 800 – 344 – 8892

Bluefield State College features a School of Allied Health and Nursing that provides an ADN program. The curriculum includes 72 hours spun over four semesters. The first 2 semesters also encompass some corequisites. Thus, in the second semester, the students will study 213L, BIOL 212 and PSYC 210 and in the first semester they will study 211L, BIOL 210, PSYC 103 and Math.

Davis & Elkins College

100 Campus Drive

Elkins, WV 26241

304 – 637 – 1900

The Nursing Department at Davis & Elkins College offers a major in ADN. The graduates will be eligible for entry – level positions and will be able to function safely and competently in the nursing sector. Also, the graduates can opt to take the NCLEX examination for becoming registered nurses. The passing rate for this specific exam is 64%.

Fairmont State University

1201 Locust Avenue

Fairmont, WV 26554

304 – 367 – 4892, 1 – 800 – 641 – 5678

Fairmont Sate University features a reputable School of Allied Health and Nursing Administration. This renowned school offers an Associates Degree in Nursing Program. The students graduate from this program after 2 years and after passing the licensure examination, they will play the roles of manager of client, care provider, communicator and client teacher. 81% of the students pass the NCLEX – RN exam.

Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College

P.O. Box 1000,

Institute, WV 25112 – 1000

1 – 304 – 766 – 3118

The Associate Degree in Nursing is one of the many programs of study offered by Kanawha valley Community and Technical College. This particular program lasts 2 years and 4 semesters and requires 70 credits for graduation. The students will study courses such as English Composition, Human Anatomy, Nursing Care, Human Physiology, Nutrition, Life Span Development and General Microbiology. The RN exam pass rate is 95%.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

P.O. Box 2900

Mount Gay, WV 25637 – 2900

(304) 792 – 7032

Among the numerous programs featured by Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, students will discover the ADN program. This Associate in Applied Science major requires 60 credit hours for completion. The program includes major courses like nursing care and essentials of nursing and support courses such as English composition and drug dosage calculation. All the ADN graduates that take the licensure exam manage to pass it.

St. Mary’s Hospital and Marshall University

2900 First Avenue

Huntington, WV 25702

(304) 526 – 1234

St. Mary’s Hospital and Marshall University encompasses a School of Nursing that offers an Associate’s Degree in Nursing Program. The school was established in 1926 and since then, over 3,100 students graduated from this program. The program costs $13,000 for the state residents and $16,000 for the non-residents. Some of the courses are held at St. Mary’s Hospital and other are held at Marshall University. To graduate, the students must obtain 70 credit hours.

University of Charleston

2300 MacCorkle Ave SE

Charleston, WV 25304

304 – 357 – 4800

The University of Charleston features an Associates Degree in Nursing Program that was established in 1964. Since then, it obtained the NLNAC and the “WV Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses” accreditations. The main features of the program are modern classrooms, clinical simulation facilities, skills laboratories and on – campus assessment. This program has a pass rate of 67%. Upon graduation, the students can work in all kinds of health care facilities.

West Virginia Northern Community College

1704 Market Street

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 233 – 5900

The registered nurses provide emotional and physical support, prevent diseases and promote health. That’s exactly what the Associate Degree in Nursing Program at West Virginia Northern Community College teaches its students. NLNAC has approved and accredited this program and allows the graduates to work in private settings, hospitals, schools or industry and business sectors. The program length is 2 years, the number of total credit hours required being 72.

West Virginia University (Morgantown)

P.O. Box 9600

Morgantown, WV 26506 – 9600

(304) 293 – 0111

There are many people who like taking care of other individuals. These people are likely to become registered nurses. For this, they must follow an Associate Degree in Nursing Program, like the one offered by West Virginia University in Morgantown. Throughout this program, they are going to take courses involving nursing science, natural science, social sciences, arts and humanities. The program is accredited by the “Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education” and NLNAC.

West Virginia University (Parkersburg)

300 Campus Drive

Parkersburg, WV 26104

(304) 424 – 8000

West Virginia University located in Parkersburg and its School of Nursing feature a NLNAC accredited ADN program. The students that follow this program will take theoretical courses and nursing clinical courses that will help them apply their learning. Upon graduation, the students will have the chance to work on entry – level positions. For this, they have to take the RN licensure and pass the NCLEX exam. At West Virginia University, this pass rate is almost 95%.

ADN Programs in Wisconsin

How do I become a registered nurse with an ADN in Wisconsin?
There are two paths to becoming a registered nurse in Wisconsin if you have an ADN: by examination or by endorsement. Endorsement only applies if you already hold a license in another state.

To learn more about the requirements necessary to become a registered nurse in Wisconsin by endorsement, contact the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.

What if I have an ADN degree but I have never held a nursing license in Wisconsin or anywhere else?

To become a registered nurse in Wisconsin, you first must graduate from a state approved education program in professional nursing. There are many recognized schools in Wisconsin that offer ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) programs that will enable you to obtain a license by examination in Wisconsin. Once you have graduated from a state approved nursing program, then you must fill out an application for a registered nurses license and submit it to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. As part of your application, you will be required have the school which ADN program you attended forward your transcript directly to the Board. While your application is pending, you will need to register to take the NCLEX-RN, which is the National (Council of Nursing) Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses.

What kind of courses do I take to obtain an ADN degree in Wisconsin?

The courses in an ADN program will concentrate on science and health courses, including biology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, as well as courses specifically centered on nursing care and communication. Some basic math courses, such as algebra, are also required. A typical ADN program takes anywhere from two to three years to complete. During your program, you also will be required to spend a significant number of hours working in clinical settings, which is where you are provided the opportunity to test the skills you have learned as a student nurse in a hospital or clinical setting with a skilled nursing mentor at your side.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Wisconsin

Blackhawk Technical College

6004 S County Road G

Janesville, WI 53546 – 9458

608-758-6900

Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville features a comprehensive and excellent Associate Degree in Nursing Major. This program is accredited by NLNAC. 92% of the BTC students who take the RN examination can become registered nurses. After 2 years of studying, the individuals will be able to safely and professionally take care of groups, families and individuals.

Bryant & Stratton College (Milwaukee)

310 West Wisconsin Avenue

Suite 500 E

Milwaukee, 53203

414 – 276 – 5200

The ADN course offered by Bryant and Stratton College in Milwaukee offers quality education for its students. The program is based on laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences that help the individuals face the future rewarding and challenging career. The course lasts 2 years, after which the students are eligible to take the NCLEX – RN test.

Bryant & Stratton College (Wauwatosa)

10950 W. Potter Road

Wauwatosa, 53226

414-302-7000

There are many entry requirements for the Associates Degree in Nursing Course at Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa. Thus, the candidates must achieve a satisfactory score on the TEAS Test, must have college level Math and English and also should provide a GED or high school diploma. They must also have an evidence of all the vaccinations and a CPR Certificate.

Cardinal Stritch University

6801 N. Yates Road

Milwaukee, WI 53217

(800) 347-8822, (414) 410-4000

Cardinal Stritch University features a special college of nursing called “Ruth S. Coleman”. This college was established more than 10 years ago and throughout the years it had over 1,000 graduates. The ADN program available at this school is accredited by the “Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education” and the “National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission”. It also received approval from the Board of Nursing in Wisconsin.

Chippewa Valley Technical College

620 W Clairemont Ave

Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-833-6200

The 2 – year Associate’s Degree in Nursing Major at Chippewa Valley Technical College is available in River Falls and Eau Claire campuses. There are 2 starting dates for the program: January and August. Moreover, some students can obtain financial aid to pay the tuition for this program. The total cost of the major is usually around $11,000.

College of Menominee Nation

N 172 Hwy 47/55

PO Box 1179

Keshena, WI 54135

715-799-5600, 800-567-2344

College of Menominee Nation offers the students the opportunity to become nurses. After completing the ADN Major, the graduates will obtain a licensure that will allow them to function as registered nurses. First, they must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination. For completing the program, the students have to receive 72 credits.

Fox Valley Technical College

1825 N. Bluemound Drive

P.O. Box 2277
Appleton, WI 54912-2277

(920) 735-5600, 1-800-735-3882

The ADN class provided by Fox Valley Technical College is available in the Appleton Campus. This 70 – credit Associate Degree lasts 2 years and helps the students deal with mental and physical health problems. The program is eligible for financial aid, so the persons who are interested in obtaining this aid should apply as soon as possible.

Gateway Technical College

3520 30th Ave.

Kenosha, WI 53144

(262) 564-2566

Gateway Technical College has a reputable Nursing Department. Within this department, the students will find the Associate Degree in Nursing Major. This program is available both part time and full time. The ADN course is accredited by NLNAC and features a lot of lab hours in the Nursing Skills Lab. Thus, the students will gain practical experience for their future job.

Herzing University

5218 East Terrace Dr.

Madison, WI 53718

608.249.6611, 608.249.8593 (Fax)

Both women and men can apply for the ADN program at Herzing University. During the major, the students will learn how to consult or teach, to prevent illness, to provide treatments and cure health issues. They will also understand completely the human body and the way it works. The program is accredited by NLNAC.

Lakeshore Technical College

1290 North Avenue

Cleveland, Wisconsin 53015

920.693.1000

The Associate Degree in Nursing Course included in the Lakeshore Technical College offer has a special accreditation from NLNAC. The completion time for this degree is four semesters. The acceptance requirements for the major are CNA competencies, counseling interview, chemistry requirement, entrance exam, background check and tetanus / TB / health form.

Madison Area Technical College

3550 Anderson Street

Madison, Wisconsin 53704

(608) 246-6100, (800) 322-6282

So as to obtain an Associate Degree in Applied Science Diploma, the students must follow an ADN program. This major is available in numerous universities and colleges, including the Madison Area Technical College. After completing the program, the students can take the State Board Exam and become Registered Nurses. They can also continue their education with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

Mid – State Technical College

500 32nd Street North

Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

715.422.5300, 715.422.5345 (Fax)

There are numerous healthcare settings that require nursing care. The individuals have seen this opportunity and now they’re aiming to become registered nurses. The Associate Degree in Nursing offers them this opportunity. At Mid – State Technical College, the program lasts 2 years and it requires 70 credit hours for graduation.

Milwaukee Area Technical College

700 W. State Street

Milwaukee WI. 53233

(414) 297-6282

Those who want to have entry – level positions in the nursing sector can opt for the Associate Degree in Nursing Major. At Milwaukee Area Technical College, this program lasts 2 academic years and, besides the day classes, also features weekend and evening classes. Moreover, the students can also go for the bilingual Spanish option.

Moraine Park Technical College

2151 North Main Street

West Bend, WI 53090-1598

1-800-472-4554

There are more than 100 certificates, diplomas and degrees offered by Moraine Park Technical College. One of them is the Associate Degree in Nursing. The cost for this program is approximately $111 for every credit. If they can’t pay their tuition, the students can apply for various financial aids like scholarships, loans and grants.

Nicolet Area Technical College

5364 College Drive
Rhinelander, WI 54501

800-544-3039, 715-365-4410

There are four terms included in the Associate Degree in Nursing Course. Thus, the program lasts 2 academic years. In order to complete the program and take the licensure examination, the students have to acquire at least 70 credit hours and must obtain minimum “C” in each course. Besides the major courses, the students can also choose from various electives like College Success or Medical Terminology.

Northcentral Technical College

1000 W. Campus Drive

Wausau, WI 54401

715.675.3331

The ADN Major is fully available in Wausau Campus at Northcentral Technical College. It has a spring start and a fall start and the total cost of the course is around $12,217. The students are eligible for obtaining financial aid and they can also opt for the online courses which are cheaper. Yet, only the general studies are available online, the other courses must be taken face – to – face.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

2740 West Mason Street,

P.O. Box 19042

Green Bay, WI 54307-9042

920-498-5400

The students following the ADN courses at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College can successfully pass the NCLEX exam because the major is fully accredited by NLNAC. But first, in order to enter the program, the applicants have to complete a DHS course and a CPR course. Also, they must have pre – clinical health records and attend mandatory orientation.

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

1800 Bronson Blvd.

Fennimore, WI 53809

800.362.3322

The Associate Degree in Nursing Major is perfect for those individuals who like the idea of working in wellness centers, hospitals, home health care, physician’s clinics, extended care facilities and nursing homes. At the end of the program, the SWTC students can write their licensure examination and obtain the Registered Nurse diploma.

Waukesha County Technical College

800 Main St.

Pewaukee, WI 53072

262.691.5566

The ADN program enables the individuals to obtain the Associate of Applied Science Degree. For this, the students enrolled at Waukesha County Technical College must obtain 70 credits. Only the residents of the Waukesha District can apply for this program, which is accredited by the “National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission”.

Western Technical College

400 Seventh Street North

La Crosse, WI 54601

800.322.9982, 608.785.9200

An Associate in Applied Science Degree or an ADN diploma at Western Technical College can be obtained after acquiring 70 credit hours. One of the admission requirements for this degree is passing the ACT, ASSET or COMPASS testing. The assessment areas for these tests are Math, Reading and English. The applicants also have to present an immunization record and a criminal background check.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Ashland)

2100 Beaser Ave.

Ashland, WI 54806

715-682-4591

The persons who are looking for a dynamic profession can choose to become a nurse. The ADN classes at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College can help them with this. Upon completing the major, the graduates will be able to promote and provide optimal health for the society, community, family and individual.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (New Richmond)

1019 S. Knowles Ave.

New Richmond, WI 54017

715-246-6561

The admission process for the Associate Degree in Nursing Major at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is extremely competitive. The candidates must meet program – specific requirements and pre – nursing admission requirements. Some of the requirements are a criminal background check, a CPR certificate, a high school diploma, an interview with a counselor and an application fee.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Rice Lake)

1900 College Drive

Rice Lake, WI 54868

715-234-7082

The state licensure examination allows all the ADN students at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake to obtain the registered nurse status. This thing is possible because the Associate Degree in Nursing Program at WITC is accredited by NLNAC and approved by the Board of Nursing in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Shell Lake)

505 Pine Ridge Drive

Shell Lake, WI 54871

715-468-2815

The Shell Lake campus at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offers Associate Degree in Nursing Courses. The individuals who are interested in taking these classes must go through a tough and competitive selection process. The good news is that this program is eligible for financial aid, so the students who cannot afford their tuition can apply for a loan or a scholarship.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Superior)

600 North 21st Street

Superior, WI 54880

715-394-6677

The students need to obtain 70 credit hours in order to complete the Associate Degree in Nursing Program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior. The instruction includes clinical courses, skills / laboratory courses and lecture / theory courses. At the end of the 3^rd and 4^th semesters, the students can opt for various electives like Medical Terminology or Pathophysiology.

BSN in 10 Legislation

BSN-in-10 Legislation Overview
In New York and New Jersey, state legislatures are considering a new bill known as “BSN in10.” If passed, the bill would require a Registered Nurse (RN) who holds either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing to return to school and complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

This bill would only apply to future nurses; nurses who are already practicing and students who are already enrolled in an ADN or diploma nursing program would be exempt. Those who enroll in a nursing program after the bill is passed would be given 10 years after licensure to complete a BSN program. If the BSN-in-Ten bill passes in New York and/or New Jersey, its implementation will be closely observed by other state nursing associations, which may urge their own state legislatures to introduce similar legislation.

Reasons for the BSN in Ten Bill

The BSN-in-10 legislation has wide support from national nursing associations, based on years of research.  Multiple studies have linked better patient results with more educated nurses. One of the many studies, conducted in 2003 by Dr. Linda Aiken and published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” noted a 5 percent decrease in patient death when the number of BSN-prepared nurses in the hospital rose by 10 percent. The findings of this study were confirmed with further research by different scholars in 2005 (published in “Nursing Research”), in 2007 (published in the “Journal of Advanced Nursing”), in 2008 (published in the “Journal of Nursing Administration”), in 2008 (published in “Health Services Research”), and in 2011 (published in the “Journal of Nursing Scholarship”). A higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses has also been linked to better hospital organization. Healthcare administrators and nurse-researchers also believe that BSN-prepared nurses have stronger communication, leadership, and critical-thinking skills. In light of all these studies, the leading nursing associations have voiced their strong support of the BSN-in-10 legislation. Included among these associations are the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Implementation of BSN in 10

If the BSN-in-10 bill passes in New York, New Jersey, or any other state, implementation will require cooperation between colleges, state nursing associations, and employers.

Articulation Agreements

State nursing associations and colleges in the state will need to put together articulation agreements that would allow a seamless transition from ADN programs into RN to BSN (also called ADN to BSN or RN completion) programs. An articulation agreement would ensure that all classes completed as part of an ADN program would transfer to a four-year college, allowing the RN to complete her BSN without repeating any coursework. Some states, including Florida, Connecticut, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Maryland, South Carolina, Idaho, Alabama, and Nevada, already have articulation agreements in place.

RN to BSN Programs

Colleges will need to expand capacity in their RN to BSN programs and new RN to BSN programs will need to be established in order to accommodate the demand. Currently, according to the AACN, there are 650 RN to BSN programs in the United States.

Employers

Hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities will need to cooperate with their employees in order to comply with the BSN-in-10 bill. In particular, they will need to provide their employees with the flexibility they need to return to school. They may also need to provide tuition assistance to offset the significant cost of an RN to BSN program.

Effect of the BSN-in-Ten Requirement on Registered Nurses

The BSN-in-10 bill provides an exception for RNs who are already working in the field or are already enrolled in a program, but these RNs may be affected anyway. Although they will not be forced to return to school, they may find that, with a growing presence of BSN-educated nurses, it is harder for them to advance in their career.  When in competition with BSN graduates, they may have difficulty moving into supervisory positions or getting competitive jobs. As a result, they may have to complete an RN to BSN program anyway, although not required by law. Future Registered Nurses will have to comply with the bill’s 10-year limit on completing a BSN degree. This will require a significant investment of time, but fortunately most colleges try to accommodate working schedules by providing extremely flexible RN to BSN programs. Many RN to BSN programs are offered online; students can complete the coursework at their own pace from home, and may even be able to schedule clinical rotations in a location that is close to home. Other programs are available in a hybrid format, so that the student only has to travel to campus several times a semester. RN to BSN classes are available in the evenings and on the weekends. Students can study on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis. On a full-time basis, an RN should be able to finish an RN to BSN program in as little as a year and a half. On a part-time basis, a student can take as much time as he needs to finish the program. According to the Executive Director of the New York Organization of Nurse Executives, even if an RN only takes one class per semester, he should still be able to meet the BSN-in-10 deadline.

Future of RN Education

Even if the BSN-in-10 legislation does not pass in New York or New Jersey, it seems that the BSN degree will slowly become the new standard for RNs. There are several indicators that the field is moving that way, even if it isn’t mandated by law. For example, in order to earn and keep the “Magnet” title awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, hospitals have to have a certain percentage of BSN-educated nurses. Many hospitals, as a result, strongly prefer to hire RN’s with their BSN, and some hospitals are even requiring their ADN-educated employees to enter RN to BSN programs.  Some countries, including Canada, Sweden, Portugal, Brazil, Iceland, Korea, Greece, and the Philippines, have passed laws requiring nurses to have a four-year degree. Whether the BSN-in-10 legislation passes or not, it seems that it is only a matter of time until the BSN degree is the new standard for RN’s.

ADN Programs in Wyoming

Wyoming is state with sweeping open spaces in the high plains, and breathtaking scenery in the rugged foothills and mountain ranges of the Eastern Rocky Mountains. It is the 10^th largest state in terms of area, but has the smallest population of all the states. If you like the great outdoors, a nursing career in Wyoming may be perfect for you.

What does completing an ADN program in Wyoming accomplish for me?

An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program approved by the State of Wyoming will entitle the person graduating from it to apply for a Wyoming registered nurses license. As part of the licensing process, you will need to demonstrate to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing that you have, in fact, graduated from a certified program. You also will need to fill out an application, and register to take the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam for registered nurses. Once you have passed your licensing examination, and your application has been approved, you will bear the proud title of registered nurse.

What is the NCLEX-RN for Wyoming Graduates of ADN Programs?

As mentioned above, the NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam for registered nurses. The State of Wyoming (and most other states as well) require all nursing program graduates, not just ADN’s to take the exam. The initials stand for the National Council (of State Boards of Nursing) Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

What topics are covered on the NCLEX-RN administered to Wyoming ADN graduates?

The complex computer technology used to develop and administer the NCLEX-RN ensures that the test is never the same for any two nursing candidates, whether a Wyoming ADN graduate or one from another state or from a baccalaureate program. While the test sounds intimidating, studies have shown that with the successful completion of an ADN program and some solid studying, first time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN average around 89%.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Wyoming

Casper College

125 College Drive

Casper, WY 82601

307.268.2110, 1.800.442.2963

It takes 2 years to finish the ADN courses at Casper College. Upon completion, the students will be taking the licensure exam and if they successfully pass this test, they will become registered nurses. The “National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission” and the Board of Nursing in Wyoming accredited and approved this program.

Central Wyoming College

2660 Peck Avenue

Riverton, WY 82501

(800) 735-8418

(307) 855-2000

So as to be admitted in the ADN classes at Central Wyoming College, the students must pass the transcript evaluation and the TEAS exam. They also have to undergo a physical examination, a drug test and a background check. Moreover, for entering the program, the students need to complete the prerequisite courses such as English I and Physiology and Anatomy with labs.

Laramie County Community College

1400 E. College Drive

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007

800.522.2993

Normally, the application processes for Associate Degree in Nursing Majors involve criminal background and drug screening checks. Laramie County Community College makes no difference. In addition, the students must prove Math and English competency and must pass the Kaplan test. Once admitted, the students must get 75 credits to complete the program.

Northern Wyoming Community College District (Gillette)

300 West Sinclair

Gillette, WY 82718

307.686.0254, 888.544.5538

The candidates for the ADN major at Northern Wyoming Community College District must first meet some prerequisite requirements. These prerequisite courses are Math, English, Chemistry, and Biology. The total credit hours for these courses are 11. All the Associate Degree in Nursing courses are accredited by the “National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission”.

Northern Wyoming Community College District (Sheridan)

3059 Coffeen Avenue

Sheridan, WY 82801

307.674.6446

800.913.9139

The number of positions in the Associates Degree in Nursing Program featured by Northern Wyoming Community College District is limited. Thus, the individuals who are interested in this major should apply as soon as possible. In order to enter the program, the applicants must complete a DFS check, a drug screen and a background check. A CPR certification and immunizations are also required.

Northwest College

231 West 6th Street

Powell, Wyoming, 82435

800.560.4692

The Allied Health and Nursing Department at Northwest College in Wyoming provides a comprehensive ADN major. Some of the most important courses featured by this program are communication, human physiology and anatomy, general psychology and nursing. Upon graduation, the individuals can work as nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, case managers and medical office administrators.

Western Wyoming Community College

2500 College Drive

Rock Springs, WY 82901

307-382-1600

Western Wyoming Community College awards an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. For getting the degree and being able to write the licensure exam, the students must pass the prerequisite courses as well as the other major courses. A total number of 72 credits are required for graduation. Besides the nursing classes, the students will also take anatomy, sociology and English classes.

ADN vs BSN Debate

With the number of different ways to get into nursing, there are often many different opinions and debates on which degree path you should choose. We cover the key differences, the pro’s, and the con’s of getting your ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) and BSN (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing) degree.

Difference Between ADN and BSN Degree Programs

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Registered Nurses should grow by approximately 26 percent through the year 2020. This is promising news for those who are considering entering the nursing field. Prospective nurses have two main pathways into this rapidly expanding profession: an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Both of these programs prepare students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), but prospective students should consider the differences between the programs and carefully weigh the pros and cons of each before making a decision.

★ Featured Online Nursing Programs

The following schools have online entry level nursing or healthcare programs and are currently accepting applicants from around the US. Get in contact with them for more information on their programs and admissions standards.
[business_directory category=”associates,rn-bsn” level=”f1″ status=”live” text=”description” display=”url, address” single_link=”no”]

Length of Program

If a student attends school on a full-time basis, he needs four years to complete a BSN degree. Most schools require the nursing student to earn at least 120 credits in order to graduate. Roughly half of these credits are devoted to liberal arts classes and science prerequisites. As an example of a typical BSN program, nursing students at Pittsburg State University need to earn 125 credits. Of these, sixty-six are for the university’s general education requirements and for the nursing department’s prerequisites. These classes take two full years to complete. Nursing students begin nursing classes and clinical rotations in their junior year. This is a typical course progression for BSN programs, although some programs are structured differently.

ADN programs, on the other hand, take 2 to 3 years to complete. While Associates Degree in Nursing students do need to take science prerequisites and some liberal arts classes, they don’t have to earn nearly as many credits in this area as BSN students do. For example, to complete an associate degree from Harry S. Truman College (part of the City Colleges of Chicago), a student must earn sixty-nine credits total. As opposed to the BSN student who must complete more than sixty general education credits, he must earn twenty-eight credits for general education classes and science prerequisites. Instead of the sixty-six nursing credits that a BSN student must complete, the student in the associate degree program needs forty-nine nursing credits. The program at Harry S. Truman College requires one semester of prerequisite classes and four semesters of nursing classes; although each Associate Degree Nursing program is slightly different, this course progression is typical.

Program Prerequisites

While most ADN programs take two years (four semesters) to complete, this typically does not include the time required for prerequisites. Each ADN program has its own prerequisites, but the following are typical: human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, English 101, developmental psychology, college algebra. An Associates Degree Nursing student should plan on spending one to two semesters completing prerequisites, extending the time required to complete the program from two to two-and-a-half or three years. BSN programs usually have prerequisites as well, but these are always included in the four years. Most nursing departments at four-year colleges require prospective nurses to apply to the college, and spend two to four semesters completing prerequisites before applying to the BSN program. Before beginning a BSN program, students generally have to complete a good portion of their required general education courses as well as the following science classes: human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, general chemistry. Many programs also require nutrition, statistics, developmental psychology, general psychology, sociology.

ADN vs. BSN Competencies

Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), as well as approved by the state board of nursing in the state where the program is located. In order to be accredited and approved, the curriculum must meet certain standards.

Any program, whether it is an ADN program or a BSN program, must train students to perform nursing tasks in all the main areas: maternal-child nursing, surgical nursing, adult nursing, mental health nursing. Both ADN and BSN students learn the same nursing skills and, on a technical level, are equally prepared for the NCLEX-RN and entry into the nursing field. However, in additional to technical competence,  BSN programs generally have a strong emphasis on critical thinking skills, decision making and problem solving, leadership, and nursing theory.

For example, Idaho State University lists the following competencies for its BSN graduates: critical thinking, leadership, technological competence, effective communication, population-based health, professional behavior, and clinical practice. By way of comparison, another college in the same state, North Idaho College, lists the following competencies for its ADN graduates: professional and ethical behavior, effective collaboration with others in providing healthcare, apply nursing knowledge, and practice in a safe and caring manner. As this example shows, ADN programs do not have the same emphasis on leadership, nursing theory, and critical thinking.

The American Associate of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) confirms this fact, stating in its media release called “ The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice, ”Baccalaureate nursing programs encompass all of the course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery.”

Cost of Program

Finances, of course, play a large role in choosing between an ADN and a BSN program. ADN programs, which are usually found at community colleges, are significantly cheaper than BSN programs. For example, Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio states that its ADN program costs just over $5000 for in-county residents, and about $14,000 for students who are not from the county or the state. In comparison, completing a four-year BSN degree from the University of Rhode Island costs about $48,000 (not including room and board). Since the University of Rhode Island is a state school, tuition is cheaper than at a private university. Earning a BSN degree from a private, four-year college can cost well over $100,000. For example, St. Mary’s College in Indiana charges about $33,000 each year in tuition, bringing the cost of a BSN degree to $132,000 (not including room and board). Of course, tuition costs can vary from state to state and from school to school, and students can also help reduce costs through scholarships and grants, but in general students can expect to spend significantly more money on a BSN degree than on an ADN degree.

ADN vs. BSN Salary

Both ADN and BSN graduates take the NCLEX-RN and earn the title of RN (Registered Nurse). They can apply for the same entry-level positions at doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Although some hospitals may have different policies, in general ADN and BSN graduates will earn the same amount for an entry-level job as an RN. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average yearly earnings for an RN is close to $65,000.) However, nurses should take several factors into consideration. First of all, in choosing between applicants, employers are likely to prefer a nurse with a BSN. BSN-prepared nurses, then, have a better chance of getting a competitive position. Secondly, most employers look for a BSN-prepared nurse for management positions. Although an ADN graduate may have no trouble finding a position as an RN, she may have trouble advancing from an entry-level position to a supervisor position. As a result of these factors, BSN-prepared nurses may end up earning more over the course of their careers than ADN-prepared nurses.

Graduate Education

A nurse can advance in his chosen profession by completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and earning advanced practice certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), certified registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). A BSN degree, however, is a necessary prerequisite for nearly all MSN and DNP programs. A prospective nurse should take this into consideration before choosing between an ADN or BSN program. If he wants to eventually pursue graduate education in the nursing field, he should seriously consider saving time over the long run by starting with a BSN program.

ADN to BSN Programs

If, at some point in his career, an ADN-prepared RN decides that she wants to complete an MSN or DNP degree, she has the option of completing an ADN to BSN program. After earning her BSN through one of these programs, she would be eligible for admission to any MSN or DNP program. A typical ADN to BSN (also called RN to BSN) program includes additional general education classes, advanced science classes, nursing theory classes, leadership classes. Many colleges try to accommodate working nurses by offering ADN to BSN classes online. Students complete the coursework at home, at their own pace. Clinicals can be arranged in a location that is convenient for them. Other colleges offer evening or weekend classes, many of which are in a hybrid (partly online, partly on site) format. Nurses in an ADN to BSN program generally have the option of studying either full-time or part-time. As a result of all these choices, an RN who wants to earn her BSN should have no difficulty in finding a program that can accommodate her unique situation and working schedule. As a further consideration, many hospitals and physicians’ offices will pay for their employees to complete an ADN to BSN degree.

View RN to BSN Programs >>

Future of Nursing Education: Research/Studies

Nurse-researchers and leading nursing organizations are calling for higher levels of education among nurses. To name just a few studies/recommendations, the Institute of Medicine in 2010 issued a report entitled “The Future of Nursing,” which called for an increase of 80 percent in BSN-prepared nurses by 2020. Also in 2010, the Tri-Council for Nursing (composed of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Executives, and the National League for Nursing) published a statement entitled “Education Advancement of Registered Nurses,” which called for RNs to earn their BSN degrees. As the AACN says, “BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.”

Legislation: BSN-in-10

As a result of these studies, as well as many others, there has been a call for legislation requiring newly licensed Registered Nurses to earn their Bachelors of Science in Nursing degrees within ten years of graduation. Proposals for this BSN-in-10 legislation have been introduced in New York and New Jersey, and other state nursing associations are considering the proposal as well.

View RN to BSN Programs >>

BSN as the New Standard for Registered Nurses

Considering these studies and legislation, it seems that the nursing field is moving gradually toward naming the BSN degree as the new standard for RNs. While currently practicing Registered Nurses (RNs) who do not have their BSN degree will not be required to return to school, future RNs may be required to complete an ADN to BSN program. As a further consideration, if a BSN degree does become the new standard in the nursing field, ADN-prepared nurses may find that they are not as respected in their chosen profession as their colleagues who have a BSN degree. This may impede their career advancement. In light of the trend toward higher education for RNs, if they have the time and money, prospective RNs should seriously consider just getting their BSN initially.

ADN versus BSN: Conclusion

Ultimately, when choosing between an ADN and a BSN program, every student needs to consider his own unique circumstances. A student who enjoys lots of patient interaction and is happy to be an RN for his entire career may not need to invest the time and money required to complete a BSN degree. In her circumstances, an ADN degree may be all he needs to begin a fulfilling, challenging career (unless, of course, future legislation eventually requires him to earn a full BSN degree). On the other hand, a student who sees himself overseeing other nurses, being a primary caregiver, or educating future nurses will need a BSN degree in order to achieve his goals. She or he should invest the time and money in a BSN degree. In their case, the BSN degree is truly an investment, since he can count on higher earnings as an advanced practice nurse later in his career.

★ Featured Online Nursing Programs

The following schools have online entry level nursing or healthcare programs and are currently accepting applicants from around the US. Get in contact with them for more information on their programs and admissions standards.
[business_directory category=”associates,rn-bsn” level=”f1″ status=”live” text=”description” display=”url, address” single_link=”no”]

[business_directory category=”associates” level=”f2,f3,f4″ status=”live” text=”description” display=”url, address” single_link=”no”]

View BSN Programs >>
View ADN Programs >>

Doctorate in Nursing Education

Doctorate Degrees in Nursing Education
Nursing faculty academic staff shortages are being attributed with the ever reducing number of nurses ready to enter and practice nursing.

Reduction of nursing school faculty members directly leads to the reduction in the number of students admitted in nursing programs. Schools have to follow the set guidelines of faculty to student ratios to ensure quality delivery of education and personalized nurse training.

So if you are thinking of becoming a faculty nurse educator at the doctorate level, go fast. Thousands of nursing schools will be looking for you in a bid to fill the large gaps in their nursing faculties. It is not a vague promise; you might not even look for long without landing a lucrative job as a nurse educator. But to reach the highest management levels and salaries in a nurse educator career, having a Doctorate in Nursing Education will open many doors.

PhD in Nursing Education Vs DNP in Nursing Education

Terminal nursing degrees are available in two options: the practice based-Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the research-oriented PhD option. As such, individuals wishing to become nurse educators at the doctorate level also have the choice of choosing between the two options. A review of each of the options is given below:

DNP in Nursing Education

College faculty nurses rarely interact directly with patients in providing patient care. This means it is also quite a task to find a nurse educator program that focuses on practice rather than research. Since the DNP is highly oriented in evidence-based practice; which faculty nurses won’t handle, it is not the most preferred option.  Only a few universities in the US offer the nursing education as a specialty of their DNPs. They include;

i)        University of South Alabama

For this, the DNP in Nursing Education is a Subspecialty of the DNP and is offered simultaneously with Advanced Practice Nursing subspecialty

ii)      Samford University- Alabama

Just like the former program, this program is also not offered on its own but rather, as a subspecialty along another Advanced Practice track.

PhD in Nursing Education

The scholastic PhD is a much more common nursing education doctorate degree option when compared to the DNP. The reason could be that nurse educators will more likely be interested in research, academics and pedagogical outlook- that perfectly fit the faculty nurse roles rather than practicing.  Even as such, some universities only offer students an opportunity to take additional courses in nursing education alongside other areas of research as in the DNP.  Given the reduced percent of practical courses, most universities offering this option also have the students to choose between online and on-campus study plans with online plans being more prevalent. This is as opposed to having a dedicated track like what is usually observed in Master of Science-nurse educator programs.

Given the reduced percent of practical courses in these programs, most universities offering this option enables students choose between online and on-campus study plans with online plans being more prevalent

i)        University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV)

At UNLV, the PhD in nursing education is one of the two PhD track options along with the “Urban Sustainability” track. It is an online PhD in nursing program hence all coursework is delivered via web-enhanced formats. Every fall semester though, student visit campus for a 3-day intensive session.  Students can also choose between the full and part time modes of curriculum coverage.

ii)      Nova Southern Eastern University (Nova)

The PhD in Nursing Education online Program at Nova is open to master-prepared registered nurses.  It is a 60 semester credits programs whereby, all courses are offered 100% online and is therefore suitable for working nurses. However, students must visit campus for an annual residency period of 1 week.

iii)    University of North Dakota (UND)

The PhD in nursing with a specialization in faculty nursing is offered under the UND Online and Distance Education programs. This means it is also offered online: live web classes and recorded lectures with only 1 or 2 campus-based intensive sessions required per annum. The program starts every fall semester and welcomes both post-master and post-bachelor nurses. Students with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree but with a master degree in another area may also be admitted through an advanced placement plan.

iv)   Capella University

At Capella University, the PhD in nursing education specialization is open to master-prepared nurses only. This 120 quarter credits program is delivered in an online mode in addition to attending three 4-day residency programs during the course of the period.

v)     University of Northern Colorado (UNCO)

A PhD in Nursing education (online program) is offered at UNCO. The 60 credit hours can be taken completely online with the exception of few residency programs: an orientation session at the start and other sessions for oral exams, proposal hearing and dissertation defense. Students must also attend a mandatory Annual Nurse Educator Conference in the University grounds. The program is designed to take 4 years to complete.

vi)   Case Western Reserve University

Case offers a PhD in nursing that focuses in nursing research but still offers students an option to choose additional PhD Education courses. Such additional courses include curriculum and instruction, teaching practicum and theoretical foundations of teaching and evaluation. What’s more, students receive paid teaching assistantships opportunities while still at school. The program offers students four entry options to choose from:

• Traditional Option
• Summer Program
• Accelerated Option
• Fast Track Option

General Study Plans for Doctorate Nurse Educator Programs

Doctorate nurse educator programs have a similar progression and most take 4 years to complete.  Generally the 1^st and 2^nd years are dedicated to core courses while the 3^rd and 4^th year may be exclusively for nurse faculty roles including teaching practice. There may be variations in time depending on the entry option, past education level and the mode of learning ie part time or full time

There is also a common observation of program being offered online rather than on campus-based formats. However, even with the online options, students still need to visit their universities for mandatory residency programs. This may therefore not work well if you are living in a state very distant from where the residency sessions happen. Students therefore need to evaluate the economic and time implications of this factor.

Mental Health Nursing Degrees

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Degree Programs (PMHNP)
Psychiatric (Mental) health nursing is a field of nursing that trains registered nurses to become competent care givers for mentally ill patients and their families.

Registered nurses working as mental health nurses become experts in caring for the rather uncontrollable mental patients. This health condition also causes distress and denial to immediate families and communities of the affected patients. In this case, PMH nurses also provide counseling and support to the affected families.

How to become a Psychiatric/Mental Nurse

In terms of education, psychiatric health nurses can follow a number of education pathways. For many PMH nurses, the starting point is a generalist basis in a mental health facility. If you want to become a specialist, the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) graduate degrees in the field of mental health are your choices.  At the APRN graduate level, you further have the choice to become:

• Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner
• Psychiatric/mental health clinical nurse specialist

Below are common education pathways in becoming a psychiatric nurse:

Associate and Bachelor of Science in nursing programs

These programs are designed to prepare registered nurses on a generalist basis. The associate degree program takes two years to complete while the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) takes four years. The 2-year program is offered in community colleges while the BSN can be completed in a university or four-year college. Graduating from any of these two enable you to become academically eligible to write the NCLEX-RN exam.

Upon graduation, you can work in a mental health special ward, facility, home or an exclusive mental health hospital. Since nurses at this level are not experts in the field, they perform their PMH nursing duties on a generalist basis, usually under the supervision of an advanced practice PMH nurse or physician.  Such nurses cannot give medication or devise complex treatment plans for patients and are restricted to basic patient care.

It should not feel intimidating working a RN since, nurses who later become APRN in mental health nursing more often than not develop their foundation and interest from this on-the-job experience. It is therefore the best and quickest way to get into the psychiatric health nursing profession.

Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Graduate Nursing Programs

At graduate level, precisely with the Master of Science is where you become an expert in the field and even acquire the autonomy to practice independently. Graduate PMH nurses usually acquire prescriptive authority and become supervisors, policy and decision makers in matters pertinent to the profession. They receive extensive education in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, consultation/liaison and psychopharmacology.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

This Master of Science degree track prepares highly competent nurses who are knowledgably in all areas of mental health. It accepts two types of candidates; traditional post BSN and direct entry students with a baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields.  Some colleges also have PMHNP bridging programs to enable associate degree registered nurses to enroll for this graduate option. Mental health bridging programs can be taken by students that do not feel necessarily compelled to taking the BSN degree prior to the psychiatry specialty.

The traditional mental health nurse practitioners programs usually take 2 years to complete on a full time basis. Variations are observed in online mental health MSN programs and part time study formats. On the other hand, the bridging and direct entry program can take a relatively longer time, usually 3 years on a full time basis.

• Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is also a Master of Science degree option that interested students can take. Clinical nurse specialist degrees are geared more towards consultative and policy making focus than real practice as compared to the nurse practitioner option. Nurse specialist mental nursing degrees take the almost the same study plans as the PMHNP with the slight changes in specialty courses.

The outcome of CNS psychiatric degrees programs are psychiatric nurse consultants, researchers on mental disorders like dementia, bipolar syndromes, schizophrenia, psychosis among others.  Graduates also become implementers of mental health polices, ethical decision makers, family counselors among other administrative roles touching on mental health nursing.

• Post-MSN Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

Graduate certificates in mental health nursing are offered to MSN students wishing to become certified in this specialty. Candidates for this program can be registered nurse certified in other MSN areas or MSN generalists.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Mental Health

Though not very common, the DNP mental health degree is also available as a terminal nursing degree.  In most cases, this program is found in the form of a post BSN-DNP program. It enables students become expert psychiatric nurses without necessarily having to follow the MSN to DNP pathway.

Nursing Degrees in Texas

Since the state of Texas (TX) has long since been one of the largest states in the union, it stands to reason that it would need a larger number of nurses to care for the population. Nursing schools offering degree programs in Texas have built their qualifications around serving patients and their families with only the best care. Several nursing degrees are available, which allows nurses to find a career that suits them best while patients receive high quality healthcare. The level of nursing degree depends on how long the courses take. Some degrees require previous degrees or certification before they can be pursued.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN/ASN) Programs

Some nursing programs will allow you to get an associate’s degree in nursing to help you start your career. These programs are often offered by community colleges or vocational schools. With the basic associate’s degree, you can decide whether to remain at your current nursing level or further your education to get a higher degree.

A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is referred to as a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, in some other states. This entry-level degree requires a year or less of education and training. The degree program involves both classroom lessons and supervised clinical practice. After graduating from the program, students must pass a certification exam. Once certified, an LVN provides patient care while under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. LVNs make up a large portion of the nurses in Texas, and they are essential to the healthcare industry. While it is a very basic degree, a Texas nursing degree as an LVN opens the door for furthering education down the road.

A registered nurse (RN) is required to have an Associate’s Degree, which usually takes two years. An RN has a bit more to choose from in terms of job opportunities and diversity of workplaces. Standard job descriptions include managing LVNs, creating care plans for patients and providing emotional support for patients. Some RNs, however, do more work behind the scenes rather than interacting with patients. While an RN degree opens more doors than an LVN degree, RNs can still extend their education and career opportunities by completing a higher level degree program. The Associate Degree of Nursing program at NorthCentralTexasCollege provides students with the two-year education required to learn the necessary information to pass the National Council Licensure Examination.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate nursing degrees allow students to broaden their career horizons. The extended education offers nurses the opportunity to become specialists in their field. Many universities in Texas, including University of Texas, Texas Women’s University and Texas A&M have certified nursing programs that produce some of the best nurses in the state.

A nurse practitioner, or NP, is an RN that has received either a master’s (Masters of Science in Nursing -MSN) or a doctoral degree (PhD or Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP) in an area of specialization, such as pediatrics or women’s health. If the RN has only received her associate’s degree, she must get a bachelor’s degree either before or during her graduate work. NPs must also pass a national board certification exam in their area of specialty in order to become licensed in addition to the state board test. An NP has the ability to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication when cases are not severe. Doctors frequently have an NP on staff to help manage some of the less serious illnesses during busy hours.

A clinical nurse specialist (CNP) is another popular graduate degree that helps improve the quality of healthcare services. A CNP focuses on improving the facility, nursing practices and patient care. A CNP also helps build better relationships between members of the nursing staff as well as between the nurses and the patients. This specialty requires training with a holistic approach, and the University of Texas is known for its high quality of education in this area.

Transition Programs

Several nursing degrees in Texas require a graduate degree, but that doesn’t mean that an LVN or RN must spend several years in school. Transitional degrees are available to help those with minimal certification further their education. Programs help LVNs transition to the roles of RNs, and RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs bridge the next gap and allow nurses to choose a specialization. RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs help RNs to move even farther up the education ladder.

With all of the Texas nursing degrees that are available, it is no wonder that Texas is one of the leaders of the country’s healthcare system. The options seem limitless, and nurses almost always have a chance to further their careers in Texas.

Nursing Degrees in Georgia

Education Requirements for Nursing Degrees in Georgia
The process for obtaining nursing degrees in Georgia is very similar to the process in other states. Nurses in Georgia (GA) state receive their licenses through the Georgia Board of Nursing. This is the entity that oversees the application process and makes sure that all nurses in Georgia have access to the information they need so they can provide the best patient care possible. The steps toward becoming a nurse in Georgia are not many; however, it is still a challenging undertaking.

The first step is to get your degree in nursing from one of the many accredited nursing schools in Georgia. The school you choose has to be approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Types of Nursing Degrees in Georgia

There are many technical schools, colleges and universities that provide courses that fulfill the requirements for nursing. Before you commit to an institution, however, remember to be sure that the one you select is certified by the Georgia Board of Nursing and has achieved accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting.

Associate Nursing Degrees (ADN) in Georgia

These programs are typically offered at Georgia technical colleges, but it can also be achieved at two-year colleges such as Georgia Perimeter College. This particular college mandates 35 general education hours in addition to 36 hours of nursing courses. Some of the other institutions in Georgia that offer associate nursing degrees are Augusta State University, Middle Georgia College and Athens Technical College.

Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) Degrees in Georgia

A number of schools in Georgia offer Bachelor of Science Degrees in Nursing, which is similar to other kinds of Bachelor Degrees. Students must complete two years of general education classes, which will include nursing course prerequisites. After they complete the general education courses, they must focus their remaining two years on nursing. One of the institutions in Georgia that offers Bachelor of Science Nursing Degrees is Georgia South Western State University. Students with Bachelor Degrees typically land better jobs than do students with Associate Nursing Degrees.

Masters in Nursing Degrees (MSN) in Georgia

Nurses who already hold a Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree can choose to further their education by obtaining a Master Nursing Degree. Master Degrees come in several different varieties. Students can choose from the Nurse Practitioner Program, the Nursing Education Leadership Program or the Health Policy Track at the School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University.

Doctorate Nursing Degrees in Georgia

A Doctorate in Nursing (DNP or PhD) is the highest degree available in the field of nursing. In addition to Kennesaw State, Emory University offers a Doctoral Nursing Degree program. The National Research Council rated Emory University programs as among the nation’s best in 2010.

What to do After You Get Your Degree

After you are awarded your degree in nursing from a Georgia nursing school, you must take the National Council Licensure Examination or the NCLEX for either registered nurses or for practical nurses, depending on which degree you received. You must also remember to register with the testing center and use your Georgia nursing school code when you apply.

Then, you need to fill out the license application and submit it to the Secretary of State. You can download the application online from the Secretary of State’s website. Next, you must have your background checked and your fingerprints taken. The state of Georgia uses Cogent Systems to perform professional background checks and you must get your fingerprints taken in person from one of the approved sites that are also listed on the Secretary of State’s website.

Finally, you must turn your application in to the Georgia Board of Nursing. You will be required to pay a fee to finalize your application. Once you receive your license, you will be able to apply for jobs with any company looking for a registered nurse or a practical nurse, again depending on which degree you received.

Begin Your Journey Now

Now that you know which nursing program matches your current level of education, you can take steps toward achieving your goal of becoming a nurse. Contact one of the above-mentioned schools and get started right away.

Nursing Degrees in Arizona

Nurses are in high demand all over the world and Arizona (AZ) is no different.  Currently, there is a nursing shortage which makes it even more important to get your nursing degree if this is your occupational goal.

Where do I go to get a Nursing Degree in Arizona?

There are plenty of nursing schools and online universities available for those who wish to get nursing degrees in Arizona.

• Grand Canyon University: This University offers night classes, online classes, hands-on training and much more.  Financial aid is available for those qualified.
• University of Phoenix:  Although many associate this university with online degrees, it is an excellent college for nursing programs.  They have state of the art hands-on training equipment and personnel, flexible hours to meet most everyone’s needs and a nursing program geared towards helping you achieve your degree in no time with quality training and personalized training and guidance.
• University of Arizona college of Nursing: Located in Tuscon, they are ranked among the top 6% of graduate nursing schools in the United States. If you have a high school diploma, you can apply for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pathway so as to earn a BSN Degree course. If you have a bachelors degree or something higher but not in any nursing field, then consider their Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Pathway so as to be awarded a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN). For their doctoral programs, they offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in nursing science. And the Dual DNP/PhD.

These are just a few choices available to receive your nursing degree in Arizona (AZ).  There are plenty of opportunities and financial assistance to those serious about becoming a nurse.

Where do I begin to earn a nursing degree in Arizona?

Do you believe you have what it takes to be a nurse? Have you always wanted to help others?  Do you know what specialty you would like to have?  The reality of becoming an RN requires much thought.  Ask yourself a lot of questions to uncover the real drive you have to become a nurse.  A nursing career has many upsides and also downsides, consider both before you make a final decision.

Pro’s

• Above average salary
• Overtime opportunities
• Giving compassion and aid to those in need
• Job flexibility in regards to relocation
• Plenty of room for advancement
• Short schooling programs
• Variety of jobs within the nursing industry

Cons

• Cost of education
• Sometimes long hours
• Being exposed to sick and injured people regularly
• Short staffed facilities means more work for those employed
• Not being able to heal or help some people

What Program is Best for Me?

First you will need to consider which degree in nursing you are most interested in.  A two year LPN degree will most quickly get you a degree and start you working, but it may inhibit your future advancement.  What are your goals for the future as a nurse?  Don’t take shortcuts when earning your degree.  There is a wide variety of nursing programs that offer several options for schooling, that will fit into the times and places and degrees that will suit you best.  Start with your list of needs regarding the length of schooling you hope for, the amount of money you hope to spend, the location of classes.  Then you will be armed with the information you need to start searching for the best program to obtain a nursing degree in Arizona.

Can I receive financial aid to gain my nursing degree in Arizona?

Yes. Financial aid is available in every nursing program.  The American Association of College of Nurses has resources to help students apply for and receive financial aid.  Both for current registered nurses, looking to advance their degrees and for new students acquiring their first degree.  Financial aid and scholarship are available to students of all income levels.  The school you choose will also have many financial aid options to assist you on your journey to become an RN. The demand to increase nursing college enrollment has caused many organizations to offer assistance to those wanting to enter a specialized program that will benefit from an increase in RN’s.

What is a Nursing Shortage?

As baby boomers are aging the current nursing shortage has intensified.  The need for healthcare has increased and nursing programs are struggling to fill the demand to supply nursing degrees in Arizona to equal the amount of need for qualified nursing positions available.  The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is working overtime to create awareness of the shortage and find solutions to the growing problem.  Nurses are the largest portion of the healthcare workforce, recruiting and benefits are at an all-time high, and are projected to become even more in demand.

Right now is a great time to check into the nursing programs available in Arizona; not only is there a great need for nurses to fill hospitals, doctors’ offices and clinics, but it is also a great time to get your degree and get your career going in a rewarding field that pays not just in financial gain, but in emotional gain as well.

Nursing Degrees in PA

Living in Pennsylvania provides aspiring nurses with many different options in terms of where to go to school and what program to follow to obtain nursing degrees in PA. There are certificate programs, degree programs and graduate programs available in nursing from numerous universities and colleges. In addition, if you are already a nurse, Pennsylvania schools offer many continuing education classes that are required by all states to keep your license current.

General Nursing Degree Programs

There are four basic nursing degree programs that can be obtained by students. The first is a 2-year nursing degree, which is also called an associates’ degree. Next is a four-year degree, which is also a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) requires that the student already have a Bachelor’s degree and the Doctorate degree in nursing (DNP/PhD) requires that the student have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. To receive a Doctorate, approximately eight years of schooling are required.

Nursing Degrees in PA

As previously mentioned, there are many schools in Pennsylvania that have excellent nursing programs. Here is a short list of the top degree programs in the state.

University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing

A couple of years ago, the US News & World Report ranked the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing as the 7^th best in the United States. It offers a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing and a doctorate in nursing. Also available are a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia and a doctorate degree in nursing practice in anesthesia.

Villanova University College of Nursing

Located west of Philadelphia, Villanova University’s College of Nursing is just one of three programs in the United States that has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Established in 1953, the College of Nursing offers programs for bachelor degrees, master degrees and doctoral degrees.

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

This university provides top-notch simulation labs and classrooms that are equipped with the most advanced hospital-based electronic medical records system. Students perform their clinical labs at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Students can achieve bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the school also offers accelerated programs for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. There is also a joint program where students can work toward their bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time.

Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professionals

This college is an offshoot of the Hahnemann Hospital Training School for Nurses that was founded in 1890. It provides courses and programs for Bachelor of Science nursing degrees in PA as well as accelerated career and co-op programs for students who already have bachelor’s degrees in other fields. Master’s and doctorate degrees are also available, as are nurse anesthesia and nurse practitioner programs.

Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing

Thomas Jefferson University, located in Philadelphia, offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing, as well as post-graduate programs in nursing, including masters and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1891, the school of nursing offers post-master’s certificates in many different fields such as nursing informatics, women’s health, advanced acute care and neonatal care. These certificates require a master’s degree but are not part of any coursework toward the attainment of a doctorate degree.

Which will you choose?

As you can see, you have many choices when it comes to nursing degrees in PA. Nearly every major school in the area offers at least bachelor’s programs; however, most of them also offer masters and doctorate programs. No matter where you are along the nursing education continuum, there is certainly a program that is right for you. The best way to get started is to request information from the schools that interest you and compare the features of each school to determine which one meets your needs the best. From that point, all you need to do is fill out an application, send it in, and await your acceptance. You can fulfill your dream of becoming a nurse in Pennsylvania. Nursing degrees in PA are out there waiting for you. Take your first step today.

Neonatal Nursing Degree

A neonatal nursing degree is a subspecialty within nursing education that deals with infants who are born with any of a variety of problems.  Neonatal nurses find themselves caring for and treating newborn infants with problems such as prematurity, infections, cardiac malformations, birth defects, and other problems that require intensive care or even surgery.  Although some birth problems require long term attention from a neonatal nursing staff, most neonatal nurses only treat newborn babies from the time they are born until the time they are released from the hospital.

Neonatal Nursing School

To become a neonatal nurse, you must become a registered nurse first.  Doing this requires a degree in nursing.  Nursing degrees are available at different levels of education. You can earn an associate’s degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  The preferred avenue for someone who desires to become a neonatal nurse is to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as that nursing degree offers more flexibility and prepares the nursing student more thoroughly for a neonatal nursing career.

Neonatal Nursing As A Specialty

Although it is not necessarily required, your job prospects as a neonatal nurse will be dramatically improve with a course of study that specializes in neonatal nursing.  Universities such as Baylor University in Texas and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee offer master’s nursing degree programs specializing in neonatal care.  Baylor University’s Neonatal Nursing track is for experienced nurses who want to advance their careers and become Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP).  It is a 37 credit hour curriculum that focuses on nursing care for infants from birth through two years old.  The Medical University of South Carolina offers a similar program that requires prospective neonatal nursing students to have at least one year of nursing experience in a neonatal intensive care unit.

What You Can Expect From Your Neonatal Nursing Degree

As a specialized field of nursing, job and earnings prospects for students receiving a neonatal nursing degree are better than for registered nurses in general.  Where registered nurses can expect to earn an average of $60,000 a year, neonatal nursing program graduates can expect an average wage of $80,000 a year.

Different Levels of Neonatal Nursing Care

Neonatal nursing degrees prepare students for all levels of neonatal nursing care.  The first level of care is for newborn infants who are healthy.  There is not much demand for nurses in this field.  The second level of care is for sick or premature infants.  There is a much greater demand for neonatal nurses at this level because these babies need around the clock care and attention.  The third level of care occurs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  This is for infants who are seriously ill or extremely premature.  Nurses at this level not only care for infants who are on ventilators and feeding tubes, but also educate the parents of these sick newborns as to how to care for their infant when they are discharged from the hospital.

The Cost Of A Neonatal Nursing Degree

Neonatal nursing degree costs range from $200 to $1000 per credit hour.  The curriculum is usually a 40 credit hour curriculum.  In-state tuition is always less expensive, so you can save a substantial sum of money by establishing residency in the state where you want to receive your neonatal nursing education.  Some courses of study are as long as 60 credit hours.  Other costs associated with a degree in neonatal nursing are the costs of certification exams which range from $250 to $300, as well as uniforms, books, and supplies.

Financial Aid For Nursing Students

Students who are seeking a neonatal nursing degree have a variety of resources available for financial aid.  The government has acknowledged a shortage of nurses, and therefore has instated a number of programs designed to help students afford a nursing degree.  Among these programs is one from the US Department of Health And Human Services that pays for tuition, costs, fees and even provides a monthly stipend to nursing students in return for a commitment to working in a facility that has a critical shortage of nurses.  The Department of Education also has work study programs in place for students who can demonstrate a financial need. Professional nursing organizations also have lists of sources of financial aid for nursing students.  In particular, The National Association of Neonatal Nurses has a number of resources available to guide prospective neonatal nursing students. 

Levels of Nursing Degrees

When someone considers going into the nursing field, all they usually consider is helping patients, but there is much more that goes into nursing than just helping patients. Because of this, you need to understand the levels of nursing degrees that you can choose from. The level of nursing you choose will decide the length of school required, your level of responsibility as well as your demand and salary. In most cases, your degree will decide where you are able to work.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A CNA is also considered a nurse’s aide. Becoming a CNA usually only takes a few weeks and can assist you in getting a minimum entry-level position in the nursing industry. As a CNA, you help the registered nurses with their daily tasks, such as basic hygiene of the patients. CNAs are mainly responsible for grooming, bathing, feeding and changing the patient’s clothes. It is important to know that this level of nursing is quickly being replaced by licensed practical nurses, but if you can find a facility that hires this level of nursing, you will be able to gain great experience working one-on-one with nurses and patients.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

This level of nursing does not require a degree but rather a diploma that a nursing student can earn in a year. An LPN works directly under a registered nurse and assists them in their day-to-day duties. A LPN will help gather information for medical records, dress wounds, collect urine samples, prepare equipment for the registered nurses and, most often, handle the bedside care of patients.

Registered Nurse (RN)

An RN has earned their associate’s degree from a 2-year community college and passed all licensing requirements from their state. The associate’s degree will help nurses enter into entry-level positions. RNs are very important in the chain of care, as they are responsible for administering medications, taking and monitoring vital signs as well as supervising any LPNs that may be on staff. While RNs are the most popular level of nursing in the medical field, most hospitals have begun to hire RNs that have obtained their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The bachelor’s degree tends to be the nursing degree level that most nurses stop their education at, but there are many more options to continue their schooling.

Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

A CNL is a new level of nursing. It is the first new nursing role to be introduced to the industry in over 35 years. The CNL is a RN with their master’s degree in the science of nursing. They are responsible for overseeing all nurses in the facility as well as monitoring patients care and coordinating communication between all of the nurses.

If a nurse chooses to continue their education, they have the option of earning their Master’s Degree or their Doctorate. These levels of nursing degrees are for nurses who have a desire to specialize in individualized care of patients and can lead to positions in administration and upper management as well as an increase in salary.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

A NP has gone through all of the levels of nursing and is equipped with their masters or doctoral degrees. NPs are RNs who have received extensive training and additional education in a specific area. They are nationally certified and can work in family health, pediatrics, neonatal, adult health, oncology, emergency and so forth. NPs are able to diagnose, treat, evaluate and manage the illnesses and diseases of patients along with prescribing medication.

Most nurses that choose to climb the nursing ladder and obtain the highest level of nursing degree available are to start with their associate degree and continue to attend school while they are working as a nurse. There are many schools that offer LPN to RN, RN to BSN and BSN to MSN programs to help nurses achieve their goals. No matter what levels of nursing degrees you earn, you will be able to have a rewarding career in the field of medicine.

How Much Does A Nursing Degree Cost?

The answer to how much does a nursing degree cost depends on your nursing career path.  There are different levels of education in the field of nursing, making it unique among professions.  The more in depth of an education you choose, the more it is going to cost.  If you are unsure about your nursing career, you can take a six to twelve week course at a junior college and become a Certified Nursing Assistant for as little as $200.

There are one year vocational programs that can qualify you as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  Or, you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and get a job as a Registered Nurse.  If you want to pursue your education even further for more lucrative job prospects, then you can get a post graduate degree as an Advanced Practical Registered Nurse.  The cost of education and earning potential both increase significantly with the higher levels of nurse training.

Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant requires a six to twelve week course of study.  The range of costs for Certified Nursing Assistant school is from $200 at some local community colleges to as high as $1200 at a nursing assistant school.  A high school diploma or its equivalent is a prerequisite.  Some hospitals offer this training for free.  If your local hospital does not offer free Certified Nursing Assistant Training, then you will find this nursing training available at high schools, vocational centers, and community college.  CNA’s work under the direct supervision of a hospital’s nursing staff and perform basic tasks such as taking temperatures, monitoring blood pressures, and helping the patients with grooming, bathing, and feeding.

Licensed Practical Nurse Training

If you are concerned with the question of how much does a nursing degree cost, but being a CNA is not enough for you, then you can find a nursing school that provides licensed practical nurse training. Tuition for a nine to twelve month LPN course averages $10,000, but can be significantly different regionally.  They are offered by vocational schools and community colleges.  LPN’s are licensed by the state in which they work.  You can contact your state’s board of nursing to find approved LPN programs in your area.  Once you have gained experienced as an LPN, you can go back to school for further education or enter into a LPN-to-RN training program.

Becoming A Registered Nurse

Most Registered Nurses enter the nursing profession with either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  After receiving your nursing degree, you will need to pass a national licensing exam to get your nursing license.  The average in-state tuition for an associate’s degree in nursing is $4600.  Out of state tuition can run from $10,000 to $30,000.  In-state tuition for a bachelor’s degree in nursing runs from $20,000 to $30,000.  Out of state tuition can range from $35,000 to $99,000.  The next step above RN is the APRN, or Advanced Practical Registered Nurse.  Becoming an APRN requires a master’s degree.

Additional Nursing School Costs

There are other costs associated with nursing school.  Books and supplies for a Certified Nursing Assistant can cost $100, but you can cut that cost in half by buying lightly used books.  Books for Registered Nurse might cost from $1000 to $3000 a year.  Nursing uniform costs run about $50.  Nursing exams also have associated fees.  Nursing assistant exam fees range from $50 to $300.  The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses is required and costs just under $200.

Financial Aid

The nursing field is growing, so there are a number of financial aid opportunities available to those who might be overwhelmed by the question of how much does a nursing degree cost.  The US Department of Health And Human Services recognizes that there is a critical shortage of nurses, so they have developed a Nursing Scholarship Program.  The scholarship program pays for tuition, fees, books, supplies, uniforms, and provides a monthly stipend of about $1300.  In return, the nursing student agrees to work for two years in a health care facility that has a critical nursing shortage.  Eligibility requirements and an on line application are available on the US Department of Health And Human Services website.  The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and The National Student Nurses Association also have lists of sourced of financial aid.  The US Department of Education also has work study programs in place for prospective nursing students who can establish a financial need. 

Benefits of a Doctorate Degree in Nursing

Doctoral Degrees in Nursing are relatively new degrees and is us usually a DNP or PhD in Nursing. The PhD in Nursing, like the  DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), is a “terminal” degree (meaning this is as far academically as one can go).

The possessor of the nursing doctorate degree must not only have extensive practical clinical experience, but a business and management paradigm that allows them to prepare nurses for nursing as well as for administrative positions.  In addition, the job allows a creative outlet for the DNP/PHD holder to create innovations in methodology, research, medical education and nursing techniques.

Why the Doctorate in Nursing was Created

Any nursing school student heading for an Registered Nursing certificate knows that the biggest difficulty she will encounter is the clinical experience requirement.  1,000 hours is the bare minimum; in order for that nurse to be competitive in the job market, she must attain to 4,000 hours and more.  While that is a small amount in terms of a relative length of a career, it is a tremendous number of supervised hours to fill, and staff members that can act in a supervisory capacity are limited (a doctor, for example, has patients to tend in preference to novices to instruct).

Hence, the creation of Doctoral Nursing Degrees. Qualified graduates can prepare Registered Nurses to reach advanced practice roles such as NP (nurse practitioner), CNM (nurse-midwife) and CNS (nurse specialist).

The duties of a Doctor of Nursing are multiform, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which lists some of them:

– She develops the advanced competencies a nurse may need for clinical work of an increasingly complex nature (including possible administrative duties)

– She improves patient outcomes by innovating new nursing methods based on research and practical experience

– She enhances health care delivery by sharpening the expertise of the staff she is training

– She enjoys parity with other health professionals, and frequently shares out expertise and new developments

– Her availability allows for an increased flow of individual student nurses and trainees in clinical instruction and experience.

The Program for Doctorate in Nursing

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has targeted 2015 as the year all entry-level NP (nurse practitioner) programs move from the traditional MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree to the Doctorate of Nursing Practice or Nursing PhD.  These doctoral degrees are obviously on the way up the medical ladder, and both an RN certification and Masters in Nursing Degree are required prerequisites before you can begin a nursing doctoral program.

These Doctorate training programs can be done in an institution, in a medical facility or online, and take approximately 5 years to complete.  Some of the typical coursework might include (from online programs for the PhD in Nursing Doctorate):

– Ethics:  problem solving in health care, with an emphasis on the hierarchy of the medical facility, the decision making process, and the varied philosophies of ethics found in clinical, professional and organizational settings.

– Nursing Education: trains the novice doctor in methodologies for the development of RNs, and for assisting their education as they specialize.

– Adult Health Nursing: adult care as applied to new theories, evidentiary treatment procedures and health care trends for this particular population

– Health Care Informatics: health care technology and management, addressing the organizational issues and social paradigms that arise from major health care alterations.

Job Outlook and Salary for those with a Doctorate in Nursing

The job outlook for Nursing Doctorate holders is “favorable” as reported by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.  There should be a minimum 9% job growth in the nursing market, including upper echelon positions, and a maximum job growth of up to 27% from 2008 to 2018.

Average salary for the Doctorate in Nursing Education depends upon the position that the degree secures.  For example, an Administration Director can expect an average of $72,000, while a Nursing Director might command $110,000 and more.

The Nursing Doctorate may be a terminal degree, but it is obviously a good stopping place for a lifelong career.  

2 Year Nursing Degrees

Many people have the dream of becoming a nurse; however not all of them follow through on pursuing their dream because they think it is going to take a long time to obtain their nursing license. Fortunately, you can get an entry level nursing degree in two years, with a 2 year nursing degree.

General Prerequisites

2 year nursing degrees are also referred to as associate degrees and they are primarily designed to provide students with the basics of nursing, including clinical knowledge and theory. In order to pursue an associates in nursing (ASN) degree or associate degree in nursing (ADN), you will need to have received your high school diploma or passed the GED.

Math Prerequisites

Some nursing schools will require that you have completed college algebra and nursing math before qualifying for an associates’ degree program. At one time, nursing math was incorporated into the degree program, but it is now more common to be required prior to entering the degree program. Nursing math differs from other math classes in that you will need to learn how to calculate IV flow rates, drug dosages and other calculations nurses use on a regular basis. You might also be required to take statistics or other math classes depending on your school’s requirements. These classes usually require a grade of B or higher in order to be considered adequate for entrance into 2 year nursing degrees.

Science Prerequisites

Prior to attending nursing school, most students have completed a number of science courses. These general science classes are designed to provide students with the basics of the human body, its structure and its processes. In addition, science classes such as chemistry concentrate on how substances react in certain situations. Some schools require organic chemistry and biochemistry classes as well. There is a combined course designed specifically for health care professionals that is usually an acceptable substitute.

Once you get into a 2 year nursing degree program, you will be required to take courses in microbiology or bacteriology in which you will learn about microscopic organisms, disease-causing microbes, and how to destroy these microscopic invaders.

Clinical Training

Regardless of where you obtain your degree, you are going to need clinical experience before you can graduate with your associate degree in nursing. Individual states determine how many hours you will need before you can apply and obtain your nursing license. You will need to provide hands-on care to patients in a clinical environment. This is a broad term that encompasses hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and physician offices. You will also be required to be supervised by a clinical instructor who will ensure that you have demonstrated the required clinical skills. Some of the skills you will need to master include putting in and taking out a urinary catheter, changing wound dressings and giving an intramuscular injection. Knowledge of drug treatments will also be necessary and you will need to show that you can develop a nursing care plan for your patients.

After Graduation

The Associates Degree in Nursing is a common path for aspiring nursing students to take. You will find that the majority of technical and community colleges offer 2 year nursing degrees at an affordable cost. Once you graduate and take the NCLEX nursing exam, you will be licensed as either a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) depending on the courses you took while in your program.

There are many career opportunities for newly graduated nurses, who will find that they are immediately employable because of the shortage of nurses in the country and because of the excellent preparation you receive in these programs. Often, nurses who have associates’ degrees decide to continue their education while pursuing their careers. An associates’ degree is a great step toward achieving a Bachelor of Science nursing degree that usually takes four years to complete.

Nursing is a rewarding career that is nearly recession-proof, provides a good living wage, and offers personal satisfaction. If you have a calling to this profession or if you are just looking to change careers to one that is more fulfilling than what you are currently doing, contact your local community college or technical school to get on the 2 year nursing degree path today.

Post Masters Certificate in Nursing

A post masters certificate in nursing is designed for nursing students that already have their masters degrees, but would like to specialize their practice without having to return to school full time for a second masters degree. These certificate programs give students the core coursework they need, without wasting their time with redundant classes.

They are ideal for nursing students who already have a masters degree, and:

–        Want to change their career path to nursing education.

–        Wish to become nurse practitioners.

–        Want to specialize in another, specific area of nursing, like nurse administration, nurse informatics, or psychiatric nursing.

–        Would like to make themselves more appealing to employers in their area.

These programs are not intended for students with non-nursing masters degrees that want to make a career change to nursing. In situations like that, those students would have to go through accelerated nursing programs to get their bachelors degrees in nursing first, and continue to get their masters degrees afterward before they would be eligible for a post masters certificate program.

Requirements for a Post Masters Certificate in Nursing

In order to qualify for these programs, prospective students must already have completed their bachelors and masters degrees in nursing, and taken any necessary licensing exams. These certificate programs are designed to allow nurses to specialize in a specific field of nursing. In most cases, a state’s Board of Nursing requires nursing students to complete a certain number of hours of instruction in their chosen field before they are allowed to take any kind of licensing or certification exams for it. A good example here is nursing informatics, which requires a student to have a masters degree in health informatics, or thirty hours’ worth of a post masters educational program, coupled with several thousand hours’ worth of job experience.

Are Post Masters Certificates Necessary?

In order to be able to practice certain types of nursing, either a masters degree or a post masters certificate is a necessity. Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses currently have a minimum requirement of a masters degree or equivalent, but that’s probably going to change soon. A lot of states are updating their educational requirements to reflect a new standard, which requires APRNs to have doctorates degrees. So, nursing students that are considering pursuing a post masters certificate in nursing should get while the getting is good, and they can be grandfathered in when the new educational requirements are placed into effect.

Is it Worth it to Pursue a Post Masters Certificate?

The nursing shortage is hitting every sector of the healthcare industry pretty hard, but nurses with advanced degrees are one of the hardest hit. Due to a shortage of qualified educators, a lot of masters programs for nurses have been suspended, if not cut entirely. As a result, though it can be difficult and expensive to go through a masters degree program, employers have made it extremely worthwhile. Nurses with masters degrees and beyond can command very high salaries- some nurse practitioners make around $120,000 per year- and there are always jobs available for them.

Using a post masters certificate in nursing to further specialize can help nursing graduates make themselves more marketable to employers, including hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and private practices. When it comes to nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurses, they can even allow them to start their own practices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue a post masters certificate in nursing is a personal one, and it won’t necessarily be a good idea for every nursing student out there. For nurses who don’t plan to specialize their nursing practice, or who want to continue to work as registered nurses, post masters certificate programs may end up being a waste of time.

A post masters certificate in nursing is a faster, less expensive way to further your education without having to go through a full masters degree program again. For students who have already obtained masters degrees in nursing, these nursing certificate programs represent a way for them to set themselves up for higher salaries and more job offers, without having to sacrifice more of their time to schooling than absolutely necessary.

Online Associate Nursing Degrees

In an effort to streamline their educational programs and graduate more nurses, many schools have begun offering online associate nursing degrees. These can be highly desirable to schools, states, and nurses alike, for a couple of reasons.

These include:

–        Online nursing programs can help prospective nursing students avoid being waitlisted for nursing classes.

–        They can help schools enroll and graduate more nurses, without having to find more nursing educators to teach classes in brick-and-mortar classrooms.

–        They can turn out nurses that are just as well-educated as traditional classroom-based nursing programs, so states get more of the healthcare professionals they need to fight the nursing shortage.

–        They are often less expensive than classroom-based programs, so students can save money, states don’t need to give out as much in nursing financial aid, and schools don’t lose students on the basis of them not being able to afford nursing classes.

As a result, online nursing education can end up being a win-win situation for everyone involved. But is it always worth it?

Accredited versus Approved

Every state has a governing body that handles all things related to nursing. Usually called the Board of Nursing, this organization comes up with educational requirements, licensure and examination guidelines, and approves nursing educational programs. While many colleges and universities are “accredited” institutions, this does not necessarily mean that their nursing programs are “approved” by their state’s Board of Nursing.

Before enrollment, every nursing student should contact the Board of Nursing for their state, so they can get a list of approved nursing programs in their area. Even though online associate nursing degrees might sound attractive, they won’t be worthwhile if they will not allow students to take their exams and practice after they graduate!

Nursing with an Associate’s Degree

Many states also limit what you can do with an associate’s degree in nursing. While most require a bachelor’s degree or better in order for students to take their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, all states will allow students to become licensed practicing nurses with an associate’s degree. Becoming an LPN isn’t quite the same as becoming an RN, but LPNs are just as much in demand as RNs are. In many cases, LPNs that wish to become RNs can enter continuing educational programs later on that will help them facilitate getting their bachelor’s degrees and passing the NCLEX-RN.

Is Online Education Worth it?

If you live in a state where college or university online educational programs are on your Board of Nursing’s list of approved nursing programs, then yes. A lot of states are inadvertently contributing to the worldwide nursing shortage simply by having educational institutions that are not efficient enough to graduate the number of nurses they need, so they end up forcing students to wait on long waiting lists for classes. Even when students aren’t waitlisted, they often can’t take classes because tuition costs are steep, and a lot of financial aid programs are reserved for people pursuing their bachelor’s in nursing. If you find yourself in any of these positions, then online classes are definitely worth pursuing.

Be aware that any time that you’re required to spend doing hands-on lab practicals or having actual on-the-job time to meet your state’s licensing requirements will still have to be made up somehow. This won’t be an issue for all students, but state guidelines vary, so it’s good to contact your Board of Nursing to find out what you’ll need to do in order to take your licensure examination before deciding on what kind of class is right for you

The nursing shortage has driven all schools, everywhere, to try to find solutions to recruit more nursing students, get them into classes, and help them graduate faster. Online associate nursing degrees are just one of these solutions. Though online education has had a stigma attached to it in the past, new methods of online teaching allows schools to create nursing graduates that are every bit as well-educated as their classroom counterparts, and just as prepared to enter the workforce.

Nursing Doctoral Degrees

Despite the nursing shortage, nursing educational requirements are becoming tighter, and nursing doctoral degrees are becoming a “must have” for a lot of sectors of the nursing industry. While a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN) can get by with an associate’s or bachelor’s in nursing degrees, many other nurse specializations already need a master’s or better to practice, and a few will not be able to get by with anything less than a doctorate.

Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses with graduate degrees, and they include:

–        Nurse practitioners, which are allowed to function as a patient’s primary caregiver. In many states, they can do so without the assistance of a doctor.

–        Nurse midwives, which can provide reproductive care for women from puberty to menopause, and care for women with low-risk pregnancies. In many states, they can perform all of the duties of an obstetrician-gynecologist, with the exception of surgery.

–        Nurse anesthetists, which provide anesthesia during surgeries.

–        Clinical nurse specialists, which help medical facilities improve their standard of care by educating and working with staff nurses like registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Becoming an APRN

Every state has different requirements for what is and is not currently necessary to become an APRN. However, the standards are changing- the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and National Council of State Boards of Nursing have pushed for all APRN programs to require doctoral degrees by the year 2015. So, students that would not graduate before then should plan to get nursing doctoral degrees.

To become an APRN, students must first meet their state’s educational requirements for a registered nurse before they can enroll in an advanced degree program (usually for either a Doctor of Nursing Practice or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree) and specialize in one of the above areas. Depending on the student’s state, there may be accelerated degree programs available that can help things go a little faster for people who already have a non-nursing degree, and are pursuing nursing as a second career.

Nursing with an Advanced Degree

Though the tighter educational requirements were recommended by the AACN and NCSBN, every state has an individual Board of Nursing that enforces these requirements, maintains lists of approved nursing programs, and defines the scopes of practice for every level of nursing. As a result, exactly what nurses can do with an advanced degree will vary somewhat from state to state.

Why Should You Get an Advanced Nursing Degree?

People with advanced degrees in nursing are becoming rarer and more valuable by the day. This is due to a couple of reasons- many people find that their state’s nursing shortage is severe enough that they can make an excellent living as an RN with just a bachelor’s degree, pursuing advanced degrees is time consuming and expensive, and many schools are losing their nursing educators to retirement, leaving them without a way to teach their advanced nursing degree classes. So, as an APRN, you will find that you are valuable and in demand absolutely wherever you choose to go.

APRNs generally get paid extremely well. A nurse practitioner, for example, can command a salary of over $120,000 in some areas, without including things like benefits, sign-on bonuses, or student loan repayment schemes.

Many states want to encourage more people to pursue advanced nursing degrees, and therefore have specific tuition reimbursement, scholarship, and grant programs available for APRN students. So, getting a doctorate in nursing doesn’t always have to be an expensive undertaking.

It takes a long time to get nursing doctoral degrees, but the end result is generally very worthwhile. APRNs, like nurse practitioners, have a much wider scope of practice than LPNs or RNs do, and thus have more freedom. They also have more flexibility, since a nurse with a doctoral degree ca fulfill the roles of practicing nurse, nurse educator, and more, depending on what jobs are available in their home state. Lastly, they get paid better than nurses without advanced degrees. If you’re considering getting a DNP or DNAP degree, then it’s definitely something you should seriously pursue.

Nursing Diploma vs. Nursing Degree

The terms “Diploma” and “Degree” are used almost interchangeably in some contexts, but nursing isn’t one of them. A nursing diploma vs. nursing degree is a day or night difference, for some nurses.

Some of the major differences between a nursing diploma and a nursing degree include:

–        The amount of time they take. A nursing diploma generally comes from a shorter program than a nursing degree.

–        How much they cost. Shorter diploma programs are generally somewhat less expensive.

–        Who runs them. Diploma programs are usually run by teaching hospitals, while degree programs are run by colleges or universities.

–        How they transfer. Diploma programs generally cannot transfer to colleges or universities, though there are some exceptions. Degree programs generally can.

–        Continuing education prospects. Some continuing education programs for nurses will take RNs or LPNs with diplomas, others will require a bachelor’s degree or better.

–        Job prospects. Although both nursing diplomas and nursing degrees qualify nursing students to sit for their NCLEX-RN, the sad fact is that many employers end up giving preference to students with one or the other.

How Do I Know Which is Right for Me?

If you’re struggling with the question of obtaining a nursing diploma vs. nursing degree, your first step should be to contact your state’s Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing is an organization that governs educational standards, licensure, and other critical aspects of the nursing industry. They will be able to provide you with lists of approved nursing programs in your state, and may be able to give you some information on financial aid, as well.

You will need to graduate from a Board-approved nursing program in order to be able to take your licensure examination to become an RN. If you don’t see any nursing degree programs in your area on the Board’s list, then it may be easier for you to go through a diploma program offered by a local hospital.

If you know that being an RN is not your end goal for your career, and you would rather become an advanced practice registered nurse, nurse educator, or nursing informatics specialist, then you should get a degree instead of a diploma. Some diploma credits transfer, but not all of them do. A bachelor’s degree may make it easier for you to continue your education later on.

Lately, the trend is to choose job applicants with more education, which favors nurses with degrees. This is especially true for things like management and leadership positions. If you do want to remain an RN, but career advancement is still important to you, then it’s worth your while to get a nursing degree instead of a diploma.

Who Offers Nursing Diploma and Degree Programs?

Which schools offers which degree program is a function of your State’s Board of Nursing’s requirements for nursing education. States that only require nurses to have a diploma or better to become RNs or LPNs may have degrees offered by community colleges. Michigan, for example, has a long list of associate’s degree programs for RNs from schools like ITT, Mid Michigan Community College, and Northwestern Community College, as well as BSN programs offered by schools like Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Nursing students can take their NCLEX-RN and become registered nurses with a degree from any of these schools. They also have schools that offer certificates (not degrees) for any student who wants to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), but no diploma programs for RN professionals.

In terms of nursing diplomas, some programs are affiliated with schools, and some are not. New York has a nursing diploma program run out of the Arnot-Ogden Medical Center that is affiliated with the University of the State of New York, for example, which makes it easier for students to continue their education beyond the diploma level. San Antonio, Texas, has a vocational/practical nurse diploma program, which is run completely out of Kaplan College.

The nursing diploma vs. nursing degree question continues, especially as most states’ Boards of Nursing continue to tighten their educational requirements for nurses. For some students, diplomas are better. For others, the reverse is true. Ultimately, the choice of which one is right for you depends on a lot of different factors, all of which have to be carefully weighed before you can make an informed decision about which nursing program you want to enroll in.

Nursing Degrees in Michigan

There are a lot of avenues for students to get nursing degrees in Michigan. All of these schools are subject to approval by the State Board of Nursing, so not every college in Michigan is capable of turning out licensure-ready Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

As of this writing, the nursing schools in Michigan that currently have the Board’s approval for nursing baccalaureate (BSN) programs are:

–        Andrews University Department of Nursing

–        Calvin College Department of Nursing

–        Davenport University, Grand Rapids, Midland, and Warren

–        Eastern Michigan University School of Nursing

–        Finlandia University School of Nursing

–        Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof School of Nursing

–        Hope College Department of Nursing

–        Lake Superior State University Department of Nursing

–        Madonna University Department of Nursing

–        Michigan State University Department of Nursing

–        Northern Michigan University Department of Nursing

–        Oakland University Department of Nursing

–        Rochester College Department of Nursing

–        Saginaw Valley State University Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing and Health Services

–        Siena Heights University School of Nursing

–        University of Detroit-Mercy McAuley School of Nursing

–        University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing

–        University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Nursing

–        Wayne State University College of Nursing

–        Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing

These are all of the schools currently offering Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in Michigan (MI) that allow nursing students to take the NCLEX-RN upon graduation, but this list is subject to change as schools gain or lose their Board-approved status. Though registered nurses don’t yet require a BSN to become licensed in Michigan, the nursing industry is currently working on tightening its educational standards, so a BSN may become a requirement in the future.

Right now, there are several community colleges that offer associate’s degrees (ADN/ASN/AASN) for registered nurses, including Alpena Community College, various Baker College campuses, Grand Rapids Community College, St. Clair County Community College, Schoolcraft College, Southwestern Michigan College, Washtenaw Community College, Wayne County Community College, and West Shore Community College, among others. These schools may present good alternatives for students that end up stuck on a waiting list for the four year nursing program of their choice.

There are also several nursing doctoral degrees for those wanting Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD in Nursing Degrees in Michigan. Programs at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University nursing schools are just two examples.

Michigan‘s Board of Nursing

Michigan’s Board of Nursing is a part of the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory affairs. It governs educational requirements, licensing and examinations, license renewal regulations, and determines which of Michigan’s nursing degree programs meet its criteria.

Anyone looking to pursue nursing degrees in Michigan absolutely must make the Board of Nursing their first stop. By contacting the Board, they can get lists of all of Michigan’s currently approved nursing degree programs, organizations that offer financial aid to nursing students, and the criteria that they will have to meet in order to take their licensing examinations, like the NCLEX-RN.

Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Degree Programs

When it comes to programs that are approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing, students need to exercise due caution. Contacting the Board for their specific list of approved programs is crucial, because there is absolutely nothing stopping a school from misrepresenting their nursing programs as approved to unwitting students. Unfortunately, in cases like this, it’s “caveat emptor”- it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she is signing up for an approved program before they enroll. If they do not graduate from an approved program, or end up graduating from one that they were only told was approved, they cannot take their licensure examination, and can not practice in the state of Michigan.

Unfortunately, “accredited” doesn’t always equal “approved.” It’s possible for an accredited school to offer a nursing education program that is not approved by the Board. Many people make the false assumption that accredited and approved are synonymous, and get burned when they aren’t able to become licensed afterward.

It’s important for more people to pursue nursing degrees in Michigan if Michigan is going to stay ahead of the nursing shortage. Expert predict that there’s going to be a shortage of around 580,000 nurses in the U.S. alone by 2018, which makes good nursing programs more important than ever. By enrolling in one of Michigan’s many nursing schools, students can get a quality background in nursing theory and clinical practice, and pass their NCLEX-RN.

Nursing Degrees in Colorado

The state of Colorado has a hard time staffing all of their medical centers. Being a state that is very popular with tourist  means that their hospitals and clinics have to cope with extra strain during vacation season, and the state’s geography poses a challenge when it comes to the logistics of reaching students seeking nursing degrees in Colorado, placing teachers, and luring new graduates out to the areas of the state where nurses are needed the most.

Though Colorado is a good-sized state, it doesn’t have as many Board of Nursing-approved programs as more populated areas do. Schools that currently have approval for licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs include:

–        Concorde Career College

–        Community College of Denver

–        Delta Montrose Technical College

–        Emily Griffith Opportunity School

–        Front Range Community College

–        Northeastern Junior College

–        Pueblo Community College

For baccalaureate degree programs (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) , the following Nursing Schools in Colorado have full Board approval:

–        Colorado Mesa University

–        Colorado State University

–        Metropolitan State College of Denver

–        SON at Platt College

–        Regis University

–        University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing

–        University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

–        University of Northern Colorado

Some practical nursing (PN, LPN) and baccalaureate programs (BSN), like those offered by Pickens Community College, Denver School of Nursing, and Adams State College, currently only have interim or conditional approval by the Board. Interim approval is for schools that have not yet graduated their first nursing class. Conditional approval is for schools that currently have deficiencies that need to be corrected. For the sake of clarity, schools without full, current Board of Nursing approval were omitted.

Some of the schools above also offer DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and PhD in Nursing degrees.

Colorado‘s Board of Nursing

What does the Board of Nursing do? Colorado’s Board of Nursing is a portion of their Department of Regulatory Agencies. This organization is responsible for approving and enforcing educational requirements, licensing, examination, changes in legislature, and other subjects related to nurses and nursing degrees in Colorado. This includes determining which of Colorado’s nursing programs are suitable for approval.

The Colorado Board of Nursing should be a prospective nursing student’s first contact, even before they ever turn in a college application. The Board can give students important information on which schools are worth applying to, which examinations they will have to pass, and which financial aid programs they may qualify for. Since Colorado’s list of approved nursing programs is subject to change as new schools gain approval and existing schools lose it, it’s important for prospective nursing students to contact the Board of Nursing for a full, up-to-date listing of approved schools.

Don’t Be Taken in By Degree Scams

Nursing program approval is never straightforward. All nurses must pass licensure examinations, like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, in order to be able to practice nursing legally. What type of nurse they are depends on the extent of their education, and which licensure examination they take. This determines what scope of practice they can follow, be it that for a licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or other type of nurse. Without a passing exam grade, nurses can’t get licenses. Without licenses, they can’t practice.

Therefore, in order to even be able to take nursing license exams, students must first have graduated from a nursing program approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing. This sounds simple enough, but the unfortunate issue is that students can’t trust schools when it comes to fully disclosing whether or not they have Board of Nursing (BoN) approval. Approval and accreditation don’t always go hand in hand, and it is the student who will end up losing out if they mistakenly take an unapproved nursing course. Graduates from these courses cannot take licensing exams, and thus end up with nursing degrees that they can’t ever use. Some schools may even claim to be approved when they aren’t, which is why getting the Board of Nursing’s list of approved schools first is so important.

Getting nursing degrees in Colorado is a little bit more of a challenge than it is in some other states, but it’s worth it. Colorado hospitals are always in need of new graduate nurses, and they’re willing to pay extremely well to get them. New nursing graduates with licenses can get generous sign-on bonuses, competitive annual salaries, and excellent benefits packages.

Nursing Degrees in California

Every nursing program is governed by its state’s particular rules and regulations, and getting nursing degrees in California (CA) is no exception. The California Board of Nursing is any California nursing student’s first stop before they enroll in a nursing program.

The Board can give them information on:

–        Approved registered nursing and advanced practice registered nursing programs.

–        Pass rates.

–        Financial aid schemes.

–        Licensure and examinations.

–        Disciplinary actions.

–        Legislative updates.

Since getting nursing degrees in California isn’t like getting nursing degrees in other states, students should always become intimately familiar with the Board of Nursing, and what kind of information it can give them.

California Nursing Schools

Students pursuing associate’s degrees (ADN/ASN/AASN) can choose from public colleges like American River College in Sacramento, City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, and Los Angeles Trade-Tech College in Los Angeles, among others. There are also plenty of private nursing schools that offer two year nursing programs, like Sacramento’s Carrington College.

California doesn’t have as many four year nursing schools as they do two year schools, but they still offer plenty. Students looking for public schools with baccalaureate nursing degree programs (BSN) can go to California State University in Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, North Ridge, Sacramento, San Bernadino, San Marcos, or Stanislaus, for example. Private four year schools include National University in San Diego, and University of Phoenix at Modesto in Salida.

Students looking for entry level master’s in nursing programs (MSN) can turn to public schools like California State University, San Francisco State University, or Sonoma State University. There are also several private schools with approved entry level master’s degree programs, like the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

These are just some examples of all of the nursing schools in California. It’s possible for schools to gain or lose Board approval, so for more information on nursing schools in your area, you should contact the Board of Nursing for an up-to-date list of nursing schools in schools that currently meet their approval criteria, as well as which schools only admit Licensed Vocational Nurses, and which have accelerated degree programs.

Fewer schools offer Doctoral level nursing programs like those that award Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD in Nursing degrees.

Approved Nursing Degree Programs in California- Beware of Fake Nursing Degree Programs

Not all nursing programs in California will allow students to take licensure examinations after graduation. Even some accredited institutions may offer nursing degrees that are not in line with the Board of Nursing’s educational guidelines, thus the Board will not allow graduates from those programs to sit for their examinations. This is true even if the student was essentially lied to by their school- even if the program claimed to have been approved by the Board of Nursing, it is up to the student to verify that claim with the Board prior to enrollment.

Any unapproved classes that are taken as part of a nursing degree program will not be counted, and students will need to re-take them in an approved setting before they can be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN. Without passing this examination and getting a nursing license, nursing graduates can’t practice.

Paying for Nursing School in California

There are several different financial aid programs available to California nursing students. The Nursing Scholarship Program offers some tuition money to registered nurses that are willing to put in at least two years working for an understaffed medical facility after graduation. “Taking Care of California,” offered by ALL Student Loan, is a loan forgiveness program designed to encourage more students to enter nursing programs. The Health Professions Education Foundation offers both scholarships and loan repayment schemes to nursing students who are willing to work in understaffed hospitals in rural or urban areas of California. There are many other loan and scholarship programs other than these, and the Board of Nursing can provide a comprehensive list of them.

California is hurting for nurses, so the state has made every effort to help students pay for their educations, and avoid being waitlisted for nursing degrees in California. The state has a very long list of approved RN and continuing education programs, so students should be able to find one that fits their needs.

Masters Degree in Psychiatric Nursing

A master’s degree in psychiatric nursing prepares nurses to handle some of the most challenging patients out there- the mentally ill. Nurses that go into psychiatric nursing can handle patients of all ages, and focus on dispensing psychiatric medication, coping with difficult behavior, and learning to interface with their patients.

Though many nurses, from licensed practical nurses all the way to advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), can work with psychiatric patients, a masters degree in psychiatric nursing allows APRNs to:

–        Assess and diagnose patients.

–        Create a mental care plan for their patients.

–        Prescribe medication (in most states, though regulations may vary).

–        Act as individual, family, and group counselors in a variety of settings.

–        Practice independently, or as part of a mental healthcare team.

In essence, these APRNs can perform most of the functions that a psychiatrist can, depending on the state in which he or she is licensed.

Obtaining a Masters Degree in Psychiatric Nursing

Psychiatric nurses with masters degrees are advanced practice registered nurses, which means that they must first start out as registered nurses. This can be by getting an associates degree in nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses before going back to school for a bachelors degree, and then the masters in psychiatric nursing. It can also be accomplished by getting a bachelor’s degree, passing the NCLEX-RN, and then going back to school for their masters degree.

After obtaining their masters degree in psychiatric nursing, some APRNs choose to go back to school again for a doctoral degree. By the year 2015, this will become a requirement to become a psychiatric nurse, so students who are not yet close to obtaining their masters should anticipate having to continue on to their doctorates afterward.

Once psychiatric nurses have completed their educational requirements, they can be board certified and given the right credentials to prescribe psychiatric medication to patients.

Psychiatric Nurses versus Psychiatrists

Psychiatric nurses are comparable to psychiatrists, but the emphasis with nursing is usually on non-medication approaches to healing. Psychiatric nurses may use more physiotherapy, psychosocial interventions, spiritual interventions, or other non-drug means to help psychiatric patients control their behavior and learn coping mechanisms for their condition. If necessary, APRNs can prescribe psychoactive medication as part of their patients’ care plans.

Psychiatric nurses may work in hospitals to help patients experiencing nervous breakdowns, or other crises. They may also work with patients individually, in private settings, as community mental health nurses. Some choose to go into forensic psychiatric nursing in prisons or medium-to-high-security hospitals, and work with mentally ill people who have committed some sort of crime.

Psychiatric Nurses and the Board of Nursing

As APRNs, all psychiatric nurses are governed by the Board of Nursing for the state in which they practice. The Board of Nursing covers things like entry requirements, continuing educational standards, licensure, scopes of practice, and more. It is the first place that any new nursing student or existing nurse should go for information on anything nursing-related. Students that want to find an approved nursing program should contact the Board for a list of them. Many colleges offer nursing programs (even advanced degrees) that aren’t approved, and are thus useless for nurses that want to be able to practice after graduation.

The Board of Nursing is also a disciplinary organization. It can suspend or revoke licenses of nurses that work outside of their scopes of practice, and also handles patients complaints. Though psychiatric nurses have a pretty broad scope of practice, it’s still important for them to avoid doing anything that falls out of the scope defined by the Board of Nursing.

Psychiatric nursing is a challenging degree program that may not always be easy to get into, but obtaining a  masters degree in psychiatric nursing is always worthwhile. With good psychiatric nurses, people can get the long-term mental care that they need to remain functioning members of society, elderly people suffering from dementia can pass their golden years peacefully, and prisons coping with mentally ill criminals can help lower their rates of recidivism.

Masters Degree in Nursing Requirements

Masters degrees allow nurses to expand their scope of practice, and even specialize in one of many new, exciting areas of nursing. Masters degree in nursing requirements are similar to requirements for other masters degree programs, with a few interesting twists.

These include:

–        Students pursuing a master’s degree in nursing must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and be a registered nurse.

–        Although students of diploma or associates degree programs may also be considered registered nurses after passing their licensure exams, they are not eligible to continue on to a masters degree in nursing.

–        Students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in another discipline may enter an accelerated nursing program to get their second bachelors, and then continue on to obtain their masters degree in nursing.

–        Students who already have a masters degree in nursing can obtain a post masters certificate, which allows them to specialize without having to go through a second masters degree program.

Masters Degrees and the Board of Nursing

Every state has a Board of Nursing, though its exact name may vary. This organization is the governing body for all things nursing related, from education to licensure. Students looking for approved masters degree programs should contact their state’s Board for a list.

Because the nursing industry is currently suffering from a lack of qualified, masters level nurses, many states have special financial aid schemes set up for students pursuing advanced nursing degrees. If you’re contemplating going back to school for your nursing masters, it may be worthwhile to contact your state’s Board of Nursing, and see what tuition help may be available to you.

Going Beyond an RN With a Masters Degree in Nursing

There are several ways to enter the nursing profession, but the easiest one for students that plan to pursue advanced degrees is to either get an associates degree in nursing, become an RN, and return to school for a bachelors, or to get a bachelors degree in nursing from the get-go. Both of these paths allow nursing students to meet masters degree in nursing requirements.

After getting their bachelors, students can choose how they want their nursing career to progress- do they want to open their own practice as a nurse practitioner? Would they like to focus on working with the mentally ill as a psychiatric nurse? Would they like to focus on helping the victims of violent crime with a forensic nursing degree program? For a lot of nurses, becoming an RN are just a starting point, and a masters degree program is where things get interesting.

Is a Masters Degree in Nursing Worth it?

Masters degree programs can be long, expensive, and (due to a shortage of qualified nurse educators) difficult to find and get into. So, after an extra two years of school, tens of thousands of dollars, and months of waiting, is a nursing masters degree worth it all? The answer is generally yes.

As a byproduct of the nursing shortage, and the emphasis on pumping out licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, nurses with masters degrees aren’t always easy to find. As a result, they can command high salaries. Psychiatric nurses can earn up to $90,000 annually, while nurse practitioners can earn up to $120,000. They also help to fight the nursing shortage in their own way- nurses with masters degrees can essentially choose whether they want to be practicing nurses, or nurse educators. Nurse educators are in extremely high demand right now, as more and more schools struggle with getting new nursing students off of waiting lists, and into classrooms.

Unfortunately, a masters degree isn’t always going to be enough. New standards being put through in many states will raise the minimum education level for advanced practitioner registered nurses to a doctorate. So, nurses that wish to pursue their masters degrees should do so as soon as possible, so they have the chance to be grandfathered in when the new standards are made official.

Masters degree in nursing requirements are strict, but they’re necessary to make sure that only the most dedicated, qualified students can take advantage of these programs. With a masters degree, nursing students can take their nursing careers in any direction they’d like to go.

Masters Degree in Nursing Administration

Some people pursue nursing degrees so they can take an active role in bedside patient care. Others pursue a master’s degree in nursing administration so they can help improve a facility’s standard of patient care by acting in an administrative capacity.

Though all nurse administrators are nurses, there are a couple of other duties that fall to them:

–        Creating budgets for their nursing departments, and developing plans to make sure they stick to them.

–        Acting as an interface between nurses and other healthcare professionals in a facility.

–        Ordering new supplies.

–        Policy-making for their nursing departments.

–        Delegating duties to the nurses on their staff.

–        Maintaining records for patients, billing, and ordering.

Even though a nurse administrator has the same background in nursing as any other nurse, a nurse administrator may find him or herself spending more time doing paperwork and ensuring that things are running smoothly than actually seeing patients. Other careers for a graduate with a Masters Degree in Nursing Administration include being a Clinical Nursing Manager, Health Information Manager, Nurse Manager , Hospital Nursing Administrator and a Nurse Executive. Typically, graduates will be awarded either a Master of Science in Nursing Administration (MS in Nursing Administration) Degree or a
Master of Arts in Nursing Administration (MA in Nursing Administration) Degree.

Typical courses in these Nursing Administration Masters Degrees include Advanced Nursing Theory, Nursing Leadership, Financial Management, Nursing Research and Advanced Nursing Administration

Obtaining a Masters Degree in Nursing Administration

To get a masters degree in nursing administration, nurses must already have a bachelors degree in nursing, and have passed their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. After that, they can enroll in a masters degree program to become nurse administrators.

After graduating with a masters degree, nurse administrators must sit for a licensure exam in the state in which they will be practicing. They may also choose to become a Certified Nurse Administrator through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. This is not required, but may make new nurse administrators more marketable to prospective employers.

Nurse Administrators and the Nursing Shortage

There’s a worldwide shortage of nurses going on, and it’s pretty bad. Experts predict that, by 2020, we will need anywhere from 800,000-1 million more nurses just to cover the demand. In the U.S. alone, we’re going to need an extra 580,000 nurses. Most of these are required to help tend patients, so hospitals don’t have to resort to things like mandatory overtime, cutbacks in bedside care, and reducing the number of patients they can serve at a time. Since it seems to be patient-tending registered nurses that are needed the most, how will this shortage affect nurse administrators? The answer is- a lot.

One of the biggest reasons why hospitals need more nurses is because their patient load is steadily increasing, while their staff is not. More people are alive now than at any point in history, and they’re living longer than every before. As hospitals require more nurses, they will also require more administrative staff to help manage those nurses. As a result, job prospects for nurse administrators are very strong, and likely to become even stronger in the future.

Other Reasons to Become a Nurse Administrator

If the nursing profession fascinates you, but you enjoy the administrative aspect of healthcare more, then a career in nursing administration may be the perfect balance for you.

Nurse administrators generally make very good salaries, depending on the state they work in, and what kind of health care facility they are employed by. On average, nurse administrators bring home between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, which makes nursing administration a pretty lucrative career path for nursing graduates.

The healthcare industry is hurting for nurses with advanced degrees of any kind. Since the emphasis has been on turning out hospital staff nurses for a long time, many schools lack the experienced nursing educators they need to teach graduate-level programs. As a result, nursing students with masters or doctorates are in high demand. It may make it tougher for students to get into a good masters in nursing administration program, but the end result will be well worth it.

Even though they don’t work directly with patients as much as registered or licensed practical nurses do, nurse administrators are a vital part of a hospital’s staff. If you enjoy nursing, but would like to advance your career in a more managerial direction, then obtaining a masters degree in nursing administration may be the first step towards a long, fulfilling career for you.

How Long Does a Nursing Degree Take?

One of the first things any prospective college student wants to know is how long it’ll be before they can graduate and get to work, and nursing students are no exception. So, how long does a nursing degree take? The short answer is, it depends.

There are three different routes of entry into a nursing career, and this is only for basic nursing:

–        Students can get nursing diplomas through a teaching hospital, which takes between two to three years.

–        Students can obtain associates’ degrees through a community college, technical college, or vocational school, which takes between eighteen months to two years.

–        Students can go for bachelors’ degrees through a college or university, which takes about four years (less for returning students enrolled in accelerated degree programs)

All of these routes will set students up to become either licensed practical nurses or registered nurses, depending on their states’ regulations. In every case, they will still need to sit for their National Council Licensure Examinations before they can practice.

Going Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)

In some cases, students may wish to continue their nursing education to graduate and post-graduate programs. In that case, their nursing degrees can progress like this:

–        Students can go from having four year bachelors’ degrees, to getting their master’s in nursing (MSN) in subjects like nursing education or nursing administration. This takes another two years or so, for about six years total.

–        Students can then go on to obtain their doctorates’ (DNP or PhD in Nursing), to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). This takes about another two years, for a total of eight to ten years.

–        Students may also enroll in one of dozens of different continuing education programs, to allow them to further specialize their nursing education. This can take between thirty hours, to over a hundred, spaced out over a number of months.

Is More Education Always Better?

A lot of people have become convinced that a higher degree is always better, but that may not necessarily be the case. Students who wish to become, and stay, registered nurses can easily get by with a bachelor’s degree. In most cases, it doesn’t really pay to get anything less than that- though nursing diploma programs and associates’ degrees are both acceptable entry points into nursing, more and more employers are insisting on bachelors’ degrees for their new hires.

Nursing students should also be aware that educational requirements for them are constantly in flux, so what is considered a sufficient degree today may not be a few years from now. How long does a nursing degree take to fall out of favor? That varies. Some employers still prefer diploma program nurses over other nurses because of their programs’ greater emphasis on clinical practice, while others do not. For the most accurate picture of what kind of education is required for nursing jobs in their areas, nursing students should contact their states’ Boards of Nursing for industry information and educational requirements.

How to Speed Up Your Nursing Degree

If nursing degrees seem like they take a lot of time to you, there are ways you can try to speed up the process. For one, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, or you’ve taken liberal arts classes for another major, see if your school will offer you entry into an accelerated degree program. These programs are shorter than a traditional BSN, but offer the same core classes. They are intended for students pursuing nursing as a second career.

If you are still in high school, consider taking Advanced Placement coursework. Getting a good score on AP tests is a great way to waive certain college courses. This can help you get rid of some liberal arts classes for your nursing major, though it won’t waive any of your core coursework.

How long does a nursing degree take? It depends on the student, and the degree itself. It might seem like a long time before you’re able to graduate, but today’s nursing programs are designed to pack a lot of information into a short period of time. Don’t rush through your degree program- take your time to do well, and you’ll have a much easier time, a higher GPA, and a better chance of being accepted into a graduate nursing program.

Forensic Nursing Degrees

Forensic nursing degrees are one of the most important degree programs a nurse can choose to enter. These nurses help provide emotional support to victims of crime, medically stabilize them, and help with evidence collection.

Most forensic nurses work with victims of rape and other types of sexual assault, but there are several other roles that forensic nurses can play, such as:

–        Domestic violence nurses, for men and women suffering from abuse from a partner.

–        Child abuse and neglect nurses, for children who are being abused by their caretakers.

–        Death investigation nurses, to investigate deaths believed to be caused by foul play.

–        Elder abuse nurses, for elderly patients who are being abused by their caretakers.

–        Corrections nurses, for prisoners.

–        Emergency services nurses, who work with EMTs and in emergency rooms.

–        Mental health nurses, for patients in mental health facilities.

–        Public health nurses.

Though most forensic nurses start out as sexual assault examiners, they can end up working with a variety of victims of abuse, neglect, assault, and even murder.

How to Become a Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses are registered nurses, which means that prospective forensic nurses must first obtain a nursing degree (usually a bachelor’s degree), then take their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. After they pass their NCLEX-RN, they make take a forty hour long Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (or SANE) class, and perform forty hours of clinical work. Alternatively, they can take a Death Investigator course, if their state has one available. They may then pass a certification examination. There are actually two types of SANEs- SANE-As specialize in working with adult and elderly victims, while SANE-Ps work with adolescents and young children who have been abused, neglected, or assaulted. This is the most common way that nurses become forensic nurses.

Some nursing students get their bachelor’s in nursing, then go back to school to get advanced forensic nursing degrees. This may not be an option for all nurses, however, since not all schools have approved graduate nursing programs that specialize in forensics. When it is available, it’s a very good option that may give forensic nurses a stronger background in things like counseling, and greater job flexibility.

Forensic nursing is governed by each state’s Board of Nursing, just like all other nursing is. As a result, each state may have somewhat different requirements for what RNs must do in order to become certified forensic nurses. If you are considering any nursing career path, including forensic nursing, your first step should be to contact your state’s Board of Nursing for a list of approved nursing degree programs, educational requirements, examination requirements, and nursing-specific financial aid programs.

Forensic Nursing Schools

To get their forensic nursing certification, students can either attend an actual brick and mortar school, or enroll in an online degree program. Fairleigh Dickinson University, in New Jersey, offers a campus based MSN program that allows students to become forensic nurses, as does Xavier University in Ohio. As far as online forensic nursing programs go, Kaplan University has an online program that allows nurses to graduate with a forensic nursing certificate. The University of North Dakota also has an online program, but this school graduates online forensic nursing students with an MA in forensic psychology. Other online forensic programs, like those offered by the University of California and Fitchburg State University graduate students with MSNs that offer a forensic focus. It should be noted that certificates and degrees from these schools aren’t the same as SANE certification, and nurses who graduate from these programs will still need to follow the steps to become SANEs or Death Examiners.

Many cases of abuse and neglect go unreported until it’s much to late, either because the victim is ashamed of themselves, or afraid of their attacker. Well-educated forensic nurses can tell which injuries are accidents, and which are abuse, and can help establish a trusting dialogue with frightened patients to encourage them to tell the truth about the source of their injuries. Forensic nursing is one of the fastest growing fields for registered nurses, and forensic nursing degrees are an excellent way to get into this fascinating, vitally important area of healthcare and victim advocacy.

Distance Learning Nursing Degrees

Every day, colleges and universities are working with their home states to devise distance learning nursing degrees, accelerated nursing programs, and other measures that will help them turn out larger numbers of qualified nursing graduates. The healthcare industry is reaching a crisis point when it comes to nurses, as the current nursing population nears retirement and not enough new nurses are there to replace them. Estimates peg the nursing shortage to be anywhere between 800,000 to 1 million nurses by 2015.

There are several reasons why not enough new nurses are coming down the pipeline, including:

–        Miscommunication between the healthcare industry and the public.

–        Antiquated school systems that are only able to serve a limited number of students.

–        Students being put on waiting lists for classes.

–        Students being unable to afford high tuition costs.

–        A lack of qualified nursing educators to staff overcrowded classrooms.

Most of these aren’t anyone’s fault, and have simply arisen because of a complex interplay of factors like the age of the current nursing population, the fact that more people choose to become nurses than nurse educators, and the fact that the age at which advanced degree nurses are entering the workforce has been rising consistently for the past few years.

How Distance Learning Nursing Degrees Work

Distance learning programs allow nursing students to get their degrees without having to go to a classroom every day. For this reason, they’re good for working professionals that can’t fit classes into their work schedule, students that live far from a college campus, and other people who can’t get to an actual class. They rely on things like telecourses and other online learning tools to present material to students without the need for an instructor or classroom. Most of them still require textbooks and workbooks, and students may have to go to their campus regularly in order to take exams or present projects.

Distance learning nursing degrees work for students because they are more flexible, and frequently less expensive than traditional classroom-based education. They work for schools because they allow them to reach more students, without having to impact their classroom-based programs. Lastly, they work for hospitals because they enable schools to turn out more of the qualified nursing graduates that hospitals need for staffing.

It should be noted that most states’ Board of Nursing require students to put in a certain number of hours of hands on work before they can take their certification exams to become licensed practical/vocational nurses or registered nurses. Even with distance learning nursing degrees, students are still responsible for meeting these requirements before they can take their exams.

How to Avoid Being Scammed

Sometimes, things that sound too good to be true, are. Every state’s Board of Nursing maintains a list of nursing programs that meet their educational requirements. In order to be able to take a certification exam after graduation, all of a nursing student’s coursework must be done as part of one of these programs. Almost every state has nursing programs that are not actually approved programs. They may be offered by a fully accredited institution, but that doesn’t mean that the program itself is approved. What’s worse, many schools will attempt to represent their programs as being approved, when they aren’t. It doesn’t matter if a student was mislead into thinking a nursing program was legitimate, they will not be able to take their exams until they have passed an approved nursing degree program.

To avoid this mess, anyone considering any nursing degree, including a distance learning degree, must contact the Board of Nursing for a list of approved programs. The Board only sets the requirements, and schools only teach students- it’s the students’ responsibility to ensure that they are in the correct program.

Distance learning nursing degrees allow schools to educate students that they couldn’t teach otherwise. When these programs are approved by a state’s Board of Nursing, they generally have pass rates that are comparable to traditional, classroom-based instruction, and turn out nurses that are every bit as qualified to work in the healthcare industry.

Masters in Mental Health Nursing

A master’s degree in mental health or as commonly known as psychiatry is the specialized field of nursing that enables registered nurses to become mental health specialist nurses. In this capacity, a nurse works as a nurse practitioner and has the roles of conducting therapy, administering psychotic medications and offering counseling to psychiatry patients.

Requirements for Admission into Masters of Mental Health Nursing degree Programs

Like all nurse specialist training programs, mental health nurses must be holders of a bachelor degree in Nursing. In addition, the nurse must have an active registered nurse license most of which must be unrevoked. For additional admission eligibility, some schools ask for GPA scores of 3.0 or higher.

It is also possible for non-nurse students to enroll into the masters in mental health nursing programs. For such students, the evidence of having completed a bachelor degree from an accredited university is a prerequisite for admission. The normal career shifters into mental health nursing are observed from social or community related degrees. For these students, they follow masters in mental health nursing known as direct entry MSN.

Students from other non-nursing degrees wishing to become Psychiatric/Mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advised to have competitive science scores in prerequisites courses. However, those who do not meet this requirement from their previous degrees can bridge this by taking post baccalaureate pre-nursing courses.

Directory for Masters in Psychiatric Nurse Programs

The curriculum for masters of psychiatric nurse programs is different for the two classes of students. While the non-nurses take three years to complete the degree program, the Registered nurses take the usual two years for masters programs. The following expansion can give the bigger picture for better clarity:

• The Direct entry MSN-Mental Health Nursing

This program, designed for non-nurse students enables them to earn a degree to practice as advanced practice nurses. Students being enrolled for this program have their common bachelors’ degree recognized and hence get some credits exempted from the curriculum. The study mode for these students takes an accelerated master in nursing study mode and save the student from taking a bachelors of Science in nursing degree.

Students utilize the first year of the masters program getting acquainted with core nursing units similar to those trained during ASN or BSN programs. In the second year, the non-nurse students are able to take advanced practice nurse credits, common to all masters of nursing programs.

To wrap-up the degree program, the third year is utilized on intense training on units specific to mental health nursing. These specialty courses cover all the aspects of psychiatric nursing and they range from patient counseling, psychology, psychiatric medications and other relevant therapies. Students spend the best part of this year learning psychotherapies, spiritual therapies, mental health pharmacology, population and lifespan based psychiatry among other courses. As usual, supervised clinical round to psychiatric patients is mandatory for program completion.

• BSN to Masters in Mental Health Nursing (MMHN)

This program is specially designed for Bachelor of Science in nursing degree holders. Students in this category are already RNs and only take a MMHN to become advanced practice RNs. They are able to choose the mental health specialty courses similar to those taken by the direct entry students at 3^rd year. As opposed to the former, the BSN to MSN students only take two years to complete their courses in addition to the mandatory clinical practical sessions.

• RN to Masters in Psychiatric  Nursing

To avoid ambiguity, the RN to MSN refers to the degree program designed for RNs who only have diplomas or associate degrees for licensure as RNs. It should not be confused with RNs who have BSNs and want to take the same masters degree. The RN to masters of health nursing enables ASN degree holders to become PMHNPs or mental nurse specialists without having to go through a BSN program.

It is also a form of an accelerated master’s n nursing degree as students are able to complete their curriculum in about three years. The best candidates for this program are fresh or recent ASN graduates. In some instances, taking a master in mental health nursing through this path enables ASN-RNs to be awarded a BSN in tandem with the MSN degree. However, this option is only offered by some and not all nursing schools.

Online Nursing PhD Programs

Online learning modes have penetrated all professions and nursing is no exception.  An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who wishes to take a PhD degree in nursing can now do it at the comfort of their own home or office. Online nursing PhD programs enable busy advanced practice nurses to pursue the terminal education level in nursing without having to give-up their jobs.

Starting on an Online Nursing PhD Program

In terms of requirements, online PhD students need to be already advanced practice nurses. The most preferable candidates for online PhD programs are former nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives or nurse specialists. This means to enroll for a PhD in nursing program, you must have earned your masters degree.

On the other hand, there are special PhD in nursing programs that take-in students who only have a bachelors degree. These programs take a bit longer to complete as there are additional credits which BSN to PhD students have to take.

Generalized Program Guide for Online PhDs

Students enrolled in this program are expected to do the following to be awarded the following:

Take Online Classes

Online classes are facilitated using advanced online learning tools. The curriculum delivery is made possible using learning modes like live seminars, web conferencing, audio conferencing among others. Students take all their theoretical classes online.

Complete Dissertation

Dissertations are part and parcel of all phd programs including the online ones. Students are expected to research and write their dissertations and continually forward them to the in-charge faculty member for examination. The same should be uploaded online for assessment.

Develop a Clinical Defense

This is usually a prerequisite for completion of a phd in nursing degree. Online students are expected to develop a clinical project and defend it in a panel. Depending on your school, you can either present your clinical defense via a webinar or present it when making the annual end of year campus stay.

Attend a Research Conference

Most online nursing schools will locate and book their online PhD students to research conferences in their state. Attendance of one or two research conferences is usually part of the examination process of the PhD student. The research conference must be chosen and recommended by your respective nursing school to facilitate its recognition.

Attend Your Campus Annually For The Duration of Study

Online PhD programs demand that students make on-campus visits every end of the year. This enables the faculty members to do intensive assessment of concepts learnt during the online sessions. At this point, students can also have on-campus face to face lectures with their professors. For this reason, it is strongly advisable that students intending to take the online PhD program to consider enrolling in schools within their states or the most convenient.

What Does an Online PhD in Nursing Prepare You For?

Earning a PhD in nursing, either online or in a traditional nursing schools opens you to a multitude of opportunities. Firstly, the nursing PhD is the terminal nursing degree on the land, and therefore, it is obvious to expect the best pay for PhD nurses.

In addition to a smarter check, PhD students are able to operate at wider and more lucrative positions in the nursing field.  A PhD gives you an excellent opportunity to shape the future nurses by becoming a faculty member and an instructor to students nurses. There are also numerous leadership roles that PhD graduates can assume. They are able to utilize their honed advanced nursing skills to become policy and decision makers in the health care profession.

PhD nursing graduates are able to give more focus in nursing research leading to generation and dissemination of vital research findings into real nursing practice. Such research foci can include reducing the risk of vulnerable groups while promoting health, managing chronic and old age suffering among others.

PhD holders also have the mandate of expanding the scholarly basis of nursing practice via empirical and philosophical basis that lead to a better understanding of nursing by the society.

Duration of Typical Online Nursing PhD Programs

Usually, nursing schools offering online nursing PhD programs require students to take at least 4 years to complete their studies although some may take as much as 5 years to compete. During this time, students are expected to cover 75 to 90 nursing credits depending on the program chosen or nursing school. For MSN to PhD programs, nurses take about 75 credits while the 90 credits are applicable to the BSN to PhD programs.

Masters in Forensic Nursing

Forensic nursing is one of the newest nurse specialties recognized and accredited by the American Nurses Association. It is a nursing specialty that trains nurses on how to use biological evidence to come-up with perpetrators of crimes. They are important in helping on legal proceedings where anomaly of the real victims and perpetrators of violence have to be decided using biological tests.

Forensic nurses are trained on collection of evidence, its preservation and testing in the lab. They are involved in criminal investigations involving sexual assault and mysterious death incidences.

Prerequisites for Admission for Masters in Forensics Nursing

Just like any other nursing specialty, students wishing to take a masters degree in forensic nursing must have earned a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing. In addition to this, nursing schools may request students to have an unencumbered RN license before you are allowed to do the MSN in Forensic Nursing Degree.

For non-nurse students, a bachelor’s degree in any other field of study from a recognized university may be used to may be used to enroll for forensic nursing.

Expected Curriculum of the Masters in Forensic Nursing Degree

Students looking forward to take the masters in forensic nursing must be prepared with ample investigation skills. They must be well prepared to work in devastating case scenarios involving crime, assault, manslaughter among others. Students must also be well equipped with honesty and ability to tell the truth even in compromising situations. Usually, the courses take the normal requirements of any MSN degree but having a concentration in forensic nursing:

Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) Core Courses

This includes all the courses taken by all masters of nursing students; regardless of their areas of nursing specialty. Such are:

Theory in nursing

Introduction to advanced practice nursing

Research methods in nursing

Population based nursing

Nursing ethics in decision making in health care

Forensic Nursing Specialty Courses

These courses give the student the real skills to deal with the work needs of the forensic nurse. It trains nurses on carrying out relevant forensic procedures and laboratory testing. Courses in this nursing specialty category include:

• Introduction to forensic nursing
• Trial preparation and criminal law
• Forensic science in relation to civil law and the legal system
• Practicum in forensic nursing
• Forensic science technologies
• Theories of violence
• Forensic science: caring for victims and perpetrators
• Advanced practice forensic nursing

Scope of Training in Forensic Nursing

For all the specialty courses in the masters in forensics nursing degree, RNs are trained on various aspects of evidence collection. Such training includes the ability to pick biological samples from skin, walls, glass or clothing. Such samples, also known as DNA samples help in a process called DNA profiling.

The basis of forensic nursing and identity is based on the fact that DNA from one individual differs from any other individuals’ hence, only one suspect can be linked to any one DNA sample analysis result.

Nurses are trained to match DNA profiles from samples collected from crime scenes to suspects DNA profiles; an accurate method of ascertaining identity. Samples that nurses are trained to collect include urine samples, hair, skin cells, sexual fluids, blood among others.

What does a Masters Degree in forensic Nursing Prepare you for?

The main objective of study in the masters of forensic nursing degree is to prepare the advanced practice registered nurse in carrying out tasks like:

• Conducting forensic nursing assessment for cases of inflicted trauma
• Form part of the legal process as they can be called upon to testify in a court of law or act a medical witness.
• Become a sexual assault examiner, torture and death investigation screener
• Paternity assessment for conflicting paternity in children using DNA profiling methods
• Become an expert in criminal investigations which involves robbery, break-ins and theft.
• Working alongside attorneys as legal nurse consultants for cases with a medical base
• Forensic nurses also become counselors for both the perpetrators and (or) victims of crime

Colleges That Offer Nursing Degrees

Finding a first-time nursing school or even a place to advance your education can be quite a challenge. With different priorities and a lot of schools to choose from, it may prove to be a difficult experience.

While looking for colleges that offer nursing degrees, future student nurse should keep the following points in mind:

i)        What is your financial ability

ii)      What learning mode do you prefer?- traditional or online

iii)    How busy are you? Do you want to give-up your job?

iv)    What many years can you allocate for study?

v)      What level is the degree you want? 2-year ASN,4-year BSN, Masters or doctorate?

With these questions in mind, you can go about doing elimination until you get the best college offering your nursing degree of choice. Below are some of the choices you would have to choose from:

1)     Online Colleges That Offer Nursing Degree Programs

This category of nursing collges is designed for students who wish to have distance learning modes. If you are a RN or freshmen who still want to keep your day job while studying, these are the nursing colleges for you. Renowned and accredited online colleges in US include:

• University of Phoenix
• Kaplan University
• Keiser University
• Walden University
• Western Governors University among others

2)     Historically black nursing colleges

These are for students who want to have high quality education yet at an affordable fee. At the HBCUs, there are numerous financial aids, hence a good fit for students who would find much strain in paying college fees. Examples of such nursing colleges offering nursing degrees include:

• Prairie View A&M university
• Howard University
• Hampton University
• Tuskegee University
• Bowie University

3)     Colleges That Offer Accelerated Nursing Degrees

Accelerated nursing degrees are designed for students who wish to finish their study in a record short duration. They arrange crush programs for nursing students by offering highly paced curriculum. These types of nursing colleges usually discourage future students from having a side job as the curriculum is not easy. A few examples of such nursing colleges in the US are:

• Purdue University
• University of Wisconsin
• Marian university-Indianapolis
• Texas Tech University

4)     Traditional Nursing Colleges

These are the most preferred nursing colleges and universities especially among fresh nursing entrants. Their curriculum is designed to ensure students study on campus. Both practical and theory nursing classes are taken on-campus. Usually, these types of schools are university hospitals where students have ample time interacting with patients. There are hundreds of these in US but just to mention a few award winning colleges:

• Boston College for Best dual MSN/MA program
• John Hopkins University for best PhD
• University of California for best post doctorate fellowships
• University of Texas at Austin as best nursing school for male nurses
• University of North Carolina at Chapel hill for most specialty nurse masters programs.

5)     Nursing Schools with Graduates Programs

Not all nursing schools out there offer nursing programs up-to the postgraduate level. There are especially few colleges that offer doctorate degrees in nursing unlike masters programs which are quite numerous. PhDs in nursing can be found in the following schools:

• John Hopkins University
• University of Miami
• College of nursing at Rush University
• New York University
• American Sentinel University
• Regis University

What to Look For in Nursing Colleges

Before enrolling in any colleges that claims to offer nursing degrees, future nurses should ensure the college is accredited to offer the nursing degrees they list. Such information can be retrieved from your states board of nursing. The board of nursing can also advice the aspiring nurses on schools to avoid and the reasons for doing so.

For nurses who must be licensed, the board of nursing in each state is capable of providing the prerequisites a student needs before being eligible for licensure. The student must, in return confirm that the nursing colleges they want to enroll with meets all the boards requirements.

Curriculum coverage is also an essential part in qualifying a potential school. You can consult from alumni of the school about its ability to deliver the outlined curriculum in a comprehensive manner.

Careers with a Nursing Degree

Nursing, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics is the largest occupation in the health care profession.  It holds close to 3 million employees and the numbers are said to be rising with the retiring of many baby boomers and the constant need of nursing personnel for a growing and aging population.

According to the occupation outlook handbook, the nursing profession is projected to have the highest rate of increase in the number of employees in the future years. The major nursing employers with a nursing degree are hospitals. Hospitals hold over 60 percent of all nursing careers with the 40 percent being spread out among home based care centers, nursing care facilities, occupational health and offices of physicians.

The easiest way to categorize nursing careers is by the work setting/ environment, by population involved in the care or by the conditions the nurses handle. In either way, all nursing careers revolve around the hospitals, physicians’ offices, home care/ hospice or occupational nursing.

Nursing Careers in Public and Private Hospitals

Hospitals, both private and public have been shown to be the largest employers of graduates with a nursing degree. Hospitals have a wide of range of nursing needs that requires to be filed by different types of nurses.

Actually, everyone takes their nursing degree with the perspective of a hospital setting. Hospitals will employ nurses to fill the following departments:

• Pediatrics department

This is the hospital section that deals with health care of infants and children. Here, nurses work under the supervision of senior pediatric doctors. This career needs a lot of patience as kids are a delicate group of patients to deal with.

• Psychiatry department

A nursing career in the psychiatry department will involve taking care of mentally challenged patients. It will involve calming the patients, counseling to depressed patients and administering psychiatric medication.

• Emergency and theatre departments

This career line takes-in perioperative nurses, surgery nurses and nurse anesthetists. Their work involves taking care of critically ill patients; those undergoing surgery and those under intensive care units.

• Maternity and neonatal departments

Nurses who have nursing degrees in midwifery and neonatal care will most likely find employment in maternity departments. Their roles will be taking care of infants and helping mothers-to-be through labor, birthing and postpartum care. Certified nurse midwives are the best fit for this career line.

Nursing Careers in Home-Based Care Centers

The careers in this bracket include those that take care of the elderly, terminally/ chronically ill and physically or mentally challenged/disabled. Nurses here work as nutritional nurses, basic care providers and counselors. The common nursing degrees in use at these places include RNs having specialties in mental health, gerontology, palliative care and hospice nursing.

Careers in Occupational Nursing

These are nurses who are aligned to the care of special groups of persons who are at higher health risks because of the nature of their work. Occupational nurses work in chemical industries, manufacturing industries, mining companies etc.

Here, the specialties of nursing degrees needed include dermatologists, respiratory care nurses, nephrologists and cardiac nurses. They are specialized to take handle any complications arising among employees inherent from the work involved.

New Nursing Careers

Another emerging occupational nursing career is forensic nursing. Nurses who have taken forensics are finding employment opportunities in investigation police departments. They play an important role in biological sample collection, sampling, testing and analysis; which is important in providing evidence in crime scenes.

Legal nursing also opens great career opportunities for nurses who want to practice outside the normal nursing duties. Legal nurses play a vital role in litigation processes, as witnesses in trial and as interpreters of medical ethics and malpractices in cases involving medical evidence.

Nursing Jobs at Physician Offices

Nurses who work in physician offices have roles of general ambulatory care/ outpatient care, family health and family planning advisors. They work under the supervision of their employers: the physicians.

Community Nursing Employment Opportunities

These are nursing careers that revolve around marginalized groups and the rural settings. Such nursing jobs are available through NGOs and other charitable organizations. The work setting of community nurses involves going around places and offering mobile health care services to the targeted communities. Good providers of these nursing careers include the Red Cross, United Nations among others.

Salary Margins for Nursing Careers

The salary range of all nursing careers varies depending on state, level of education and years of experience in nursing practice. But the average nursing salaries falls between $35000 and $95000 for the lowest and highest paid nurses respectively.

Accredited Online Nursing Degree Programs

The nursing field, like many other professions, have taken the huge step of technological advancement to enable nursing students earn degrees right from their homes or in their offices.  It is easier than ever before to enroll for distance learning in various nursing degree programs without ever appearing in a physical classroom.

However, you must be able to separate the wheat from the chaff by looking for accredited online nursing degree programs from accredited online nursing schools.

While almost all nursing degree programs may be completed online, there is an observed increase in the number of students who take given nursing degrees online while the preference is low on other degrees. Below are nursing degrees that can be completed online:

Licensed Practice Nurse Programs

These are not entirely at degree level- but are nursing accreditations that allow one to practice in the medical field. They are usually offered by community colleges, vocational centers and middle level colleges. Almost any nursing school is able to offer accredited online LPN programs. It is one of the most common online nursing programs because it involves a shorter course curriculum and practical sessions as compared to longer nursing degrees.

Students can take theory classes online and get affiliated with the institutions’ hospital of choice to enable them take clinical practical classes at an accessible location.

Associate of Science in Nursing Degree

The common trend to earn an ASN degree online is via the LPN to RN programs. Many online nursing schools record huge enrollment for this degree mode probably because of the duration of study. Students who take this degree program online are usually in the interest of having to complete a nursing degree fast to get into employment.

The online degree program in ASN can take as short as 18 months to complete as compared to traditional physical classes that go for about two years. Just like the case of LPNs, students can arrange practical assessment at a nearby clinical setting so as to complete the requirements to graduate.

Certified Nurse Assistant

Similarly, this is a short nursing program that has high preferences of online study mode. Students who enroll for this online nursing program are usually immediate graduates who want some vocational training in the medical field and would want to have nursing as their major career line. Community colleges, NGOs and vocational centers are popular in offering this nursing program.

Online Paramedic to RN programs

This is for emergency medical technicians who wish to become registered nurses. Students who are already paramedics receive exemption in some credits and therefore take a shorter time to complete their nurse training.

Overall, the shorter nurse training programs have great preference of online study modes as compared to BSN, MSN or Doctor of Nursing. The shift in preference can be explained by the work-load involved or maybe the hours needed for practical clinical rounds. For BSN or MSN who have to take over 200hours of practical sessions, it would prove difficult to have an online study mode.

However, this does not mean there are no online nursing degrees for BSN, MSN or Doctorates: quite a number of online nursing schools offer these options for students to choose from.

Be on the Look-out; Do Not Fall Prey for Unaccredited Online Nursing Degree Programs

Time and resources are precious investments and should, at no cost be sacrificed with anything. This is a principle that should be well applied by any student who wishes to enroll for an online nursing degree program. It would be beyond contemplation to pay fat fees checks and invest three years or more; in the name of studying, only to realize you are equal to someone who have never entered a nursing class. This is the embarrassment of enrolling for unaccredited online nursing degree program.

Ensure Accreditation for Online Nursing Degrees

Before enrolling with any self-proclaimed online nursing school, check that their online nursing degrees are accredited to ensure you have nothing to lose but only a valid-recognizable certificate at the end of the study program.

You must therefore, ensure the online degree program and the school you enroll with is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

What are the Different types of Nursing Degrees

The nursing profession is the largest medical profession according to the bureau of labor and statistics.  There are close to 3 million recorded nursing employees in the USA only and the number is said to increase each year and at a high rate. This is because nursing is a diversified profession and students have a wide range of programs to choose from.

Below are various degree programs in the nursing field that students can enroll to; either as an entry to the nursing profession or as continuing education to prior nursing degree programs. The list is put in an ascending order; starting with the lowest to the highest nursing degrees available.

i)        Associate of Science in Nursing degree

This is the lowest nursing program offered at a degree level. Students who enroll for this nursing program usually have the objective of becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). Student nurses in this degree program have to undertake two years of study learning the major nursing concepts. At this point, the student nurse does not specialize in any field of nursing; they take courses on all aspects of nursing.

The program is more of the technical focus and is usually suitable for students who want to start earning fast but have a future thought of advancing in the nursing to earn a Bachelors Degree in nursing.

ii)      Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Also referred to as baccalaureate, BSN is the entry level of nurses who want to assume major nursing roles like administration and leadership positions.  Typically, this degree program takes four years to complete inclusive of both practical and theory classes.  This is the most recommended entry point to nursing if you don’t mind being in class for four years. On graduation with a BSN, a student is eligible for certification by NCLEX to become a licensed RN. It is the road to more fulfilling and great opportunities in the nursing profession.

iii)    Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing is the perfect opportunity for nurses who want to become Nurse Practitioners, Specialists Nurses or generally, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. This graduate program usually takes about two years to complete with nurse students choosing one area of concentration. To be eligible for admission in this nursing degree program, one must have completed a BSN and have some nursing clinical experience in their sleeves.

However, there are accelerated RN to MSN degree programs for RNs who want to become Advanced Practice nurse but do not have a BSN. Although quite uncommon, it is a great way for Associate of Science in nursing graduates to earn both the BSN and MSN in one study program.

The areas of specialty for MSN include psychiatry, nurse anesthetic, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology, holistic, occupational nursing among others.

iv)   Doctor of Nursing Degree programs

This bracket of nursing education is categorized according to the choice of research orientation a student wishes to take. Nurse students must have completed their MSN postgraduate degree to be eligible for enrollment.

Usually, these degree programs take a minimum of four years to complete with intensive study on research methods, nursing philosophy, statistics and analysis in the nursing field.

The three doctorate degrees in nursing are Doctor of Nursing in Science, Education or Practice. Students who choose the practice option do more courses in research methods and clinical care while those who pick education will major on becoming tutors and medical instructors in educational settings. For the Science students, their courses will cover more on healthcare statistics and analysis, bioinformatics and clinical defense via research.

v)     Other degree programs in the nursing stream

There are other degree programs that are not in the mainstream nursing but award students merits in nursing. Such include:

• RN to MSN nursing programs
• LPN to MSN
• LPN to BSN

In addition to nursing degree programs, there are numerous non-degree level nursing programs that enable students to be certified to practice in the field of nursing. Those include:

• Licensed Practice Nurse
• Certified Nurse Assistant

Scholarships for Nursing Degrees

The US government, NGOs, Educational Foundations and other trusts are on the fore front to ensure no needy student misses out on finishing their nursing degree due to lack of tuition fees. Individual goodwill ambassadors are also not left behind in helping alleviate the financial constrains of earning a nursing degree.

Below is a list of scholarships available for nursing students to apply for:

The Nursing Scholarship Program from the US government

This is a government scholarship programs that aims at coming-around the shortage of RNs in the US by offering scholarships to needy students. This can be viewed as an incentive for students to finish their nursing degrees and fill-up open positions of RNs in government health care facilities.

Usually, these facilities are in hardship areas and students must abide to serve for at least two years as a gratitude for the scholarship. This scholarship is open each year and interested nursing students can apply at the Health Resources and Services Administration website at an ongoing basis.

Other Nursing Scholarships

Some foundations and trusts have scholarships that are state specific while others are applicable to all nursing students within the US borders. Examples of popular national scholarships include:

Nurse Leaders for America

This nursing scholarship is in the mode of a work-study program that is available for both BSN and MSN students. The students are then assigned nursing duties at a US hospital of choice. For eligibility, you must have practiced as a RN for a minimum of three years.

Future of Nursing Scholarships

This is a scholarship program available to all US citizens and permanent residents who already hold unencumbered RN licenses. They are only available to online nursing programs and the student must be willing to study via Western Governors University online nursing degree programs.

Dorothy Willits Hallowell Nursing Scholarships

This is offered by the Anne.T.J foundation and the scholarships are meant for fresh high school graduates who wish to take nursing as their profession. However, students must have applied and been accepted in a nursing school or any institution of higher learning.

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Awards

The targeted beneficiaries of this scholarship awards are nurses of Indian origin who study in America. It also covers other non-nursing students who are pursing education in other health related professions.

The Blanco Foundation, Inc

The foundation has scholarships for nursing and education students only. Students who wish to be considered for these scholarships should apply on their website before the first day of February each year. They are only applicable to fresh entrants of the nursing and education degree programs.

Nurses Education Funds, Inc

The NEF nursing scholarships are specifically for postgraduate students ie either MSN or students taking doctoral nursing degrees. Students must be enrolled at an NLNAC accredited nursing school and must submit their applications before the first of March each year.

Other Sources of Scholarships for Nursing Degree

Students must make an intensive search if they want to maximize their chances of being awarded nursing scholarships. Sending numerous applications is the way to increase your chances of landing nursing financial aid and grants.  In addition to scholarships, nursing students can also apply for federal financial loans, which are applicable to all US students in any programs.

Online Nursing Scholarship Scams

However, students must be aware of scammers who are out to scam and steal from wanting students in the name of forwarding their names and ensuring they will be awarded scholarships. At least, no one foundation or trust will ever ask needy students to pay for before being awarded a scholarship.

Students can also check out at their nursing schools’ financial notice board for any upcoming and existing nursing scholarships they are eligible for. Any considerate nursing school constantly updates their scholarships notices to ensure students have up-to-date scholarship information.

Your States’ board of nursing is also an excellent place to search for current and legitimate scholarships that are state specific and those accepting applicants nationally.

Postgraduate Nursing Degrees

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate of Science in Nursing degree, you may wish to further your education. This is a great way to assume senior roles in the nursing profession as well as a way to specialize in one field of nursing.

Master and Doctorate degrees in nursing enable a registered nurse to become an advanced practice RN or a Specialist nurse. Postgraduate degrees in nursing also allow students who have non-nursing degrees to get an entry point to the nursing profession via what is known as direct entry MSN.

Prerequisites to Enroll for Postgraduate Nursing Degrees

To be admitted for a post graduate nursing degree program at the Masters level, you must have completed a BSN and have had a given number of years in clinical practice. This applies to RNs who wish to take a Master of Science in Nursing degree programs. However, for non-nurse students, a recognized Bachelors degree is what you require for eligibility. Some postgraduate training schools also require students to have minimum GPA scores in order to be admitted.

Available Postgraduate Nursing Degree programs

i)        RN to MSN degree programs

This nursing degree program is designed for RNs who wish to take their masters program immediately after earning a BSN. This postgraduate program enables Registered nurses to receive exemption of credits of BSN courses similar to their MSN programs. It is a great way for nurses who do not wish to have an overlap of credits which appear in both the BSN and MSN programs.

For eligibility, student nurses must enroll as soon as they finish their BSN study and given a Licensure to practice by NCLEX.

ii)      Master of Science in Nursing

A MSN route is for RNs who finished their BSN programs at an earlier time and have been in clinical practice for a while. This program has a lot of overlapping courses that were taken at the BSN level and student nurse must redo them.

However, it is the widest postgraduate nursing degree level with numerous areas of specialty and high level of student enrollment. Students opting for this program have had the experience of the real world nurse practice and are in a position to choose the best specialty areas for themselves. In contrast to RN to MSN programs, delayed MSN students make more informed choices in the areas of nursing they fill they have come to like during their nursing practice.

Nurses who earn a MSN are referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and fall into any one of the four brackets below:

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Anesthetists

Certified Nurse Midwives or

Clinical nurse Specialists

The list below consist of the different MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist programs nursing students can choose from

• MSN in Nursing informatics
• MSN in Pediatrics
• MSN in Gerontology
• MSN in Nursing Education
• MSN in Psychiatry/mental health
• MSN -Nurse-midwifery
• MSN in Family Health
• MSN in Health care systems
• MSN- Nurse Administrator
• MSN-public health

iii)    Direct entry MSN

Direct entry MSN refers to postgraduate nursing degree programs for non- nurse students. This nursing degree program takes three years to complete as compared to the other two MSN degree programs which last 2 years each.

The prolonged period is because the first year is utilized to introduce the non-nurse student to core concepts of the nursing profession. The other two years have similar curriculum coverage’s as the usual MSN program. In direct MSN, students are trained on similar specialties as the MSN to become advanced practice nurses and be given licensure by NCLEX.

iv)   Doctor of Nursing Practice/ Doctor of philosophy

These two postgraduate nursing degrees are the terminal professional degrees in this field. They focus on application of clinical research, advanced nurse practice and leadership roles in nursing. The American Association of College of Nursing has been active in trying to concentrate all previous doctorate degrees in nursing to either of these two; a process which has effected.

As a prerequisite for enrollment, nursing students must have completed their MSN programs and have some experience in advanced nursing practice. 

Online Registered Nursing Degrees

Earning a nursing degree from home has become easier as there are numerous online nursing schools offering online RN degrees. This has alleviated the requirement of nursing students to attend physical classes in a school environment.

However, as nursing is not complete without practical skills and one-on-one patient-student interaction, we cannot conclusively say that there entire online RN degree programs. Students who take such degrees must liaise with the nursing school to ensure their practical sessions are conducted and supervised accordingly. You cannot be certified or given licensure to practice as a RN without having attended a minimum number of clinical practical sessions provided by your states’ board of nursing.

Online Associate of Science in Nursing Degrees

The easiest and fastest route to becoming a RN is by taking an ASN degree. Currently, this degree program is being offered online by numerous nursing schools. But as mentioned earlier, it is not entirely possible to earn a nursing degree online as the profession requires a lot of hands-on training as part of the curriculum.

The way around the nursing clinical sessions is that online nursing schools blend their study program to include both on-site training and online classes.

Typically, the theory classes are taken online while the student must be on-campus for clinical practical instructions. On the other hand, if the student is not within the campus environs, the nursing school can make special affiliations with hospitals around the locality of the student to enable the student take their clinical practicum.

Online Paramedic to RN Bridging programs

This is a bridging degree program that enables paramedics the transition to registered nurses by means of an accelerated study mode. Paramedics are very busy and would in normal situations, not be able to attend campus classes.

Such programs take up-to 18 months to complete and do not require students to be on site for much of the study duration. Just like the RNs who earn their ASN degrees online, practical classes must be arranged prior to registering to become eligible for certification. This can be done with crush programs in campus or by nearby affiliated health care facilities.

LPN to RN degrees

Licensed Practice Nurses who wish to become RNs can also enroll for accelerated online LPN to BSN programs. Students who have active practice nurse licensure are able to apply to credit exemptions whereby, they can complete the programs in a shorter period of time; usually not more than12 months.

There is also an observed increment in the number of enrollments recorded for students transitioning from LPN to BSN via online programs.

Advantages of Online Registered Nursing Degrees

This blend of the two study modes: online and on-campus saves valuable time for the students who would have not afforded to be in class the whole time. It is also beneficial to the nurse students who do not want to lose their day jobs.

The learning mode uses web conferencing, ANGEL and other online-based learning management systems to deliver the curriculum to the students. The courses that are covered using the online mode of learning include pathology, anatomy, basic nursing processes and physiology.

Certification and Accreditation for Online Registered Nursing Degrees

To be on the safe side, students must always ascertain their online schools of choice are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. NLNAC is the body that ensures all nursing schools offer up-to standard training for nurses.

In addition to accreditation by NLNAC, students must confirm the number of hours set by their States’ Board of Nursing for eligibility to sit for National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN). This allows students to be recognized by their States’ Board of Nursing as eligible to practice as registered nurses in that particular state.

Requirement for licensure varies between states and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they adhere to the set guidelines.

Nursing Degrees in Florida

If you are in love with the beaches, Florida offers the best learning environments surrounded with serene palm beaches. For those those who like learning intriguing history, Florida has such fascinating history that you will love your stay around. And for the sun-buckers too, Florida is the warmest state in the East.

And what’s more, Florida has some of the most prestigious nursing schools; u will have a wide range of nursing programs to choose while you study nursing in the sun-soaked state. Furthermore, according to the occupation employment statistics, the nursing profession in Florida has the highest number of employees in the health care field. It is also worth noting the nursing profession has among the top five percentile of employment rate i.e. 22/1000 Floridians are in the nursing profession.

Popular Nursing Degrees in Florida Colleges

Florida nursing schools and universities have diversified delivery of the education through both online and on-campus study modes. Below are some renowned universities and colleges that offer nursing degrees in Florida.

Online Nursing Degrees from Florida Universities

There are quite a number of Florida-based online universities that well known for their online nursing degrees. In the northern part of the state, chamberlain college of nursing offers online nursing programs in BSN and Second degrees in nursing. They have an efficient online study mode but also a campus in Jacksonville and Miramar.

Keiser University

This university has a large online presence and is renowned for its online nursing degrees. The university also has over 10 campuses in Florida including Daytona Beach, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando among others. Keiser university- Florida offers online nursing degrees programs in Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in nursing and the Associates degrees.

Campus-Based Nurse Training in Florida

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix has four campuses in Florida and offers a total of 14 nursing programs. However all the nursing programs in the Florida campuses are from master’s level with no degrees in the ASN and BSN programs.

South university

This college has established a strong command for nursing degrees all over the world. South university campuses in Florida are in Palm Beach and Tampa. It has both online and offline study modes with a large number of degree programs being offered online.

University of Miami

This university offers some of the majority nursing degrees in Florida. It has degree programs ranging from ASN to PhD in nursing. It has over 11 nursing programs under its nursing school and all degree programs are offered onsite. It has degree programs in BSN, MSN, RN to BSN and RN to MSN among others.

Other colleges that offer nursing degrees in Florida include:

Brown Mackie College in Miami

College of health in Jacksonville

Broward community college in Fort Lauderdale

Florida international university-Miami

Palm Beach community college in Lake Worth

This list only highlights a fraction among the many Florida nursing schools.

Florida Nurses Licensing

Nurses who finish their nursing degrees in Florida must take the National Council Licensure Exam for registered nurses in order to practice. The Florida board of nursing is a good resource centre for students who wish to find out more on degree programs offered in Florida.

The nursing board also helps students apply to accredited nursing schools to avoid loss of time and educational recognition. For students who would want to visit the board personally to get information, it has offices in Tallahassee at 4052 Bald Cypress Way.

Future Outlook of Nursing Degrees in Florida

Currently, registered nurses in all health care sectors in Florida take home an average of $52000 per annum. For other advanced nursing degree like MSN, nurses have an attractive salary of close to $81000 annually. According to the bureau of labor and statistics, this is the third highest paying state for Master of Science nurses after New York and California.

Nursing degrees in Florida are projected to get higher demand because the state receives a lot of retirees who opt to live in this sunshine state. The state also receives a huge number of beach holiday makers and tourists and as such, nursing needs are set to be high.

Masters Degree in Nursing Education

Why Take a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education?
A recent study by the American association of colleges of nursing has indicated that there is an average of 71% shortage of nurse educators in all nursing faculties.  This has further implicated on the observed shortage of nurses in many US states.  Lack of nurse educators is resulting into few admissions in many nursing schools, hence, the lack of registered nurses.

With a MSN in education, you will get the skills of being a faculty member and fill the ever wanting situations of nursing schools and university hospitals. This is a rewarding career to see nurse students excel under your tutorship. It will fulfill your need for an ideal career with good returns as nurse educators are some of the highly paid nursing professionals.

Masters Degree in Nursing Education

This is a two year study program that will develop your clinical skills as well as give you an opportunity to take a clinical specialization. In addition to advanced clinical experience, you will learn important skills of curriculum development and student evaluation. You will also have the opportunity to get trained on curriculum delivery, nurse educator teaching methods and modalities of learning strategies.

Prerequisites for Admission into MSN Education Programs

This program is for Registered Nurses (RNs) who already have at least two years of clinical experience under their sleeves. They must also have their nursing licensure by taking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Most nursing schools also ask for a clean, unencumbered or non-revoked RN license. It is also common for nursing schools to ask for satisfactory GPA and GRE scores.

Coursework for MSN in Education Program

Student enrolled for masters in nursing education must be prepared to handle both clinical practicum and theory classes. The number of total credits required for full course coverage varies between schools and states. Generally, students will take an average of 30 credits with some nursing schools having as high as 38 credits and others as low as 26. Courses will be in the brackets of:

i)        Masters of Science core courses

These are the general core nursing courses applicable to all masters programs in nursing and are usually more than the specialty courses. They include:

• Research methods in nursing
• Pharmacology for advanced practice nurses
• Practicum in nursing research
• Evidence based nursing practice
• Nursing ethics
• Contemporary service delivery in  health care
• Population based health promotion
• Nursing theories
• Pathophysiology for advanced practice nurses

ii)      Nurse Educator Specialty Courses

These are the courses that equip the nurse with teaching methods to fit as a specialist nurse educator. Such credits include:

• Curriculum design and development

This trains the nurse developing an all inclusive curriculum to be used for teaching purposes in other nursing training programs like bachelors, diploma or associates degrees.

• The art of teaching/ Teaching methods

In this course, nurse educators are trained on effective and timely curriculum delivery. They are trained on classroom interaction skills and how to create conducive learning environments for students.

• Evaluation in nursing education

This course covers the aspects of testing and nursing students assessments. The MSN students must learn the skills of setting up-to standards tests and assignments. They must also be in a position to test the general understanding and application of learnt knowledge on diverse areas of medicine other than the nursing profession.

Practicum lessons for MSN students

In addition to theory classes, students are expected to have supervised clinical rounds. This section for nurse educators is not very intensive and only takes a small fraction of the two years of study. At the end of the masters’ degree in nursing education, the nurse educator is usually in a position to work in community-based settings, academic settings or hospitals environment. They work as competent health care educators to the public, other medical staff or completely fresh nursing students.

How to Get a Nursing Degree

The first nursing degree you get enables you to become a registered nurse (RN). Other lower nursing qualifications like certificate programs only allow a student to have junior nursing duties like Licensed Practice Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) among others.

Nursing Degree programs

The first step in becoming a registered nurse is by enrolling for either of the listed nursing degrees programs:

i)        Associate of Science in Nursing degree

This is the lowest starting point in getting a nursing degree. Students who enroll for this nursing degree have to undertake at least two years of study in a nursing school. The degree program will include core concepts of nursing and clinical practicum sessions where, the student nurse gets to interact with patients in a clinical setting.

Upon graduation with this nursing degree, you will be expected to take and pass a National Council Licensure Exam for RNs.

ii)      Bachelor of Science in Nursing

This is a four-year degree program where nurses are intensively trained on diverse nursing courses. Unlike the ASN degree, a BSN degree has a larger coursework and hence, RNs who take a BSN has greater expertise than those who take ASN. Like the ASN, completion of a BSN qualifies a student to take the NCLEX-RN certification test.

iii)    LPN to BSN nursing degrees

These degree programs are meant for LPNs who want to get the transition to RNs. The program offers a chance to LPNs to increase their practice scopes and get better pay margins

iv)    RN to BSN degree

The program is designed for RNs who already have an ASN but want to advance their educational qualification. Students who take this path are usually RNs who want a flexible and highly exempted credits route to getting a higher nursing degree.

v)      Second Degree BSN degrees/ Accelerated BSN degree

These degree program aims at enabling non-nursing students who hold other bachelors degree to get a nursing degree. For people who want to change careers, this is the easiest way to get a nursing degree. The duration of study is reduced as your former bachelor’s degree credits are recognized.

Different Modes of Study in Get a Nursing Degree

After choosing your nursing degree, you decide to register in one of the following study modes to get your nursing degree:

Fulltime Nursing School

In this study mode, nursing students must be in campus for all nursing training whereby, students take both theory and practical classes within campus. Usually, many nursing schools are university hospitals and this allows the students to have convenience in attending the supervised clinical rounds.

This mode of study is also called traditional nurse training and involves one-on-one students-instructors interaction. It is the most preferred method of study especially for first-time nursing school students or those who do not have to work another job at the time of study.

Getting a Nursing Degree Online

Online nursing degrees offer students the chance to get their nursing degree right from home without having to attend college. The students use web tools like webinars, audio conferencing and other online education delivery systems to learn the nursing concepts.

This is the most appropriate way to get a nursing degree if you want to keep your job or if you have a tight time schedule. It is also recommended for students who have a prior experience in nursing as things will not sound too complicated or too new. The popular nursing degrees under this study mode include LPN to RN programs, paramedic to RN degree programs and RN to BSN.

Accreditation of Nursing Degrees

To be on the safe side and ensure you get a valid and recognized nursing degree, students must always confirm that the ministry of education approves the nursing school in question. Students must also check with their states’ board of nursing to ensure the course work and curriculum is up-to the required state standards.

Other accrediting bodies like National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission are in a position to guide students to only enroll for accredited programs. This will be of advantage as it will prevent incidences of wasting time and money in the journey towards getting a nursing degree.

PhD in Nursing Programs

A doctoral degree in nursing is the highest nursing degree that you can hold; however, there are two doctoral degrees. The Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP) is the doctoral degree for practicing while the Doctor of Science in Nursing is the PhD degree and is more research based than practice based. The DNP has become the preferred degree for nurses who wish to move higher in their field and attain executive status or work in highly specialized areas such as midwife nurse practitioners.

Choosing the best PhD in nursing programs is the first step to a long and successful career as a high ranking nurse.

The Best of the Best

Everyone wants to choose the best school for their education, it simply makes good sense. Employers look more favorably upon some institutions simply due to the reputation they have earned for graduating some of the best in the industry. The following schools have been deemed to be the top schools for PhD in nursing programs based on peer assessment. They are presented in order of ranking for you to review and consider as you look toward advancing your degree.

#1 John Hopkins University: This prestigious medical teaching school offers nurses two options for obtaining their doctoral degree in nursing, the DNP and the PhD. The NDP program for practicing nursing at the highest possible level allows students to create their own nursing path based on their specialized interests such as anesthesia, midwifery and more. The PhD program is more attuned to nurses who want to pursue research type careers.

#1 University of Philadelphia: The Penn Nursing program has long been recognized as a leader in producing top quality nurses. The PhD program prepares nurses for advanced careers in research environments. Students can also choose to get a joint degree by add Bioethics or Business Administration to their curriculum.

#1 University of Washington: The University of Washington offers nurses both the DNP and the PhD option. The programs last from one to three years, depending on the educational background of the student. Students can choose part-time or full-time studies and for some courses choose distance learning. The DNP has several different specialty paths such as pediatric, midwifery, mental health and more. The PhD takes up to 5 years and does not allow part-time study until after the first completed year. This program is much more intense and focuses on research and study instead of practice in the nursing field.

#6 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: Like many other prestigious universities, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor offers both the PhD and the DNP programs as well as a Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship. The PhD in nursing program prepares nurses to become forerunners in the advancement of nursing through research and a strong emphasis on theory rather than practice. The DNP program focuses on advanced practical nursing skills and leadership. This degree has become the preferred degree for nurses entering specialized fields and will become the accepted credentials for many of these specialty areas, such as nurse midwifery. One of the requirements for the DNP program is at least 1000 hours of advanced clinical work.

#7 Duke University: Noted not only for its nursing program but for its medical facilities as well, the School of Nursing at Duke University offers nurses both the PhD program and the DNP program. Students who graduate from this program can pursue teaching positions in nursing schools or move into research in a post doctorate program. The DNP program at Duke offers online courses with planned on-campus days. This program prepares nurses to improve patient care as leaders in their area of nursing.

As shown here, there are many excellent schools of nursing that offer doctoral programs in nursing. The main thing you need to decide is if you want to get a research doctoral degree (PhD) or a clinical practice degree (DNP). Once you know this, you can decide on the school that best meets your needs.

PhD in nursing programs allows nurses to reach the pinnacle of their education and become leaders in the healthcare field. The DNP has become to go-to degree for many areas that once had certifications only and will overtime become the desired doctoral degree for nurses who wish to remain actively practicing.

Online LPN Nursing Degrees

Many people who want to go into the nursing field choose the LPN path in order to get in the field working quicker than going through three or four years of school in order to become and RN with a BS degree.

If you are considering becoming a licensed practical nurse you can save yourself time and check out the online LPN nursing degrees that are available through many virtual colleges and even traditional colleges that have an online presence.

Why Choose an LPN Degree

It may seem odd that some people choose an LPN degree instead of going ahead with an RN degree, especially since there are RN programs that can be completed in less than four years. There are actually many reasons that a person might choose to become a licensed practical nurse instead of or before becoming a registered nurse. Some of these reasons include:

• Degree of difficulty: While the courses are similar in an RN program and an LPN program, the RN program delves much deeper into theory. Many people know that they don’t want have the aptitude for the level of difficulty of the RN program.
• Waiting List: The demand for nurse is high and so is the demand to get into nursing school. Some RN programs have long waiting lists and difficult pre-requisites. LPN programs are usually easier to gain access to and quick to give acceptance.
• Money: Money is one of the reasons cited for choosing the LPN program and it is two-fold reason: one, the cost of the LPN program is typically less expensive than the RN program; and, two, you are out in the nursing field quicker and thus earning a paycheck.
• Time: If an accelerated LPN program is chosen, it is possible to be working in as little as a year. This is a huge time saver and can allow a nurse to have a paycheck coming in much quicker than if you choose an RN program.
• Career Option Uncertainty: Choosing to be an LPN allows students to see what they will be doing and get into the field without committing time and money to an RN program. If they decide that they aren’t cut out for nursing, they can easily find another career path. However, if they find they like nursing, the can easily bridge to an RN degree quickly.

These are some of the reason that many nurses give for choosing to go into the nursing field as an LPN instead of an RN.

Online Programs

There are many different online LPN programs available, some of these programs are direct LPN programs and some are designed to go from certified nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse. Some of the top online schools for obtaining an LPN nursing degree include:

• University of Phoenix: Offers both online and campus based programs. Programs include M.S. in Nursing, PhD in Nursing, RN to Bachelor of Science and others.
• Walden University: Offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD’s in nursing.
• Kaplan University: Featuring MS, RN to MS, RN to BS and other nursing programs.

These are three of the most recognized names in online universities that offer LPN nursing degrees. There are also many traditional college campuses that have a web presence for online education, such as Duke University.

Courses and Education

If you have chosen to use the Internet to get your education and become a licensed practical nurse you don’t have to worry about receiving less training and knowledge than traditional schools. You will learn how to do many different things and also learn why and how they are done. Classes you will take include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Geriatrics
• Medical Terminology
• Vocational Rehab
• Health and Nutrition
• Human Growth and Development

These are just a few of the classes that you may be required to take. The good news is that you won’t have nearly as many classes as someone on the RN path. These course and others will help you as you understand the whys and hows behind the various tasks you will perform, such as taking vitals and observing patients.

In most states, you will be able to perform practically all of the duties of a registered nurse with the exception of pushing IV drugs, performing assessments or administering blood products. LPNS work under the supervision of RNs and may also supervise CNAs.

Online LPN nursing degrees allow students to get their education and become working professionals from the convenience of their own home and in less time than if they were going to a traditional school for the same degree or a more advanced degree in nursing.

Online LPN schools offer aspiring nurses the opportunity to work towards a degree in nursing while maintaining a full-time job. Because some students must continue to work full-time to support themselves or their families, online schools may be the only option. Online LPN schools allow students to work towards a stable and growing career in the healthcare field. Online LPN programs are fairly short-term and require just over one year of full time study. Once a student secures a LPN qualification, they can work as a LPN or pursue a nursing degree. LPNs make $40,000 or more each year.

How to Become an LPN

Aspiring LPN students should normally be 18 years of age. For most programs, the minimum requirements include a 2.0 GPA and taking an entrance exam, such as the Test for Adult Basic Education, which includes assessments in reading, writing and math. Some LPN programs are extremely competitive, which means that students may need to meet more than the minimum requirements to be accepted into the course.

Once the LPN program commences, it usually takes 3 to 4 quarters or semesters to complete. Nearly all students can start and complete an LPN program within one and one-half years. The program requires training in behavior patient care techniques. Students will also complete a portion of the program in a clinical setting under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, or in some cases another LPN.

Once the program is complete, students must take the National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses, to earn a practical nursing license.

Format of Online LPN Schools

For most programs, there is not one true online LPN program. Because LPNs require clinical training, at some point students will be required to attend a session in-person to learn clinical duties and undergo an assessment. For working professionals seeking a program to become an LPN, the best bet is a community college program geared towards those pursuing a second career.

Some community programs offer a flexible format and schedule including evening and online LPN courses. Here are a few online LPN schools below:

Hondros College

Hondros College offers a format ideal for the working professional, as it offers LPN courses in a hybrid format. Students can take classes in the evenings and online, which gives them the freedom to pursue a full-time career and earn money during the day. Furthermore, LPN students can complete their clinical training on the weekends. This allows the opportunity to continue to work, if necessary, while completing an academic program.

Allegany College of Maryland

Once the LPN qualification is earned, students can pursue education online to become a nurse. Allegany College of Maryland offers an online program for LPNs to earn their RN qualification. The program can be accessed at any time of day. All curricular coursework is completed online and students can complete the clinical component of the program in their hometown. Students should verify that they live in an approved state before attempting to attend the program, if they live out of state.

Nursing Degrees in Virginia

Regardless of whether you live in the mountains of Virginia or near the shores of Virginia Beach, you can find many educational opportunities. Nursing degrees in Virginia are plentiful with many accredited schools to choose from to get your degree in order to take your certification exam and become a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

The many schools in Virginia provide ample opportunity for you to get any one of the various nursing degrees such as:

• Diploma in Nursing
• Practical Nursing Degree
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degree

Each of these different degrees affords you the opportunity to work in one of the many hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state.

 To Wait or Not to Wait

The shortage in nurses has brought many new students to the fields that are anxious to get into nursing school and get their new career started. Most of these people want to go into the Associate Degree program due to it being a shorter class and yet as the same time being simple to bridge to the Bachelor’s Degree. However, the influx of students into the Associate’s Degree program has created a waiting list.

The alternative to entering the nursing field through the Associate’s program is to either enter a practical nursing degree program or a Bachelor’s Degree program. You can also seek your nursing education online or through accelerated programs that will get you out of school faster. These may not be the route you had intended to go to get your degree; however, they are faster than waiting for a spot to open up in what are often long waiting lists.

Tuition Assistance

If you need tuition assistance to get one of the nursing degrees in Virginia you are in luck. The state has created what they call the Virginia State Loan Repayment Program in order to help fill the nursing shortage, particularly in areas that are rural or poor and in need of medical personnel.

This program will pay nurses who work at least two years in these locations up to $25k to cover your tuition. This money is give after the two years of service so you may have to find alternate ways to pay for the nursing degree initially. Some options that you may consider include:

• Scholarships from nursing associations in Virginia and other areas;
• School scholarships;
• Student loans that you can repay quickly with your tuition reimbursement;
• Employer assistance;
• Grants and other state funding

You can find many different ways to pay for your tuition to one of the many nursing schools in Virginia if you take the time to research the many options available and keep in mind that you can get a large portion of your money back with the loan repayment program.

Virginia Nursing Jobs

Many students who attend nursing school in Virginia choose to stay in the state to pursue their career. There are many different regions to choose from, such as large cities like Richmond or small rural cities that are in need of nurses. The large metropolitan areas like Richmond have larger hospitals with trauma centers. Some of these larger hospitals are also teaching hospitals that help draw nursing students to the state.

The need for nurses goes well beyond the large metropolitan areas. In fact, the repayment program offered by the state is designed around the smaller, more rural areas that are experiencing extremely low nursing numbers. Many of these have excellent facilities but are in need of staff to work in them.

Researching Schools

If the information here has sparked an interest in the various nursing degrees in Virginia then you should continue your research by visiting the Nursing Schools in Virginia section of this website. Here you can find everything you need to know about nursing in Virginia from schools that are available and the details about the nursing programs they offer.

Schools that offer nursing degrees in Virginia are plentiful and come with excellent financial incentives such as tuition repayment all while living in a beautiful, historic state. If you choose to stay and work, there are many different hospitals and medical facilities that can put your nursing skills to good use.

Nursing Degrees in New York

If you are trying to decide on a career path, you should consider the nursing field. It is a well known fact that nurses are in high demand as the population ages and the Baby Boomer generations reaches retirement age. Not only will these retired Baby Boomers be leaving the work force, they will also need more medical care than they did when they were younger.

This means more vacancies in a field that will be in demand. If you live in New York, you have many options for getting a nursing degree. The various options for nursing degrees in New York will be explored here to help you get started with your education and ultimately become a vital part of the healthcare field.

Less Than 4 Years

Many high school students cringe when they see the cost of a 4-year school. Tuition is the biggest obstacle faced by most students and some have to give up their dreams of a degree. Unless their family has prepared for their college education, most students will either not be able to attend school or they will have to go in debt. Thankfully, however, there is an option available through allied healthcare programs that help New Yorkers get their nursing degree.

This program helps students get their medical career started in less time and with less debt involved.  These healthcare programs are less expensive than 4-year schools and allow students to enter the medical field and trained nursing assistants, dental technicians or medical assistants. Once students get this degree, they can enter the work force and then continue on to a full nursing degree if they so desire.

Hands-On Learning

The allied healthcare programs offered in New York help students enter the medical field and ultimately go on to obtain their nursing degree by giving them essential hands-on learning opportunities through internships. Traditional 4-year schools emphasize not only the nursing classes but also electives and classes in the arts. While these are necessary for a Bachelor’s degree, they play no role in taking care of a patient. The classes and training in the allied healthcare programs are focused solely on preparing students for real world scenarios that are relevant to their career choice. Once this program is complete, the student can enter the field and if they want to go on to get a more advanced degree in nursing at another school.

Tech Schools and Community Colleges

If you really want to get your nursing degree so that you can take the registered nurse exam and yet you can’t afford a 4-year school, there are still some inexpensive options you can explore. New York has many community colleges and technical schools that offer associate degrees in nursing or diploma programs that will give you the education and training you need to be qualified for the NCLEX-RN. These schools allow you to complete your educational requirements in two years or less.

The number of schools offering nursing degrees in the state of New York is nothing short of astounding. California and Texas are the only two states that have more hospitals which simply mean that with the need for nurses extremely high, it only makes sense that there are ample opportunities for nursing degrees.

Online Degrees

Students in New York have the same options for online nursing degrees as other students around the world. Many of the online schools are much less expensive than traditional schools while still providing a quality education. The classes are held online and then students are paired with local medical facilities to complete the clinical work required to make them eligible for the licensing exam. In addition to commonly known online universities and colleges, Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh has an online nursing program that is CCNE accredited.

Traditional Schools

There are more than 90 campus-based nursing programs in the state of New York. When you couple this with the programs that the state has made available for tuition forgiveness in return for working in high need hospitals and medical facilities, it is easy to see that getting a nursing degree in New York is not difficult.

If you are interested in getting your nursing education while seeing the beautiful state of New York, you have many different options to help you reach your goal. Do your research and choose the school that best meets your financial and educational needs.

Nursing Degrees in Minnesota

As a nurse it is important that you know your state rules and regulations concerning your education and certification. It isn’t enough to simply graduate, become licensed and cruise on through the rest of your career. Medical technology is constantly changing and nurses need to stay abreast of all the latest news. This is why many states, including Minnesota, have requirements when it comes to keeping your nursing degree and licensing current.

If you live in Minnesota you need to become as informed as possible about nursing degrees in your state and know what is required after you graduate.

After Graduating

Graduating nursing school is a major step in your career. However, when you earn your degree and leave school, you are not completely through with school. In order to keep your nursing degree and ultimately your certification current, the state of Minnesota requires continuing education courses. When it is time for your renewal you will have to show that you have the required number of continuing education credits (CEUs). In order to be certain that you have met those numbers, you need to have an understanding of some of the terminology used when dealing with continuing education. Some of these are explained below.

• Continuing Education Period: Typically this is the 2 year period immediately prior to your renewal date. This is the time frame in which you must complete the requirements for continuing education in order for your Minnesota license to be renewed.
• CEUs Required: Typically, in order to retain and renew your certification you are required to have 24 hours of continuing education. If you are an LPN, you must have 12 hours.

Now that you know how many credit hours you are required to have and your time frame for getting them, you need to know what is considered continuing education.

CEU Activities

The overseers of nursing degrees in Minnesota have made it easy to determine if the activities and classes that you are considering will count toward your continuing education requirements. There are three ways you can achieve your 24 CEUs in the allotted time frame:

• Participate in CEU approved professional activities;
• Participate in learning classes or educational opportunities that are offered by any of the many continuing education providers;
• Earn a nursing specialty certificate of your choice

As the nurse who needs to fulfill continuing education requirements it is up to you to make sure that the activities you choose meet the criteria for renewing your license.

Evaluating Continuing Education Opportunities

In order to help you identify opportunities for earning your continuing education credits and keeping your nursing degree and license current in Minnesota, the board that oversees the licensing has listed the following criteria to help you determine if the activity qualifies or not. The criteria include:

• The activity must last at least 50 minutes, which is considered one contact hour. Academic credits can be used as CEUs with one quarter being 10 contact hours and one semester being 15 contact hours.
• The activity or course must improve or add to your nursing skills or performance.
• The activity must have prior approval from the health licensing board or the person or company providing the educational activity must clearly present to the board objectives that are part of continuing education.
• The instructor of the activity or course must be qualified to teach the subject
• The provider must give to you the objectives of the course in writing; however, if the course or activity has been approved by the licensing association or health board, this is not necessary.
• The provider must provide you with their name, the number of CEU hours you will earn and a written statement verifying attendance.

In addition to understanding what the activity should be and what the provider should do in order for you to get CEU credits, you also have responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that you are completing your CEU activities or courses within the necessary time frame.
• Keeping your CEU documentation for two years after you are recertified.

Knowing what to expect and have completed before you go in for recertification can make all the difference in the world. You won’t have to be surprised by not being able to recertify and you can always be prepared for your next certification.

Having an understanding of the different regulations and requirements that accompany nursing degrees in Minnesota will help you during your nursing career by allowing you to stay on top of your licensing and certification while also staying on top of the latest nursing news and findings through your continued education.

Nursing Degrees in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state filled with rural areas and busy cities, there are beaches and islands that you can visit or live and it is only a skip and a jump away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

If you have dreamed of living or live in this beautiful state and want to get your nursing degree, you have many options.

Program Availability

The nursing shortage across the United States has spurred more educational institutions to offer nursing programs that range from an Associate’s Degree to a Bachelor’s Degree. In Massachusetts, people wishing to earn a degree in nursing can choose from community colleges to larger university teaching hospitals. Students may encounter waiting lists at some of these facilities; however, there are many other school options that don’t have waiting lists, such as online schools.

Tuition

Massachusetts, like other states with nursing shortages, has had to come up with incentives to attract students into the nursing field. This is being accomplished through loan repayment programs and various scholarship programs for students who earn their degree in nursing and work in a Massachusetts healthcare facility for a predetermined amount of time. This is a win-win situation for both students and the healthcare industry. Many people who could not otherwise afford to attend college are able to earn a degree and have a lucrative career, while medical facilities that are in need of nurses get staffing that they need.

Overseeing Nursing Programs

Educational opportunities for nursing in Massachusetts are monitored and regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. This board oversees the state nursing licenses and examinations for all levels of nurses, keeps a listing of their own approved nursing programs which may vary somewhat from accredited schools and oversees the continuing education requirements that nurses must meet in order to remain licensed in the state. This board is an excellent resource for students moving to the Massachusetts area who are considering going to nursing school.

School Options

There are many schools in Massachusetts where you can get your nursing education and prepare to take the NCLEX-RN to become registered. You can choose to go to a community college like Cape Cod Community College, a large university like Boston College or a medical college such as MGH Institute of Health Professions. There are many campus options for nursing students and if none of the campus based classes are what you are looking for, you can attend an online school that partners with a local hospital for clinical training.

If you would like to get your medical career started quickly, you can look into one of the many fast-track options available for practical nurses that are available in vocational schools and technical colleges. These programs prepare you to work as an LPN and then you can pursue your RN degree at a later date if you want to do so.

If you are already a nurse and want to boost your income, you should consider going back to school to earn an advanced degree that will allow you to become a specialized nurse or even a nurse administrator. These positions are also in high demand as many older nurses are retiring and leaving a gap in many healthcare areas.

After School

After you have completed your nursing degree and taken your certification exam, you will most likely be interested in the types of positions that are open to you. If you are considering a move to Massachusetts, it will interest you to know that a nursing degree in Massachusetts qualifies you to work in any one of more than 80 hospitals, with the largest sectors being in Boston and Worcester.

These two areas of the state typically pay more in the nursing field than other areas. For example, staff nurses in the Boston area earn salaries between $60K and $70K per year. This is about $4K more than other areas in the state. However, if you increase your education and keep climbing the healthcare ladder, that number can grow much higher.

If you are interested in any of the nursing degrees that are available in Massachusetts you should research the many options available from the multitude of nursing schools in Massachusetts and find a degree program that will meet all of your needs and is located where you want to live.

Holistic Nursing Degree Programs

Today’s generation has made a turn back to the more natural ways of doing things. Everything from recycling to using all natural, ‘green’ products and even seeking alternative healthcare has become common place in today’s world. Many up and coming nurses are seeking holistic nursing degree programs in an effort to continue the trend toward more natural and alternative medicine.

What are Holistic Nurses?

A holistic nurse is a nurse who has additional training in holistic medicine. Holistic nurses typically provide assistance to practitioners of CAM or complementary and alternative medicine. CAM may be practiced alone or in combination with traditional medicine. Holistic doctors and nurses together work to keep the whole body healthy so that illness doesn’t affect any one part.

The holistic medical view is one that says a person cannot be treated for one condition; the whole being must be treated. This means that your spiritual, mental and emotional health must be treated in order to treat the ailment. Nurses who have been through holistic nursing degree programs are trained to look at all of these aspects and don’t typically approach their nursing profession in the same manner as traditional nurses.

What Do Holistic Nurses Do?

Once a holistic nurse has graduated nursing school and had their additional training in holistic medicine, there are many areas they can work in or even become certified to practice in, such as:

• Alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture
• Stress management through massage and aromatherapy
• Hospital departments that use hypnosis and hydrotherapy
• Therapy offices and mental health facilities helping with depression and addiction

Treatment options often used by holistic nurses include:

• prayer
• acupuncture
• aroma therapy
• art
• dance
• massage therapy
• mineral water therapy
• meditation
• mental healing
• music
• nutrition
• physical therapy

Training in these areas is part of the holistic courses that you will take after you become a registered nurse and start preparing to work in holistic medicine.

Holistic nurses often use a combination of medical knowledge, including Eastern healing medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine. These can be used alone or in combination with traditional western medicine. Some holistic nurses become wellness coaches and work to help others stay healthy without the need for invasive medical techniques and medications.

 Becoming a Holistic Nurse

As with any type of nursing career, the first step is the nursing degree. The school should be an accredited school although it isn’t of vital importance whether or not you get a BS or an Associate’s Degree. You don’t want to get a diploma in nursing if you plan to purse a holistic nursing degree as that is not generally accepted. Once you complete your nursing program you should take and successfully complete your certification exam, the NCLEX-RN.

At this point, you should decide if you plan on specializing or adding skills to your holistic nursing such as acupuncture. If so, you will need to find out what the laws in your state are and make sure you are certified to perform the procedure.

You can work gaining experience as a typical staff nurses while you are working on the courses required to make you eligible to take the examination for holistic certification. You can also apply to work in a holistic medical practice in order to get training in the area. The American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation can help you find these specialized medical offices and also give you advice on taking the holistic nursing certification test.

Advanced Holistic Nursing

As with any nursing career, you may want to advance after being in the field a few years. In holistic nursing this can mean many different things, from becoming a wellness coach with your own business to obtaining your Master’s Degree for nurse practitioners and becoming a holistic nurse practitioner who can create treatment plans for patients and have a more active and decisive role in patient care.

If you prefer to take the natural approach to health and life in general then holistic nursing degree programs might be the right pathway for you to take your nursing career. You can learn to treat the whole body and not simply the one outward manifestation of illness. Holistic nursing is popular career choice for today’s healthcare industry.

Difference Between Nursing Degrees

Before you make a decision on where you are going to attend school to get a nursing degree you should have an understanding of the difference between nursing degrees and how those differences can affect your future in the nursing field.

If you are trying to decide which degree best suits your needs you are in the right place. The following breakdown of the different types of nursing degrees should help you decide.

Types of Nursing Degrees

The education needed for a nursing degree is essentially the same in regards to the nursing fundamentals and clinical training. There are three basic was to get in to nursing:

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Diploma

Each of these will be explained in more detail below so that you get a broader understanding of the differences and can use that to decide your best educational pathway.

Overview of Differences

Before going into details about the differences in the three nursing degrees, a brief overview is helpful. Many people are anxious to get their education and clinical training out of the way so that they can take the NCLEX-RN and get started working in the medical field. These people most often opt to earn an Associate’s Degree or even a diploma from a medical facility that is offering the nursing program. Both of these options take two to three years, depending on how much time can be devoted completely to school.

A Bachelor’s Degree takes three to four years of school and is more intense with additional classes in the arts and other subject areas that allow the graduate to continue on in school if they desire. The good news is that patients cannot tell the difference between a nurse with an Associate Degree and one with a Bachelor’s Degree.

The work a nurse does and the tasks that can be performed is not based on whether or not there is a BS or an AD degree or even a diploma, it is based on whether or not the student passed the NCLEX-RN exam and earned their certification.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing can take three or four years and is typically taken at a college or university. In addition to the typical courses that are core nursing classes, students in the BSN program take additional college courses that prepare them to go further with their education and thus move further up the ranks in the nursing profession.

In addition, earning a BSN degree allows the nursing student to go into management level nursing jobs once they have their RN certification. Nurses who have their BSN can also run home health care agencies and residential care facilities as administrators.

The Associate Degree in Nursing

The Associate Degree in nursing is somewhat different than a BSN, particularly in the amount of time it takes to complete the program and the cost of the program. Associates Degrees can be earned from both four-year colleges and community colleges. The program is typically a two-year degree, about half the time required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. The majority of the courses are core nursing classes and clinical experience; however, there are basic math, English and science classes that are required in order to earn the degree.

After graduation, students are eligible to take the nursing certification exam and become registered RNs; however, they are only eligible for entry level nursing position. On the other hand, they do have the basic courses necessary to move on to a BSN if they so desire.

The Diploma in Nursing

There are not as many facilities today offering the nursing diploma as there was in the past; however, there are still some that do. This type of nursing education is typically hospital based where the student works in the hospital and receives their nursing education at the same time. The diploma takes from two to three years to complete, depending on the program structure. Once the program is over, the student is eligible to take the certification exam and become a registered nurse. The downside is that there are no simple stepping stones to go from the diploma to the BSN; you have to start with the basic college courses and then move forward.

Ultimately, the difference between nursing degrees comes down to how far in your nursing career you want to go. If you are happy being a registered nurse and don’t plan on moving into a management position or seeking a higher degree then you can take the shorter path and get your career started; however, if you plan on moving up the ladder, you may want to get your BSN early on and not have to go back to school for it later.

Advanced Degrees in Nursing

If you are one of the more ambitious people in life and want to take your nursing career to the next level while at the same time increasing your pay, you need to consider advanced degrees in nursing. Once you have your BS in nursing and work in the nursing field you may find that you want to take your career to the next level. In order to do so you need to get an advanced degree that will allow you to work in practically any health field. A masters in nursing degree will allow this to happen. You will not only be able to access many more positions than you did with your RN qualifications, but you will also be able to ask for and receive better pay for your work.

Open Doors

Once you decide you want to take your nursing career to the next level you will discover that there are many more positions available for you. An advanced degree will allow you to enter more medical fields and become a nurse in those areas. You will be able to become any of the following:

• Anesthesia Nurse
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Practitioner

You can also take your Masters Degree in Nursing and become an educator who helps other people fulfill their dream of becoming a nurse. All of these areas of nursing and teaching pay more than the basic RN degree and at the same time have more responsibilities.

Advanced Careers Explained

Once you have taken your nursing education to the next level and have your Masters Degree you can become a specialized nurse. These nursing positions have higher pay rates, much more responsibility and thus stress and of course they have more prestige and recognition. You will often be the nurse in charge in your area. Some of the more common advanced nursing careers are outlined here to help you decide if continuing your education is something you would like to o.

• Nurse Anesthetist: This is one of the fields of nursing that becomes an option once you have a Master’s Degree. This position allows you to work in the operating room or other area that requires the use of anesthesia. As a nurse anesthetist you will be able to provide a valuable service to patients who are undergoing procedures and need to be put to sleep. This position requires you to be a quick thinker and able to handle emergencies. You will receive a lot of training for this job. While this position is one that can be very stressful, the compensation is also very good compared to other areas of nursing.
• Nurse Practitioner: A nurse practitioner can perform many of the same duties that a doctor does. As a nurse practitioner you may be employed in doctor’s offices or after hour medical care facilities. Nurse practitioners can read X-rays, prescribe many medications and make a general diagnosis. This position has a lot of stress due to the enormous amount of responsibility.
• Administrator: If you would like to become a head nurse, department manager or even a nursing home administrator, continuing your education and obtaining your Masters Degree is the path you should take. As a head nurse or administrator you will be in charge of other nurses in the department or even the entire facility, such as being administrator of a nursing home. Nurse administrator do not have a much patient interaction as other nurses and spend most of their time in an office rather than on the floor with patients. If you prefer to work with patients, you should consider other advanced positions; however, if you are interested in moving as far up the ladder as possible, this could be a step that you should consider.

These are just a few of the different positions that you can move into once you have completed your Masters in Nursing. This list shows that earning higher degrees allow you to earn more money in higher positions.

If you have graduated nursing school and have your Bachelor’s degree you should consider your future career and determine exactly what it is you want to do in five or ten years. If you see yourself moving up the nursing ladder you should look into advanced degrees in nursing to help you reach your goals.

Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs Costs & Benefits

If you are considering a degree in nursing and want to get a Bachelor of Science degree but don’t want to go to school for four years, you should consider one of the accelerated nursing degree programs that can help you graduate sooner. This is a faster paced program than other nursing programs and may not be suited to all students.

If you are considering an accelerated program you should know both the good and bad points and then make your decision.

Pre-Requisites

One of the first things that you should do is make sure you have the necessary pre-requisites to attend an accelerated nursing program. Many of these fast-paced, advanced programs require that you already have your nursing degree. This facilitates the process by allowing you to primarily focus on the classes that lead to the Bachelor of Science. There are some accelerated programs that will accept transfer credits which help if you have taken some of your classes and want to use them toward your BS. You should make sure you find out all of the requirements before you sign up advanced classes.

Cost

You shouldn’t be concerned about there being a cost difference between a traditional four-year degree and a faster paced program that can be completed in two to three years as there is typically not any difference. The reason is simply that you are going to learn the same thing in both programs.

Benefits of Accelerated Programs

Once you start researching accelerated programs you will find that there are more benefits than there are drawbacks, the greatest of which being the time saved. The normal time frame for obtaining a BS degree is three to four years. This is a long time if you are ready to start your professional career and you need the BS to do so. Accelerated programs allow you to complete your degree in two to four years.

The location or method of taking fast-paced degree programs is another advantage. You can choose to take online courses that allow you to set your own schedule or you can go to a traditional school. It is also possible to combine the two methods by taking some classes online and other classes at a local college. Students who take accelerated nursing degree classes often find that the online option is best for them since they can move at their own pace.

If you find that you need a BS degree in nursing in order to enter the area of work that you have chosen and you don’t want to go through the hassle of working and going to school for three or four years to do get the degree, you may find that these time-saving advantages are more than enough to be a deciding factor.

Drawbacks

In order to make an educated decision about nursing programs you must look not only at the benefits but also the drawbacks. The major drawback to an accelerated program in nursing is the pace. You probably already know that a nursing degree is going to be a demanding program.  An accelerated degree simply takes four years of coursework and speeds it up to two years which means you are going to get the same amount of education and training that you would in a traditional program only in a much faster time frame. Many students have found that it is difficult to maintain a full time job while enrolled in an accelerated program.

In addition to not having time to work a full time job, you may also find that you don’t have time for an internship at your local hospital. Some students may not have a problem with not being able to remain in the field while they work on their degree; on the other hand, many students want to keep that connection to the field and work while they are in school. This is a decision that is a personal one that has to be made by each student.

Once you have considered the advantages and disadvantages of accelerated nursing degree programs you will be able to make a decision about which direction you want to go with your nursing education.

Online LVN to ADN Programs

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in some states, are in high demand, even in this tough economy. There are several online LVN to ADN programs that will help you achieve your career goals. If you’re a Licensed Vocational Nurse, chances are you live in Texas or California. These are currently the only two states where the profession goes by LVN.

There are several schools in these states where you can obtain your nursing associates degree online, as well as some community colleges in other states that allow online distance learning for LVNs.

LVNs in Other States

If you’re an LVN, you may be concerned about your license translating to LPN. Will colleges honor your LPN? If you should ever move, will you have trouble getting licensed as an LPN without taking additional classes?

State licensing boards, as well as colleges, treat LVNs as they would LPNs from another state, with the same rules applying. If you switch states mid-career, you’ll need to apply for licensure by endorsement, which will allow your license from another state to be recognized. Each state board has its own requirements for transferring a license, but generally you should be able to transfer without problem if you’ve never had action against you.

What to Expect from an ADN School

Whether you’re preparing for the NCLEX or planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, it is important to choose a school that has the accreditation you’ll need to further yourself in the medical field. Check with your state licensing board to see what accreditations are accepted. Some states even have a list of accepted schools available online. If you tackle your school choice from that direction, you can’t go wrong.

If you’re already practicing as an LVN, you’ll likely want to find a school that offers a transition program. Many of these schools allow you to get your associate’s degree in a year, rather than the two years it would take if you didn’t have your LVN. This can save you time and money.

Good Online Colleges for LVNs

Through the California Virtual Campus, several schools offer online LVN to ADN programs. Fresno City College has both a nursing school and online courses, although online offerings can vary by semester. Based in Fresno, California, Fresno City College was California’s first community colleges.

Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California has a one year step-up program that allows LVNs to transition to ADN. In addition to giving you credit for work already performed, the school also offers many of its courses online. Applications are now being accepted, assuming you meet the criteria.

For Texans, check into North Central Texas College’s Internet Courses. The school has an Associate’s Degree in Nursing program that allows LVNs to take transitional courses.

Alvin Community College in Texas has online learning through its ACC Ed2Go program. With a one year LVN to ADN transition program, you’ll be on your way to your Associate’s Degree quickly and conveniently. ACC accepts applications for its program in January.

Galveston College in Galveston offers distance learning, as well as a LVN to ADN transition program. While in-person clinicals will still be required, you may be able to get some of your basics online. Check with the college to find out.

Online Distance Learning

While obtaining your ADN may not be able to be done entirely online due to the hands-on nature of nursing programs, there are some online schools that will help you transition to ADN online from anywhere. The College Network can help you get your ADN and, eventually, your RN online through a variety of schools that offer online degrees.

If you’re willing to do a hybrid program, you’ll be more likely to find a good nursing program that allows you to complete some classes online. You’ll still be required to do clinicals in these programs, as well as some hands-on experience in classrooms, but if you’re currently working in a medical facility, you may be able to get credit for the work you’re doing there. Narrow down your top choices and check with the faculty to see if it has online LVN to ADN programs that fit with your schedule.

Online LPN to BSN Programs

For an ambitious professional, few things can be as important as obtaining that bachelor’s degree. Just as those degrees are important in the corporate workplace, in the medical field it can make the difference when it comes to promotions and job opportunities.

With a handful of online LPN to BSN programs to choose from, you’ll be able to get your bachelor’s degree on your own terms.

Why a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

LPNs often want to progress to RN status, mostly because the average salary of an RN tops $65,000 per year, but also because of the increased respect and job opportunities that come with the position. While achieving a BSN is certainly not necessary to pass the NCLEX and acquire your RN license, a BSN can give you the experience and education you need to stand above the competition.

Whether you’d eventually like to head up a nursing team or you simply want increased opportunities when it comes to LPN or RN jobs, a BSN from an accredited college can open up doors you never thought possible. And, thanks to modern technology, you can take classes from the comfort of your own home, during off hours. Be sure to look at online LPN to BSN programs with the flexibility to let you take classes at your leisure, with no set time to be online.

Distance Learning for Your Benefit

The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing’s LPN to BSN degree completion program offers online courses in combination with three to four Saturday classes per semester at the university’s Oklahoma campus. The university has campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which is convenient for those who live in that part of the country.

Through its FlexNet program, the University of Phoenix offers an LPN to BSN degree. This allows you to attend classes at your leisure if you choose or attend classes in person if you prefer. The LPN to BSN degree is currently only offered at select campuses, so your local school may not participate.

Excelsior College offers associate’s degrees in nursing, allowing you to take the next step toward your RN license, which will allow you to qualify for BSN programs, as many tend to give preference to those who are licensed. Excelsior’s learning is online, but its campus is located in Albany, New York.

Indiana State University’s LPN to BSN degree program can be done anywhere, thanks to ISU’s distance learning program. With classes conducted via the web, the school also incorporates video and audio learning in its online curriculum.

LPN to BSN: Hard to Find?

Many colleges tend to gear their BSN programs toward those who are already licensed. While there are a few exceptions, after some deep research you may want to consider getting an associate’s degree or taking the NCLEX to get that RN license before embarking on a bachelor’s degree. Full nursing degrees are plentiful in traditional learning environments, but online learning is a different matter. With many schools giving you credits toward your BSN for having your RN license, colleges have a hard time making up for all the clinical experience you must receive when you don’t have your RN license already.

While the NCLEX certainly isn’t easy, several colleges offer NCLEX preparation courses, including Kaplan Test Prep and Hurst Review Services. While these courses aren’t free, having an RN license can do wonders for your salary, especially once you’re enrolled in that BSN program and well on your way to achieving your bachelor’s degree.

If you’re an LPN considering online LPN to BSN programs, you may find a smaller choice than if you were considering attending classes on campus. Unfortunately, the online experience can’t replace your need for hands-on experience, which you get by attending classes. Consider first taking the NCLEX to have your RN license before applying to colleges. You’ll probably find that you don’t have as much trouble obtaining that bachelor’s degree after you have that RN license in hand.

Online LPN to ADN Programs

For Licensed Practical Nurses interested in advancing to Registered Nurse status, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing is the next step. Thanks to the large number of online LPN to ADN programs, you can achieve your goals without setting foot in a traditional classroom.

What to Expect

Many Licensed Practical Nurses aspire to move up to Registered Nurses, where the pay and responsibilities are greater. The first step in this career move is getting an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), which prepares you for the next phase—the Registered Nurse licensing exam.

With such a high demand for RNs, many LPNs are looking to progress as soon as possible. But LPNs often work long, exhausting hours that conflict with traditional classroom hours. Online degree programs allow the LPN to do coursework from home, whenever time permits.

Most online LPN to ADN programs take up to two or more years to complete. Be prepared to commit to up to three years of coursework, as well as clinical experience, in order to get your ADN.

It is important to note that your state licensure board may have a say in what degree programs qualify for RN licensure. Check with the nursing licensure and regulation board in your state before beginning your online degree search to learn what will be required to get your license once you’ve completed your education.

Choosing the Right School

If you’re planning to advance to RN by taking the NCLEX exam, your first priority should be finding an online program that is approved by the state in which you plan to take that exam. Check the school’s ADN to RN rate to make sure once you get your ADN, you’ll have the support you’ll need to continue to progress.

Accreditation is also important. Many online schools will claim to have some kind of accreditation, but all accreditation is not equal. The U.S. Department of Education has set up a site to help you determine if your online associate’s degree in Nursing program has the accreditation you’ll need to progress in your career. Once you’ve determined your learning institution’s level of accreditation, research that particular accreditation to make sure it will be accepted in your state.

Once you’ve narrowed your list down, look at factors that directly affect your situation. What are your financial limits? While you definitely shouldn’t skimp when it comes to something as important as your education, cost should factor into your choice.

Also consider flexibility when choosing between colleges. Some online schools require you attend classes in real time, which may not be convenient for you. Look for an online ADN program that conducts lessons via video chats and reading that leads to assignments with deadlines. Both of these can be done at a time that works with your schedule. While any ADN program will likely be time-consuming, it’s important you be able to work when you have free time, rather than having to be at your computer at a specific time.

Which Online School?

One place to start is with your local nursing schools. Some have online nursing degree programs that result in a degree from that institution. Many community colleges and trade schools also have online learning options, in addition to their weekend classes geared toward working professionals. Some of these schools will require you to do work study at local medical facilities for credit, allowing you to get class credit for work you’re already performing.

The University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio, has an online nursing program with courses you can take toward your associate’s degree. Several students have given this online college favorable reviews online.

Chamberlain College of Nursing has an online associate’s program in nursing, as well as a campus in St. Louis. Kaplan University has online associate’s degrees in nursing, designed for aspiring nurses with no experience, as well as working nurses looking to advance to RN. Not all Kaplan University locations have associate nursing degrees, and those that do expect you to complete clinical at a location nearby, so check with your local Kaplan campus for specific offerings.

Based in Florida, Keiser University has an online associate’s degree in nursing, with an online degree program that ranks in the top twelve nationally, according to the institution’s website. The university provides live online help to answer any questions you have about degree programs.

The College Network is a college portal, sending you to an online school that meets your needs. Using the Comprehensive Learning Module, the College Network connects you with an ADN program that will prepare you to take a college equivalency exam. This choice may not be for everyone, but it’s available should you choose to go that route.

If you’re interested in online LPN to ADN programs to help you achieve your goal of getting your Associate’s Degree in Nursing, it might be best to look at your future career goals to find a school that will put you on the right path. Thanks to modern advances in technology, it is becoming easier for Licensed Practical Nurses to earn the degrees that will help them advance in the medical field.

ASN vs ADN – What is the Difference?

Different states and colleges use different names. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the same as the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). This is similar to how an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) in Texas and California is the same as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in all of the other states.

Alabama MSN Programs

Auburn University: RN to MSN Program Review
Auburn University, 226 Thach Concourse, Auburn, AL 36849
Auburn University (Auburn) was first established in 1856. It has been listed as one of the top 50 public universities for 17 years and is rated as 82^nd among public and private universities in the US by US News and World Report. Auburn’s School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) jointly with Auburn University Montgomery. The AU/AUM Joint MSN Program offers a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program.

Most courses are offered online with one or two campus visits required each semester. Completing the program requires three semesters of full-time study. Applications to both the Auburn University Graduate School and the Auburn School of Nursing must be submitted. Two courses are taught at Troy University as well. Registered nurses with a bachelors degree in nursing with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and unencumbered license may apply. GPA requirements may be bypassed if room allows probationary students to be accepted. GRE scores, three reference letters, a current resume, and a goal statement essay are required. A recent statistics course, CPR certification, immunizations, and malpractice insurance are also needed.

Nursing students in the masters program have an opportunity to take the Study Abroad – SPAIN program. They can earn 6 credits while learning about healthcare and healthcare administration in Spain. Two other MSN programs are currently being developed at the Auburn School of Nursing. They are Nurse Educator and Primary Care Practitioner. Nurses who are interested in a MSN track of Clinical Nurse Specialist: Adult Health should contact Dr. Anita All at the Auburn School of Nursing campus.

Part-time program curriculums may be developed for nurses who are not able to attend the masters program full-time. This is done on an individual basis with Dr. Anita C. All.

Numerous nursing scholarships are available, as well as state and federal financial aid for nurses seeking advanced training in Auburn’s MSN program.

Jacksonville State University: RN to MSN Review

Jacksonville State University

700 Pelham Road North

Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602

In 1883, Jacksonville State University (JSU) was established as a normal school. Located Jacksonville in northeast Alabama, the University has over 200 international students. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and post-Masters certificate program are offered at JSU with a focus on Community Health Nursing. Students are prepared to serve the community through program development in response to current community needs. Health promotion and prevention are emphasized with a focus on underserved members of communities such as women and children.

Applicants must apply to the JSU College of Graduate Studies by submitting official transcripts and scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) to Jacksonville State University, 700 Pelham Road North, Jacksonville, AL 36265-1602. BSN prepared nurses must have current, unencumbered licenses in the US, three professional recommendations, a written statement of goals, expectations, and interests in graduate study.

A nurse may choose to complete the program of 38 credits on a full-time or part-time basis. Jacksonville State University is affiliated with Troy University (Troy), and students must complete four online courses from this college in online format. Each student’s community health clinical experience is customized and completed in unique healthcare settings that coordinate with and support career goals. Graduates are prepared to work in many aspects of community health. Full-time students complete the MSN program in four semesters. Graduates may pursue national certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse.

Qualified students may apply for many different nursing scholarships, and federal financial aid is available to students. This MSN program is unique in the fact that students are able to define their community of interest and individualize their masters degree in nursing program.

Samford University: RN to MSN Program Review

Samford University

800 Lakeshore Drive

Birmingham, AL 35229

Samford University, located in Birmingham is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention. It was established in 1841, and today it is rated 104 out of 191 by US News and World Reports top-tier doctoral universities. Samford’s Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing online graduate programs have also been highly rated. A variety of programs that lead to masters degrees in nursing are available at Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses to take the national certification exam after completing the masters program. Graduates are qualified to provide primary care to patients and family members of all ages. Only a few campus visits are necessary to complete this 42 credit online course that takes from 18 to 24 months to finish. Students also complete 720 clinical hours in many different healthcare settings.

Samford also offers a MSN Nurse Anesthesia program that requires 28 months of full-time study before taking the national certification program. Experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists with a BSN and two years’ experience may complete their MSN by applying to the BSN to MSN option. It takes one year to complete the online program and little on-campus attendance. Admission to the program is competitive and is based on grade point average of 3.0 or higher, GRE scores, recommendation letters, personal interview, and work experience.

The Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing also offers a Nurse Educator online MSN program that prepares graduates to take the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator exam. This program was established to meet the needs of the severe nurse educator crisis in the nation. As an incentive to enter this program, nurses entering the program can have 85 percent of the total borrowed for tuition forgiven by teaching for four years full-time in a school of nursing. Although on-campus visits are rarely required, students beginning the program must attend a three-day orientation on campus at 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham Alabama.

Another track in Samford’s masters degree in nursing program is in Nurse Management. Students are trained for entry and mid-level management programs in various healthcare facilities. This online program takes five semesters to complete, and practicum experiences are arranged close to students’ homes.

Registered Nurses with an associate degree or diploma may enter the RN to MSN program at Samford University and earn their masters degree while bypassing their bachelors degree. In seven semesters or two years, the program can be completed online. It is the only program in Alabama that offers an online RN to MSN program that does not include a bachelors degree. All tracks in the masters degree in nursing program are available except for nurse anesthesia. Students must complete five bridge courses over two semesters, and then they may begin the MSN core courses.

South University: RN to MSN Program Review

South University

5355 Vaughn Road

Montgomery, Alabama 36116-1120

South University was established in 1899 as a Practical Business College and today has locations in several states. South University Nursing College, located at 5355 Vaughn Road in Montgomery offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and a masters degree in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. Students complete six core courses and then those needed for their specialty of FNP. The 62 credit program prepares graduates to provide primary care to the entire family across the lifespan. Students complete practicums in Adult and Geriatrics, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, and Primary Care, ending the program with a graduate project. Students may live on campus while enrolled in the program.

The Novi, Michigan campus of South University, located at 41555 Twelve Mile Road also offers a FNP program, as does the campus located at 709 Mall Boulevard in Savannah, Georgia. South University also offers the FNP program at 4401 North Himes Avenue, Tampa, Florida and at the University Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida. All of the FNP program are the same and require 62 credits to complete. An online option for the FNP masters program is also available and is discussed below.

The Savannah, Georgia and Tampa, Florida campuses of South University also offer MSN programs in Adult Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator. The Adult Health Nurse Practitioner program consists of 56 credits that are completed before taking the national certification exam. Students specialize in disease prevention, risk reduction, health promotion, and are able to provide primary care to adults of all ages. After completing the masters degree core courses, 32 credits are necessary for this specialty. Students complete practicums in a variety of adult healthcare categories, including Women’s Health and more and ending the program with a graduate project in nursing.

The Nurse Educator masters program that is offered in Savannah and in Tampa consists of 48 credits to prepare nurses to instruct and train future nurses. After the MSN core courses are completed, 24 credits are required for this specialty. Students prepare to teach undergraduate level nursing students and complete this program with a graduate project after all practicums are completed.

South University also has several MSN online options available, including Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurse Practitioner in either Family Health or Adult Health, Accelerated RN to MSN, and Master of Science in Nursing programs. Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Informatics are also available online at South University.

The online Nurse Practitioner (NP) program allows BSN trained nurses to pursue a masters degree specializing in Adult Health or Family Health. Those without a bachelors degree may qualify for the accelerated RN to MSN online program that is discussed later in this article. Students in the Adult Health NP program complete three practicum courses and are trained to provide primary care to adults of all ages. Family NPs learn to care for all members of families and complete four practicum courses. Admission requirements are a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, a statistics course, a current unencumbered RN license, three references, a goal statement, and resume. Provisional status is not available for NP specialty tracks.

BSN trained nurses may also opt to complete a non-NP program online, including the Nurse Educator specialization in about 18 months. This program prepares nurses to train undergraduate students for a career in nursing. The Nurse Informatics masters program prepares nurses to use operational data systems and to train healthcare professionals in their use. Another specialty, the Nurse Administrator specialization trains Registered Nurses in policy and financial decisions and other management skills. Applicants must have a BSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a statistics course and undergraduate nursing research course, official transcripts, and a current unencumbered RN license. Three references, a goal statement, and resume are also required. Provisional admission is granted to those with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 or for completion of the statistics or nursing research requirement. A GPA of 3.0 must be earned on these two courses, or the student is dismissed from the program.

Registered Nurses without a BSN may apply for the Accelerated RN to MSN online program at South University. Both a BSN and MSN are awarded after the entire program is completed. Three specialties are available, including Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, or Nursing Informatics. To be admitted to the program, nurses must have an associate degree or diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A current unencumbered RN license is also required, along with three references, a goal statement essay, and a resume. Before continuing to the MSN courses, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or better on bachelor’s degree courses and complete a statistics course with at least a B.

South University is unique in the fact that it offers a variety of online and on-campus MSN programs. Nursing scholarships and federal financial aid are available for students.

Spring Hill College: RN to MSN Program Review

Spring Hill College

4000 Dauphin Street

Mobile, AL 36608

Spring Hill College is a liberal arts college that was established in 1830, and it is located in Mobile, Alabama. It is operated by the Jesuits and is the oldest Catholic college in the South. It was rated 14^th among the best colleges in the South that offer bachelors and masters degrees by US News and World Report. A Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a combination of online courses, visits to the Spring Hill campus, and completion of clinical experience in a student’s local community and work setting.

The CNL is the latest nurse role developed by the American Association of College of Nursing. CNLs are generalist clinicians with a masters degree who serve as a resource for the nursing team. The clinical nurse leader implements programs that bring the latest innovations in care delivery to patients. Admission to the program is open to BSN trained Registered Nurses, and it is a competitive program. Nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing with at least one year’s experience may also qualify. Applicants must be currently licensed Registered Nurses in the state that they practice nursing and must work in a clinical setting or have access to a healthcare facility for clinical integration and research. Also required are three references, employment verification, resume, and a statement of intent that should all be sent to the college at 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608.

Another entry option to the program is for the RN with Non-Nursing Baccalaureate who is admitted as a non-degree graduate student to complete the five RN to MSN nursing bridge courses. After that, graduate degree courses are pursued to complete the masters degree. In addition, the RN with Masters Degree in Nursing program offers unconditional admission to students with a GPA of 3.0 who meet the other requirements. Graduates receive a Post-Master’s Certificate after completing the program. The RN with Associate Degree/Diploma to MSN Program allows nurses to complete the general education requirements and five RN to MSN nursing bridge courses before beginning the MSN program.

Unconditional admission is grated to applicants who meet the general admission requirements and have a 3.0 GPA. Those who do not meet the requirements may be offered conditional admission if they have a GPA of at least 2.75. A GPA of 3.0 must be earned after six hours of coursework are completed.

Financial aid for tuition is available through scholarships and federal financial aid.

The University of Alabama: RN to MSN Program Review

The University of Alabama

Box 870358

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0358

The University of Alabama (UA) is part of the University of Alabama System located in Tuscaloosa. Established in 1831, it has been rated in the top 50 public universities in the US by US News and World Report many times and UA has had the highest ranking of a university in the state by this source. The Capstone College of Nursing is known for its leading edge technology, such as its high-fidelity simulators and also for its flexible full-time and part-time options for nurses. Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science (MSN) programs include Case Management, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Educator Specialization. Students have the option of attending full-time or part-time, and all nursing courses are taught online.

The Rural Case Management masters degree in nursing program focuses on handling case management and healthcare administration. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared Registered Nurses with current licensure and grade point averages (GPA) of 3.0 or better qualify for the program. Conditional admission is sometimes granted to applicants with lower than expected GPA or GRE or MAT scores. A GPA of 3.0 in the MSN courses is required to qualify for graduation. Three semesters are required for full-time study plus the completion of 36 to 39 credits. Part-time studies take six semesters for completion.

Another MSN program at UA is Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). CNLs oversee care coordination of a group of patients and put evidence-based practice into action. Admission and graduation requirements are the same as those for the Rural Case Management MSN program. One year of full-time studies or two or more years of part-time study are required to complete the program. The Dual Degree MSN/MA in Management is also offered at the Capstone College of Nursing and the Manderson Graduate School of Business. Students take advanced nursing courses as well as health care management courses and must be admitted to both programs. Two years of full-time study are necessary to finish this program.

A nurse who has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and wants to become a Nurse Educator may complete both a masters and doctorate degree in the MSN/EdD or EdD for Nurse Educators program. It takes three or three and one-half years of full-time study to complete the two degrees. Graduates are prepared to teach undergraduate level nursing students.

The University of Alabama offers many different types of financial aid for MSN students, including federal government assistance, state nursing scholarships, scholarships from the University, from the Capstone College of Nursing, and from many other public and private institutions.

University of Alabama at Birmingham: RN to BSN Program Review

University of Alabama at Birmingham

1720 2^nd Avenue South

Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0113

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of three universities in the University of Alabama System. Established in 1936, it is known for its medical research center that is one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States known as UAB Hospital. UABs School of Nursing was founded in the 1950s and is part of the academic health center that is known around the world. US News and World Report lists it among the top 5 percent of nursing schools in the US.

A Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers four focal areas, including nurse practitioner in acute care or primary care, nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing and health systems management. BSN prepared nurses with a 3.0 grade point average who have satisfactory GRE, GMAT or MAT exam scores and three reference letters may qualify for the program. Applicants may apply for a waiver for the graduate level entrance exams. Nurses with a MSN may earn a second masters degree or post-MSN certificate. Nurse Practitioner (NP) tracks available are the following:

NP Neonatal Care

NP Pediatric Primary Care

Dual Option NP Pediatric Acute and Primary Care

NP Adult Primary Care

NP Adult/Women’s Health Primary Care

NP Adult with Secondary specialization in Occupational Health

NP Family Primary Care

NP Psychiatric-Mental Health Primary Care

NP Pediatric Acute and Continuing Care

NP Adult Acute and Continuing Care

NP Adult Acute and Continuing Care with Secondary specialization in RN First Assistant

Other MSN tracks include CRNA-Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, MSN and Masters in Public Health (MPH) Coordinated Degree Program, Nursing and Health Systems Administration, Nursing Informatics, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research Management, and Clinical Nurse Leader.

An Accelerated Masters in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) is another option for those with a bachelors degree in another field who want to enter nursing. After completing prerequisite courses, students complete their chosen MSN track that is completed in 12 months. Phase I of nursing courses that leads to licensure requires 40 hours of academic time each week. Phase II to complete the MSN takes four more semesters to finish. Admission requirements are the same as for BSN applicants.

The UAB School of Nursing also offers a Peace Corps Fellows Program to train those returning from service to become nurses. Students serve internships in underserved communities in the US. Up to two students are chosen as fellows each month and they receive scholarships. Applicants may apply for a second bachelor’s degree or to the Accelerated Masters in Nursing Pathway.

Programs are offered on a part-time or full-time basis with all core courses and selected specialty courses available via distance education. Clinical experiences are designed on an individual basis, and students must have a RN license in the state where they plan to complete clinical practice before enrolling in advanced practice courses. Priority admission is given to residents of Alabama and to those residing in Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

UABs School of Nursing offers 59 scholarship programs of $5.2 million annually. Some of these are grade based. Additional scholarships for nurses are available from the Army ROTC, the State of Alabama, and other sources. Traineeship grants are also available to masters students in primary care specialties, and federal financial aid is available. Applicants should apply online or write to The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2^nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0113.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville: RN to MSN Program Review

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

301 Sparkman Drive

Huntsville, Alabama 35899

Known as UAHuntsville or UAH, The University of Alabama in Huntsville is one of the three members of the University of Alabama System. UAH was established in 1950 as an extension of the University of Alabama, and today nursing is the largest single major. The College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing with five tracks in advanced nursing. These are Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Leadership in Health Care Systems.

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) masters of science in nursing program prepares nurses to serve as care providers, consultants, educators, researchers, and case managers. Graduates may sit for national certification as ACNP and as Adult Nurse Practitioner. Four semesters of study include 42 credits and 588 clinical hours to complete the program. Another MSN track offered at the University is Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, a program that prepares Registered Nurses to serve as expert clinicians and client advocates. Four semesters are required to finish 42 credits and 504 clinical hours.

The Clinical Nurse Leader track prepares nurses to oversee groups of patients and to work as a leader on a nursing team. Four semesters are required for this MSN track, consisting of 42 credits and 504 clinical hours. The Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares students to provide primary care to family members of all ages. The 42 hours and 588 clinical hours can be completed in four semesters. Nurses who want to work in administration and management in various healthcare settings have the option of completing the four semesters of 39 credits and 336 clinical hours required for this masters track.

Admission to the MSN program is competitive. Applicants must apply to the School of Graduate Studies plus to the College of Nursing. Interested nurses must have a grade point average of 3.0 in their bachelor’s degree in nursing coursework and acceptable scores on the GRE or MAT. Nurses with a 3.2 or higher on undergraduate work do not need to take these tests. Three recommendations, a statistics course, and current licensure in the state where clinical experience will take place are required.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville also offers a RN to MSN program of seven semesters that takes two and one-half years to complete. Bachelors degree courses are taken the first year, and a grade point average of 3.0 is necessary to progress to MSN courses. Currently licensed nurses with an associates degree who do not earn this grade point average are placed in the University’s RN to BSN program. Three recommendations and MAT score of 410 or GRE scores of 150 Verbal, 150 Quantitative, and 3.0 Analytical Writing are required.

Students have various options to pay for tuition, including nursing scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid.

Troy University: RN to MSN Program Review

Troy University

Troy, Alabama 36082

Troy University is located in Troy, Alabama and also has three other campuses in Alabama and in other locations in the United States and internationally. The University has an online program as well as classes taught on campuses. It was first established in 1887 as a normal school. Troy has received many positive rankings, including Best Grad School national rankings by US News & World Report.

Troy’s School of Nursing offers a Masters of Nursing (MSN) in three tracks, which are Informatics, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Family Nurse Practitioner. The masters program for nurses is offered online at the Montgomery, Phenix City, and Troy campuses as online courses. Nurses who already have a masters degree can receive certificates in these three tracks. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) trained Registered Nurses must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in nursing courses and a score of 396 or better on the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or 850 on Graduate Record Exam (GRE) verbal and quantitative sections.

A health assessment course and two professional references are required, and the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track also requires at least one year’s experience as a RN. Conditional admission is sometimes granted to applicants with a 2.5 GPA or for lower than expected GRE or MAT scores. Conditionally admitted students must have a 3.0 GPA after completing 9 credits at Troy or be dropped from the program.

Students who choose the Clinical Nurse Specialist Track must also choose their clinical major, which can be either Adult Health Nursing or Maternal Infant Health Nursing. They must also choose a functional minor or either educator or administrator. Thirty-nine credits are need for completion of the program. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) masters degree track requires 47 credits, and in the nursing informatics specialist track, 34 credits must be completed.

MSN nurse applicants who want to complete a certificate must have two professional references and at least one year’s experience as a RN.

University of Mobile: RN to MSN Program Review

University of Mobile

5735 College Parkway

Mobile, Alabama 36613

The University of Mobile (UM) is a Christian university located in the city of Mobile at 5735 College Parkway. It was established in 1961 and has grown steadily since that time. UM is one of only four schools in the state and the only private university in the state listed as one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys.” Almost all students at the University receive some type of financial aid, and it is available for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the college. Nursing scholarships are also available.

The MSN program offered by The University of Mobile offers a major in Nursing Education/Administration. Convenient class times are arranged for students who need to continue working as they complete their masters degree. After finishing the program, graduates are qualified to work as either Nurse Administrators in leadership positions in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, or they may work as Nurse Educators, teaching in hospitals or college settings.

Applicants must be admitted to the graduate school, but admission does not guarantee that the nurse is automatically admitted to the masters degree in nursing program. BSN trained nurses with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and GRE score of at least 1500 or MAT score of 50^th percentile or better are unconditionally admitted to the nursing program. Conditional admission may be granted to applicants with GPAs as low as 2.75 or MAT score of 35 or better or GRE score of 1300 or higher.

The masters program in nursing consists of 39 semester hours that end with a research project or thesis. A variety of scholarships are available for Registered Nurses who want to complete their MSN. There are also grants and federal financial aid available to students.

University of North Alabama: RN to MSN Program Review

University of North Alabama

Florence, AL 35632

The University of North Alabama (UNA) in the city of Florence is the state’s oldest four-year university. Established in 1830, UNA has some of the lowest tuition in the state and in the US. Nursing students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing may qualify for nursing scholarships and federal financial aid, as well as grants and other tuition assistance.

The Master of Science in Nursing Online Program is entirely online. Qualified Registered Nurses with a bachelors degree in nursing may choose from two different tracks. These are Nursing in Teaching-Learning Environments or Nursing Leadership in Organizational Environments. The Leadership track prepares nurses to lead healthcare teams in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and students currently in management or executive positions are preferred. They learn about budgeting and economics, politics and legislation in healthcare, and leadership and management.

Students who choose the Teaching-Learning track are prepared to teach nursing students, healthcare colleagues, and patients in various settings. This program allows students to choose a clinical area of interest to focus on during the MSN coursework. These could be women’s health, adult health, pediatrics, or others. Each option includes two clinical courses, and clinical experiences can take place near the student’s home area. UNA works in partnership with Jacksonville State University, and some courses are taught through this university’s online nursing program. Both tracks consist of five semesters of full-time study, and both end with a capstone project.

Unconditional admission is granted to currently licensed Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. Scores of 1000 or better on the GRE or at least 410 on the MAT are required. One year’s work experience is required for the Teaching-Learning Environments track. Three references and a written goal statement are also required. Conditionally admitted students must have three years of full-time experience and may be required to take the GRE or MAT exam, and are admitted to the masters nursing program on an individual basis.

A RN to MSN program is also offered at the University of North Alabama. Both a bachelors in nursing degree and masters in nursing degree are awarded at the completion of this online program. Clinicals are arranged near the student’s home, and this program reduces the length of time needed for the masters degree by one semester or 9 credits. Students take the first 12 credits of undergraduate nursing courses at UNA and must have at least a 3.0 GPA in these.

University of South Alabama: RN to MSN Program Review

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002

The University of South Alabama (US), located in Mobile, is the only university on the upper Gulf Coast. It is one of the fastest growing universities in the state and has students from over 90 different countries. Graduate students at USA qualify to apply for university or national scholarships and federal student loans. The College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with 13 specialty tracks in advanced nursing. The masters program is unique because it is flexible and innovative, not requiring GRE or MAT test scores or reference letters for admission to the nursing program. Courses are completed online with clinical experience in the student’s home community.

USA offers 13 tracks within the MSN program, including 8 Nurse Practitioner (NP) options. These include the following:

Adult-Gerontological Acute NP

Adult-Gerontological NP (Primary Care)

Advanced Emergency Nursing (Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Dual Role) Family NP

Family Psychiatric NP

Neonatal NP

Pediatric Primary Care NP

Women’s Health NP

Five other options that are not NP programs are the following:

Nurse Educator

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Executive Nursing Administration

Public Health Nursing Administration

Nurse Educator

Nursing Informatics

There are several entry points to the MSN program, each with unique admission requirements. Those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and two years’ experience for NP tracks. Post-MSN certificates are offered as well as an Accelerated BSN/MSN for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field with a 3.0. MSN programs for nurses with associate degrees or diplomas, with or without a bachelor’s degree in another field are offered. Both a BSN and MSN can result from the RN to BSN/MSN program that includes four graduate level bridge courses.