Nursing Degrees
A nursing degree will provide you with the skills you need to begin a career in the exciting field of medicine and patient care. If you’re looking for a well-paying job that will give you the opportunity to help people, and the flexibility to move wherever you want, then consider a career in nursing. Nurses are in demand across the country, and constitute the largest occupation in healthcare.
It’s up to you which degree will best prepare you for your career goals. Nursing degrees include:
- Certification: Once you decide which area of nursing you’d like to specialize in, there are many certifications that will qualify you for your field. From oncology to pediatrics, certifications can supplement your nursing degree by teaching you skills specific to your favorite area of medicine. Certifications can also be acquired independently of a degree program, and qualify individuals to work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
- Associate’s: A two year associate’s degree program will qualify graduates for a career as an LPN or an entry-level registered nurse (RN). These programs will focus more on vocational skills than academic study, and will prepare students for the NCLEX, the standard registered nursing exam.
- Bachelor’s: A bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) takes four years to complete, and provides students with a blend of academic study and hands-on training. Completion of this degree often leads to supervisory roles within a medical setting, and can prepare graduates for a graduate education down the road.
- Master’s: Students who complete the two year master’s program will be qualified to work as a nurse practitioner (NP). NPs work closely with physicians in assisting with patient care, diagnosis and treatment, as well as supervision of other nurses and nurses’ aids.
- Doctorate: Demand for nurses with doctoral degrees is high, and will continue to be according to the bureau of labor statistics. Graduates of these degree programs have a range of career options including high-level executive positions in healthcare, professorships or research positions.