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Nursing

Nursing is a profession within the health care field concerned with the defense and optimization of people's health, the avoidance of ill health and injury, the ease of suffering due to various treatments, and support for the care of individuals. The nursing field is vast and individuals with a nursing degree are able to work in a number of different settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance companies, and managed care organizations.

There are a number of qualities that a student who is interested in pursuing a career in nursing should encompass. Because nursing is primarily concerned with the health of individuals, nurses must be compassionate and empathetic. Individuals being treated by a nurse should feel cared for and valued as a patient...Read More

Nurses must have critical-thinking skills and be detail-oriented; they must be able to determine which protocol is best when the health state of a patient changes. Organization skills are imperative since nurses often care for several patients who have different healthcare needs. Interpersonal skills are important because nurses speak with patients regarding their health conditions; nurses must be able to effectively communicate to the patients the procedures they endured or medications they are taking. Nurses must be emotionally stable and have the ability to cope with emergencies, patients' suffering, and various other stresses which accompany this occupation.

The demand for nurses is expected to rise 22% from 2008 to 2018 (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and nurses have substantial earning prospects since they have some of the best occupation potential across the nation.

Nursing Degree Levels Available

Diploma in Nursing or Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A diploma in nursing as well as an associate's degree in nursing prepares students for entry-level positions in the health care field (as a staff nurse or generalist nurse) or for further advancement to a bachelor's or master's degree. This two-year program includes courses in areas such as anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, chemistry, and psychology. Upon graduation from this program, students must also successfully pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination); this is the national licensing examination taken by ADN graduates in order to attain a nursing license and be employed as a nurse. However, students who would like the opportunity for promotion within the nursing field should continue onto the bachelor's degree in nursing.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BS/BSN)

The bachelor's degree in nursing program educates students in different areas of focus in the nursing field such as maternal/child health, psychiatric/mental health nursing, paediatrics, and adult acute and chronic disease. Students also learn about nursing theory, physical and behavioural sciences, and policies in health. Due to various subject areas covered, this four-year program educates students in the full span of nursing professions across all healthcare settings. As with the associate's degree in nursing, graduates from this program as well must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN to be employed as a registered nurse (RN).

Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN)

A master's degree in nursing prepares students to become leaders in the healthcare profession. This program offers education for nurses wanting to become profession nurse educators or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who work in collaboration with physicians or on their own.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing can be extensive. Materials required include (but are not limited to) successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED), high school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable) displaying grades obtained in completed courses, SAT or ACT test scores, active registration as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), CPR certification, proof of immunizations and health insurance, negative drug screen, clear criminal background check, a writing sample, and letters of recommendation. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university must be completed and submitted along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution. Volunteer and or work experience in areas such as community health is always beneficial to the student and will aid in their acceptance during the application process.

Tuition and Accreditation

An associate's degree in nursing's tuition fees may vary between $30 000 and $50 000. A bachelor of science degree in nursing's tuition fees may vary between $30 000 to $60 000. A master's degree in nursing's tuition fees may vary between $20 000 to $40 000.

Colleges and universities which offer an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree, nursing must be aligned with CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.) standards. Most employers only hire students who graduated from a CCNE or NLNAC-accredited institution.

Annual Salary for Different Occupations in Nursing

A nursing graduate's salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, level of experience, and their field of specialization. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, here are a few of the median annual earnings for the most common professions in the health care field, for those who have a nursing degree (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $42 400
Registered Nurse (RN) $67 930
Nurse Anesthetists $154 390
Nurse Practitioners $91 450

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PROGRAMS

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Fortis College - Campus

Education Affiliates was founded on a simple premise — that we would create an opportunity for organizations to hire graduates of our schools who have completed quality, people-oriented, post-secondary career training. These graduates would be capable of utilizing those acquired skills in the business world, resulting in a positive impact for themselves and the business they are associated with.

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Fortis Institute - Campus

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Southwest Florida College - Campus

Southern Technical College offers hands-on career training in the areas of allied health sciences and technical trades. Find out why Florida students choose career training at Southern Technical College to enhance their future! Southern Technical College is the right place for students who want quality career training in the fields of Applied Electronics Technology-HVAC, Electrical Trades Technology, Medical Assisting, or Medical Billing and Coding.

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Northcentral University - Online

Northcentral University was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology and Marriage and Family Sciences.

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Vista College - Campus

At Vista College, we don’t just say that our mission is your success. We mean it. For more than 25 years, we’ve been helping students get the training they need to pursue work in their chosen fields. We offer two ways for you to learn: online and on-campus.

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ASA College - Campus

"ASA's modest roots began in 1985 with a professor and 12 students in a small Brooklyn classroom. Known then as 'Advanced Software Analysis', the College focused on computer programming, as New York City had a dire shortage of qualified mainframe programmers at that time.

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Mildred Elley - Campus

Enrollment in the Business Management, Massage Therapy and Advanced Paralegal Studies programs is subject to the following conditions. Mildred Elley’s New York City Metro Campus is a branch campus of the main campus in Albany, New York, and is approved as such by The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and the United States Department of Education (US DoE).

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CEHE Ground - Campus

CEHE Ground

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College America - Campus

At CollegeAmerica, our mission isn’t complicated. We want to help you earn your degree, graduate and launch or advance your career as soon as possible. We concentrate on preparing you for a more rewarding career that will enrich your life and your family’s life.

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Stevens Henagar College - Campus

At Stevens-Henager College, you can choose from a wide variety of employment-focused degrees to match your career goals. Each of our programs has been engineered to help you launch or advance a better career in today’s competitive job market.

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