Careers in Nursing
Unlimited Possibilities

Compared to the rate for all occupations, Registered Nurse (RN) employment is predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow at an above average rate through the year 2006 (AACN Press Release 12/30/97). RNs are needed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians' offices, home care, long term care, community health centers, and HMOs. Industries, businesses, research centers, fitness centers, and schools also employ nurses. Even branches of the military have a continual need for nurses.

Nurses apply scientific knowledge to assist people in coping with illness and maintaining health. If you have a deep concern for the health and welfare of others, a desire to learn, an interest in science, and a willingness to assume responsibility, consider a career in nursing.

Start Preparing Now
Preparation for a career in nursing begins in high school. You should lay the foundation for your career by taking four years of English, three years of math, two or three years of laboratory science, and three years of social science. Study of a foreign language is also desirable.

In addition to academic preparation, certain personal characteristics are vital to a successful nursing career: strong analytical skills, the ability to work well with all kinds of people, compassion, creativity, flexibility, and commitment to social and technological change.

After high school graduation, it's possible to start your preparation for a nursing career in several different ways. (Your financial resources may influence your choice.) One of the special features of nursing is that no matter what kind of program you choose initially, there are transition programs available to help you advance to the next level.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
One entry point is a one-year Licensed Practical Nurse program. LPN certificate programs are available through some community colleges, hospitals, and private schools. You learn basic nursing skills that enable you to work under the direction of an RN. After passing the license examination, you could work as an LPN while continuing studies to become an RN.

Registered Nurse (RN)
Educational preparation for the Registered Nurse is available at three levels: Diploma Program, Associate Degree, and Baccalaureate Degree. Graduates of all three types of registered nursing programs are eligible to take the state licensing examination for registered nursing - NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination).

Diploma Program
A DIPLOMA program is a two- or three-year hospital-based program. In addition to nursing courses at the hospital, these programs often include academic courses in English composition, plus natural and social sciences at nearby colleges or universities.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING (ADN) programs are usually offered through a community college and include general education, basic science, and nursing courses. They require 60 or more credits for graduation.

Many ADN programs provide a way for LPNs to return to school and move up to become ADN-prepared RNs. Colleges and universities with BSN programs offer plans that facilitate diploma and ADN nurses' return to school to complete their BSN in approximately two years. Some universities offer "accelerated" plans that allow diploma and ADN graduates to begin master's degree study while still completing their BSN.

Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program
BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN) DEGREE programs are offered by four-year colleges and universities. They include 120 or more credits and take approximately four years. Graduates have a full college education in the liberal arts and sciences as well as in nursing theory and practice. In addition to preparation for the NCLEX, BSN programs provide theory and practice in community health nursing, nursing management, and nursing leadership. These include a strong science foundation for advanced study and an introduction to research methodology.

BSN graduates are prepared for nursing practice in any health service where professional nursing is required. RNs with BSNs are able to plan, organize, and evaluate nursing care for groups of patients. The BSN is the best route to first level supervisory positions in patient care.

A BSN degree is also the stepping stone to a Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing. These advanced degrees prepare clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, teachers of nursing, nurse administrators, and researchers.

Nursing is a unique field offering a high level of emotional rewards, employment in a wide range of settings, full- and part-time options with a variety of schedule choices, and numerous opportunities to return to school for higher career levels. Today's emphasis on healthy lifestyles and the growing variety of health care settings has created exciting new opportunities for nurses. Wherever health needs are being met, nurses are there. The nursing profession is changing rapidly and moving toward greater professionalism and influence in health care.

Editorial provided by Claudia Moore, PhD, The University of Michigan School of Nursing in East Lansing, MI.