Nursing is a profession that is focused on providing care to patients, families, and the whole community. The approach of patient care in nursing is different from other healthcare providers due to their training and practice. (1)
Different types of the nursing degree program.
There are many pathways in the nursing program from certification level to doctoral level. The most important thing is to note which program is best for you. Always make the right decision in selecting your degree program against your career goals, financial status, and lifestyle. Always make a wise decision in selecting your degree program that should meet your personal and career-oriented goals. Different types of degree in nursing are:
CNA diploma or certificate.
CNA is a certified nursing assistant certificate. It is a non-degree diploma that is mostly offered by different colleges and vocational schools. You can take an online class at home or a physical class in the school. But clinical hours should be performed by the student at an approved location. During this diploma, you will learn that how basic healthcare is provided to patients for helping them in their daily activities. Some other duties include:
- Transferring patients in and out of the bed
- Bathing and feeding patients
- Taking vital signs
- Recording patient data
- Communicating with family members of the patient
- Change bedding
Course in this nursing program is training in emergency procedures, how to control the injection, and personal care. If you want to increase your employment you can earn a volunteer certificate in psychiatry and geriatrics.
Length of this diploma:
Earning this diploma is the fastest way to make an entry into the nursing profession. The exact duration of this diploma varies from state to state. Seventy-five hours of education is required for a CNA certificate according to the guidelines by the federal government. Mostly it takes 4 to 12 weeks for a CNA diploma to complete. Sixteen hours of training are also required under the supervision of clinical staff.
How much you can earn?
After this diploma, you can earn $30,720 annually
LPN/LVN Diploma
LPN is a licensed practical nurse; it is also a non-degree diploma. It is also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Duties of this profession are:
- Take vital signs
- Report patient conditions
- Change wound dressing and
- Insert catheters
- Assist with tests, sample collection, and procedures
- Administer medication and injections
- Improve patient comfort.
Length of time:
Mostly LPN takes 12 months to complete but it depending on the state your duration for this diploma may vary. It also depends upon your criteria you adopt, and it can take around 7 to 24 months.
Careers after this diploma:
When you complete your LPN/VPN diploma, you have to pass the test for the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARD OF NURSING’s NATIONAL LICENSURE examination. After passing this exam you will be eligible for licensing and practicing. You can found the common employment in:
- Hospitals
- Physicians office
- Home healthcare services
- Assisted living facilities
- Clinical research facilities
- Diagnostic testing centers
- Government agencies
Earning:
You can earn an average of $48,500 annually.
Associate degree in nursing: (2)
For becoming a registered nurse in the hospital, an associate degree is a minimum you require. A registered nurse has the credentials of assisting a physician and providing the most critical patient care. Some schools are offering this program online with the inclusion of on-site training. Following duties are performed by a registered nurse:
- Help physicians during surgeries, examinations, and other medical processes.
- Dress wound and incisions
- Run and analyze diagnostic tests
- Review patient treatment plan and progress charts
- Supervise LPNs, CNAs and LVNs
- Provide education to patients on self-care
Duration of studies:
An associate degree in nursing requires two years to complete the degree. On-site clinical training is also necessary according to the state’s requirements for licensing.
Careers after an associate degree in nursing:
After the associate degree, you need to pass the examination of NCLEX-RN for a license and you can pursue your career in:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- In the physician’s office
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government agencies and the military
- Educational services and schools
- Health insurance companies
- Travel nursing organizations
How much you can earn after an associate degree in nursing:
According to the BLS report, a registered nurse can earn an average of $77,460 annually.
Bachelor’s of Science in nursing:
It is a 4-year degree program that is specifically designed for registered nurses who are interested in persuading their career highly paid jobs.
Duration of degree:
4 years of full-time study is required for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some colleges can help registered nurses to study online or part-time for the advancement of their careers.
Careers after bachelor’s degree:
The job growth of registered nurses is predicted to grow by 7% at the end of 2029. Most registered nurses work in hospitals but they can pursue their career in:
- Case manager
- Forensic nurse
- Legal nurse consultation
- Home health nurse
- Mid-level nurse administrator
- Nursing informatics specialist
- Occupational health nurse
- Parish nurse
- Public health nurse
- School nurse
Earning after bachelor’s degrees
Salaries for registered nurses vary upon various factors. But the average salary for a registered nurse is $77,460 annually.
Masters of Science in nursing degree:
It is a program that is designed for nurses who want to pursue their career as an ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE (APRN). It is a more tailored curriculum than a bachelor’s program. Deep study and concentrated area of topics like management, healthcare policy, research, and leadership
Duration of master’s degree in nursing:
If you are a bachelor’s graduate then it would take two years to complete MSN, but if you have not a bachelor’s or have done in another field then it would take three years or maybe more to complete the degree.
Careers after MSN:
Careers after earning masters degree in nursing are:
- Nurse practitioner
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Certified nurse-midwife
- Certified nurse anesthetist
Earning: you can earn an average of $111,840 annually being a nurse practitioner
Doctoral degree in nursing:
This degree is for those stiffened who are interested in gaining more knowledge to teach students at the university level, or to conduct research, or want to pursue high roles in the field.
Length of time: it takes an average of two years to complete.
Earning: nurse educators can earn up to $83,240 annually.
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