Thinking About Nursing School?

Consider Your Many Options

Choosing a major can be especially difficult when the economy is poor. If job security is a priority for you, you'll be happy to know that nursing is one career with a bright future.

The Baby Boom generation of nurses is quickly approaching retirement. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that more than a million new and replacement registered nurses will be needed by 2012. By choosing a career-focused college major like nursing, you'll be preparing for a future of endless learning and growth potential.

Colleges and universities throughout the United States are providing students interested in nursing with more and more academic and scholarship opportunities in order to meet the growing nursing shortage head-on. Nursing schools must also rise to the challenge of producing competent nurses quickly while maintaining high standards of integrity and quality.

Choosing the Right Degree for You

As a high school student considering a nursing career, you have three main options once you graduate. You can earn a practical-nursing diploma and become a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), also known as a vocational nurse. Or you can earn either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree and become a registered nurse (R.N.). Generally, the more education you complete, the more opportunities you'll have.

The L.P.N.

You can earn a diploma in licensed practical nursing in about a year. During that time, you'll balance practical experience in hospitals and other settings with course work in everything from anatomy to psychology. Once you graduate and pass an exam, you'll be qualified to provide some care directly to patients. You'll also assist R.N.'s and doctors.

The A.D.N.

If you're willing to attend college for two to three years, you can earn an associate's degree in nursing (A.D.N.). During their added schooling, A.D.N. students pick up more courses outside nursing, in such areas as microbiology; take more specialized nursing courses, such as geriatric nursing; and spend longer hours in each class.

With an A.D.N. from a junior or community college, you'll be able to provide direct patient care in many settings. Some hospital nursing schools, colleges, and universities also offer A.D.N. programs.

The B.S.N.

If you want the most options, including graduate school later on in your career, consider the bachelor of science degree in nursing (B.S./B.S.N.). Offered at most accredited colleges and universities, the four-year program prepares nurses to practice in all health care settings.

As a B.S.N. student, you'll get a chance to delve into a wide range of topics. These include ethical dilemmas, the history and theory of nursing, and leadership. Of course, you'll also take more advanced nursing courses, studying specialties like acute-care nursing and perhaps conducting your own scientific research.