Taking a certified course in nursing is a decision many people
make for a variety of reasons. There is a shortage of nursing personnel,
so finding work is almost guaranteed. It is a popular profession for
people who enjoy helping others. Registered nurses (RNs) are the
majority of health care industry workers. Entry level nurses include
those with nursing diplomas, two year Associate's Degrees and those with
a Bachelor of Nursing (BSNs).
Challenges of the Profession
Nursing
is both challenging and rewarding as a profession. The working hours
vary, with some nurses working early mornings, day time, evenings,
weekends and on an on-call basis. As health care professionals, they are
exposed to a variety of illnesses and medical conditions, many of which
are contagious. Nurses can have very diverse job responsibilities,
depending upon their areas of expertise and work settings.
Compensation
Nurses
tend to earn good salaries which can have a positive impact on their
families. RN Nurses who work through agencies tend to earn the highest
average salaries of around $63,170. The average salary for RNs who work
in general medical facilities is around $53,450 annually with benefits.
Nurses with experience can often also be paid sign-on bonuses and get
tuition reimbursement. The starting salary for BSN nurses begins at
around $36,000 to $45,000, however, this amount changes according to
geographic location and specialty.
Four to Five Year Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) Degree
Of
the three entry-level nursing degree paths, the four to five year BSN
program is the preferred entry point by hiring leaders in the industry. A
GPA of at least 3.0 is usually required. The BSN is preferred because
it provides the most advantageous opportunities in the job market for
its graduates. Tuition costs from $24,000 to $48,000 depending upon
location. Classified ads show that there is a BSN requirement for many
available nursing positions.
Two Year Associate's Degree
The
two year Associate's Degree is the first entry-level point for a
technical nursing degree. It is often a precursor to studying for the
BSN. The associate's degree will allow for a student to later become
registered and earn more money faster than that of a four year BSN
program. This makes it work better for many people. The two to three
year nursing diploma used to be a more common entry-level program prior
to the 1970s. At that time, there were over 800 diploma schools
available. Since there are less than 100 of those schools today, it is
not as popular as the BSN and two year Associate's Degree. The nursing
diploma prepares students to work in a hospital or inpatient medical
facility. It is a good place to start, depending upon your nursing
career aspirations. The cost of this tuition can run from $3,000 at a
community college, to as much as $20,000 at a private university.
Certification Qualifications
Each
of the entry-level nursing degree paths will qualify students to take
the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure. Once the exam is passed, your
level of education and type of degree will determine the kind of income
that you can expect, along with the various types of jobs you will
qualify for.
Certificate Course Ideas: What It Takes to Enter the Nursing Field
