Careers in Nursing - Choosing a Nursing Degree

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Nursing, the largest health care occupation, involves treating and educating the public by working closely with doctors and other health care providers. Among other duties, job responsibilities may include administering medication, performing diagnostic tests and tracking patients' medical history. The most common kind of degrees sought are:
 

Nursing Education

Prospective nurses can pursue a varying level of edcuation. Along with mandatory classroom instruction and supervised clinical work in hospitals or other health care facilities (both of which are required by nursing programs), nursing students will also earn one or more of the following types of degrees:
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): ADN programs are offered by community and junior colleges and typically take two to three years to complete. Nurses with an associate degree often pursue a BSN to broaden their education.
 
  • Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN): BSN programs offered by colleges and universities typically take four years to complete. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree will have more job opportunities than nurses with an associate degree or a nursing diploma.

    A BSN is a prerequisite for graduate nursing programs. Advanced practice nursing specialties (clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners) require at least a master’s degree.

  • Master's of Science Degree in Nursing: A master's in nursing helps registered nurses (RNs) earn the highest levels of compensation by providing enhanced knowledge and skills in a variety of healthcare disciplines.

  • Doctorate of Nursing: Nurses with doctorates stand out in the clinical field and also have specific knowledge of business practices, making them particularly qualified to lead administrative staff in diverse healthcare environments.
 

  • Diploma from an Approved Nursing Program: Hospitals administer diploma programs, which typically take three years to complete. Like nurses with an associate degree, nurses with a diploma often pursue a BSN to broaden their education.
 
After graduating from nursing school, individuals must then pass a national licensing exam to earn a nursing license, known as the NCLEX-RN. In addition, some employers require prospective nursing job applicants to participate in a certified nursing program.

Specialties in the Field

Registered nurses can choose to specialize in one or more areas, and some choose to combine specialties. Nurses can choose to specialize in the field by choosing to work:
  • in a particular work setting: For example, a nurse could decide to be an emergency or trauma nurse and work in a hospital emergency department.
 
  • with specific a health condition: For example, a nurse could decide to focus on care for patients with brain cancer. Similarly, nurses can choose to work with a specific treatment, such as chemotherapy.
 

  • with a specific organ or body system: For example, a nurse could chose to specialize in cardiovascular disease, treating patients with heart problems.
 

  • with a specific population: For example, a nurse could choose to specialize in pediatrics and care for children and adolescents.
 

Career Opportunities in Nursing

While overall job opportunities for nurses are expected to grow in the coming years, today's nurses still have a variety of different career paths they can pursue. Although hospitals employ more than half of all registered nurses, nurses can also pursue careers in employment services, educational services and government agencies.

Some specific areas of nursing include:

 
Employers around the country report difficulty attracting and retaining nurses. This shortage of nurses is thought to be caused by the high turnover rate of nurses, especially in a hospital setting.
 
In addition, the average age of a nurse is increasing, meaning more nurses are retiring or will be retiring in the near future. With job opportunities and starting salaries on the rise, nursing jobs are becoming evermore popular with job seekers and those looking for a new career.
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