Nursing Schools and Programs
Nurses treat the sick and injured, educate people about illness and health, and counsel patients' family members. Nursing specialties include the following:
- Populations like pediatrics or geriatrics
- Diseases like oncology, or HIV/AIDS
- Areas of physiology such as genetics or gynecology
- Home nursing, such as visiting or hospice
- Hospital care, such as surgical, critical, or emergency
- Education-focused nursing such as public health
Aspiring nurses must have a natural inclination toward helping people, plus ample amounts of compassion and emotional stability. Communication skills, ability to follow supervision, and a sense of personal responsibility are assets, as well.
Pursuing Your Nursing Degree
Several paths lead to a nursing degree:
- Licensed vocational or practical nurse (LVN or LPN)
- Registered nurse (RN) or associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN)
- Practical Nursing, such as a nurse practitioner, through master's degree of science in nursing (MSN) with a bachelor's degree.
BSN and MSN degree programs may offer courses in leadership, communication, and critical thinking. The coursework may lead to a career in teaching, administration, consulting, or research. If you're already a nurse, you may consider a nursing program such as the RN or LVN to BSN. If you have a degree in another field, you may consider a BSN. For licensing, you may be required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN.
Job Outlook and Salary for Nurses
Nurses might be in demand through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 Data. The median annual salary for RNs is $64,690 and LVNs have $40,380.