What Everyone Should Know About Nursing

Since the days of Margaret Sanger and Clara Barton, nurses have saved the lives of many generations of Americans. Today, nursing is the largest healthcare career in the United States, with around 2.4 million practicing nurses nationwide. Despite these high numbers, many healthcare employers are struggling to find qualified new professionals as thousands of Baby Boomer nurses prepare to retire.

Learning to Care: Nursing Degrees

In addition to the emotional rewards, nursing also offers strong financial benefits. In 2004, registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $52,330. Prospective nurses have several degree options that can help them break into this fast-growing, high-demand field. Some of these include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year BSN degree can give you the widest range of nursing job possibilities. In 2004, around 674 nursing schools were certified to award BSN degrees. If you've already got your RN certification, you can even earn your BSN online.
• Associate's degree in nursing (ADN): Most associate's degree programs in nursing last around two years. Many prospective nurses choose to earn their associate's degrees before entering BSN programs.
• Diplomas: Diploma programs run directly by hospitals have become less common, but in some communities you can still get career training through hospitals and community colleges. A diploma can prepare you for entry-level jobs in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.

Gain On-the-Job Experience with Internships

As you work to complete your nursing program, consider finding an internship during the summer, or in your free time during the school year. Not only can an internship allow you to practice your classroom knowledge, it can also give you hands-on training and help you to develop valuable communication skills. Since professional nurses must constantly interact with sick patients, it is vital that nurses possess compassion, patience, and a good sense of humor. To find an internship, you can either seek out help from your school's career services office, or contact a local hospital about job opportunities.

Source

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Registered Nurses"