What Qualifications are Available in Nursing?

What Qualifications are Available in Nursing?

Since it is one of the most meaningful and rewarding jobs worldwide, it’s no surprise that more and more people looking to get into nursing as a career. Working as a nurse is not only emotionally satisfying, but can also be very financially rewarding with nurses earning a generous salary in many states with plenty of opportunities to further their career and earn even more. Nurses are vital to healthcare and have a huge impact on the lives of both individuals and societies. With the US currently suffering from a nursing shortage, you might be wondering how you can help by qualifying as a nurse. Here are some options to consider if you want to get into nursing.

Associate’s Degree in Nursing:

Getting an associate’s degree is the fastest way to become a licensed practical nurse, and you can usually find these programs available at community colleges and nursing schools. However, it is worth bearing in mind that with employers now looking to hire nurses that hold a BSN, this pathway is becoming less popular. However, if you want to start working in healthcare and gaining experience quickly it might be worth considering. Once you are working as a licensed practical nurse, there are several options to consider if you would like to upgrade to a BSN and become a registered nurse, with bridging programs available that are designed to help you build on the knowledge and skills that you have already gained.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

The BSN is the most popular route to take when it comes to getting into nursing. This four-year degree will qualify you as a registered nurse once you have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, and is required as a minimum by the majority of healthcare employers. In New York State, it is now required that all nurses gain a BSN within ten years of entering the workforce if they do not already hold one, in a bid to ensure that healthcare workers are better educated. You can find BSN programs at a range of nursing schools, community colleges, colleges and online universities with programs available to suit every type of aspiring nurse.

Online BSN:

Studying online has become a popular choice among many student nurses these days, particularly people who are looking to change their current career into nursing. This is because studying online allows you more flexibility compared to studying in a traditional classroom setting and enables you to work your studies around your current career, helping you avoid the need to cut back your hours or give up your job. As a result, becoming a nurse has become more financially viable for students who have financial commitments that they will need to continue upholding while studying. In addition, the option to study from home means that online student nurses will often save a significant amount of money on the cost of relocating or commuting, which is no longer necessary with this degree program format.

Accelerated BSN:

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject but have realized that you’re not working in the right career for you and that nursing is your calling, an ABSN degree could be the ideal way for you to get into the career of your dreams. The online accelerated BSN programs from Baylor University are designed to help students who have already gained a bachelor’s degree in another subject build on their existing knowledge and skills and transfer them to the nursing profession. These degree programs are designed to help you get into nursing faster and save money since you will not be required to study for the traditional four years to get your BSN, with many programs completed in half the time. You can study for your ABSN in a traditional classroom setting or choose from many online programs depending on your specific requirements.

Bridging Programs:

If you are already working as a licensed practical nurse and want to get your BSN and become a registered nurse, there are programs available that will allow you to build on the knowledge and skills that you already have to get your RN in a shorter period of time compared to taking the traditional route. The ADN-BSN bridging program, for example, is designed specifically for students who have already gained an associate’s degree in nursing and want to get their BSN, allowing them to upgrade their qualification in less time and become a registered nurse.

Master of Science in Nursing:

Once you have gained a BSN, the opportunities for nursing progression will certainly multiply. At this point, if you want to work towards a senior nursing position such as nurse leadership or a nurse practitioner, you will usually be required to get a master’s degree in nursing. MSN degrees are offered in a wide range of formats and there is an increasing range of online degree options that are designed for full-time nurses who need to be able to easily study and fit their learning around their shifts.

Doctor of Nursing Practice:

After getting an MSN, you can reach even higher to get a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which is the highest qualification option for nurses. This degree is often required for many nurse executive and leadership positions, and will qualify you to work in the academic side of nursing, teaching the next generation of student nurses at university or college.

Family Nurse Practitioner Degrees:

If you want a senior position in nursing but would prefer to continue working at the bedside, a family nurse practitioner position could be ideal for you. The FNP degree is designed to qualify you to work in this high-demand healthcare position. In many states, nurse practitioners have the authority to diagnose patients, run clinics, recommend treatment, and prescribe medication without the supervision of a doctor. They are enjoying increasing demand due to the shortage of primary physicians as the best healthcare professional to fill the gap.

Whether you are already working as a nurse or want to get your career in nursing started, there are several qualification options to consider.