How to Get a Registered Nurse Degree
The Degree Options
There are two degree options, and the one you choose depends on your future career goals. All registered nurses need to achieve the minimum of an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree can open more doors for you.
Associates degrees take up to three years to complete. The courses cover nutrition, anatomy, chemistry and general nursing topics. You’ll also study liberal arts topics and gain extensive knowledge for entry-level nursing positions.
Bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete and cover nursing topics in more detail. If you have credits from a previous degree, you can use them to take shorter bachelors in nursing. This could be a two year course instead of the full four years.
The Certification
When you’ve finished your degree program, you’ll have to take an exam to become a certified nurse. The National Council License Examination (NCLEX) covers four areas of nursing. Upon completing the course, you’ll be a qualified nurse. These areas include:
- Maintaining diseases and promoting health.
- Care management and infection control.
- Psychosocial integrity and coping with adaption.
- Care, comfort and medication.
The course will equip you for sitting the exam and provide you with the necessary knowledge. Study before your exam and you’ll be ready to take your first steps in your new nursing career. The courses cover many interesting topics and can help you decide the area of nursing you’d like to work in.
The Course
If you choose an associates degree, you’ll learn about a range of topics. Bachelors degrees teach the same curriculum, but they go into more detail. The subjects include:
Psychology
Nutrition and therapy
Nursing theory and practice
Microbiology
Chemistry
Anatomy
Your degree will take from two to four years to complete if you study full time. There are also part-time courses available but this will take longer. If possible, you should study full time to complete your degree quicker.
You’ll study in the classroom and get hands-on medical training experience. Nursing degrees are perfect to see if you want to continue studies and give you an idea of what the workplace will be like.
Online Study
If you have other job or childcare commitments, then studying in a classroom might not be the best option. Luckily, there are online courses that enable you to study in your own time. Usually, they have video lectures and interactive study, so you can test your knowledge. You’ll also have to gain hands-on experience within your local community.
Online study can be difficult, and you should think about whether you can commit yourself to the course. You’ll have to be dedicated, responsible and motivated to complete your studies. Online study isn’t for everyone, and a classroom environment offers more support for students. Think about how ready you are to start your course and consider taking a taster course to see if it’s right for you.
The Costs
The course will cost around $31,000 so it’s important to consider whether you want to become a nurse. If you want to apply for a course, it’s important that you have achieved the minimum SAT requirements. You should also have a GPA of between 2.0 and 3.25.
There are many courses, but you need to ensure the college you choose is accredited and you’ll receive a professional qualification. Nursing can open many doors for you, and you can enjoy a full-time career with many benefits. If you’re ready to begin your journey, then search for courses today.