Nursing is a noble career path. As a nurse, you can help your patients in many different ways. Particularly since the outbreak of COVID-19, nursing is more important than ever before. Today’s nurses are called upon to be confidants, as well as caregivers. If such a rewarding career sounds appealing to you, the next step is to pursue a nursing degree.
Over 200 years ago, Florence Nightingale founded what we now know as modern nursing. The profession rapidly expanded from that point in time. As of 2019, there were approximately 4,096,000 practicing registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. There were also many more nurses with other types of nursing degrees, including approximately 920,000 practicing as licensed practical nurses. You must understand the differences between those and other nursing degrees so you can choose a type of nursing that suits you. Here is a brief list of top nursing degrees to consider.
A licensed practical nursing program is a basic nurse program. LPN nursing degrees entitle nurses to perform basic patient care. They are also tasked with providing updates on patients to higher level nurses and doctors. Duties of LPNs vary but often include:
- Bathing Patients
- Helping Patients Dress
- Performing Basic Vital Sign Checks (Blood Pressure Etc.)
- Discussing Medical Concerns with Patients and Relaying Them to Other Medical Staff
- Assisting With Other Day-to-Day Patient Needs (Brushing Hair, Teeth Etc.)
Every registered nurse (RN) must hold at least a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN degree) A BSN degree typically takes four years to obtain. Registered nurses are often required to perform tests on patients and determining the results of those tests. Unlike licensed practical nurses, RNs are allowed to dispense medications to patients. It also typically falls on the shoulders of RNs to explain illness management to patients being discharged from hospitals or other medical facilities. Other staff members like LPNs are often assigned supervisory RNs to oversee their work. Most standard RN programs teach team management skills in some measure, along with medication dispensing and other practical skills RNs must have.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are nurses who have completed advanced levels of study. They are often allowed to work with little supervision. Often, such nurses specialize in particular types of nursing, such as caring for pediatric (young) or geriatric (elderly) patients. They facilitate multiple levels of patient care and health planning, including:
- Preventative Medicine
- Development of Treatment Plans with Doctors
- Management of Existing Diseases
- General Wellness Management
- Assisting with Disease Diagnosis
- Chronic Illness Treatment
An anesthesia nurse, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is certified to anesthetize patients for surgery and other procedures. Anesthesia nurses are essential members of surgical or intensive care teams. Anesthesia nursing requires students to undergo at least six years of nursing school and one to three years of practical training. Anesthesia nurses are extremely skilled and considered advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). They can work in several environments, including:
- Surgical Suites
- Intensive Care Departments at Hospitals
- Dental Offices
- Ophthalmology Practices
- Plastic Surgery Offices
- Military Bases
- Medical Research Facilities
Nurse educators (NEs) are nurses who teach other nurses. There is constantly a need for more nurses, and colleges require educated staff members to teach them. To qualify for such positions, NEs must have extensive knowledge of nursing. They must also love and demonstrate skill at teaching. Masters of Science in Nurse Education (MSN-NE) degrees are required for all NEs. Using their skills, they can also work in positions outside of colleges, such as in advisory capacities in large hospitals.
A nurse leadership (NL) degree is a master’s of science (MSN) in nurse leadership. Nurses who hold NL degrees are administrators. They coordinate other nursing staff, handle scheduling, and help staff adjust to new technologies and policies, as needed.
They are in charge of the nursing groups they manage and handle all aspects of keeping those groups functioning at optimal levels. Nurse leaders often have titles like:
- Healthcare Manager
- Nursing Manager
- Director of Nursing
- Chief Nursing Officer
Nurses seeking the highest level of education possible can pursue a doctoral degree. There are several doctoral degrees relating to nursing. One of the most common is the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. Pursuing DNPs allows nurses to practice at the highest level in practical ways. Similarly, nursing Phd. degrees are doctoral degrees, but they are not designed for practical purposes. Instead, nurses who hold nursing Phd. degrees are qualified to teach high-level nursing courses in educational institutions offering such courses.
If the nursing field you wish to pursue has multiple degree levels, the first decision you must make is which level to pursue. For example, if you want to be an RN you can pursue an associate degree in nursing if you choose, rather than pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
It takes approximately two to three years to get an associate degree, as opposed to four years for a bachelor’s degree. You must also consider prerequisite requirements. For example, you cannot take doctoral-level courses immediately. You must pass multiple prerequisite courses.
Multiple online nursing programs are available to help you obtain the nursing degree or degrees you desire. Some are run privately. Others are offered through various colleges around the country. Online nursing degree programs are often advantageous because you can complete them at your own pace and squeeze them into your schedule. You also do not have to commute to classes. However, many nursing degrees require some amount of hands-on practical training. Therefore, you can only typically complete a portion of your nursing studies virtually.
The cost of a nursing degree program varies by educational institution and degree type. Associate degree program prices range from approximately $6,000 to $20,000 for two-year programs. Each additional level of study increases the cost. If paying for nursing degree programs is a concern for you, you may qualify for some form of assistance. Multiple nursing scholarships and grants are available through local, state, and federal agencies.
