A career in nursing can be incredibly rewarding. It offers people excellent job stability and income, as well as a rewarding job in society. However, if you are not sure what sort of nursing program you should get into, then it is important to review your different options.

Below is a list of some of the different types of paths you can take upon entering the nursing profession.  

Start as A Licensed Practical Nurse

The fastest route to becoming a nurse is to take a program designed to train students to become licensed practical nurses. These courses can be completed in a year in most cases. They are the fastest ways to becoming a nurse. As such, students who do not have the funds to attend a college and spend the time and money on a Bachelor of Nursing degree can still get licensed and become a practical nurse.

Practical nurses work in nursing homes, clinics, and even hospitals. Many LPNs use this as a bridge to becoming a Registered Nurse and end up attending school in the evenings to further their degree.

Registered Nurses: Higher Pay and More Opportunity

If you are interested in working in a hospital environment and have the time and money to attend a dedicated nursing program, then an R.N. degree might be a good fit. A registered nurse will command a higher salary than a licensed practical nurse. They will have more floor duties while at work and be involved in more complex procedures.

Most nurses obtain a BSN, which comes from an accredited four-year nursing program. These are more expensive than shorter programs, but they also help you get work in more skilled positions. There is also the option of obtaining an Associate in Nursing, which many nurses get from two-year schools. Some hospitals and intensive outpatient clinics will want a BSN, so it is something to be aware of when choosing a degree.

A Doctor of Nursing Program: More Responsibility

If your goal is to make the highest salary possible, and have a great deal of responsibility, then you will want to investigate a Doctor of Nursing degree. These are advanced degrees that nurses obtain after studying and obtaining a regular nursing degree.

You can often find programs that are geared towards combining the typical BSN and the Doctor of Nursing degree into an accelerated program. These are great if you are not working full time and would like to receive a Doctor of Nursing as quickly as possible.

For more information about obtaining a Doctor of Nursing degree, contact a local nursing school.

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