So You Want To Be a Registered Nurse?
With the job growth potential and tuition reimbursement incentives, becoming a Registered Nurse can seem like a good idea. But nursing is more than just caring for patients and working with doctors, so before you decide on this occupation, consider the nature of the work, the work environment, and the required education.
Registered Nurses treat and educate patients about medical conditions. Their duties include recording medical histories and symptoms, conducting diagnostic tests, operating medical machinery, administering treatment, analyzing test results, and helping with follow-up procedures. Nurses teach patients how to manage their illnesses and provide advice and emotional support to them and their families regarding medical decisions. When it comes to patient care, nurses help with treatment plans that may involve that they administer medication and check for interactions, manage intravenous lines for fluid medications or blood, observe and record patient behavior, and consult physicians regarding patients' health.
A nurse's work environment can largely depend on the facility they choose to work in or what area of health they specialize in. Generally nurses work in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, health clinics, private practices, and doctor's offices. Some nurses may specialize in home or public health and travel to different patient's homes and community centers. When it comes to work hours, nurses can have set schedules or sporadic ones. For example, nurses who work in hospitals may work nights, weekends, and holidays, since patients require constant care, but nurses working in schools are likely to work during business hours. Regardless of environment, nurses don't spend their time sitting at a desk and instead are quite active, walking to different patients' rooms, standing while taking down their medical histories, or bending over to administer treatments.
One can become a registered nurse in by earning a bachelor's degree or associate degree in nursing, or by graduating from a nursing program. An Associate Degree in Nursing can be completed through a community or junior college and a diploma from a nursing program can be earned through hospitals. While these types of programs are shorter, opportunities for advancement within the field of nursing may be limited for anyone who only completes their education through these types of programs. Colleges and universities offer programs for a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and typically take four years to complete. These programs typically include more training in areas such as critical thinking and communication, as well as offer students a chance to have more clinical experience. After completing a nursing program and passing the national licensing exam, one will qualify for most entry-level staff nurse positions.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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