Find Schools offering Nursing Degree Programs

• Nurses usually recieve competitive pay because of a nursing shortage.
• The nursing profession requires a person who can work in emergency situations, and under high pressure.
• Flexible scheduling is often available in nursing.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses work with doctors and other health care specialists to make sure patients are taken care of and given what they need to be comfortable. Giving prescribed medicine, monitoring medical devices and keeping track of a patient's vital signs are some of the main duties of a nurse. Flexible schedules allow nurses to work longer hours, but fewer days a week. However, nursing is also extremely hard work, with irregular, long hours. Most nurses are employed by private and public hospitals and many become specialized to one or two departments.

There are several areas of nursing to consider in the field. First are the paraprofessional levels such as a certified nursing assistant or a licensed practical nurse. Less schooling is involved to get into these occupations, and they can serve as a testing point to decide if nursing is the right career. The next level of certification and licensing is becoming a registered nurse, which usually requires a four-year bachelor's degree.

What is the job outlook for a nurse?

Nursing is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations due to the high demand in the health care industry. Once certified (as an RN, LPN, or CPN), most nurses will have no trouble finding a job and will often receive a signing bonus upon accepting a job.

How much money will a nurse make?

The average yearly salary for a nurse depends on the level of education and certification they have. A nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and a licensed practical nurse all have individual salary schedules. A nurse practitioner has an average yearly salary of $74,000, with a range from $69,000 to $80,000. A registered nurse has an average yearly salary of $55,000, with a range from $50,000 to $70,000. A licensed practical nurse has an average yearly salary of $36,000, with a range from $34,000 to $39,000. Health and retirement benefits vary by workplace.>

How does someone become a Nurse?

Most universities offer nursing programs of one level or another. Aspiring nurses should look into the different levels of nursing and what kind of education is needed for each level. For instance, a licensed practical nurse is required to go through one to two years of schooling, a registered nurse needs a bachelor of science in nursing, and a nurse practitioner needs a graduate degree in nursing. For specific program requirements contact a local nursing school.

What are the leading schools offering programs in Nursing?