Nursing School:Important Facts About Nursing Education

The healthcare industry is growing more quickly than ever and so is the demand for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. Aside from offering a lucrative and stable career, a nursing school education can also equip students with the necessary training and skills they need in providing care and assistance to other people, as well as making a positive difference in their lives.



There are several ways to start a nursing career. Some start out as a nurse's assistant. This route lets you earn income while at the same time gaining practical experience as they work their way up. Others will go to school so they can start out as a registered nurse. You must be a high school graduate or posses a GED. To start off as a nurse's assistant you need to earn a Certified Nurses Assistant certificate. The program takes 6 to 12 weeks to complete. This course teaches the basics, like how to draw blood and take vital signs from a patient. Nursing assistants can become orderlies or home health aides. There is an ongoing need for nurse's aides in hospitals and nursing homes.



You will also need to take several science courses in preparation for your nursing classes. These aren't technically considered nursing school classes, since they are also taken by people in other majors and schools. You may have to start with biology; some schools require human biology, rather than standard biology. This course cannot typically be bypassed, unless you have AP credits for it from high school. Chemistry is another science requirement for nursing. However, if you took it in high school and got a high grade, you can often skip it at most colleges.



The next step is to become a Registered Nurse or RN. There are two types of RN education programs. The AND program earns you an associates degree, and the BSN awards a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Once you have reached the LPN level of nursing there are several ways to become a RN. One common method is to continue working as a LPN and enroll in an online nursing degree program. If you have acquired enough college credits it is feasible that you could become a RN in 12 to 18 months. Following this course of action allows you to obtain your hands on training at the hospital you currently are employed with. Some people do prefer the traditional college classroom method of learning. However, following this path might force you to put your nursing career on hold until you have obtained the degree. This because of the rotating shifts that most hospital nurses are required to work.



In addition to the academic training, a large portion of the nursing curriculum includes a hands-on training wherein students are assigned to work in a hospital, doctor's office, public health department, ambulatory clinic, or nursing care facility. This outside the classroom training is designed to enhance students' skills in working with doctors, nurses, and patients. Through their practical experiences in their externship, nursing students eventually acquire specializations in various fields such as surgery, maternity, mental health, pediatrics, or geriatric units. To enroll in any of these programs, aspiring nurses should start searching for the best nursing school that can equip them with the necessary training and skills. One good place to start their search can be the Association of Colleges of Nursing, which can provide them a list of nursing schools within or near their area. Another practical option is to search for information on the best nursing schools available within their location.